A new dawn rose on the Silver City, under a bright and warm sun. The dark and ominous clouds of the Storm, loomed over the kingdom's east. With a periodic thunder clap, ringing out. Surce sat in their room, scowling with their heads, hanging in their laps. "We can't let her get away with this." Surce growled. Symtic paced back and forth, hands clasped behind his back. "We've worked too hard to be in our position, only to be dethroned by some fucking Islander!" She shouted clenching her fist. Symtic continued to pace back and forth. "Are you even listening to me!?" "Shut it woman!" He snapped. "I know all of this already!" "Then do something!" She exclaimed, rising to her feet. "I'm waiting." He said through his teeth. "For what?" A frantic knock on the door, caught Surce by surprise. "That." Symtic said, jogging to the door. A gangly and ragged man, was hunched over at the door, huffing and puffing. Symtic pulled him in, peeking outside for any spies. "What have you found?" He asked in a hushed voice.
The man handed Symtic a single folded sheet of paper. He snatched it out of the man's hand, and greedily opened it. 'You have no power left, Cagim.' The note read. Symtic lowered the paper, growling at the man. He gave Symtic a sly smirk. "Monarch Irina, sends her regards." Symtic grabbed the man by his collar hoisting him into the air. "YOU DARE!?" The man did nothing but snort, still wearing his grin. "You don't even, what you did to me do you?" The door swung open and Gwayn entered, clad in his armour. "Put the man down, Symtic." He ordered. "THAT'S MONARCH CAGIM TO YOU!" He roared. "I said put him down." The man spat into Symtic's face, and scurried off being released. He ran beside Gwayn, as Symtic angrily wiped his eye clean of phlegm.
"Ten fucking years, you put me in that hole." The man growled, hiding behind the safety of Gwayn. "I've never even met you in my life." The man scoffed at Symtic's words. "I was cut, torn, severed, and ripped apart every waking moment. All because I stole a loaf of bread for my daughter." He growled, stepping in front of Gwayn. "When I was finally released, I finally met my daughter again. She didn't even know who I was." He snarled, tears welling up in his eyes. He prowled towards them, more beastly than human. Symtic and Surce opened a gate in their palms. Gwayn grabbed the hilt of his Ram-dao. The man stopped in front of them. "I despise you both with all my being. And I will live the rest of my meaningless life happy, knowing that you two are miserable." The man spat at their feet, and walked off with a smile. Symtic looked back to Surce. "Who the fuck was he?" She shrugged at him. "It's time." Gwayn growled.
"You've served us loyally for twenty years Gwayn." Surce said, walking over to him. "Surely, in that time. We became close." She said resting a hand onto his cuirass, tenderly smiling at him. Gwayn clutched her wrist throwing it aside. "You broke the pact. This kingdom was to remain neutral. The Silver City did not take sides, it healed if you had gold. I will not break my oath, because you've been exposed." Surce's smile morphed into a scowl instantly. She created a Curse gate, ready to brand Gwayn. He dodged her swipe, with ease, and wrapped his gauntlet over her forearm. With a quick squeeze, blood sprayed out with the sound of a crunch. Surce fell to her knees, dangling in his grip, screaming and squirming. Symtic created a Blessing brand, and Gwayn swapped his grip to the nape of her neck.
Symtic froze in place. No Blessed, could bring someone back from death. Once someone's heart stopped beating, there was nothing left to save. "Best heal her, before she bleeds out." "Let her go." Symtic growled. Gwayn flexed his thumb, craning Surce's neck. "STOP!" He yelled, dismissing the brand. "We'll go. Just let me heal-" "You can heal her in the throne room. Now move." He ordered. Symtic snarled at Gwayn, and quickly passed him, almost entering into a fast jog. Gwayn followed behind, dragging Surce by the scruff. The throne room was filled with scribes, guards, commoners, merchants, citizens and refuges. They gossiped amongst themselves in small packs. What was the occasion to bring everyone in like this? Was it for the large banquet announced after the Forsaken Knight had won? A coronation for the Prince? Perhaps the Elf woman was being announced for something?
Yamada awoke with rising of the sun. He hopped out of bed, stretching his muscles. He tapped Saira to wake her. "Saira, you're going to be late." He whispered. She shot awake, and threw her blanket off. Instantly collapsing as she swung her legs off the bed. Yamada winced, hearing the solid thud. "Are you okay?" He asked, peering over the edge. "I'm fine." She said, crawling back onto the bed. "You go first. I'll see you later." Yamada hesitantly backed out of the room, as Saira waved him off. Yamada left the room, to see Ambrose and Gianni awaiting him. He looked at them confused. "Why are you two in here?" "To dress you, and style you. Of course." They said in sync. "Get out. I'm fine wearing regular clothes that don't hug my skin." He growled. "I'm afraid we can't do that. There's a big announcement, and Irina would like you to be in tip top display, unless...you would like to go naked?" Yamada summoned his armour, except for his helmet. He slung Harbinger onto his back, and marched out of the room, slamming the door behind him. They shook their heads at him. "What a wasted specimen."
Jacara laid in bed, his eyes wide open, and blood shot. One would mistake him for not being able to sleep through the approaching storm. However his mind raced with only one emotional response. Regret. 'WHY DIDN'T YOU KISS HER? YOU FUCKING IDIOT! AHHHHHH! YOU STUPID PIECE OF SHIT! AHHHHHH!' A handmaiden knocked on his door. She bowed with a small curtsy. "Prince Cagim. It is time to get ready for Monarch Irina's announcement." Jacara sat up robotically. He stared wide eyed at the demure handmaiden. Unblinking and unmoving he said nothing to her. She shied away, feeling his gaze, burn her skin. "Pr-pr-prince Cag-" "WHY DIDN'T I KISS HER!?" He shouted, ducking instantly under the blanket. The handmaiden jumped back, hearing Jacara scream under his blanket. "I'll let her know, you're busy." She stammered rushing off.
Ul'lanna was surrounded by several handmaidens. With her eyes closed, and upright posture. They went to work brushing her hair, and applying her makeup. However they hesitated to stay near, with her chaotically throwing her hands into the air, in a fit of rage. 'WHY DID YOU LEAN IN TO KISS HIM? AH!' They backed away, watching her revert back to her proper posture. Each of them glanced at each other baffled, and terrified. Taking a gulp they approached again, styling her hair, and applying the lipstick. Ul'lanna raised her hand to stop them. "May I, ask you women a question?" All of them nodded. "If a women, were to have casual...relations with a man. And then seek to have a more meaningful...relations, with said man's close friend. What would you think-" "She'd be a whore." One handmaiden said cutting her off. Ul'lanna sat quietly as all the handmaidens instantly agreed. She pursed her lips to a line.
"Now, hang on. If this woman had no intention of being with the first, other than for his body. There's nothing wrong with that." One said. Ul'lanna felt a wave of relief. "Yes, but the second man, will forever know he was a second choice." Ul'lanna felt a dagger pierce her heart. "And that she was moulded to fit him." Another said raising her eyebrows suggestively. Ul'lanna nodded along, she could agree with that at least. "May I add my thoughts?" Irina said from the doorway. The ladies all jumped, Ul'lanna included. She sauntered over to Ul'lanna grabbing the red lipstick from the handmaiden. Ul'lanna puckered her lips, as Irina gently dabbed the brush. "Those who do not follow their hearts, and worry about the thoughts of others. Are destined to die alone." She pulled away, smiling at Ul'lanna. "Now, we are running late, the announcement is happening soon."
Ul'lanna leapt to her feet. She hiked up her long flowing violet dress, frilled at the end and cuffs. "Bring your weapon." Irina said walking out first. Ul'lanna cocked her head to the side. 'Why would I need my weapon?'. However it was best to follow her wishes. She followed behind Irina, katana in hand. As they entered into an empty corridor. "For what it's worth. I think you and Jacara would have some very beautiful children." Ul'lanna stumbled forward, fumbling her katana. She fell to her knees, bumbling and blabbering as she tried to grab her katana. Irina watched on with a sly smile, as Ul'lanna quickly rose to her feet. Redder than a tomato, she clutched her katana to her chest. "I expected a great reaction, but nothing could compare to that." "I tripped." She lied, shying away.
Irina faced Ul'lanna, hands clasped in front of her. "Tell me. Who would you rather spend the night with?" Ul'lanna wanted to plug her ears with dirt, and not hear this question. Why would she have children? And not with Jacara. "Can I not answer this question?" She asked. "I'll ask a different one then. Unless you don't want to eat anymore shaved ice?" Ul'lanna let out a low whimper. "I wonder who ends up becoming the sarang to the princess? The Forsaken Knight, or the Prince?" "The prince...I'm not a princess!" Ul'lanna quickly corrected. "And, and, and we're just friends." She stammered. Irina giggled, and sauntered off. "What?" Ul'lanna called out, pouting. "Oh, it's nothing. I just did not expect how adorable it would be to, watch an Elf with your experience. To become a blubbering mess over a boy. You must really like him." "I'm not a mess! and I don't!" She exclaimed chasing after Irina.
Yamada found Jacara stomping his way towards the throne room, angrily mumbling to himself. He was unable to make all of the words, as he approached him. He definitely did hear the word, 'fucking Idiot' a few times. Yamada frowned. He wasn't an idiot. He just didn't care about going to boring lessons with the Elders, when he could be training. Jacara stopped letting Yamada met up with him. "Showing off the new armour, Serpent Knight?" He said scanning Yamada. "Ambrose and Gianni, wanted to style me again." Jacara responded with a grunt, and shrug. "Did I do something to make you angry?" Yamada asked, walking beside him. He said nothing. "Can I ask you something?" Jacara finally said, breaking their silence. "Sure."
"If you could kiss someone or protect someone? Which one would you choose?" Yamada opened his mouth. "Ah! Don't want to hear it." Jacara said. "Stupid thing to ask. I'm sorry, forget I ever said anything. The answer is obvious. I hear it." Jacara shot off. The answer was super obvious. Who wouldn't take the kiss? "If you protect someone, you get to kiss them more. " Jacara snapped back to Yamada. That's the obvious answer. Isn't it?" He asked cocking his head to the side. That stupid simple mind of his, somehow found the right words. "Yes it is. Now we should get moving. Irina is one for grand displays, and she'll want us all there for this announcement." "It must be important, whatever it is."
Jacara and Yamada entered into the bustling throne room. It went dead silent, with their arrival. They felt the stare of a thousand eyes upon them. The two of them hesitantly made their way to Irina, with Ul'lanna standing beside her. The crowd parted ways, revealing Symtic and Surce kneeling in the middle, gagged and bound in a mythril pillory. "Good, you're both here." "What's going on?" Jacara asked. Irina rose to her feet. "Listen carefully everyone, I will not repeat myself." Jacara noticed the blood stains on Surce's robes. He rushed over to free them from their shackles. "Surce and Symtic, you have broken your oaths to this kingdom." "Irina, what are you talking about?" Jacara asked, trying to pry free the pillory. The pillory was branded with a Curse and a Blessing. "Yamada break them out of this thing." Yamada marched over grabbing the side of the pillory.
"Before you do two do that. You should know their crimes." Irina said. Yamada and Jacara froze. "For the last twenty years-" Symtic and Surce screamed in their gags, charging at Irina. The Curse brand pulsed, and the pillory sprouted silvery hands, crawling over them. Jacara and Yamada stepped back in shock. To Ul'lanna those pillories were nothing new, however the sight of them, made her skin crawl. "As I was saying. For the last twenty years. These two have been sending Blesseds, resources, and information to Kal'Nar." "Where's your proof!?" A man from the crowd shouted. Irina snapped her fingers, and men marched in carrying chest after chest.
She kicked a chest over. Scrolls and tomes rolled out. "Read to your heart's content. Logs and records of their correspondence, to and from the king and queen of Kal'Nar." The room erupted into an uproar. Jacara stepped away from Symtic and Surce. They writhed on the ground, as the silver claws crawled over them. "Ul'lanna if you wouldn't mind." Ul'lanna shied away, quickly handing Yamada, a withered scroll. Jacara inspected the scroll, recognizing the broken seal of Kal'Nar. "What does it say?" Yamada asked. An explosion of Arcane energy, silenced the room. Yamada was knocked back, and he quickly drew Harbinger, scanning the room for Gwayn. To his surprise, the force emanated from Jacara. His robes fluttered with an overflowing amount of Arcane energy.
Irina smiled at Jacara, seeing his furious scowl. He drew the Hero card, summoning his golden suit of armour. Raising his spear above them. Yamada quickly caught the shaft of the spear. Jacara turned to Yamada, with a ferocious glare, and slit eyes. "Jacara, what are you doing?" "THEY KILLED MY MOTHER!" He roared, trying to bring down his spear. Yamada threw him away. Jacara tumbled over the ground, his armour disappearing. Yamada glared back at Irina. "Explain, what was on that letter." "They ordered an attack on Shizukana. A town that once stood in the east, bordering the Maelstrom, and housed Jacara's mother, but would become the birth place of Encara's Magnum Opus: Immortality." Irina explained. Yamada watched as a shudder rung throughout the throne room. He looked at Jacara snarling at Symtic and Surce. More and more Arcane energy poured out of him. More than Yamada had ever seen him generate. He was losing him to the curse.
"Get out of my Yamada. I'm killing them myself!" He growled, drawing cards in both hands. "Stop, this isn't you." Yamada said raising Harbinger to him. "You should also know Yamada. That on that night, several large sailing vessels were stolen." Yamada snapped the pillories with a heavy stomp. The crawling silver hands stopped. Symtic and Surce quickly cuddled, as their only sight. Was that of a furious Forsaken Knight hovering over them, and their Grandson ready to take their lives. "Now with all that information out there. Symtic and Surce, would you like to try and defend your actions?" Irina asked with a coy smile. "Jacara listen to us. Your mother, she wasn't meant to be killed. She was told to be taken in alive." "We swear it." Symtic pleaded. "Where she would be made into a breeder." Ul'lanna chimed in, scowling at them. "And by the time Encara, or Jacara found her. She would be a broken, mindless, gaping whore." The two of them snapped back to Ul'lanna furious at her.
Yamada planted Harbinger into the ground. The two of them quickly scurried to Jacara's feet, pleading and begging to him. "We're you're family! You wouldn't kill us right?" Surce asked with a nervous smile. Jacara scrunched his face, the frustration exploding into a visceral scream. He dropped his tarot cards, grabbing them by their collars. They stared into his slit eyes, as they returned to normal. "We maybe family, but I am nothing like you. I won't kill you. I've seen what seeking vengeance does to a man. And I won't become that person." He said sadly, releasing them. Symtic and Surce let out a sigh of relief. "Unfortunately for you both, I know a man, already on that path." Jacara said turning away. Fear and horror struck them both, as they felt Yamada's loom over them.
Symtic spun around branding himself and Surce with a Blessing. "Strength!" He shouted, rising up to throw a uppercut. Symtic's fist folded and deformed around Yamada's gorget. He fell back clutching his fist, crying out in anguish. Surce attempted to brand Yamada with a Curse. He caught her wrist, pulling her off balance. Yamada hoisted Surce into the air, grabbing her nape with one hand, and digging his other gauntlet through her thigh. Symtic watched in dismay, and despair. Hearing Surce's final blood curdling scream, as Yamada ripped her in half. Her entrails doused Yamada, and he lobbed her twitch halves, beside Symtic. He shuddered and gasped, struggling to form words. Tears poured out of his eyes. Yamada knelt down to his eye level. "You loved her didn't you?" Yamada growled. Symtic was frozen, still trying to comprehend his situation. Ul'lanna stepped back. Was this really who Yamada was?
He wrapped his gauntlet, over Symtic's head shaking him. "Answer me." He snarled. Everyone was frozen in terror, huddling away from the monster in front of them. Gwayn trembled in the corner, his hand frozen. His mind told him to stop this. However every fibre of his being, howled to stay away from this beast. Symtic nodded, trying to reach Surce's face. Yamada tossed him to Irina's feet. Ul'lanna darted behind Irina's throne. She simply smiled at Yamada, approaching them. Symtic reached up to Irina. "Please. Please help me..." He begged. Irina lurched forward, caressing Symtic's terrified face. She pulled him in closer, whispering into his ear. "Annorak, sends his regards." His eyes bulged, and he spun around to Yamada. "Forsaken one, listen to me! She's not who you think she is!" Yamada continued his slow approach, ripping Harbinger out of the ground. "She's a part of a-" Yamada cut him off, wrapping his gauntlet around his throat.
He spun around, holding Symtic in the air as a trophy. Yamada was familiar with those stares. The same look Kapuna gave him. It didn't matter. He knew exactly what he was. A monster. Symtic flailed in Yamada's grip. He turned to Irina, and released his grip on Symtic's throat. Swapping his grips to each of Symtic's wrists instead. Yamada planted his sabaton, onto Symtic's chest. He let out a scream as Yamada ripped his arms off. Falling to his knees, he waved his bloody stumps about, before collapsing on the ground. Yamada tossed the limbs into the crowd. A wave of euphoria rushed through his body. Two people responsible for his mother's death, were dead by his hands. What could be better than this? "Well, that concludes my announcement. Spread the word. Symtic and Surce Cagim are dead. The Silver City is open to all now." Irina said. However no one cheered. They were all terrified, as Yamada marched out the room, covered in blood.
Hours after the terrifying display. The word spread like wildfire. The Cagim's were slain by the Serpent Knight. They had aided in Kal'Nar's feud with the Citadel. Saira had been told what happened, it left her shaking. Ul'lanna and Jacara stood with Gwayn and three fully loaded ships."Are you sure about this Gwayn? This doesn't seem remotely safe." Jacara said, looking at the ships motionlessly sitting atop the water. "Hmmm." Gwayn let out a low growl, as Irina stoodby with a grin, stretching from ear to ear. "There isn't any other way to move an army fast enough. Riding a dragon would be a much safer option." Gwayn said eyeing Irina. "Who would have access to a tamed dragon?" She asked pouting at him. He pursed his lips to a line, letting out a grunt. "Gwayn, when you see my father. Can you-" "I'll let him know that you're okay, and what has happened here." Jacara bowed in thanks.
Irina handed Gwayn a sealed letter. "A hand written letter for your sister, from Yamada himself." Gwayn snarled at the scroll, with Jacara cocking his head to the side. Yamada knows how to write? He thought. Ul'lanna eyed the letter, and quickly excused herself. "Now, off you go Gwayn." Irina said rushing Gwayn aboard. His men stood at the railings, as he stood at the helm. "Stay strong men, this will not be a pleasant journey. We are going to be the first men to ever sail along the Fork." Irina sauntered over to the calm, Fork as Gwayn gave his pep talk. Jacara watched as Irina turned into a giggling mess, dangling her foot over the water. "Now on the count three, everyone hang on tight, and I'll get us started." Gwayn readied himself, staring over the helm. "One." Irina tipped her toe into the Fork, restarting it's feriocious torrent. She went into a silent wheeze of laughter, hearing all them cry in despair as the ships took off, with Gwayn curses fading into the distance.
Ul'lanna barged into Yamada's room, kicking the door open. Yamada spun around, dressed in travelling gear. A shoulder cloak, Harbinger slung on his back, and a heavy rucksack dangling off of it. "Ul'lanna, you're meant to knock." He said, quickly rolling up the map. "You're leaving aren't you?" She said marching to his face. "I'm just going for a walk, I'll be-" He stopped seeing Ul'lanna scowl at him. He let out a sigh. "Yes, I'm leaving." "Why? You already killed the people responsible for the attack." "No, I haven't. He's still out there." Yamada growled. "They were just people who helped." He said trying to move past her. She stepped in front of his path. "You don't have to do this, Yamada. You can stay here and become the Monarch's guard." She caressed his face. "You can stay here with us, Saira and live your life in peace." Yamada pulled her hand away.
"I can't do that. I'm not going to sit around and wait for my vengeance. I've done fifteen years of that." Ul'lanna felt her heart break for Yamada. "How are you just going to go leave Saira? Don't you care for her?" "She sees, me the same way you saw me. An attractive man. At least. At least, before you saw the real me." Ul'lanna retreated. "I saw the way you looked at me. It was the same look as the rest of them. A monster." He said, handing Ul'lanna a letter. "And she deserves to be with someone, who isn't a monster." Yamada brushed past Ul'lanna. "What happens after?" She called out. He stopped to look back her. "After what?" "After you kill Begron? What then? Will you finally be happy?" Yamada was let out a frustrated grunt. "Why do you even care?" "Because I love you!" She screamed. Yamada stumbled back. "I love you and Jacara. You two are the only people, I have in my life. You of all people should know, what losing a loved one feels like." She said wiping away a tear.
"I can't just watch you leave. You saved my life, and it's only thanks to you. That I can be here." She wept. "You gave me the big cuts of meat, on our trip here. We're even." He said, turning back to the door. "Do you even know your way to Kal'Nar?" Yamada took a deep breath through his nose, trying to compose himself. He spun around, waving the map in his hand. "Kal'Nar is southwest of here, and I'll stop at Artaraxus, to destroy them as well. Tuskdran is out of the way." Ul'lanna scoffed, and wiped her nose. "Do you even know how to follow a map? You have the worst sense of direction, I've ever seen in a person." "I know how to follow a map." He snarled. "Point to south west for me." Yamada confidently to his left. Ul'lanna gave him an annoyed glare.
Yamada slowly re-orientated and pointed to his right. She cocked both eyebrows at him. As if to ask if he was sure. Yamada reverted back to pointing to his left, and stood up straight. "No, you're trying to trick me. That's south west." "You sure about that?" She said folding her arms. "You won't trick me. That's south west. I know it for a fact. I just checked the map and compass." "You might have a broken compass." Yamada rifled through his pocket taking out the compass. He stood facing at the direction he pointed at. "Fine, let me show you. This is...." He trailed off, staring in silence at the compass. His orientation faced directly north east. "Well, that's what I have this compass for. To help me not get lost." He blushed, quickly tucking the compass away. "What about food? What are you going to eat?" "I'll hunt something." "And if you can't find an animal to hunt?" "Then I'll forage for berries or something!" He snapped. "Do you know if they're poisonous or not?" "ENOUGH!" He shouted. Yamada let out a frustrated sigh, clenching his fists.
"Stop caring about me, Ul'lanna. Forget I ever existed. Live your life here with Jacara. Eat shaved ice till you die. Become entwined as someone's Sarang. Have children. And forget you ever knew a monster like me." He bowed his head. She pulled his face up. "Yamada, your mother and father wouldn't want this for you." "How would you know? They're dead." He snapped. "Because they loved you, and you loved them, and-" "I can't remember their faces." He said quietly. Ul'lanna lowered her hand. Seeing Yamada trying his hardest to hold back his tears. "I don't remember what they look like. They're just shadows in my mind." Yamada clenched his fists till they shook. "The only clear memory I have of my mother. Is with him. It's him, ripping her in half." Ul'lanna spotted the blood trickling from Yamada's hand. "So, I can't just walk away from this. I've waited too long to kill him."
"Why now? Why wait these three days?" "I wanted to make sure you two were safe here first. Then I could resupply and leave." Yamada sighed, before walking away. Ul'lanna clutched his wrist, tugging on him. "Please, don't leave me..." She whimpered. Yamada yanked his arm free. "Be safe Lady Jiyū." He said walking away. Yamada continued onwards, hearing Ul'lanna sobbing behind him. He wiped his tears, and marched onwards. Jacara found Ul'lanna crying in Yamada's room. "Ul'lanna! What's wrong?" He said rushing over to her. "Yamada..." "What did that idiot do!?" "He's gone..." She whimpered. Jacara cocked an eyebrow at her. "What do you mean gone? Like gone somewhere? Gone missing? Gone as in dead?" "Gone as in, he left the kingdom!" She snapped. "He's going after Begron." "I'm going to go find him, and beat some sense into him."
Yamada continued onwards, with the Storm clouds rumbling above him. Gold lightning crackled and fractured through the clouds. However there was no thunder. He reached the exit, and a woman yanked on his cloak. Yamada spun around, to see a blond woman, and a smiling child. It was the woman he had helped, the day he arrived. Her daughter clung to his cloak, tugging on it. "Thank you mister." She said. "It's alright, take care you two." "Wait, please. I never got to thank you properly, for what you did. You saved my daughter. Please tell me, how I can repay you?" The woman pleaded. "Stay here, and raise her well." He said, nodding at her and waving the guards to open the gate. "You're leaving? With the Storm about to hit?" the woman asked. Yamada said nothing. A bolt of golden lightning streaked across the sky, bathing everything in its light. Everyone covered their ears, and braced for the thunder. "Hide." The serpent hissed. Yamada looked up to the Storm above. The Storm had stopped moving.
Irina sat at the Head. Leaning back in her chair, gazing at the storm. On her arm rested a small scorpion. "Must you keep tabs on me, Annorak?" She sighed. The scorpion nodded. "You've gotten everything you wanted. The Cagim's are dead. The Silver City's strongest defender is gone. And in a few moments this kingdom will be destroyed. Jacara and Ul'lanna made their way outside. She had stuffed her ears with cotton, an Elven trick to whether the Storm's deafening thunder. They stopped seeing the clouds sitting motionless above them. No lightning, no movement. "If you wanted to watch Annorak. You should have come in person." Irina said, standing up. She strolled across the ledge, hands clasped at her front. One by one, the lightning rods surrounding the city crumbled and fell. Everyone watched on in dismay, hearing their defences crumble. A gold lightning bolt streaked across the sky. This time was different.
The thunder shook the very ground. Chaos and panic ensued as citizens, refuges and guards rushed to find cover. "Let the show begin." In an instant, lightning rained down. Cracking the air, homes and buildings were vaporized instantly. Screams of terror rung out, with the citizens running amok. Ul'lanna fell to her knees, clutching her ears. The thunder pierced ears, striking like needles into her brain. She screamed and Jacara quickly created a gate of Water. He created a sphere around her head. Everything went quiet, and Ul'lanna opened her eyes, to see Jacara through a shimmering veil. Each rumble of thunder made it ripple. "Get inside." He said, rushing off.
Jacara ran with his hand over his ears, looking over the smouldering city. What destroyed the lightning rods? How could he help these people? What could he do? He let out a frustrated scream, as the lightning continued to rain down. Thunder shook the very foundation of the Silver City. Saira took in scared citizens. She clenched her teeth, and planted out several roughly forged pillars of Orichalcum. With torn and searing muscles, she screamed rushing them out. A few guards dragged back in as the make shift pillars, conducted several bolts of lightning. Jacara grimaced at the destruction taking place. 'What do I do? What do I do? Why isn't the fucking Storm moving?' 'Run and hide.' The serpent hissed. Yamada slung Harbinger off his back, letting it fall into the ground beside him. A lightning bolt shot directly at him. Yamada leapt out of the way, dodging the bolt. He spun back to see Harbinger molten hot, and his rucksack reduced to cinders. He growled at the sight, slamming his fist into the ground.
Ul'lanna rushed inside of the room, trying to stuff her ears. The thunder brought her down to her knees. The Storm never struck like this. It passed in mere minutes. Why is it staying? Gold lightning continued to streak across the sky. Pulsing with a regular beat. Irina smirked at the clouds. "Come on, I know you can sense me." She said, taking a sip from her mug. "Strike me down. I am one of Vasha's Drakens." The Storm rumbled with another streak of golden lightning. She sucked on her teeth, scowling at the Storm. "Even after all this time, you won't acknowledge my power?" Jacara flew up to the Head, with a Feather card. He found Irina leisurely sitting there. "Auntie Iri? What are you-" A lightning bolt streaked through the sky. He covered his ears, grunting at the deafening ringing in his ears. Irina looked at Jacara, with surprise and intrigue. "What are you going to do Prince?" She asked. "I'm going to move the Storm." He said boldly, drawing the Feather card.
Jacara tossed the card into the Storm. 'I'll part the clouds and-" A lightning bolt reduced the Feather card to ash. "Any other plans?" Irina asked. "Plan B. I'll absorb the lightning!" He said drawing the Fork card. A lightning bolt shot down. Jacara held the card out, and then instantly leapt out of the way, as the bolt struck past him. His heart raced, beating against his chest, harder and faster than a war drum. 'Fear holds him back. That's a shame.' Irina thought, turning her attention back to the Storm. Jacara stood up again, this time holding out the Drown card. He piqued her interest once more. "Plan to diffuse the Storm?" Jacara threw the card into the air creating a gate of Water, nearly fifteen metres in diameter. She gave him an impressed nod. The citizens down below, gazed upon the spinning azure gate. A lightning bolt struck the gate, dispersing through the water. Jacara's body quaked and trembled at the stress. Every muscle in his body howled and screamed in agony. He just had to keep the gate open long enough to-
A golden lightning bolt streaked across the black clouds, imitating broken glass. The Storm pulsed and raged even harder. With a thundering boom, a torrential wave of lightning bolts shot out. Jacara fell to his knees, wheezing and drenched in sweat. 'What was I thinking? I know I can't stop a regular storm. Why would I think I could the Storm? Why would I do something so fucking stupid?' "You did your best Jacara." Irina called out, raising her mug to him. "However the Silver City will fall and bur-" With a quake the entire tower of Asklepios, rumbled knocking Jacara and Irina off balance. A new shadow loomed over them. Yamada clung to the tower, fully transformed. His claws dug into the side of the tower, with his wings spread. "Yamada..." Jacara called out. Yamada swatted the both of them off, destroying the Head. Irina floated down, catching the exhausted Jacara.
"Now this is interesting." Irina said, smiling as Yamada leapt into the Storm. Everyone watched on enthralled, as the lightning stopped, and the Storm rumbled. Yamada let out roar and the dark clouds begun to swirl and churn. In a flash a lightning bolt struck Yamada. He roared in anguish, clinging to the tower. Smoke wafted from his scales. Irina lowered Jacara to the ground. "My, my. Are you willing to give up your quest for vengeance, to save these people?" She asked, enthralled. Yamada beat his wings, and leapt off the tower flying into the Storm. The kingdom watched as he disappeared into the Storm. The rumbling ceased. The streaks of lightning ceased, and the clouds became motionless. With a bright flash, and thunderous roar, the black sky was illuminated for in an instant. And within the Storm, two silhouettes appeared. One of the Serpent Knight, and another of a Dragon made of pure lightning, engaged in the sky.
The sky went dark and quiet again. Everyone held their breaths. Trembling in anticipation for another bolt. From the clouds, Yamada plummeted from the sky, landing stomach first atop the tower. His scales blackened and smouldering. "YAMADA!" Jacara called out, stumbling to his feet. Yamada weakly clung to the tower, as the lightning Dragon beat its wings through the black clouds. Yamada clung to tower, raising his head to the Storm, glaring it down. From the Storm, the Lightning Dragon peered down from the clouds. It let out a roar, with lightning firing off. Yamada let out his own roar in response, firing a torrent of water into the Storm. The Lightning Dragon retreated, but not before staring down at Irina. She smiled back in response. "Finally acknowledged someone Dawnbringer?" The Storm silenced, and begun to move, soon disappearing into the horizon.
Yamada reverted back falling unconscious from atop the tower. His body covered in burns, welts and soot. Screams rung out as he fell. Jacara collapsed, from his exhaustion. Ul'lanna leapt out, from one of holes. Free falling through the sky, with the ground closing in. She wrapped herself around Yamada. Metres before they hit the ground, she released all her Arcane energy, countering their weight, for a second. Her body lurched and she felt her organs shift for a second. The two of them crashed into the ground roughly two metres from the air. People rushed over, to help pull Yamada off Ul'lanna. She weakly inspected Yamada, to see him breathing, and her eyes glazed over collapsing. Irina groaned at the sight of a ruined Silver City, but not destroyed. 'Great, now I'm going to be lectured by Annorak.' She thought rolling her eyes, as she made her way back to the tower.