March of The Succubus - Chapter 12 (Ten)

The break of dawn shed new light unto the otherwise dully lit interior of the room. Its all fours were but thick stone. The odour of decaying flesh filled the stale air. Along what looked like a long and desolate corridor, lone candles burned, its white molten wax dripping unto the cold hard floor. Lead by merely a torch, misty shadows dissapeared and reappeared at the mercy of its blaze. A lone figure emerged from the shadows, visible only at times when the moonlight chances upon it, revealing nothing more than a rather aged man, judging from the way his shadows tend to bend unevenly. He forced his way through the hallway, his appearace well hidden within the safety of the hood and the shady ambience. A double door stood before him, two guards clad in armour extending thier spaers at the sight of the hooded stranger, thier silvery crest of the Moon glittering in silvery shimmers.



'Who goes there?' said one of the MoonGlades, eyeing the stranger.



The stranger just stood there, unmoving, casting an uneasy silence between the guards.



'Report your name, sir. Or you shall not pass.'



The hooded figure lokked at the two guards. 'And who.... are you... to stop me?'



His voice was croacked and hoarsh, like his throat had been filled with sand and stone. The two guards now pointed the spears at the hooded figure. 'Then there shall be no passage here. Leave now.'



It could have been a mere spectacle to overlook, but the darkness of the night seemed to blurr the eyes of the guard, as he though he saw the man smile. A wicked, cruel smile. The very next moment, as if he was never there, the figure vanished, as though the passing of a shadow had just consumed him. The two guards just stood there, puzzled. But as soon as the strange event occured, yet another hooded figure approached the door. This time, the figure was huge. But that was the least of its bizarity. The figure had not two, but six sleeves. The guards immediately repeated the ordeal.



'And now who goes there?'



The creature kept its head down as it spoke. 'You mean to say...' there was a pause. 'Someone was here before me?'



The guards had had enough. But just before the guards drew thier arms, the creature had, too, like the figure before them, vanished into the shadows. The puzzled guard immediately asked the other to send for the Captain of the Keep.



But before the guard left his post, he witnessed what seemed like a serpent, except dressed in the equal manner as the two before, approach.



'What's with all the wierd visitors tonight! You there! State your case before I...'



That was the last thing the guard managed to say, before he felt a sharp blade pierce his armour, the edge coming out the other end. Blood spluttered out of his mouth as he gasped in pain, then, fell to the ground, dead. The other guard, upon witnessing the death of his friend, raced towards the alarm at the end of the hallway. But as he was just inches away from it, he suddenly felt his world crashing down, consumed by a sudden grief, so severe that at that very moment, he began to question the entire point of even being alive. He eased his hand, lowering slowly as he reached for the dagger at the back of his belt, as he undid the buckle. He drew it out, and standing motionless, held it with both his hands, and held it high in the air. Just as he was about to lower it into his gut, he heard a voice behind him.



'Thats enough.'



The guard immediately came to his senses, dropping the dagger. What was he thinking? He broke in cold sweat, trying to figure out what just happened. Confused, he turned immedaitely, only to the bewildered at what he saw. Another three hooded figures stood before him. One was holding out what looked like a staff, its wooden handle twisted into a brach of four that lead to its tip, where a blue glowing orb was placed. He felt something evil about the orb, but as his feelings began to take over, the orb suddenly grew dim, and the stopped glowing. In an instant, he felt his emotions coming back to him. The hooded figure behind the staff holder, was of ordinary height. It came forward, and bowed to the now shaking guard, whilst the third, who was taller than the rest, had both his arms wrapped around a huge blade taht rested on the ground. The guard was puzzled. How did they just appear behind him?



'We come to see your master and Lord.' The figure said.



'Lord... phillip?' the guard gulped in fear. This made the figure with the staff chuckle. The voice was comical, more like a squeak. The tall figure remained unmoving.



'Yes.... that would be him. Now, please direct us to his quarters. We have been invited.'



'Its at the end of the corridor.' The guard said, pointing towards the end. 'I have heard no such invitation..'



The figure stood backwards. 'I'm sure your master would be welcomed to see us.' They turned to leave, when the guard blurted out, 'Then what about the guard you just took out?!'



The three figures turned to face the guard. Then, the figure smiled. 'What guard?' Then, like those before they vanished. Strange... the guard thought to himself. He ran towards the outter section of the gate, only to find nothing. He was sure the dead body of his comrade was there seconds ago. Just when he thought the night could get no worst, he was met with another party, this time two shadows. Both were of the same height, as thier emerged from the hallway. Strangely, although both wore hoods, One seemed to be unmoving, while the other was looking at all directions. The guard noticed that they both had no arms, as their sleeves dangled in the wind. The two shadows aproached, and then stopped before the guard in unision. When they spoke, only the unmoving figure spoke, the other figure still furiously looked at all directions, as though the guard was not there. 'We come for meeting.'



Before the guard could ask 'Do you mean Lord Phillip's.....' The figure who was looking up and down stopped, and now it looked directly at the guard. The guard suddenly felt cold, as though its gaze was piercing his soul. Then, it spoke. 'End of corridor. Others are already here.' With that, the two figures disspaered before the guard. The air suddenly turned from windy to icy cold. There, before him, the guard saw the most beautiful woman he had ever feasted his eyes upon. Her lips were rich and moist, as her hips swayed in both direction as she approached him. The lady was dressed in a green tunip, which barely covered her cleavage. Behind her, another girl, who was about half her age seemed to follow her closely. He couldn't keep his eyes off her. She leaned forward, and pressed her face next to his ear, as she whispered in the sweetest of voices, 'Lord Phillip.' Her voice seemed to make him quiver, and in an instant he was frozen. He found himself answering her, then, without warning, she kissed him. A tender, yet very brief peck on the lips.

The feeling was of sweet roses and blue tulips. He was in heaven. So that's was what paradise tastes like, he thought. Immediately, he felt nothing else was more important n the world. He would do anything. Anything at all for her. The woman continued to eye him naughtily, then, as thier lips parted, he suddenly felt a lght quiver of sentiments risng through hm, all the way from the tps of his toes to his skull. Then, there was pain. Immense pain. But a part of him was accepting it. He stopped the urge to fight it off. Withn seconds, what was a fine soldier in cladded armour, was now but a huge chunnk of ice and frost.

The woman looked at the little grl, and at once, she nodded. The little girl approached the soldier, or what he once was, slowly, her left hand tightly clutched around the woman's skirts. Then, the most bnizzare thing occured, as the little girl began to eat away at the ice. Chunk after chunk until it was all gone. Suddenly, the woman's eyes began to glow, a bright and eerie blue. A bluish aura began to fill the room, and slowly, a thin but silk-like shadow emerged before them, floating aimlessly. The spirit was lost, screaming at the top of his voice, as the woman drew her breath, and the spirit was sucked into her.

She looked down, satisfied. 'Ishak Ishar!' In an instant, the guard reappeared before her in a thick cloud of mist, slowly gaining form. He had no pupils, and every breath was but chilly, cold air. The little girl ran back behind the woman, seeking protection. 'Lead us.' The guard obeyed, and the three shadows edged towards the corridor, the full moon and its silver lunar strings played the shadows on the dreadful walls of the Forbidden Castle.

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Robson leaned a little forward. It was her. Covered in a silk and beauty and grandeur. Her dark jet-black hair reflecting the warm rays of the sun. She was angelic. He would have gazed a little longer, before it happened. She looked directly back at him. That intoxicating smile. That were the roses of the May gardens, and the white-washed lilies and the daffodiles. He lost his balance, and felt, backwards, his bum hitting the ground with a loud thump.

Lord June laughed. 'So seek the maiden my friend, before fate pulled its curtains on you.'

Robson eyed him. 'Very funny.... Now be of some use and help me up, would you!'

Lady Veena approached them. 'Haha... Lovebirds sing upon the willows as sprng draw near. You really should have just walk through the front doors, you know.'

Lord Robson blushed, 'I.... I have no idea what you mean.... was just.... well... was just checking out for garden snakes!'

'Garden snakes indeed! I'll let the royal gardener know that, shall I?' and wth that, Lord June turned towards the main gates. 'Come on, Veena, lets make it to the doors before Casanova decides to look for pigeons on the castle walls next.'

Lady Veena laughed. 'That's not very funny!' Lord Robson sad, as he chased the two. Lady Veena shrieked, as she dodged him, and ran down the road, Lord June chucklng behind.

Just as they made it past the frst gate, Lady Veena tripped over an unsuspecting root, and fell towards the ground. Just as she was about to hit, two hands managed to hold her in an embrace. She was in shock and confusion, and looked up, only to see a most handsome young lad. His eyes were of emerald green. His gaze was both warm, yet there was an air of stern and respectable command about him.

'Are you alright, milady?' He said, as he helped her to her feet. "I... I'm just fine. Thank you.' She couldn't hide a little shy smile. Just then, Lord Robson came up from behind. 'Goodness! leave you for a moment and you prefer to let another man catch your fall? You really should have just let me get you!'

'Ah! The nerve!' Lady Veena said, giggling as she took a nearby tree brach and threw it at Robson. Robson laughed, and faced the young lad. Lord June arrived at the same time, anxously racing towards his sister. 'You alright? Really, Robson... You and your little games..'

'I'm alright,' replied Lady Veena. 'But all thanks to him.' Lord June gave a bow. 'Lord June of the Nightingales. Thank you for saving my sister.'

The young lad let a little smile. 'Its no bother. Just the right place at the right time. An honour, Lord June. Wai Kit, Prince of the South County.' Lord Robson was startled. 'Wai Kit? The Prince Wai Kit? My goodness! The honour's all mine!'

'I owe you a fall then, dear Prince. Pardon me, have to get the bags inside. I bid you farewell.' She gave a rather quick curtsy, and left in a hurry. 'And what's with her?' Lord June said. 'Women.....' Robson sighed. 'You'll never know.'

Just then, another figure approached the three men. 'Ah, there you are. And who are your new friends?' Wai Kit laughed. 'Now, now Halo.... There's a fine line about being fatherly and being one. And for the record, you are bad at it. Meet the Lords of East and West, Lord June and Lord Robson.'

'An honour. General Halo. A loyal servant of King and Country,' said the old General. 'Forgo the formalties. June and Robson should suffice. I've heard a great deal about what happened in the North. You really must tell us more about it. I don't trust the rumours. Now I've got the chance to learn about it first hand, I'm darn sure not to let it go.'

'Haha. Indeed. Let's talk about it while we make towards the doors? I'm dreafully certain King Wye hates to wait.'

Just as they were about to do so, there was a loud clang of metal. A guard raced out of the castle, and shouted 'Assassins! In the King's chamber! Sound the alarms!'

The four men heard it loud and clear. They drew thier swords, and raced indoors towards the castle. The castle was of endless corridors, tall pillars and large hallways. But there is no time stop and admire such majesty. Suddenly, they heard a yell, and a crash. Robson edged forward, 'Stand back!' he backed alittle, and with all his strength, thrashed the wooden doors. Before him, he could see nothing more than an empty room. The others entered. "Strange... I thought I just heard....'

The doors were suddenly shut, and behind them, a tall figure loomed over them. It wore a silver cloak, with six sleeves. Before any one could react, blades began to emerge from under the cloak. Lord June dodged it, just in time for another blade to swing forward. The others advanced, only to find more blades coming out under the assasin's cloak, attacking them furiuosly. The four of them fought hard, but there was total chaos in the room. Before Halo tried to spear forward, the assasin broke the door behind him, slicing the pillars within the room and allowing the rubble to fall, and escaped. The four man found themselves trapped. 'Let me,' said Halo. He drew a deep breath, and then, swung his fist against the debree. In an instant, huge tonnes of rock and stone smashed away, boring a wide opening before them. Wai Kit gazed at him. 'You have GOT to teach me how to do THAT!' Halo smiled. 'Not now, come on!'

They raced out of the door, only to find the several MoonGlades comigntowards them. 'MoonGlades! In Ezaroth? But how?' Lord Robson said. 'Who cares how? We have to take them down!' They engaged the MoonGlades, taking them down one at a time. Surprsingly, they had a rather good coordination. Robson and June took the left and rght, Halo covered from the back, whilst Wai Kit sliced thier way through the pack. The MoonGaldes knew they had a disadvantage in numbers. Just as Wai Kit as about to deal another blow, there was a loud screech. A MoonGlade appeared alongside the corridor, Princess WanYi cletched within his arms. 'Nobody move! Drop your weapons! Now!' Lord Robson was furious. In a split second, he took out his revolver, aimed it and fired, hitting the MoonGlade square between the eyes. Prncess WanYi shrieked, as Lord June and Prince Wai Kit raced to her aid. Just then, a tall figure emerged just between them. It was the same assasin that attacked them n the King's Quarters.

'Charming.... Yet I had expected more out of you... All of you..... Leave now. The Princess comes with me.' Wai Kit and Lord June held thier blades high up. 'Over our dead bodies.' The assasin laughed, his scally like face full of scars and blood marks. 'You don't stand a chance.' 'Try us.'

Wai Kit and June sprang forward, and struck from both sides. To thier amazement, a pair of blades appeared out under the cloak, blocking thier attacks with ease. Then, another two blades emerged, this tme over the top, and aimed for them. Wai Kit barely had time to dodge the blade, before the one that previously blocked him came back for another strike. Lord June blocked and overcame the two with ease, and with one quick blow, cut off one of the arms. The assasin didn;t even budge. To Lord June's horror, the arm he cut off suddenly split in two, and out shot a barrage of needles. He didn't manage to dodge in time, as two hit him square on his shoulder. He felt to the ground, groaning in pain. 'Poison needles! Wai Kit, get out of there!' Halo shouted, as he raced forward. The assasin focused all three blades now on Wai Kit, who struggled as he backed away. Halo leaped forward, and was about to thrust his sword, before he was blocked. This time, by two blades. The assasin didn't even turn around. Halo fought hard, trying to get to the struggling prince. Robson wasted no time, fring round after round at the monster. But yet, the blades blocked them. The assasin struck a hard blow, and Prince Wai Kit was disamred. All three swords were raised, and with a final strike, reached out for the Prince. "Noo!' shouted Halo. Blood spluttered all over the hallways.

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The assasin was mystfied. How? Between them, hands outreached, was Lord Siow. With his bare hands, he held all three blades within his grasps, and with one quick move, broke them all. 'Get out of here!' Prince Wai Kit got up, and ran, in time for more needles to spring in all directions. To Lord June's horror, Lady Veena walked in just n the wrong moment. Wai Kit saw it in time, and with all his might, turned backwards, limbs outstrecthed. The needles stuck all over him. Lady Veena was in shock. Halo was furious, and with all his moght, struck hard at the assasin's arms. Wai Kit fell hard on the ground, Lady Veena rushng forward to help him up. Robson and June were also shocked. 'Noooo!' Halo shouted. 'Noooooo!' He swung his blade once more, 'NOOOOOOO!" this time, the blades the assasin carried broke in two. The assasin turned, just in time, as Halo chanted, 'Favo Viera!' The earth trembled, and two huge rock-like arms break out, slamming the assasin to the ground. The rock hands came down for another strike, only to find themselves sliced off by another arm.

'My seventh..... No one has lived long enough to see my seventh arm....' Siow walked up to him. 'Then the honour's all mine!' With that, he thrust his blade into the cloak, slicing it apart. Just as he did, another arm blocked it, and was sliced in two. The assasin threw his cloak up, and as he did, revealed what looked like an ecsoskeleton of wooden arms and blades. He pulled at the device, and it immedately broke off, and fell to the ground. To everyone's surprse, there the assasin was, blade in hand. He only had one. The other, was a wooden contraption that literally emerged from his skin, where a real arm was supposed to be. Siow charged forward and took the assasin on. They fought gallantly. The assasin suddenly raised his own sword, and then, without warning, sliced off the wooden arm. In an instant, a purple mist began to spew from the wooden catridge of the arm. 'Gas!' Everyone get back!' Siow tried to pursue the assailant, but he leapt across the hallway, crashed through one of the windows, and escaped through the gardens.

The assasin cover a nice thirty acres of gardens, forcing his way through the guards. Just as the walls were n sight. He heard a voice behind him. 'Going somewhere?' Halo stood before him, and with a quick blow, knocked the assasin backwards. Impossible! How'd he get here first? The assasin raised his sword. 'You are no match for me, old man. Now, move aside. I would have to slice you in two, before the guards get to me.' Halo smirked. 'The only reason I didn't take you down then, was for sake of the Alumni.' The assasin's eyes grew wild. 'The Alumni! Slayer!'

With one quick blow, the assasin struck Halo. The blade caught him right between the chest. 'Impressve....' the voice came from behind the assasin. He looked down, and right below him, was a symbol of some sort, carved out of the dirt. Impossible! He tried to draw his blade, but something was pulling it into Halo. 'Why don't you take a closer look?' To his horror, the blade that went through Halo began to thrust through his own chest. Blood began to ooze out. 'Arrgh!' Halo released the spelbind, and with one blow, knocked the assasin across the garden. 'Who.... are... you?' the assasin said, his hand now decapitated, and the tip of his own blade sticking out of his chest.

'Halo.'

'No.... It can't be... All this while... you were just... in front .... of our eyes....'. Halo stepped forward. 'Our? Who sent you?' But it was too late. With a cracklng breath, he died. Halo stepped back, but to his surprise, Lord Robson stood before him. 'Slayer? What is the meaning of this? What black magic did you use on him? I saw what happened. Are you going to take me down as well?'

Halo sighed. 'No... will not. And no... not black, but white magic. Sigh. Let me explain. But help me to the castle doors... I cannot feel my legs.'