Behind the doors of the palace's fortified shelter, the Gat of Sinagthala was startled by the snarls of the beasts. Despite hiding away from the war outside and having knights stationed in every corridor, he still found himself quivering in terror.
He was the only son and heir of the previous Gat, known for his authoritarian rule yet respected by the people. In stark contrast, despite his middle age, this Gat epitomized cowardice and incompetence as the ruler of their realm. For years, he had lived in the shadow of Emir Akkainu's leadership, a paradox in the Luxian realm, the domain of the element of light.
He relished being served but crumbled in times of conflict between the seven realms and when addressing the needs of his people. Unwise, he lacked the ability to discern traitors from allies among his subjects. His only stroke of luck was his association with the bloodline of Akkainu, which had held the position of Emir for generations. Through this, he had managed to mask his shortcomings, safeguarding his royal image.
Meanwhile, on the war grounds, Akkainu stood resolute, determined in the face of danger. Upon seeing the Sinagthalian beasts aiding in the fight against Luwalhat'ti, he quickly devised a plan to harness their strength and help the remaining civilians escape, hoping to secure their safety as soon as possible.
He ordered Kino, along with five other knights, to lead the Earth Beasts to the far western side of the realm to break open a passage for the people to flee. Kiko, meanwhile, was tasked with communicating with the elegant and colossal Neridaeth, a sea nymph-like creature capable of controlling the water's currents as it dives. Though they couldn't speak to one another verbally, Kiko sought to gain the creature's assistance for their escape through actions or gestures.
If successful, this could change the course of the impending massacre, as this would allow boats to swiftly transport their people away from Sinagthala and safely to the nearest neighboring territory.
As they rushed to follow their Emir's command, Akkainu approached one of the injured archers. He helped the man to his feet and moved him to a safer location away from the path of the raging beast.
"Stay strong; we'll find a way to turn this battle around," Emir Akkainu assured his subordinate as he applied pressure to the archer's gashed shoulder and wrapped a cloth around it to slow the bleeding.
Akkainu then grabbed the archer's longbow and sprinted to a vantage point where he could get a clear shot at the Infernum Pyroserpent. His aim was to divert the fire beast's attention, which was heading toward Gat's castle. He attached a crystal of light to the arrow's tip.
Taking a deep breath, he launched the arrow, which shone brightly in white, cutting through the ruby hues of the sky and jabbing at the Pyroserpent's eyes like a spear. The blinding light radiated across a 50-meter radius, momentarily disorienting everyone within its reach. The ferocious creature, dazed, adjusted its course and briskly moved toward Akkainu's position, slithering like a flaming snake across the ground.
The warriors of both Luwalhat'ti and Sinagthala, affected by the intense light, paused their battle. Akkainu, still recovering from the flash, was caught off guard as the beast hissed directly in his face, exuding hot smoke. Spotting a crack in the structure beneath the serpent's mouth, he swiftly slid out of the way to evade the incoming blast of fire.
Akkainu, though still catching his breath, allowed himself a smirk of triumph—his diversion had worked. Behind the eastern barricades of the inner grounds, his army was preparing to launch a barrage of ballistae. Each large bolt was coated in a potion crafted from the alchemy of water, earth, and air elements, designed to hinder the Pyroserpent's movement if inhaled. With a significant distance now between him and the beast, Akkainu raised his sword, signaling his warriors to release the bolts.
"Kayya!" In response to Emir Akkainu's command, the Sinagthalian warriors echoed him in unison, their voices fiery with determination. Their resounding battle cry reverberated across the battlefield, reigniting their spirits and morale despite the rising toll of casualties. This was one of Akkainu's greatest strengths—his ability to empower his men, instilling them with hope and drive in the heat of battle.
It was this very trait that irked Gat Lakkan the most. The thought of a lowly Emir, not of royal blood, garnering such respect from the knights angered him deeply.
As Lakkan perceived the change in the battlefield, he was eager to launch the second phase of his strategy. His mind was consumed with plans to defeat Akkainu whatever it takes, cursing him silently. Lakkan's ambition knew no bounds; once he acquired the power of the Mythical Egg, he intended to reign over all seven realms.
The Pyroserpent let out a feral growl, its frustration evident from the effects of the potion. Meanwhile, the combat pressed on with increasing aggressiveness, filled with the clamor of clashing swords and the spilling of blood with each fatal strike. The sight of his Pyroserpent's distress catalyzed Lakkan's thirst for victory.
Unable to tolerate his knights' delay in unleashing the secret weapon, he took matters into his own hands. He blew the horn, then followed with a mighty swing, striking the massive gong. The reverberation summoned the legendary, century-old Umbraquor beast of the Shadow Realm.
From crimson red, the sky transformed into utter darkness in the blink of an eye. Amidst the thick shadows, a monstrous raptor rose, embodying the essence of the tenebrous abyss. The beast's wings, wide and formidable, cast a shadow that swallowed any glimmer of light beneath it with an almost ravenous hunger, and its feathers, black as the void with edges of gold, contributed to the aura of impenetrable gloom.
This mythical creature from the Shadow Realm possessed a fearsome ability akin to a black hole. Its eyes, gleaming with an eerie, otherworldly glow, drew in any light that reached its presence, devouring it with its dark core. As the beast soared through the black vastness, its very existence seemed to feed on the light and spirit of those around it, leaving only a suffocating darkness in its wake.
Its power was so overwhelming that even the elemental beasts aiding Sinagthala had their vital forces significantly drained. The Pyroserpent, sensing the growing threat, retreated, knowing it was the dark beast's turn to wreak havoc. Staying in the same area would risk a clash between their elemental forces. For the humans, however, the effect was far more devastating—lethal, even. The fiery hearts of the Sinagthalian knights, once brimming with courage and valor, were consumed by the relentless void.
Akkainu and the knights stationed on the eastern side watched in horror as the shadows swept through their comrades near the dark beast's emergence, sucking the very life out of them in an instant.
Akkainu's voice cracked with sorrow as he screamed, "No!"
The Umbraquor, once a victim of Lakkan's incessant torture, had long since transformed into a wild and savage beast, its mind shattered beyond repair. No longer able to recognize even the faintest trace of light, it now ached only to spread darkness, obediently following the will of its master, the Gat of Luwalhat'ti.
Sensing the highest concentration of energy nearby, the beast of shadows soared toward the western shore, where Sinagthalian knights Kino and Kiko led an effort to evacuate civilians. With ruthless intent, the Umbraquor tore through the trees, its massive wings whipping up gusts of wind that cut through the air like blades.
Lakkan, pleased by the beast's instinct, whistled with enthusiasm as he realized the Umbraquor had uncovered the secret escape plan.
"Seize them, beast of darkness! Let no one escape! By my command, Sinagthala shall fall today!"
Akkainu felt as though ice water had been poured over him. He stiffened, his mind trapped in a labyrinth of thoughts, desperately searching for a way to salvage the situation. The warriors who had earlier shone like blazing stars were now dimmed by fear as they witnessed their allies' peril.
Yet, despite the looming threat, these knights, driven by their love for their families, charged boldly in the direction of the Umbraquor, battling their way through Luwalhat'tian warriors who stood in their path. They knew the beast was heading straight for their loved ones, and no fear could stop them from saving them.
However, Akkainu, as their Emir, chose a different course of action. Fixing his eyes on Gat Lakkan, he moved with unprecedented speed. Navigating through the chaos, he deftly dodged the colossal Sinagthalian beasts that were collapsing one by one, causing the ground to tremble with each fall. The increasing instability made it more difficult for Akkainu and the rest of the knights to maintain their balance and advance swiftly. The drying blood of the fallen warriors had turned acrid over time, but Akkainu's assertive expression remained unshaken as he pushed onward with relentless willpower to reach Lakkan.
As Akkainu drew closer, some of Lakkan's subordinates attempted to intervene, but Lakkan ordered them to stand down upon noticing Akkainu's surrender, marked by the dropping of his weapons. With a smirk of arrogance and pride, Lakkan, casually stroking his dark, braided beard, slowly walked forward to confront the desperate Emir.
As they closed the distance, Akkainu swallowed his pride and knelt before Gat Lakkan. The warriors of Luwalhat'ti pounded their shields with their swords, celebrating their apparent victory, but Lakkan quickly silenced them with a commanding order.
"Silence!" Lakkan approached Akkainu, drawing his sword and leveling it at him. "So, you've finally come to your senses, Emir of Sinagthala. What took you so long? Everyone knows no one can defeat us. You were doomed from the start. You should have handed over the egg the moment we arrived. But you were a fool! Now look at your people."
He paused for a second. "As much as I'd like to kill you now, I still don't have the Mythical Egg you stole from me. And your pathetic surrender won't bring me any honor!"
The Luwalhat'tian soldiers roared in unison, chanting, "Blood! Blood! Blood!"
"You hear that, Emir?" Gat Lakkan taunted, but Akkainu offered no response, his head bowed.
"They want to see your blood spilled by my own hands. Stand up! We'll settle this in the middle of the battlefield, man to man. If you win, not everyone has to die. I'll take you and your people as prisoners, but your knights' fates will be left to the Umbraquor's shadows."
Lakkan's laughter was cruel, joined by the jeers of his knights. He silently mouthed, "They will die."
Fury surged through Akkainu, and he lunged at Lakkan. However, Lakkan's paladins were quick to react, restraining him and pinning him to the ground.
"Careful, Akkainu!" Lakkan sneered. "Don't be foolish while I still have some pity for your realm! Pick up your sword and let the strongest leader win—though it's clear that will be me." His face radiated confidence.
"Emir, you can't do this! You know he's a liar," one of the knights said firmly, having overheard Lakkan's offer. Upon hearing this, Akkainu drew upon all his remaining strength and forcefully shrugged off the grip of Lakkan's paladins, breaking free from their hold. He then rejoined his army, while Lakkan watched him leave, his gaze cold and calculating.
"We will fight with you, Emir. We can still save Sinagthala and our people," a determined young knight said as he stepped forward, his voice breaking but his spirit resolute.
Akkainu remained silent for a moment before turning to face Lakkan. "I will fight you, fair and square," he said firmly. "Keep your word as the respected Gat of Luwalhat'ti. Give it your all, because I will defeat you with everything I have. But first, withdraw your orders to the monster you've unleashed!"
Lakkan nodded, his expression unshaken. "I accept your challenge, Emir Akkainu of Sinagthala," he declared without hesitation. He whispered to his servant, who struck the gong once more. The distant, menacing cry of the Umbraquor echoed through the battlefield, signaling that it had heard its master's command.
Both men took their positions on the battlefield, preparing for the duel.
The Luwalhat'tian knights erupted in unison, shouting, "Kayya!" In an instant, Akkainu swung his sword with full force, their blades clashing with unyielding strength. Akkainu twisted his leg to evade Lakkan's strike and delivered a powerful elbow to Lakkan's jaw. Lakkan reeled, blood spattering onto the ground, and his eyes grew red with fury.
"Akkainu!" Lakkan bellowed, angrily wiping the blood from his chin. He launched a swift counterattack, their swords moving at a breakneck pace. Neither could gain the upper hand as their strength seemed evenly matched. Suddenly, Lakkan's frustration mounted when Akkainu's blade grazed his arm. He retaliated with a heavy kick to Akkainu's guts, sending him staggering backward. Blood spilled from Akkainu's mouth as he struggled to retain his footing.
As the battle raged on, Akkainu was oblivious to what was happening not far from their duel. Inside a nearby tent, Wakkin lay unconscious and severely wounded, while Karrim was bound, his arms restrained and his mouth tightly gagged. Muffled cries escaped Karrim as he watched in anguish, seeing his father bleed. Kirruga, Gat Lakkan's spy, drove his knee into Karrim's back, pressing him into the ground, and further aggravating the bruises on Karrim's tear-streaked face.
"Be quiet!" Kirruga snapped.
Despite the warning, Karrim's suppressed sobs persisted, resonating softly in the tent. Wakkin stirred and slowly regained consciousness. His eyes quickly darted around, searching for the spy who had been tailing them earlier.
He vividly recalled the tall, muscular man, face covered, chasing them through the dense trees as he hurried through the forest, the young Karrim unconscious on his back. Just as Wakkin neared the safety of the hideout, an axe whizzed past, nearly striking him. He dodged just in time, laying Karrim down behind him before bracing to confront their attacker.
Kirruga, the spy from Luwalhat'ti, stepped out from behind an oak tree, another axe in hand, which he swiftly hurled at Wakkin. Wakkin rolled aside, unsheathed his twin swords, and slashed at the spy, landing a clean cut on Kirruga's arm. But the cut barely fazed Kirruga, who promptly delivered a hard kick to Wakkin's legs, knocking him down. In a brutal follow-up, Kirruga landed a forceful punch to Wakkin's face, rendering him completely passed out.
"Tsk. Easy", the spy remarked with an impassive expression, spitting on Wakkin.
That was the last thing Wakkin remembered. As his vision cleared, he saw Karrim pinned to the ground by the spy.