Two and a half weeks had pass since Ul'lanna ran off. She had depleted all her rations, and survived off worms and bugs, with a single flask of water left. The horse had been sent off as a distraction three days ago. Ul'lanna trudged on wearily, the sun beating down on her. Hope of reaching the Citadel, before dying of exhaustion or hunger, felt impossible. Her stomach clawed at her insides, ravaging her mind with thoughts of devouring anything she found. Ul'lanna struck herself across the face, letting out a grunt, and continued to march onwards. "You're not gonna die here. You've worked too damn hard, to die in a forest. The Citadel has to be close." She shouted to herself. Forcing herself to believe her own words.
"It's about a day's march from here." A familiar man's voice said from the tree line. A cold shiver ran down Ul'lanna's spine. She quickly drew her weapon, engulfing it in a raging flame, and scanned the area. Her heart hammered against her chest, each breath felt shorter than the last. Commander Argul emerged from the tree line, riding a Qilin. A horse that had fallen to the Draken curse, and transformed. Its hooves covered in golden fur, and black scales instead of its thin fur coat. The Qilin had feral crazed eyes, fangs and whiskers, with two large antlers protruding out. The beast roared, before being pulled in by its reins, and tied to a tree. Ul'lanna took a step back, as Commander Argul stepped off the beast. His war bow and quiver were still strapped the Qilin, however by his side was a long sword at his hip.
"I want to know why." He said approaching her. She stepped back filled with fear and dread, visibily trembling. "Why would you do such a thing?" He said with pain and heartbreak in his voice. Ul'lanna continued to step back, as he reached out to her. "Why kill your own? Why-" "Because we're fucking crazy!" She shouted. "SO YOU WOULD JOIN THE ENEMY?" He shouted with a booming voice, his cape and loose rocks beneath him flew into the air. She shrunk in, but kept her stance. "NO! I want nothing to do with this war. I don't want to fight or kill anyone!" She shouted, tears welling in her eyes. He sighed and clenched his fists. "Why are you showing such weakness!?" He shouted before taking a deep breath. "Because you protected me from their sorcerer. I will forgive this transgression. You'll be made into a breeder for only maybe three years. After that, you'll be welcomed back into the army as at least a squad leader." He said offering out his hand again.
"I'd rather fucking die, than become a god damn breeder." She growled. He dropped his head and hand. "I had come seeking you out myself, once I heard what happened. I didn't want to believe someone with so much promise, would do such a thing." He sighed, before drawing his long sword. The clean steel reflected her terrified expression, better than most mirrors. "Alas you have forced my hand. But do not worry, I'll make sure to bring you back in one piece." He said before chuckling. "Well, at least enough to keep you breeding." He took his stance as he finished the twisted sentence. The long sword had a rounded pommel, made of Mythril and shaped as the gate of light magic. He raised his sword to his face, ready to throw a lunging thrust attack.
Ul'lanna made the first move, and slammed her nodachi into the ground. With a surge of arcane energy, the ground fractured, and pillars of fire shot up. Commander Argul leapt back. As he landed the pillars of fire merged into a solid wall travelling towards him. He took a deep breath, arcane energy swirling around him, and leapt through the wall. His cape turned to cinder, and his armour became slightly charred. He gazed around at the forest becoming engulfed in fire, seeing no signs of Ul'lanna. He spat and frowned, turning to see his Qilin running away, its reins burnt. "Clever girl." He growled.
Ul'lanna sprinted at full speed towards the Citadel, nodachi in hand, but not ablaze. Her legs and lungs ached, with each step. The Commander would never let a tamed Qilin run wild. It would be best to go and capture it, before coming after her. Or so she thought. A blinding light flashed behind her. Commander Argul cast a shadow over her, with his long sword ready to lop her head off. She dived to the ground, narrowly avoiding strike, and quickly somersaulted forward. Ul'lanna kept her momentum and continued to run with all her strength. One must have the ability to fight blind, against anyone with light affinity. Ul'lanna did not possess such a skill, and so she ran with everything her body could muster.
Commander Argul continued his chase, huffing and puffing from having warped after her. He begun to catch up to the tired and weary Ul'lanna. She heard his footsteps come into range, and leapt to the side, avoiding a devastating blow. His sword shattered the ground, and chunks of stone flew into the air. He let out a roar. "STOP BEING WEAK AND FIGHT ME!" He roared, continuing his chase. "GO FUCK YOURSELF!" She shouted running with all her strength.
Gwyneth sat at the dining room, with her chin slumped onto the wooden table. Aeris and Soel cocked an eyebrow at her glum face. "What's wrong with you?" Aeris asked. "Her boy toy is outside duelling with Jacara." Soel said, taking a swig of wine. "Is he...losing?" Aeris asked. "No, he's won all three of their duels." Gwyneth said, blowing wind up her face. "So...what's wrong?" Aeris asked with a puzzled smile. "He's not giving it to her. Damn woman, please show some empathy to us girls who don't have Sarangs." Soel said annoyed, taking another big swig. "It's not that. He's still doing a great job, but he's just not taking charge. He's so passive. I just want him to take charge." Gwyneth sighed banging her head gently on the table. "Well, you are over twice his age. I'm sure he'll get better with age. Like a fine wine." Soel said pouring her a cup. "Or, maybe just tell him to be assertive?" Aeris said, with an awkward smile. "Then it's not him doing it now is it?" Gwyneth said frowning at her.
Jacara entered into the room, wearing a frown across his face, covered in sweat with his clothes in tatters. "I hate him." He growled, before walking out. Encara entered in after him. "What happened to him?" Aeris asked. "Oh, he's just angry that he can't out think Yamada. Every time he does, Yamada just brute forces his way through the problem and scores the point." Encara said. "So where is he?" Gwyneth asked. "He wanted to stay out there a bit, and practice. Said he would come back in later." Encara said taking a swig of wine and leaving.
With a flash of light, Commander Argul, appeared in front of Ul'lanna. She tried to shield her eyes and dodge to the left. He drove his fist into her gut, crumpling her armour around it. She retched, her eyes going wide in pain and shock. Sent tumbling across the dirt, she tried to quickly recover, rolling onto her hand and knees. The pain made her legs freeze, and her lungs ached and begged for a breath. He stood over her, growling like a starving feral animal. She clenched her nodachi, trying to light it on fire, and attack. He brought his boot down, shattering her hand into a bloody mess. Ul'lanna let out shrieking scream of pain, the birds rustled the trees flying out. He kicked her ribs, pushing her onto her back. Tears streamed down her face as she desperately tried to crawl away from him.
"Stop running." He growled. Ul'lanna frantically dug her fingers into the ground, sobbing and crawling away. "I SAID STOP!" HE shouted crushing her ankle with his boot. Another high pitched shriek of agony rang out. Her right hand and left ankle were a bloody mess of sinew and shattered bones. Ul'lanna curled in, gnashing her teeth together, so hard that they begun to bleed. He knelt down grabbing her hair, and held her into the air. "Five years as a breeder, and then you can-" She spat blood into his helmet. She cracked a faint smile even as she trembled in pain. He snarled and wiped his face. "Fine, then I'll guess be the first one to break you in." He said dropping her to the ground.
The fear clawed in her mind, sending the pain away. She desperately tried to crawl away. He yanked her right leg open, and begun to rip her armour off. Ul'lanna clawed at him with all the strength she could muster. He pinned her good hand down, giving her a twisted smile. "You'll make incredible fighting children." He whispered. Commander Argul, pressed himself between her legs, tearing away her leather pants and exposing her loins. With one last breath and all her remaining strength, she called out. "SOMEONE HELP ME!" Her voiced echoed into the forest. He stopped and begun to cackle. "LOOK AROUND! NO ONE IS GOING TO SAVE YOU!" He bellowed looking around. "By all means feel free to keep squealing. I enjoy it." He said beginning to undo his armour. "NO!" She squealed her voice breaking, clawing at him with her mangled hand. His sinister laugh grew as she continued to resist.
The sound of metal grinding against the stone, caught their attention. The two of them glanced over. Yamada stood before them in his armour, with Harbinger over his shoulder, and his cape blowing in the wind. A wave of relief washed over her. "Get away from her. Right now." Yamada growled. He stood and turned around. Yamada stared at the spitting image of the man who killed his mother. Rage boiled inside of him, his salet and gorget fused into one and his dragon head emerged. A weak smile came across Ul'lanna's face. "The Forsaken Knight." He growled, drawing his weapon. "Who are you, and why are you dressed like Begron?" Yamada snarled. "I am his son. Theoden Argul." He said proudly pounding his breastplate. A twisted smile came across Yamada's face. He entered into a fighting stance, his size growing and cape fanned out into wings. "I'm going to enjoy killing you."
Theoden was silent before breaking out into a chortle. "You must have already gone insane. If you think that you can kill me." He boasted keeping his chest open. Yamada charged in raising Harbinger above his head. A telegraphed swing. An easy thrust to counter it. Theoden waited for Yamada to close the distance, watching in glee, as heard the primal roar coming from him. Yamada planted his foot down, having closed only half the distance, and threw Harbinger at Theoden. His eyes widen in shock as he leapt out of the way. Harbinger didn't fly far just stopping at his feet. But it had done its job to distract him. Theoden gazed up to the sight, no hunter ever wanted to see. The predator's fangs lunging at your throat.
Yamada tackled him to the ground. His sheer weight crushed Theoden's limbs. He screamed out in agony, before Yamada begun ripping apart his armour. Pulling piece after piece away, with a feral grunt. Ul'lanna watched on terrified as the gallant knight who stood before her, had become a feral beast, greedily trying to break the tough shell of its prey. Yamada finally ripped off his breastplate and helmet, staring into Theoden's eyes. A cold shiver ran down his spine staring into Yamada's amber eyes. He felt the heavy breath of Yamada on his neck. He was savouring the taste of fear, in his victim.
Suddenly Yamada reverted and stood over him. His armour shattered into pieces. Ul'lanna was shocked to see such a young boy under that armour. "What are you waiting for?" She asked. "You can't be Begron's son. You're too weak." Yamada snarled. He considered the Commander weak? How terrifying is a Forsaken Knight truly, she wondered. "I am his-" Yamada cut him off planting his boot down, onto his throat. "He's not lying." She said weakly. "He is Begron's son. But probably his 100th bastard." Yamada quickly snapped his scowl to her. "What do you mean?" "He is Kal'Nar's pride and glory. They made him breed with all the women he could ever want." She said trying to crawl to him. Yamada snorted and spat. "You're not even going to hurt him, if you die." He said annoyed.
"Please, we need to leave. The army won't be too far behind him." She said reaching out to him. "You seem to respect this weakling. Tell me. Why should I be afraid of this army, if he's the strongest?" Yamada asked enjoying the sensation of Theoden squirming under his boot. "Because there's too many of them." She said falling over. Yamada released his boot, letting Theoden gasp for air. "How many soldiers does Kal'Nar have?" Yamada asked. He began to chuckle. "More than you will-" Yamada snapped into his Draken state, wings and all, in an instant. "I SAID ANSWER ME!" He roared. Ul'lanna was stunned to see Theoden trembling in fear. "One million soldiers." He stammered. Yamada reverted back, and then smiled. "One million chances to hurt Begron. I love it." He said taking a deep breath of pleasure.
He looked over to Ul'lanna. "Will this army becoming through here?" He asked. She nodded. "Good." He said with a twisted smile. "Then let's make a good warning sign." Ul'lanna watched on in morbid curiosity as Yamada kicked Theoden onto his stomach. He rammed his foot between Theoden's shoulder blades, and grabbed both of his wrists. "Remember to scream for me." Yamada said gleefully. Ul'lanna watched as the once terrifying Commander, squealed in pure terror and agony. Watching his arms be ripped out of their sockets with blood and sinew spraying out. The most terrifying sight was the young man, who revelled in the gut churning sounds of torture. He sauntered over to Harbinger, and cut his twitching body in half at the waist. Yamada lobbed the upper half across, letting his entrails and blood splatter the area. He knelt down beside Ul'lanna, covered in blood with a demented smile across his face. "Let's get you to a Blessed."