Heart of Retribution

CONFRONTATION

Elis had heard many things about Amon. The man was a vile and horrible being feared by all those around him and he had a sick fetish for the suffering of others.

The person that stood before Elis was no grand commander. In his gleaming bright red armour, most would consider his figure frightening. However, to Elis he was simply a cowering fool. Amon drew his sword hastily as Elis approached. The blood from the fallen soldiers around them still spread through the earth and the snow around them.

“What…who are you?” Amon stammered, his sword pointed straight at Elis.

Elis kept closing the distance between them. Amon had been observing the battle from a far enough distance that no one would be able to interrupt.

“What is it you want?” Amon barked again, though his voice faltered.

Elis watched as the general looked at him from head to toe.

“You're obviously from Ujah. An assassin sent to end my life?” Amon sneered. “I didn’t think your so-called honourable leaders were capable of such underhanded tactics. But then again, I have them cornered.

Come then, boy, and meet your end. Don’t think that, because you took out my guards, it means you stand a chance against me.”

The man stood straighter, pasting a smirk of confidence on his face. But Elis knew—he could see it in Amon’s eyes. Fear. He had taken down Amon’s guards too quickly for any regular human, no matter how trained. Amon himself was no weakling, but watching a cloaked man dispatch some of the most feared soldiers in barely a breath would send shivers down the spine of any general, no matter how powerful.

“Why?” Elis said simply.

“What?” Amon replied, his brows raised in annoyance and caution.

“This war, the attacks. Why? Both our kingdoms had peaceful relationships for as long as anyone can remember. Why ruin it? What you have done—my family, all the innocent lives you've taken—what do you intend to gain from such cruelty? I want to know before I end your life.”

Amon stood for a breath, then laughed. He laughed recklessly, not even bothering to keep up his guard.

“Peace?!” he barked.

“There is no such thing. Only tolerance. Meru—the old fool—was content with having the people of Yelish shake hands with our neighbours while we are the ones worthy of power.

He was a weak king, and he died alone and pathetically in his bed when I drove my sword into his gut. My sincerest apologies for the loss of your family,” he continued with a nasty smirk. “But they will only count as statistics, necessary sacrifices for my conquest. I will come for your king next once I have laid waste to his army. All of Ujah will bend to my will, and I will assume its wealth as it is rightfully mine.”

Elis stood silent, processing what he had just heard. Ujah had received no news of King Meru’s death. Amon must have found a way to cover it up and act alone. Still, it was as they feared—Amon had allowed his ambition to wash over the land and cause destruction.

“Greed then,” Elis said, taking his stance. He trained his sword on Amon. “Your death will be the start of a renewed peace. Come!”

Amon unstrapped his large shield and stood at the ready. Both men watched each other in silence for what seemed like an endless moment, the only sounds audible being the wind and the distant cries of battle.

Amon lunged. Surprised at his reckless attack, Elis barely managed to dodge. Skidding back to keep his distance, Elis realized something: Amon was no ordinary general. Perhaps seeing the surprise on his face, Amon pasted a mad grin.

“Did you think, boy, that I managed to wrest power from the Yelish nobles with fancy speeches and promises of glory? The people respect power, and I showed them I was more than capable. I am where I am because of my strength, and you show arrogance thinking you can just fall from the sky and deliver judgment. You are no god. You’re just a broken man.”

“You indeed fight well,” Amon continued, gesturing toward the lifeless bodies of his soldiers. " But those men respected me because of my power. My power is mine, and I do not require it from any other man.”

Amon stalked more confidently now, raising his sword high. Thunder boomed in the clouds above as Amon smiled again, and Elis realized what was about to happen.

His instincts kicked in, and he barely dodged the lightning that came down white-hot and angry. The ground where Elis had stood moments ago was now scarred, the air smelling of melted metal and burnt earth.

Elis focused, pooling his mana toward his core. Amon now charged with his massive shield, hoping to ram and unbalance him. Elis didn’t move yet—he concentrated and burst forward to meet the charge. Amon responded by increasing his speed.

They met in the middle and exchanged blows. The world blurred around them, sparks flying as steel clashed against steel and sword met shield. Time itself seemed to slow and warp as they fought, their movements too fast for any onlooker to follow. The general was far more formidable than Elis had expected.

Where had he attained such strength to keep up with him? Elis had prepared a long time for this moment. He had trained relentlessly to avenge his family. The thought of them spurred him to move even faster. Their deaths would not be in vain, and this monster would not be unleashed upon the rest of Ujah. But Amon did not relent. Lightning struck randomly at Elis, leaving him with less room to manoeuvre.

Combined with Amon’s relentless attacks and near-matching speed, Elis found himself forced onto the defensive. At this rate, he would be caught and join his family in death.