Chapter 31
"Have you ended a man's life?" Lux asked the question, but he already had the answer. He stared solemnly at the bald assassin who lay lifeless on the cot.
"You're back," his opponent smiled. "I see the color has returned to your hair. I'm given to understand that means you're more powerful now. Is that right? That should make things more interesting. Though, if I'm being honest, I'm more interested in the wolf. I am not a man who is taken by surprise very often, but you managed it quite nicely."
Lux ignored his opponent's response, "You have entered a truly pitiable state. Your soul will be encumbered with this deed for the rest of your life. I do hope you are equipped for such a burden."
The Alpha's face grew solemn as well, "I am prepared to bear the responsibility of my burdens just as this man bore his. When my time comes for judgment, I will be ready. Until that time, I will carry out my convictions to the fullest extent, however difficult they may be."
Lux nodded, "I see." Then, he turned his attention to the samurai behind him. "Well done, Taida. You saved the lives of the others. We will make certain all of you get to safety."
"We?" The swordsman asked, as if Lux had miscounted.
Lux motioned with his eyes. Taida turned around to see the other four soldiers standing behind him. As soon as he caught a glimpse of them, Ignis grabbed his shoulder, and they all disappeared leaving the two leaders alone.
A wall of darkness slowly formed behind the Alpha which kept the Betas from entering the cabin. Luna raised her dome of darkness which she affectionately referred to as: The Kingdom of Luna. After the Betas had scrambled to their feet, it took them a few seconds to get their bearings in the total darkness of Luna's power. They were unaware that Luna had no intention of actually attacking them. She had already accomplished the objective that she was assigned and left the area.
"So, you're going to try to get everyone out of here?" The alpha asked, the smirk returning to his face. "I sure hope you've gained a significant amount of power. It would feel so empty if I defeated you too easily."
"I have not come to fight you, not yet. It is my duty to protect these people. I must do that even at the risk of allowing you to roam free a little while longer." Lux crouched and entered his martial arts stance, his behavior seeming to contradict his words.
The villainous leader ignored this apparent contradiction. Instead, he focused on something else. His reply came in the form of one sobering sentence.
"If you don't defeat me now, you'll never get the chance again."
The dark blue energy of Lux' lightning shined from his eyes. It crackled and sparked with threatening intensity. This time, his aura wasn't limited to just his hands. This time, his aura covered his entire body, then grew to encompass the room. Dwelling inside his aura appeared to be a thunderstorm. Random and violent currents of lightning swirled all around the two opposing leaders.
In an instant, they shot toward one another. Their fists clashed. Energy pulsed. They continued trading countless blows. A battle of a lifetime taking place in the time it takes an ordinary human to blink. Lux attacked. He was lightning incarnate. The Alpha struck. He was the summation of all malice. Despite their power and speed, neither warrior landed a successful blow.
Lux moved away from his opponent bringing the battle to a standstill. The wall of darkness that had hidden the entrance to the cabin was gone. He looked around the empty room as if he was observing everything that wasn't there. Then, he turned his attention back to his enemy.
"Until next time."
His statement was short, but its meaning was soon made clear. He was standing under the massive hole he had created in the ceiling. The Lightning flashed in the dark clouds of the night sky. Thunder rumbled.
Lux glowed with a bright light. Immediately, he became a flash of lightning traveling from the ground in the small cabin to the dark sky above. Just as suddenly as he had appeared, he was gone.
The four Betas rushed into the cabin to the side of their Alpha only to see their enemy's exit. They could feel that everyone else had escaped. It was just the five of them who remained. For a few moments, no one spoke. Soon, however, Yukann resumed his role as the master conversationalist he believed he was.
"I tell ya, that was a pretty showy way to make an exit. I didn't realize he could even do that kind of stuff. We can still take 'em, though. Whadya think, Zuna?"
"I think you should stop talking just to hear yourself talk," was the cold response. Then she changed her tone of voice, "What will we do about this, My Lord?"
"Nothing, we will let them go. I warned him." He said all this while staring into the sky which had just harbored his enemy. Then, he turned to look at his soldiers. "All of you are to go back to the empire. I want every Imperial prepared for battle. You get the word to all of the Gammas and Deltas. Tell them: it's time to go to war. I must leave to accomplish a task of my own. You three and every other Imperial will report to Zuna. She will lead you in my absence."
Chisei and Kowa responded to the Alpha's instructions with a humble bow. Yukann gave an enthusiastic grin and raised his thumb. For once, Zuna was the only one to disagree with his orders.
"Head back to the castle," she said, motioning with her head. After they were gone, her expression softened. "I can't have this. I should go with you. Any brain-dead monkey can send out a notice for a job, even if the job is war. I'm telling you, even Yukann can handle this. They don't need me to lead them. It's my job to stay at your right hand. I am your sword and shield, My Lord."
The Alpha smiled with a true delight which was an extremely rare occurrence. The passion in the words of his First Beta had taken him by surprise, "Of course, you are. And, it is true that anyone could accomplish your mission, but...," he paused and looked at her. "Not everyone would accomplish your mission. I cannot tell if the others are actually loyal or if they are biding their time so they can betray me at the last moment. You are the only one I can trust, Zuna. I need you to be the commander of our empire in my stead."
She nodded her head. She didn't know how to respond in words, but she felt like her feelings had been returned. That was enough for her. With their mutual understanding, she departed to begin her assignment.
The Alpha was left in an empty, snowy cabin. Once again, he turned to look at the sky through the shattered roof. He felt like he was looking at his enemy in the clouds as the lightning flashed.
"I warned you, and I'm a man of my word."