Guild Wars: Age of Deceit

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

Heads-up, folks! Alas, tomorrow there will be no chapter 11, but I'm going to patch the already published content. I'll detail the changes tomorrow, but expect them to occur mostly in the early chapters (1, 2 and 3). There will be extra scenes (one big and a few smaller - the latter mostly rewritten, but still) that are going to become important later on!

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

Dear Readers,

I know you were expecting a new chapter - believe me, so was I -, but alas, I really felt the need to correct some mistakes and edit the currently published content. Unfortunately, I wrote Chapter 11 with those changes in mind and in order to better understand it, this update is necessary. To be completely honest with you, this came in quite handy as it gave me the chance to go through all the previous chapters and do some patches here and there, as well as rewrite or add new scenes to make the story whole and - hopefully - better.

This is not an enormous update, but it still has some new things. Not enough to make up for the absence of Chapter 11, but certainly something to chew on while it is is still in the works.

A quick overview of the bigger edits and changes:

In the whole story: The Canthan general who was known as Ralahn-Tor Sethiroth is no more... a new man, Raijin Seritena, has taken his place, however. The same morals, the same history, the same destiny... but a much better name.

Minor name changes: Raijin's loyal scout is now called Kei Jii (Chapter 1 and going to appear later on), and the Admiral of the Imperial Navy is now known as Fai Zahn (Chapter 7 and going to appear later on).

Prologue: Fixed some embarrassing blunders.

Chapter 1: Made the whole chapter smoother and easier to read in general. Some rewritten scenes and introductions.

Chapter 2: The letter the General receives is now written by his grandson and we learn a bit about what happened to Raijin's son. Expanded the grand throne room's description.

Chapter 3: A brand new scene was added between the coronation and Raijin's fealty. It's really intriguing... I highly recommend checking it out!

The rest of the chapters contain the aforementioned changes (names, mostly) as well as some grammatical and writing edits.


A note for next week:

Due to the last and possibly most hectic BWE, I will not post Chapter 11. A two weeks hiatus is a bit long, I know, but who would have time to read when he or she can take the epic fight to the dragons themselves and become a savior of Tyria?


Well, this is it. I wanted to thank everyone who has been keeping up with Age of Deceit - both passively and actively. It's been and still is an incredible adventure for me: the exploration of the reaches of my imagination and the constant improving of my writing skills. Hopefully I will be able to continue it with the same amount (if not more) of passion and enthusiasm until the very end...

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

To better understand some of the newer additions or changes, check out the Updated Content post for more information.

Be sure to listen to this playlist in the background to enhance your reading experience.

Chapter 11 – Winds of War

Spoiler

Raijin was pacing up and down in the palace’s war room. This circular chamber was called the conference room back in Kaineng Tah’s time and at its center sat a large, round table with the map of the explored world painted on its top. But after Yian Zho was inaugurated, a change in both purpose and name was in order: the former conference room started serving as a meeting spot for the Canthan leadership to discuss tactics and strategies in case of war, but most importantly, to plan out the grand expansion of the Dragon Empire – the one Princess Niya and Raiya inadvertently started with their endeavor to the north and the one that had become the obsession of the Lord Emperor since.

Raijin was troubled on multiple fronts. First, Ambassador Baigon’s daily letter had not arrived yet. He didn’t know what could have happened as Baigon was a precise man, and he wouldn’t be late with such an important piece of information as the state of the treaty.

But the source of his other concern was about something else. Just that morning, Kei Jii, Raijin’s most trusted scout and servant, reported about the events that had transpired on that day in the forest. When the General asked him to try and learn something about what might have happened there, Kei Jii talked with the stableboy who’d had to remain with the small group, tasked with looking after the prince’s and the soldiers’ horses.

What the stableboy had seen further proved that Zho was involved somehow in the mysterious events surrounding Kaineng Tah’s death… The then prince walked out into the wilderness all alone, in the depth of that night. Not even his guards knew where he was going. Then, the following day, when the group was about to leave for Raisu, the boy was sent out to fill the satchels with fresh water. And there, near a small stream he claimed to have found the carcass of a jet-black stallion… Kaineng Tah’s stallion.

The boy knew whose horse it was and was smart enough not to get into trouble by mentioning it to Yian Zho. He was right: the returning group with the prince at their lead stated that the horse was so terrified of something that it broke loose during the night and disappeared in the forest.

However, the most interesting thing the stableboy mentioned was that there was neither blood nor wounds on the carcass. Raijin suspected that it was magic that killed the animal, and the thought of that made him shudder.

Worry shrank his stomach and cold droplets of sweat slid down on his temple as his upset mind flashed from one disturbing problem to another disturbing problem; as if it was unable to decide which one was the graver of the two.

He stopped as he heard footsteps coming from the door’s direction. A man indeed passed in front of the room but continued on with his business after taking a short glance at the armor-clad general.

I can’t believe this! Raijin started walking around the table, examining the painted versions of Cantha and the Jade Sea. If Baigon has gone missing the Emperor will surely take actions, and this time I won’t be able to talk him down from doing something stupid.

Now numerous footsteps sounded from the corridor: the heavy clatter that metal boots made on the stone floor struck anxiety into Raijin’s heart: the Emperor and his guard escort headed for the war room.

So soon? He took a deep breath and prepared for the worst.

A moment later Emperor Yian Zho appeared with the usual smugness on his face, surrounded by four Dragonguard. Two guardsmen stayed outside, taking position at either side of the entrance, while the other two came in, saluted him and took their place at the inner sides of the door. The emperor strode toward the center and rested his elbows on the edge of the table, admiring the small figures on the map while Raijin finished his bow.

It’s just a game to him. He’s damn good at it, but he doesn’t see the people behind those symbols… the men and women who are willing to give their lives for their emperor and his grand vision.

“Report, General. What news did Baigon send today?”

“None yet, my Emperor.” Raijin could see a flash of frustration darkening Zho’s expression. “I believe something has happened to the messenger falcon. A storm maybe…”

“And what if those dear Luxons kidnapped or murdered him and the diplomats?”

“I highly doubt that. I know Captain Kanaxai and he is an honest man. A bit temperamental, but honest nonetheless. The same can be said about the Luxons.”

“Perhaps… however, at the end of the day they are still the primitive nomads they have always been.” Zho grabbed the royal scepter that was lying on an ornate shelf built into the side of the table. It was said that actions carried out, commands and orders issued with that scepter could not be overruled – not even by the Emperor, unless he revoked it using the scepter again. Raijin knew it to be a simple legend, but a dangerous one in the wrong hands… and the scepter was clearly held by such hands right now. “And thus we have to take precautions…”

“My Emperor, it has only been a day and the ambassador claimed that the talks were advancing well. Marshaling our forces could frighten the Luxons and make them jump out of forming this truce.”

“Or it was just one of Kanaxai’s tricks and he forced Baigon to mislead us. No, I’m not willing to take tha—…”

“Excuse me, my emperor, but a boy says he’s bringing an urgent message for both of you. Shall I let him in?” One of the guards asked and Raijin couldn’t help but smile at the interruption: Zho seemed to have been knocked out of his calm arrogance.

“Don’t interrupt me again… do you understand?”

“Y-yes, my Emperor. I’m sorry, my Emperor.”

“Good… now let him in.”

A young servant walked in and knelt down before the dignitaries. He was holding a small parchment.

“You may rise. What have you brought for me?”

“Thank you, my Emperor. The messenger falcon just arrived, bringing a letter from Ambassador Baigon.”

Emperor Yian Zho took the paper from the boy.

“You can go now.” He waved at the entrance and the boy quickly left after bowing. Zho began reading the message and his visage grew darker with each moment.

“Nonsense! Outrageous nonsense!”

“May I read it, my Emperor?”

“Here, take it. I hope it will convince you that they are playing tricks on us.”

The Emperor handed the parchment to Raijin. He looked at the small note that was written with ornamented characters.

Talks temporarily ended. Captain Kanaxai got word of a Corruptor brainwashing naga and rampaging in the hills. He left the camp with his best warriors to destroy the threat for good. Promised to return and continue. Patience is required. Everything is fine.

- Baigon

“Another Corruptor? Hopefully it will be the last.” Raijin tried to change the subject of the discussion, although he was sure it wouldn’t help.

“Bah… you really believe this pathetic excuse?”

“Why wouldn’t I? These Corruptors did untold damage to Cantha even before the Empire was born. And they—”

“Yes, yes, killed your wife and destroyed her empire.” Zho’s attitude infuriated him beyond words, and if he hadn’t known how to control his growing anger, he would’ve killed him right on the spot. The Emperor went on as if nothing had happened. “But we have no reason to believe there are more. According to your and father’s report most were killed in the celestial fire while the survivors were hunted down by Kanaxai’s father. ALL were accounted for. This is just a ruse to suppress our suspicion.”

“As I said before, Kanaxai is an honest and true man. He would never deceive anyone. If there’s a Corruptor hiding there somewhere, it must be eliminated immediately. The Captain is doing the right thing.”

“Even if what he says is true, it won’t hurt if we move our forces closer to Luxon borders.”

“But my Emperor! It might instigate them!”

“Then make it look like as if it’s nothing else but a legion sent to protect them in case this Corruptor attacks their undefended camp. An act of goodwill, if you will.” Zho frowned. “By the gods, do I have to tell you everything?”

Raijin hated to admit but the emperor was right this time. The army’s presence in the area could becalm the Emperor’s paranoid mind and still serve as a convincing way to better the relationship between Cantha and the Luxons – even if it’s all just deception. Let’s hope they will think the same. There’s even something that can be done to make it more believable, however.

“It will be done, my Emperor, although I have advice that might be worth considering.” He picked up a commandeering stick from the table, looked for the wooden banner depicting the mark of a legion stationed near the northern edge of the Jade Sea and pointed the tip of the rod at it. “The Seventh Legion is close enough to be in the hills in a few days’ time, but it may serve your needs more if not the whole legion was sent, but several battalions only.” With that Raijin grabbed a smaller banner-figure with no legion markings, swiftly put it near the Seventh Legion’s and pushed it to the vicinity of a wooden coin with a kraken on it. “The remainder of the legion can uphold the law and guard our southern borders while the… ahem… ambassadorial units can move in to defend the Krakens and ensure there is nothing amiss.”

Emperor Yian’s gaze pierced the three figurines as he was thoroughly weighing the options. In the end, he clicked with his tongue.

“Perfect… in the meantime, send word to Admiral Fai Zahn as well.”

Shock appeared on Raijin’s face, replacing the calm that was starting to show a moment ago. What does this pongmang have in mind now?

“And what should I tell him?”

“To mobilize the Third and Fourth Fleets and have them amass near the channel.” Zho bent over the table. When he found the appropriate ship-figures, fire kindled in his eyes: with a concentrated gale of hot air he blew the little boats to the large bay of the channel connecting the Jade Sea to the ocean. Emperor Yian Zho looked up with an arrogant grin. “Just a little precaution.”

Raijin raised an eyebrow before he spoke. He now knew how to deal with the Emperor’s paranoia.

“And what should be the official story?”

“Figure something out. Increased naitahlen activity, military exercise… whatever you like the most.”

“As you wish, my Emperor.” He bowed and stormed out of the war room with clenched fists.

****

The fool! He can’t even realize that his own damned plans for Canthan expansion will be either postponed or ruined if he begins waging war! Raijin’s troubled thoughts raced across his mind as he furiously wound through the halls and chambers of the palace on his way to his quarters. Relax, Raijin. You can still fix this mess. Kanaxai will get rid of the Corruptor, return to his people and forge that truce with Baigon, while that division of the Seventh Legion appears as the noble protectors of the defenseless Luxons. He knew that if one thing went awry, the fragile hope for a bloodless solution will be shattered in an instant. I have to get to writing those command letters now.

He arrived at his room, quickly moved in and closed the door. Inside he walked up to the desk and put Baigon’s message on top of a scroll pile. He almost entirely forgot Kei Jii’s report in the debate with the Emperor, but now he had to put that aside until he was finished with the letters.

The extreme stress weighed heavy on his shoulders, adding its own weight to the physical pressure of the armor. Raijin collected his thoughts and began unfastening it. Piece after piece, he felt the burden – both physical and mental – decreasing. The severity of the crises he had to face was still staggering, but at least he became a tiny bit more relaxed. In order to have a chance at conquering these difficulties, I’ll need to be focused. Raijin sat down and made some work space. After finding a blank paper and opening a fresh vial of ink, he got to writing the crucial documents. A miswritten ideogram, a misworded sentence and everything could fall apart.

The weary general lost his sense of time in the heavy concentration. He was already done with the letter for the Seventh Legion’s commander, and now was close to finishing the sailing order for the Admiral.

Knock… knock… knock… knock.

He was knocked out of his focus which almost resulted in a stray line on one of the ideograms. Now what?

After cautiously putting the cap on the vial, he stood up angrily and crossed the room. His hand was reaching for the handle when the unexpected guest yelled outside.

“Hello? Is there anybody in there?”

Raijin nearly jumped in surprise. The voice was eerily familiar. Could it be…

He quickly turned the key and pushed the handle down, letting the door slowly swing open with a low creak.

In the corridor a young man stood, wearing the generic uniform of the Imperial soldiers. The man was just as tall as him and looked exactly like the general in his younger days.

“Teiran!” Raijin laughed as he hugged his grandson. The two of them hadn’t seen each other for more than half a year now. “What are you doing here? I thought you were still stationed near Dinfang.”

“Well, our commanders decided that a smaller contingent can handle Fort Fu and upkeep peace with the tengu just as well, so the rest of us were called back to attend other duties.”

“And who were you assigned to?”

“Believe it or not, I’m serving under General Raijin Seritena now.” Teiran’s grin ran from ear to ear.

“What? Really?”

“Yes, sir!” Teiran saluted his superior, now nearly bursting from the laughter he was holding back.

“At ease, soldier! Come, I’ll show you around. I wanted to break away from the work anyway.”

****

Raijin and Teiran were walking in the training grounds just next to the palace. Disciplined soldiers were sparring in duos and quartets, while others were following an elder instructor’s fighting moves, carrying them out perfectly and in unison a moment later. The sun was still high on the sky, but greyish white clouds rolled over and blocked it out occasionally.

A few minutes later they walked on, approaching the coastal woods surrounding the ever-growing palace and the construction sites. None of them wanted to break the embarrassing silence: they hadn’t spoken since the death of Raijin’s son, Teiran’s father, who had died only a week after Kaineng Tah.

The painful memories were enough to rob him of the joy that seeing Teiran had caused, but Raijin collected his strength and looked at his grandson. His hoarse voice betrayed that he was stifling the sorrow that tormented his soul.

“How are you holding up?”

“Better than during the funeral.”

“Everyone would’ve reacted similarly. Even I could barely hold myself back from lashing out at those Sensali.” He looked up at the cloudy sky with equally clouded eyes, painfully smirking. “And then they just wanted to pay their respect.”

“Good thing the Angchu tengu was there, too. If they hadn’t held me back, father’s sacrifice would’ve been for nothing.”

“Indeed. Because of him peace survived. The Sensali knew that too.”

“But I will never forgive them.” Teiran raised his voice as fury was born of the memory of loss. "They are aggressive, savage beasts. Father had to die because of a simple misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstandings can be fatal when you don’t know the culture you are dealing with. It is a lesson the Emperor might learn the hard way.” Raijin pursed his lips and bowed his head in hidden shame. What’s wrong with you, old fool? Why do you have to bring up other problems when talking to your grandson about his father’s death?

But Teiran seemed to be happy that they could change topic at last.

“What do you mean?”

“It’s complicated. If everything goes well, it’s nothing you should worry about. If not… then you will know it yourself.” Raijin remembered he still hadn’t finished the second document. “Now, let’s return to the palace. I bet you’re tired and I’ve still got some work to do.”

As they turned around, a blue bird appeared on the horizon, coming from the south and flying towards them. Upon closer look it looked just like a dove.

“A blue dove?” Teiran asked in disbelief, but Raijin knew exactly what it was – although he didn’t say a thing.

The exquisite phenomenon arrived before them several moments later; an ethereal dove of blue light, flapping its wings as it dynamically changed shape and became the transparent form of beautiful young woman in ornate robes: Dwayna’s Sacred Guard. Her image began speaking immediately.

“General, I’ll try to be as quick as possible. I didn’t want to risk sending a letter by normal means since those messages could easily be checked before they are handed out. After parting I entered a trance to recall the tiniest details of the coronation: it paid off, as on second watch I saw Yian Zho panicking – his expression was replaced with shock when the scrutinizing orb entered his mind. It might be nothing, or he was clearly afraid of being scanned for treacherous deeds… Right now I’m heading south to meet my Patriarch and ask his counsel. I’m sure the goddess has informed him too, and hopefully he’s already learned something that can help us in uncovering the truth. I hope your own investigation is going well. I have to go now! Farewell!”

When her image finished speaking, the ethereal light dissipated in the air, leaving nothing behind.

Raijin held his hand on his mouth, not knowing what to say or do. How can someone be so irresponsible?

“Well, life is sure never boring around you.” Teiran said with a grin on his face. “What’s going on? And before you answer, remember: by listening to the Sacred Guard’s message, I’ve just joined you in the fray.”

Raijin had to agree that there was no point in keeping him out now. He exhaled deeply and told the whole story from the very beginning, going into the smallest details and also informing him about Kei Jii’s report.

When he finished, Teiran’s eyes went wide from what he had just heard.

“This is a serious accusation. Are you two sure about this?”

“Absolutely. Dwayna herself told her these things and with the stableboy’s telling of that one day it’s all too likely that the Emperor is guilty.”

Raijin saw Teiran fell into a silent contemplation, going over all that was just said. In those seconds he wondered how his grandson would decide in the end.

Not even half a minute passed when he looked into his grandfather’s eyes, determination glinting in his gaze.

“I want to help… especially now that I serve under you.” Raijin was surprised at Teiran’s words for two reasons: he didn’t expect that the boy would jump into their little conspiracy immediately and, more importantly, his voice didn’t contain any form of excitement at all. His whole being radiated sincerity and seriousness. Men of his age would probably volunteer for the thrill only, and yet he was doing it out of a sense of duty and responsibility – for his family and his nation. Raijin couldn’t have been more proud than he was right now. He quickly collected his own thoughts to hide how moved he was.

“Well, I have to stay here and do all the paperwork that is required to keep the Empire from being plunged into war, which means I can easily find out more about the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of Kaineng Tah’s last will in my off-duty hours. As for you, if you really want to help, you could keep an eye out on the priestess.”

“Understood.”

“She shouldn’t know about it, though.”

“I’ll protect her without her even knowing I’m there.”

“Oh, I am sure she can handle herself alright…” Raijin had to chuckle as he imagined the expression on the woman’s face when Teiran tried to defend her. “It’s that she’s just a little too mysterious… too many unknowns.”

Teiran frowned in a slight confusion.

“Don’t you trust her then?”

“Of course I do! But I’d like to know what she’s up to. Her blind devotion to Dwayna might make her do something stupid that we may all regret.”

“As you command, General.” Teiran said in a serious tone and saluted his superior.

“You might want to leave today if you want to catch up with her.”

After an affirmative nod, Teiran stepped forward to hug his grandfather. Metal plates clang as their armor bumped together.

“Be careful, little dragon.” With teary eyes, Raijin whispered to the last living member of his family.

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

Updated Chapter 11 with an epic playlist for your pleasure! :)

Chapter 12 coming tomorrow!

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

Be sure to listen to this playlist in the background to enhance your reading experience.

Chapter 12 - A Desperate Battle

Spoiler

Dark red blood splattered into Kanaxai’s face as he ripped his right axe free from the crest of a naga. The crazed serpent dropped its knife and pressed both his hands into the severely bleeding gash as hard as he could, trying to hold back the gush of blood that the fleshy, pulsating wreck that his heart once was thrusted at every beat.

When he realized it had no use, he locked his glassy gaze on his murderer, and Kanaxai could swear that it was gratitude that appeared on the dying muzzle. The naga agonizingly hissed a few more times as it died.

But Kanaxai was already on his way to the next target. All around him men and naga were locked in a deadly battle: dying screams, angry growling, furious battle cries and the sound of steel biting steel were mixed into a cacophony that spread throughout the shore and the surrounding hills.

The controlled serpents fought without discipline: they hacked, slashed, stabbed, bit and even spat just to disorient their foes. Kanaxai saw that two of his men already fell to their frenzied flurry and unpredictability: one was stabbed in the back of the skull and the other was missing his throat; both lay still in a growing pool of blood that the hot sand avidly soaked in.

A twisted blade swung towards Kanaxai’s head, its spiraling curves letting out a horrid whistle as they cut through the air. Kanaxai instinctively bent his head back and evaded with his torso: the gut-tearing sword missed only by a half of an inch, but the naga was carried forward by the momentum and with stretched arm he nearly toppled over. Kanaxai took his chance to land an opportunistic blow: with a lightning fast change of grip his left axe slashed upwards, and a moment later its blade cut off the naga’s sword-holding hand. The naga hissed in pain, grabbing the bloody, scaly stump at the end of his arm, but Kanaxai gave him no chance to recover from the shock and use his body as a weapon against him. His right axe chopped into the naga’s nape, severing the spine from the skull. The naga lifelessly fell forward with a buckled head.

He was finally in the clear now – even if just for a brief amount of time – and could look around to assess the battlefield: while he was fighting with his last opponent, another of his warriors was slain, and a couple others were wounded and bleeding from several cuts. Naga bodies littered the shore yet fresh reinforcements just kept coming from behind a hill, slithering down the slope with the single-minded purpose of butchering them.

Damnation! How many more brainwashed naga does this blasted Corruptor have? Kanaxai thought as he readied himself for the next two challengers. Charging forward, he glanced at one of his warriors, a smith in time of peace, whose double swords just cut off the head of his foe with a scissor-like strike. But he had to concentrate on his path as the two naga were also rushing towards him, wildly jigging their pointed sticks in the air. One of them threw the sharp rod at him, but he ducked and strafed to the left, evading the javelin and getting out of the other naga’s reach at the same time. Seven feet away from his assailants, Kanaxai lunged forward. The naga that still had his lance jabbed in the air but Kanaxai was quicker and cut off the tip with a swift chop, also wresting the lance from the naga’s hands. Still in midair, he slammed the left axe into the skull of the other, who died instantly, falling back with the axe still stuck deep in his head. Kanaxai had to let it go or otherwise he would’ve tripped over. The moment he touched down with only one axe in hand, he felt razor-sharp claws tearing into the flesh of his shoulders; the other naga pounced on him and pushed him to the ground.

The wounds on his shoulders seared as the blood flowed from them in long streaks, but now that he was lying in the sand the female naga released her grip with one hand and tried to push it into Kanaxai’s throat with the intent of ripping it out, strangling him to death, or both. Kanaxai was able to grab the scaly wrist just in time and held it back. The naga let go off the other shoulder and similarly tried to punch her foe in the neck, but was stopped again.

However, she had one more weapon she hadn’t used yet: she arched her long neck back to ram her fanged maw into the man’s face with full force. The female naga struck, but Kanaxai managed to cross the naga’s own arms with a sudden jerk and hold them between his face and the enclosing jaw. He glanced to the right where his axe lay in the sand just a foot from him, but if he had reached out for it, he could no longer keep the rabid serpent at bay. Though he had one more risky idea.

Gritting his teeth and trying to push the bloodthirsty head back, he kicked at the soft torso of the naga, only to enrage her even more. She wrapped her tail around Kanaxai’s legs and began squeezing them.

The pain and the pressure increased with each moment and he felt his strength slipping away, letting the snapping teeth get closer and closer. He knew that the moment one of his shins broke, he would fail and the naga would bite on his face. Kanaxai closed his eyes and accepted his fate.

Instead of feeling the bones in his legs shatter, he felt the pressure decreasing. At the same time, warm liquid the smell and taste of iron poured into his face. He blinked his eyes open and saw a steel-like tongue sticking out of the naga’s mouth. The “tongue” pulled back and disappeared behind the skull and Kanaxai threw the corpse off.

A calloused hand reached for his own and a moment later Kanaxai stood on his feet again. His savior was the smith, panting and bloodied as well, but determined to see this through.

“Thanks, Cyrus.”

“Anything for you, Captain.” He looked down at the axe he had picked up a moment ago and handed them over to its owner. “You are going to need this… Now, we’ve still got some work to do.” With that, Cyrus rushed ahead and ran a sword through another naga who was engaged in fight with one of his war brothers.

Kanaxai caught his breath while looking around the battlefield. Three more of his soldiers fell and the naga were pushing hard from all directions, forcing them back into the sea. It was a trap and we walked right into it. This damned Corruptor is smarter than I thought.

An hour ago they had found the tracks of a group of naga heading south along the shore. The tracks had implied the group was large, but they never thought it would be so numerous.

The realization dawned on Kanaxai only now. Most of them marched in single file, each naga moving behind another… so that is how they hid their actual numbers. The deception had worked well and they unsuspectingly followed the trail all the way down here, where a smaller unit had attacked from the sea, making them believe it was the group they had been harrying. Minutes later the horde had ambushed them from behind the hill and all hell had broken loose.

He quickly rushed to his other axe and freed it from the naga’s skull.

“Captain!” The voice of one of his warriors came from behind: a young man with a bow in hand standing on a larger rock thirty strides away. “More naga are headed down the hill! We will be overwhe–“ He couldn’t finish his sentence. The boy looked down at his abdomen with wide eyes to see the twisting, transparent tip and a two-foot-long part of an ethereal spear sticking out of it. The spearhead and the pole weren’t bloody at all, but his blood gushed like a red waterfall from the wound onto the previously white cliff. His eyes rolled back into his skull as he fell off the cliff with a silent sigh.

The burning rage in Kanaxai surged into every fiber of his body. Ferociously whirling his axes he rushed forward, looking for the one who killed the young warrior.

“XSHSSSSSSHSHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!”

Kanaxai snapped his head at the source of the ear-bleeding hiss and found it to be young warrior’s murderer: the Corruptor himself. Standing taller and more muscular than most naga, the creature was more frightening in the flesh than had been in the injured hunter’s description. He was wildly throwing ethereal spears at Kanaxai’s men, but they missed or the warriors evaded with ease. Kanaxai saw that the Corruptor’s arms were quaking at each throw, and the pace at which he was throwing them continuously slowed down. He’s losing his power!

He realized that it was now or never. With a single stroke of his axes he can kill the weakened monster, free the naga and stop their onslaught. He charged forward with all his might, trying to find a safe way through the naga defenders. To his surprise some of the naga slowed down as well; they were disoriented and blindly staring into the distance. He can barely control them now! Now at the foot of the small hill, only about fifty feet separated him from the Corruptor.

However, the nightmarish snake also spotted him. It pulled back its right arm and dark energies began roiling into his clenched fist: he was charging an attack.

Kanaxai had no intent of stopping; he just rushed forward while trying to calculate the place where the javelin would hit.

Then, the spear was thrown.

He easily evaded it, and it would’ve simply struck the ground near his feet, but upon impact the magical missile exploded. Kanaxai felt the world spinning as he was thrown aback, helplessly flying towards the base of the hill. When he crashed into the sand, everything went dark around him. His head was about to split in two from the pain, but he still heard the sounds of battle from nearby. Seconds passed as he was trying to get back up from the painful stun when hands reached below his arms and began dragging him towards the shore. He forced his eyes open, still seeing a few sparkles.

Looking around, Kanaxai saw that Cyrus saved his life again and brought him to the very edge of the shore. All his surviving men were there, amazedly watching the absurd scene: naga fighting naga.

The brainwashed ones could still be distinguished from the free due to their undisciplined, mindless fighting style. On top of that, unfortunately they still vastly outnumbered their freed brethren.

Kanaxai stood up and looked back at the top of the hill: the Corruptor was broken, only his convulsing arms holding him back from stretching out on the ground. Despite being half-dead his awesome power was still enough to maintain control over the majority of the naga.

“What should we do now, Captain?” Cyrus asked, still dumbfounded by the sight.

“If we want to survive this, we’ll all have to stand together.” With that he let out a sharp whistle, to which some of the sane naga turned around. Kanaxai gesticulated with his hands to join them and miraculously, they agreed and began passing the message in their own language. Several seconds later the survivors started into a slow retreat, backing towards Kanaxai’s team and the sea.

“We have to help them. Reinforce their lines and slowly fall back with them. Here we will make our last stand.”

“Is there any chance we are going to survive this?” A young warrior asked, fear making his voice quake.

“Pray to Keelaiah that we will.” Kanaxai also started into a prayer as he was running to the help of their unexpected allies. He could hear his men doing the same, and an instant later a powerful sensation filled his being, urging him to press on and fight.

Hold out a little longer, brave men of the sea. Help is on the way. Until then, my strength and cunning will empower you.

Now that’s a cliffhanger! Don’t worry, for once the next chapter will be published early, on next Wednesday, while the usual Saturday update is still going to happen, bringing Chapter 14 along! Indeed, next week there will be not one, but two new chapters.

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

And thus the cliffhanging was resolved - for now.... in a bit of a tear-jerking way...

Be sure to listen to this playlist in the background to enhance your reading experience.

Chapter 13 - Freedom and Sacrifice

Spoiler

The Kraken’s Dream silently glided on the sea, not far off the coast. Its sails were unfurled although there wasn’t much wind to catch at the moment. Most of the crew were resting in the deck below with a few playing cards on the main deck.

Demetrius, the first mate and captain in Kanaxai’s absence, leant over the railing and stared into the distance, watching the horizon that divided the colors of jade and cyan. Out on the sea people couldn’t know when a leviathan would suddenly attack without any sign beforehand, but Demetrius simply marveled at the beauty of the incomprehensible, capricious sea. He just realized that deep down he actually meant the tease he told Kanaxai about cruising away with the ship and never returning. He would have never betrayed his clan or his Captain, but the prospect of leaving everything behind and living only to the sea was tempting.

They had only left the pier a day ago, almost right after the Captain had helped them loading the cargo in, but the winds were rather unfavorable and so they passed the shores of Maishang Hills only about two hours ago.

A tiny whirlpool that formed a hundred strides from the ship caught Demetrius’ attention. Then a second, a third, a fourth… in the end there were six of the little swirling phenomena. He bent over the rail and focused his sight: the whirlpools posed no threat to the ship, but their sudden appearance made him nervous.

Out of the six vortexes six transparent tentacles emerged, followed by the long head of a spectral kraken: Zhu Hanuku burst out the waters, anxiously flailing with his limbs. Demetrius knew that the great kraken wouldn’t appear if it was not for something urgent. He decided to alert the crew with a mighty yell.

“All hands to the deck!”

He heard rumbling coming from the inside the ship, then footfalls rushing up the ladder. The two men and women who played cards instantly aborted the game and appeared beside their commanding officer, staring at the incredible sight with admiration. While the rest of the crew lined up, Zhu Hanuku gently but hastily floated closer to the ship.

Demetrius, there is little time to explain. Turn the ship around and sail back to Maishang shore immediately. The spirit’s booming voice sounded of worry and urgency. Kanaxai and his warriors are in danger.

“You heard, Zhu! We’re going back to the hills!” Demetrius said, although he didn’t even need to give commands as the crewmembers were already working in full unison at full speed to steer the ship back to where it had come from. “Bring out the paddles, or else we will never get there in time!”

I can provide you the necessary wind, Demetrius, but go on with the rowing… at least you will get there sooner.

“What’s going on, Zhu? Why is the Cap’n in Maishang anyways?”

The last of the Corruptors has resurfaced, but Kanaxai’s men have been trapped. Keelaiah herself warned me to come, while she is giving them the strength to keep fighting.

The winds were already bellying the sails and combined with the steady, rhythmical pulls of the paddles the Kraken’s Dream was cleaving through the jade-colored fabric of the sea.

You will be there shortly with this speed. I will hurry ahead and attempt to aid them. With his last word spoken, the immortal sea spirit disappeared with a crack of thunder.

Demetrius ran forward to the bow and forced his eyes on the faraway shore.

****

The defense ring held for the moment. Naga and human together formed a formidable team, especially when both were empowered by the goddess of war. However, even their combined, bolstered strength could not hold out for long against the relentless assault of the Corruptor’s crazed minions. Kanaxai now knew that the Corruptor’s atrocities exceeded his estimations: the malign snake brainwashed numerous tribes and villages, not just a few. It was no wonder he couldn’t maintain full control over so many all alone.

A naga with torn head fins interrupted his pondering by thrusting at Kanaxai with a Luxon sword. Kanaxai simply ducked and, while the attacker was imbalanced, hurled his left axe into the broad, serpentine neck, piercing it with the tip of the double blade. To his right a sane naga bashed in the head of her controlled brethren with a crude shield. Kanaxai was overjoyed that they were withstanding the brutal, constant assaults so well. Even if they keep coming like this, we can still hold them off… they have to run out eventually.

But his heart sank the moment he heard the concert of agonized screams of men and naga coming from the other end of their position. He spun around to see the enemy pushing into their ring, hacking and slashing left and right. They somehow found the weakest point in their living wall and kept the pressure on it until it broke.

Kanaxai wound through the distance with long leaps and got to cutting down those that broke in. His retaliation sent naga flesh flying in all directions. He thought the naga on their side were probably offended a bit, but they knew all too well that it had to be done. Their very survival depended on it.

For the moment, with his timely intervention they could push back and close the gap in their lines. On the top of the hill, however, what seemed to be the final, albeit largest wave was amassing already, hissing and scowling at the small group below.

“We won’t survive thisss! Dwayna have mercy on our soulss!” A naga wailed in the back lines of the stand.

“Don’t give up so easily!” Kanaxai yelled. “If we don’t stop them here, they will move on to slaughter our peoples everywhere! We have no choice but to fight to the last ounce of our might, to the last warrior and weaken the Corruptor and his forces as much as possible!” Kanaxai’s men roared and even a few naga seemed to be more determined now. “Help is coming. Keelaiah promised us and she’s with us at this very moment. What does the Corruptor have? Dark magic that’s already failing him!”

The roar repeated, now from every throat and twice as fierce as before. The united forces readied themselves for the end, awaiting the tide that would wash upon them like a tsunami.

“Captain… what is he doing?” Kanaxai looked at Cyrus first whose face was darkened by fear, then followed his gaze to the Corruptor.

Now that the last of his brainwashed soldiers slithered down the hill and were ready to throw themselves into the chaotic cluster of warring men and naga, the sorcerer realized he could end it all with one brutal explosion of magic – both his minions who outlived their usefulness and became a nuisance maintaining control over and his frustrating foes. For that end, he was drawing power from the depths of his being to fuel a spell a hundred times more destructive and lethal than the one that nearly killed Kanaxai. However, in order to survive he had to release his soldiers one by one; regaining the energies he used to keep them under control.

On the shore below the naga that were vicious and bloodthirsty became confused and disorganized, dropping their weapons and staring at their bloodstained hands.

“STAND DOWN!” Kanaxai yelled as strong as his vocal cords allowed him. “Everyone stand down! They are free again!”

The defenders looked warily at the confused snakes who had been their deadly foes just seconds ago, but they didn’t attack. Some of the newly freed began asking questions from those who were on the defensive.

An unearthly crack sounded from the hill. The Corruptor – now on the verge of collapse – finished charging his spell; the floating orb of writhing energies silently spun at impossible speeds between his hands… and he released it.

“RUUUUUN!”

Everybody ran. However, they all knew it was futile, since the orb was coming in fast and the distance it had to travel was short; there was not enough time and no way at all to get into safety – not when the Corruptor wanted to make sure they all perish.

The enormous explosion deafened everyone in the proximity, some were even knocked down by a weakened shockwave, but no one felt their skin melting off. No one went flying, no one lost a limb and no one died.

Kanaxai, still stunned and shaken by the fact that they were all alive, turned back to see what happened exactly: the destructive, blinding sphere still seethed in the air like an angry star wanting to expand and bring ruination, but it was confined by an invisible force. On second look, however, he realized it wasn’t invisible at all. Although difficult to spot from the light of the explosion and the glare of the noon sun, six transparent tentacles encompassed the raging sphere, keeping it caged. Kanaxai followed the dim lines of the kraken back to the head and saw that Zhu Hanuku was in pain. His ear still rang from the explosion, but the deep, painful moans of his old spirit friend were still audible – faint, but audible nonetheless, evoking sorrow in the hearts of every living being that heard them.

Gradually, the luminosity of the sphere decreased, and with it the scorching heat that still radiated through Zhu Hanuku’s firm arms slowly dissipated. In the end, aside from the charred, boiling sand below there was no sign of the disaster that had almost transpired. The Kraken spirit collapsed on the shore. His limbs weakly twitched and the moans started to become more and more distant.

Kanaxai rushed to the spirit’s side and stared into the blurry eye that narrowed with each passing moment. He fell to his knees.

“Zhu!” Kanaxai cried and the kraken managed to open his eyes fully again. “Don’t leave us, old friend!”

I’m not going to die, Kanaxai. His voice was like the slight breeze coming from the sea at dusk. A little dark magic won’t stop me.

“You had me worried right there.” Kanaxai said, letting out a great sigh of relief now that it was over.

But I must leave for the spirit world now… I’ve depleted the energies that were given to me to interfere with the physical realm. If I don’t return now, I may fade completely from existence.

“I understand. How long will you be away?”

For years… your son will be the next Captain by the time I regain my strength to return.

Zhu Hanuku’s words struck deep in his soul, but he accepted them. This was merely a farewell for a longer time.

You must destroy the Corruptor immediately, Kanaxai. His intents are darker than a starless night. If he is to succeed…

“He won’t. I promise.” Kanaxai said as he looked at the top of the hill but the Corruptor was long gone. The now-free naga and a few of the human survivors vehemently searched for his tracks.

I know you will do everything in your power to stop him but be cautious. His form seemed to exhale deeply, and small streams of ethereal matter were being blown away by the wind, taking them towards the sea. I… I did not feel the power I warned you about… this creature wields a different form of magic. Old and powerful, but not the same. That elusive other could still be out there. The streams grew in both intensity and number: Zhu Hanuku was ready to rest now.

“Thank you for everything, Zhu Hanuku. Until we meet again when I’m an old man… goodbye, friend.”

I cannot wait for that day. May both the gods and the spirits be with you, friend.

With that the breeze picked up the last bits of the great kraken’s spectral matter and carried them in the sea’s direction. Kanaxai watched the tiny wisps for as long as he could, until they entirely disappeared. But he didn’t take his gaze off the sea. He stared at it in the hope of it clearing his mind. It was in that stare that he spotted a larger figure riding the waves: a ship. Not just any ship, as it was the Kraken’s Dream. Kanaxai could recognize it from miles away even if it banded together with all the other ships of the Luxon Armada.

From behind, an older-looking naga female approached him. Kanaxai turned around to greet her.

“Thank you for freeing usss, Captain.” The naga said. “I’m the last elder here. All the otherss were slain in the battle.”

“I’m glad we could help and I’m sorry for your loss… but our victory came with a heavy price for everyone.” He gestured at the corpses of men and naga.

“Indeed it did. But we can avenge all of them. I know where the Corruptor iss headed.”

“You do?” Kanaxai’s brows jumped up to his forehead in surprise.

“Yesss.” The elder let herself smile. “He wanted to learn the location of a grim obelissk that our people shun. While we were ensslaved, he extracted that information from uss. I can lead you there, but it will take long if we go on foot.”

“That won’t be a problem.” Kanaxai turned to face the sea and pointed at the growing wooden construct among the waves. “We’ve got our ride incoming. A mighty one.”

****

The Kraken’s Dream sailed with remarkable speed. The winds were blowing hard and favorably, propelling them towards their destination. Many on board believed it to be the divine will of the gods and it was very much likely to be the case indeed.

Kanaxai stood on the stern of his ship with Demetrius on one side and the naga elder on the other. By the time the ship had anchored down they were mostly done with burying their dead – all graves placed on the hill in defiance and remembrance of the Corruptor’s evil. The crew had still helped in finishing the work while they had listened to the telling of the dreadful events. After every fallen had been buried, the naga elder talked to her people. She let everyone who wanted to have his or her revenge on their tormentor to join. Many did, however, the wounded, the old, and several parents wanted to return to their villages to check on their hatchlings – it turned out the Corruptor didn’t enslave the younglings since he had believed that raising them in the spirit of his lies would serve just as well if not better – and rebuild. And so the vessel left the shore an hour ago.

Demetrius stepped right beside him, his eyes downcast.

“I can’t believe Zhu’s gone.”

Kanaxai put his hand on the first mate’s shoulder.

“Zhu is alive, but had to return to spirit world to regenerate.”

“I know, but to think we won’t see him for so long…”

“But we will see him, and that’s all that matters.” Kanaxai glared at the dark clouds on the horizon, thinking of the dark surprises that still awaited them. “Let’s make that occasion grander by showing him the severed head of this Corruptor!”

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

The following chapter contains light erotic content. :3 Enjoy! <3

Be sure to listen to this playlist in the background to enhance your reading experience.

Chapter 14 - Lust in Moonlight

Spoiler

“Push it, Arianthe! He’s almost out now!” The aged midwife shouted as she prepared more towels.

“Aaaaaaaaaarrrghhhaaaa”

Zannos crouched right beside his mother. He grabbed Arianthe’s right hand and gently held it in both hands.

The pain surge was over, and Arianthe looked her son in the eye. Zannos let an awkward smile appear on his face, although he knew it wasn’t too reassuring. He was worried. The childbirth has been going on for hours and now he feared complications might arise.

A nervous glance at the sheets covering Arianthe’s waist and legs made him slightly less anxious as there wasn’t much blood stained on their fabric. He turned back to his mother but she was lying on her back with closed eyes, breathing deeply and preparing for the final push. Her long hair was unkempt and matted, dark rings of exhaustion gloomed around her eyes, but she still seemed to be as strong as she was at the beginning of the childbirth.

Arianthe now slowly raised her head from the pillow, effort twisting her face. At the same time, Zannos felt a sharp pain in the fingers of his right hand. Looking down he saw his mother was squeezing them hard enough to hurt.

A moment later, the sounds of gnashing of teeth and heavy breathing were joined by a new voice: the loud cries of a newborn.

Everybody was relieved in the tent. The concerned expressions were replaced by smiles of joy and faint laughter.

The midwife was twiddling with some blankets at Arianthe’s feet, and soon she stood up, holding the swaddled baby in her arms.

“He’s perfectly healthy.” She said.

Arianthe forced herself up to a leaning position with some difficulties while Zannos put some more pillows to her back. When he was finished he straightened up to meet his little brother at last.

The midwife put him into Zannos’ arms. The small, pink creature was still crying, more out of frustration than need or fear. After all, he was just nefariously robbed of the warm comfort of his mother’s womb.

“He inherited father’s fiery temperament and your stubbornness, I’m sure.” Zannos laughed, slowly lowering himself back to his mother’s side. He will feel better with his mother, he thought and handed the baby over to Arianthe. She softly began rocking him in her arms, and the outraged cries faltered in less than a minute. Mother and son watched the newborn as he fell asleep, slightly flailing with his small limbs from time to time.

Meanwhile the women participating in the childbirth packed up and were ready to leave.

“Thank you… to all of you.” Arianthe said as she looked upon each of them.

“It was our honor, Arianthe.” The old midwife bowed her head and the other helpers did the same. They left the tent while chatting light-heartedly.

The small family was alone in the tent now. Zannos and Arianthe stayed silent, listening to the occasional giggling of the baby. Zannos closely observed his little brother: the thin, few hairbreadths he had were dark, and when he opened his eyes it was a pair of brown irises that curiously scanned the surroundings. Zannos couldn’t help but think of how different he was from the rest of his family.

“He’s also got your and dad’s eyes and hair. Seems like I will feel more out of place than ever.” Zannos’ mouth curved into a sad smirk.

Arianthe pulled up her knees and carefully placed the baby in her lap.

“Zannos, we’ve talked about this before. You couldn’t be more like us than you are. Your father’s bold courage and my determination. His honesty and my compassion.” She reached out and touched her son’s cheek. “Does it really matter that you have blond hair and green eyes? Those traits are surely a heritage of our ancestors, and me and Kanaxai somehow managed to have them resurface in you.” Arianthe smiled when she saw Zannos’ reddening a bit. She caressed his chin then let him go. “You are unique, Zannos, and I know you are destined to accomplish great things… but go now. You must be tired.” Arianthe laid her head down and seemingly was asleep already.

“Good night, mother. Good night brother.” Zannos whispered as he stood up and walked to the entrance. There he snuffed out the last two burning candles and left.

The cool, nighttime breeze felt refreshing after the hot, used air of the tent. He decided to take a walk in order to clear his head before sleep.

He stared at the full moon for a few seconds and felt an irresistible urge to watch it from the harbor instead.

****

It was worth it. The sight of the bright, beautiful moon above the dark sea was truly what he needed after this day. Inhaling the fresh, salty air hushed away all his concerns and doubts.

But a tingling feeling at the back of his skull did not allow him to relax, and with each passing moment it grew stronger. He heard noises – brushes and branches swept aside – coming from somewhere in the woods to his right. Then Zannos saw her again.

The very girl who had enthralled him with her beauty during the Convocation appeared on the walls of the cove above. She was running from something, her panicked panting echoing through the bay. When she desperately looked back, however, her right feet touched ground too close to the edge and a few rocks gave in: she fell, screaming, about fifteen feet before her slender form thumped into the sand.

Zannos was already rushing to her aid when he heard a thrilling growl coming from the cliffs. Snapping his head at the source, his pulse reached an unpleasant level.

The pursuer was a huge tiger; claws gleaming in the moonlight and eyes focused on the fragile, unconscious being at the base of the wall. With a graceful, perfect leap the feline landed like a feather beside its prey.

Zannos’ hands were on their way to the hilt of his swords but they only grasped at thin air. He looked down at his belt and his face sunk from the shocking realization. Idiot! How could I have left them at home? I’ll have to improvise… again. He glanced at the giant cat who was still circling around the unmoving girl, its sharp, white teeth visible in the half-open maw.

A small rock lay just in front of Zannos. Picking it up instantly, he jogged straight at the tiger, only stopping when he considered the momentum enough for a good throw. The pebble hit the animal’s head between the ears.

The tiger meowed before it locked its fearsome gaze on the meddlesome creature. It didn’t take long to deem him a threat to be dealt with ease: its four mighty paws thudded in the sand as it approached Zannos with alarming speed. He could barely jump out of the way, but the tiger was already changing direction, using a long tail to quickly steer itself.

Zannos sprang up and began running as fast as he could in the hope of luring the beast away from the girl. His plan was ruined the moment he stumbled in a larger rock that was half-buried in the sand.

Falling prone with soaring toes, he rolled to his back, only to see the tiger’s claws descending towards his belly. He was quick enough to roll further away until something poked him in the side. Standing up awkwardly he saw that it was the small branch of a long, sturdy-looking stick. Grabbing it, he swung back immediately at where he expected the tiger to be. The end of the stick struck at the animal’s paw, but not before it managed to plow Zannos’ side vertically with the tip of two claws, tearing a larger patch of clothing out as well.

Zannos hissed, the tiger meowed in pain but it lunged itself at the irritating foe an instant later. Zannos, using the stick to balance himself, graciously cartwheeled to the left and brought the club down upon the tiger’s rump the moment he felt firm ground beneath his feet.

The tiger was clearly shocked at how such a small creature could injure it, but now it was having second thoughts about risking more. Bending its limbs and casting its ears back, it growled at Zannos, but the boy fearlessly snarled back and threateningly moved closer with the stick raised up high. The tiger knew better and decided that such thin meals were not worth the pain and damage it might have had to endure. It slowly backed away, towards the woods, roaring a few times before turning its back on Zannos and disappearing among the trees.

As he lowered his weapon he felt pain surging into his side. He touched the long claw-tracks and winced, but the amount of blood that stuck to his hand didn’t imply heavy bleeding. But it still hurt like hell.

From the corner of his eye he could see slight movement at the base of the cliffs. Oh gods, she must be taken to the healers. Zannos thought and crossed the distance surprisingly fast. Dropping down the branch, he crouched down to check on her. However, a couple of seconds later he had to shake his head as he realized he was admiring her beauty and the voluptuous curves of her body instead of searching for injuries.

Her breathing was perfectly normal and her arms and legs weren’t broken – at least on superficial look. Her only wound was a small, purpling bump on the right side of her forehead, just below the hair. Zannos combed her dark hair from her face, and while he was marveling at her perfection, she slowly opened her eyes.

“It’s okay, you are safe now.” Zannos said, carefully moving further a little so as not to startle her. “Let me help you up.” He offered his hand while standing up himself. The girl, still breathing rapidly, accepted and was on her feet in a moment, stumbling forward a little and having to catch herself in Zannos’ shoulders. Their eyes met again and Zannos noticed they were about the same height; she was merely an inch shorter than him.

“Thank you… When I fell down I thought I was surely done for.” Her voice reverberated in his head. It was young, but not girlish at all. Arousing was the best word Zannos could use to describe it.

“Phoebe… My name is Phoebe, and I know you well, Zannos, Champion of the Kraken.”

“It’s good to finally meet you, Phoebe…” Zannos’ mouth felt incredibly dry and he didn’t quite know what to say. “I… I wanted to thank you for helping me win the Convocation. I couldn’t have continued if you hadn’t been there.”

“I’m glad I could help, but I think I owe you more now that you saved my life.” She flashed a sweet smile at him then turned her head around, muscles straining on her gracious neck. “What happened to the tiger?”

“I chased it away after a bit of a scuffle.”

“I see.” Phoebe pryingly eyed up Zannos’ shoulders then let her stare continue down to his arms. “Although I’m not surprised you are beating tigers so casually.”

“Heh… well… are you alright?” He combed into her hair and observed the small bump again. “Maybe we should go back to camp where you can lie down.”

“I can lie down here just as well.” She laughed softly. Her gaze went further down on his body then suddenly she gasped. “By Dwayna, you’re bleeding!”

“It’s… it’s nothing really. Just a tiny bit deeper scratch that will heal slower.” Zannos smirked in his nervousness, but he couldn’t change Phoebe’s mind.

“Take off your shirt, I will patch you up.”

His heart was racing faster than during the fight with the tiger, but he complied without a word.

Standing there half-naked now, his eyes went wider than he thought they could: Phoebe bent down and tore off a wide streak of her skirt that only went down to below the knee on her right leg and covered only a small portion of her left leg. But now, with such a large piece missing, either side was even. What caught Zannos’ eye – beside Phoebe’s perfect, long legs – was the tattoo of a stylized serpent coiling around her right thigh, its head disappearing somewhere below the torn skirt. Just like the ones on Therios. Which means…

“You are from the Serpent Clan, Phoebe?”

“Indeed I am.” She glanced up, smiling radiantly, as she was making a bandage out of the cloth.

“Then why did you cheer for me instead of Therios?”

“Because I liked you more… I saw something in you that drew me to you.” They were getting very close now that she was winding the makeshift bandage around and up to cover the whole of the long wounds. “Besides, I was just born as Serpent. These days I’m a wandering priestess of Melandru, free of all affiliations.”

“But you are so young… they let you become a priestess so soon?”

“And did they let you become a Champion so soon?” She chuckled. “No, because we both did what we wanted… alone. I was gifted by Melandru at a young age, and so I knew what to do.”

As she finished, and was making a knot at the end of the cut, her head was just below Zannos’ nose. The enchanting fragrance flowing from her hair was intoxicating. It made him feel dizzy and bold, and all of a sudden he reached for the back of her thigh.

Phoebe gasped in her surprise but her naughty smile revealed she was awaiting such move for a time. Zannos put his other hand on her back and gently laid her down on the sand while she was clinging onto his shoulder, pulling him down as well. They stared down each other, lust glinting in their eyes.

“Well… you were right. We can lie down here just as well – if not better.” Zannos growled and Phoebe laughed. Her hands were on his cheeks now, pulling him closer and closer until he felt her soft, mellow lips rubbing against his with growing intensity…

****

The hot rays of the morning sun and the waving of the sea slowly woke Zannos. Still half-asleep, he turned to his right and put his left arm over Phoebe’s waist. She was lying on her shoulder, showing her back to him and using her bent arm as a pillow. Her clothes were still a tad wrinkled after last night.

Phoebe was stirring, too, cuddling up to him in the process, which resulted in a pleasant hardness in his crotch.

“Hmm… I missed sunrise.” She said ponderously. “I always get up in time to see it, but I was so delightfully tired…” Zannos felt her slightly quaking; she was clearly chuckling.

“Are you sure it wasn’t due to the injury or the stress?” Zannos asked, not making an attempt to conceal the sarcasm in his voice. He moved his head closer and started kissing the bumps of her spine, slowly heading down. Phoebe lightly trembled, but she turned around instead of letting him continue. She looked careworn and was seemingly hesitant to say what was on her mind.

“Zannos… I have to ask something.”

“Ask away, but I can’t really imagine saying no to you.”

“Will you join me on my wandering?” The question burst out of Phoebe, almost as if she wanted to have it off her chest as soon as possible. “You could see the world, its majestic sights and wonders, and… and we could be together.”

Zannos quickly sat up. He already regretted saying what he’d had, as he was about to break his word. And when he looked back at Phoebe and saw her begging gaze, it became a nigh impossible task to refuse.

“Phoebe… no matter how much I want that, I can’t. Not yet. The Captain, my father, is away on a dangerous hunt and my mother has just given birth to my brother. I cannot leave her until…”

“And what if he doesn’t? Will you remain by your mother’s side and become the next Captain? Would you throw away adventure and accept such fate?” Still lounging, she reached out with one arm and began to caress Zannos’ back. “I know you, Zannos, and I know you wouldn’t be happy with that life.”

Suddenly, Zannos pulled himself away and stood up, trying to walk casually towards the sea as if he was merely conflicted; however, in fact he was fighting to hold his tears back. It was not what Phoebe had said or the way she had told him – she was right, after all – but the probability that his father might perish on his mission. He thought he had gotten past his worries about Kanaxai dying, but now they were back, gnawing at him stronger than ever. He had to clench his fists and strain every muscle to fight his tears, not wanting to cry in front of Phoebe.

But Phoebe stepped behind him and hugged him from the back, her arms crossed over his chest and her head rested on his shoulders. Feeling her warmth and scent calmed him down quite a bit.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” She murmured in his ear.

“No… no, it’s not that at all. You are right. I want to leave with you at this very moment, but I still need some more time.” Zannos gingerly grabbed her left hand and turned to face her, still holding it with both of his own. “You could stay with me in the camp until things have settled down. Even a wandering priestess can remain in one place for a longer time, can’t she?”

Phoebe bit her lips as she was pondering on his offer. In the end, however, her carefree smile returned.

“Well, I guess why not?”

Hand in hand, they began the trek back to the Kraken campsite. None of them wanted to talk during those long minutes of the journey, as both of them were lost in thoughts and concerns. Zannos was greatly embarrassed by their silence, but he couldn’t help it at that moment.

When they were in sight of the camp, Zannos slowed down. Something didn’t seem right with how its silhouette looked.

“What’s wrong?” Phoebe asked.

He frowned as he spied the view ahead.

“I’m not entirely sure… maybe it’s just me, but I see too many banners above the tents. Would you mind if we hurried a little from here?”

Phoebe let out a heartily laughter again, the sound of which always eased Zannos’ heart.

“Why would I, silly? Come, I’m sure I’ll get there sooner!” She stuck out her tongue at him and was already running ahead. Zannos, wildly grinning, was after her in an instant.

He was concentrating on Phoebe, who was just several feet away now, so strongly that he almost ran into her when she suddenly stopped. He still had to catch himself in her shoulders, but at least they didn’t fall over. Panting from the exercise they stared at the unusual sight at the center.

The extra banners belonged to large battalions of Imperial soldiers. Like grim statues they stood there in tight lines and columns, each clad in armor or leather vest the color of brown, gold and red.

“I guess you weren’t expecting the Empire to show up today.” Phoebe said silently, not taking her gaze off of the soldiers.

Zannos spotted a familiar figure holding something wrapped in blankets while talking to an officer of some sorts – based on the markings on her uniform. He was on his way to the pair when Phoebe quickly caught his hand.

“I hope this doesn’t change your mind about our plans.”

“I don’t know, Phoebe. But we will figure something out, I promise. Wait here, I’ll be back soon.”

Hesitantly, she let him go. Zannos began jogging until the two women turned to greet him.

“Zannos!” Arianthe snapped furiously. “Where have you been? You don’t know how worried I was.”

“I spent the night on the shore with… uhm.” He nervously looked behind at Phoebe who was idly watching the camp and the people. “It’s a long story… what’s happening here?”

Arianthe’s expression was still angry, but she decided not to speak more of it – at least for now.

“Allow me to introduce Commander Matsui of the Seventh Legion.” Matsui bowed her head at Arianthe’s words. She was in her early forties, but the responsibilities of command already cast some wrinkles on her face. “She and her soldiers have come to defend us while the Captain is out hunting the Corruptor.”

“It’s good to finally meet the Champion of the Kraken Clan. We’ve heard stories of your duel… to win the Convocation so young is quite the remarkable feat.” The Commander shook hands with Zannos. “And indeed. When the Ambassador’s letter reached the Emperor and General Seritena, they immediately acted to defend all of you. We are here in case the Corruptor or its minions attack.”

“Well, Commander…” Arianthe spoke again, but she didn’t seem relieved at all. “I believe everything is settled then. My people will lead you to a place where you can set up your camp.”

“Thank you.” Commander Matsui bowed. “And congratulations again on the childbirth.” As she left she waved a hand at her soldiers who in turn started streaming out of the camp through the entrance where they had come through.

“So, who is this illustrious, beautiful young lady, again?” Arianthe asked in a voice that demanded a straight answer immediately now that she was fully focused on her son.

“Her name is Phoebe. A priestess of Melandru I saved from a tiger last night. We…”

“I see.” Arianthe glared at Phoebe from afar. “People don’t become priests at such a young age.”

“She was blessed by the goddess.”

“I-“ But she was interrupted by the small whimpers of her baby, which got louder with each passing moment. “I must tend to him, but don’t think we’re done here, young man.” With that she hurried into the Captain’s tent, the curtains wildly brushed aside in her furious passing.

“Why do I get the feeling your mother doesn’t like me?”

Zannos didn’t notice Phoebe approaching. Damn! I hope she hasn’t heard much.

“Don’t worry.” Stepping closer he hugged Phoebe around her waist. “Once you get to know each other she will be much kinder. Mother’s just a little overprotective, that’s all.”

“Hmph.” Phoebe worked her mouth in anxiety.

Seeing the tension build up in her, he kissed her; passionately and impatiently. A couple of seconds later he already felt her body become more relaxed.

“Just a few days… a week at best. We can at least tell her about us leaving.”

“And what if she won’t let her son go?”

“I was just born as Kraken. Nowadays, I’m an adventurer wanting to explore the world with his love.”

The gorgeous smile Phoebe flashed at him was enough to make him feel elevated.

“I think I’m going to lay down a bit… my head hurts a little.”

“Then we should have it checked.”

“No need for that, thank you. I know some healing techniques but I’d need to meditate.”

“Of course… my tent is over there, next to the Captain’s. I’m going to check on you in a couple of hours.

“I can barely wait, my tiger.” She mischievously winked and wound through the working Luxons towards Zannos’ tent. Zannos longingly sighed and went the other direction.

[Thalador Doomspeaker]

Well, one journey ends, another begins. Please read my note at the end, it's important!

Be sure to listen to this playlist in the background to enhance your reading experience.

Chapter 15 - Abyss Unleashed

Spoiler

The stormy waves washed upon his broken body, trying to crush him and prevent him from fulfilling his destiny. Noxallis, with the last ounce of his strength, threw himself ashore and stretched out on the jagged rocks. He turned to his back and stared at the dark clouds above: their threatening visage promised a great storm, but there was no sign of rain coming aside from distant, low thunders.

Noxallis was shivering from the cold as the wind bit into his flesh, and he would’ve passed out had an odd feeling not groped at his brain.

He sensed a glooming darkness in the corner of his eye. He looked to the right, but nothing was there. He felt a shadow towering above him; snapping his head at the source, he saw nothing but barren hills beneath a grim sky. Forcing himself up with great effort, he finally set his eyes on the goal: a jet-black obelisk with an impossibly smooth surface stretching towards the sky, as if attempting to pierce the rain-laden clouds.

My purpose… I’m almost there. Noxallis tried to slither as fast as possible, but he kept falling flat after several feet of progress. His battle with the humans left him exhausted, and now that they had miraculously survived his last spell, they’ve been harrying him for days on end. If he had stopped, they would’ve caught up to him, and thus he swam and swam all day, using the remainder of his power to survive.

Noxallis glanced back to see that familiar shape appearing on the horizon, heading straight for him and his key to salvation.

“Xssssssssssssssshhhhhh! NOOOO! You won’t… *cough* you won’t take it from me!”

Fired up by his hatred he began crawling on the coarse soil. His skin was dry and cracked from the constant swimming near the water’s surface where he was exposed to the scorching sun, and now the rocks ravenously tore at his scales as he approached the obelisk, leaving a bloody trail behind.

After what seemed to be hours, he reached the towering structure. Using it as support he pulled himself up and concentrated on the prophet trapped inside. It was so powerful that he found it immediately.

Just a few words and it can break free…

As Noxallis chanted in his language he felt the tall object shaking already: the presence inside stretched against the walls of its prison.

Noxallis’ power was slipping away and darkness was dimming his sight when the plinth finally broke. Just like in his vision, the obelisk broke in half; its top piece came crashing down on the opposite side. Noxallis fell back, being no longer able to hold himself, and watched the finale of his victory on his back. The whirling energies slowly emerged, crackling with charge and power, before coalescing above the broken remains of the pillar. For a moment, it started to expand, only to shrink back a heartbeat later. The first breath after millennia of imprisonment… I know that feeling. Noxallis smiled, but that smile froze on his face when the orb spotted him – or at least he felt it watching him. A panic surge overcame him and he wanted nothing else more than to be as far away from this place as possible.

But escape was never an option: it took the energy a blink of an eye to swoop down and fly into him.

The similarity to his vision ended there… utterly and abruptly. He jolted from the excruciating pain that was so intense that it almost blew up every nerve in his body. He tried to squirm, to convulse, to vomit, but he couldn’t move. The worst part was when he started to feel the transformations occurring, which redoubled his torment. His insides were burning and yet freezing cold, his skin maddeningly itched but he couldn’t scratch it. His eyes still obeyed, and he could see his body elongating, growing, but worst of all, he saw tentacles and fins forming. He blacked out with that horrid picture in mind.

And there he stood face to face with the intruder. The battle for his body ended, but the battle for control was about to begin… and his mind was the battlefield. The monstrosity was covered in semi-darkness, but it seemed serpentine-looking with draconic features dominating its muzzle.

A dripping sound echoed in the space. The creature was either salivating or water gushed from every pore of its body.

“THANK YOU FOR FREEING ME.” Its voice was the abyss of the ocean surging up to flood and kill everything. “BUT NOW YOU MUST DIE.”

Noxallis had no time to scream, as the creature bit on him immediately. The beast’s strange, watery teeth continuously crunched and snapped on him. He was dying. His soul was dying: pierced, ripped apart, and mutilated in the horrible maw.

“Th-ankh yh-o… bhro-thekhhrs.” Noxallis was choking on the imagined, spectral blood of his mind, but in his last moments he thought of those who had rightfully betrayed him all those years ago, for they saved the krait people from utter destruction at the hands of a nightmare. The light of his mind was extinguished and Noxallis was snuffed out of existence.

He opened his eyes. Rising from the ground, he measured the transformed body of the infant vermin that he had just perfected. He determined that it would serve well for now, at least until his master rose and gave him back his old form.

Turning around he assessed the place… it was the very shore where he was defeated. He remembered floating beings with appendages or dark wings, stout two-legged things with hair on their heads, as well as other creatures. They chased him here, through ocean and earth after his master had gone to sleep. Here they prevailed, destroyed his body and locked him in this wretched obelisk. But now all their sacrifices were in vain.

Something caught his aqueous eyes. A wooden structure swimming out on the sea, clearly coming his way.

He grinned. The time has come to continue what was interrupted.

****

The Kraken’s Dream trembled.

“Did we run aground?” Kanaxai asked Demetrius who was steering the ship at the helm, but the first mate shook his head.

“We’re still moving. Must’ve been a current or a larger wave.”

The quake repeated again, now even stronger.

“Does anyone see something below us?” Demetrius shouted to the crew. Several of them bent over the railing and stared at the foaming waters.

“Something’s forming just beneath us. Looks like currents and spinning with increasing speed.”

Kanaxai squinted to make something out of the shore that was enveloped by a curtain of rain. They were basically blind and the last thing they saw was the Corruptor breaking the obelisk.

“Captain!” The naga elder called to him, her voice shadowed by fear. “Thisss musst be another trick. We have to get away from here. Now!”

“Out with those paddles and begin rowing! Let’s head farther south where we can safely…”

Just behind the ship’s stern a crevice of sea opened. Far greater than natural maelstroms, it pulled the Kraken’s Dream with tremendous force, intending to swallow it in whole and send it to the bottom of the sea.

It would’ve won had the crew not started rowing seconds after its opening. The ship slowly gained distance, but the whirlpool didn’t give up so easily: all of a sudden tentacles made of shimmery-looking water erupted from its hollow core and grabbed the vessel. Kanaxai and his men charged to the sides and started cutting off the limbs of water but those reformed every time. Still, for the brief time they were truncated they couldn’t drag their prey back, allowing the rowers to get the ship several feet further from its doom.

More tentacles rose and started to attack those aboard, bashing them or flinging them overboard.

“TAKE COVER!”

Kanaxai was still chopping the accursed things when a scaly, clawed hand took hold on the rail just next to him, followed by another. Kanaxai’s eyes went wide but the tentacle he let alone for a moment bumped into him and sent him flying. The last thing he saw was a spiked shell appearing on the deck…

****

Breathing was impossible. Kanaxai instinctively turned onto his belly and started coughing up the staggering amount of water that he had swallowed unconsciously.

The world was blurred all around and the salt of the seawater pinched his eyes and burned his throat. Weakly, he straightened up and realized he was luckily washed ashore. He felt like death as the half-healed wounds on his shoulders ached with renewed pain, while a few dozen new injuries seared and soared all over his body.

He glanced back to see the Kraken’s Dream breaking even further away. The last two tentacles that still clang onto it were mutilated and torn.

Good… at least they will survive. Hope rose in Kanaxai’s heart as he stumbled forward on the desolate shore, still coughing at every third step. I… must… find my way… back to them.

Somewhere up at the end of the slope he fell to his knees. To prevent collapsing entirely he had to lean on his hands.

“I DO NOT REMEMBER YOUR KIND FROM BEFORE.” For a moment, Kanaxai thought Zhu Hanuku had returned, but he realized that this voice was like the sea in the most destructive hurricane: cold, harsh and inexpressibly cruel. Kanaxai, out of fear, could barely lift his head, but when he finally did he cursed himself for being the curious fool he was.

In front of him the Corruptor stood – or what was once it. Thirteen feet tall and at least twenty feet long, its whole body was covered with newly grown spikes and fins. Out of the backside of its lowers arms tentacles sprouted out that his clawed hands held like whips. The fangs in its maw grew thrice as big and the whole muzzle looked slightly draconic now. But the most foreboding of all was the strange, cyan-colored water that poured and dripped from every fiber of its body – even what might have been its veins glowed with cyanide light. Its eyes looked like they were constantly crying the odd liquid.

“BUT IN THE END, IT DOES NOT MATTER. YOUR FATES ARE THE SAME… THE ABYSS WILL CONSUME YOU ALL.” The creature raised its whip-holding hands when a spear made of bone struck it in the side. The foul water gushed to the ground.

The transformed Corruptor hissed and roared in frustration, searching for the attackers with its nightmarish eyes.

More and more spears flew towards the beast who irritatedly cracked its whips at the projectiles, destroying most of them. However, a few still found their marks, making the creature bleed more of the water.

Adrenaline surged into Kanaxai and he finally broke free of his stunned fear, making a run for his mysterious rescuers.

“Human! Take this spear and fight!” A hoarse voice snapped at him and a moment later a bone spear with the blade pointing skywards was thrown to him.

Kanaxai caught it with ease, whirling it in his hands to an offensive grip.

The unexpected aid came in the form of angry-looking turtles walking on two legs: they were the kappa, loyal servants of the great Zhu Hanuku.

Of course… so they came to the help of the ship as well… Kanaxai, sadly smiling at the memory of the Kraken spirit, joined the loose lines of his new allies. Thank you, Zhu. You saved our lives a second time, and now from the other side even.

For seconds the Corruptor stood puzzled in the growing pool of water, glaring at its foes through the corrupt water-veil. Slowly, it started into a wicked laughter and launched itself in the air. From above, its deadly tentacles lashed at those below, grinding them, tossing them into the sea, or ripping them apart. Kanaxai dodged left and right while the kappa fell all around him. The corrupted snake landed behind them and was already pulling its whips back to unleash a horizontal strike that would’ve cut the survivors in half. One whip came in low and several kappa lost their lower body, while the other came in moments later at the height of a man. Kanaxai and the last three kappa ducked, although one still lost the tip of his shell.

I guess the only way to kill this beast is to cut it into pieces… and to do that…

He looked at his last allies.

“I need to get one of its tentacles!” He shouted over the raging storm, still evading the whip slashes.

“Are you insane, human!?”

“It’s the only way! But I need help!”

The kappa nodded and waved at his two friends. Understanding the task and its price immediately, all three of them charged ahead.

One hurled his spear at the snake’s head, and the javelin perfectly burrowed into one of the crying eyes.

The Corruptor went into a frenzy and struck whatever it could while shrieking with an unearthly sound. A lash killed two of the kappa and so only one remained – the one who gave Kanaxai the spear.

Kanaxai ran forward, setting his gaze on the right tentacle. His chances were better than ever now that the monster was half blind and focused on the sole survivor of the diversion team. Standing just below the flailing arm now, he cut off the whip with the edge of his spear, yelling with all his pent-up rage. The Corruptor screamed and tried to crush Kanaxai with its arm, but the man was quicker and jumped out of the way. The long tentacle still thrashed on the ground when Kanaxai picked it up. It was light, thin and followed every move of its wielder. He didn’t understand what made it so lethal, but the whole thing buzzed, reminding him of the electric eels of the sea; just a thousand times more deadly.

Kanaxai pondered no longer and turned the weapon against its previous owner; the first slash severed its right arm, the second cut off the entire length of its tail while the third cleaved it in half diagonally. Out of all wounds the corrupt cyan-colored water poured and splattered in large quantities. The lower half convulsed for a few seconds before shivering to stillness, but the upper one still had one arm and the head. With its last breath it lashed the other tentacle-whip in the height of Kanaxai’s waist. Kanaxai managed to drop to his belly but the kappa could neither jump that big nor lie without the slash removing a big chunk of his back.

“We meet again sooner than I thought, Zhu.” The kappa said in a silent whisper as the tentacle neatly severed his head from the neck.

Kanaxai sprung up and brought down his own whip at the half-dead Corruptor, cutting it in two vertically. Its separated sides tried to move, but they soon stopped completely. All parts, even the whip in Kanaxai’s hands, hummed for a second before melting into corrupt water.

Kanaxai screamed in pain as a few droplets of the water seeped into a wound on his hand. He remembered that when he had fallen on his knees and caught himself with his hands he accidentally bruised off the skin on a sharp rock. The flesh had already taken on an unhealthy purplish red color around the cut.

The clouds above were breaking up already, letting in warm sunlight through a hundred cracks. The rain turned into a light drizzle and out on the sea the maelstrom closed and the sea was normal again.

Kanaxai wearily searched for the Kraken’s Dream and soon found it with his eyes: his beautiful ship moored further to the south as planned.

“I’m going home…” He whispered with a faint smile on his face. The walk back to his family and people was long, but the thought of living down the rest of his life in peace made it endurable. If only his hand didn’t hurt so badly…

THE END...

... of the first part. After more than three months of (mostly) weekly updates, I can announce that we have reached the closing chapter of the first "season."

Now that Guild Wars 2 is less than a week away - and due to other, personal reasons - I will stop updating Age of Deceit for a time. But Fear Not This Hiatus, if everything goes well, it will last only a couple of months (three at most), which gives me plenty of time for things to settle down.

Oh, and once we get closer to the restart of Age of Deceit, keep your eyes peeled for a pretty wicked surprise!

Thank you for bearing with me this long, dear Reader. If you've got something on your mind - criticism, feedback, etc. -, please leave it in the comments below. I believe it would be the most appropriate time - now that we are at half-time - to do that!