BOOK: 2/69 - Of Kingdoms and Kings

Ring - 1st
Real - SOL

There was a lot of ways to describe the havoc and destruction Blaze brought down upon the Spawns of the Wyrm. Countless things the Spawns themselves thought or saw as death came crashing down upon them.

The Chains of Fire and Ash swept the remaining half of the spawns out of existence. Blaze stomped' the earth and serval molten spikes nutted out impaling the last of the spawns directly attacking him.

Ashen grey eyes stared up into the rust red clouds where Stryder and Hellion battled the Wyrm. He could see its jaws were shut by ropes made of condensed Starlight. Hellion's doing. The spawns it had formed attacked it by biting, tearing, clawing and smashing against its face and neck.

Blaze looked at Hellion who sat on the dragon, between the body and the point where the neck started. In his hands were the end of the rope that twirled around the beast. Blaze looked to Stryder who floated in the sky.

“Okay". He turned back to the Wyrm to search for how to help when he paused. His eyes shot back to Stryder. “When the hell did she start flying?".

Thinking of her domains he could theorize which of them was helping. Shrugging the Titan of Earth and Fire drew his arm back, the chain following with a clang, then he burned his palm up. The chain sang and shot upwards.His left arm was already on the move, the chains shooting through the air as it rushed straight for the Wyrm.

Whether it was trying to evade the spawns or it had a sort of danger sense that alerted into the chains. The Wyrm dipped its head to the side dodging the first chain. Putting its head right in the path with the second.

A spark of flame surged through the chain reaching the top before it collided with the Wyrm.

BOOOM!!

The explosion filled the sky with fire and made Hellion roll away, the shockwaves pushing him back. Holding on to the ropes stopped his fall. The Wyrm, unable to even raise with pain, could only shake.

Blaze grunted and he tugged with his right arm. and the chain falling back down moved. Wrapping around the Wyrm's long neck it stayed with a final clang.

Suddenly from nowhere Stryder moved. Her Domain of Nature activating as from nothing sprang green vines and plants. They were each so thick they contested with the Wyrm's thighs. The vibes snagged the Wyrm's rear and Stryder let herself drop.

Green vines and thick chains brought the Wyrm crashing down. It tried to create more spawns but the ones attacking it were a distraction. Gravity worked against it as it tried to fight with its wings. The vines and the chains didn't care though.

Stryder caught herself with a burst of summer winds and floated to the ground. There she attached the vines to the earth and let Sol do the work of strength for her.

Light burst into existence, Stryder and Blaze shutting their eyes for a moment in confusion.

“Sorry about that". Hellion spoke standing in between them and looking up at the falling panicking Wyrm. " Blaze, think you can make me a path straight to it?”.

The Titan grunted his focus on his chains. His left feet slid through the earth and sands. A thick long pillar of earth shot off the ground right in front of Hellion. It aimed at the Wyrm as it shot up fast.

"Thanks". The Titan nodded while holding his sword pointed to the right with a single arm. Essence flooded into it from him at the same time it flooded his four limbs.

How cracks burned with light and steam, his eyes turned to stars. Crouching he kicked off the ground and sped up the pillar with a bellow.

Even without any skill he moved so fast he was a blur of black and white. The Titan near teleported as he leaped off the tip of the Pillar that is yet to reach the dragon. Halfway to it he kicked four behind him releasing a sharp and thick burst of Star Light that rocketed him forward and higher.

The Wyrm's eye locked on him. In its front limb it gathered mist. It may not have enough focus to spawn its underlings, but making an attack was trivial. It just never got the chance.

The mist thickened and grew faster than Hellion could move.

Below Stryder gasped. Her connection to the Spawns under her control showed her the gathering mist. Time slowed down as the Titaness calculated the speed of the spawn and if it could get there first.

‘It won't’.

Looking down to the vine she placed her palm on it as the world remained frozen for her. Essence surged into it giving it enough to do its job on its own. Stryder vanished in a blur.

Next to her Blaze looked, seeing only a flash of golden as she raced to the Monument. HE barely got the chance to think or ask himself what she was doing when she struck.

Stryder raced up the Monument. The world around her was blurring as she dug her heels in and pushed the duo more. Gravity unlike the Wyrm was beholden to her. And when she froze time it obeyed.

Halting above the Wyrm she turned to face the fight and crouched. Essence cores appeared in her palms drained as she directed it to her legs and thighs. Her eyes locked on Hellion's froze from. His lips wide open in a frozen roar, his sword held in two hands as he took a slashing stance.

Below she noticed Blaze faded on the foot of the Monument obviously in an attempt to follow her blur.


The last core drained; she pushed, kicked ,and jumped off the monument. Stryder sailed through the air as he got closer and closer and closer. Then dropped into the swarm of controlled spawns. She grabbed a wing to catch herself and tugged herself up into the next creature. It was easy when gravity was off.

Landing on the next spawn she then jumped to the next and to the next hearing closer to the Wyrm. As she drew closer she noticed the creature’s eyeball slowly turn and focus those reptilian eyes on her.

‘It thinks fast’. The moment she raced up its face and to that eye time slowly started speeding back up as she let it. Then her short sword appeared and blurred into the Wyrm's eye.

Blaze heard a deep grumble of pain. The only thing the creature could do with its jaws sealed was so. When with Hellion not there, the ropes had bound to its scales and body using its own physical power to seal its jaws.

The next series of events was too fast for Blaze to follow. He understood and followed the initial part. Hellion smashed into the dragon with a strike then dug his blade half way through its neck.

One must understand that if this had been any other sword or any other material and not the void steel their weapons were forged from, if not even Stryder’s strike to its eye would have worked.

Of all of them only he, Mera and Thorin would have gotten hits in as their weapons were blunt and used force instead of cutting sharpness.

So when Hellion's blade dug half way through its neck it was understandable. Especially with all the essence he fed it.

Then a flash of lightning heralded Mera's descent. The Titaness brought the thunder as he blurred up to the Wyrm's head and brought her fist down in a devilish punch. Her gauntlet filled with essence emptied as a clap of thunder echoed.

“Due!. And stay dead!" Her voice echoed travelling with the shockwave she created. The Wyrm's head bent sickening as it shook in pain. Hellion's blade going even deeper.

A hammer dropped. Growing in size as it shot through the air. Stryder's eyes widened as she froze time. In a blur she leaped up and dragged Mera down then raced for Hellion and dragged him with his sword away as well.

The three fell to the ground as time resumed and the Hammer struck. Blaze just saw light. A white so bright it was even deafening.

When he opened his eyes it was just in time to catch a very dead Wyrm hit the ground and notifications flood his vision. Something about a Shardoway, whatever that was appeared as well.

The ground shook and he stumbled looking up to see a giant Thorin shrinking fast as he joined the others.

“We did it". Mera whooped clearly seeing her notifications.

“Yeah. Also nearly got crushed". Stryder bit.

Thorin looked awkward. “Sorry. I hoped you would get them out fast and you did. Still my apologies. It jus5 looked like the perfect time*.

The Titaness softened her expression and nodded.

Hellion was once again looking his sword over as Blaze retracted his chains from the Wyrm.

"Well, we made it". He greeted them as he joined them.

“Yeah we did". Hellion sheathed his sword with a snap.

“Now you're up". Thorin nodded to him. Blaze turned to Stryder.

“Can you run up there?".

“Sure". In a blur both vanished.

“Well, I'm tired but I guess we're going to help the cities aren't we?”. Hellion asked and sighed as Thorin nodded.

“We'll each take a territory around the cities".

“Kingdoms. Kingdoms". Mera corrected them.

The two nodded.

“Still wore wait for the Stryder and Blaze before we continue".

_

While the Titans Traversed the Wyrm's Cross

The horde was like a wave spreading across the surface of Sol. Nasty Realm Dwellers, Sol beasts and creatures from beyond the Fringes. Caelmu was stiff, his body tense as he and his Platoon watched the incoming horde.

They'd be stationed by the White Flame, now Azure Flame here to guard the Cross. A task that looked easy and took him and his Cinderii away from the battle.

It was one of those moments where you were both relieved and ashamed of being relieved. A ton of his kin would die today and here he was, safe. Caelmu glanced back, his platoon all resting to the sides to save their energy for a potential attack.

‘That won't come,’ he thought bitterly. Yet there was nothing he could do but obey orders.

The battle front prepped for the clash had several trenches and holes dug into the Earth. Spikes inside and outside the pits made it slow or cull the numbers as best as it could.

The Soldiers standing ready behind their Azure Flame were both frightened and resolved. There was nowhere to go but inside their walls. But it was also the safest place for their people. A siege would have been helpful if not for the flying beasts.

The long ranged fighters standing on the city walls and on high mountain peaks or behind the main Frontline kept their eyes peeled for prey.

But the Cinderii Kingdom and their Azure Flame were not the only ones ready for this fight. The Auric Dominion filled with Aihtyngi, a race made of calcified Sol energy, had their armies ready. Unlike the Cinderii they chose to stay behind their walls and prepare for a siege.

King Solri was sure of one thing, his divine right to rule meant his people would come out of this unscathed.

The Pyr Kingdom of the Pyrsion had it the easiest and yet the hardest. Their kingdom surrounded by the hottest Lava of Sol made their defense assured. Queen Valthy though was worried about the coming beasts. It was not clear if they could survive such liquid or not. Unsure it left her and her people both dependent on it and ready for its failure. A siege or a full scale battle would be decided by the moat of golden red liquid.

The Urat Kingdom of the Urathin stood ready. Unlike the other rulers, Durmoss wasn't scared or worried about his people or hordes coming. They were strong, unlike the weaker kingdoms. Their obsidian skin and form would make sure nothing harmed them. He could see the Pyrsions, their serpent ends struggling in the war. ‘Maybe they'll lose and I can mop up what's left’. HE chuckled.


The Ralosian Kingdom of the Iralos was undoubtedly the weakest of the five. Elyrion knew it, the other four knew it. But careful allies and deals had kept the Italians safe from the other more powerful kingdoms.

That and the blood that would be wasted to cross the twin hills of Iral or better known as the Fangs of the Dragon. Here how armies had made numbers and power irrelevant to any invading force by causing catastrophes.

Here Elyrion hoped to do the same to the hordes. ‘I just hope none climb the mountains’. He knew that would lead to a battle on two sides that his people couldn't handle.

Folding his fingers into fists, his red skin stretching and releasing, he looked to the distance, his sharp eyesight watching the approaching hordes.

“Prepare yourselves". He shouted to the Soldiers on the walls who began making last minute preparations. Another soldier blew on a large horn looking item. In the distance, on outposts crafted around the peak of the twin mountains soldiers began moving.

“Haero save us". Elyrion whispered.

_

Ring - 9th
Realm - MURHIL

After looking away from the Shardoway in her palm Athena sent it into her inventory with a pensive look on her face.

‘I’ve got my domains. Completed the quest and gained a bit of power and essence cores. Shouldn't I be heading to the center of the realm’. She pondered her eyes looking at the still tense Sykerians before her.

‘And I'm here playing conqueror’. She sighed at her stupidity. She didn't know anything about completing her ascension and yet for all she knew being first could have as many rewards as being last. Staying here though and doing nothing but hanging around wouldn't help her find out.

“For helping me with this improvement in power...". She suddenly spoke up again, making the Sykerians flinch. “... I'll offer you a deal”. She looked from Gordorik to his daughter and to the guards around them.

Then she formed a vial of glass and with a scratch from her nails that she mutated to grow drew blood. Watching the golden blood drop into the vial she noticed tiny minute black dots within her blood. Unseen though by other eyes.

Keeping her expression bland she sealed the top and held it up. “My blood. The single most powerful elixir or potion in this realm, above even my siblings".

The Sykerians had a look of both disgust and greed. Gordorik was the one to ask.

“And how or what do we use it for?".

“Simple. You ingest it. And it's for your paltry weak strength". She didn't bother holding back her words. They'd tried to stab her. Sure she'd been a danger to them but still they'd tried to stab her.

“I already told you how my siblings are strong and may assist your enemies. Well the truth is…”she cast them all a gaze. " We are not long for this world”.

Athena didn't know the truth or falsehood to her statement. Ascension meant rising. Due to their ascent from the mortal realms to this place she had to say that ascension would either do something or take them somewhere. Either way it didn't matter as she wasn't lying. Her siblings would have to leave the cities like her and journey to the Center of the realm.

“When that happens all you'll have to face are your foes. But considering all your actions, it's clear that you're all weak. As such…”. She shook her hand with the vial. "
..my blood".

“Reasonable. How would it help us and how are we sure it won't do something bad to us or put us under your control".

“I'll tell.you what I told Ernwes and his squad. IT will make you okay. Very loyal. But that loyalty will only be in the form of abstaining from any negative thoughts against me and such. Like I told them I would never try to control your actions. Plus you should be smart if I want to control you, I don't need to make myself bleed for it”.

No one spoke for a minute as they realized she was right. Then Gordorik’s daughter snapped out.

“You already said your blood and your siblings are powerful x which means theirs can do the same thing. Why shouldn't we support them and not you and why would yours be any different from theirs. If they gave their blood to our enemies we would be back at the same point l”.

"You're both right and wrong. Right in the possibility of that happening. Wrong because no matter how much of their blood they pour into your Realm Dwellers there's only one result. Evolution. With me there's two results. Evolution and Choice".

The two words made them widen their eyes more as they understood her point.

“Yes, one of my domains lets me guide any and all mutations”. She didn't have to say it but they could all understand it was how she survived the weird ore.

They all shared glances and Athena waited for them to decide. Finally it was actually Gordorik's daughter that gave him an accepting nod.

Athena held back her surprise.

“We will accept. Under the promise and your word that you will not force us into any situation we do not wish for”.

Athena thought of it. Really thought of it. ‘Having an organized settlement at her beck and call would be good’.

“Very well. But you will follow directions that both benefit your people, benefits me and doesn't affect you negatively".

They all went looking at each other before bobbing their heads again. Athena has to admit finding this funny.

“I'll give you a set of requests you can make of me. Keep in mind each request made is a favor owed and must be paid. The same goes for me as well”.

Sharp glances were shared and nods given.

“Very well. I , Athena Realms daughter, do swear by all the agreements made here. If any of the participants break this deal, thy Primordials judge”.

No one expected the flash of lightning in the sky and thunder that rumbled in the air but Athena didn't care. “To commemorate this moment”. The Sykerians looked to her with still wide eyes which widened even more at the sight of the crown she held up to them.

‘Heh, this is getting funny’.