Chapter 4 - A Light Goes Out (part II)

***

As Cork rode across the battlefield on his horse, slicing through enemies with his sword, he noticed Ternon in trouble. He quickly sped over to help his friend, who was trapped by Isayri's spell. Approaching from the sorceress's left side, his horse reared up on its hind legs and knocked Isayri out with its front hooves.

He looked at Ternon, giving a nod to ask if he was okay, and Ternon responded with a nod. Cork helped him onto the horse, and they galloped off in search of King Satír.

***

Satír, very weak, did everything possible to stay on his feet, taking large, difficult breaths as he prepared once more to face Derkno.

His brother, sword in hand, was ready to deliver the final blow. But Satír wouldn't make it easy; he would fight to his last breath. He extended his hand and, with the little energy he had left, launched a small bolt of pure mana. Derkno dodged it as if swatting a pesky mosquito. When he got close to his brother, he grabbed his hand tightly, squeezing until they heard the bones crack.

Satír groaned in pain. The little strength he had wasn't enough to break free from the grip.

"Don't struggle anymore. You can't defeat me... nor will your daughter," Derkno said, driving the blade of his sword through Satír's chest.

Cork and Ternon watched in horror as Derkno's sword pierced their king's chest. With tears in his eyes, Satír looked at his brother one last time with sadness, seeing what he had become—a murderer filled with hate and resentment. The tears fell down his cheeks, life leaving his body. Images of his wife and daughter came to him, fearing what Derkno might do to them. He reached out and grabbed Derkno's clothes, trying to stop him from leaving, but his hand had no strength left.

He closed his eyes slowly, and his last thoughts in those seconds were of his wife and daughter. His body dispersed into tiny sparks. The rain fell like tears of sorrow on all who continued to fight.

***

Tears soaked Ukreel's cheeks, the sharp pain in her heart a signal that Satír had been killed. Just the thought of losing her beloved drained her will to live.

"Ukreel," Uriaka felt the same, having lost her husband and son. The pain was overwhelming. "You must be strong. We have to leave. The enemy is already inside the palace. We must go and protect Amiona."

"No..." Ukreel sobbed through her tears. "I don't know if I can live without him."

"You have to, for Amiona. You have to move forward; she needs you now more than ever. Look at me. I know it's hard. I also lost my two reasons to live today. You still have a reason to live. Don't let the pain overshadow that."

Ukreel looked into Uriaka's eyes, then glanced at her daughter lying on the bed. She wiped away her tears and stood tall, taking a deep breath. She looked back at Uriaka and nodded.

***

Derkno lifted his head to the sky, letting the rain soak his smiling face. Komram approached him with the same victorious smile on her lips. The glow of the light sword caught the prince's attention. The sword called for the new king. He walked over to it, bending down to take the sword that now belonged to him.

"Portramios!" Ternon exclaimed, and the sword disappeared before Derkno's eyes. "The light sword only belongs to the legitimate heir to the throne."

Derkno let out a growl, standing up. Immediately, Cork and Ternon turned their horses and galloped away from him. As they rode, Cork ordered the rest of the soldiers to retreat.

***

The metal of Vyrkon's sword clashed with Sipros's fangs, the metallic sound echoing through the hall. They pushed against each other with force, Sipros's claws scratching the floor as he retreated, his fangs always seeking Vyrkon's flesh. But Vyrkon, with strength and speed, blocked each attack with his sword. Both displayed unmatched resilience and ferocity. For a moment, Sipros was distracted by the whisper of the wind, informing them of King Satír's death. That brief opening was enough for Vyrkon to swiftly swing his sword, cutting the tiger's right eye. Sipros leaped back, shaking his head in pain, affecting his peripheral vision.

For Vyrkon, this was a new opportunity he wouldn't waste. He lunged at Sipros again, but Sipros let out a massive roar, and waves of mana sent Vyrkon flying backward, crashing against the wall. The hall shook with the roar, the foundations seeming as if they would crumble, but they held intact. Vyrkon stood up, growling in pain. One of the Garluts struck a pillar behind Sipros with immense force, causing it to collapse onto the Letohoiko.

Sipros scratched at the floor with his claws, trying to push the pillar off him. But the weight of the pillar had weakened him significantly, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't lift it off.

Sayura saw her companion in trouble and ran towards Vyrkon, raising her sharp claws. Vyrkon blocked them with his sword, and as they fought, Sayura was ambushed by a Garluts. He grabbed her by the tail and yanked her backward, smashing her against the wall.

The Garluts let out a monstrous, guttural roar and momentarily turned his head towards Vyrkon.

"I'll handle it."

Vyrkon curved his lips into a smile, turned on his heels, and ran towards the stairs.

Sayura prepared herself for the Garluts's approach. Piercing the monster's skin wouldn't be easy. With a roar, she charged at him. The Garluts charged head-on, the battle giving him a satisfaction he hadn't felt in a long time. His closed-fist strikes were enough to confront the Letohoiko. In the fight, he managed to land a strong blow to Sayura's left side. The tigress roared in pain, the blow feeling like several of her ribs had cracked.

As Sayura tried to stay on her shaky legs, the Garluts wasted no time and grabbed her by the wings. Both roared in unison, Sayura suffering from the pain he caused and the Garluts roaring in triumph as he tore one of the tigress's wings off.