Creeping to hide behind a large tent on the top of the only slightly higher mound of dirt that overlooked the entire camp, Rex was straining his eyes to attempt to catch a glimpse of Kealy. Hushed whispering drew his attention away for a second as he heard women, “Teema, we can’t get out now. If they catch us before we escape through the flats and can get around the pitfalls for the hunt, they will kill us this time.”“I’m sorry Venya, I cannot stand around and let them continue to abuse us. You know as well as I do, if we continue to push aside the prince's advances, he will either take us unwillingly or kill us.”“So escape is the best option. You know father will not incur the wrath of him for attempting to rescue us from his blessed son, so it falls to you and me to escape. I know I prefer…”“Shh, they’re coming back,” the other woman hissed, Rex could hear slight clatters from inside the tent. Whoever these women were, it seemed they were captives of the son of his enemy, Sothis,
“Huh?” Ean asked, his brain still a little cloudy from being woken abruptly from sleep. “Your brother,” Kita whispered, looking toward the door, “He speaks to himself.” “He has…” Ean started to say, deciding to choose his words carefully, “A familiar. I think he is checking to see if they can still commune while in this place, if so, his familiar will be extremely helpful getting us through the Donréal forest without incident. I will go and check on him.” “You know of the Donréal forest?” Kita asked, raising an eyebrow. “Yes. I also know what stalks the grasslands and trees in that particular forest too, I doubt the predators have changed even in the time it has been since I last walked the trails,” Ean answered with a smirk, slowly getting to his feet, groaning as he stretched his aching muscles and joints. Kita opened her mouth as if to say something but thought twice and instead closed it and answered with a thoughtful frown and nod. Coming to sit next to Rector, Ean said in a
“What did your brother say about his familiar?” Kita asked, startling Ean as she sat on her heels next to him. “It seems his connection is not fully functional, but said his meridians are healing nicely, he said we were attacked during our portal here and he had to use more power than he could handle safely to escape the beast. Don’t ask me about that, if you can’t tell, I’m not the scholarly type,” Ean replied, letting his hand lower from the pommel of the blade he carried. “I have not heard of any beast being able to attack someone while in the portal space, alas I am not a scholar either, it is a question for the elders. I can tell from your reaction time you are more the warrior type, yes?” Kita asked, smirking slightly after seeing Ean react. “Yes, quite gifted in the heavier weapons and armour, a front-line vanguard” Ean replied with a nod. “I have another question,” Kita said, quickly adding when Ean turned to look in her direction, “If you have no issues answering questions
“What? Do you want to return to Dracoterrum with us? Why?” Ean asked, a little taken aback by Kita’s question.“Oh, that’s an easy one. My family was removed from royalty and is now shunned,” Kita replied in a flat, matter-of-fact tone.“Hang on. Your mother was the patriarch but was then removed by Kygel, that was her name? And now your family is shunned?” Ean asked, “But it should still leave yourself and your family with a little respect from the elders that favoured them, yeah?”“No. If you truly knew our ways like you both claim, you should know strength dictates the level of respect given and the right to rule. None of my family was strong enough to challenge Kygel, so my mother accepted instead of using a champion and lost in fair combat,” Kita replied, her eyes going distant as she spoke.“Ah, so your mother was demoted to serve under Kygel instead?”“No. My mother serves Purkhan now,” Kita replied, shaking her head.“That name sounds familiar. I know it’s a deity of some kind
“We are going to tie Dilo up, I’m not killing her,” Rex said, looking between the three women all standing close to him.“She has surrendered to you, perfect for execution!” Teema squealed, pointing accusingly down at Dilo, who did not move.“I’m no murderer, had she fought me to the death, and I killed her, that is a different story. I will not kill someone who has surrendered unless given a reason,” Rex replied with a frown, his intense stare causing Teema to take a step back away from him, “So unless she decides to try harming one of us, then I have a different plan in mind for her, I’m just hoping it works,” he continued, his tone softening a little, tilting his head at Dilo thoughtfully.“You only look like that when you either know something everyone else doesn’t, or you’re going to try something stupid,” Kealy said, half smirking and half frowning.“Er, maybe a little of both categories,” Rex shrugged and then smiled.“Um, can I ask a question?” Venya chirped in, the suddenness
“Rex!” Kealy hissed when they were a few paces from the forest, “We need to hide. They are here.”Nodding in acknowledgement, Rex dashed forward to gain a short distance between himself and the women, and after entering the forest, he placed his second hand on the sword pommel to ready for an attack, darting his eyes as quickly as his brain would register the new environment as possible.Slowing down once he was twenty paces into the forest, Rex took his time to get his bearings. He could see a few snarling teeth and yellow eyes slinking away into the darkness in the far distance, a few what must have been herbivores scurrying away from his domineering presence, some finding holes in the earth, some darting for gaps under felled, old wooden tree trunks. Taking a deep breath in, he noticed something that seemed familiar like he had been in a similar situation before, feeling the certainty of unseen eyes on him. His scanning and thoughts were interrupted by Venya grabbing him by the bic
“It’s been a few hours, it seems like it’s my turn for the next watch,” Rex said, beginning to burrow his hands under Kealy and Venya to try and pry himself away.“Bullshit it is, Venya, you’re up,” Kealy groaned, sliding her hands under Rex’s arm and pulling herself closer.“Someone…needs to hurry…it is so kraznok’s cold out here,” Teema said through gritted teeth, leaning on one knee next to the shallow hole Rex had dug into the earth to help keep them hidden from eyesight.“Sister, you need to stop swearing. I don’t have our bokor, so if we are attacked, I can’t fight them off,” Venya said, reaching out and pushing Kealy away.“Where was that logic when I had to be the first watch?” Teema seethed through her clamped teeth.“Ugh, fine. I’ll go,” Kealy sighed, exhaling loudly when releasing Rex and slowly getting to her feet, “Holy shit, it IS cold out here.”“Remember, no starting any blasted fires no matter how cold you get, it will draw everything here,” Teema said, lowering herse
Rex and his companions had only moved a few hundred paces when two sunken pale-skinned people dropped from a short branch, blocking their current path. Being able to see quite clearly helped Rex see that there were currently another ten hiding further back, either in tree crutches or crouched on branches. “Look, I don’t want to have to kill any of you. Just let us pass peacefully.”One of the men blocking their path snarled and turned to the other and spoke a language Rex didn’t recognise before turning back to them a few minutes later with an evil gap-toothed bleeding gummed smile, “We is takin’ one of ya’s for food.”Sighing loudly, Rex ordered Kealy to watch their backs while he engaged the men who refused to stand aside, “Well fellas, it looks like it’ll be the hard way then.” Clutching the great sword in his hand, he started forward slowly, being sure to show extra vigilance in case there were some hidden cannibals he had not seen or heard.When Rex was only five feet away from t
Darkness.Then, gradually, sensation. Warmth against his skin. Softness beneath his body. The scent of healing herbs and clean linen. Distant voices, familiar yet indistinct, rising and falling like waves against a shore.Rex floated in this half-conscious state, unwilling or unable to fully awaken. Time meant nothing here—it might have been hours or days since the battle. The only constant was the profound emptiness within him, a void of its own where Fafnir's presence should have been.Occasionally, the voices would draw nearer, accompanied by cool hands on his forehead or wrist. Words filtered through his haze—"stable," "healing," "waiting." But none penetrated deeply enough to rouse him from his twilight state.Then, a new voice—commanding, insistent, refusing to be ignored."Enough of this, Rex. Wake up."Marcia. Her tone brooked no argument, as if his continued unconsciousness were a form of insubordination she wouldn't tolerate.Rex felt his awareness slowly centring, the dista
The world seemed to slow around Rex as he absorbed the crazak queen's words. The godking continued his transformation at the center of the ritual circle, void energy crackling around him like black lightning. The tear in reality pulsed ominously overhead, its edges fraying as the ritual's purpose shifted from convergence to pure destruction."The dragon bond must become a conduit," Queen Ullysarius explained, her multifaceted eyes reflecting the chaos surrounding them. "You must channel the void energy through yourself and into your bracelet, where your dragon can contain and neutralize it.""But the strain could kill him," Kiri protested, her ancient eyes wide with concern."Yes," the crazak queen acknowledged without hesitation. "It likely will."Rex felt Fafnir's consciousness surge forward within the bond, the dragon's presence filling his mind with fierce determination.'Together,' Fafnir's voice resonated within him. 'As it has always been.'The memory of Dilo's sacrifice flashe
Rex ascended the ladder first, his muscles burning with the effort after the drain of reshaping stone. As he neared the top, he slowed, listening for any signs of enemy forces above. The rungs ended at a circular metal hatch partially concealed by overgrowth. With utmost care, he pushed against it, feeling resistance from years of disuse before it finally gave way with a soft groan.The predawn air hit his face, carrying the acrid scent of void energy and smoke. Rex lifted himself enough to peer over the edge, finding they had emerged precisely where Kiri had predicted—at the eastern fringe of the godking's encampment. The massive tear in reality dominated the sky, now at least twice the size it had been when they'd descended beneath the Citadel. Beneath it, a circle of dark-robed figures surrounded an intricate pattern of runes carved into the earth, each glowing with sickly purple energy.And at its centre stood the godking.Even from this distance, Rex could sense his power—a disto
The first sensation that struck Rex as he emerged onto the Citadel's highest tower was the cold—a biting, unnatural chill that cut through clothing and flesh alike. The second was the silence. Despite the thousands of defenders manning the walls and the enemy forces arrayed across the plains, an eerie quiet had fallen over everything, as if the world held its breath.Then he saw why.The night sky had split open.A massive tear hung above the godking's encampment, a wound in reality that oozed darkness and malevolent energy. Around its edges, the stars themselves seemed to bend and distort, drawn toward the void like moths to flame. At its centre, where the ritual circle must be, pulsed a core of such profound darkness that it seemed to devour light itself."What have they done?" Cassius whispered, his usual composure cracking by the sight.General Christopher turned from his position at the parapet, his face illuminated by the sickly purple glow emanating from the rift. "It began mom
The Citadel hummed with preparations as darkness fell. Soldiers sharpened blades, mages prepared defensive wards, and healers laid out supplies for the inevitable casualties. Rex stood at the highest observation point, watching as torches flickered to life across the godking's encampment, stretching like a sea of malevolent stars across the plains."They're positioning siege engines of inhuman proportions," Cassius observed, studying the movements through a spyglass. "But there's something else happening in the center of their camp—some kind of ritual circle."Rex felt the golden bracelet warm against his skin, Fafnir's consciousness pressing forward with concern. "He's not waiting until dawn," Rex said, the certainty growing within him. "The deadline was a misdirection. He's preparing something now.""I've sensed it too," Kiri confirmed, joining them at the parapet. "The void energy is building. Whatever he's planning, it's substantial."The Lady of Blades approached, her expression
The interior of the pavilion defied physical logic. What appeared modest from outside expanded within to a vast chamber, its boundaries lost in shadows that moved with unsettling purpose. No support poles held up the ceiling—instead, the black fabric seemed suspended by an invisible force, rippling occasionally like the surface of dark water.At the centre stood a circular table of obsidian, its surface so polished it reflected their faces with perfect clarity. Seven chairs surrounded it—four on one side, three on the other. The godking had already claimed the central seat on the far side, Chancellor Hellden taking position to his right. The third chair remained empty."Please," the godking said, gesturing to the empty seats. "Make yourselves comfortable."Rex approached cautiously, noting that the floor beneath his feet seemed to shift subtly with each step, as if he walked on something alive rather than solid ground. He chose the chair directly opposite the godking, Marcia and Kiri
Dawn broke over the imperial city with an unnatural clarity, as if the very air had been purified in anticipation of what was to come. Rex stood at the window of his chamber, watching as the first rays of sunlight touched the distant encampment of the godking's forces. The golden bracelet on his wrist pulsed with a steady rhythm, almost like a heartbeat.'He will try to tempt you,' Fafnir's voice whispered in his mind. 'Demons of his kind are masters of deception and desire.'"I know," Rex replied softly. "But I've made my choice."After careful deliberation the previous night, he had selected his three companions for the meeting with the godking. Marcia, with her tactical mind and unwavering resolve; Kiri, whose knowledge might prove crucial against a being as old as the godking; and Dilo, her void-corrupted arm possibly giving her insight into the godking's powers that others lacked.The decision had not been easy. Lacey had argued fiercely for inclusion, citing her combat knowledge
The Citadel's council chamber buzzed with tension as Rex's old companions from Dracoterrum faced his new allies from this realm. What should have been a joyful reunion had quickly transformed into an atmosphere thick with unspoken rivalries and territorial instincts."So let me get this straight," Minet said, pacing the stone floor with her arms crossed. "While we've been desperately searching for you across realms, you've been here making new... connections." Her eyes flickered briefly toward Dilo and Kiri."It wasn't exactly by choice," Rex replied, his voice strained. "I was pulled here against my will, had to survive, and found people I could trust."Lacey, who had remained unusually quiet since their arrival, finally spoke. "We understand that, Rex. But do you understand what we went through to find you? The risks we took? Rowina might be trapped between realms right now because of it."From across the room, Dilo growled low in her throat. "He wasn't
The delegation from the godking's encampment advanced at a deliberate pace across the battle-scarred plains, their progress marked by the fluttering of the white parley flag. At its center rode the imposing figure in black armor – now clearly visible as a woman with pale, almost translucent skin and silver hair that flowed like liquid metal despite the still air."I don’t recognise the envoy," the Lady of Blades said grimly, lowering the spyglass.Rex studied the approaching emissary with growing unease. He could see the person had the figure of a woman and she was not riding a horse, but a massive wolf whose shoulders stood taller than a mounted knight. Its fur was midnight black, with wisps of shadowy vapor rising from its coat with each powerful stride. Flanking her were not soldiers but beasts – creatures with vaguely humanoid forms but bestial features, as if someone had attempted to mold animals into the shape of men and stopped halfway through