Chapter 8: Fallen

Abhartach attempts a jab towards the opponent in front of him, the soldier parries with its mace and redirects Abhartach to the left side and temporarily, Abhartach loses his balance. The soldier jumps from where his feet were implanted and roars sharply. He swings his mace down, going for the kill. He doesn't falter, he was bred for war. The Fomorians are a fearsome race.

Abhartach recovers his stance and pulls out a silver dagger with runes drawn on it. It looks identical to the one in the basement.

Ping!

The weapons clash, Abhartach is forced back a few paces. The Soldier charges at Abhartach again, relentless, ferocious strike after strike. Abhartach dodges each of them swiftly, no mistake, completely flawless in his movement. His eyes stay fixed on the soldier as he brandishes his dagger and attempts to slit his throat.

The Soldier blocks easily and uses height overwhelm his space. Abhartach grins and breaks one of the Fomorian's legs at the knee with a powerful kick. A loud cry of pain and agony escapes the soldier. Abhartach pulls his hand back and slashes at the soldier's neck once more. I am completely speechless after witnessing the Fomorian block once more, he still has his fighting spirit.

Abhartach gets frustrated and tries once more but is shoved back violently. The Fomorian gets up and whimpers at his injury. Abhartach charges and aims his dagger at the soldier's left unarmed arm. The Fomorian blocks but Abhartach continues his attack. He slashes at the Fomorian's thighs, abdomen and chest successfully. The soldier nears his limit and drops to his knees. Abhartach uses a bit of strength and chops off his opponent's head. Now I see why he said I should train, I would never be able to take these guys on and win.

I see Brigit across the field. Her hair engulfed in flames, a sword in her left hand. She dispatches Danann even more fiercely than Abhartach. He is maybe more agile and graceful, precise even with his fighting. But Brigit is more forceful, she uses her strength and power to overwhelm her opponents. She slashes a Fomorian in half as her sword catches on fire. When a Fomorian attempts to shoot her with an arrow from a safe range, the arrow melts away before touching her.

Brigit notices the attack and fires a ball of flame towards the archer, destroying him in a fiery explosion. She notices one of the gargantuan Fomorians and lets her mouth run loose. "Elatha is mine!" She roared as she charged at the three-eyed giant.

Lugh twists and turns as he fights, twirling his spear around his body as he kills his opponents. There is an art in his lancer skills. The way he fights is graceful, unlike any I've seen so far. He may be the most talented among Danann so far. A Fomorian approaches him, spear in hand as well.

Lugh blocks one of its honest attempts at him. The Fomorian wears a helmet and heavy plated armour. Her long brown hair escapes through the helmet, falling on to her shoulders easily. She says nothing to Lugh, the only form of conversation they have is with their spears. Her brown eyes open wide as she jumps back a few paces and throws her spear at Lugh. Lugh knows he cannot dodge it in time so plants his feet firmly and parries with his spear, redirecting it elsewhere.

"You've disarmed yourself!" Lugh shouts as he retaliates with his spear. He c]jumps forward and throws it at her with enough force to break through a wall. The force pushes her back a few paces but she manages to catch it with both hands with minimal damage to herself.

"Impressive, you have earned my respect," Lugh muttered as he stretched his hand out.

The spear began to pull itself away from the female Fomorian, clutching tightly, she tried to hold it back.

"What is your name?" Lugh inquired while his spear finally deprived itself of the Fomorrian's grasp and into his hands once more.

"The name's Aoife." The Fomorian replied as she moved sideways towards where her spear had fallen towards.

"I'm Lugh. Don't worry, I'll let you grab your weapon." Lugh muttered, his warrior code permitting her a fair fighting chance.

Meanwhile, Nuadu charged ahead past the raging battle. His goal was neither the Fomorian giants nor the war. He wanted to slay the traitor king who had taken his place when he had lost his arm. The false leader who had made his people slaves. Nuadu finally saw the man he was looking for.

The half-Fomorian-half-Danann man stood at the very back of the Fomorian forces. His handsome features still distinguishable, he was a confident and intimidating leader sure, but his personality was utter bullshit.

He dawned blue plated armour with silver-lining and had a gorgeous blue and silver hilted sword sheathed around his waist. So far he dispatched Danann who approached him with his bare hands. He eyes Nuadu hundred feet away and brandishes his silver sabre with a subtle smile.

A Danann approaches him, charging with a ferocious roar.

"Bres! I will have your head for our king!" The Danann shouts as she attacks overhead. Bres blocks the attack gracefully and counters immediately. Slashing the Danann quickly and cleanly through her stomach and when she falls to her knees he removes her head with ease.

Bres has always been gifted with a sword, like Nuadu but this time his presence feels different. He walks forward approaching Nuadu, waving his sword to showcase his skill with the blade.

A small group of Danann charge at him as he walks lavishly, such an insult. Bres, feeling he has no time for inferior opponents slashes the air toward the charging force, tearing them apart with the power of his sword. Nuadu clenches his mystical sword tighter and I realise what sword Bres is clasping. Bres wields fucking Excalibur.

"I thought only kings could use Excalibur," I say to Abhartach in a surprised tone.

"No, one has to be worthy to rule to wield Excalibur. It does not mean one has to king or rule to wield it. Bres has the conviction, the drive and the heart to rule. Unfortunately, even a villainous person can be worthy." Abhartach explains in disgust.

"I've been wondering, which weapons do Nuadu and Lugh wield? They look and feel different." I inquire curiously.

"Lugh wields one of the treasures of the four cities Danu, the spear of Gorias. It is one of the most powerful weapons in possession of the Danann. Nuadu welds the sword of Finias, basically a giant lightstick-sword," Abhartach jokingly says. "We Danann had four treasures from the four cities they came from." He continues. "The cauldron of Dagda which grants any wish from the city of Murius and the stone of Fal from the city Fessus which roars when a new king comes in contact with it."

"I see, what an amazing race you are."

"Oh, I'm not a Danann," Ahartach says casually.

"Wait what? Then what are you? And what were you doing fighting with them?"

"I came from Danu yes, but I was not born a Danann. I was born to be an overseer. I have different blood and abilities. I was also cursed that should I help save a Danu from death I'd become a creature of the night. My powers were darker than most but If I did that which I was not supposed, I'd weaken and lose sight of myself after sunset."

"So hold up, you are telling me that you were stronger back then? How'd you break the rule then?"

"Love," He responds as e points me to watch the battle.

I see Lugh exchange blows with the female Fomorian. They clash relentlessly, spear against spear. Lugh begins to feel respect as his spear lights up into a bright golden colour and he snaps the opponent's spear in two. The Fomorian gasps but Lugh has already pierced her insides and whispers a farewell as she falls to her death.

"Grandfather." Is the only word that escapes his mouth as he Charges for the one-eyed Fomorian that approaches the battlefield.

The gargantuan Fomorian stares at Danann forces, unleashing a beam of light from his eye which destroys them instantly.

"Foolish children of Danu!" He calls out as he continues to lay waste to the forces.

Bres looks at Nuadu with a palpable expression of revulsion as he draws closer.

"I have been waiting for this day. You think I was going to let you take away my right just like that?" Bres angrily states.

"I was king first, Bres. And you gave up the right to be king when you subjugated our people as slaves to the Fomorians." Nuadu responded pointing his sword at Bres.

"I have Excalibur, a weapon fit for a king," Bres says louder than before for other people to hear. "I challenge you to a duel to the death."

"I accept but only because I want to kill you myself."

Bres chuckles loudly and quickly notifies. "You hear that?! We settle this at last." The Fomorians and Danann adjust the fighting to not interrupt Nuadu and Bres whilst still among themselves, only stopping after either Bres or Nuadu is triumphant.