MASTER WHO?

The strongest of Vanir’s underlings who remained back on Claw’s mountain stood on top of the fortress looking at Sargon and his gang of four, as they drew closer he jumped down and intercepted them. “I refuse to accept you as the one who slayed my master, yet you come here claiming this land as your own and You even brought the traitors with you.” he signaled out at Wendell and Alfreed. He stood at the edge of the draw bridge the only entrance for the fortress. The fortress stood at the very top of Claws mountain with only one way in and one way out. At the back of the fortress was an unclimbable cliff which no more dared to ascend.

“Who’s he supposed to be?” Sargon asked Wendell.

“He’s Brutus, he’s all brawn and no brains.” he replied.

“I see, an idiot finally appeared.” Sargon sighed. “Look, you all already belong to me, let's not have a fight here, I don’t wanna kill my own men.” he told the demon.

“Own men? Although you may have killed our master, we will never accept you.” Brutus laughed. Sargon sighed as he began to approach the entrance of the drawbridge. His army began to emerge from the shadows, with glowing blood eyes and blades that glittered in the moonlight. The battle hungry army drew closer with a fear inducing smile. Their creepy laughter sent shivers down Brutus’s men. Alongside them stood the talented merfolks who began conjuring ice spears which resulted in the surrounding area freezing over. Lia made her way to Sargon’s side while casting a spell that further enhanced the army, embedding them with more power. His demons grew larger and ever so bloodthirsty, the merfolk’s ice spears grew larger and more dense. The sheer coldness of the spears were powerful enough to freeze the outer walls on the fortress as tiny cracks grew ever so larger. Wendell’s skin tore off as his demonic form took over. With claws instead of fingers and scales as hard as mithril. He stood battle ready awaiting for the order to be given.

“So this is what true power feels like.” Wendell spoke in a deep voice.

As Alfreed saw the sight before him, he gazed down at his blacksmith's hammer, and sighed, placed it on his shoulder and said,

“alright, I'll be here if you need me.”

upon seeing this overwhelming force in front of them, Brutus’s men cowered in fear. For if they moved death awaited. Brutus, who was no longer teeming with confidence, swallowed his saliva. He was trembling, gasping for air, his heart raced like a stampede. Not knowing which way to look for all he saw were bloodthirsty eyes, he dropped on the ground and bowed his head in tears.

“I-I-I’m sorry,” he pleaded. “We hereby pledge allegiance to you, our new master.” he said as all the demons behind him, including the remaining dwarves, followed suit. With this Sargon obtained complete victory over Vanir’s army. His army now totaled eleven thousand, four hundred and sixty-seven.

Sargon almost shed a tear not because his army grew, but at the site before him.

“What’s wrong my lord?” Wendell asked him.

“Do you see it?” he asked.

“Pardon? See what?” asked Wendell. As Sargon pointed at the castle.

“The front door is one hundred feet in the air, now nothing can destroy it.” as he flashed back to all the times his front door was broken. Just then he felt a chill run down his spine, as he slowly turned around he saw Alfreed and the others trying to unload a cannon. It appeared to be stuck so they kept pulling and pushing on it.

“Be Careful, it’s loaded” Alfreed said, as Sargon heard that he flinched.

“Don’t do that.” he muttered as he took a step forward, he felt his life clinging by a thread. They had almost got it out the wagon

“If you pull anymore, it’s going to fall!” he cried out. As he said that, the cannon fell to the ground, causing it to misfire. The resulting accidental fire disintegrates the front door. Sargon’s soul began to scream. It felt like everything slowed down to Sargon.

“That was a nice explosion. Now we know the cannon works.” Alfreed rejoiced.

As Lia stood trembling at the site before them, she knew what was going to happen next. For Sargon treasured his front door. That night there were one less dwarf enjoying wine.

Sargon wandered the castle from bottom to top, he was fascinated, just how did Vanir manage to build such a wonderful work of art. He took a look at the demon’s resting area and decided to borrow the merfolk’s idea. He rebuilt the inside of the mountain, making layers of room. With the help of the merfolks, they created a spring to the top of the mountain, which trickled down and began seeping into the barren soils. This brought life back to the fortress surroundings. With due time, the dead trees and vegetation would flourish once more. It had already been a month since his disunion with Diya, he’d constantly stare at the bracelet on his wrist. It was becoming harder and harder for Lia and Wendell to stop him from leaving to find her. There was a knock on the door.

“Enter.” Lia spoke.

“I’ve brought it with me, sire.” Vive said as she walked in holding a piece of cloth.

“Wonderful, give it to me.” Sargon said as he extended his hand. He unwrapped the cloth to reveal some of the crystals from the merfolk’s village. This one was a clear quartz.

“Thank you, these will work lovely.” He said as he took them and quickly left for his study.

“What’s he going to do with them?” she asked,

“Probably gonna make some jewelry with it.” Lia shrugged as she showed her the yellow bracelet which he had given to her. A few days later at the conference room, the high table gathered.

“Sorry it's late,'' he said. Alfreed received a headband with a brown gem, Vive received an earring with a blue gem and Brutus received an arm band with an orange gem.

“These are proof that you are a part of my high table.” he smiled serenely.

Vive noticed that a clear quartz had been embedded into a chair on Sargon’s right side, before she could inquire into it, there was an interruption by a guard, informing them that there were visitors outside. Upon investigating, the beastmen from the neighboring village had assembled at the entrance to the drawbridge seeking an audience. He teleported them down, as Lia stayed hidden behind him. The chief of the village knelt before him,

“Great one, we the beastmen race humbly present ourselves before you.” he said to him.

“Why are you all here?” Sargon questioned.

“I called them.” spoke a voice from the crowd. They soon discovered that that voice belonged to Lexian, the wolf beastmen that was captured by Lancaster. Lia didn't want to see her, she remembered the time when Lexian grabbed her back in the mansion.

Flashback.

“You really have her eyes.” Lexian said to her. Removing her hand from her mouth, Lia gasped for air and ran to the other side of the room.

“What are you talking about?.” she questioned her.

“You are your mother’s daughter after all.” Lexian said. Lia didn't like the fact that Lexian, a stranger to her, knew about her mother. After collecting her thoughts, she finally asked.

“How do you know my mother? Who exactly are you?” Lexian reached up to her ears and plucked off the ribbon revealing a pair of cat’s ears.

“Isn’t it obvious? We’re related.” she uttered.