CHAPTER 2

THE RULER

There is an ear-piercing clash of metal against metal as the new demon batters its allies' restraints, destroying them with ease. The demon that came from the gate was unlike any I’d seen before. Its face, a human skull, and the body of a man. It wears ironclad armor, that of a knight. I have no time to wonder how such a thing could exist. In a panic, I cast Soul Fire toward the ironclad demon. The scream of lost souls cries out for help as I send them hurling toward the being that's kept them captive for centuries. The spell impacts it on the shoulder as it stands to its full height. It stands well above the Keeper’s Tree now, its head slamming into the ceiling of the summoning chamber. The goat-headed demon sprouts draconic wings from its back and flaps them in big spacious movements, once… twice... Each flap sends gusts of wind that knock me back on my ass. On the third flap its legs leave the ground and send it soaring through the ceiling. I hear the screams of my people echo throughout the kingdom. I push them to the back of my mind, I must focus on the enemy ahead of me.

I summon the souls of the dead as my stepping stool to raise me eye level with the false knight. I surf around it in a circular motion hurling a fireball into its metal chest. The knight unsheathes its blade; chipped and worn it swings it at me with unparalleled speed. I manage to duck under it and as it bends the air above. I stab a fire bolt into its armpit creating a small hole in the armor. The knight’s sword slams into a pillar which sends mountains of debris careening toward me. I weave in between boulder-sized chunks of marble. There is a larger piece than the rest, I cannot dodge it so instead I blast through it. As it explodes I see on the other side the knight's sword ready to split me in two. I cannot dodge it this time. Summoning a shield of bones, the sword slams into me and I am sent plummeting to the ground rapidly. No man has ever broken my shield before. I call upon my fallen allies to catch me as a bed of bones sprouts from the marble floor. The worst of the impact is absorbed, but I feel a pop in my left shoulder.

The knight attempts to strike me while I'm down. I fire off an explosion that pushes me out of the way as the sword splits the marble where I once was. I summon the steps of bones like I did before and glide between the knight’s legs. It tries to predict where I will end up, but I swerve to the left and end up right below the hole in its armor. Once again I jam firebolt after firebolt into its armor. It makes no sounds of pain or anger. I believe it is dying. I look up in time to see the sword hurdling at me again. I am not able to react in time. All I manage to summon is a shield the size of a buckler as the blade collides with my arm. I feel agonizing pain searing on my side. My hip and rib cage is exposed, the blood bubbling and gushing out of me. I cast a mending spell and heal back what I lost. It’s just then I realize the blood in my medallion is running low. I cannot fight much longer. I need to retreat and get more as soon as possible. I fling a cloud of ash in the knight’s face and take cover behind a broken pillar. Chanting the incantation is like giving a speech when there is no breath left in the lungs. The knight’s armored hand grasps the pillar and peeks around to see me preparing an escape. It peers its abyssal eyes at me. I feel my soul being sucked into what I once thought was a demon. Just before the incantation is finished it tilts its head at me, almost looking confused. Its jaw pops open revealing a void of pitch black.

“The Ruler will claim you” The false knight bellows; its breath is like a winter chill as it blows my frenzied hair back.

I teleport out of the kingdom. Catching myself hyperventilating, I steady myself. Looking at my kingdom in the distance, I see a winged creature I assume to be the goat-headed one burning down everything my lineage has built. The adrenaline wears off and the pain is agonizing in my shoulder. The bone has been displaced, forming a lump in the skin. Planting my hand in the grass, I push the bone back into its socket which makes a sickening popping sound. Flexing the muscle for a bit I hop to my feet and take off to the north, in the direction of Castle Croxford. With its armies, my kingdom will be retaken in a matter of minutes. That knight…Never before have I faced such a powerful foe. Does that creature not feel a shred of fear? How many lives has it taken to become such an unstoppable force? I need to be stronger.

After running non-stop for miles I arrive at a cabin. Flowerbeds adorn the path to the doorstep. It’s a small cabin, with a faint glow from the fireplace coming through the window. There is the smell of a nice meal being cooked, perhaps for a family. Although I’ve witnessed my kingdom burnt down by indescribable horrors there is a coziness in this place that puts me slightly at ease. Out of breath and sore I knock at the door.

While waiting I pray these folk have a teleportation circle. Pray they are not my enemies waiting in disguise. I pray there is a demon locked away in a cage, waiting for me to come and take a refill.

A stoic-looking man opens the door. His jawline jutted from his face. His eyes have a fierce look in them. He wears commoner’s clothing. Looking him up and down, he looks strong enough to carry an oak tree one-handed but besides that, there are no weapons on him. He is not a threat.

“Hello, sir-,”

“Move out of the way,” I say practically shoving him aside “Albastia has been attacked where is your teleportation circle” the man looks to be holding back an imprecation.

“Now now, you can’t just barge in here like that, where are your manners?” he says looking me up and down

“Damn my manners, who are you to talk to an Archmage of Albastia like this?” I say appalled at his tone“You should be executed on the spot” I see him step closer. His shoulders broaden. 

“Look fella we ain’t looking for trouble” I cannot fight him, for my medallion is empty. “You’re lucky this is a time of need. Now, where is your circle?” the man takes a less aggressive stance “ perhaps a demon? Any rank will do”

“My apologies, gramps, we ain’t got a circle in this house or a demon for that matter. We are people of Sanctus.” People of Sanctus, of course. The only cowards too afraid to wield magic. Wait, I look at him confused for a moment. “we” My chest begins to pound rapidly. I scan the room searching for any others I’ve missed. Have my senses grown dull? Did I lead myself into a trap? I spot the two children hiding behind a cabinet. I calm my paranoia and turn back to the father.

“Then you are as useless as a dog,” I say before storming out of the family’s cabin the man slams the door behind me only the sound of the door is replaced with a large explosion. I am flung from the doorstep onto the grass as I tumble and skid through the blades of grass. Coming to a halt I look up to see Albastia is now swarming with winged demonites. Even the lowest level demon can be dangerous in number. My home has taken the form of a nest for these scum. I swear on my life they will pay for this. I turn my attention to the demonite that blew up the cabin of that Sanctus-loving dog. I’ve spotted it, I know it’s locked its attention on me. I turn and sprint further into the woods, the demonite follows behind.  As I run; I look to the ground for any weapon I can use to protect myself. I can feel the shift in the wind as it gets closer. It is right behind me now, about to pierce through my back with its jagged claws. Up ahead I see it, just a little further. The demonite swipes at my back. I dive down into the dirt and pick up a heavy rock. I turn and grab the demonite by its neck with my offhand and slam the rock into its head with the other. It falls to the ground dazed by the blow. I roll off of my back and get on top of the demonite. BAM, My wraith does not settle, nor is it merciful. BAM, I feel the muscles tense and the legs kicking to get away. BAM, these demons deserve to be slaughtered by the hundreds. BAM, I hear its muffled cries and whimpers as it pleads me to stop in a language I cannot understand. BAM, It makes no noise, and it makes no movements. I lose track of how many times I slam down on its repulsive head. Dark red now covers the rock and my clothes.

These creatures truly are irredeemable.