Otto's body reacted fine to the spell at first, but his feathers that were black started to turn gray. His expression looked tired as he kept concentrating on controlling the chi. The panel was slowly rebuilding as Fred fought the urge to stop his friend from killing himself. But he knew better than to stop the spell. Even that had its dangers if he did so. Knowledge he learned from Otto himself. "Never interrupt a spell in progress or your liable to get you and the caster killed" he would say. All he could do was stand there and watch his friend find some redemption with his death.
He was beside himself feeling even more guilt, he brought him down here when he could of just escaped. Leaving him to fail on his own. But Otto like usual helped him succeed. He couldn't feel sorry for himself and ruin the sacrifice of Otto. 'It would dishonor your sacrifice my friend. I will stay with you and make this come to life. Honoring you as best I can…' he thought. The panel was starting to regain its shape.
Otto collapsed on his knees but kept the control over the chi. He couldn't falter till the deed was finished. Fred made ready as he approached the partially complete panel. The handle almost and fully made he waited with anticipation. Then he looked back seeing Otto lay upon the platform. He was a shriveled bird with missing feathers and wrinkled skin. He seemed to fade fast until he was nothing. Fred with tears flowing down his face he gripped the handle tight. "You did well Otto" he then violeny pulled it down. The panel then lit up to life activating the power as it gave the palace life again. Fred slumped to his knees and cried as he stared at his mummified friend. He did not feel any pride and no celebration to be had on this day. Just sadness and destruction. But he hoped that the very attempt at saving this realm from the incursion would be worth it. He then sobbed in his hands.
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Cornelius's body was floating when he came too. All around him the mythical winged beasts were attacking the army. The skull knight cut down a Garuda and then killed a winged tiger. Cornelius still held the sword firm in his hand with a glowing mask upon his face. His core was now at the lower tier of Rank 5 God and he was now powerful enough to end this battle. He dropped down and hit the ground running at the skull knight. He moved fast engaging him they clashed and became locked in battle. "NICE UPGRADE!" He shouted at the new king. He pushed his blade off and was then hit by an invisible force sending him crashing into the wall. He pushed off and was fast enough to block a sword attack. His helmet was then gripped by Cornelius as he pushed all his telekinetic ability into his palm. The helmet then crushed in on the knights skull. He let out a single scream of pain before keeling over dead. Cornelius then looked at his troops, "WITH ME! We drive the scourge from our land!" He shouted as he rallied the men. He lead the charge using his telekinesis on the army coming through the gates. They pushed forward to battle outside the walls. The palace behind him then lit up coming back to life as turrets began to fire at the army sending projectiles over the walls. Mythical beasts followed Cornelius as well mingling with the defenders as one cohesive unit of species.
They crashed through the invaders cutting them down, ripping with claws, pecking with beaks as the scene became a massacre. The mythical birds flew over to the siege weapons destroying them with elemental attacks. Swooping down picking knights up throwing them aside from high up. Arrows rained down on them and the defenders but the momentum did not cease. They were gaining the upper hand as winged lions came down and attacked the line of archers. As the beasts pounced on them sinking fangs in to flesh before pouncing on another.
Cornelius lead his defenders through a bloody battlefield as the invaders of the Sword King's line began to break. They began to retreat back to the portal leading back to their world. "Run them down! I want prisoners and as many dead as possible! Cut them down!" Cornelius screamed as he stabbed another knight and cut down two more. The defenders gave chase as some knights were tackled by a group of men and restrained. Not all were fortunate most were stabbed in the back or set upon by a group only to be massacred by them. They were not chivalrous with the knights killing them mercilessly. Cornelius stood back catching his breath as he watched his men hunt down the rest. He could feel all eyes upon him and his mind felt an expansion he could sense the portal made of chi deep in the forest. He looked to Old Lord and Chief, "Portal is do east that way. We need to shut it down" he told them. "As you wish" the Old Lord said with a bow. He then gestured to his men to follow his direction and his sons lead a party along with a few of the Beast men. Cornelius was taken aback at Old Lord's formality, "This treatment is surprising to me" Cornelius stated through a psychic link using the Eagle Mask. The Old Lord smiled while he was leading his party deeper into the woods.
"Nevertheless, the World chose you as the new King and I think they chose right. You lead us to victory and put yourself in harms way to protect the men defending the palace. You earned my respect at least and you will receive support from my kingdom" he said in his mind. "I appreciate that. This does not change things I still want to see us all live in peace and make a lasting alliance" the Old Lord chuckled. "Wouldn't want it any other way" he said out loud.
The Old Lord's party was successful ambushing the knight at their portals. The magic circle glowed under it. Some made into the portal before Old Lord with a powerful slash cut through earth killing the portals. The he approached the new earthly scar and sheathed his sword. "So we are allying with the king?" one of his sons asked. The Old Lord nodded. "I have a good feeling about this. He is different and we will follow him" he explained.
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When he returned Cornelius stood waiting extending a hand. They shook hands as friends and gave each other a nod. Cornelius then looked at he Pride Chief. He extended a hand to the Chief, "I have more stipulations if we are to make peace King?" The Chief stated. Cornelius nodded, "I understand" he said with a nod. The Beast Men were treated like savages and a mere second class to all. He would not give his support so lightly when his people were the ones fighting the civil war. "Name your terms?" Cornelius waited to hear his response. "My people are to be held with more standing then how we are treated. I will not allow another Big Cat to shed blood for some war. We are equal to everyone and will be treated as such. If you want an alliance you will need a council. I would like a Big Cat to have a seat on the council to keep my peoples interest. You can give me that than you have my oath and my sword" the chief confessed. Cornelius kept his hand extended, "You will have it. I can promise you this civil war for us is over. I will not be joining a side we are our own. I plan to build this realm into a utopia with the help of this alliance so we all prosper" Chief was hesitant and then shook his hand, "Then you have the allegiance from the Pride!" He said with a grin. Cornelius nodded at this acknowledgment, "I thank you both for your trust. I have two things I must do before we get started" Old Lord and Chief looked confused as Cornelius looked at his friend Shadow Cat standing by them, "I name Shadow Cat Captain of the King's guard and hand to the king. He is my loyal friend and he will keep me on the right path he is an honorable warrior" he placed a hand on Shadow Cat's shoulder. The grey tiger looked surprised, "You honor me Cor…your majesty" he corrected himself. This made the king shake his head, "You knew me as a slave. You may call me by my name you are my friend" he said. Shadow Cat smiled, "I would be honored Cornelius. Thank you for this opportunity" he said bowing. Cornelius gave him a nod but his eyes darted behind him seeing Whistler Chirp and his guards exiting the gate. He was nonchalant and without a care in the world. He scanned the battlefield and saw the group around Cornelius. His eyes widened seeing the mask on Cornelius's face. He approached with his men in tow.
"Congrats on the win seems you gave them hell" he said with a hint of sarcasm. He rested his clawed hand upon the pommel of his dagger sheathed on his belt. "Well look at you jumped from slave bottom to royal top! Must feel pretty proud of yourself huh? So should we make terms. You'll need my city to rule this realm so?" He held out his other hand. Cornelius stared at it and then back at him refraining from moving. Old Lord, Chief, and Shadow Cat stood behind him making ready for the mercenaries to attack.
"Whistler Chirp? Something you may not have known, but there is a twist to this situation?" Shadow Cat behind him grinned. "Shall I tell him Shadow?" Cornelius asked. "By all means sire" he said with a hint of humor. "See I only brought half of my army with me. The other was to sack Divine City and take control of it. I sent my friend to leave this city before the incursion. Freeing the slaves bringing an end to your torment upon them" Cornelius's irises started to glow as he accessed the power of the mask. His mind was transported to a giant city with one big tower in the center. The city was smoking in areas and armored bodies littered the streets. Slaves holding weapons stood in the square chanting and shouting with joy mingled with the ordinary people of the city all chanting with glee at winning their freedom from Whistler Chirp. They were all shouting cheers a crane like Bird Folk standing up holding up a burnt flag. A sword sheathed on his hip his arm in a sling. He was battered and bruise his glasses long gone. 'Cowardly Crane found his bravery' Cornelius smiled inwardly. "Shadow Cat he found his courage" he told his friend. "Knew he would!" He said with a triumph. "What the hell are you two talking about? No way slaves take my city! None!" He protested. Cornelius said nothing and in a flash his sword flew from his hand and impaled Whistler through the chest.
"I don't know what makes you think that. Slaves took this palace" he stated at the shocked Whistler.