Akkainu's POV
An unexplainable energy cruises through my blood vessels. Is it merely my burning resolve to protect our realm, or has the mystical power of the egg already played its part?
It's the crack of dawn. Our people should be resting peacefully in their homes, but the approaching army's deafening march and the crimson sky say otherwise. I glance once more at the egg in my hand, glowing like a living kaleidoscope. With a swift motion, I signal Kino and Kiko to position our warriors.
"Surround the barricades—leave no wall unguarded!"
I see the fierce determination in their eyes. They rely on me, and I will lead them. From this moment on, as their trusted Emir, I vow to dedicate my life to the protection of our realm.
I am wearing the great armor of the Luxian clan—an heirloom passed down to me by the previous Emir, my father, when I turned 21. In my hand is a sword, embedded with elemental stones from the frigid waters of Sinagthala, a legacy from my mother's side. Now, I will wield it to defend our people's safety.
I quickly enter our hidden shelter, concealed behind the walls of my chamber. I place the Mythical Egg inside the steel chest, lock it, and set it in the alcove. I then tuck the key inside the grip of my sword. They will recover the egg only over my dead body.
All of a sudden, an explosion rocks the area outside, followed by the ear-splitting roars of the beasts. The tremor shakes the room and sends debris falling from the ceiling. I rush outside to find the gates destroyed and our people screaming in terror. As I survey our inner grounds, I see that many of our knights have fallen.
This is impossible! With a horde of elemental beasts on their side, even the mightiest army of the seven realms—composed solely of humans—stands no chance.
I spot Karrim standing near the dwellings of the Sinagthalian beasts—magical creatures we had befriended to assist with our crops and fishing. But something seems off. Perhaps it is the shock from the explosion, but despite the chaotic crowd, it appears as though my son Karrim is communicating with one of the Terragaeya beasts. I shake my head and blink, then call out to Karrim.
"Karrim, why are you just standing there? I told you to hide!"
The fortress trembles violently as one of the enemy's beasts slams its massive hand into one of our crossbow towers. A jolt of adrenaline courses through me, and I reach Karrim just in time, pushing him out of the way as the wreckage from the collapsing tower crashes down. It would seriously injure him if I'm a second later.
I grab his shoulders, shaking him in an attempt to snap him back to reality. His eyes are open, but his gaze seems lost in another dimension, unresponsive even though I already called out to him. I shake him harder, tapping both sides of his face. He still doesn't react, but then, his eyes slowly begin to close, as if he is drifting off to sleep. And at that moment, the main gate finally gives way. Kira!
"Wakkin! Take my son. You know where to go. Protect him at all cost!" I command Wakkin, one of our most formidable soldiers, my voice firm with authority. The battle is only beginning, and my duty to our people demands my full attention. I can only fight clearly once I know Karrim is safe.
I can't bear to lose another loved one—not after my wife.
"Yes, Emir," Wakkin responds, as I watch them disappear into the forest canopy. Turning back to face the battlefield, I see Lakkan, the Gat of Luwalhat'ti, leading his army forward, ready to breach the fallen gate.
It's time.
"Knights of the Sinagthala realm! Kayya!" With blazing determination, I swing my sword at the warriors of Luwalhat'ti who block my path. My prime goal is to reach Lakkan and prevent him from reducing our realm to ruins in his quest to seize the Mythical Egg.
The dark clouds begin to thicken in the sky, adding to the doom-laden atmosphere as they turn an ominous red. The clash of swords and shields echoes through the battlefield, fallen knights lying still, their armor ringing in our ears. The sky now mirrors the spilled blood on the ground, but my eyes remain fixed on their Gat.
I'm close.
I roll to the ground, landing a crushing kick to the back of a warrior who dared to thrust his spear at my chest. Before he can rise, I plunge my sword into his heart. Arrows rain down from the sky, and I quickly take cover behind my shield, shouting for the Sinagthalian warriors to do the same.
After their assault, we press forward, cutting them down one by one, sometimes two at a time. We've annihilated a large portion of their army, but I'm not surprised—my knights are unmatched in strength and the valor of their spirits.
Just as we begin to taste victory, their flaming catapults strike, wiping out many of our warriors. Village houses burn, horns blare once again, and the elemental beasts slam the ground with such force that we all lose our footing, stumbling to the earth.
It tears at my heart to hear the wails of our people. Blood stains the once vibrant green grass of our land, and I am consumed with the desire to end these hostilities.
But how? Think, Akkainu! Think!
I smack my forehead, my calloused hands stained with the blood of countless Luwalhat'ti warriors I have slain. They were brave men, trapped under a tyranny from which they could not escape. They were merely victims of oppression. I punch my chest, bringing myself back to my senses. This is why my father used to call me weak—because I feel sympathy even for my enemies.
My mind is overwhelmed with thoughts as I continue to fight. I have made decisions I am not proud of, but today I fight for Sinagthala, for the future of our people, and especially for my young son. Yet, it seems there is no end to this warfare. Dead bodies are piling up, and before I can fully grasp the situation, our realm is turning into a graveyard. Kira!
Suddenly, I am taken aback as Sinagthalian beasts emerge from everywhere, protecting our people. Growls fill the air as arrows, catapults, and spears strike their scales. This is unbelievable. Our pact with them was solely for assistance with our food supply, not to fight for us during conflicts or to raid territories. They are enormous and possess elemental energy, but their kind is not suited for combat. I fear that the weapons of our enemies might inflict lethal injuries on them—or worse, kill them.
Lakkan's POV
I didn't expect to see the beasts of Sinagthala fighting alongside them, but I remain confident—they won't win against us. I have an ingenious strategy, one that cannot fail. I'm renowned for my sharp, ruthless mind, and as an invincible leader in combat; all the realms know this. That's why they fear me.
I signal one of my henchmen to release our most vicious beast. It's imprisoned in a cage forged from gems mined from the deepest underwater volcano of the Ignithar realm, imbued with enchanted properties to repel the force of any fire creature that touches it. I can't wait to see the look on Akkainu's face when the Infernum Pyroserpent obliterates their land. Soon, the power of the egg will be mine.
A satisfied laugh escapes me as I charge forward, smoothly slitting the throats of these worthless soldiers. Their groans only fuel my delight, proving that the gap between our combat skills is worlds apart. My army struggles to keep pace, eager to prove themselves, but one of them fails to notice the approaching mace that threatens to crush his head. With a dismissive flick, I casually sever the enemy's arm before the blow lands, while the Pyroserpent unleashes its fiery breath into the sky, as if acknowledging my unparalleled prowess.
This war thrills me to the core, yet the true climax is still to come. My instincts scream for the Mythical Egg to be within my grasp. I'm boiling with anticipation—for that mystical power will soon be linked to me, mine alone. When Akkainu is defeated, Sinagthala's fate will be sealed.
My servant, the Infernum Pyroserpent, towers over every other elemental creatures. Flames flicker across every inch of its slender, serpentine form, while its slit-like irises glow with the intensity of molten lava. Its scales, rough and cracked like scorched earth, are layered in burning scarlet and amber, pulsing with the energy of a living inferno. The ancient texts do it no justice—the true grandeur of this legendary fire beast far surpasses what was written on the old pages.
Each breath it exhales sends plumes of smoke and embers into the air, while the ground beneath its claws smolders, leaving charred prints in its wake. As heat waves ripple around it, the atmosphere seems to warp, distorting the surroundings as if reality itself is yielding to this beast's fiery presence.
Now, Akkainu, I bring you hell. You will witness your own downfall. I am the notorious Gat Lakkan, a merciless ruler who rises above all other leaders of Wyrmpire. You should have thought twice before seizing the Mythical Egg and choosing to fight against me. No one dares to challenge my authority. I will make sure you bow down and beg me to spare your life.
I focus my attention on the fleeing Sinagthalian knights as the fire beast ravages their fortress. "Run, you pathetic weaklings, or face the cold embrace of death."
Returning to my elevated chariot—open to the skies and drawn by the Tenebris beast, born from the soil of Luwalhat'ti—I take pride in its dark presence. Though not the most powerful, this creature, resembling a fearsome phantom stallion, is my personal favorite, a monstrous embodiment of my will, able to dash like the wind. Its ghostly blend of tangible and ethereal qualities allows it to hover just above the ground, its mane flowing like living shadows. Fear thickens as I arrive, triumphant behind my beast, knowing that they all tremble beneath me. Wherever I go, the air grows oppressive for the faint-hearted. I, the rightful Gat, ride above them, and all will bow in submission.
Yet, after assessing the situation, I cast aside my open-face helm in frustration. Despite our overwhelming dominance, I remain entangled in this war. It's taking longer than expected, as their elemental beasts continue to withstand the attacks of the Infernum Pyroserpent. The knights, whom I thought had fled, have only regrouped to launch another assault on our fire beast. What provokes my fury even more is seeing Akkainu dispatching many of my men while standing defiant, his gaze aimed directly at me. Meanwhile, here I sit in my chariot, my armor coated with the metallic scent of blood, still without any sign of the Mythical Egg.
This is no longer amusing!
I underestimated Akkainu. It's time to advance to the next phase of my plan to annihilate Sinagthala and claim what is rightfully mine. I leap from my chariot, draw a new sword, and seize the horn to initiate the second wave of the attack.
This is just the beginning of the purge—eliminating all who are inferior until only the strongest remain. There is no way I will allow a mere pawn rise to challenge me and steal my crown.