The Testament: Part One

Kayuba, Bayu, Elgin, Vexana, and Aliyah were standing in front of Safi, who was looking at them with a polite smile. Safi asked politely, "So, what should I do, ma'am?" Aliyah smiled, "You are quite good-mannered and shy for a person of your reputation. I mean who talks so politely here? Of course, good manners aren't a bad quality here, but still, you should show some confidence in your tone, young boy. This timid and repressive mentality will not benefit you in the future, Safi." Elgin said, "Let him be, Aliyah. He's still very young and don't forget he is much smarter than you were at his age. You gotta respect that, Aliyah." Aliyah said grimly, "Skills win tournaments, Elgin. We are talking about wars. Real wars. If this boy doesn't show that icky confidence that warlords have, he ain't surviving even one day." Vexana growled, "Just tell him what he has to do? Confidence and all that stuff can be mended later." Aliyah said grimly, "Fine. Safi is a person who knows dark arts like his parents and as Elgin has told me, Safi is quite brilliant in this. So, he is creditable as per se. But, we don't need brilliant students. We need ruthless warriors who keep the courage to enter and slash enemies. So, I want to see if Safi can fulfill that quality." Aliyah walked towards Kayuba and said, "Here, is Kayuba. A veteran and an expert in his stuff. So, I want Safi to try to kill him. Kayuba will do anything in his power to stop him or kill him if necessary. There are no rules and no limits. The first to die will not be alive to see the war." Elgin said angrily, "That's bullshit, Aliyah. Safi is still young and Kayuba is even older than us. How could Safi defeat him?" Aliyah smiled, "Defeat? Nah. In war, defeat is not an option. Safi has to kill him. In war, demons stronger than Kayuba will fight and they won't hesitate to kill Safi." Vexana said, "But, there can be a lenient way too. I mean, see the comparison." Aliyah said angrily, "Life is not fair, Vexana. The sooner you understand it, the better. Safi is not going to survive if he doesn't dare to slash enemies. Kayuba or any other demon, power is power and he has to fight it." Aliyah looked at Safi and asked, "Are you afraid, young boy?" Safi replied politely, "Not at all, ma'am. But, maybe this old hag is shaking." Aliyah smiled, "See. The sparks are igniting."

Kayuba and Safi were standing opposite each other in an empty arena. Aliyah said loudly, "The competition is going to be of three phases. First, the attacker who is Safi will attack. Kayuba will defend it. Second, Kayuba will attack and Safi will defend. Third, both will attack and defend till one doesn't surrender. I wanted it to be more war-like, but I could not see two idiots frowning, so I decided to make it more "lenient"." Kayuba and Safi looked at each other and took a long breath. Safi chanted some mantra and a long black air wave moved towards Kayuba which he easily defeated. Safi started throwing such attacks but Kayuba could easily disperse them. Safi ultimately gathered all his power and formed a very large arrow shaped wave which threw Kayuba some metres away on impact. Aliyah smiled. The second round began and Kayuba started throwing red and powerful waves on Safi who could barely disperse them, but did better for the first time. Aliyah looked at Elgin and smiled, "Maybe he does have some potential after all. I think he will have to sharpen some edges but he might survive at least one day in the war." Elgin didn't reply. The third round began and both Kayuba and Safi started throwing waves on them but both were somehow not defeated. Kayuba was dominant all over the round, Safi also didn't surrender. Safi finally took a black doll from his pocket and chanted a mantra which bonded Kayuba. Kayuba couldn't move as he was taken by surprise. Safi crushed the doll and Kayuba also started bleeding. Kayuba said in pain, "I surrender. I surrender. Let me free. Please." Safi released him and bowed before Aliyah.

Aliyah looked at Safi and smiled, "Awesome. Just awesome. I was not wrong. You do have the potential to be with me during the war. Come with me to my chamber." All the guys entered Aliyah's chamber and looked at her. Aliyah smiled, "Since, Safi proved something worth bravery, I have decided to include him with me. He will stay with me and Vexana can go with Kayuba and Bayu to Ganzi City. She recognizes Elena perfectly and so does she. The attack on Ganzi City should be a day earlier than the attack on the Elf Kingdom due to the Namarian tradition. Elgin, Safi and I will attack the palace as planned. Any questions?" Elgin raised his hand and asked, "Why should we not wait for Licha to return?" Aliyah smiled, "She doesn't need to present now. She will die in Ganzi City and in the books of history she will be remembered as a coward who ran away when her kingdom was under siege." Vexana asked, "What if she returns?" Aliyah smiled, "If she is wise, she will not return. But, if she does the foolishness of returning, she will die in Namaria which will make the siege shorter." Kayuba asked, "What about Kystion and Kavana?" Aliyah smiled, "Libitina has told me that she will delay the war by one day. I know, our army will be tired and lesser in number but we have to take the risk. But, I do have a suggestion. I can tell Daina to station here if Kystion and Kavana attacks. I mean, she might be able to hold the attack for at least one day till we return." Bayu asked, "What if Kystion attacks Namaria?" Aliyah said grimly, "Namaria is a big place and not that easy to attack without proper planning. Kystion will not take that risk." Bayu asked, "So, that means there is going to be no one here to protect the Elf Kingdom?" Aliyah said, "That's the problem, Bayu. We have a lot of enemies and not sufficient man power. So, if you have any suggestions, I am eager to listen." Bayu smiled, "I have some friends in the Monastery and I know they will be eager to smash demons." Kayuba said, "No. They are not coming." Bayu said, "But, they are powerful and can defend the Elf Kingdom." Aliyah asked, "Who are they?" Kayuba said grimly, "Bayu was not a very obedient person from the start. He was Assayah's student but due to some romantic mess, things began to fall between us. Bayu separated himself and made a rogue team of his which managed to defeat most of us, but when Assayah and Kenchi defeated Bayu, he was imprisoned and his allies were killed. Now, he wants his comrades to resurrect, which is impossible." Elgin asked, "Why?" Kayuba said, "Because, only Xao Chang can resurrect the dead." Bayu said, "You don't have to resurrect them. You can call their souls and put them in selected bodies." Kayuba said grimly, "Yes. But, they need to be called and whose body will they enter?" Aliyah smiled, "If they are good as Bayu says, then I have some bodies who may come in handy." Elgin asked, "Whose bodies?" Aliyah smiled, "You remember that in Namaria, the bodies are buried and not burned. I think you know some guys who are currently buried in the old graveyard." Elgin asked nervously, "Whose bodies are you talking about?" Aliyah smiled, "Your brother, Lys and your two cousins, Devee and Leven. They are well built and have quite knowledge about war." Elgin said grimly, "No. Absolutely no. I am not allowing you to treat my brothers as zombies." Aliyah said grimly, "They didn't get a chance to win the previous war. At least, give them a chance to win this war." Elgin said angrily, "What nonsense are you talking about, Aliyah? They are legends who died fighting for the Elf Kingdom. How can you even think of using them? Did you forget that Lys saved your life thrice during the first week of the war?" Aliyah said, "That's why I am telling you to make them alive. I know, they won't be the same guys but at least they will ignite motivation amongst us." Vexana said, "I think Aliyah is right. Having them fight alongside us will instill bravery and rage in the hearts of our fellow soldiers." Elgin said grimly, "Do whatever you want but their bodies are in Namaria. How can you make them alive from here?" Kayuba smiled, "Simple. We have to make them appear before us." Elgin asked, "What?" Kayuba said, "Follow me in the basement." All walked beside him towards the basement.

Kayuba said, "I want the blood of the deceased's family. Elgin. Come forward." Elgin walked towards Kayuba and Kayuba took out a dagger and sliced Elgin's finger. Two drops of blood fell on Kayuba's hand and he started chanting some words and slowly the blood started flowing in the air and took the form of three young gentlemen. The first gentleman was tall and muscular with a golden mustache and big anvil beard. The two other gentlemen were twins with one bald and had a large scar on his right eye and the other had an ear blown away. Elgin said grimly, "Brothers." Lys looked at Elgin and smiled, "Elsinore. How are you? Are you dead too?" Elgin said, "No, my brother. We called you." Lys looked at them and said, "Call me? What are you trying to say?" Elgin narrated the whole incident. Lys laughed, "Fuck, man! You are that deep in this shit? Fine. But, you cannot do that. We were buried thousands of years ago and our bodies have decomposed into the soil like nothing. We, are just spirits." Devee and Leven looked at Aliyah and smiled, "You got a little fat, Aliyah." Aliyah smiled, "Fuck off, bitches. I am more fit than you hobos." Lys laughed, "So, you are a ghost too?" Aliyah said grimly, "Yes. I couldn't save myself. I broke the promise that I gave you." Lys looked at her and smiled, "Death is inevitable. At least, you died for a reason." He looked at Kayuba and Bayu and said grimly, "Xao Chang kicked you two out of the Monastery or what? Why are you helping them?" Kayuba said, "Because they need our help and we need theirs."

Lys walked towards him and said grimly, "I remember you, Kayuba. I remember you perfectly. You are the one who slaughtered my men in the north side mercilessly and raided and raped young maidens. I don't know what you want this time, but I promise you that this time you will not be alive if you try to recreate history." Kayuba smiled, "Says the ghost who died. You are still too weak to even lightly scratch my ass, Lys. So, better keep your threats to yourself." Lys laughed, "Cocky as always. I like it. But, still I don't trust you." Kayuba said grimly, "I don't need your trust. I need you to help your brother win the war." Lys asked, "Why are you suddenly against the man who created you?" Kayuba said grimly, "He didn't create me. I was Kayuba even before I met him. He is a man who can even betray his mother for Xao Lin. I don't trust him anymore." Lys said, "Your difference in opinions doesn't mean shit here. Tell me why are you here?" Kayuba said grimly, "The same reason you fought the war against a highly powerful enemy like Xao Chang. Love for your loved ones." Lys laughed, "What would a monster like you know about love?" Kayuba smiled, "Monsters do love. This man here fought for love and shook the Monastery at its very base." Lys looked at Bayu and said, "Yet he failed. Like you, your love is also selfish and evil." Bayu said angrily, "No. Our love is as pure as yours. We, demons have hearts too." Devee smiled, "Oh, yeah? And what kind of person with a "heart" kills innocent women and children?" Bayu said, "That was our duty. You killed so many ogres who were innocent in the name of Mother Manaca." Lys said angrily, "We didn't kill innocent people. They were criminals. We, elves don't discriminate against people on the basis of gender or ethnicity. We reward and punish them according to their deeds." Bayu asked, "And who gave you the right to do that? They are not your slaves. They have the same rights and position as you guys." Elgin said angrily, "Silence. We have much bigger problems to deal with than arguing about past events." Kayuba said, "We will meet tomorrow and discuss the further plans." Kayuba and Bayu disappeared in red mist....