Chronicles of a thousand realms: Saga 1

Part 6: Carnifex

(Warning: Contains a battle seen with death and gore)

I tremble in fear frozen by the sight in front of me. As my guards are left in a bloody mess on the ground, their lifeless bodies lay there with faces of terror as they valiantly fought. Hagan is trapped under the rubble and I can hear Aarush trying to free him in the background.

“W..who are you?” I asked as my voice betrayed me with a quiver.

“I am Adler, king of the gods.” He lets out with a husky dark voice as it bleeds into the room with authority.

“K..king of the gods?” My voice barely above a whisper. I stare up at Adler, as he stands at 6 ft 5 in. tall, his skin shining like a soft color of gold, his body broad and muscular as his chest pops out gently against his battle robes that resembled colors of black with gold lining. His eyes were emerald green and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of emptiness through the look in his eyes. His hair fiery red as it falls down into a battel braid; the sides of his head shaved to give a fade to match his style and his beard long enough to have mini battle braids. He truly was menacing up close. I step back unaware of what he would do next. I take my stance as my powers surge through me. He tilts his head to the side as he examines every part of me and notices my hands engulfed in reddish yellow flames.

“That’s quite the spectacle you got there.” He says with a hint of amusement and sarcasm. I could see Adler’s stance change as he wields his bloody sword, engulfing into red flames that add more fire in the wake of his presence. “Now come on Verena, I’m not here to play games. Let’s go.”

I look at him puzzled at his comment, “What do you mean let’s go?...” I could see his eyes light up with excitement. My stomach turns as he stares at me with a wicked smile creeping up on his chiseled face.

His hunger and anticipation for this moment has finally arrived. He longed to taste every bit of his queen, his wife. Adler’s chuckles send a shiver down Verena’s spine, his eyes glinting with amusement and cruelty as he looks down at her, stepping closer to get a better look into her golden honey eyes. She’s more beautiful than the goddesses themselves, he thought as he admired her body. “You know exactly what I mean darling, it’s time to come home to me, your king. It’s where you’ve always belonged.” Adler stretches his right hand out to her to gesture their retrieval. Verena stands hesitantly as she stares at his hand and back at him. Her heart racing scared of this encounter.

I can’t help but stand still in this moment as Adler reaches his hand out to me. Part of me wanted to fight him and have my people live to see another day, but for some reason I couldn’t move. It was as if I was drawn to him with an invisible force that made it almost impossible to break from.

“And what if I don’t come with you?” I ask looking into his eyes desperately trying to find another way out of this, at least buying Hagan and Aarush enough time to escape from the rubble and get out before more damage is done.

“That’s not an option Verena.” He spits out as he takes another step closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, “I suggest you choose wisely.”

At that moment I could here Aarush scream “run” to me as he comes forward with his spear and enchantment spell freezing the fire. I smile seeing Aarush and follow his command.

Adler sees Aarush coming towards him freezing his fires and trying to catch him off guard. As Verena makes a run for it and Aarush begins to fight back, Adler snatches Verena by the back of her hair pulling her close to him as she winces in pain. He dodges the attacks Aarush sends at him and with one final swing, Adler manages to impale Aarush with his sword. Verena lets out a blood curdling scream as she watches in defeat. Aarush looks at Verena with golden tears running down his face. “I’ve always loved you V..Verena…”.

I watch the lights go out of Aarush as he says his final words to me still impaled on Adler’s sword. I can’t help but cry knowing that what could’ve been no longer will be. Hagan steps forward finally freed and standing in front of Adler as I’m still in his grasp.

“This ends now Adler. You’ve done enough damage that a god should never do. You’ve crossed the line.” Hagan says as he begins to conger up ancient magic from my ancestors to try and seal Adler away.

“Ah Hagan, long time no, see? You should’ve taken my bargain when you had the chance old man, if you think you can stop me, you’re terribly mistaken.” Adler sneers.

My eyes widen confused by the dialogue between the two of them. What does he mean long time no see?

With a snap of a finger from Adler, Hagan is immediately brought into the air unable to move. I can’t bear to see another person I love die. I begin to sob begging Adler to spare Hagan. His eyes look at me with almost sincerity. “Verena, please don’t cry…this is your fate. It will all be over soon.” His words dripping like venom. I watch his face turn back to Hagan with a wicked smile. Hagan looks at me with tears in his eyes. “Don’t…” Hagan is immediately silenced as Adler slices his head off clean. I can’t help but stare in disbelieve still dangling in the air from Adler’s grip. I had no words to utter out from what occurred and I couldn’t feel anything except for anger and fear. I cry silently as I am carried out of my burning castle.

“Do you promise not to hurt anyone else in Arden if I comply willingly?” I ask barely above a whisper.

Adler grins and pulls me close into his embrace. He puts his sword back in his sheath and holds me with both arms, letting go of my hair. “Anything for you, my queen.” I can feel Adler’s soft warm lips against mine and I kiss him back feeling a mixture of regret and compliance. We mount his black scaled dragon as he still holds me in his arms. We fly away from Arden and I am reminded of my grime reality.