Chapter 33: Fate of The Hermit

Zed and Elastor led the Elf army into the city, Zed thought about the battle plan:

"We will bring the main attack force into the city to attract a part of the enemy, then the cavalry will attack in surprise and defeat all the enemy troops. The important people will enter the castle to confront the main enemy and save Julia."

In the sky were thousands of giant white butterfly cavalry, on their backs a rider, six archers, three witches and wizards. Belle rode her giant white butterfly Annabella with Alata and Eva on her back. Eva said:

"It's terrible, Zed and Elastor made a path to the Haunted Mountain."

Alata replied:

"Hey, why am I in the surprise attack party? I could go down there and deal with some of them."

Eva said:

"Zed said you weren't strong enough to deal with the monsters so he let you attack the next wave, now we will wait for all the Dark Elves to come out to attack them all at once."

Alata replied:

"It's boring, I'm a belligerent."

Eva said:

"Belle, Master Emanda didn't go to war?"

Belle replied:

"Ah, she's right next to us."

Eva and Alata looked to the side and saw Emanda drinking Elf wine on the back of a giant white butterfly that was ridden by a servant. Eva thought to herself:

"Yeah, this is natural."

Eva said to Belle:

"Hey, aren't you wearing armor?"

Belle replied:

"I'm a witch, only using magic, I don't like wearing heavy armor that slows down my movement."

Eva said:

"Okay then, we're almost there. Julia, wait for us."

Below, the Newlaphaine army marched towards the entrance of the cave, when suddenly the surrounding giant thorns began to move and spread to cover the path they were advancing. Zed said:

"Damn, the trees are spreading."

Elastor replied:

"Then cut 'em again."

Zed and Elastor turned and swung their swords. The dark slash and lightning cut apart several thorny trees. Zed and Elastor repelled the spread of Nightmare Forest as they walked, they had to repel it until the Newlaphaine army successfully entered the mountains. In the castle the Newlaphaine army was also ready and formed around the castle, the root monsters were also released to attack the enemy. People hid in their homes, but not because they were afraid, but because they didn't want to be involved in this battle. The Newlaphaine army successfully entered the cave and advanced to the city while the cavalry awaited at the top of the Haunted Mountain. The Newlaphaine army entered the city and charged at the Lanxter army. The two sides fought fiercely and no one showed weakness. Elf arrows flew to repel a platoon of Dark Elves, but the monsters rushed to fill the empty position. They frantically attacked and slaughtered many of our knights. A knight whose spine was smashed by it and whose face was rotted by dark magic. A series of arrows flew towards the monsters but they caught them all. The situation was leaning in favor of the Dark Elf army a lot when the monsters went to battle. Suddenly a bolt of lightning shot and destroyed a line of enemies and part of the wall around the castle. Elastor was the one who shot that lightning, he raised his sword high and said loudly:

"Charge!"

Zed kicked a barrel of oil and lit it, he said to the archers:

"Use fire, fire is their weakness."

The archers lit their arrows with fire and shot at the monsters. The monsters burned by the fire gave the Elf army an opportunity to attack. Zed and Elastor were the two fastest warriors, they continuously defeated the enemies that stood in their way and rushed to the closed castle wall gate. Elastor threw the Star greatsword into the wall gate, Zed jumped up and pinned the greatsword's hilt down for thrust, he shot high up the wall. Zed swung his sword and unleashed three dark tornadoes that swept enemies across the wall. Elastor also rushed over and used the Star greatsword to jump onto the wall, but he dragged the greatsword with him. Zed landed on the wall and grabbed Elastor's hand and pulled him up. The enemy troops advanced and surrounded them. Zed and Elastor leaned back against each other, Zed said:

"Is there a way? We used too many skills to get here."

Elastor replied:

"Right here."

A barrage of arrows came and shot down the enemies that surrounded them. The Elf army was defeating the Dark Elf army while trying to reach the castle entrance wall. Zed and Elastor jumped inside the wall and landed on the ground. They punched the wall gate so hard it opened and the Elf army entered. The soldiers inside the castle also came out and attacked the Elf army. At the same time bat monsters rode down from the tunnels by Dark Elf warriors and attacked our troops. Zed launched dark slashes that destroyed countless numbers, but the number of bat monsters was too much. The bat monsters sprayed acid at the archers, taking away their fire arrow advantage. Zed said:

"Elastor, it's time."

Elastor raised his sword high and hurled a bolt of lightning that destroyed the summit of the Haunted Mountain. Belle saw Elastor's lightning and said aloud:

"Now!"

Belle led the giant white butterfly cavalry into the city. The bat monsters were suddenly attacked by giant white butterflies and burned by magic spells. But the Lanxter army is not out yet, they have continued to send stronger and more terrible monsters and more warriors. Centipede monsters emerged from the rocky ground and pierced dozens of knights with its legs. The Dark Elf warriors spread their wings and flew up to confront the white butterfly cavalry. But the most terrible must be the Dark Elf warriors parasitized by the roots of the Nightmare Tree, they became blind, bloodthirsty monsters, their whole bodies were transformed into parts made from the roots and dark magic with spikes and sharp claws on their bodies. The parasitic warriors were only thirty people, but one was strong enough to destroy an entire platoon. The Newlaphaine army was slowly pushed back as soon as they entered the castle walls by monsters. But what are they against the Crusadia team. Zed and Elastor charged at the parasitic warriors and jumped high. Zed and Elastor swung their swords and cut off the heads of the two in front of them and landed on the ground. Elastor said:

"Keep clearing the way, Lightning Strike!"

Elastor launched a large bolt of lightning into the castle gate creating a new path for them. Zed and Elastor dashed into the castle and overcame all enemies. They jumped inside the castle and killed the guards inside. Zed and Elastor knelt on one knee to rest, Zed said:

"Hey, what about our soldiers? We can't leave them outside to deal with those parasitic monsters."

Elastor replied:

"Then lure them in here."

Zed took a nearby spear and tied it to a rope, he threw the spear at a parasitic warrior and dragged him inside the castle. Others were noticed and rushed in. Elastor waited at the castle gate, he waited for the parasitic warriors to enter and immediately slashed down on their heads. The Elf knights, thanks to the gap in the enemy line, successfully entered the castle. Zed said:

"Okay, let's move on."

Zed and Elastor headed towards the Throne Room. Returning to Belle, Eva and Alata, Eva shot arrows of light that killed countless enemies. Eva said:

"Belle, let's go to the castle with Zed and Elastor."

Belle replied:

"Let's go."

Belle brought them closer to a higher level of the castle. Belle, Alata and Eva jumped onto the balcony of a room, Belle said to Annabella:

"Annabella, fly around the castle, we'll call you when needed."

The Annabella butterfly flew away and they entered the castle. Belle, Eva and Alata summoned their weapons, Eva said:

"The Throne Room goes this way, follow me."

But when they stepped out, they clashed with Dark Elf warriors, Belle firing small balls of light that stun the enemies and Eva shooting light arrows that killed a few more. Alata and The Ghost merged together and rushed to attack the enemy. Their attacks passed through them and Alata swung his spear down at them. Eva's group successfully entered the castle. A chariot pulled by two giant white butterflies enters the battle, it was Eculida's chariot, she will confront Halazar. Outside when the Newlaphaine army was able to repel the Lanxter army. Emanda and the wizards on the backs of giant white butterflies flew around the castle, creating magic circles and chanting ancient spells. A huge magic circle was created around the Nightmare Tree and a magic wall was created to surround it. The wizards channel their light energy into the magical wall to block the dark magic of the Nightmares Tree and reduce the source of Halazar's power. Halazar sensed the Nightmare Tree's dark magic being blocked. Halazar smiled wickedly and said:

"Do you think things will be that simple? My Tree of Nightmares is too strong for you to block it."

Halazar sent out nightmarish creatures of dark magic, more terrible monsters created by Halazar. From within a root of the Nightmare Tree, a giant cobra was created from the purple tree's roots, it wore an amethyst armor and emitted a purple aura. Halazar said:

"My poison elemental spirit, The Dark."

The Dark broke through the roots and slithered to where the battle was taking place, followed by a swarm of snake monsters. The Dark shot poison on giant white butterflies carrying wizards, weakening the magical walls. Monsters rushed forward and madly devoured the Newlaphaine army, the situation was turning into chaos as our troops were suffering heavy losses. The Newlaphaine soldiers were slowly pushed back towards the tunnel, they would not retreat and would fight to the end. Everything was getting too hopeless. Suddenly horns and drums emerged from within the tunnels, the powerful chants of the most powerful warriors on the continent. Rushing out from inside the tunnel were Lamalia and The Rhino, she said loudly:

"Reinforcement from Sandx kingdom has arrived!"

Back from yesterday afternoon, Eculida asked Eva to write a letter asking for help from Sandx kingdom. Lamalia received the letter and prepared a full army overnight. They made it through the Forest of Nightmares thanks to Zenhector using Gilgamesh axe to destroy the giant thorny trees, giving them a marching path. Then the Sandx warriors rushed out and attacked the Dark Elf warriors. The Sandx and Newlaphaine armies forget their long distance and fight a common enemy. Lamalia rode The Rhino into the enemy line and into the castle, she said:

"I still have to help Eva and Zed, The Rhino find the way."

Zenhector entered with a golden aura, he said excitedly:

"A giant cobra? It's worthy of my cutting."

Zenhector summoned Gilgamesh axe and leapt to The Dark, where he swung his axe at the cobra but it whipped his tail and smashed him into the castle through several rooms. Dusty Zenhector said:

"Damn, that's more interesting!"

Eculida appeared beside Zenhector, she said:

"Zenhector, welcome the king to this battle."

Zenhector sat up and replied:

"Eculida, you called us at the right time, my hands are sore because I can't fight a single battle. But now that I'm not king, I've given the throne to my daughter."

Eculida said:

"Then Zenhector, let's go see Halazar."

Zenhector stood up and replied:

"What about the worm outside?"

Eculida said:

"Ah, forgot. I'll take care of it."

Eculida turned and said:

"The Light!"

The Light, Eculida's Dragonfly Light Elemental Spirit was summoned. It flew out of the castle and turned into a giant dragonfly. The Light lunged forward and hit The Dark's stomach with its head, knocking it back. The Dark roared and lunged at The Light's left wing, but it flew up in time. The Light swung its tail at The Dark's face and pissed it off even more. The Light and The Dark fought each other, two giant beings fighting to shake even the Haunted Mountain. Zenhector watched them fight and said:

"You have a really cool secret weapon."

Eculida replied:

"Hurry up Zenhector, we both have to face Halazar."

Zenhector followed Eculida, he said:

"Halazar, I know what he's up to. Asking Gloria kingdom to help control the Forest of Nightmares, that's ridiculous."

Eculida replied:

"He wants the Nightmare Tree stronger to expand his power, we have enough to weaken his power."

Zenhector said:

"Weak him? I can destroy him if you want."

Eculida replied:

"It's not easy to defeat Halazar, we can only weaken him but we can't cut off his source of power in the Nightmare Tree."

Zenhector smiled excitedly and said:

"What are you planning?"

Eculida replied:

"I won't tell you."

Zenhector and Eculida headed to the Throne Room. The allied army between Newlaphaine and Sandx gradually pushed back the Lanxter army, but the situation was in an even position for both sides. Zed and Elastor moved quickly through the corridors and killed many enemies, suddenly Zed stopped. Elastor also stopped, he said:

"Zed, let's move on."

Zed replied:

"You just keep going, I'll catch up."

Elastor nodded and continued. Zed withdrew his weapon and entered the corridor where Exos was waiting for him. Exos invited Zed into his room and they sat at the tea table. Zed said:

"Exos, hello old friend."

Exos was making tea, he said:

"Hi, Zed."

"So, what did you come to see me for?"

"Well, one because I want to know if you're okay after ten years. Two is a private matter I'll tell you."

"You left me in that house with no money to drink. Why don't you bring me the money in my house?"

"For ten years you're still addicted to alcohol."

Zed said coldly:

"You should have killed me that night. What did you get for saving me?"

Exos poured tea into cups for them, he replied calmly:

"Lost two years of my life. But saved a man who wanted to be free from sin."

Zed picked up the tea cup and said:

"You had a chance to kill me with your moon power. Sacrificing two years of your life to save me, you don't regret doing it?"

Exos picked up the cup of tea and replied:

"No, I saved you because I want you to change and have a better future. But maybe your fate is only in the battlefield and fighting forever."

"It's ridiculous, the one who wants to live in peace is the strongest and has committed many crimes. How ironic for me, maybe your intention to want me to live in peace has failed."

"I've failed many times before, it's okay to fail again."

"How could you erase everyone's memories in Gloria Kingdom in one night?"

"Wizard Laura sacrificed ten years of her life to erase everyone in the kingdom's memories of you, all but your name, and change the memory to make you a workshop owner. Then I had to took care of her for a long time because the spell was too dangerous and took most of her magic."

"Hmm, you two are close, right?"

"Just friends."

"And you, after the war ended, where did you go?"

"I bought a cornfield, lived peacefully in a wooden house. Until Urizen came and convinced me to return to the Horseman of Famine."

"I also wonder, how did Urizen convince you guys that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are back?"

"He came to see me on a warm morning, I didn't feel any danger from Urizen and I offered him a cup of tea. His words touched my deepest thoughts and desires, but it wasn't an allure but a persuasion. He proved he wasn't like his father, he really wanted to unify the Highland Continent into one. I understood his will so I decided to follow him, put on the Horseman armor again. Zack and Reaper didn't say why they came back as Horseman and Hatai could only become Horseman because of the empty ranks."

"Hmm, the smartest of the four Horsemen is easily persuaded by those words."

"How about you?"

"Well, ten years later I became an addict and debtor to many tarverns. Maybe things changed the night I met Eva, the first time in ten years I summoned The Knight again."

"Why did you join the journey with Eva?"

"Wizard Laura said that only participating in this journey can I redeem. The past is not something to be forgotten, I want to get rid of it."

"And not for something else? Ten years of trying to change yourself and you chose this day, you not only redeemed, but something else."

"And what is that?"

"I saved you for that too. You lost your will to live after the death of prince Edengaz, losing everything is something that no one can overcome. You need a new faith and Eva is that belief."

"Whoa, whoa, wait, how can you deduce that?"

"This journey is not only your journey of redemption but your journey to regain your faith. Tell me, what do you see in Eva?"

Zed thought for a moment, then drained his tea cup and put it on the table, he said calmly:

"A lost hope of mine, she showed me that not all kings or queens are bad. Although she was blind at times because of the throne, she overcame that desire to think clearly. Eva has become brave to protect everyone around her, cares for people and friends Eva has given me a new faith and I will protect her until she become queen."

Exos replied:

"I was right to save you, I saved you so you can do something greater. Your sins have been erased but your journey is not over, let's finish it."

"I know, I won't fail again this time. I will live so that Edengaz's sacrifice is not in vain and to protect Eva, my new hope."

"And The Dream Workshop, what does it mean?"

"The workshop was just me adding to it for cool. As for Dream, I lost my dream that night, so I engraved it on the sign to remind me I never gave up on it, just couldn't come back again. Ah, you said you are going to tell me something, right?"

"Oh yeah, here, do you recognize this card?"

Exos held up Zed's The Hermit, he said:

"Yes, I recognize it. The Hermit card that Wizard Laura predicts about my fate, so what? Is she trying to tell me something?"

Exos coldly replied:

"Your Hermit card is slowly corroding, your life, like it, is coming to an end."

Zed didn't seem worried about it, he said:

"My life doesn't matter to me anyway. I don't care even if death comes, I'm the Horseman of Death."

Exos replied:

"You really are the Horseman of Death, you should prepare to continue fighting, do you need any more help from me?"

Zed said:

"One last thing I can ask for your help. I know my power hasn't reached its peak yet so in this tough battle, I need to activate my strongest form in order to win."

Exos replied:

"Three-tailed form like that night?"

Zed said:

"No, more power, four-tailed form, the strongest form of The Knight, the dark power of that form I never reached but I knew it was my ultimate trump card. The condition to activate it is that I need fading waning moon, I know it will reduce your lifespan so you don't need to do it if you find it difficult."

Zed got up and walked towards the door, he turned to Exos and smiled excitedly, he said:

"Goodbye Exos, and say thank you to the wizard Laura for me."

Exos nodded as a goodbye to Zed and he left. Zed had just stepped outside when he met Eva's group. Eva looked at him and said:

"Zed, I'm here. But where's Elastor?"

Zed replied:

"He's going up to the Throne Room."

Eva said:

"Hey, did you just come out of that room? Is there something inside?"

Zed replied:

"It's nothing, I just got thrown inside that room and just got out of the room. Then suddenly I met everyone."

Suddenly Lamalia rode The Rhino towards them, she said loudly:

"Everyone, here I come."

Zed turned and gasped, he thought:

"Why is she here?!"

The Rhino stopped in front of Zed, Lamalia waved to them and said:

"Welcome to the Sandx queen."

Eva replied cheerfully:

"Lamalia, you've come."

Lamalia said:

"And a thousand reinforcements outside are fighting the Dark Elves. When you need me, I'll be here."

Belle replied:

"So you're Queen Lamalia Corput of Sandx Kingdom. I'm Princess Belle Quart of Newlaphaine Kingdom."

Lamalia said:

"Hello there. Oh right, where are Elastor and Julia?"

Zed replied:

"They're having a bit of a problem, can you take us to them?"

Lamalia said:

"No problem, darling. Everyone, get on top of The Rhino."

Everyone sat on The Rhino's back, but there was no room for Alata. Alata said in wonder:

"What the? Why don't I have a place?"

Zed replied:

"You can fly, just chase us fast."

Alata said angrily:

"Zed!"

The Rhino took them to the Throne Room and Alata flew after them. Zed sat behind Lamalia, he said:

"Don't call me darling anymore, I find it a bit strange."

Lamalia replied:

"What's wrong? Embarrassed?"

Zed said:

"I just think I'm not as close to you as I was ten years ago."

Lamalia replied:

"You've changed a lot, Zed. We can't go back to the way we were, so I still love you."

Zed said:

"I understand, thank you."

Behind, Eva, Belle and Alata blushed at the couple. Returning to Elastor, he and his soldiers rushed into the Throne Room. Elastor looked at Julia and said:

"Julia!"

Julia looked at Elastor and replied:

"Elastor!"

Julia ran to Elastor and hugged him tightly, she said:

"You're back, I was worried you wouldn't be strong enough after the battle with Grim."

Elastor blushed and replied:

"I'm back, to bring you back."

Elastor and Grim looked at each other, he said:

"Let me deal with my family problems for a while."

Julia replied:

"Are you sure?"

Elastor said:

"I have gained a new power, wait for me."

Julia nodded and stopped hugging Elastor, he looked at her and said:

"Nice dress, but you should change later."

Elastor walked towards Grim with anger. Grim summoned his Hollow sword and walked towards Elastor with just as much anger as he did. Halazar looked at Elastor and gave him a sly smile, he said with glee:

"Welcome back my son, our family is about to be reunited. Where's your mother and little sister?"

Elastor replied:

"I'm not your son, I may be a half-elf but I will never belong to either side. I will decide my own fate."

Elastor and Grim stopped, Elastor said:

"Grim, you don't have to do this, together we can defeat Halazar."

Halazar said:

"Let's face each other in the battle that will decide who becomes king, Elastor and Grim, the winner takes it all."

Grim became angry, he said:

"I hate you, for twenty years I tried to be a successor but lost everything when you showed up. I won't kill you but I won't let you come back here again."

Elastor replied:

"If talking can't solve anything, let's end it today. You and I can't accept us as brothers, but after this battle, I will still fight Halazar."

Elastor released thunder and Grim released smoke. Julia looked at Elastor, the rose tattoo on her left shoulder reappeared, she thought and worried for him:

"Elastor, please win and return with me."

Halazar looked at Elastor and Grim, he clearly had a wicked plan with an evil smile on his face, he thought to himself:

"Just wait a little longer."

The battle between the two brothers began.