The Last Silver Paladin

"Keep searching," said the Black Dragonknight.

His heavy black armor looked quite menacing in the dark, for it was forged to look like the wings and horns of the Red-Eyes Black Dragon. It was a creature the knight bore proudly as the sigil of his newly-formed House.

The face of the beast was forged into a centerpiece on his chestplate and a long cape that looked like fire waved behind him in the wind.

"Take a rest in ten minutes. We've got food and drink in the tents. Thank you for your work, gentlemen." The knight wheeled about and marched down the wooden stairs that had been erected a few hours ago.

"Nice guy that Black Dragonknight," said a pock-marked excavation worker. He and a team of hundreds of people were working tirelessly in the rubble of a fortress that had been blown up earlier that night.

Despite the fierce gale, they did not falter and continued with their operations. A few workers were lighting up the darkness with large cauldrons here and there. And mages from The Glass Citadel lit special torches that protected the bright flames from the rain with arcane spheres.

"Oy, I'm bushed. We've been searching for hours and haven't found a bloody thing!"

"Well, you know them Emboldorians and their secrets," said a skinny, long-nosed worker. He wiped beads of rainwater from his brow. "They never wanna leave anything unchecked. Every crevice, every nook, and every cranny must be checked. My question is, wot da bloody 'ell are we lookin' for? I mean, the baby boy they're all going in a tizzy for is alive and well. And the Eyar and the Celtra are dead."

"Who killed them?" asked a muscled worker. "I thought Eyar were wizards with divine power. I was told that they couldn't be killed."

"Yeah, well, Anubis was the one 'oo did da killin' 'round 'ere," said the skinny worker. "Blasted the boy's poor parents to oblivion and the Black Luster Soldiers guarding them, too. All three 'undred of 'em. I also 'eard that the innkeeper of the Lady Luck Inn claims that a shadowy shift-a-roo paid his establishment a visit earlier in the night. I say it was that Bakura bloke everyone's talkin' about."

"Yeah?" said the pock-marked worker. "The Reaper? Is it true?"

"Oh, it be true," said a woman, coming up the stairs with rice treats and juice for the workers. "I personally know the gentleman myself. Let me tell you, he's not one to tell a lie. Bakura came into the inn and ordered dinner, then he had an argument with another hooded fellow. After that, he came back inside and bed one of the waitresses before taking off into the night. The next thing he knew he saw Slifer the Sky Dragon looming over the Andrall Peaks. He said he had never been more afraid in all his life. He claims the creature shot gold and blue fire from both its mouths before it disappeared into the clouds. Lord Yugi and the allies arrived moments later, but Anubis's foul deed was done. Lady Luthia and Lord Gabriel were both killed."

"Wot a shame," said the skinny worker. "They only had but a moment to enjoy being parents."

"Oh, yes," said the woman, setting down the tray of treats on a candle-lit table underneath a canopy. "The child will grow up without even knowing his parents. That heartless Anubis didn't care. Hmph! I'm sure glad he got his just desserts tonight. Serves him right. Goddesses bless Slifer."

"But where did the dragon come from?" asked the muscled worker. "I thought only the High King of Termnnia was allowed to summon a Divine Beast. When last I checked, he was in the Termnnian Isles being tended to for his illness."

"I don't know," said the woman. "It was probably a miracle."

"Miracle? Divine Beasts don't just come out of nowhere ma'am. Something had to summon Slifer the Sky Dragon."

"Mayhaps it was the child," the woman replied.

"Oh, come off it. There's just absolutely no way he had anything to do with that. I say High King Antar summoned the beast to aid the family."

"In any case the last Gardener of the World is dead," said the pock-marked man. "Did you see the Silver Paladins? They placed their swords and armor onto a cart and then left. They disbanded. Well...all except for one."

"Oh, yes, Serenity Wheeler. The poor dear. I understand she and the Celtra were very close friends."

"O' aye," said the skinny worker. "Where is she?"

"Down below in the fields," the woman replied. "She's digging their graves."

Serenity

"I think it's deep enough," Serenity thought to herself. The sad Silver Paladin plunged her shovel into the muddy ground. She was digging a pit to bury her two friends who had been murdered tonight. They were beloved companions whom she had known since her school days.

"We failed…" she said coldly, looking at their bodies lying before her, wrapped in white linen. "Forgive me."

The rain clanked fiercely on Serenity's armor of silver steel, annoying her, making her feel as though each and every loud drop was a thousand voices mocking her for her incompetence.

Her hair sagged pathetically over her face and the giant silver bow she had to compliment her beautiful armor drooped sadly from its perch behind her head.

She was chilled to the bone but vowed not to move from that spot until she laid her dear friends to rest. A cruel wind bellowed from down the mountain and caused a shiver to run through her body. It was as if both the Goddesses of Wind and Storm were against her this night.

She bit her bottom lip for so long, it began to bleed. A trickle of blood oozed down her chin and some of it washed into her mouth with the rainwater. The bitter taste of iron caressed her tongue, which was clenched underneath her molars, stinging with a pain that distracted her from the cold.

In the gray, cloudy, heavens above, a flash of lightning illuminated the ruins. They were all that remained of the ancient, legendary fortress of Karad-Antha, the final resting place of her fallen friends.

Though she was grieved with their loss, Serenity felt a pinch of content in her heart, for the Dark Lord Anubis had finally fallen. Dead. At last, after more than a thousand years at war against him and his legion of orcs from the Shadow Realm, he was finally gone. He killed her companions but at a great cost, both to him and his foul army of orcs, witches, goblins, and wraiths.

Serenity looked away from the sad sight of the ruins and her focus returned to her labors. She growled when she saw worms wriggling hungrily in the earth, slithering around with excitement, waiting to devour the corpses that were about to be laid into the pit she digging.

"Ack! Stupid creatures!" she muttered and looked back at the bodies, second-guessing her decision to bury her friends in this pathetic muddy pit.

No. They deserved better. And she could not fathom the thought of them being gorged from the inside-out by the vermin burrowing through the earth.

"Hey! Come on, girl, seriously? You've been in there all day!" called the golden-haired Mai Valentine.

She approached her sorrow-stricken friend, stood at the edge of the pit, and then placed her knuckles on her tasset to show her discontent. Mai was wearing a set of purple-enameled plate armor, carved from the greaves up in beautiful, detailed, scrollwork.

A sword was sheathed on her back, its guard made of gold with galaxy-cut tanzanite that glimmered in the light of the torches dotting the excavation site.

Her helmet, resting in the crook of her arm, was crested with the likeness of a Harpie's Pet Dragon with sapphires for eyes.

A short hooded cape of white silk covered her exposed shoulders. It was clasped over her chest with a golden brooch in the shape of three Harpie Ladies, who were forming an X crafted from opal. It was the sigil of her newly formed company of sellswords.

Though small and made up of women from hedge-knights, paladins, former special forces, and even sword-oaths to lords and kings, it was a private army to be reckoned with, hence why they were called to battle this night.

Serenity smiled at Mai. Even on a foul evening such as this, Mai's beauty was never marred. The Delight of Termnnia, as she was called, was a name well deserved indeed. Serenity looked into Mai's gem-like purple eyes. They were alight with a fiery impatience towards Serenity and her stubbornness.

"Get out of that pit right now! I am not joking, young lady!"

"No! I have to finish this, Mai," Serenity said, digging further into the pit.

Mai pursed her lips, feeling guilt and pity overtake her anger. She looked at the bodies of the couple who perished in the fortress. Tears bubbled in her eyes, for they were close to her heart as well.

"It's not your fault. Now get out of that hole and go take a warm bath or something! Now, before you catch your death of cold!"

Serenity didn't listen and continued shoveling the earth.

Mai sighed sympathetically. "Come on, sweetie, don't...don't blame yourself. You did your best."

Serenity jabbed her shovel deep in the mud with outrage, her brow creased in the anger she felt towards herself. She looked back at Mai with weepy red eyes and said: "My best wasn't enough, Mai. Just look at what my best has done! An Eyar and the last Celtra are DEAD!"

"Aw, come on sis, don't be like dat!" said Serenity's older brother, Ser Joey the Black Dragonknight.

He marched toward the grave. He took off his helmet and held it under his arm as he shook his hair.

"Ya can't blame yerself fer what happened to them. Come on, it's not a total loss. Their son lives. Not only dat, but he kicked some serious ass. I mean look at this!"

"I know what the baby has done here." Serenity looked at the smoldering remains the fortress again. Piles of dead goblins and orcs littered the ground, serving as a grim reminder of the power this newborn Joey spoke of had. "But it still doesn't change the fact that I lost two people I loved with all my being."

"Serenity, there was nothin' we could do. This is Anubis we're talkin' about. He would'a killed us all."

"He's right," said Mai. "Anubis has killed warriors so powerful they were close to Gods. What could we have done?"

"Not very much it seems," said the snobbish King Antilles Dragonheart, ruler of the Kingdom of Dragon Rock.

He rode towards them atop his black stallion and stopped when he spotted the bodies of the dead Eyar and his Celtra companion. The king then climbed off his steed, his gear jingling with each movement he made.

His arrogance proudly held his nose far up in the air and his eyes were half-open giving him a tired look. His armor, crafted of polished steel and real diamond, shined like a mirror. A high collar of black Mother Grizzly fur covered his neck.

The pauldrons were shaped like dragon's heads and the chestplate was decorated with silver filigree carvings and designs. The emblem of his house, a dragon embracing a flaming heart, glimmered in gold and rubies in the center. A red velvet sash was hung over his shoulder, and a cape flew behind him. His gray hair still had a tinge of blonde and was drowned in gel and oils with the scent of amber musk. His eyes were as cold as ice and even colored like it, giving him a sinister look.

The king's chamberlain, a young boy of sixteen, followed him with a cocky smirk as he held up an umbrella to shield his king from the rain.

"Antilles!" exclaimed Joey. "What the hell are you doin' here?"

The king looked at Joey with an impatient glare. "I've brought my troops to aid you in battle." He looked around the site in disdain. "Hmph, from the look of things, it seems I am too late?"

Mai looked at him with a scowl. "And what's your excuse this time Your Highness? Did your horse's ass get a cramp or something? Or did you stop at the tavern to get your knights drunk again? Fort Northroot is but a short ride from here; there's no excuse for you to be so late."

Antilles looked at her and retained his composure. "The storm proved too ferocious. The river was swollen; it held us back."

"A likely story," Mai retorted.

"Whether you believe me or doubt me is not my concern. I have come to see the child who destroyed Anubis." He looked down at Serenity, still knee-deep in the pit. "Where is he?" he asked.

"The baby's asleep right now! Leave him alone!"

"What reason have you to be hostile, paladin?" Antilles asked.

"She's probably mad she failed to protect the last Celtra, My Lord," sneered the chamberlain. "I always knew those Silver Paladins were all flash and no sword. They failed to protect anyone like always. My father was right about them."

"That's enough, Torvan," Antilles said elbowing the boy in the stomach. "It's not polite to instigate a fight. Now, if you please, the child."

"Right this way, Yer Majesty," Joey replied in defeat.

Antilles followed him without a word. His knights marching at his heels, scoffing at Mai and Serenity.

"I hate those damn, knights," Mai said leaning against a tree with her arms folded. "They think they're above everyone else because they have a title and a set of fancy armor. I remember when I was a girl, knights were noble and true gentlemen of the battlefield. Now they're just egomaniacs with a thirst for blood, gold, women, and glory."

"I couldn't agree more," said Serenity with a sigh. "And that Antilles. It's amazing who can pass as a king nowadays. What a creep."

"He can't help it," Mai said with a yawn and a long stretch. "He hates us Eldoris. I remember a time he called us — oh, what was it? — unnatural beings who should never have existed. Not our faults Nala got bored and decided to bring her pictures to life."

Serenity proceeded to shovel the ground, continuing her work on the grave.

"You sure you want to bury them here?" Mai asked sadly. "A hole in the ground? That's not befitting a divine wizard and the last Celtra, especially when they were people you loved with all your heart."

"I suppose you're right," Serenity said looking at the pitiful hole she made.

"We'll see they get a proper burial when we return to Emboldor, sweetie," said Mai. "Why don't you follow Joey and make sure that jerk, Antilles, doesn't cause any mischief."

"Oh, right," said Serenity. She dropped her shovel and climbed out of the hole, then started after Antilles.

"Oh, and Serenity," Mai said. Serenity turned. "If that squire mouths off again, you can kill him you know."

Serenity let out a weak chuckle making Mai smile. "Aww, look at you. Has anyone told you what a work of art you are when you smile? Now, don't let anyone say you didn't do your best protecting the Celtra. Not everyone lifted a sword to aid them. If that boy speaks ill of the Silver Paladins again, then end him. No one is going to miss a squire."

Mai finished by giving Serenity a playful wink.

Serenity nodded and followed after Joey. He was leading Antilles to a red tent in the center of the battlefield, which was on the other side of a long tunnel that led to the fortress. Soldiers searched through the heavy rain for any survivors of the orc army, who gathered earlier in the fields to assault the fortress and its army of Black Luster Soldiers, who were sadly all wiped out.

This hurt Joey when he saw the bodies of the valiant warriors lying motionless in the muck. They were sent to Gabriel by Yami and the High King as a means of protection. But what hope did these poor creatures have against the ferocity of a dark lord? Especially one as horrid as Anubis?

"Tell me, girl," Antilles said to Serenity as they advanced across the fields. "What is it you plan to do now that the Celtra are all gone? The mission of the Silver Paladins is over."

Serenity thought for a moment. "I was planning to teach at Duelist Academy, sir... er...sire."

"As if," said Torvan. "I've heard a great deal about you, Serenity Wheeler. Before you were a healer for the Silver Paladins, they told me you served in the House of Flowers in Naralia. I once heard from a knight in court who claims he paid you a visit during the Red Wine War. He said you pleased him like you were born to do it. I don't suppose you'll grant me such favor too. Maybe you can show me the moves that made you so legendary there. "

Serenity gasped in shock and stood still, trying her best not to remember those horrid years as a slave in the House of Flowers, Termnnia's most provocative and lawless brothel.

"Don't you DARE speak to my sista like dat!" Joey shouted, unsheathing his jet-black sword and pointing it at the arrogant squire. "I'll gut ya where you stand!"

"And what of it, Torvan?" said Antilles, again, nudging him in the stomach. "So she was a slave in the House of Flowers. That matters not anymore. She has moved up from that and has fought as best she could to keep the Gardeners safe. I respect that, even admire it. Which is more than I can say for you, boy."

Torvan rubbed his aching belly and looked at the ground shamefully.

When he was taught his lesson, Antilles put his focus back on Serenity. "As for you. I commend you, Miss Wheeler. A teacher is an excellent career path to tread, for the path of the warrior was clearly not for you."

Serenity felt her heart drop when she heard those words. Perhaps he was right. Protecting people was the sole reason why she took the oath and joined the Silver Paladins in the first place. What good that did.

Many of the people she vowed to guard with her life were now in graves. Her two best friends were the latest victims of her failure. She was glad it was raining heavily. The raindrops mixed with the tears that were rolling down her pretty face. The thunder muffled her hiccups and sniffles.

"You Dragonhearts are just like the Kaibas," Joey said with spite. His long blond hair was sagging over his face. "Cold and arrogant. You should wed to combine your Houses."

He continued to lead Antilles through the muddy battlefield until they reached the bottom of a hill with a path that was lit up by iron lamps, rocking back and forth in the heavy wind as they hung on wooden posts.

A Blackland Fire Dragon in gold-plated armor stood near the tent like a guard dog along with two Buster Bladers draped in royal purple hoods trimmed with gold thread. Their hoods were down, concealing their small heads, and they had their bulky hands resting on the pommel of their heavy blades.

"Halt!" shouted the Buster Blader on the left.

"You will let me through!" Antilles ordered the two warriors, arrogantly holding out his hand.

"Be quick!" the other Buster Blader said with a booming metallic voice.

"I will spend all the time I want." Antilles snapped. "I am the King of Dragonrock."

"And we have orders from the High-King of Termnnia that no one is to disturb the Great Hero!" The other said loudly, clearly not in the mood to deal with Antilles's insolence.

Antilles scoffed. "Great Hero? Indeed."

"Six minutes," The left Buster Blader snarled. "Or we will escort you out with force."

"I'll keep that in mind," Antilles said pulling open the flaps to the tent.

As soon as he set foot inside, a blast of warmth greeted him. There was a roaring fire in a pit and bronzed torches stood on every corner. The floor was covered in bear furs and crimson rugs. Then he saw a gilded crib and what looked like a bundle wrapped in royal red cloth-of-gold blankets.

An Eldori woman stared into the crib dressed in tight black leather gear. A large, ornate odachi was sheathed on her back, and a heavily modified battle rifle was swinging from a sling over her shoulder. Her face was caked with mud and dried blood.

"What is this mercenary doing here?" Antilles said folding his arms.

"This mercenary pulled the baby out of the wreckage of the house!" Joey said, balling his fists. "So show sum respect will ya!"

"Vivian Wong?" Antilles said when he finally recognized her. "The Lady Dragon of Uzumé?"

"I am," Vivian said weakly. Her voice was raspy from all the yelling she did in the battle.

"Well done. I suppose congratulations are in order for recovering the child from the ruins. I'll see to it that you are paid handsomely for your services."

"Thanks…I guess," said Vivian, followed by a cough to clear her throat.

Antilles Dragonheart was a man she despised, especially in the world of politics. On any other day, she would have preferred to steer clear of him. But this was no ordinary occasion, and she couldn't deny the money he was going to compensate her with. So she pursed her lips shut and decided to keep her words contained.

Antilles stopped a few paces from the crib and bowed respectfully. "If you please, Miss Wong, I came to see this hero."

"By all means," Vivian said, pacing back. "Your Grace."

After one step, Antilles held up his hand. "Stay!" he commanded Torvan like a dog, then proceeded to see the child.

He could hear cooing and timid yawning coming from the crib. He pulled one of the blankets back and saw a patch of black hair underneath. The baby was sound asleep. Antilles removed his black glove from his right hand and touched the child. The baby's little arms recoiled when he felt Antilles' cold fingers on his head, and rolled around trying to get away from him.

"Such a cute little thing," Antilles said. He began to laugh like he had gone mad. "So hard to believe," he said continuing to stroke the baby's hair, "that one so small has ended an enemy so powerful that not even the Eyar could stop him. What miracle does this child possess that caused him to succeed where so many others have failed?"

"We don't know," said Vivian. "It's a miracle. A gift from the Goddesses. My warrior maidens call him Xian Zuya-Huan Bu, The Kiss from Heaven."

Antilles looked at her as she stood on the other side of the crib. "And Anubis's item…the Pyramid of Light. Do you have it?"

"No," Vivian responded quickly. "Once the fire died down, we sent some Citadel Mages to examine the ruins. The item was never found; it must have been destroyed or has been stolen — I say stolen. Anubis's lapdog, Bakura, was here."

"The Witch-King of Sancre Taar?" gasped Torvan. "Bakura was here on this battlefield?"

"Yes," said Vivian. "He and I were locked in intense combat. I won't lie to you, I thought I was going tonight. It wasn't until the death of Anubis that he just stopped moving. He threw his sword on the ground and then fled into the mountains. I sent my best soldiers to chase him down, but they never found him. Lord Yugi traveled with a search party long before you arrived. They haven't been back since."

Antilles stroked his beard and sighed heavily, disappointed at the news. "So the Pyramid of Light has disappeared? And Bakura got away. Pity"

"Yeah," Joey said slamming his fist into the palm of his other hand. "Pity he didn't stay so I could'a knocked da stuffin' outta him. He musta been da one who ratted out my friends, Gabe and Rosie, to that scumbag, Anubis."

"You wish to fight Bakura?" said Vivian with a scoff. "Wheeler, if you want to die so badly I'll let you walk into my sword."

"Ha, ha, ha!"

"I meant no offense, of course. But I'm a better fighter than you, and I was almost pummeled. He killed many of my girls as well, all excellent swordswomen. Bakura's skills are unlike anything I've ever seen. And that monster of his. Diabound. Incredible power."

"Nothing my Red-Eyes Black Dragon can't handle," said Joey.

"Diabound is a direct offshoot of Zorc," said Antilles. Saying the name of the evil monster sent a shiver down Torvan's spine. "A Red-Eyes Black Dragon would not be enough to fight it. I doubt even the Blue-Eyes White dragon could stand against it. I must ask, what is to become of the child? And why has the High-King placed him under the guard of Buster Bladers and Black Luster Soldiers?"

"You're seriously going to ask that after what he just did to Anubis and this army?" said Vivian.

"I understand what he's done. But all of...this. Don't you think it's a bit much? You'd think the boy was a prince."

Serenity giggled.

"Is there some you wish to tell me, Miss Wheeler?"

"High-King Antar has the baby under guard because he claimed guardianship over him."

"Wh-whatever do you mean?" said Antilles.

"You haven't heard? "You're looking at Termnnia's new prince."

Before Antilles could react, a horn blew from the forest, causing everyone in the camp to go into a frenzy.

The baby boy cooed and stirred around in his blankets. Serenity shushed him and gently rubbed her hand down his back to soothe him. It worked, for the baby went right back to sleep.

"What is the meaning of this?" Antilles asked.

"The Horn of Heaven," said Joey. "Yugi's here."