Chapter 11: Battlefield Part 2

Fidelis studied the open plains before him. Approaching his troop was the one led by Princess Amanah. He smirked. She was a good opponent to go up against. She tended to be hot-headed and would make mistakes because of her lack of experience.

"My Prince, the men are ready," reported Sodalitas.

"All right." Fidelis drew his sword and held it high. "For Autem! For peace!" He lowered his sword and watched as his troop surged forward.

~***~

This couldn't be happening. The plan was well thought out and ironclad. Victory should have been theirs. So why were they losing?

Fidelis couldn't wrap his head around it. He shoved his rampaging thoughts aside and called forth a blast of wind to send his enemies flying. He dove in, sword swinging right and left as he slaughtered those before him.

He recalled his father's words about the situation not seeming right. Could Autem have turned against them? The very thought was ludicrous but there was no other explanation for why everything was going so horribly wrong.

"My Prince!"

He turned at the sound of Sodalitas's voice. He saw barreling toward them a cavalry being led by Princess Amanah. Fidelis cursed under his breath. He didn't have the patience to deal with her brand of crazy right now.

"You know what to do!" he ordered, tightening his grip on his sword before charging at Amanah.

"Just the man I was looking for!" she crowed, calling forth fire to her hand and lighting up her sword in flame.

So that's how she wanted to play it. That was fine with him. He coated his sword in alternating bands of earth and wind. He would kill her and end this stupid war. Then maybe he could finally have the peace he had craved for so long.

The resulting boom of their swords meeting sent a shockwave outward that knocked the soldiers closest to them off their feet and sent horses flying backward, neighing in terror.

They pressed hard against each other. Amanah smiled maniacally at him. He could feel her bloodlust. He raised his to exceed her and smirked when she flinched. This was the second time they had met in combat. The first time neither had won because they had been separated before truly sparring. Fidelis felt that he was stronger and would prove it to her in a way she would understand. If that included her dying then so be it.

"Not bad," she grunted and pushed harder with her sword.

He knew what she was attempting. She wanted to unseat him. Not that he would let her. It was amusing to watch her try. They were the same age but there were some things she couldn't overcome no matter how hard she trained. He would use his strengths to beat her.

"I could say the same of you."

"I would say thanks but then I'd have to cut my tongue out for uttering any words of gratitude to a pathetic weak enemy."

"Pathetic and weak? Your eyes must be blind. You can't recognize your superiors."

Amanah let out an enraged snarl, the fire from her increasing so much that Fidelis felt as if his skin would burn. He had to end this soon.

"Die, worm!" Amanah swung her sword up and brought it down in a quick slash.

Fidelis dodged it at the last second while thrusting his sword toward her heart. Time seemed to slow and everything became clear to his eyes.

Amanah's shock, the frantic rush of her soldiers to save her, and even the movements of his men were slowed.

"What the hell?" Fidelis growled. Behind him, he heard a shout. He turned and froze in shock at the unbelievable scene happening.

~***~

After leaving Serenah behind, King Bayrel made his way to the battlefield. He grinned at the report that Amanah had engaged Crown Prince Fidelis. His daughter was winning. It was time to go after King Mikel.

He listened to the scout's report and headed for his nemesis. He would take Mikel's head today and become emperor. Everyone would tremble and bow before him as it should be.

Five minutes later he spotted Mikel. Bayrel had to admit that Mikel's prowess matched his own. They had fought for so long and were evenly matched. Today he would exceed his limits and end his nemesis.

"Mikel! Let's end it today," challenged Bayrel.

Mikel finished killing the soldiers in front of him. He nodded and charged Bayrel with a shout.

Before he could reach him, a whistling was heard, and something hit the ground between them. A bright light exploded from the ground blinding all the battle's participants.

"Enough!" thundered a voice from inside the light.

Bayrel glared at the hovering ball of light. Everyone was frozen in shock at the sight before them.

"Who dares interrupt my battle?" demanded Bayrel.

"Your arrogance knows no bounds. You will show respect to your god."

Bayrel blinked. This was the voice of Autem? No way!

"I will not be misled by this trickery."

"Fool! You have refused to listen to my representatives, so I invited you here. You all shall be punished with banishment."

"Banishment?"

Bayrel frowned when he noticed Mikel had moved closer to the hovering ball of light.

"Yes. Neither side has heeded my warnings, so both will suffer my wrath."

"Banished where?" questioned Amanah who rode toward her father.

Bayrel noticed Fidelis making his way to Mikel's side.

"You will go where magic is scarce and those known as humans live. You will learn humility and compromise or you will never see this home again."

Bayrel snarled and raised his sword, pointing it at the ball of light. "I will not bow to you, useless god." He ignored the shocked gasps of those who heard his words.

"Fool! Feel my wrath!"

The ball of light pulsated once before a blast of light so intense blinded everyone on the plains as a howling wind turned into a tornado that swept the plains' inhabitants up into the sky and away from the only home they knew.