The men stood ready. They stood armed and angry. They called to the ranks, set their sights on Draconia, and began their march.
They were met about a mile from Draconia, in the middle of Eagle's Pass, as Cromwell's army met them. The men fought with a passion not seen since the war started. They cut through Cromwell's men as if they were nothing, even having Cromwell himself turn hide and flee. They battled in Draconia, where the artillery at Eagle's Nest battered the northern gate. Cromwell and his army fled directly into King Mao and his. The final battle had begun.
"Cromwell it's time for round two," Washington yelled as he charged at him and his horse. They both dismounted, and began to fight. Cromwell was still faster than Washington, able to dodge his blows and parry the others. But Washington was relentless, striking with passion and vengeance. He then traded out for Bonaparte.
"Won't be calling you king anymore," Bonaparte yelled as he began his dance. He struck fast and hard, assaulting Cromwell with everything he could, yet still Cromwell persisted as if he could not tire.
Mao then came in, no words, just the power in his veins. He struck with that power and speed, giving everything he could to what seemed a futile attempt.
Then Titus stepped in. He began his dance striking out with vengeance in his eyes, landing every blow as if his life depended on it. Then, as Cromwell prepared to swing, Mao grabbed him from then side. Cromwell threw him off giving Titus an opening. Titus rushed in, pulled out the Feathered Dagger and stabbed Cromwell in the chest. A sharp pain ran down Titus' arm as it bound to the blade as Cromwell's soul was trapped inside.
Cromwell's army did not stop fighting. They fought with everything they had, and they started to push the army back.
"Titus, we are losing far too many men. We must retreat," Mao yelled.
"We cannot retreat. If we do then the Cult will live. They must be defeated now."
As the armies were fighting, Cromwell's lifeless body began to shake. It flew up and exploded over then land, releasing a wave of death over the western steppe. The Cult members evaporated into dust as if they were bound to Cromwell's life essence. The horses dropped dead as their flesh burned off their bones. Titus was barely able to survive the blast, the only thing protecting him was one of the soldiers who rushed on to block Titus from the blast.
When the smoke cleared they saw what happened. Countless men destroyed by evil, the land itself dead and dry. Titus, Mao, Bonaparte, and Washington stood looking over the western steppe.
"Are we to blame for this?" Bonaparte said as tears welled in his eyes.
"No, he is," Washington stated as he pointed to Titus.
"Aye, I may have been the one who caused it, but don't look upon me as if I sacrificed children to an evil god. We got lucky that was all that happened. What would we have done if the March of Chaos was released? What could we have done?"
"He's right, Washington. We wouldn't have been able to stop the March if it was released. We staved off a much worse situation. We are all responsible for this, but we did what we had to do to secure Graiigreald from Chaos," Mao responded.
Washington glared at Titus, then gathered his men and rode back to Eagle's Nest. Mao and Bonaparte gathered their men as well, returning to their homes in Dragonrock and Lion's Point. Titus gathered the remaining soldiers and went back to Grand Capital. The men settled down and took residency in the city. Titus began his rule as Regent, attracting commerce and adventurers to the city. After ten years it became a thriving place of learning, trading, and brotherhood.
The Kings did not have as well a time, however. The kings slowly began to grow apart, becoming enslaved by the traits given to them by Michael. Washington grew jealous of Titus' role and began plotting against him. The other kings became jealous as well, Bonaparte seeing that Titus was a threat to his pride, Mao, a threat to his power.