《The Wyrm King》


 INTRODUCTION

    ¡°A warrior is brave for wielding a sword and shield, he is even braver when he lays them down to wield a sickle and a plow. A farmer reaps only that which he himself hath sown, a warrior reaps the work of the land and of life. When a life is taken, it adds weight to your soul, and you sink to the bottom, deeper into the flames, never able to climb higher.¡±


    --Annor the Pyratic, First Year of the First Era


    A tale of old, long passed down by the denizens of this city. A tale of a man, risen from the ashes of his city, to take vengeance on those who slaughtered his people, and his family. He was their greatest warrior, and he was the orcs most feared enemy. He is only known now as the Wyrm King, and this will be his story. It begins with a wizard, one of only a few in the land. This wizard was known by many and nearly all in the land. This wizard was none other than Kaaltric the Wandering. Throughout his many adventures and findings it was he who uncovered this tale, and he is the only one who knows the fate of the Wyrm King, which he learned from his father and his father before him, both Wizards before him as well. Kaaltric chooses very carefully whom he tells the story to, as there are always enemies, ones who thirst for power. You have been one of those chosen, you have earned, by the grace of Kaaltric, to learn the fate of the Wyrm King. It began as thus.....If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    In ages long since past there was a warrior of the early tribes of men, the first of the race to inhabit this land their origins still squabled amongst today. A single tribe outshone all the others, a tribe whose name is the same as this cities, Haafstar. This city was their city, although they called it another name once their fall had arisen, brought by the orcs of the East and hundreds of years later this city was found, and a story was told. A story of a single warrior, their greatest warrior whose name is lost just as the rest of the tribe. This man was a very strong and not to be messed with, if there was one thing he was good at, it was ending another¡¯s life. This warrior had seen over his life more blood and death than anyone ever should, and he had become sick of it. One day he cast down his sword and shield and picked up a hammer, and a sickle. He turned away from the warriors life to become a farmer. And this is where our story begins.

 CHAPTER I: Rising Smoke

    Fishing takes your mind off of many things, including the constant teases by the children although they did not bother him. He wanted to get out in the fresh air, and be alone for a while, the town grew larger and larger everyday and he didn¡¯t really know what the future had in store. He just knew that one day, when his son was old enough, he would take him fishing, and he would never teach him the ways of a blade. The only thing war leads to, is more war. After about four hours of casting and rebaiting, and casting again, he had collected a fair amount of fish to sell at market. He put all the fish he caught into his net, a net he made himself a long time ago, terribly made, but it hadn¡¯t broke yet. He heaved the fishfilled net over his shoulder and headed back towards town. He reached town within an hour. He lugged the net through town to the market walking past children playing and having fun and parents yelling at them and telling them to be careful. He smiled and continued on towards the butcher. He sold the net of fish for a decent amount and went to his home, which was on the edge of the town, also located behind the barracks for the towns army. He acted in his downtime as a trainer for new recruits and a drillmaster for keeping their skills attuned. He also was a dominant force in the town hall, his word was often held with the highest regards, mainly because everyone feared him, and what he used to do. Many said he would never escape the warriors life, he could not die peacefully. Other more imaginative ones, such as the kids, said he was cursed and would never die unless it was in battle with a worthy foe. He thought little of what others thought of him, he only cared for one thing, his family.


    He reached his home and he grabbed his farming tools and headed out the Western road, leading towards the farms. He reached the Western gate when he heard, ¡°PA, PA, WAIT.¡± he turned to see his son, barely over six rushing towards him. He dropped his tools and hoisted him up and asked, ¡°What might you be doing running around?¡± His son answered, ¡°I want to go to the fields with you.¡± He replied, ¡°I can¡¯t do that, rules are rules. Where is your mother? You need to be getting back to her, don¡¯t want to make her mad now do you?¡± His son answered, ¡°No sir.¡± He put his son down and he said, ¡°Now hurry off, before you get us both in trouble.¡± His son laughed and ran off towards the center of town and he couldn¡¯t help but smile. He picked up his tools and headed towards the fields which were pretty far out from the city. He reached the fields in a little under two hours and he went to work. He tilled and plowed the fields along with ten others, however he was the last working, he made sure the animals were fed and all the equipment was accounted for and locked up. He was ready to head home when he noticed smoke in the direction of the town, and shortly after another. A house was on fire, that was his first thought. In the back of his mind a voice was screaming, not a fire, an attack. He grabbed his tools and rushed back to the town, when he was within earshot he heard screams echo through the woods and he dropped his tools, except his hammer and a sickle. He reached the Western gates to a scene of chaos, houses burned and bodies littered the streets. He picked his way through the town for any sign of attackers hoping it wasn¡¯t who he thought it was. He found no sign of the attackers except tracks from the beasts they rode in on. He rushed to his home, which was razed and nearly burned to the ground. He made his way through the burning wreck to a large iron chest. He lugged the chest out of the burning house and opened it, revealing a sword and a shield along with some armour. He emptied the chest, putting the armour on and once again picking up a sword and shield. He went to the center of the town, still hearing screams and a little commotion coming from the Eastern gate.


    He reached the center of town and looked towards the Eastern gate and saw where the commotion was coming from. To his worst nightmare the city was being attacked by Orcs. He sprinted towards them, wanting only to put up a fight and try to get them to leave. The Orcs noticed his advance and they charged towards him. He dispatched the few Orcs that rushed towards him with ease and he faced now many Orcs, about thirty of them. He slowly made his way through them, but not unharmed. He took several slashes and several hits from the Orcs but made it through them all. As he stumbled after dealing with the group of Orcs he was met by a single Orc, taller and much wiser than the other''s. The Orc snarled something at him but he did not understand, nor did he care. He looked around and saw only death and smelled only the burning of house and flesh. In his looking he saw his family, being lined up along with others from the city. He looked back to the Orc, who was now walking towards those lined up. The Orc grabbed the first one in line and threw them onto the ground, he snarled something else at him and then he drove the sword through the person. This made him charge forward sword and shield raised. The Orc pulled the sword out of the lifeless body and walked towards him.


    He swung his sword at the Orc, the Orc blocked it and swung back at him which he blocked with his shield. After a while the clashing filled the city, and drew on a large crowd of Orcs. He disengaged the Orc and looked around at the crowd that gathered and he knew, they were not going to live. He looked at his wife and son, to which the Orc noticed and pointed towards them and snarled something. Orcs that had scaled the wall and were on the top of the Eastern wall drew bows and shot arrows towards him, several of them hitting him and dropping him to one knee. He stood, grunting and pushing through the pain. Another volley of arrows were showered down on him and he was once again brought down to one knee. Volley after volley of arrows were loosed on him, and once he was brought down to both knees and his sight was dodging in and out the Orc walked over to his family. He dropped down to all fours, arrows sticking out of him in just about everywhere. He took one last look at his family, and the Orcs who had knives pressed to their throats. He looked at the larger Orc and he memorized what he looked like. He started to fall forward, and the light started to leave his eyes. As he fell as did his family, the Orc laughed all the while. He landed on the ground and all he felt was cold, the cold embrace of black.


    He came to, no longer lying on his face but rather on his back on a comfortable bed set. He tried to move but a hand stayed his movement and a calming voice said, ¡°Rest, your wounds are many, you will need it.¡± He layed back down and he faltered off into another sleep. When he awoke it was near middaye by where the sun was in the sky by what he could tell. He was in the same bed set but he had enough strength to sit up and look around. He looked down at his body which was littered with wounds, slashes and countless arrow wounds. He touched them and winced as they were still tender. He tried to stand when he heard the voice again, ¡°That may not be a good idea, you are still not fully healed, neither healed enough to stand on your own.¡± He saw out of the shadows a man in a blindingly white robe appeared. The stranger introduced himself, ¡°I am Votaar the Wandering, and I am a wizard. I followed the smoke that rose from your village, I knew Orcs were moving in the area, but I did not realize how many. There were many Orc tribes, and the one that attacked you city, is the most dangerous. I arrived too late to help fight them off but I did find you, barely clinging to life, almost dead, littered with arrow wounds. I have heard tales of a great warrior from that village, I believe it is you.¡± The man replied, ¡°That was me, I no longer am, I am a farmer.¡± Votaar replied, ¡°That is not what I¡¯ve heard be said by the denizens of the forest who watched your battle with the Orcs.¡± The man replied, ¡°If there were those watching why did they not help, why did they stand by idly and watch my people die?¡± The wizard said, ¡°Because they could not, rabbits and little birds are not warriors, but they see and hear a lot. The tales I¡¯ve been told would surprise many.¡± The man asked, ¡°You can speak to animals?¡± Votaar laughed and said, ¡°Of course! I am a wizard after all. That is why you are not dead. I will help you get back to your feet and you may thank me, you may hate me, but there is a reason I saw that smoke, I had a bad feeling, and I happened to look over to see the smoke. I believe in fate warrior, and I believe it led me to you for a reason. Now get some rest and build your strength, and forget thoughts of revenge, your death will be the only thing you get out of it.¡± The warrior replied, ¡°I will take with them as many as I can then, I will not go down without a fight.¡±


    The wizard chuckled and said, ¡°Do not think yourself as invincible, those Orcs are not to be trifled with, least not with your current condition. If you want revenge, build an army, sharpen your sword and harden your shield. You cannot win alone.¡± The man replied, ¡°They killed my family, my friends, and my people, I...will¡­.have¡­..vengeance.¡± The man stood up after saying this, staggering but eventually gaining his balance. He walked to where his sword, shield, and armour were. He picked them up and he set off out of the camp. The wizard yelled after him, ¡°Do you even know where you are? Where you¡¯re going?¡± The man yelled back, ¡°No, but I do know that mountain¡­..¡± He paused and then said, ¡°I do not recognize this side of it so I must be near my home.¡± The wizard came out of the camp after him and said, ¡°There are many mountains in this land, and you are nowhere near what was your home. Your home is on the other side of the land.¡± The man kept walking through the forest with the wizard following and telling him to wait. The man saw a clearing ahead and thought he was near the fields but when he went into the open he looked out on a city, a grand city. Far larger than any city he had ever seen and filled with people he seldom saw, elves. He turned to the wizard and asked with a solemn tone, ¡°My home is gone is it not? There is nothing for me to go back to?¡± The wizard said, ¡°The only thing that lies there for you, is pain and anger. I brought you here to get rested and increase your swordsmanship to brave the lands West of here.¡± The man said, ¡°I must go East though, I must have vengeance.¡± The wizard said, ¡°You will in good time, you must get prepared for it first.¡±Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    The man spent many months at this elven city, a city named Lith'' Oreanas. He told no one his name because the more he thought about it, he could not remember it. He was called, in the tales about him, Wrecker, because nothing could stand in his way, so that''s what he chose to be called, the legend instead of who he actually was which was forgotten to him. He trained with the elven blademasters for most of the time he spent there, slowly becoming better, stronger, and eventually defeating them in duels. Once he outshone the masters they offered him their swords in respect that he had learned all he could from them. The leader of the city, a legendary elvish war hero, Kareon, had commended his accomplishments and offered him permanent stay in the city. Wrecker said, ¡°Your offer is most kind but I cannot, my quest now must continue, I am ready to start on the road of my revenge, I thank you for helping me, If I pass through again, may it be with an army on my back, a smile on my face, and victory in the air.¡± Kareon responded, ¡°You are always welcome here Wrecker, may you have the best of luck in your path, stay weary for the lands to the East are filled with horrors each worse than the next. Fare thee well warrior.¡± They bowed to each other, Kareon walked off to get back to his duties and Wrecker looked at down the road leading west out of Lith'' Oreanas. He was interrupted by someone behind him who asked, ¡°Need a lift?¡± He turned to see Votaar on horseback with another horse in tow. Wrecker smiled and said, ¡°That would be much appreciated Votaar. How goes it?¡± Votaar replied, ¡°Oh you know, wizard things here, stopping wars there, adventuring awaits. I will journey with you for a while until we reach the dwarven city of Karnidine, which we will begin searching for able bodied warriors to help along with our quest. I have not been up that way in much time but I will be a welcome sight, and an always welcome one. Now, mount up and let¡¯s be off.¡± Wrecker mounted the horse and got comfortable and both he and Votaar headed off down the western road towards the Dwarves realm. It took them several days but they eventually reached the borders of the Elvish lands and entered the Dwarvish land. Votaar made a comment as they passed through the ruins of a walled town, ancient, ¡°This was a dwarven city once, one of their most prominent, they were at war with the elves, who eventually won their capital, this city, many years ago. This battle marked the lands each control, and was started by both sides not agreeing on how the land was to be used. The dwarves wanted to mine the mountain over yonder that you mistook for the one by your home. The elves who only partially controlled the are at the time said no, and well, war happened. They called it the Fifty Years War, which is funny as it only lasted ten but it felt like fifty as I was told by my father, who was a wizard before me, a Wandering as well. Wandering has been in my family since the wizard order was first created at the beginning of this world, eons and eons ago. I am around the seven-hundredth wandering wizard, and I hope I can keep the line going, with a son.¡±


    Wrecker asked, ¡°You passed down the power of magic through blood?¡± Votaar answered, ¡°No actually. Magic is like all other things, it is learned. I learned when my father was nearing the end of his life, I became a wandering wizard at only eleven when he passed it on to me. The other''s of my order have different traditions but we number nine, at all times, no more no less.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°What about other''s that learn magic, We had a few elves who came through our town who were apprenticing to be healers?¡± Votaar answered, ¡°They are separate from our order. We hold allegiance to no one and nothing except this world. We are the protectors of this world, only nine of us that is. That is why we listen to the animals and we hear trees singing in the forest, we are one with the world, and should it fall, so shall we. Anyone can learn magic, but we nine are holders of a purer, stronger magic. We use it for good, and some use it for terrible, terrible things. Especially Necromancers.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°What do they do that is so terrible?¡± Votaar answered, ¡°They raise the dead from their slumber to force them to commit horid acts such as murder, they are the lowest and most desperate of wizard wannabes.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°Can you control elements, like fire and water?¡± Votaar answered, ¡°Not me personally no. I only wield healing powers and minor things. I can start fires using magic and make bad water drinkable but I am stronger in healing than all else. In fact the only one better than me at healing is the leader of our order, who has been there for a very long time, since around the four-hundredth wandering wizard for a timeframe. He is, Boric the Wise, and he is the one who taught our current order all we know, and he continues to. He is only replaced when one from the order attains a pure enough soul and earns the right to use the Wise name. He actually was a Wandering wizard for a while until he gained that power, so I am his kin, but he does not favor any over another, he is called Wise for a reason.¡±


    They reached the Dwarven city of Karnidine within another several days. Votaar rode in front of Wrecker and motioned for him to stop as they approached the main gate. Wrecker stopped and Votaar rode on forward slowly, stopping when a dwarf yelled in dwarvish at him. Wrecker could not understand Dwarvish, so he could not tell what was going on. Votaar clearly knowing, and being very fluent in dwarvish spoke with the guard for a short time when the guard exclaimed, ¡°Groza!¡± the gate opened and Votaar motioned for Wrecker to ride up next to him. Wrecker asked Votaar, ¡°What did he say?¡± Votaar answered, ¡°They remember me, and welcome as always, let us continue.¡± Wrecker followed Votaar, they eventually reached a small hut in which they would be staying. Wrecker got off the horse which he tied to a post outside the house, Votaar did the same. Votaar and Wrecker were soon met by a dwarf clad in heavy armour, and a very intricate golden crown, Wrecker assumed it was their king and bowed. The dwarf looked at him, then looked towards Votaar said something and then burst out laughing and came up to Wrecker and hugged him, nearly crushing him. Votaar laughed and said more things to the dwarf who in fact was the King. The King and Votaar exchanged words and the King eventually walked off, Votaar motioned to Wrecker who was checking his spine wasn¡¯t broken which loosened another laugh from Votaar. Wrecker followed Votaar and the dwarf to a large tavern, the king motioned towards it and walked away towards the center of the city. Votaar said, ¡°This is where we begin to recruit those to our cause, if you¡¯re wondering why dwarves don¡¯t speak common tongue it is because they have not been exposed to it, man is still new to this land compared to the dwarves and elves. That was King Barik by the way, he is a jolly fellow, perhaps to much at times though as you found out earlier.¡±


    They entered the tavern which was called something in dwarvish which Wrecker did not know, he felt as though he should know, he wanted to learn, he would ask Votaar after they found worthy candidates to help in their quest. Wrecker went to a corner table and let Votaar talk his way around and try to convince some to join their cause when King Barik walked in and made his way over to Wrecker. Barik motioned for him to stay sitting and he did, Barik pulled up a chair and asked in common tongue, ¡°What brings you and the wizard here?¡± Wrecker began, ¡°We have an Orc problem, and we need blades to fix it.¡± Barik said, ¡°Orcs hmm? We are not warmongers here¡­.¡± He was interrupted by several loud crashes behind him. Both Barik and Wrecker looked to see several dwarves in a drunken brawl. Wrecker asked, ¡°You sure they follow the same rules?¡± Barik said, ¡°We only fight amongst ourselves and the Elves, we do not touch the Orcs. Their numbers in this region far outweigh ours. Our ancestors were forced to abandon our capitol because of the Orcs, a very bloody war in which the elves watched our people suffer. We only found solace in the mountains, and in this place. I do not wish to bore you about mine people and our history history, where do you come from human?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I come from a village in the East which is, or was, one of the largest settlements we had outside of our capitol on the coast. Orcs attacked us, I was the only survivor thanks to the wizard, I saw my family die, and I would march on the Orcs alone if the wizard wasn¡¯t keeping me at heel. I will do this, with or without your help. You must ask yourself, will I do what the Elves did to my people, will I sit by and not help. You have the power to help me start a retaliation, something the Orcs will not see coming. We can drive them from your lands, and you can regain the lands your kin were forced from¡­...So what say you?¡± Barik stood up, called for Votaar and when the wizard got over to the table he said, ¡°I will give you some of mine finest warriors, the Ironclad. I will not forsake you as the Elves forsook mine people. Come Wrecker, Votaar, I will bring you to them.¡±


    Barik led them to his keep, taking them deeper than any stranger had been before, right to where his elite guard, the Ironclad stood guard. As he approached the Ironclad saluted and yelled something in Dwarven. Barik saluted back and repeated the same words. Barik barked a few more orders and several of the Ironclad marched off. Votaar said to Wrecker, ¡°They are going to fetch their strongest warrior. Be ready, he can be brutish very often and he is very rude to anyone not a Dwarf, moreso to Orcs which works in our favour.¡± As the Ironclad soldiers returned there was the sound of a third, heavier, dwarf behind them. Barik started towards him, smiling and laughing with arms wide, the two Ironclads leading the third parted and went back to their posts. Barik and the Ironclad embraced and Votaar mentioned to Wrecker, ¡°They are brothers.¡± It took Barik a while before getting to what Wrecker and Votaar needed to hear. Barik said, ¡°I am entrusting mine greatest warrior, and mine own brother, to the both of you. Do not anger him or you may not like what he does to you. Gornik, meet Votaar the Wandering and Wrecker. Votaar and Wrecker, meet Gornik the Ironclad Elite Commander.¡± Votaar said something in Dwarven and Wrecker said after he did, ¡°It will be an honor to fight alongside you.¡± Gornik looked at Votaar and Wrecker, then to Barik. Barik said something in Dwarvish, Gornik smiled laughed and embraced both Wrecker and Votaar pulling them in close and very hard. As Barik bid them farewell on their journey, mixed with threats about Gornik getting killed and a little deal he had made with him many years back. Votaar said goodbye as did Wrecker who bowed, not really knowing Dwarven customs. Barik walked in close and bear hugged Wrecker, and he did the same with Votaar and Gornik again. The three of them left the Dwarven city, heading towards an Elven city near where the Dwarves previous capitol had been, Votaar had an idea. Barik bid them safe travels, yelling from the gate, and they set off down the long winding road.

 CHAPTER II: Heated Exchange

    As they entered the elves land Votaar and Gornik were in deep conversation, Wrecker was bringing up the rear, looking through the trees and he felt at unease for a reason he could not explain. He rode up to Votaar and Gornik and interrupted their conversation, ¡°Votaar, I feel something is off. I cannot place it but there is something, we are not alone.¡± Votaar looked around and he said, ¡°I can feel it too, let us make haste to the city.¡± Votaar said something in Dwarven and Gornik looked around searching the trees, they stopped looking and sped off down the road towards the city. As They raced towards the city Votaar looked at the path behind which was becoming flooded with orcs. He yelled, ¡°Orcs! We must reach the city.¡± He pulled some pine cones off of trees as they rode, he muttered spells to them igniting them, and he threw them behind him blocking off the road. He yelled again, ¡°That will buy us some time but not much.¡± Wrecker looked ahead and saw the Elven gate. He said, ¡°The gate is ahead, its open!¡± Votaar looked ahead and muttered something to himself. They burst through the open gate and were met by many Orcs. Votaar immediately jumped off of his horse and sent groups of Orcs flying. He shouted in Dwarven and Gornik jumped off of his horse and unsheathed his axes. Wrecker got off his horse and took hold of his sword. They stood back to back and fought off the Orcs for as long as they could. Votaar yelled during the combat, ¡°We must escape the city. The Elves have long since been removed from here.¡± Gornik was busy off on the rooftops of one building casually throwing orcs like oversized toys, screaming, off of them. Wrecker was below taking out those orcs who tried to get to Gornik from below and those that survived the fall from the roof. Votaar, being a wizard, meant he could handle a great many things. He was in the middle of the courtyard which they first arrived in, throwing magic around like a fat king does food during his lunch time. Votaar sent out a shockwave across the courtyard dazing all around him, he used this as an opportunity to call on other''s from his order. On the ground he placed a rune with his staff, muttering a few words it sent a column of light shooting into the sky. Votaar knew that his order would respond, as well as more orcs which is why he hoped they arrived soon.


    Gornik was busy bashing skulls in on the roof when he was hit from behind by what Wrecker thought was a massive Orc, when in fact it was a giant. Votaar yelled at Wrecker from across the courtyard while still fighting, ¡°Hold for a little longer, and keep moving they are terribly slow and hit very hard.¡± Wrecker looked back at the towering beast, he helped Gornik get up, who was down to one axe the other he shattered the handle to while cleaving Orcs. they looked at each other smiled and Gornik let out a laugh both hearty and bloodthirsty, Wrecker did the same. They moved on the giant at the same time moving fast and not straying in one place too long lest they would want to be crushed like ants under a foot. They worked on slashing the giants legs, hoping to bring it down. Halfway through the fight Gornik noticed Wrecker was gone, not wanting to get caught by the giant he continued to cleave at the behemoths legs. Wrecker was busy on the roof which Gornik was on that was located behind the giant. He got a running start and leapt from the roof, sword in hand, and he drove the sword through the giants neck down out through his chest. He clung to the sword as the giant fell forwards, not really thinking this far ahead he hoped it fell forward which luckily for him it did. He and Gornik managed to pull the blade out of the giants carcass and they ran to Votaar in the courtyard. They stood back to back in a triangular formation so they could watch all sides. Votaar said to Wrecker, ¡°I have called for reinforcements, you will know when they arrive.¡± He said the same in Dwarven then muttered to himself, ¡®I need to teach Wrecker Dwarven or Gornik Common tongue soon, this is tiring saying the same things twice.¡¯


    He his thoughts were interrupted by several blinding flashes of light sent out across the city ruins. Wrecker and Gornik looked towards the source and they saw a robed figure standing in the middle of a group of Orcs. With the movement of a hand the Orcs were sent flying, the wizard took his staff and twirled it, it eventually burst into flames and then he started to fling fire at the Orcs. The Orcs started to panic with Votaar, Wrecker, and Gornik taking advantage of this and aiding in there drive off. Wrecker stopped fighting for a short time to watch the wizard who wielded fire. He was very interested in this, his warrior side was coming back stronger and stronger everyday, his thirst for blood, and his love for fire burned strong. He made his way towards Votaar cleaving Orcs out of the way and he eventually made it to him. Wrecker asked over the noise of battle, ¡°Can you teach me how to create fire?¡± Votaar said back to him, ¡°Don¡¯t be silly, it takes time that you do not have to learn and it is restricted to wizards only.¡± Wrecker grunted in disappointment and went back to fighting. As the battle drove on the Orcs seemed to be endless, then several more flashes went out, more Wizards had appeared. The battle was intense and was near victory when a horn bellowed out over the ruins and the fields around. They looked out to the source and saw a warband of Orcs, Wrecker remembered them as the same Orcs that attacked his village. He ran over to Votaar and said, ¡°Those are the same Orcs that attacked my village.¡± Votaar cursed under his breath, he muttered a spell that created fire from various items, and Votaar cast them towards the advancing horde. Wrecker had heard the spell, and he repeated it over and over again in his mind, hoping that he could learn how to actually use it.


    Votaar met with the other wizards and asked when all but one were there, ¡°Where is Kraan, did he not get the message?¡± The wizard whom controlled fire said, ¡°He was busy in the lands to the North, something about a Dwarven city that mined a bit too deep into the volcanic lands and found something, he should be here soon. I was with him but when the signal went up He told me to go and send another when he was needed.¡± Votaar replied, ¡°Well Hevaar, we need him now.¡± The wizards grouped up and sent a singular, multicolored beam of light into the sky and within seconds the sky filled with heavy clouds and thunder rattled. The clouds amassed and it began to rain, lightning shattered the horizon and the Orc warband marched on the ruined city. The wizards got into formation at various places around the town, Votaar and two other wizards took up the western section of town, Hevaar, Wrecker, and Gornik took the central square and the other four wizards spread out over the rear of the city. Wrecker said to Hevaar, ¡°Votaar saved my life after these Orcs killed my entire village¡­.¡± Now looking at him he continued, ¡°....I wish to learn the power to wield fire, they fear it, and I want them to pay.¡± Hevaar responded, ¡°To be a wizard of fire is a constant battle. In order to control the fire you must be the fire. I have many times fell victim to the anger that comes, the hate that burns alongside the flames. Fire is not a nice magic, nor is it easy to control. You must not use too much, or it will rage out of control, and too little it will be ineffective. If you truly wish to learn, after this battle I will teach you how to control a flame, before you can create you must understand¡­.¡± Hevaar looked at the approaching Orcs and said to Wrecker, ¡°....So these orcs killed your people? Let''s make them regret that shall we?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Let''s.¡±


    As soon as the Orcs stormed into the ruins, the storm picked up. The wind grew, blowing nearly all over with its strength. Wrecker looked up at the sky and saw a funnel begin to form, the wind continued to pick up but Wrecker felt it die down, as did the wizards and Gornik. The Orcs however were being tossed around by the wind. As soon as the funnel touched the ground lightning started to erupt from it, striking and incinerating many Orcs. The funnels color changed as it filled with lightning, and it grew and grew with intensity. Suddenly the funnel disappeared, showing only a stream of lightning raining down sending bolts in every direction. Once the Orcs got their bearings they were in awe at the sight. Within a split second the pillar of lightning disappeared then a single bolt raced down and struck the ground sending a shockwave which instantly ripped the Orc warband to pieces. Where Wrecker was standing he could see the shockwave sent out a devastating blow to every house within the ruins, crumbling and destroying them. He wondered why he had not been hit by it when the wizards were deep in concentration. The wizards put up a protective barrier around themselves, Wrecker and Gornik so they would not be harmed. Wrecker looked at where the bolt hit, a crater was left and in it stood another wizard. Wrecker looked around, no Orcs were left standing and the wizards walked together and started to talk. Wrecker and Gornik looked around the ruined rubble of the battle scene and found not a single living Orc.


    Wrecker approached the wizards and said, ¡°Thank you all for your assistance, I do not think we would¡¯ve lived without it.¡± Wrecker was approached by the head of their order, Kraan the Keeper and he said, ¡°You showed great strength warrior. Votaar has told us of your want for revenge and as I was told this warband was of the same Orcs that first attacked your village were they not?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Yes they were.¡± Kraan said, ¡°Good to know, I¡¯ll pass that on¡­.¡±He paused looking around the rubble of the ruins and said, ¡°....This city used to be beautiful, I wonder when the Orcs came. Anyway, Wrecker, Hevaar told me you wish to learn the art of pyromancy, is this true?¡± Wrecker replied, ¡°Yes it is.¡± Kraan asked, ¡°Why do you wish to learn this art?¡± Wrecker replied, ¡°I want revenge for what these Orcs have done. I want to make them pay, I want them to see how it feels when their world burns away in front of them, and see how they like it.¡± Kraan looked back at the wizards then back to Wrecker and said, ¡°This is not the reason that I feel when I look at you. There is something about you Wrecker that I cannot place, something deep, hidden, powerful. Hevaar will teach you the ways of pyromancy, but should you not be able to control it, you will cease your training permanently. Do you understand this?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Yes.¡± Kraan said, ¡°Good. Hevaar, come we have a job to finish.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°When do I begin my training?¡± Kraan replied, ¡°You are going to come with us I think, Votaar and you others get back to the Dwarven city with King Barik and wait for our return, tell them of the Orcs crimes and have them send for the Elven cities around, they must pay for destroying Loth¡¯ Elania. Now Wrecker, take my arm.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°Why?¡± Hevaar said with a smile, ¡°You¡¯ll be going for a ride.¡±The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Wrecker took Kraan by the arm and was instantly teleported. As they arrived at their location Wrecker convulsed several times, Kraan said, ¡°It¡¯s always rough the first couple times but you get used to it, that is a power only the Wizard Order can have as well. Now get yourself together, we have to go spelunking into a Dwarven mine to see what they found.¡± Wrecker brought himself together and flinched as Hevaar appeared by teleportation. Wrecker gave a slight smile and stood, Hevaar laughed and followed Kraan with Wrecker bringing up the rear. Hevaar spoke to Wrecker almost the entire walk through the Dwarven city which had very little Dwarves in it and those that were had been clad in armour. He spoke of how it felt to control a flame and how to do it, they reached several fires and Hevaar said, ¡°First lesson, feel the flame.¡± Hevaar sat on the ground and motioned for Wrecker to do the same. When Wrecker sat down Hevaar said, ¡°Close your eyes and feel the heat from the flame. Think of it now not as heat, but as a sword. This sword you must learn to wield. Take the blade by the pommel and practice a discipline. Tilt the blade to the left first, then to the right. Lift the blade above your head, and drop the blade below your waist¡­¡± Hevaar opened his eyes and kept speaking, ¡°¡­Do a slash with the blade going left to right¡­¡± As Wrecker did so in his mind, the flame followed. Hevaar looked at Kraan with a both fearful and hopeful look. Kraan motioned to stop and Hevaar said, ¡°Now slowly sheath the sword.¡± Wrecker, in his mind, sheathed the sword and he felt a change. He opened his eyes and saw the fire was out and he asked, ¡°Did I do that?¡± Kraan said, ¡°Yes you did, you show great promise as this was your first lesson, you must practice this however until you can do it with you eyes open. That is when you may start to create it. Now let us continue on, the mine is just ahead.¡± Kraan started to walk away, Wrecker and Hevaar got up. Hevaar restarted the fire and followed after Kraan. Wrecker while following after him looked at the fire and thought, ¡®I am one step closer to my revenge, I will have it, I swear I will.¡¯ he the three of them reached the mouth of the mine and they started descending it. Wrecker asked after a while of walking, ¡°Why can¡¯t we just use that ability to get there very fast?¡± Kraan said, ¡°We may only use it to go to a place we have been before, wizards are all wandering in the early days of their jobs, only halfway through do we actually perform the tasks we are meant to, our predecessors then step down once we have been everywhere. So we cannot go where we have not been before.¡±


    Hevaar added in, ¡°We have visited every major city, but new ones pop up so often, and old ones fall, we cannot keep up so we stick to mainly normal traveling, much easier. Besides, who doesn¡¯t enjoy a long road to walk and let the mind be free.¡± Kraan laughed and said, ¡°Last time your mind was free you burnt a forest down.¡± Wrecker chuckled and Hevaar got a serious look on his face and said in his defense, ¡°That''s not funny, and it only happened once. It was forever ago as well, when I was still new to the control aspect which is why it is so important.¡± Kraan said, ¡°It was not that long ago Hevaar, you are still new to the control aspect, we all are. Not much further now.¡± as the approached the part of the mine they were searching for Wrecker looked around at the various mining equipment scattered around and they came to a large hole. Wrecker said when they first saw it, ¡°Looks like something tried to break through and get out.¡± Hevaar said, ¡°Indeed it does, but what could¡¯ve done that I wonder.¡± Kraan said, ¡°In the times before any race were here, at the start of our order the first wizards were actually Elementals, the very elements themselves. It is said they passed down their gift through offspring who were just as powerful as they were. They have long since disappeared however but they may still be deep within the rock of this world. For our sake, let us hope this is not the case, we would most likely be killed if the tales of their power are true. Now let us enter and take a look, at the first sign of any danger other than a cave dweller, run.¡±


    Wrecker nodded and followed the wizards through the hole. As they searched the system on the other side Wrecker noticed what appeared to be a bridge. He said, ¡°Kraan, Hevaar, I found a bridge.¡± When the two wizards arrived to look at the bridge that¡¯s what it clearly was, a bridge. Kraan said, ¡°Back that way I saw a path that led up but I¡¯m not sure how far it goes, Hevaar go find out, I will carry on with Wrecker here to find the origin of this disaster.¡± Hevaar nodded and walked off in the direction Kraan had said. Both Wrecker and Kraan were on alert, waiting for any sign of an ancient Elemental or any sign of a cause to the panic of the Dwarves. They reached what appeared to be an ancient staircase, which stretched down towards a black hulking mass of something they could only see the outline of. Wrecker said, ¡°This cave is massive, I wonder how long it has been here.¡± Kraan said, ¡°There is no knowing but I can feel something down that way, down the steps, it radiates with power, I think we found what caused the problem. They made their way down the steps, being very careful and both nearly falling to their death into chasms and rocky outcrops far below them. They reached the bottom of the stairs and were met by a massive set of stone doors littered with runes that Wrecker had no better understanding of than he had Dwarvish. Kraan looked at them and read through them saying as he saw them, ¡°These runes are those of my order, the very beginning of the order at least when wizards took over the duty, they say this is a vault, housing many things but it does not have specifics.¡±


    Wrecker said, ¡°Well, let''s go in and find out, might be a lot of gold who knows.¡± Kraan said, ¡°That is not likely but, we¡¯ll find out, I have not heard of this place before. None of my teachings told of this place but it dates towards the beginning, seems to be around the¡­.oh no.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Kraan said, ¡°This is a work of Shraag.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Shra- what?¡± Kraan looked at Wrecker and said, ¡°Shraag. He was Keeper during that order, like me. We only know him now as Shraag the Forsaken. His crimes are the reason why we have stressed control over magic, and why we sometimes fail to use it, always in fear of overusing it. Hevaar knows all too well about his little problem, but he is learning.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°So Shraag built this vault, then there must be something of importance here that he wanted to keep safe.¡± Kraan turned and opened the door while he said, ¡°Or something he wanted to keep hidden, like an Elemental.¡± They entered the ancient building and they made their way through the maze of a building. They eventually reached a large open room. Wrecker said, ¡°This room is huge, the building did not look this big on the outside.¡± Kraan said, ¡°Shraag is a master builder, he designed our towers before he fell, he also was a foreseer. He could see into the future and some say this is why he went mad, too many terrible things were to happen, he tried to kill all races but he was stopped. That was when we settled on only nine, before we had hundreds following the teachings of the Elementals, now we only have nine and it is passed down through blood, and if there is no kin to pass on to, they will stay until there is. Immortality is dull and you lose yourself in it, I understand that now which is why we try to pass it on within a timely manner.¡± As they made their way through the room Wrecker was busy eyeing a door with a weird looking lock on it while Kraan scoured the walls.


    The walls were covered in prophecies over the ages, Kraan noticed all of which had come true. Kraan said, ¡°He was a foreseer, these events have come true, down to the day and year. This is incredible.¡± He looked on and on when he came to more modern events. He saw a depiction of a village being attacked by savage beasts, and a single man surviving. Kraan took interest in this and he kept following this path. He saw a robed figure saving the man, and the man following him, it was indeed Wrecker. Kraan looked over at Wrecker and back at the wall. He was interrupted by a door opening. Wrecker said, ¡°I got the door opened, let''s keep moving.¡± Kraan looked at the bottom of this prophecy, seeing the same lone figure surrounded in fire and followed by a large lizard like creature with fire erupting from its jaws. Kraan got a sinking feeling but he walked away from the wall, the image still burning in his head like the fire pictured. Wrecker asked when Kraan got to the door, ¡°Find anything interesting?¡± Kraan said, ¡°Not particularly, just some weird coincidences. Shraag was indeed one thing, he was right about events up to this point.¡± Kraan looked at the lock on the door as they passed. He asked, ¡°How did you open the door, it has a lock.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I stuck my sword in it and pried around a bit, popped right open.¡± The sinking feeling in Kraans gut returned with Wrecker saying that. Kraan wondered, ¡®Was Wrecker the one in the prophecy, is this a mistake What is to happen?¡¯ His thoughts were disrupted by another door with yet another lock and runes above the door. Wrecker went to draw his sword when Kraan stopped him. Kraan read the runes aloud, ¡°First locked by blade, last locked by blood. Only the prophesized may enter and stay.¡± The hole in the lock was around the same as a hand and arm, Kraan said, ¡°It wants a sample of blood, of one prophesized on the wall.¡± Wrecker removed a gauntlet and said, ¡°Well, shall we try? If it doesn¡¯t work, I¡¯ll stick my blade in this one and try it again.¡± Kraan said, ¡°Let me go first, in case its a trap.¡± Wrecker nodded, Kraan rolled up a sleeve and he stuck his arm into the hole, he felt something sharp pierce his arm and he winced. He took his arm out of the hole, seeing two clear puncture marks on his arm, the door stayed closed.


    Wrecker said, ¡°My turn, looks like a serpent bite if you ask me.¡± Wrecker slowly put his hand into the hole which was elbow deep. Wrecker got his arm all the way in and felt the same piercing wound. He pulled his arm out, the door rumbled and started to glow around the edges. Kraan was thrown backwards, through the entire hallway and back into the main room. The first door slammed shut, and the one in front of Wrecker opened. Wrecker continued on, curious as to what his prophecy is. He walked down an extremely long hallway, with corridors pathing out in each direction. Above the paths there were many markings, in many different languages including Common Tongue. He was busy looking around when he saw a light emanating from one of the sidepaths far ahead. When he got to that path he looked above and he saw his name. He walked down the path and was met with a door that had writing around it, ¡°Only he may enter when the light hath been shone.¡± He pushed the door open and he entered a room. The room was small and it was circular. In the center stood a hooded figure, dressed in dark black flowing robes, with red accents all along the seams and the hood. The face of the figure could not be seen, but it knew Wrecker was there. Wrecker drew his sword and the figure said with a voice that rivaled the cold of winters as it was icy and seemed to bite into his ears like a cold wind. The figure said, ¡°Stay your blade warrior, you have a prize to gain.¡±

 CHAPTER III: Prophecy of Wyrms

    Wrecker sheathed his sword and asked, ¡°What prize?¡± The figure said, ¡°the prize that begins you on your journey, for revenge. A tool if you will, from the one who first brought me here.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°Who might that have been?¡± The figure said, ¡°That matters little, he is long since dead by my duty remains, until all prophecies here are told, and all tools are given. You will have no need for that sword in fact, your prize awaits in the room behind me, go and take it. Use it, and get your revenge.¡± Wrecker walked around the outer edge of the room, staying far from the figure, who did not turn to keep watch on him. Wrecker reached the door, he opened it and saw floating in the middle of the room, which was engulfed in flames, a sword. The figure said, ¡°This sword, as I was told by Shraag, it is the Breath of Annor. I am also to tell you of the location of two Elementals of old, seek them out in the depths of the volcano, notably named Mount Shraag. There you will learn more, and you will gain a power beyond belief, and none will be able to withstand you. Wrecker concentrated, his eyes open, feeling the ebb and flow of the flames. He tuned the flames down, until they were choked out, and he walked to the sword and grabbed it. When he took the blade he felt a surge through him, his mind was cleared, he felt invigorated and powerful. He walked out of the room, he looked back into it and concentrated, he sent a shockwave of flame into the room, nearly tripling the amount that was in it originally. He was in awe at his ability when the figure said, ¡°Shraag said this sword enhances the ability to control and use fire, he wants you to be his tool, make the world pay for their betrayal, make them once again fear the fire.¡± Wrecker sheathed his new sword into his old scabbard, in which it fit perfectly and he went back to the main room. Before he left the room however the figure said one last thing, ¡°That sword was crafted from a dead Elemental, in the depths of Hell, its power has no rival.¡±


    Wrecker continued on back to Kraan who was busy pondering, and waiting to see if Wrecker would return. He heard the door rumble open and Wrecker appeared out of the dark corridor. Kraan asked, ¡°What did you see? What happened?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I didn¡¯t see much, I saw a hooded figure whose name I do not know, it told me some things about my current quest and then he gave me this sword. He drew the sword which seemed to glow red in the room. Kraan felt the power of the blade immediately and he asked, ¡°Did it say what the blade is made of?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°An Elemental of fire. It said it was made in Hell as well. I just know it looks flawless, and its balance is the best I have ever felt, better than elven swords even which I don¡¯t know how that''s possible even. Let us meet back up with Hevaar, There is nothing else that way, at least not for us.¡± as they left Wrecker looked over to the wall and saw a prophecy that interested him, Kraan knew which he was looking at, it is the same one he was looking at. They left the building and met back up with Hevaar who was just returning. Hevaar said, ¡°That is a way to the surface but it is riddled with Orcs, I would not advise to go that way.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Orcs you say, I feel like trying something out.¡± he drew his new sword and walked to the path leading to the surface. He stopped a little inside of the tunnel that winded up and he motioned for the wizards to join him. As Hevaar and Kraan approached Wrecker they could not see he was deep in concentration. When the got just behind him Wrecker loosed a torrent of flames into the tunnel with an intensity that took both Hevaar and Kraan time to recover from the sudden blast of heat. Hevaar watched while Kraan shielded himself from the heat. Wrecker laughed all the while as the flames tore through the tunnels, the entire cavern they were was lit by the flames that Wrecker was spewing.


    At the top of the tunnel a rather large group of Orcs were resting and preparing for an attack on the villages at the base of the mountain which the tunnel opened to. One of the sentries in the tunnel started to scream and the Orcs started to panic. They were too late as the flames sent by Wrecker blasted out of the opening and engulfed the entire camp and sent flares far out to where the villages around could see and they panicked. They rang their bells which called for the soldiers to take up arms and be prepared for battle. Wrecker dropped to all fours, sweat pouring, he was trying to catch his breath. He looked at the sword and said, ¡°This sword¡­...Was supposed to enhance fire magic¡­..I think it works hehehe.¡± Hevaar said, ¡°That flame, that is not natural flame. That is a chaotic flame not at all controllable. Be wary when you use that flame, you will not be able to control it.¡± Kraan said, ¡°I second that, be very careful when using that Wrecker, I do not like the power that blade gives.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Only for the vengeance on the Orcs, then I will lay it aside, and only then.¡± The three of them went back towards the Dwarven tunnels when something behind them shook the cavern. They looked around trying to find the source of it when Wrecker felt the blade vibrate and glow an even brighter red. They looked back towards the building where they saw a glow appearing, then over the staircase suddenly burst a mass of rock and magma. Kraan yelled, ¡°Elemental!!, RUN.¡± Both the Wizards took off to the Dwarven mines but Wrecker stood his ground.


    Wrecker paced around the behemoth that spout fire in all directions. Kraan and Hevaar turned when they reached the opening to the mine, to see Wrecker standing his ground. Hevaar went to rush to his aid when Kraan held a hand out. Hevaar said, ¡°He will die. Why stand and wait for it let''s save him.¡± Kraan said, ¡°No. He does not need our help, trust me. He has followed the path of the prophecy so far, this is another part of it. We will watch.¡± Hevaar struggled to not disobey Kraan but he stayed out of the battle. Wrecker was not afraid of this monstrosity that towered before him, he knew that if he had a prophecy, he would win this fight. He could feel the sword in his hand humming, it knew there was an Elemental near, he felt the sword place thoughts in his head. He was a little concerned that the blade could put thoughts into his head, it seemed to have a mission of its own and was in no way worried about him. He said in his mind as if trying to speak to the blade, ¡®I simply wish to gain my vengeance on the Orcs, nothing more than that.¡¯ he was answered by a wavering voice. A voice that flowed through him like the wind on an open field, ¡®You are the one at last. You shall gain your vengeance. You will not stop there either. Kill this traitor. Take his power for your own.¡¯ Wrecker tightened his grip on the sword and he slashed at the Elemental. When he swung the sword it spawned a flame on the blade which was sent racing towards the behemoth and slammed into it, reeling it back. Wrecker looked at the blade, smiled and swung repeatedly. He sent wave after wave of fire at the Elemental eventually knocking it down. The voice returned and said, ¡®I should introduce myself. I am Shraag the Forsaken. I sealed myself in this ancient blade. I have waited for you. You will bring about my vision of the world. You will do what I could not. I can share with you the secret. I can help you control the flame. Now end this beast.¡¯ Wrecker walked over the the Elemental who was trying to get to its feet. He walked around to its neck. He hacked until the head fell off, he turned to watch it roll down the stairs back towards the vault.


    As the Elementals body cooled and hardened into a solid stone Wrecker noticed a shining red gem within its chest. He hacked at it and eventually got it out which he managed before it turned to stone. He held the gem in his hand, the sword started to shake in his hand and the voice said, ¡®Wrap it in flame. Consume the power it gives. Learn our gift.¡¯ Wrecker concentrated and engulfed the gem in flames for several seconds. While he did so he felt the intensity of the flames grow and the area around him became scorched. Kraan and Hevaar shielded themselves from the heat and blinding light shone from the fire consuming the gem. Once the gem was gone Wrecker felt the power from it echo throughout himself. Kraan said to Hevaar, ¡°I fear that if his prophecy should continue to come true we are all in danger.¡± Hevaar asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡± Kraan answered, ¡°I saw what he is to become as it indeed is his prophecy. He will learn to control the flame, and that is what I truly fear above him not controlling it.¡± They both looked at Wrecker who was now walking towards them. Once Wrecker reached them he said, ¡°Let us continue on shall we. We have an army to amass.¡± The three of them left the mines and approached several dwarves who were standing guard outside. Kraan said the threat was taken care of but the mine needs to be sealed at the breach point and never opened again. He used his status as a wizard to get this done.


    Kraan said to Wrecker, ¡°I must ask about the sword, does it feel any different from a normal blade?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°No. It has a balance that far outmatches that of an elven blade seems to be infinitely sharp and hums with an energy that I cannot explain.¡± Kraan said, ¡°How about what you took out of the Elemental? What was that?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°It was some sort of gem. I¡­¡± he was interrupted by the voice which said, ¡®Do not tell of my role. Should they find I am here they will destroy the blade. Say it was a gut feeling. Say you were compelled by something to do it.¡¯ ¡°...I felt compelled to by something, something in my gut.¡± Kraan grunted and said, ¡°Do not let it happen often or it may consume you. You are in possession of a terrible weapon, use it for good or we will have a problem. Understand?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I understand.¡± Kraan said, ¡°Good, now let''s get back to the Dwarven city. You have a quest to return to.¡± Kraan teleported them back to the Dwarven city where they were greeted by Barik and Votaar.


    Votaar upon seeing Wrecker with a new sword at his side and feeling its power said, ¡°Where did you find that?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I think Kraan should explain, he is in more of a position to than I.¡± As Kraan and Votaar talked off in the distance away from everyone Hevaar and Wrecker were busy inspecting the blade. They looked over the blade with intensity and very carefully. Wrecker came upon runes carved into the blade when he put the blade into flames. He said, ¡°What magic is this, letters that show when revealed to fire¡­¡­¡± he yelled across the courtyard, ¡°....Kraan, Votaar, come here for a moment.¡± the wizards approached and saw the runes on the blade and Wrecker asked, ¡°Can either of you read them?¡± Votaar said, ¡°No, I have not seen that before, Kraan?¡± Kraan waited for a moment, he could read them, he was fearful of the words etched into the blade, he said, ¡°No, I cannot. I do not know who can either, these runes are not of this world I know that much.¡± Kraan lied to them. The runes burned a word into his mind, he needed to keep a close eye on Wrecker. The word was, ¡®Consume¡¯, when Wrecker turned the blade over another word was shown, ¡®Conquer¡¯ Kraan said, ¡°Votaar, stick with Wrecker a little longer, my task for you can wait. Keep an eye on him and make sure he is helped in his quest. I will return in ten days time, signal where you are at the time and I will arrive shortly thereafter.¡± With no explanation Kraan teleported away, Hevaar looked around and asked, ¡°What am I supposed to be doing?¡± Votaar said, ¡°I guess you will travel with us then, unless you have somewhere more important to be?¡± Hevaar said, ¡°Not really, so let''s get going shall we?¡± Votaar asked, ¡°Wrecker are you ready?¡± Wrecker who was enthralled by the sword snapped out of it and said, ¡°Yeah, I¡¯m ready. Where to next Votaar?¡± Votaar said, ¡°East.¡±This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    Kraan toiled and searched for hours in the vast archives of his tower. He searched for anything he could find that would tell him, show him, what he could do to stop what was to come. He came to a section of the archive which those before him swore to never enter, it was the section of which was collected by Shraag. Kraan said aloud, knowing his predecessors were listening, ¡°Forgive me my forbearers, trying times are ahead and there must be an answer somewhere here.¡± Kraan slowly removed the enchantment on the gate blocking the way in, all the while the inscripted words on the gate glowed fiery red. This reminded him of the runes within the temple, the same fiery red glow emanated from them. This also reminded him of how they sealed Shraag¡¯s archive, they used his magic to do so, his foul magic. Kraan became panicked and once the enchantment was gone he rushed in and started his search for something. He did not know what he was looking for but he did know the feeling it would bring him when he did, dread.


    Votaar and the other three came racing over the hills and plains that separated them from their destination. Votaar said to them, ¡°Not far off now, another three days and we will reach where we are going.¡± Wrecker asked Votaar, ¡°Where is that exactly?¡± Votaar said, ¡°It¡¯s a surprise, you will know why when you see it¡­..¡± Votaar now directed at the group, ¡°....Let us rest here for the day, we will need it for the next leg of the journey. It is far more treacherous and deceiving than the lands we just traveled.¡± After they stopped and rested for a while Wrecker and Hevaar were busy messing with the campfire when they heard thunderous clashes in the distance. They both looked around and Votaar arose from his meditation looking towards the mountains. Gornik asked in a really terrible form of common tongue, ¡°What is loud?¡± Votaar had been teaching him common tongue and Dwarves aren¡¯t the fastest learners. Votaar said ¡°They are the giants of the mountains, they toss each other around for fun, all we need hope is they don''t throw something.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°Why not?¡± Votaar laughed and pointed at a massive boulder to the left of their camp and said, ¡°That''s how that got there.¡± Wrecker looked at the boulder and back to the mountains, watching as through the clouds he could see the giants and occasionally he saw boulders being thrown over. He was about to look away when one of the giants was sent over the line of mountains, Votaar and Hevaar stood up immediately and walked in between the camp and the mountains. The giant got to its feet and clambered back over the mountain, Kraan and Hevaar calmed down and they lowered their guard. Votaar said, ¡°I will take the first watch get some rest, the giants are tireless this time of year.¡±


    Kraan had been looking for hours in the archives of Shraag and he had found several books hinting at what might be to come, one was the personal account of Shraag. This particular book was on a podium with an inscription carved into it. The inscription read, ¡°Only one who will betray shall open.¡± Kraan thought little of this and he went to pick up the book which at first he could not, then the book slowly gave way and he searched it for the answer. He found from Shraag¡¯s travels that he found two Elementals in the volcanic lands to the north, and he trapped them somehow. Also that he took a sword he found deep within those lands and used from his position to slowly steal and seal away into the blade the heart gems of the Elementals. This sword was drawn in the journal along with a name, The Breath of Annor. Kraan was aghast, Shraag had stolen the Breath of Annor. The blade was an ancient artifact created by the first of the Flamewreathed of his order, which is what Hevaar is currently. This blade was imbued with great power and was placed under the protection of thousands of soldiers. Shraag took the blade and imbued chaotic power into it, too much power for one to have. This was when Kraan reached the part about the two Elementals.


    He read the details about them and why Shraag was so interested in them being kept when he found it. He read from the journal, ¡®In regards to the Elementals, they are no normal Elementals, they are Apex''s, stronger, full of more power, and the only two that have ever existed. Whomever wields the blade when it is found shall be told of their location, and the means to control their power and make this world pay for what it will soon become should this not be done. Sometimes I wonder if my order will remember what I have done, what I have discovered for them. They are too blind to the truth they cannot see that they bring about their own doom with every choice they make. This prophecy that I call, Prophecy of Wyrms, will shake this world, it will cleanse this world in the only thing able, flames. To any who read this know, I did what I did for the world, not for the Order, not for the people, for the world which our oath binds us to protect. Hate me, love me, matters little when I¡¯m long dead. Be ready for what is to come, you shall not survive it.¡¯ Kraan closed the book, his thoughts racing, many questions, too many, none of which he had the answers to. He was preparing to leave when he heard whispers coming from the corner of the archive. He looked to the corner and only saw a statue of a cloaked man, with the same features as Wrecker had mentioned. Kraan studied it for a little while then left the archive, sealing it with an enchantment once again. He needed to find the Elementals first, and he needed to hurry.


    Votaar woke them at dawn, a few hours after the giants brawl. Gornik went to sleep seconds after being awoke which Votaar replied to by bellowing his horn via magic into his ear causing him to leap awake and to his feet. They all laughed but Gornik who cursed under his breath and said, ¡°Not laugh to Gornik.¡± Votaar said, ¡°We have a three days ride ahead, best get ready we will leave soon¡­¡± now directed at Hevaar, ¡°....Go on ahead and tell them of our coming, make sure arrangements are ready when we arrive.¡± Hevaar said, ¡°Will do Votaar.¡± Hevaar teleported out and Wrecker asked, ¡°Why can¡¯t we just teleport in like that?¡± Votaar said, ¡°Well to be honest I cannot. I am a wandering wizard, it is in my name to wonder and not simply arrive. I cannot be taken along either, besides. Who doesn¡¯t like a little adventure every now and then?¡± Wrecker scoffed and said, ¡°Yeah well, I¡¯m not getting any younger here so let us make haste. We have vengeance to sow.¡± The three mounted up and set out on their way towards the city which Votaar described very little of to either Gornik or Wrecker so they were both unexpecting. They rode fast and hard resting only when Votaar said and rising when Votaar woke them.


    Votaar said, ¡°This is the last leg of the journey, it will be the hardest as well. Follow me closely and do not follow the wrong path.¡± They reached a wide open area which Votaar had been talking about, Wrecker was confused by the amount of paths there were to take, more than he could count. Votaar said, ¡°Welcome to the device of King Perithius, this was made to deter any advancing army onto his land, only a few know how to get through without deterring around the mountains and taking tenfold the time to get past. You stray to far from me and you will most likely be lost, fall off into an abyss or simply never be seen again. Is that clear?¡± Wrecker and Gornik both said yes and they followed closely to Votaar as he led them down the right path. Wrecker noticed that there were stones placed at each place Votaar stopped them at, and he asked, ¡°Are we following the stones Votaar?¡± Votaar replied, ¡°No, that is what many think, and many die trying to pass. We are following one of many different ways across, one I spent many hours trying to figure out. It is also the fastest way across. Careful ahead, it gets tricky at the bend.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°Where are all the dangerous things you were talking about?¡± Votaar said, ¡°King Perithius was a man of knowledge, he also was devious and a trickster. He had commissioned seven hundred wizards to create this puzzle, also to hide the traps until it was too late...¡± as he finished that they came up on the bend when slanted down like they were on the inside of an upside down cone. Wrecker looked towards the center and saw an abyss which he did not want to go anywhere near, he could see littered all the way down corpses of those unfortunate enough to fall prey to the tricks of this ¡®puzzle¡¯.


    Votaar continued one they were past, ¡°...King Perithius was also very paranoid and not very trusting, so once it was done he hired an evil wizard. This wizard took an oath never to betray him and changed the order of the maze. The King forced the wizards to walk it, all of them perished at their creation and King Perithius was not thought of so kindly after that. His city is where we are heading, it is his city in which you will find your army. Perithius had also built a trial system which he would use to find worthy successors to the throne, anyone could try but failure meant death. This is where King Fervius came into play. Fervius was the first to pass the trial. He was also, secretly, the very same wizard that had changed the path maze. He cheated the trials and when confronted by King Perithius he killed him and took his crown for his own. When our order learned of this we sent our strongest to dethrone him but he used Perithius¡¯s own defences against us, we lost half our order taking him out of power. King Fervius and Shraag the Forsaken are the reasons there are only nine of us in our order now, so things like that do not happen. Of course there are ways to learn what we have, it is very hard and they are very scarce. That is why I implore you, be wary of the power that blade possesses, it is not natural and is in many ways considered evil by our order.¡±


    Wrecker asked, ¡°Why is it thought, wouldn¡¯t all forms of power have their place?¡± Votaar said, ¡°All natural forms yes. It is when the magic goes against nature itself and forces it to do evil and be chaotic. Whoever made that blade clearly was powerful, it emanates the power of an immensely powerful wizard and it still feels as though the wizard is around an-....¡± Votaar¡¯s voice was drowned out by Shraag in Wreckers head and he said, ¡®Votaar is as a true wizard should be, he understands but he is still against us. Do not tell him of me, he already suspects I am here, but he does not know it is me, once he finds out however is when the problem arises. Kraan has already found my secret, you must reach the Elementals before him, or you will have to kill him.¡¯ Shraag¡¯s voice faded and Wrecker could hear Votaar again, ¡°...So you see why it is important that magic stay natural?¡± Wrecker said ¡°Yes, of course, I will only use this for my revenge as I have said before, then I will get rid of it.¡± Votaar said, ¡°It is not enough to simply get rid of it, you must destroy it where it was made, do you have any clue as to where it was crafted?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°The volcanic lands to the north was mentioned in the swords history, no name of the creator, or place exactly, just the volcanic lands.¡± Shraag whispered within his head, ¡®Yesss. You learn well the crafts of trickery. He suspects nothing.¡¯ Votaar thought a moment at that and asked, ¡°The volcanic lands, are you sure?¡± Wrecker nodded and Votaar said, ¡°Those lands are treacherous, I wonder who could¡¯ve made it there¡­..Alas! The way out.¡± They reached the end of the maze and entered a small valley which wound back and forth and rose up and down. Votaar said, ¡°Not far now, the city is around this next bend.¡±

 CHAPTER IV: The City of King Perithius

    They made their way through a small valley that wound tightly around, it eventually gave way to a large open field which stretched as far as the eye could see and standing defiant and strong against the open fields lied the city of Perithium. Votaar said as the city came into view, ¡°This is the kingdom of King Perithius, the city of Peritium, which was named far after the King¡¯s death. The original name is lost to us but there is no city greater or more reputable in all the land. Let us enter, so you can see the history of man¡¯s greatest bastion as of yet.¡± Wrecker was admiring the city from the long distance when Shraag¡¯s shrill voice pierced his ears again and said, ¡®This city is famous. Almost as famous as me. The city of Ardour. This used to be my home. I smell the putrid filth from here. What have they done to it?¡¯ Wrecker mulled the name over in his head, Ardour, it sounded oddly familiar to him for some reason when Shraag said, ¡®You are special. Your mind is much more powerful than I thought. You know this city as well Wrecker? Your mind is familiar to me. I was court wizard to Perithius before his fall. The only one he trusted as well. Then I became head of the order and well you know the rest. Your mind is old, very old.¡¯ Shraag mumbled to himself for a long while, the entire time they three made their way to the city gates which were flung wide open. They were greeted by an envoy sent by the current King which Votaar frowned at his name, Wrecker guessed because he did not know this King.


    Votaar whispered to Wrecker as they dismounted their horses, ¡°This King is the son of the last, he is not very receptive but his father owed me his life, I shall see what I can do for an army.¡± Wrecker nodded and said, ¡°Gornik...¡± Gornik looked at him and Wrecker pointed to a tavern nearby. Gornik shouted and threw his arms up and ran towards the tavern, Wrecker followed and said to Votaar, ¡°You know where to find us, well, him at least.¡± Votaar nodded and followed the envoy into the keep. As Wrecker walked towards the tavern Shraag started to chuckle. Wrecker asked him within his head, ¡®What are you laughing about?¡¯ Shraag said, ¡®It is not time for you to find out, you will understand when you see it.¡¯ Wrecker asked, ¡®See what you foul snake?¡¯ He cursed under his breath as Shraags laughs faded and entered the tavern after Gornik unaware that Votaar watched the entire time. Votaar was curious as to why Wrecker was standing still, eyes closed, it was his job to be curious as well. A knight nudged Votaar continuing to lead him to the throne room, Votaar followed both anxious and wondering what Wrecker was doing. He felt Wrecker was hiding something, he would find out eventually, but now he needed to worry about the King.


    Kraan arrived at the place he really did not want to be any longer than he had to. Ash surrounded him, and it felt like a soft cushion beneath his feet, it was hot, very hot. He arrived at the volcanic lands in search of two Elementals of extreme age and power trapped somewhere. He started off on his journey careful of where he went, the lands were very unstable. Kraan teleported to the beginning of the lands and according to Shraags journal the Elementals lie in the tomb of Annor, as they are the guardians of it. The only problem was that they had been lost for ages and Kraan was no way better off than those before him to search for it, except Shraag. He wondered how Shraag had found it. After searching for several hours he came over one of the mountains and looked out over the lands. Just as he was about to give up his eyes scanned over an ancient structure many miles the the Northeast of where he was. He hoped this was what he was looking for and he started to make his way towards it when the mountain he was on began to rumble. The ground beneath him began to shake and crack, he saw through the crack a light begin to rise and his only thoughts were run. He rushed down the mountain straight towards the ruins. He knew he could outrun the flow of lava, but he could not outrun an eruption. He rushed towards the ruins which was the place he wanted to reach, he felt himself pass through a barrier of sorts and he started to slow down. He looked up and saw the rocks thrown from the eruption hitting a barrier that protected the ruins from the volcanic activity. He walked to the entrance of the ruins which was the Temple of Annor, and he entered in search of the Elementals.


    Gornik and Wrecker were busy having a good time in the tavern when a fight broke out. Gornik who was too drunk to be of any use went to the rear corner and passed out while Wrecker who didn¡¯t drink went to the same corner when someone grabbed the sword and pulled it lose from its scabbard. Wrecker turned to meet the person, it was a drunkard who was biting off more than he could chew, both literally and figuratively. The man held in one hand a sword that could level the entire city and in the other a partially munched on lamb leg. Wrecker grew angry when the man took his sword, his hands burst into flames causing all to look at him, he walked towards the man and said, ¡°Give. Me. The. Sword¡­..Now.¡± The man dropped the sword, it hovered in mid air for a second then slowly went back to its scabbard at Wreckers side. Wrecker quelled the flame at his hands and went to the corner beside Gornik who was still out, even through the noise. As soon as Wrecker sat down a mug was thrown and the fight resumed. It was broken up a few minutes later when soldiers burst in and stopped it. The soldiers approached Wrecker and Gornik in the corner and one of them said, ¡°The King requests your presence.¡± Wrecker rolled Gornik off the seat and he thudded on the ground and sprang up ready for a fight but calmed down almost immediately when he saw the guards. They both followed the soldiers to the keep and into the throne room where Votaar could be seen thinking by a window. Wrecker wondered what they spoke about, Votaar did not seem too happy either as far as Wrecker could tell.


    Wrecker and Gornik approached the King, they both offered a slight bow and the King returned the gesture. The King began, ¡°I am King Peruvius, your wizard friend told me of your quest, one of revenge, and that you request my Kingdom¡¯s help¡­.¡± He motioned for Gornik and Votaar to be removed from the throne room and they were escorted out. The King continued, ¡°....I am not like my father who even though he was in debt to the wizard, I am not. Why should I help you? Who are you to come and ask for an army to fight a war that is not ours to fight?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°My home, which lies in your lands at the far outskirts was destroyed, your people were attacked. Your father was indebted to a wizard of the order, the crown was indebted. This kingdom would not stand if not for that wizard so you are in debt to him. We came here in good spirit, and you show us hostility. That is no way for a king to treat his visitors, especially not one of his own people. I will march on the hordes of Orcs with or without your help, but your father made a deal that he could not complete in his lifetime, a debt not paid because of no need to until now. I call on behalf of Votaar, your kingdom¡¯s debt shall be paid should you help. You can sit by idly as I burn the Orcs to ash, but flames are uncontrollable, they may spread to nearby lands, as such is the beauty of war.¡± The King stood up and started to shout, ¡°You dare threaten me in my kingdom? You shall not be helped, great warrior or not.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°So you have heard of me?¡± The King said, ¡°Yes, I know the village of which you speak, it was one of the first set up, even before this city.¡± Wrecker smirked and asked, ¡°How about a duel then¡­.King?¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°There is no finer swordsman in the land than I, you stand no chance you whelp.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Then you have nothing to lose, I will need lent a sword however.¡± The King asked, ¡°What about the one at your side?¡± Wrecker chuckled, unsheathed the sword and it burst into flames almost immediately after exiting the scabbard which startled the King.


    The King motioned for one of his guards to offer their sword which he did. Wrecker said, ¡°Get Votaar and Gornik back in here, they will watch.¡± The King sent for guards to bring them back into the throne, Votaar was shaking his head and Gornik had no idea what was going on, he was still weary from the amount of grog he had earlier. The King said, ¡°You lose, your life becomes mine.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I win, your army becomes mine for the purpose of this quest.¡± Wrecker and the King went to engage when a sudden flash was sent out across the throne room. Votaar rushed over to the body of a wizard, the body of Kraan. Votaar asked, ¡°Kraan, what happened? Where did you go?¡± Kraan could not speak only mumble, the King saw an opportunity to strike and he swung his sword at Wrecker who was not looking at him. Wrecker turned to block it within the blink of an eye thanks to Shraag who whispered in his ear about the attack. Wrecker said, ¡°For a King that was an unhonorable strike, let''s see how well you move shall we.¡± Votaar took Kraan out of the room, closely followed by Gornik leaving Wrecker and the King to their duel. Wrecker went at a steady pace with his attacks on the King. He could tell the King trained hard but he was too prideful and that''s what he would use to beat him. Wrecker taunted the King, ¡°Are you not a King? How is a commoner outskilling you now? What a travesty you are.¡± The King became angry and at that point Wrecker had won. The King snarled, ¡°You are worthless you whelp, your punishment is now death.¡± The King swung to cleave his head off and Wrecker knew now that the King went too far and dishonored the Duelers Code. Wrecker said, ¡°By the Duelers Code I attain victory, now do not make me hurt you.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°You cannot hurt me, I am the heir to King Perithius, the founder of this Kingdom, I have the blood of a warrior.¡± Wrecker tossed aside the borrowed sword and drew his, blade bursting in flame which made Kraan sit up ignorant of his wounds. Kraan eyed the blade from through the open throne room door and whispered to Votaar, ¡°That blade needs to be destroyed now, it brings the end of what we know, it is Shraag.¡± Kraan passed out after he said that and Votaar panicked to keep him from dying.


    The King stepped back while Wrecker tightened his grip on the flaming blade. The King said, ¡°You have a magic blade?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°No, it is a cursed blade.¡± He rushed the King and pushed back slowly across the throne room all the way to his throne chair. Wrecker bludgeoned the King¡¯s sword to the point where it broke. He pointed the flaming blade at the King¡¯s throat and he said, ¡°Your army is mine to command, you will have it back when the Orc filth is destroyed. No exceptions.¡± The King kept moving back until he reached his chair which he sat in. The King said, ¡°You are a great warrior, a warrior shows restraint and you did not, you have dishonored the code, your demands are fals---¡± Wrecker cut him off moving the blade closer to him and said, ¡°My restraint is in not beheading you and taking your army by force, your lack of honor lost you the duel. Do not make me kill you.¡± Votaar rushed into the doorway and shouted, ¡°Take the offer King, he will not hold back, Wrecker come and help with Kraan, he¡¯s bleeding bad.¡± The King said grudgingly, ¡°Fine I yield, take my army.¡± Wrecker sheathed the sword and the flames died down and he made eye contact with the King who was startled. Wreckers eyes appeared like flickering flames, shifting and seeming to crackle.


    Wrecker rushed over to Kraan and asked, ¡°What can I do to help?¡± Votaar said, ¡°Use your blade to burn the wound, it will close it and stop the bleeding.¡± Wrecker asked while drawing the sword, ¡°Why not heal him with magic?¡± Votaar said, ¡°Something magical in nature did this, I cannot heal wounds caused by magic.¡± The swords flames were dulled down by Wrecker who only wanted the blade itself to be hot. The blade glowed red and Votaar said, ¡°Now slowly push it down on the wound making sure to cover it all, I will help.¡± With Votaar¡¯s help Wrecker closed up one by one Kraans wounds. Once it had been done Votaar thought back on what he said about Shraag being behind the sword, deeply concerned. Wrecker helped Votaar and Gornik carry Kraan to a nearby inn where they laid him down in a bed. Wrecker said, ¡°I will take the King¡¯s army and meet the Orcs, you two stay here with him and help in case of a counter attack once we leave. I will leave a couple battalions in addition to what is here now so there will be plenty of defenses. I do not need an army but I will use one in case I would have needed one, never know what could happen in war.¡± Votaar said, ¡°Use that blade with care Wrecker, I fear it is more dangerous than we realize.¡± Kraan struggled to get words out, ¡°Destroy it now, this battle will start the beginning.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°The beginning of what?¡± Kraan said, ¡°The end.¡± Kraan continued to rest, Wrecker and Votaar left him alone with Gornik to speak away from him.This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Wrecker asked, ¡°What does he mean by the end?¡± Votaar said, ¡°I do not know but I managed to get out of him where he was.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°Where was he?¡± Votaar answered, ¡°The volcanic lands to the North. He said he found a temple to on of our order, the first of the wizards of our order in fact. He said he was attacked by two monstrous entities trapped within and they were very angry. He also said something about Shraag.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°What about him?¡± Votaar looked at Kraan and back to Wrecker and said, ¡°He said Shraag stole that sword from that temple and imbued within it terrible power. If that indeed is the sword of the first of our order it was already strong before anything else was added to it, tell me, did the sword have a name?¡± Wrecker thought back to the moment he saw the sword, the black misty figure telling him the name. Wrecker said, ¡°No, I did not find a name for this blade, only a place within the Volcanic lands.¡± Votaar said, ¡°Stay away from that place then, there is something there far more dangerous than the blade, Shraag was deceitful and a master of trickery, tread carefully in case that blade is cursed.¡± Wrecker nodded and left Votaar and Gornik with Kraan. Shraag once again came and said, ¡®You learn well. You are a King by blood. You are a King by right. Take your army. Destroy the orc filth. Find the temple which the wanderer told you. That is where your destiny shall take you.¡¯ Wrecker said back, ¡®I only want to get revenge on those that killed my family and my people, nothing more. I gave up fighting long ago when I found that it only brought more fighting.¡¯ Shraag replied, ¡®Not when there is no one left to fight. Total devastation brings the greatest of peace. You will follow this path. It is your destiny warrior.¡¯


    Wrecker scoffed and continued out of the inn and back to the throne room where he confronted the King and said, ¡°I require your army now. Leave three battalions here the rest come with me.¡± The King spat, ¡°I have sufficient forces for defense take them all.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I do not need all of them. You will keep three battalions behind, a counterattack will no doubt happen when your entire force leaves for war. So get on it. I will wait at the furthest east bend of the river, make sure they get there, or I will not show mercy to anyone here.¡± Wrecker walked out of the keep and to the stables. He retrieved his horse and rode out to the easternmost bend of the river that lies just east of the city and he began to wait for his army. The forces arrived a couple hours later, they had to travel on foot the entire way. Wrecker inspected the battalions that were sent to him, all able bodied men, who were most likely going to die this day. He shouted across the fields, ¡°You are to follow my commands with no questions and no hesitation. You are going to war, death is a given. Should you live to tell your tale, remember those that fell. For those that fell are the reason you lived. Now, to WAR!¡± The army bashed their spears against their shields sending clashes out across the land, into the ears of an Orc scout who was busy watching the movements of the city. The Orc scout immediately rushed back to alert the camps of an incoming attack.


    As Wrecker and the army behind him came over a hill Wrecker could see the Orcs gathered below. He signaled a halt and for arches to ready arrows. He scanned the army of Orcs but he did not see the one he wanted, they did however bear the same mark as those that attacked his village did, so his revenge would be half and not exact. He scanned the army behind him, archers had arrows nocked, and he yelled, ¡°Let them fly.¡± He turned back around and started down the other side of the hill with arrows flying over him and he yelled, ¡°Infantry charge!¡± he was nearly halfway down the hill when the infantry started to join his advance towards the ranks of Orcs. The Orcs held their ranks in a phalanx formation with spears and shields at the ready. Wrecker was the first to meet the Orcs line, the horse he rode swiftly slammed into their frontal line and he was thrown from the saddle and the horse was killed. He stood and was surrounded by Orcs. He drew the sword at his side, the blade ignited in a deep red flame that caused the Orcs to back away and become scared. Wrecker did this as to distract their line from the oncoming army from the hill and that is exactly what happened. The Orcs line was caught unaware and was broken with ease from the oncoming army which they failed to guess to correct size to, it was smaller than they thought. The Orc commanders laughed at their feeble attempt to attack them with such a small force, this made them double their efforts and signal for the attackers to be surrounded and slowly beaten down. Their attention was caught by Wrecker whom they could clearly see wielding a flaming sword and decimating their forces. They thought little of him as they thought he was simply a court wizard, oh how wrong they were. Wrecker and the army continued to fight, seemingly for hours and hours when he saw in the midst of battle a single bird fly over head, towards the hill that they first came over. He looked back and saw Hevaar standing alone on the top of the hill and he smiled. He turned back to the battle and continued fighting, eventually making his way towards Hevaar.


    Hevaar said, ¡°I see the King allowed you use of his army, and it seems smaller than I remember.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I dueled the King for this army, he was dishonorable about it and I more or less forced it from him. The rest of the army is still in the city, I did not want to leave them totally defenseless, besides they have a wizard and a sword of immense power at their sides to attain victory. Let us return to the battle shall we?¡± Hevaar smirked and said, ¡°Yes we shall.¡± They both started down the hill and charged into battle. Wrecker started making his way to the commanders, Hevaar remained with the army and they redoubled their effort at his appearance. The Orc commanders saw Wrecker advancing towards them, alone, and through their elite ranks. They began to panic and fear loss when an Orc behind them barked in Orc tongue, ¡°This whelp shall not live to the morning, I will handle this.¡± The Orc pushed through the commanders and approached the battlefield. Wrecker was feeling the power of the blade fill every one of his strikes, he did not tire, he did not falter in either step nor swing, and he did not fail to kill any he hit with a strike. With everything he killed the blade seemed to hum and hum more as if it enjoyed killing, as if it gained more power, as if it was alive. The whole while the only thing Wrecker could hear was the maniacal laughing of Shraag, even over the noise of battle.


    Wrecker burst through the rear of their ranks and he was met with a single Orc standing in his way of the commanders. This Orc was large and boasted heavy armour and a large sword. Wrecker laughed at the sight of it as to try to anger the Orc, which he succeeded in doing. The Orc charged towards him faster than something of that size should be able to. Wrecker dodged out of the way and as he was turning to meet the Orc all he saw was a blade rushing towards him. He managed to duck out of the way and he delivered several slashing strikes to the Orcs legs with his flaming blade which did little to stagger the Orc. As the battle between them raged on, Hevaar looked over from his current engagement to see who Wrecker was fighting and he became panicked. Wrecker was most likely unaware that he was fighting one of the most dangerous Orcs that was responsible for the deaths of hundreds of warriors. As Hevaar was distracted a nearby Orc took advantage and slashed at him, catching him in the thigh dropping Hevaar to the ground. Hevaar shouted out, and he sent torrents of flame towards the Orc killing many Orcs behind him and even some allies. He knew he could not stay and fight with his current wounds so he teleported out. Wrecker looked over at the last second to see Hevaar teleport out and that''s when Shraag said, ¡®Now it is time, fully embrace the flame and your journey will begin. The one you seek revenge from is not here. He is in their capital. You must end these souls and gain your true power and then you will truly make them pay, and you will truly have your revenge.¡¯ Wrecker disengaged the Orc and he said to Shraag, ¡®Help me do it then.¡¯ Shraag replied, ¡®Gladly.¡¯ Wrecker focused on the blade, his mind began to flood with the intoxicating power the blade had, the flame on the blade grew hotter, and eventually grew a white flame so hot the armour of the Orc he was fighting started to melt to the Orc¡¯s body and scorch its skin.


    Wrecker let the power of the blade fill all of his being. Every ounce of him was radiating with the power of the blade. He closed his eyes and focused all the energy into the blade. He turned his grip around on the blade and he slammed it deep into the ground. As he did this he let loose torrents of fire so great the entire area of the battle was filled with flame. Wrecker looked up and saw the vast flames spread mercilessly through the battlefield, killing all Orcs and all of the army he brought. He pulled the sword from the ground which slowly went back to a deep red flame, the entire area around him was in flames and this was when he realized what the wizards meant about the terrible power of the blade. He himself was unscathed and to that he was confused to. Shraag answered his questions by saying, ¡®The blade only harms others not the wielder. It also makes all fires useless to you. You cannot be hurt by it. Now travel to the volcanic lands.¡¯ Wrecker said aloud as there were none left to hear him but Shraag, ¡°I do not know how to get there, I am not familiar with the lands to the North nor the marshes to the South. Can you help me get there?¡± Shraag laughed and said, ¡®Yes I can. Close your eyes and focus on the image I give you, focus only on that image.¡¯ Wrecker closed his eyes and saw an image show up of a temple. He focused every last part of his mind onto the image and did not stray from that focus. Seconds later he felt the air suddenly change and Shraag said, ¡®Open your eyes warrior. You have arrived.¡¯ Wrecker opened his eyes and the image he had within his head was the same as what he was looking at now. He looked around and saw volcanoes in every direction around him, erupting and shooting magma across the land.


    Wrecker entered the temple and looked around. Shraag all the while told him of the history of this place. Shraag began, ¡®In the beginning of time as Kraan has told you there were the Elementals who controlled what we call magic, they controlled the elements and supernatural forces of the world. When the first mortal wizards were crowned, there was one, Annor the Pyratic. He shares the same power source as Hevaar does, fire. Annor built this temple as his home, being more at peace with the fire and flames of which he drew his power from. Hevaar is nowhere near the power of Annor however, very far from it. Annor was the first to gain the power, he started the order, and he fell to the order. He became too strong and the other''s gathered massive armies to fight him, they eventually killed him after 50 years of war. That blade which you wield was and is the power of Annor. That blade which I acquired from this very temple which now lies as Annor¡¯s tomb. I unfuse the power of over a hundred Elementals into it, using his teachings which he left behind. I grew to become very powerful, and much like Annor, the order fought against me. Their armies blundered against my power, I refused to use the sword as your prophecy came from Annor. You see wizards in the beginning were not protectors of the world, they were protectors of themselves and they had no rules they were to follow. It was only after the first hundred or so orders came and went that rules became relevant, on command of the peoples. Anyway, it was Annor who told of your coming, long before anyone had a clue. He could see what the world was becoming, it was the one, and the only flame which he said needed be extinguished.¡¯


    Wrecker walked while Shraag explained the history of Annor, he walked by a large hallway which led down into a central structure. Wrecker stopped and admired the structure, it was built magnificently and its flawlessness had no equal. Shraag said, ¡®Ah yes, the Tomb of Annor. Do not be fooled by its magnificence, it was built in hatred. The walls around that room tell his story. This temple was guarded by two Elementals, which your friend Kraan had very much so found. He is very lucky not to be dead because these Elementals are stronger than other normal ones, they are Apex. They are two of four original Elementals of their kind, they were made when this world was made, and their power will allow you to get your revenge and finish what Annor and I tried to do but could not. As it is your destiny, you will come to know and love your power, you will do great things with it, very very powerful things. Once you absorb the Apex''s into the blade I will be no longer, as it is my destiny to die when they enter the blade. I am at terms with this plane, now I must face the harshness of the other.¡¯

 CHAPTER V: The beginning of the End

    Wrecker came to a door that had been sealed shut by magic, Shraag said it was Kraans doing and he undid the spell. The door opened slowly, ash and smoke poured out of the room and Shraag said while two glowing monstrosities approached Wrecker, ¡®Behold. The Apex Elementals of Fire.¡¯ The two Elementals burst out of the door and roared, Wrecker tightened his grip on the blade, the flame grew brighter and hotter. Wrecker and the Elementals stood a long ways apart, Wrecker looked at them and they at him. Suddenly one of the Elementals lashed out, hurling a ball of magma at Wrecker who managed to dodge it. Shraag said, ¡®You must take their hearts and consume them within the blade as you did before, with the one from the temple.¡¯ Wrecker scoffed and said back, ¡®Like its just that easy.¡¯ Shraag chuckled and said, ¡®It is with that blade and your skills. Let loose the flames buried within, bring Wrecker back. The true Wrecker oath or not. The revenge on the deaths of you family and your people can only be attained by him.¡¯ Wrecker sighed, he swore to never show that side of him again, but those he swore it to are dead. His mind faltered and he made a decision there and now. He would never love any other, he would never get close enough to get past names, he would make himself distant and alone for the sake of others. He would bring the true Wrecker back, but this time he did not think he would be able to stop at revenge, Wrecker was hungry for war, and war was plenty these days.


    He closed his eyes and concentrated on the promise he made, he whispered aloud, ¡°Forgive me for breaking this promise, but I shall have my revenge.¡± He opened his eyes and he once again felt the lust for blood and death consume him. On the surface he hated the feeling, but deep down, he knew it was who he truly was. Wrecker charged at the Apex''s, they swung at him with their massive magma covered arms, spraying it across the room but Wrecker dodged it all. He slid in between the legs of one of them and he cut off the left leg of one of the Elementals. The Elemental clambered around and eventually fell but was not dead. Wrecker ran to it and jumped onto its back, he drove the sword into it time and time again until the once bastion of magic was now only a pile of rubble and cooled magma. Wrecker bashed the heart out of the Elemental which was nearly four times as large as the first one he took out of the other Elemental, showing just how truly different they were. Shraag said, ¡®Engulf it in the flames and push it into the sword.¡¯ Wrecker engulfed the gem heart in flames, but he did not channel it into the blade. Something told him Shraag had more secrets about the blade than he let on, so he refused. Shraag cried out when he noticed what Wrecker was doing, ¡®You cannot! You must empower the sword or your life will end. No mortal can withstand the power of the heart of an Apex Elemental!¡¯ Wrecker laughed as the gem heart burned in his hand. He said shortly before the gem was fully absorbed by himself, ¡°I am no mere mortal. You forget this blade curses me, I cannot die by means of fire. Looks like you did not think that far ahead now did you wizard. I do not trust you, as now I feel more than just your soul within this blade, I feel your lifeforce and your power.


    ¡°You wanted to resurrect yourself and use me as your tool of destruction, but that plan has changed. You are mine now, and once I kill this next Apex, this blade will be my tool, and no longer be my curse.¡± Shraag cursed under his breath and he tried to resist Wrecker but it was too late for that, Wrecker was too strong. Shraag was lost to the fate he brought himself. Shraag said as Wrecker easily cut down killed the other Apex, ¡®I may have lied about my intentions, but I did not lie about your path. Bring them death and destruction Wrecker, for you will soon adorn a new name, one which will be feared for all time.¡¯ Wrecker finished absorbing the power from the second Apex and he ignited the blade of the sword. Wrecker said aloud, ¡°I break the curse on this blade. I will no longer be its servant, rather it shall be mine. All power locked within is mine forever, and mine to use for whatever I choose to use it for. The Wizard Shraag the Forsaken is now mine to command, should he refuse, his eternal damnation will be at hand.¡± He pumped power through the blade which eventually shattered by too much power within it. Wrecker saw the power escaping from the blade and he took it all, absorbed it all, including Shraag. He then gathered the pieces of the blade and finished looking around the temple when he came back to the tomb of Annor. He walked into the room and up to the place where Annor lies. He opened the sarcophagus and was surprised to see no remains, nothing but a stone inscribed with runes and a single small concave at the very center of the stone.


    The runes read, ¡°Here lies the monument to Annor, King in his own time, but not dead. Upon the return of his blade to this temple, it shall be placed by the pommel within the concave, and it will reveal all to him.¡± Wrecker took the pommel and placed it in the small concave on the tablet. The room shook, and the pommel started to glow. The stone platform he was standing on started to descend slowly. Wrecker had not yet removed his hand from the hilt as he did not know if that would stop the descent or what. He soon saw an enormous cavern the platform was slowly being lowered into. The cavern was massive, circular and had nine lava falls flowing into it. The platform stopped lowering on a central structure, at the far end of which saw a chair. Within the chair sat a man. Wrecker took the broken blade and removed it from the concave. The platform stayed where it was and he walked towards the man. The chair, which overlooked a courtyard in which lied a map of the world, which had no rival. This map showed the current world at all times, and showed every living and every dead thing. Wrecker was near the chair when the man said, ¡°That is far enough wizard. I have watched you for many years but you feel different today, you look different today. What say you?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Shraag is dead, I am Wrecker, and I am not a wizard.¡± The man stood up, he was clad in armour so pristine and glorious it seems as if a god created it. The man went to face Wrecker, and it seemed he was very young and very powerful. ¡°I can hear the truth in your words, but I feel that wizard, where is he?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I took his power, he tried to resurrect himself by means of a sword, which I broke in order to end his miserable existence.¡± The man became intrigued, ¡°You broke the blade? Do you have all the pieces of it with you still?¡± Wrecker emptied the pieces onto the ground, including the hilt.


    The man exclaimed, ¡°Alas! My blade returns to me¡­...It feels as though its allegiance has changed however, it listens to you now, warrior. What can a broken sword do for you though am I right? Allow me to fix it for you and then I will send you on your way.¡± Wrecker followed the man back to the chair and the man sat down, Wrecker looked at the map and saw where his home used to lie, and he could see people there. He asked, ¡°What lies does this map show?¡± The man said, ¡°There are no lies, it shows all living and all dead. Why do you ask?¡± Wrecker pointed to his village and said, ¡°I am the only living survivor of that village, I see my family, but they are not here anymore.¡± The man said, ¡°That is not true. Though they may be dead and their physical forms have gone, their minds and their spirits endure to roam their places of death.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°Can we talk with them?¡± The man said, ¡°You can to them, but not they to you, although I would not recommend doing so. It will only bring more pain.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°How do their lives go, are they as they normally would be or is it harsh and cold?¡± The man said, ¡°It is as if they never left, but they know they have died, and they know this is where they will be for eternity, and you may even join them eventually. I cannot as I have been gifted this position by those before me, and I will go no other place. Now how about I fix my old blade?¡±


    The man which was revealed to be Annor, as he was the past wielder of the blade. Annor eyed the blade eagerly and he said, ¡°This blade was first made within this very hall at the forge over yonder¡­¡± He pointed to a forge clear on the other side of the cavern and he continued to say, ¡°... I did not use it far too often as I will be the first and last Wizard which you no doubt already know. This blade holds far greater power than it used to. That is your doing I assume?¡± Wrecker answered, ¡°Yes it is. I am on a quest for vengeance against the Orcs who killed my people and destroyed my village.¡± Annor replied, ¡°Vengeance is a quest that never ends warrior, you might do so now but you will never rest. I have seen many warriors rise and fall over the course of my life. All with wishes of vengeance eventually become nothing more than what they wanted to destroy in the first place. Think on this warrior, and you may yet see your family again sooner rather than later.¡± Wrecker watched as Annor coated the blade in magic, and it shone brilliantly throughout the cavern. Annor stood and started to walk towards the other side of the cavern and he said, ¡°Walk with me warrior, the forge calls for the blade once again.¡±


    They arrived at the forge after a far longer walk than Wrecker had anticipated, the cavern was much larger than it seemed, and it seemed massive. They stood near the forge which was an ancient device and Annor said, ¡°This forge made that map, and the other three with them. Those maps are scattered around four temples much like this one, and guarded by the other three wizards at the time as me. I am the only one who does not share the same namesake as the other''s for I was not well accepted into my role, other''s thought themselves more prevalent for the role but they proved weak at the spines. It was because of them I made this blade within this forge, using the power of the elements, specifically the chaos element as you call fire. The other wizards tried to fight back against me but they too proved to be too weak. Our kind on this world is not meant to be, we are a mistake from the universe and my only wish is to see that map completely full of dead, and none left living. I was called evil, when I saw the truth. Do you see the truth warrior? Have you been called evil?¡± Wrecker shook his head and said, ¡°No I have not, but the wizards I traveled with fear me like I will become so.¡± Annor said, ¡°Ah yes, Kraan and Votaar yes? It is in their nature to be paranoid, Hevaar is the one to be truly afraid of for it is him that was initially supposed to wield the blade but I see now you are far more powerful, tell me, what do you remember about you parents?¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Wrecker said, ¡°Nothing, I was left on a doorstep as a child, no name, no anything.¡± Annor said, ¡°There was to be a child born with a lust for chaos, a child who bore the essence of chaos, a machine to cleanse the problem. But who listens to legends and tales anyway.¡± Annor placed the pieces of the sword into the forge and fired it up, he imbued the magic into the reforming blade and he said while he did, ¡°This will ensure this blade will never break again, and it will only be destroyed by returning to this very forge. This comes with a terrible curse however, shall you want to hear it?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Yes I would.¡± Annor said, ¡°The curse is simply this, the longer you possess the blade, the power grows, as does the chaos. The chaos will eat away your body and mind, eventually leaving nothing but your inner chaos to reign. You will not feel pain, remorse, sadness, or grief. You will be immortal, and immortality is not for everyone, take it from me who thought it would be fun at on point. You see so many deaths and you start to lose yourself along the way, you become less and less of a being. Do you accept this curse willingly?¡± Wrecker looked over the cavern and searched his inner mind, he found the answer and he said to Annor, ¡°Yes.¡±


    Wrecker claimed the sword from Annor who muttered a spell and then gave it to Wrecker. Annor said, ¡°That spell will hold you to the curse, and it will also allow you to, should you wish, to return here, give me the sword back, and you may die. Good luck warrior, your vengeance lies ahead.¡± Wrecker thanked Annor and left the cavern. He stepped out of the temple, no longer able to feel the heat from the volcanic lands, nor could he feel the ash being inhaled. He walked to the South, he would return to Votaar and tell him the job was only halfway over. He walked for several feet when he stopped and thought about teleporting, he wondered if he could do it and he decided he would try. He placed an image within his head, just outside the front gate of the city. He focused there and gathered power, and when he opened his eyes he was thrust forward and onto his knees. He looked up and saw the city was under attack and fires were raging all across it. Wrecker stood up and turned around to see hordes of Orcs advancing, this destruction was only the siege engines. He raced into the city to find Votaar and Gornik which he did within minutes. Votaar asked him, ¡°How did it go?¡± Wrecker answered, ¡°Great, the battle was won but the forces were lost sadly, I see more pressing matters at hand however, shall I change this?¡±


    Wrecker walked back to the front gate and he yelled to the guards, ¡°Close it behind me!¡± the guards looked at each other confused but did as he said. Votaar and Gornik made their way to the top of the wall and saw Wrecker approach an army. Guards around said, ¡°He must be mad to think he could win.¡± Votaar said, ¡°He is mad yes, but it is because he knows.¡± The guard turned and asked, ¡°Knows what?¡± Votaar looked at him and said, ¡°That he can''t lose. Get your men off the wall and into the keep, hold up there, I will call a friend to help with the flames. Make haste!¡± The guard called for a full retreat to the keep, all citizens were ushered into the keep which was packed full of every survivor from the city except Votaar, Gornik and the just teleported in Hevaar. Hevaar as he teleported in asked, ¡°What does Wrecker think he¡¯s doing?¡± Votaar said, ¡°Using his power, we must get off the wall for now, Hevaar, quench the flames of the city while I wall off the keep with magic, Gornik make sure the keep is full.¡± Gornik grunted and ran off towards the keep and Hevaar raced to fight the flames. Votaar took one more look at Wrecker in between the city and a massive army stop and stand with sword drawn. Votaar rushed off to build a magical barrier to defend from any incoming fire on the keep and to fend off any other form of attack.


    Wrecker stood defiantly against the hordes of Orcs. The Orcs halted on a command, and through the ranks Wrecker could see a larger than normal orc pushing through. Once the Orc made it into the open, Wrecker immediately knew this Orc, it was the one from his village. He tightened his grip on his blade, and the fire on it grew hotter and hotter the more angry he became. The Orc smiled and charged towards him. Wrecker stood his ground and did not move until the last second. He easily sliced the Orcs leg off, he turned and with one motion he swiftly beheaded the Orc. He turned to the army, who now was shuffling in fear. Wrecker said to them in Orc tongue while smirking, ¡°My turn.¡± He charged their ranks, the sword started to spit flames in all directions that Wrecker swung at. He had cut through thousands of Orcs, but there were tens of thousands more left he wanted to destroy utterly and absolutely. He became so angry memories of his happy life flashed to him, and then the memory of his village being attacked flashed and the rage spiked. Suddenly without warning giant wings of flame erupted from Wreckers back. He started to ascend above the army, and Votaar could see him from the city after he climbed up to a great height.


    Hevaar just returned from putting the flames out and Votaar yelled to him, ¡°Help strengthen the barrier, Gornik get Kraan out here!¡± Gornik raced in and brought Kraan who was still wounded but he could walk. Kraan saw Wrecker immediately and said, ¡°This is what I warned about Votaar, this is the beginning of it.¡± Votaar said, ¡°Not the end for us I hope, help strengthen the barrier Kraan, we must protect the people.¡± Kraan said, ¡°There is no protection great enough for this, the barrier will not hold.¡± Votaar yelled to him, ¡°We took and oath as wizards to defend the peoples of this planet, you will not falter in that¡­.¡± Votaar concentrated and called out over the fields and mountains of the land and he called, ¡°....Wizards gather now, you are needed!¡± Within seconds the rest of the order gathered, every wizard arrived in one place. Votaar said, ¡°Strengthen the barrier, we must protect the people. The wizards unquestioningly helped Votaar and Hevaar strengthen the barrier while Kraan was still hopeless. Hevaar said, ¡°Kraan please! We need your strength.¡± Kraan said sullenly, ¡°We cannot hold against it.¡± Hevaar said to him, ¡°We must try, our oath binds us.¡± Kraan, due to excessive prompting by the wizards joined in strengthening the barrier. Votaar said, ¡°There is no barrier stronger that we know of, we must give it our all.¡±


    Wrecker looked out over the army which was in utter chaos now, he then looked over to the city where he noticed a barrier was made, the wizards were protecting the city. He thought he could help so he reached out over the fields and added his power to the barrier which started to glow a red. The wizards panicked but then Kraan said, ¡°It is Wrecker, he is with us strengthening the barrier, I would think it will hold now, it seems he plans on a large display of his power¡­..¡± He then yelled so all could hear, ¡°.....PREPARE TO BRACE!¡± Once Wrecker heard that he gathered his power, took a reverse grip on his blade and he dropped from his immense height. The wizards saw him drop and gain much speed and force, the wizards all yelled, ¡°BRACE!¡± Wrecker hurtled towards the ground, and he landed with so much force the very ground cracked for many miles, sending a shockwave of air, earth, and fire across the lands of the city. Every Orc was caught within the flames and once Wrecker landed he focused his power fully on the barrier to withstand the sheer impact force of what he just had done.


    The wizards all watched as the onrush of earth wind and fire assaulted them. The barrier started to grow hot and intense, the Wizards with the help of Wrecker shielded off the blast from Wrecker landing on the ground. Once the dust settled, Wrecker looked around at the raging fires. He concentrated and he quelled them, stopping their advance. He looked around and he stood ankle deep in ash, ash of thousands of Orcs. He looked at the sky and breathed in a sigh of relief, his vengeance was complete. He looked around and did not know what he would do next, but he now realized what Annor said to him, vengeance does not stop. He started to make his way to the city and arrived their in ample time. The city was in complete ruin but the keep stood strong and intact due to the Wizards and Wrecker. Once Wrecker was in the city he was approached by all the wizards, Kraan was being helped along by Gornik. Kraan was the first to speak by saying, ¡°I should say for us all and the people of this city, thank you for your help even if their home is destroyed and their lands scarred.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Anytime.¡± Kraan said, ¡°Now you must follow your promise, rid yourself of that sword, destroy it.¡± Wrecker looked at the sword and said, ¡°Things have changed, I am cursed by this blade, I cannot destroy it, I am unable to do it. I will try to find a way to do so however.¡± Kraan felt skeptical about it and then he asked, ¡°What of Shraag?¡± Wrecker answered, ¡°He is dead for good this time. He tried to resurrect himself with the Apex heart gems but I foiled his plans.¡±


    Kraan said, ¡°Good, his foul hands have been removed from us for good, I thank you for that as well. As do the rest of my order. So you found the temple and killed the Apex''s, and their heart gems have been absorbed I assume?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Yes but not by the blade, rather, by myself actually.¡± Kraan and the other wizards were astounded by this, Hevaar asked, ¡°You absorbed the power of two Elementals into yourself?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°No. I absorbed the power of two Apex Elementals into myself.¡± Hevaar and the other wizards but Kraan were confused and Hevaar asked, ¡°What is the difference of the two?¡± Wrecker answered, ¡°They are tenfold more powerful.¡± Hevaar said, ¡°You killed two of them? That blade must really be strong.¡± Wrecker laughed and said, ¡°The sword was broken when after did it, it had shattered from the fight but I used my newfound power to fix it and make it unbreakable unless cast into the flames which it was made. Now let''s talk about rebuilding shall we?¡±

 CHAPTER VI: All Hail the King of Wyrms

    Many months later the city was finally cleaned and had begun to rebuild from the devastation the Orcs attack had brought them. Wrecker used most of his time to meditate, and all the while he saw a very disturbing image in his head of a beast. This beast had scales of iron, large wings, large enough to carry its massive weight, and its breath was that of fire. He snapped out of his meditation suddenly and looked around quickly. He felt an awkward feeling about the beast he kept seeing, like he was supposed to find this beast, or create this beast. He approached Votaar and explained to him the description of the beast and Votaar replied, ¡°Be weary of future visions, they leave great detail out. Of this beast you described there is nothing I have heard of like it. Be very careful where you go from here on, it may be a sign of something to come.¡± Wrecker nodded and said, ¡°I will accompany Gornik back to his home I think and then I will seek adventure elsewhere, I did not think this far ahead¡­.¡± He paused and then thought of Annor in his temple, and the curse of the sword, he could die and be with his family. Votaar noticed this pause and asked, ¡°What is it?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°It is something about the curse of this blade. When it is destroyed I am allowed to die, but I cannot otherwise.¡± Votaar asked, ¡°Why did you not tell of this earlier?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°I did not know earlier. I learned much in the Temple of Annor, more than I thought possible.¡±


    Votaar exclaimed, ¡°The Temple of Annor!? How did you enter it?¡± Wrecker, knowing he messed up explained the entire thing to Votaar, excluding Annor and the events after he approached Annor¡¯s tomb. When he finished Votaar asked, ¡°So you learned of this from the same hooded figure as from where you first claimed the sword?¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Yes. I did not think it was as pressing a matter as you have made it.¡± Votaar was bewildered and said, ¡°Not a pressing matter? This may yet be the long lost Breath of Annor, it would answer why it commanded such power with such little effort, because it is power. Annor locked away all of his power into the blade, causing it to become the most powerful artifact that our Order has ever recorded. It also explains how elementals are able to be absorbed into it and make it stronger. It is a good thing however that you betrayed Shraag, he is vile and would never stay true to his word. I just wish you would have mentioned him sooner, I could¡¯ve saved you the trouble of taking his life force and making it your own, also a less dangerous way. Tread carefully Wrecker, and watch where you point that blade, I think it still has more secrets left to uncover.¡±


    Wrecker and Gornik set out back towards King Barik¡¯s realm. As they rode they laughed and sang merrily for the war had been won and their spirits were high. They rode through small towns, children ran along them laughing and smiling, Wrecker was reminded of his village. His village used to be like this, used to be happy, used to have life. He shook off the terrible thoughts and continued to enjoy the ride with Gornik. They arrived at Barik¡¯s realm within two weeks, they took a much slower pace then when they first rode towards revenge. Upon their return the horns bellowed and they were greeted by a mourning party. Gornik jumped off his horse and rushed over to where his second in command stood with a sodden look on his face. Gornik asked, ¡°What has happened to Barik? Where is my brother?¡± The dwarf leaned in close and whispered something in Gornik¡¯s ear that Wrecker could not hear. Gornik took a step back, faltered, and he dropped to his knees and sobbed. Wrecker jumped off of his horse and went to his side. Wrecker asked, ¡°What happened Gornik?¡± Gornik barely managed to get the words out, ¡°Barik is dead.¡± Wrecker stood up and went over to the dwarf who told Gornik the terrible news and asked in dwarvish, ¡°How did this happen?¡± The dwarf, confused that Wrecker knew dwarvish answered, ¡°He was marching with our allies to the South and North to battle against the vile beasts in the Western forests, trying to reclaim them. The battle was lost, and with it, our King.¡±


    Wrecker asked, ¡°How about the other''s, the allies?¡± The dwarf answered, ¡°They had heavy losses, but their leaders stayed far behind, King Barik was a fierce fighter, and he led his armies to battle. He did not hide behind them.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Let us get Gornik somewhere less cold, and let us talk about where to go next.¡± After he and the other dwarf who¡¯s name was Halmer, got Gornik inside and begun debating what would happen with the throne. Halmer explained that Barik did not have children yet, and Gornik was unable to become King on account of his past choices, as it turned out Gornik was the first born. Gornik however did not choose his path well, and disqualified himself from the rule of King. Wrecker said, ¡°Gornik is the only one who should choose the next King, he seems the best to do so unless you have a system for doing so?¡± Halmer said, ¡°We do not have a system, our King names his successor. Which is the problem.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°What?¡± Halmer answered, ¡°King Barik did not name a successor.¡± Wrecker said, ¡°Let us get Gornik in this conversation, his insight will be helpful.¡± Halmer retrieved Gornik and filled him in on the current dilemma. Gornik began by saying, ¡°Had I not made a certain choice, I would offer my service as King, but I cannot. I do not know any others that fit Kingship either. My brother was a superb King, and he cannot be replaced by any dwarf.¡± Halmer and Wrecker agreed.


    Wrecker said, ¡°Gornik, I think you should become King.¡± Halmer and Gornik looked at him weirdly. Wrecker continued, ¡°...You are the head of the elite force of the Kingdom, you and King Barik were brothers, and you knew him well as he did you. I might say this is one exception, let Gornik become King. He, I feel, is the only one qualified enough to do so. He will be a good king for your peoples.¡± Halmer and Gornik held their doubts about the possibility of the people accepting Gornik as their King with the past in consideration. When the people however were told of the circumstances, they overlooked the past and allowed Gornik to become King. in the time of Gornik¡¯s rule he would grow the Darven people into one of the largest in the land, and he would lead them into many glorious findings. He would erect a statue of his brother, King Barik within his capital, and he would always remember him. Were you to visit Gornik¡¯s kingdom you would be treated as one of his kin, he was always kind to newcomers and travelers. Gornik was loved and remembered by his allies and kin. He was feared and hated by his enemies. He had never lost a battle which he charged into, hundreds of battles, none lost.


    Wrecker arrived at the site of the beginning of his quest. He arrived at the skeletal ruins of what once was his village. He looked around the rubble and burnt remnants of the houses, memories flowing. He arrived at where his house laid. He thought of an idea, and he searched around for a shovel which he found soon enough. He gathered all of the ashes of the town, working for weeks to clean up where the village once lay. He gathered all the tools he would need, and he made a memorium. He pulled a large boulder over from the woods to the West, and he lugged it into where the center of the town used to lay. He took his sword and carved into the rock, ¡°Here lies the ashes of the birth of a phoenix, the ashes of a town and a people. None who lived here survived the hostile attack, but one was reborn. Here lies the final resting place of the great warrior Wrecker and his people. Here lies the birthplace, of the King of Wyrms.


    Wrecker turned and said aloud, casting a spell over the area where the village was, ¡°This land shall never be touched, never be raked, never be moved. This area shall remain until the end of time, a monument, and a memorium. I cast away the name Wrecker, and adorn the name of my fate, I¡­.I am become the King of Wyrms.¡± He walked over to the massive pile of ashes he collected with the shovel, the image of the beast flashed through his head, rapidly followed by more of the beast. He looked at the blade in his hands, and he said, ¡°Give me the power to make these beasts a reality, I shall call them Wyrms as I will be their King.¡± He stuck the blade within the pile of ash. The pile glowed and shook, plumes of smoke shot out in nearly all directions, a massive wing emerged, followed by a large scaled body and a large powerful tail. Out of the ashes sprang the first of the Wyrms. The King named his first, Krathen.


    Krathen burst from the pile of ash and let loose a roar that shattered the silence that held the land sending many of the denizens of the forest scattering for their lives. The King shouted to Krathen, ¡°Out of the ashes of my sorrow my firstborn, Krathen, you are born. I am your King, and you are the first of your kind, you are the first of the fire breathing Wyrms which this land will learn to fear. Now step aside, so I may rise your kin.¡± Krathen lumbered aside, fumbling like an infant deer, as it never walked before. The King stuck the blade within the ashes again, and out came another, very different looking Wyrm. This one was named Draaken, after a story Hevaar had told him of a fire wizard of the order many centuries before. The King said much the same to Draaken as he had to Krathen but that he was second born and second of the Wyrms. He stopped here for now and sent Draaken to the skies, and to instill fear on any he should come across, always leaving one left. Should all be killed it leaves a problem, dead men tell no tales.


    The King climbed onto Krathen¡¯s back and he said, ¡°We must search for a more permanent home, I suggest the mountains in the West, no one shall bother us there.¡± Krathen lurched up into the sky, stretching her wings for the first time. Krathen let loose another roar which echoed across the horizon and reached the ears of many different things, one of which just happened to be a wizard of the order on a casual trip helping protect traveling merchants. The wizard looked up and saw Krathen flying high, and he thought it was a low flying eagle that he saw but he was very wrong. Krathen was a very large beast and she chose to fly very high in the sky, where the wind really rushed. The King on her back did not care for the wind, but nor did it bother him. He was only worried with finding a place to build his kingdom, and he had found it soon enough. After a mere hour of searching the King found a system of mountains the wound tightly around and opened into an immensely large valley that spanned many miles. The King said, ¡°Krathen, land over there, I feel this is where our new home shall be.¡± Krathen growled in acceptance of the valley and tucked her wings and dove. The King clung onto her back with ease, although his stomach turned and growled in dismay.


    Krathen slammed into the ground on all fours creating four small craters where she landed. Screams could be heard and the King dismounted and found they had landed in the middle of a village. He said, ¡°Krathen, scout the land ahead, We need an uninhabited place, try farther North.¡± Krathen let loose a roar as she took to the skies and she bellowed flames and flew Northward in search of more suitable land. The King spoke with the villagers and told them he was not there to harm them when he saw someone he recognized. He approached him and said, ¡°Gilliam?¡± The man turned and jumped a little at the site of him. The King said, ¡°I did not mean to startle you, it has been a long time old friend.¡± Gilliam looked at the King and exclaimed when he realized who it was, ¡°Wrecker? It has been a long time friend, what brings you out this way?¡± The King said, ¡°I have become a King, I no longer go by the name of Wrecker but you may call me that if you wish. My village was attacked a full year back and I once again picked up my sword and shield to fight, and must I tell you I miss it. I am searching for a place to build my kingdom and this valley would be perfect, I have help in searching as well, she should be back soon to inform me. I should also tell you, if you were startled by me, you will be startled by her.¡± Gilliam asked, ¡°Why is that?¡± just as he had finished asking that question Krathen slammed down behind the King, causing Gilliam to scream and fall over in fear. The King said, ¡°This is Krathen, the one who is helping find sufficient land for my kingdom. Have you found anything yet?¡± Krathen growled and nodded, to which the King replied, ¡°I have allowed you to speak, you just have to try, and no flames.¡± Krathen tried again, her throat grew red and the King held out a hand. The glow dulled in her throat and she spoke forced words, ¡°To the North, good land.¡± The King replied, ¡°Good, good. You should work on talking while flying so you can work on not bathing your bystanders in flames, I won¡¯t always help you stop it either, only way to learn is the hard way.¡±A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    Gilliam slowly stood up and he was shaking. Gilliam asked, ¡°What is that?¡± Krathen growled and the King said, ¡°Be careful the words you chose, she is my spawn, she is a beast created by pain and anger from the ashes of my village, she also has a brother, Draken. Draken is busy spreading our arrival across the lands, he is to destroy many things on his way, he will only return twice more to me, then I shall never see him again.¡± Gilliam was far too confused to have anything explained to him and the King changed the subject. The King asked, ¡°Would you like to be part of my new kingdom, and if you would convince some other''s, I need a people to start and continue living. The castle and keep can be left to me, I can handle that but I need a village to appear like I have a kingdom. I am simply a keeper of chaos in a balanced world, and these are my tools to do so. He motioned towards Karthen who was sticking her head down a well. The King said, ¡°Hey, get your head out of there, people drink from that.¡± Krathen pulled her head out and puffed smoke from her nostrils in defiance and growled a little. The King said, ¡°Try me Wyrm. I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it, now go find your brother, I will make my way North to this place to look it over.¡± Krathen took flight and soared across the skies in search of her brother Draken.


    The King asked, ¡°Do you know the place she speaks of Gilliam? This mountainous area to the North?¡± Gilliam said, ¡°Yes, but you cannot go there, it is filled with Orcs and foul beasts.¡± The King scoffed and laughed and said, ¡°Did you not just see a fire breathing lizard the size of a small mountain? I will take care of these Orcs, foul beasts or not.¡± Gilliam said, ¡°Not without an army you won¡¯t.¡± The King turned, and drew his sword and said, ¡°I have killed three armies single handedly, I should make a fourth easily.¡± Gilliam stared at the blade in the Kings hand, scorching with flames, and he saw runes start to appear on them and he asked, ¡°What is happening to it?¡± The King answered, ¡°It is a cursed blade, the fire is part of it.¡± Gilliam said, ¡°No not that, those runes appearing.¡± The King inspected the blade and saw the runes. He read them aloud, ¡°Annor hath blessed this blade, chaos is with you.¡± Gilliam asked, ¡°Who is Annor?¡± The King answered, ¡°The one who cursed the blade and myself with it. He is also the one who made this sword, as it was his. Then I found it on my quest and I was cursed by it. This is a message that my fate has been started, and that I finally am following the path I am meant to. I want you to follow me to the North, I will tell you when to stop following and when you should wait for it.¡± Gilliam asked, ¡°What do you mean by it?¡± The King answered, ¡°You will know it when you see it. It involves Draken and Krathen so you will know when they approach. Now let us start on our way shall we?¡±


    Gilliam and the King marched through the valley for several hours. The King asked at one point, ¡°How far off are we now?¡± Gilliam answered, ¡°We are another couple hours away, the trees will break to a field where it is a straight shot to the Orcs stronghold. It is about an hour in the field until the stronghold as well.¡± The King said, ¡°When we reach the field, that is where you stop, I will continue on along and I will show you the good part about this sword.¡± A couple more hours passed and they reached the edge of the trees. Gilliam said, ¡°This is the edge of the trees, I hope you have a good plan, these are nasty Orcs.¡± The King replied, ¡°I do have a plan, and it is called Wyrms. You will see in about an hour what I mean.¡± The King walked out of the forest''s edge and towards the Orc stronghold, ready for a battle.


    Krathen soared the skies and followed trails of flame and destruction. She soon found her brother Draken landed and chasing deer trying to get food. Krathen roared to show her presence and Draken looked up saw her roared back and soared up to meet her. Krathen said, ¡°Come, we found home.¡± Draken roared in acceptance and the two beasts soared off back towards the King. Draken spotted one man and raced down to him, slamming into the ground knocking the man back. The man stood up and brandished a staff, he was a wizard. Draken growled and spat out words, flame following. He said, ¡°I am Draken. Tell of me.¡± Draken shot off back into the sky, the wizard still clenching his staff waiting for an attack that would not come. The wizard would later go on to spread the tale of Draken, the fire breathing Wyrm who brought much destruction. This would also later be known as the origin of Dragon, but time is the only skewer to the truth. Draken and Krathen raced back, reaching the valley very quickly.


    The King approached an outer wall of the Orc stronghold and he stopped a few hundred feet away and he was spotted immediately. He reached out in his mind, reaching towards Draken and Krathen. He let them know where he was and what he wanted them to do. He instructed them to fly very high above, to appear like eagles, and when he started his attack they would crash down and each take a part of the stronghold to destroy. The two Wyrms growled in excitement and began to climb in altitude. The King walked towards the Orc stronghold and he could clearly hear them arming and preparing to attack him. The King drew his sword and charged as soon as the gates flew open. He ran headfirst into a swarm of Orcs, Krathen and Draken saw this as their que to attack and they did so. Krathen hit the ground first, dead center of the swarm coming to attack the King. She crushed most of the advancing force and the other''s were stopped dead in fear. She turned to the gate and let loose a torrent of flames that melted the Orcs, bone and all. Seconds after that Draken slammed into the ground just on the other side of the gate.


    Draken swiped his tail and cleared a very large area out, Krathen burst through the wall leaving a massive hole. The Orcs were left in fear and they were fleeing for their lives. Krathen once through the wall went to take the left side of the stronghold, Draken took the right, and the King took the middle. The battle was more of a slaughter, the Orcs standing no chance against the mountains of scales and the King. The King finished cutting several Orcs down when he looked to his left at Krathen who was wrecking absolute havoc and then he looked to the right where Draken was doing much the same. This caused him to adorn a sly smile, he turned back forward and approached several more Orcs who stood in front of the strongholds keep door. The King cut them down and repeatedly slammed into the door until it fell. He looked upon the final remnants of the Orc hordes stationed at the stronghold. The King started to laugh loudly, Krathen and Draken landed behind him and began roaring, and the trio once again went to work.


    Once they had finished with the Orc stronghold the King said, ¡°You both turn all to ash, and pile them up. It is time for more of your brethren to rise, I will collect Gilliam.¡± The two Wyrms proceeded to engulf the entire stronghold in flame and slowly turned it to ash. The King walked back to Gilliam and reached him just as the sun sank below the horizon. Gilliam first said, ¡°That was a battle of the ages.¡± The King replied, ¡°All of mine are. Now how far past here is the area?¡± Gilliam answered, ¡°It is only a half hour past and ends nicely in the mountains on three sides, with only one way in, a great place for a fortress. Those beasts are unstoppable, and why have they not stopped burning, are there surviving Orcs?¡± The King said, ¡°No, the Orcs are all dead, I require the ash for more of them, I am making an army of them who only follow my command.¡± Gilliam asked, ¡°You really need more of them? Two are already so overwhelming.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°There is no kill, like overkill my friend. I want to be feared, not just known.¡± Gilliam laughed and said, ¡°You are already known, and fear is exactly what you will get.¡±


    Over the next few years the King built his kingdom. The King called his kingdom, the Kingdom of Annoria in memory of Annor who allowed him this power. The King raised his army of Wyrms, but not to the numbers those around him thought he would. He created only fourteen of them and they are as follows, Krathen the First, Draken the Destructive, Carreon the Knowing, Kalduur the Terrible, Apoph the Snake, Graahm the Greedy, Fenaar the Fleet, Borak and Karnac Twins of Chaos, Wulfric the Howler, Travaar the Conquering, Estan the Exquisite, Prahven the Annihilator, and Kalnuar the Last. These are the Army of Wyrms the King had created, each having strengths that covered the other''s weaknesses. The King built his keep alone, with non helping him and it is how he wanted it to be. He created a massive Castle and stronghold, many times the size of the City of Perithius and the Dwarven capitol combined. After all he had to fit fourteen massive beasts into it and they had to be comfortable, or at least somewhat. He created a massive front gate to his keep, where three of his largest could walk four abreast and still have room to walk. Most of the Kings Wyrms obeyed, other''s were not so much, as their nature was supposed to be. The most of these would be Graahm the Greedy. Graahm earned his name by being the originator of the Dragon¡¯s Curse, which is a covetous love of gold so strong you would die for every last piece. Graahm was always in fear that his gold was being stolen, and he often attacked those who simply wanted to admire his gold. He was the second smallest and was naught larger than a one room hut.


    Graahm had a terrible temper and was fast, not the fastest of the Wyrms however. The fastest of the Wyrms would also be the smallest of them, Fenaar the Fleet. Fenaar was very small but he was blindingly fast and the King used him as a scout to see enemy advances and enemy movements to plan his attacks or counterattacks. The names of the thirteen Wyrms explains the most for themselves except for Borak and Karnac the Twins of Chaos. The Twins of Chaos are as they seem, twins. This was a mistake on the King¡¯s part when he created them but he eventually settled with it after much deliberation and when he found out they were the strongest of his Wyrms. These twins when separate are around the middle in terms of power when compared to the other Wyrms. When they are together however, even the King has a hard time claiming he has more power than them. He both loves and fears it.


    After a total of forty-three years, the Kingdom of Annoria had finished being built. This kingdom¡¯s name was spread throughout the entire land within days and all knew of the power Annoria had. Many dark entities tried to sway Annoria, as did many light. They remained neutral however for a very long time until the King took on a court wizard. This wizards name was Kronen, and he was not part of the Order of Wizards. This wizard was merely just to add more backbone to the Kingdom title and the King wanted one to confide in with war secrets as his old friend Gilliam had died only a few years before. Gilliam was a mortal, and the King was not. Kronen asked on day, ¡°Dear King, what has happened to your arms?¡± The King looked down and saw his arms appeared black like ash, the tips of his fingers appeared a dull ember burning. The King said, ¡°This is my curse, the more I use the power of Chaos, the more one with it I become.¡± Kronen asked, ¡°Is there no way to end this curse?¡± The King said, ¡°Yes but I would die within days as time would catch up with me very quickly. I am granted a terrible power, with an equally terrible price. The only cure, is a choice which I am not willing to make just yet. Now send for a council, I feel a war on the horizon.¡± Kronen said, ¡°Right away my liege, whom would you like to accompany you to this one?¡± The King said, ¡°Hmmmm. Get me Krathen, she has not been to a council in ages.¡± Kronen said, ¡°Krathen, right away my liege.¡±


    The King stood up and walked to the war council chambers which was in the main hall of the Keep. The room was massive, thrice as large as Annor¡¯s temple¡¯s main room. The King sat upon his throne and waited for the council members to pour in. Once all the members were there the meeting was convened. Krathen was curled around the Kings throne during the entirety of the meeting. The council had discussed the recent advances of the Orcs, and even those of the Dwarves, Elves, and even the other''s of the race of Man. The King said during deliberations, ¡°Any movement should be seen as a possible attack, we have power, and there are those who do not like it. I have seen war many times. Back when I was called Wrecker and before I came to be gifted this power. I know the movements of the armies of Man, and these are war movements¡­.¡± The King now yelled to Krathen, ¡°Krathen. Get your brother Fenaar and tell him to scout the movements of the armies and to come back to tell us.¡± Krathen replied in a smooth voice, ¡°At once.¡± She stretched out and raced out of the hall, shaking the Keep. Krathen did as she was told and returned to the council chamber and continued her nap. The King said as she returned, ¡°Good, let us hope Fenaar does not try something foolish but it is in his nature. Now to deal with the Orcs.¡± One of the council members said, ¡°What about Borak and Karnac? They should be sufficient to deal with the Orc hordes.¡± The King said, ¡°That may be but they are not ready for a battle like this, send Draken, Kalduur, Prahven, and Kalnuar. They will be sufficient to deal with that. Split the remaining six in half, tell them not to attack unless attacked upon and don''t send Wulfric and Graahm in the same group, We don¡¯t need another one of those incidents now do we. On second thought, I will accompany the Twins to fight the Orcs. Split those four up to deal with the other armies along with the other six. See it be done, council dismissed.¡±

 CHAPTER VII: Conquest of the Wyrms

    The battles that had followed during the next century placed the Kingdom of Annoria as the most feared in the land. During this time the King built a foot army of many of the races combined, Orcs, Men, Dwarves, and Elves. They all fought side by side flying the Banner of Annoria. This banner was oriented with fourteen symbols, each representing a Dragon. The King started to use this term as it sounded better than saying Wyrm all the time and it was basically Draken¡¯s name spelled out differently. In the center of the fourteen symbols there was a single flame which represented the King. The King designed the banner himself and he was very proud of it. Each of the symbols were the symbols of the sources of Chaos¡¯s power, which were also inscribed on his blade and scabbard. These symbols are the last remaining remnants of the before age, the age of Annor and before. Annor¡¯s temple after long searching was found to be buried in ash, and the other temples befell much the same fate but with a different element at their disposal. The temples were protected but they were lost. Also over the century the King¡¯s arms grew more ashlike, this time his entire arm to the shoulder was ash ridden and his hands and wrists were embers. He often looked at his hands and arms in wonder, Chaos is a beautiful thing after all.


    His court wizard was let in on the powers of immortality by claiming an ancient artifact acquired from conquests of the King. Kronen was starting to get drunk with power and the King warned him many times what power can do to you should you not be careful with it. War after war was fought, war after war was won. The King of Wyrms became the most feared King in the history of the land. Often was he visited by members of the Order of Wizards, and more often than not he started to not recognize them. Until one fateful day however when he was visited by a wizard whom he knew very well. He was visited by none other than Hevaar. The King threw a feast in honor of Hevaar, who when the King saw him was far older and much less strong but all the wiser than what he used to be. Hevaar began, ¡°This feast is glorious old friend, how goes the conquest?¡± The King answered, ¡°Very good thanks for asking. How long has it been old friend, how many years?¡± Hevaar replied, ¡°Too many for my taste. I feel the pull of death on my doorstep. I can feel it everywhere I am, like he is haunting me, like he is waiting.¡± The King said, ¡°You have lived a magnificent life, do not be afraid for it to end my friend. After all you are a wizard are you not? You should welcome death as your job has been upheld, your oath has been followed, and your debt has been paid.¡± Hevaar replied, ¡°That is easy for you to say but you are immortal, and you have not aged a day since last we spoke. Might I say I am very jealous of it as well, I used to be handsome, now I¡¯m just an old fart waiting to die.¡± The King laughed a bit and said, ¡°You may be an old fart but you still have your younger looks to you. You at least have kin to pass on the wizard title to do you not?¡± Hevaar said, ¡°No sadly, I have had four girls and they do not allow girls into the Order, I fear my bloodline stops here with my bad luck.¡±


    The King answered, ¡°Nonsense my friend, I will speak with them and get your eldest daughter accepted.¡± Hevaar asked, ¡°How? It is full of young arrogant wizards, Kraan died many decades ago and Votaar is nearer to death than I. How will you sway their mind to change the rules that existed for millenia?¡± The King smirked and said, ¡°I am the King of Wyrms Hevaar. None can withstand my power, nor the power of Chaos. I will take care of it and I will let you know. In the meantime stay here for as long as you wish, I will be on my way to the Order at dawn.¡± Hevaar said, ¡°Thank you old friend, this means a great deal to me. Even with your ruthless wars raged across the land you still have a noble heart within you.¡± Hevaar went back to enjoy the festivities of the feast and the King went to acquire the Twins.


    He found the Twins in the middle of combat, fighting with each other. The King watched and clearly saw that this battle would last forever, they had equal strength and neither could best the other. He waited until they started to endanger those that were near to break up the fight. The King began, ¡°That is enough you two, I have a mission that involves the both of you and myself. Shall we get going?¡± The Twins growled in anticipation and followed the King to the council chambers to tell of his departure. He did so and he went to fill the Twins in on his plan. His plan was simple and very easy for the Twins to understand. The King said, ¡°We are going to attack an army of Orcs, and I want to utterly destroy them, with only a single survivor as we always have done. Am I clear you two?¡± Each of the Twins agreed and the King climbed onto Borak and all three of them took off towards the Orcs.


    As the three approached, the King saw clearly that the Orcs were moving to war, their ranks littered with trolls and giants. They were noticed within seconds of coming into view and they sent the Orcs scattering and most fled for their lives. The King could not tell who were the smarter of the Orcs, the ones running, or the ones accepting their deaths. He cared little either way however and let loose the twins on the Orc hordes. The battle was a massacre for the Orcs and was over quickly. The King and the Twins swiftly obliterated the Orc hordes and soon hunted down the survivors, all but one however. The King was the one to find the last of the Orcs and relayed to him a message for whoever kept spawning the Orcs. The King said, ¡°I am the Wyrm King, and with all the power I have, the next death by my blade will be you.¡± The King and the Twins watched the Orc scramble off to carry the message to his leader. He told the Twins, ¡°Return home my Twins, your job is done. I will walk to the Wizard Order, I have some business to deal with, send Fenaar at tomorrows first sunrise to come and get me, and tell him to make haste.¡± The Twins roared in acknowledgement and soared off back towards Annoria while the King walked towards the Wizard Order.


    The King arrived at the Wizard Order¡¯s tower several hours before sunset, while there was still plenty of daylight left. He entered the massive crystalline tower and quickly was confronted by two guards. The guards demanded, ¡°Who are you and what do you want?¡± The King said, ¡°I am the Wyrm King, and I wish to speak with the council on an important matter.¡± The Guards replied, ¡°None shall see the council without permission, important or not.¡± Just then Hevaar came into the main entrance hall where the King and the guards were. Hevaar exclaimed, ¡°Ah, Wrecker, long time no see my friend, let him pass.¡± The guards shuffled out of the way, the King said, ¡°Does that count as permission?¡± as he passed. The guards scoffed at him and went back to their posts while Hevaar and the King caught up a bit and went to approach the council. The two walked and approached a large set of stairs. The King sighed and asked, ¡°Is this the only way up?¡± Hevaar said, ¡°Sadly yes, only the head can teleport in and out of the tower, and even with that only limited places. Each floor is a wizards, mine is the lowest, where we are going however, is the highest. You best get ready for the climb, it is not nice on the knees, especially at my age.¡± They laughed and started the climb which took them nearly a half hour to reach the top of the tower.


    Hevaar stopped the King before he entered the councils chambers and said, ¡°Be wary, the new head is a bit hot headed, he is the son of Kraan, and he is very young and new to this responsibility.¡± The King said, ¡°Not to worry, I am terrific with children.¡± Hevaar gave a slight smirk but said, ¡°That is not funny, this order has changed from what it once was, you are known but not respected by the young ones here.¡± The King replied, ¡°The fault is theirs then should a conflict arise, remember Hevaar, I do not give respect when I do not get it. Now let us get on with it, I will not leave until your daughter is allowed to be your successor, by any means necessary.¡± Hevaar chuckled and said ¡°I thank you but do not do anything rash, then again you always have been good at that, let us go.¡±


    Hevaar and the King entered the council chamber, Hevaar said aloud, ¡°I call for council, we have a visitor from afar with a request.¡± Hevaar said to the King, ¡°Stand in the middle of the room and wait until the head arrives.¡± The King walked to the center of the room and stood waiting. Hevaar took his seat and soon the other wizards of the council entered. The King saw Votaar enter second to last and he nodded to him. Votaar nodded back and took his seat after slowly trudging his way across the room to his chair. He said as he passed the King, ¡°Good to see you old friend, time has aged me terribly, you on the other hand don¡¯t look a day older. What a curse eh?¡± They laughed and the room soon went quiet again. Minutes passed as they waited and the King looked around the room, impatient with the seemingly slow response speed of the head of the council. He scanned the seats that went around the room in a circle and only one of them was empty. He cursed under his breath and crossed his arms, the wizards could tell he was annoyed.


    Just then a crackle of energy was seen and the head teleported in, he walked to his chair, in no form of hurry and he sat down. As soon as he did he asked, ¡°Who might you be now stranger and what do you want?¡± The King said, ¡°I am the Wyrm King, and I have a request to make of your court.¡± The younger wizards talked amongst themselves and were drowned out by the head saying, ¡°You are the Wyrm King? From the tales I¡¯ve heard you possess a great power with a terrible curse.¡± The King said, ¡°That is right.¡± The head asked, ¡°What is your request?¡± The King said, ¡°I request that Hevaar¡¯s daughter be allowed to succeed him, I will allow little argument but know, I will not leave until it has been done.¡± The head laughed and said, ¡°My guards will throw you from this tower then, we have rules, and daughters cannot be chosen.¡± The King replied, ¡°I figured you might say that, so that''s why I brought this.¡±


    The King pulled an ancient document out of a small bag at his side and he tossed it to the head. The head caught it and looked it over and asked, ¡°Where did you get this document?¡± The King replied, ¡°From your father, Kraan. He also said this will serve as a debt payment, for I saved his life.¡± The head laughed and said, ¡°It was my father¡¯s debt not mine, why should I honor it?¡± The King started to grow angry and said, ¡°A parents debts are passed to their children, no matter their level of importance or lack thereof.¡± The head said, ¡°I am Kraagor the Keeper, son of Kraan the Keeper, I am in debt to no one. It takes one with children to pass a debt on, and my father may have been indebted to you but that has long since been payed, he ruined his life trying to keep you in check, that is payment enough. You don''t even have children though do you? Oh, that''s right, your family is dead, guess there¡¯s no debts that can be passed now are there?¡±


    The King became very angry at that comment, the other wizards sat and the King fumed with anger. Heat began to race around the room and Kraagor looked at Hevaar and said, ¡°Stop this infernal heat Hevaar, have you gone mad?¡± Hevaar replied, ¡°It is not me doing that, try the only person in this room which you should not disrespect like what you just did, you are messing with powers above you young one, do not go too far, you may already have I fear.¡± The King looked at Kraagor and said, ¡°I feel your life force boy. I feel your power, want to feel mine?¡± The room began to heat up, choking the air out and causing the wizards to barely be able to breath. The King said, ¡°You have shown the utmost disrespect for me. You are a disgrace to your father and the title of Keeper. You are nothing but a boy playing as King, only in age do you gain knowledge and power. I have both knowledge and power, which would you rather be bombarded with?¡±


    Small fires started to crop up, Votaar yelled, ¡°Wrecker! Halt this nonsense. You¡¯ll kill us all you hot headed fool!¡± The King snarled, and the heat started to die down, the wizards caught their breath and Kraagor said, ¡°That is an attack against the order, you are deemed an enemy of the court and you are banished from this tower. GUARDS!¡± The King replied, ¡°So be it. You want me as an enemy, you got it.¡± Several guards entered and Kraagor said, ¡°Remove this filth from the tower at once.¡± The guards moved towards the King and he said, ¡°I said I wasn¡¯t leaving until Hevaar¡¯s daughter is allowed to succeed him, a couple vermin will not change that.¡± The first guard to grab the King was thrown across the room causing the other guards to draw their weapons. The King laughed and burst his arms into flames and he said as he did, ¡°Blades are too easy for this, I will show you what great power I hold.¡± Votaar shouted, ¡°Kraagor this is madness, put a stop to this immediately. Your father was in debt to him, as are both Hevaar and myself. As were the rest of your parents, this order and this world is in his debt. Pride goeth before the fall, so get off your high horse Kraagor, before Wrecker knocks you off of it. None of us have the power to stop him, neither do all of us combined. Learn control young one, it is the most important.¡±This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    ¡°No.¡± replied Kraagor. ¡°I have enough power to deal with him, Guards go back to your posts, I will handle this.¡± The guards left the council chamber leaving only the wizards and the King in the room. Kraagor stood and walked near to the center of the room and said, ¡°I win I get to control your Dragons and I get your power on a leash.¡± The King said, ¡°I win, Hevaar¡¯s daughter succeeds him, and any deviation will result in the most terrible death you can imagine, death by the infernal spores of the eastern swamps. I do not plan on losing my Wyrms either. This will be easy boy, you are not your father.¡± The two clashed for no longer that two minutes. The King easily defeated Kraagor, and forced him to surrender. The King said, ¡°Listen to Votaar. Learn control boy, it is the first thing I learned from my power, otherwise the world would be fire and destruction now, I am capable of it believe me. Now see Hevaar¡¯s daughter succeeds him, do not make me come back here to do it myself either¡­.¡± The King said to the remaining council, ¡°Make this be a warning young ones. Control yourself and respect all, especially those older and wiser, also those stronger than you. Hevaar and Votaar have great knowledge, learn from them, and keep an eye on this one.¡±


    The King left the council room and began the slow climb down the tower. He passed Hevaar¡¯s floor and saw several people running around, he was approached by a young girl who asked, ¡°Are you a friend of my father?¡± The King asked, ¡°Is your father Hevaar?¡± The girl replied, ¡°Yes he is, I¡¯m going to be a wizard too one day, if the council let''s me.¡± The King said, ¡°I am a friend of your fathers, and that is why I am here actually, you are going to succeed him. I just spoke with the council and they have allowed it, good luck young one, next time I see you will probably be many years from now, take care of your father now you hear.¡± The girl said, ¡°I will don¡¯t worry.¡± They laughed and the King continued on his way out, back past the two guards who confronted him earlier, one of which actually was the one he threw across the room. The King said as he passed, ¡°Bet that felt good eh?¡± He laughed and as soon as he left the tower Fenaar crashed down to take him home.


    The King climbed onto Fenaar and they sped off towards Annoria. Fenaar asked, ¡°How did it go? Will Hevaar¡¯s daughter be given his place when he dies?¡± The King replied, ¡°Yes she will, she has power within, I spoke with her a little actually, she is very young, a child still, she will not disappoint I am sure of that. Now let us make haste home, I must find out the progress on the armies.¡± The two raced across the lands, the King occasionally looked down on them, seeing many look up in fear, and many looking up in wonder. Fenaar the Fleet was the fastest of his Wyrms by far, and he covered ground extremely quickly. The trip from Annoria to the Order took around five hours when Krathen carried him. Within two hours already with Fenaar Annoria came into view, and the sun was now beginning to set, touching the tops of the mountains around his kingdom.


    The King took a deep breath and took in the sight of his kingdom. He said to himself, ¡®I wish they were here to see what I have built, they would love it.¡¯ Fenaar let loose a roar which signaled their arrival, and for being the smallest of his Wyrms, Fenaar was by far the loudest of them all. Fenaar¡¯s roar could be heard for miles around and even through a storm. Fenaar landed in the large courtyard at the rear of the main castle, also the highest point of the entire castle. This was the personal memoriam for all of the Kings fallen friends, and by use of his power, with each death he carves a name into the cliffside, every name of every ally that has died, no matter how known, or unknown. He took pride in this wall, as it was very large, and was nowhere near complete. It was however dedicated to only those who fell in combat or from the result of combat.


    He had a very large and ornate column carved out of the same mountain the wall was and it was placed in the center of the courtyard. In the column lies the melted down and due to the power of the King, shrank down, armour of the names on the wall, or any metallic possessions. He ran his hand over the column and remembered his fallen comrades, and he knew that this column would not be large enough. He knew that immortality would deem this column useless after thousands of deaths, and he was not sure what he would do when the time came that the wall and column were filled. He soon decided that he would bury the remaining in places of their choosing, and he would let all know as many times as he needed that both the column and the wall are for all to be remembered, not just the names and armour of those on them. He said to Fenaar, ¡°You can go now, have fun for a bit, we will have a council tomorrow to decide what to do with the armies that have resurfaced after our efforts, I know that is not all of them.¡± Fenaar snarled and raced off into the sky and within seconds was out of sight.


    The King walked into the castle from the courtyard and walked down a very long hallway. At the end of the hallway was a staircase that delved very far down, on level with the rest of the keep and he proceeded to his throne room, which was also the council room. He called for his court wizard to come and within the hour, Kronen had arrived, with a very new looking staff and set of rings. The King asked, ¡°Where did you get such items Kronen? They are rather exquisite and very old looking.¡± Kronen said, ¡°I was on my way to the old Elven city of Lith¡¯ Oreanas, you may remember the city, and I was attacked by trolls. I killed them and searched about for their nearby home and I found it, I found many weapons but I took only what I saw as fit for me, there were many swords there however, not sure how the trolls found them though. I took them and polished them, and they became this good looking.¡± The King said, ¡°Well now it definitely looks like they are old and are very useful. Do not let your power overcome your senses Kronen, with great power comes great responsibility.¡± Kronen said, ¡°I will try not to my liege, but it is hard as you may know.¡±


    ¡°I know all too well Kronen, all too well.¡± The King replied. Kronen asked, ¡°How was your journey, and were you successful in your task?¡± The King answered, ¡°The flight both ways was liberating as always, and the task was completed, Hevaar¡¯s eldest daughter will succeed him.¡± Kronen answered, ¡°Good, good. Keeping it in the family is a good thing, keeping to tradition.¡± The King answered, ¡°I did not do that for tradition because it breaks it, I did it for Hevaar as he had borne no son. I broke tradition today, and allowed women to be part of the order so those elders on the court with no viable heirs do not need to worry, unless they have no heirs. That is another problem altogether.¡± Kronen asked, ¡°So what have you summoned me for?¡± The King said, ¡°Ah yes, before I forget. I want you to travel to each of the capitals, of the Dwarves, Elves, and Men. I want you to give them a choice, stay out of our way, or feel our wrath.¡± Kronen asked, ¡°What of the Orcs?¡± The King said, ¡°They will crawl in the holes as they always have until they have the numbers, or what they think as comfortable numbers for war. The Orcs can be dealt with easily, but the other''s shall pose a somewhat larger threat. So go and tell them the choice I offer them, and stress no exception.¡± Kronen replied, ¡°Yes my liege, at once. I will make haste.¡±


    Kronen left the hall leaving the King alone in his throne and staring down the massive hall. All the while he watched Kronen leave, he had a suspicion about Kronen for some reason, he felt something was off about him. He shook that off and soon brought his mind to other thoughts. He thought of the many battles he would fight, the many centuries that will pass, he began to think of when he might choose to return the sword and power, and finally end. This thought was interrupted by a young scribe barging in and racing towards the King. The King did not move until the scribe came very close and he asked, ¡°What has happened?¡± The young scribe said, ¡°The wizard Votaar has died, your presence is requested by Hevaar and the council.¡± The King looked down at the floor and was stricken with grief. He said to the scribe, ¡°Take water and rest that horse, I will leave for the order immediately.¡± The scribe said, ¡°Thank you sir, they bid you make haste as well, his son is to be given his spot as well.¡± The King replied, ¡°Thank you for telling me this news, although terrible it is. I will send out now.¡±


    The King nearly ran out of the castle, he was moving at a very fast pace. Once he was outside he looked around for one of his Wyrms but none were in sight and he remembered, it was their hunting season. They would all be out hunting and slaying beasts. He decided to attempt to teleport there, he was not sure if he would be able to however on account of the limits on the powers able to be used within and around the tower. He remembered back however to Annor, who had helped build the tower originally, and how his power was within the blade that the King carried at his side. This made him confident he could in fact do it, and so he tried it. He did not use the normal means of teleportation however, he instead used more chaotic means. He surrounded himself in a swirling ball of flame, and he concentrated on where he wanted to go, the front door of the tower. He closed his eyes and released his power outward.


    The two guards at the door didn¡¯t get to see much action, the age was somewhat peaceful and not entirely filled with a large war as it usually had been in years past. They were deep in conversation when a ball of flame appeared and erupted outwards. They drew their weapons and shortly thereafter they lowered their guard as it was the Wyrm King. one of the guards demanded, ¡°How have you done that? None can teleport in or out unless you are the Keeper.¡± The King walked past them and said, ¡°I am a keeper, the keeper of Wyrms. There is nowhere I cannot go.¡± The King was soon greeted by Hevaar and the rest of the council, except for Votaar of course who was dead. Hevaar said, ¡°He wanted you here after he died, said that you would know why after it. It is a shame he is gone, he was an admirable friend and a powerful wizard.¡± The King said, ¡°He saved my life as well, and he helped me gain my revenge. I cannot repay him for that, but I have tried many times over the years, doing all I can, helping as much as possible. I have done the job of this order for a while lately, keeping the land in check. I will no longer after this next couple of days however Hevaar.¡± Hevaar asked, ¡°What do you mean?¡±


    The King said, ¡°I have sent Kronen to inform the different races of the land they can either stay out of my way with the things I am doing and will do in the future, or I will destroy them outright.¡± Hevaar said, ¡°If you do this, we will have to respond.¡± The King said, ¡°Just hope it is after your time then, I would hate to have to kill you old friend, or any of those on the court for that matter. I knew all of their parents and they respected me, at least from what I saw. Votaar might have cared a little too much, but it is in his nature to be like that, I hope his son can do as much as he did for this land and care just the same. Where is his son now that I think of it?¡± Hevaar looked around and said, ¡°Not sure at the moment, but I would advise not going to war with the land, nothing good ever comes out of war, both you and I know that.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°This is not because I want to go to war, this is about respect and fear. I want the land to see me as the punishment for any misdeeds they commit, but first I must instill that fear by savage means. I have been busy solving the problems of the races ever since my kingdoms walls first rose and my standard fluttered proudly overhead. My Wyrms were devices of destruction, they would be the things that carried out the fear inducing actions, and should one be killed, my vengeance will be swift and horrible. Keep that in mind should we be unlucky enough for war to arise within ample time.¡±


    Hevaar asked, ¡°What about this Kronen seems familiar to me? The name is just on the edge of my mind but I cannot place it. You said he was a wizard?¡± The King said, ¡°Well not a wizard of course but a user of magic. He was going to replace Votaar but I had already influenced him and given him immortality which I may live to regret but, that''s not important. He is my personal magic thrower, and he makes fancy parties much more fun. He is a bit of an entertainer when it comes to crowds. He studied as a bard for nearly a decade and he is very good, his instruments are strung by magic and the melodies they play soothe even the most savage of my Wyrms. I would fear that but I do not feel he is a threat to me. Lately however I have been getting an odd feeling from him, I cannot quite place what it is. It is a presence that is with him that he recently acquired, I find he travels in the East for long amounts of time, maybe too long. I do not question him though, I placed him in charge of keeping an eye on the Orcs which is where I learned of a group of Elvish outcasts that reside in the East in the Ashlands.¡± Hevaar asked, ¡°Elves? In the Ashlands? I wonder what they are doing there.¡± The King replied, ¡°They are breeding Orcs.¡± Just as he had finished that sentence the ceremony had started, the King knew Hevaar had many questions but they would have to wait for now. They must first bury a fallen friend.

 CHAPTER VIII: Betrayal

    In the decades that passed the relationship between the King and the Wizard Order took a turn for the worst. The Wizards tried to claim that the King was warmongering and falsely planting information in order to have reasons to attack others. The King knew these accusations were false so he largely ignored them. Roughly fifty years had passed since the death of Votaar the Wandering and the King was nearing the end of his patience with the Order. Just as he was walking through one of his corridors several soldiers dragging an unconscious body behind them approached him. One of the soldiers said, ¡°My liege we have caught a spy, he was sulking in the shadows within your library and he was smelled out by Krathen.¡± The King said, ¡°Good, take him to the council chamber and collect my Wyrms, I will question him there.¡± The soldiers replied, ¡°At once my liege.¡± They then dragged the body off in the direction of the council chamber and two soldiers broke off from the group to gather the Wyrms from around the Kingdom. The King walked to where his couriers had gathered, wanting to hear the news from the land. Most of the news was the same old garbage that usually flowed through and were of no interest to him when he was hit with a hard blow. The courier said, ¡°....Finally news has come from the Order. The wizard Hevaar has passed on, and his daughter has been chosen as his replacement. For the first time a woman has become a wizard of the Order!¡± The King spoke up and said, ¡°Not the first, the second time. You have forgotten of the first four wizards, one was a woman. Celebrate as you may, but I will mourn the loss of a good friend, Hevaar the Chaotic, as he was so aptly named. Continue on with your day.¡±


    The King left the couriers square and quickly paced his way back towards the throne room and he was met with his fourteen Wyrms, all present. In the center of the room laid the still unconscious body of the spy. The King sat in his throne and waited for the spy to come around and wake up. He waited for a little over an hour and soon enough the spy started to regain consciousness. The King said as he awoke, ¡°Nice nap? Death will be permanent so I suggest you talk.¡± The spy looked up towards the King, then when Graahm snarled behind him did he notice where he was. He jumped and started to shake in fear and soon said, ¡°I am a spy working for the race of man.¡± The King asked, ¡°Why were you sent here?¡± The spy replied, ¡°To see what your efforts were, and how you might attack us.¡± The King said, ¡°The way I would attack you is currently surrounding you now, all you need to do is look. Make eye contact with Graahm however and you will not live to tomorrow.¡± The spy slowly looked around at the Wyrms that surrounded him and snapped their jaws at him. He did not make eye contact with any of them however and looked back at the King.


    The King said, ¡°You will go back to your leaders and tell them that spies will not be tolerated, from any race. Next time one is sent, they will not return alive. Tell them they all have a weeks time to surrender to me, or be destroyed. Make sure it reaches all of the races. Begone!¡± The spy stood up and ran out of the hall and away from Annoria with great haste. The King said, ¡°Fenaar, follow him, and make sure he doesn¡¯t try anything stupid, also keep an eye on the armies, they move we must know.¡± Fenaar replied, ¡°Yes, I will not lose him.¡± Fenaar raced out the all and shot up into the air, and was above the clouds within seconds. The King continued, ¡°Tomorrow a council will be held, war may be on the horizon, let us hope that is not the case however. For now return to what you had been doing, except you Graahm, you need to be doing something more honorable than stealing children. Go keep the Orcs in line for a while, make them remember who we are.¡± Graahm growled and left the hall followed by the rest of the Wyrms. The King walked to the hall door and watched his Wyrm''s soar off in different directions. He knew that one day they would no longer be the scariest things in the land, but that time was a long ways away.


    A man entered the camp shrouded in a long black cloak which covered his face as well. He made his way through the camp catching glances from many soldiers on his way through it. He made his way to the commander''s tent which was located within the center of the camp. Once he made it to the camp he removed his hood and said, ¡°The spy was caught. He will no doubt tell of your location, you must move the camp immediately, the spy must not be allowed to return to us, our positions will be in the eyes of a Wyrm if we do. The King is smart, he will have sent Fenaar to follow the spy.¡± One of the commanders asked, ¡°Which one is Fenaar?¡± The cloaked figure said, ¡°His fastest, and his quietest. There will be no catching him.¡± The same commander asked, ¡°Is there a way to kill one of these Wyrms?¡± The figure said, ¡°Not unless you want to be erased from existence within hours you fool. I must get my part done before any of the Wyrms shall die.¡± Another commander asked, ¡°What is your plan exactly? We still do not even know who you are or even why you are helping us.¡± The figure said, ¡°Who I am does not matter, what matters is my plan. I am going to trap the King within time, and I will bind a curse on him, trappin his power within. He will never be able to escape from it. This will give us the edge we need. After he is dealt with the Wyrms will be killed one by one. It is a foolproof plan.¡± A third commander asked, ¡°What if he finds out about your plan?¡± The figure slowly removed his hood and revealed himself to the commanders and said, ¡°I am Kronen, his court wizard. He trusts only the Wyrms above me and nothing else. He is curious however so we will have to move quickly and not falter of fail at any part of it.¡±


    The first commander which spoke asked, ¡°What about the Wizard Order?¡± Kronen laughed and said, ¡°He has angered them enough, and now he has no allies on it to help him. They will no doubt aid in our ploy. I will speak with them on that matter however, I will disguise it as something else as well, so I have a reason to be there. I can find a way for him to send me there I am sure of it.¡± The second commander said, ¡°Leave us for now, we must move the camp, we will begin shortly.¡± Kronen said, ¡°At once Commander, you have prepared a fine looking army, let us hope they are up to the task.¡± Kronen put his hood up and left the commanders in the tent to attend to moving their camp, Kronen would intercept the spy, and lead him the long way to the camp as to avoid the Orc sentries that had arrived. This of course would be a lie, as it was intended to be.


    Kronen disguised himself as a soldier of the camp and intercepted the spy many miles away from the camp. Kronen said, ¡°Ah, you have returned. What news do you bring?¡± The spy said, ¡°I have to get a message to the commanders at once.¡± Kronen replied, ¡°Take the long way to the camp, the Orcs are in the area and it is much safer, but make haste, they are preparing to set out on their quest soon, run with haste.¡± The spy said, ¡°I will, and thank you for warning me.¡± The spy took off towards the long road to the camp. Kronen looked up into the sky and saw the dark silhouette of Fenaar soaring above the clouds, he was sure the camp was moved by now, it had been hours since he left. He started his way back to Annoria, to continue with his plan. The fate of the spy was an unfortunate one, but Kronen was on a thin line, the King was smart, and the King would figure out his treachery soon.


    Hours passed, the spy was nearing the location of the camp and he was still scared out of his mind, and he was very tired from his nonstop journey from Annoria to the camp. The Spy burst into the small clearing to see nothing but extinguished fires and evidence of a long since abandoned camp. He cursed under his breath and looked around in panic, not sure of what he was to do. He walked further towards the center of the clearing when Fenaar crashed down behind him and roared, ¡°What treachery is this? There is no camp is there? How dare you lie to the King of Wyrms you snake? Feel his wrath¡­.¡± Fenaar sent a roar throughout the land, and the King heard it. The King teleported instantly to Fenaar, appearing in a torrent of flames which soon died down. The King stood in front of the spy and asked, ¡°What was here is no longer, you did well Fenaar¡­.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°Drop him.¡± And teleported back to Annoria.


    Fenaar gripped the spy in one of his claws and flew straight up into the air. Once Fenaar had a sufficient height he said, ¡°I hope you enjoy your fall, better grow wings!.¡± Fenaar threw the spy, and laughed as he fell screaming towards the ground. Fenaar looked back towards the clearing and he knew the spy was telling the truth, he just wanted to have some fun. Fenaar looked and soon found the signs of an army on the move. He followed this trail, in high hopes of some more fun. Within an hour Fenaar saw a marching army moving steadily towards the Elven lands. He laughed and growled and got an idea. Fenaar dropped the height at which he flew very low, where he barely cleared the trees and he picked up speed racing extremely fast breaking trees just by the wind he was giving off.


    On the march, the sun was high in the sky, almost midday. The army was marching to their secondary camp location on command of Kronen. The wind started to pick up and howl, the army still marched on. A strange noise rang out across the lands they were marching, a whistling noise of something moving very fast. The soldiers looked around up in the sky fearing a Wyrm was flying overhead but they had no idea. After several seconds of panic Fenaar ripped right over the marching army and drug his tail through them. Nearly the entire army was destroyed by the intense blow given by Fenaar. The Wyrm soared high and spouted fire, then let loose a terrible roar which shook the survivors. He did the same thing once more but at a much slower speed leaving only a handful alive which he delivered a message. Fenaar said, ¡°I bring a message from my King, and you will do well to listen. You have a choice to make, stay out of our way, or be destroyed. Your answer will not be made with words, your actions from here out will decide your fate.¡± Fenaar roared again and soared off towards Annoria to tell the King of what happened.


    Kronen arrived near sunset and went on his normal route throughout the keep at this time of day as to keep everything seem as normal as possible. The King walked past him and asked, ¡°Where have you been all day Kronen? There was a council today that you missed.¡± Kronen said, ¡°I traveled to the Order and found out what their plans are. They will interfere if you attack the armies, but they cannot defy you. You are too powerful for that insipid Order to stand a chance, we will crush them like insects beneath our boots.¡± The King came close and got a serious tone and said, ¡°Do not let your hate for the Order cloud your mind. They shall live, and nothing more, I will keep them at bay. Just because you were denied entry does not mean you must hate them.¡± Kronen replied, ¡°What about your conquest of the Orcs then eh? You sought vengeance on them.¡± The King answered, ¡°I did and now look at how I treat them, they are a part of my council, I have soldiers that are Orcs. Only the devils that hurt me were hurt, and they still have not been fully removed from this land. I will not tolerate another missed meeting, regardless of where you have been. Am I clear Kronen?¡± Kronen answered, ¡°Yes my liege, crystal.¡±


    Kronen continued his route and the King watched him and felt the same odd feeling he had days earlier, one of unease. A roar was heard and the King knew Fenaar had returned. He rushed out into the courtyard to question him. Fenaar began, ¡°The spy is dead, I found the trail where the army had moved camp. They were trying to enter the Elven lands, I dropped in for a visit and passed on our message. It will be received within hours. I also saw something very disturbing when I was following the spy.¡± The King asked, ¡°What was it?¡± Fenaar said, ¡°I saw a hooded figure, who wore a black cloak, transform into the disguise of one of the soldiers and avert the spy along a much longer path. I think they have someone from the Order helping them.¡± The King thought on what Fenaar had told of. The King said, ¡°Gather your kin, I will drop by the Order and figure out what is going on soon enough. Go on a hunt like we normally will, I will ride out like normal but will soon depart and seek the Order for answers, sleep for now, we hunt at sunrise.¡± Fenaar soared off towards the mountains and told the other Wyrms of a hunt at sunrise. Roars could be heard let loose throughout the Kingdom bringing a smile to the King¡¯s face.


    At sunrise the King had gathered his hunting gear and waited for his Wyrms to arrive. The King was approached by Kronen who asked, ¡°Going on a hunt at a time like this?¡± The King said, ¡°The Wyrms need a break from diplomacy, they need to do what they were made to do, destroy. I will return near sundown I suspect, expect a large yield today.¡± Kronen said, ¡°Good hunting my liege, I will ready the butchers for your return, so that the hunt may be processed within good time.¡± The King rode off, all of his Wyrms following and ready to hunt. Kronen hurried back to the keep and into the throne room. He closed off the council chamber and went to work on his plan. Kronen meddled with the spells placed on the throne, which prevented it from decaying over time. Kronen place a stone spell on the chair that was hidden by the ones already on it. This spell would freeze any who would sit in it and block all of their power, trapping them, and no longer allowing them to move. It would put whoever sat in the chair into a deep state with no return, and the King was the intended target. He inscribed within the spell a phrase, ¡°All power will be locked away and none released. Only when the breaking of the power comes shall whoever sits in this throne be released, but that time may never come.¡± He added this as security, knowing that all the King¡¯s power was within him and his blade, so he would never escape.


    Kronen rushed from the throne room and hurried off away towards the Elven lands to pass on the message that the time was soon and the armies should be gathered and the weapons begin to be forged. This happened while the King confronted the Order. He arrived in a torrent of flame given by his teleportation in the middle of a council they had, speaking of possible war. They all were startled by his arrival, Kraagor the Keeper said, ¡°You are no longer welcome here warmonger, begone from here.¡± The King asked Hevaar¡¯s daughter, ¡°Was Kronen here?¡± She replied, ¡°Who?¡± The King said, ¡°Kronen is my court wizard. Was he here?¡± Kraagor said, ¡°You mean that pathetic excuse of a magic user? No he was not, why did he tell you he was. You made a mistake thinking you could trust that maniac, if he had his way the Order would be in flames. You are an enemy of this Order now, tread lightly Wyrm King, I feel your time is near.¡± The King said, ¡°I will not hurt this Order as it is necessary, Those who oppose me however, and threaten my Kingdom will not be forgiven so lightly. Stay out of my way, or I will force you to.¡± The King teleported back to his horse and continued on the hunt.


    Sunset came too soon for Kronen, who was weary that his plan would work, but he was sure it would, she told him it would after all. She was far stronger and wiser than the King would ever be, and she knows what is best for this land. Kronen kept her existence secret to the King, because he knew the King would try to attain her, or destroy her. But time has passed and has allowed her to grow stronger, much stronger, and free of the tyranny of a curse that had long since been placed. Kronen was near the Elven lands and he began to pick up pace, he could not outrun Fenaar on foot, but he could kill him. He would need to hurry and gather the armies, then hurry back and make sure the King sat in his throne, to trap him. Kronen wanted to destroy everything the King had built, as she told him to. She was his true master, and she was not happy with what the King had done. Kronen stopped worrying about her and raced into the Elven lands where he was greeted by an armored convoy that would lead him to the capital, they were expecting him. They rushed him and his urgent message into the capital to spread the word, and to gather the amries.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    The King arrived and the butchers were not prepared to harvest the yield that he and the Wyrms had brought. This was when he knew Kronen was plotting something, he knew that there was something else wrong with him. The King said, ¡°Twins. Find Kronen, and bring him to me, alive preferably.¡± The Twins growled and took off to the skies and started their search for the wizard. The King told his Wyrms to surround the Kingdoms outer wall and watch for an oncoming attack which might loom on the horizon. The King walked to his council and called them in. They all arrived within the hour and talks had begun as to what would happen. The King said after much arguing went by, ¡°Evacuate the villages, move them to my old lands. There are places there where they can continue their lives. Take with them five-thousand soldiers, a thousand of that being cavalry. Have them take three years provisions. A war is coming and they do not need to be in the middle of it. I must ready my defenses, you may leave with them as well. If I should lose, you would all die.¡±


    The King, still standing walked by his throne. He looked at the chair and felt something different, something odd about it that he could not place. He gained the same feeling that he had when Kronen was last around and he suspected treachery. He turned to the council and said, ¡°Call the soldiers to arms, war is on the horizon.¡± He left the room as the council members rushed to gather his army and some rushed to leave the Kingdom before the fighting started which was wise. The King walked to the memorial courtyard and meditated by the wall inscribed with the names of his fallen allies. He was interrupted when he felt an immense pain within himself and he knew something was wrong. He stood and looked around and saw the twins returning, one carrying the other.


    The King rushed out of the castle to where Karnac placed Borak who was impaled by a large arrow imbued with magic. The King asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Karnac said, ¡°The Order fights us, they have more of these weapons, they created them with the power to kill us.¡± The King said, ¡°It would have happened eventually but this is different, this is a deeper magic placed within this weapon. This is the power of an old wizard, a very old wizard. Annor was right, she lives. Care for your brother Karnac, and let us hope he can make it through. I will travel to Annor and find out where she is, and I will kill her.¡± Borak whimpered as Karnac lifted him and carried him to a place better suited for treating him while the King, full of anger and rage teleported far away.¡±


    Annor turned to see the King appear in a fiery apparition and he greeted him. The King demanded, ¡°Where is she?¡± Annor asked, ¡°Who are you talking about?¡± The King said, ¡°You know damn well who I am talking about Annor. Tell me where she is.¡± Annor said, ¡°You cannot reach her anymore, she is dead, I watched her die myself.¡± The King said, ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± He teleported to Borak, removed the magic arrow and teleported with it back to Annor where he slammed it down onto the ground and said, ¡°What is this then?¡± Annor looked at the arrow and a serious look took him over. He picked up the arrow and when he did it glowed bright blue. Annor said something under his breath and the King asked, ¡°What did you say?¡± Annor said, ¡°Il vinni artour. It is a saying that I heard long ago, inscribed into the blade. This is not possible, she should be dead, she must be dead.¡± He rushed over to the globe and searched but could not find her.


    The King said, ¡°Maybe because she is in your position, but in another temple Annor. Kronen, my court wizard found her and was corrupted by her, she thinks I am you. She is helping try to kill my Wyrms and she will die, I will cut off her head and return it to you here laughing merrily all the way.¡± Annor said, ¡°I was not told where the other temples are King of Wyrms, I cannot help you.¡± He started to walk away when the King yelled, ¡°LIES.¡± Annor was knocked down and had a blade pressed against his throat and the King said, ¡°You forget I am willing to destroy this world. Now tell me where.¡± Annor said, ¡°Fine. If you must.¡± Annor walked to the globe, the King in tow and he pointed to a spot in the ocean which was another temple. Annor said, ¡°This was my friend once, I had the utmost respect for her.¡± The King said, ¡°You were also in love with her Annor, I know the stories. I will return with her head.¡±


    The King teleported out leaving Annor alone, barely able to grasp what he had done. He sank down to his knees and reached out, ignoring his role. He reached out through the globe device to the temple and said projected from within his head, ¡®I will forgive you, if you can forgive me. My feelings have not changed all this time, I am glad you live. The Wyrm King is on his way and for that I am sorry. I wish things could have been different but fate is a funny thing. If you can hear this, Calentra, I am sorry.¡¯ He could feel a presence, and he knew that she heard him. The presence was familiar but it was much different than what it had been. The only thing he heard was silence until the presence faded and disappeared. Annor walked to his chair and sat in it, deep in thought with a war raging in his mind.


    The King arrived in a flurry of flame within a deep blue temple that was very cold, almost ice cold, his skin gave off steam as the heat from within poured out filling the room. He drew his blade and looked around the room, then he sent a shockwave of flame through the room, filling it with a bright flash revealing many ornate sculptures and carvings that were similar to the templa Annor was in. This action was responded by a wave of water rushing in and knocking the King off of his feet. The King was swirled about on the floor and slammed around the room. He managed to stand and his armour started to glow red with heat. He slammed the edge of his blade into the floor sending an immensely large wave of white hot fire through the room which instantly evaporated the water and threw a figure out of hiding. This figure was wearing a blue robe and had nothing else. The King approached the figure lying on the ground and picked them up by the throat, it was a woman.


    She said, ¡°Annor told me you were coming King of Wyrms. I know of your prophecy, and your fate.¡± The King said, ¡°Hold your tongue. I knew Annor would warn you, he still cares, I on the other hand do not care for those who plot to kill me using trickery. What have you given Kronen that makes him think he can beat me?¡± She said, ¡°I am Calentra the Aquyatic, I do not answer to you.¡± The King brought his blade up to her gut and pushed in a bit and stopped, any farther and she would be impaled on his blade. He said, ¡°Do not tempt me wizardess, I have no mercy when it comes to my creations being hurt. You gave Kronen and the other''s the power to kill my Wyrms, which they were meant to find on their own. You will take that power, or I will kill you and do it myself.¡± Calentra laughed and said, ¡°You kill me? You cannot kill me with the weapon of a wizard. That is Annor¡¯s sword, and it cannot pierce my skin.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°I guess its option two then?¡± He drove the blade through her gut and engulfed her in flame, taking her power and putting it into the blade. Calentra¡¯s screams filled the small temple and echoes throughout the lands. The waters of the lands rumbled and shifted, causing large waves on the coasts. The temple started to crack and water slowly leaked in.


    The King looked into her eyes and said, ¡°This is no longer the blade of a wizard, old one. Your price has come.¡± Calentra said before she was fully absorbed into the blade, ¡°You have been betrayed already, your fate is set in stone as you will be for the rest of eternity.¡± The King said, ¡°We will see now won¡¯t we.¡± Calentra was fully absorbed into the blade and the King was hit with a large onrush of water as the walls collapsed. He teleported out before he was trapped, directly to where Borak laid, his wound mending. He took the arrow in his hands and concentrated on destroying it, but he could not. No matter what he did he could not break the spell on the weapon. He cursed under his breath and went to Fenaar.


    The King said to Fenaar, ¡°Fly as fast as you can and scout, do not come anywhere near their camps no matter what, Borak is mending, I would hate to lose any of you to an end, I must know where they are keeping the arrows. I must take them all and get rid of them for good, so they must rely on fate to give them the weapons capable for destroying you all, they must learn for themselves or they will have not learned anything. Fly fast and strong, do not get too close.¡± Fenaar raced off towards where Borak and Karnac had encountered an army. The King went to the wall where his Wyrms were at watch. He asked, ¡°How has the evacuation been going?¡± Krathen replied, ¡°Very steadily, there is no panic either, the soldiers have been setting up all morning and they have nearly all defenses in place.¡± The King replied, ¡°Good, very good. Borak is still recovering slowly but I implore you all to take extra care, they have weapons that can kill you all, each is a special arrow designed just for you by Kronen. Yes Kronen betrayed us, but that''s what getting drunk on power gets you. If an army appears pull back and defend the keep and Borak, do not fight the army, that I will do. I do not want to lose any of you any time soon.¡± Krathen and the other Wyrms roared in agreeance and the King walked back to the Keep to attempt to help Borak¡¯s wound heal faster.


    The King arrived to see Borak trying to get up. The King said, ¡°Rest twin, you cannot move with that large of a wound, trust me, it makes things worse. I will do the best I can to help you ease the pain and heal the wound, I learned this technique from Votaar many years ago, hope it works.¡± The King used the same healing process that Votaar had done to him after the Orcs attacked his village. This process involved isolating small sections of the wound and slowly healing it part by part, rebuildin what was lost and damaged, while strengthening what was still there. The process is a very long process and takes very good care. The King was halfway through the wound when Fenaar came soaring back in, several cuts lined his belly but other than that he was unharmed. The King asked, ¡°What happened?¡± Fenaar said, ¡°I got too low to the ground on a near fly and scraped myself up a bit. The army is moving on us now, shall I alert the soldiers?¡± The King said, ¡°Immediately if you would, I must finish here.¡± Fenaar soared off and called the Kings army to arms and the Wyrms to fall back out of the suspected range of the arrows. The King finished closing Boraks wounds and he said, ¡°Do not try to fight with this, you will still need to heal as it is very tender and can still break open. You will still hurt when you move but you will no longer bleed out. I must go take on this army now, and destroy those blasted arrows somehow.¡± Borak snarled and nodded off into a sleep where the King hoped he would wake up from, the wound was large and much blood had been lost.


    He teleported out to the front gate, his army was at the ready. He yelled to his army, ¡°Kronen had betrayed us and he leads this attack, we will show them the mistake they have done. Fight long, die hard! LET¡¯S SHOW THEM WHO WE ARE! CHARGE!.¡± The portcullis opened and the King along with his army charged the onrushing forces gathered by Kronen. The King slammed into the front of Kronen¡¯s forces and plowed through them, sending both soldiers and flames spraying in all directions. The King ran faster than his army and was the first to contact the enemy forces, which was his plan. He would stun them and allow his army to finish them off with ease. He plowed his way through the army straight for the commanders. Their Commanders were made of two each of Elves, Men, and Dwarves. Each of them had a reputation as a fierce warrior and the King wanted to show them that they were wrong.


    He made it to the elite guards of the army, who were the last line of defense between the Commanders and the rest of the army. The King blasted them away with ease and was met with all six Commanders, with weapons drawn. One of the Elves said, ¡°We must take him together, he cannot fight all of us at once.¡± The King laughed and put his sword in a reverse grip and said, ¡°That is you second mistake.¡± A Dwarf yelled, ¡°And what was our first?¡± The King tightened his grip on the sword and said, ¡°You tried to kill one of my Wyrms.¡± The King dashed forward and beheaded the first Dwarf, all the other Commanders swung at him but could not hit him. The King fought off the six Commanders for a long while, until he felt the presence again. He yelled, ¡°I grow weary of this fight, you will die now!¡± He slammed the blade into the ground sending a large wave of fire which engulfed the Commanders. He turned to face this presence, he turned to face Kronen.


    The King said, ¡°I knew something was off about you after you got that staff, you got it from Calentra didn¡¯t you.¡± Kronen said, ¡°I did, and we will destroy your army and you along with it.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°Calentra is dead, and you are next traitor.¡± Kronen became angry and rushd the King wielding the staff only. The King blocked his flurry of blows and struck back, and to his surprise Kronen blocked it. He soon figured out that the arrows power is the staffs power, he must destroy the blade, also why Kronen is able to defy him like this. As he fought he thought back on his first visit to Annor, and the forge where his sword was made, there must be a way to find the one used by Calentra, but her temple is destroyed so it would not be easy.


    Kronen sent out a large blast of air, causing the King to slide back along the ground while still on his feet. Kronen yelled, ¡°CAN YOU NOT BEST ME? SHOW ME YOUR POWER!¡± The King became angry, not like he had been in years past, but a chaotic angry which made the air around him hiss and steam. The ashen look to his arms crawled up and up, eventually devouring his whole body, Kronen watched the entire time as it appeared the King was being engulfed into flame. The King pulsed with power and the soldiers near turned to see the haunting sight of what was happening. The King laughed and in a deep thunderous voice said, ¡°I will show you true power boy.¡± The King slammed the ground and sent flames in all directions. Kronen teleported out and the King cursed, he did not think Kronen would learn this soon but he would find him easily. The King turned to look at his forces and laughed. He raised his sword and charged through the ranks of soldiers laughing maniacally all the while. He left a blazing trail of flame, and he cut off Kronens forces from their backups and he cut out all escape routes. The King then focused on finding the arrows. The King fairly quickly leveled the enemy forces trapped between his wall of flame and the wall protecting Annoria. He did not find the arrows with the forces trapped inside but he did not think they would be so stupid as to launch a full scale attack and bring their best weapons just to lose them. He rushed through the wall of flame and slaughtered the army, sending many fleeing for their lives, the battle was won.


    Kronen arrived in a flash outside the Oder and he rushed in. the guards were thrown aside by him as he climbed the stairs and barged into the council room at the very top. He said, ¡°The King of Wyrms has provoked an attack and has destroyed much of their forces.¡± Kraagor said, ¡°Why should we care? He did not actively seek war.¡± Kronen said, ¡°But he did, I was at his councils and he planted spies to cause war, he must be stopped.¡± Kraagor asked, ¡°You are betraying your King Kronen? That is very dishonorable and seems like you want his power for your own.¡± Kronen said, ¡°Don¡¯t be stupid, I wish to help this world not see it burn, I did try to enter this order did I not?¡± Kraagor said, ¡°Yes and you nearly killed you teacher on several occasions.¡± Kronen said, ¡°If the King is not stopped he will have bathed the whole world in fire, and you will have watched it happen. You will be called cowards and you will have broken your oaths to protect this land and its inhabitants.¡± Kraagor stood and yelled, ¡°DO NOT SPEAK TO ME LIKE I DO NOT KNOW MY OATH. I know very well what this entails and I know the situation. You are a foul snake and are not to be trusted. I will not risk the life of my order for you selfish needs Kronen, find other''s to do it. We will act when the land is in trouble. Now leave before I do what I should have done many years ago.¡±


    Kronen stood where he was and said, ¡°I will not leave. I call a vote, a majority vote. Save this land, or watch it burn.¡± Kraagor said, ¡°You do not have the authority to command this council Kronen, now BE GONE.¡± Kronen pulled the staff out of his robes and all the wizards shuddered when he did. One of the wizards asked, ¡°Where did you get that? That is the staff of Calentra the Aquyatic, that should not be in his hands.¡± Kraagor asked, ¡°How came you by this artifact?¡± Kronen said, ¡°The King stole it and killed the guardians of the temple, he also destroyed it and turned into ruins. Now is it a problem of yours?¡± Kraagor sighed and said, ¡°Fine Kronen, we will help you, when will we be needed?¡± Kronen said, ¡°I will call when I need you, and I will need all of you to hold back his power long enough for my plan to happen.¡±

 CHAPTER IX: Fall of Annoria

    Months passed and once again Kronen and his forces have come to attack. The King laughed at his petty attempts to kill him and he knew victory would be swift and easy. The King gathered his army again by the front gate, once again charging them into battle. Horns sounded many times, horns from several directions, causing the King to ascend his front wall and look. He saw at least six large armies marching the fields in front of Annoria. The races of the land were emptying their reserves, sending all they had, and the King thought, ¡®Would it be enough?¡¯ The King turned and yelled to his troops, ¡°That have a large force on advance, be ready to draw back to the gates, leave me out and I will hold them until your defenses are ready, start with artillery first from the trebuchets and catapults. Then have suppressing fire from the ballistas to cover my return to the gates. They will not be able to outlast us in a siege, not while I have a breath in my body. He jumped off of the gate and landed in front of his forces. He turned, the gate opened, and he yelled, ¡°CHARGE!¡±


    His army charged out of the front gates once again and another large battle erupted. The King and his forces drove a wedge into the forces of the enemy, several more horns sounded and the King called for his forces to fall back, which they did immediately. The King charged and slaughtered many soldiers showing no mercy and no remorse. His cast large columns of flame shooting in all directions. He grew a large upward column of flame and he spun it, creating a twisting funnel of fire. He sent it through the heart of their forces, the fire sucking all the air away from the soldiers, causing them to no longer be able to breathe. He turned and was met with several lesser wizards, who were not part of the order. He laughed and charged at them. As he did he was hit in the side by a large blast of energy. He turned to see Kraagor standing in between him and the wizards. Kraagor said, ¡°I know you have wanted this for a long time, but the destruction of the Temple of Calentra cannot go unpunished.¡± The two of them fought toe to toe when the King noticed more and more wizards showing up, one of which was Hevaar¡¯s daughter.


    As the King was fighting Kraagor he thought of how proud Hevaar would be of her, she had the same control and even more power than Hevaar, and she knew how to use it. He heard tales of Kraagor being in love with her and this gave the King an idea. He stunned Kraggor with a blow from his pommel to the side of the head. He teleported over to Hevaar¡¯s daughter, sure to keep in view for Kraagor. He grabbed her and teleported away. Kraagor grew very angry and he started to throw his power around with very little control in order to fight to get her back. He quickly realized that he was attacking Kronen¡¯s troops and they all turned on him which he teleported out and away from the battle. He needed to find a way into the Keep that was no the front gate, and he wondered where the Wyrms were not being used. He rushed off towards the mountains surrounding the castle and he began to climb his way over the mountain.


    The King teleported into his keep with Hevaar¡¯s daughter. The King said as they arrived, ¡°I do not wish to hurt you, I wish to throw Kraagor off which I know I did.¡± She said, ¡°You do not even know my name do you?¡± The King said, ¡°Sadly no I do not, your father did not tell me before he died. What is your name may I ask?¡± She replied, ¡°I am Evora the Chaotic, and I owe you a favor.¡± The King said, ¡°What for?¡± Evora said, ¡°For getting me into the Order of course. You thought it was payment for my father but no, I see it as a payment to me, and I must make up for it.¡± The King said, ¡°Well do what you think will deem worthy of paying it back, I must return to battle, make yourself at home. Do not go into the East wing though.¡± Evora asked, ¡°Why?¡± The King said, ¡°The Wyrms are there, they are being stashed away until I destroy those infernal arrows that Kronen had crafted with Calentra¡¯s foul magic.¡± Evora didn¡¯t respond to that but wondered around the Keep, making sure to steer clear of the East wing. She made it into the throne room by some miracle and felt an odd presence rising from one of the chairs.


    She approached it and felt it was a curse, a curse set by Kronen. She could not remove the curse but she knew what it was and she knew why it was there. The curse would bind any who sat in it and put them in a false state, a sleep more or less. It was there to destroy everything the King had worked to build. She got an idea, she would change the curse so that when his power that still existed outside of himself, basically his Wyrms, were killed or destroyed in any way, the curse would be lifted. She stood and walked to the door, not sure if she could warn him quick enough when she heard a strange noise behind her. She turned and saw Kronen behind her who grabbed her, she screamed and then Kronen teleported them back out into battle. Kronen tossed her back into the fighting and Kraagor saw this. He charged Kronen and threw him aside violently causing Kronen to bash his head on a nearby stone and start gushing blood out of the wound. Kraagor asked, ¡°Are you alright Evora? What did he do?¡± Evora said, ¡°He did not want to hurt me. He only wanted you to lose control and teach you another lesson about learning more control. I think you should also learn from it, caring too much brings fear.¡±


    Kronen laughed and stood. He said, ¡°Caring does not bring fear, cowardice brings fear, power brings the cowardice other''s. We are winning the battle, and we will win this war, by any means necessary. Kronen jabbed a part of the staff against his wound and it healed within seconds. Kronen rushed back into battle, followed by Evora and Kraagor. The King¡¯s defences had been set up and they sent a signal flare up. Kronen had brought Kraagor back because the mountains around were unclimbable. Kronen and his forces saw the flare go up, and the King to teleport out but not before sending a shockwave out, leveling most of the first of the six advancement forces in a cleansing fire. This blast was easily blocked by Kronen, Evora, and Kraagor and the second and third forces charged forward to siege the wall.


    The King went to the top of his wall and he yelled, ¡°ARCHERS AT THE READY.¡± The fields behind his wall held the majority of his forces, most of which were well versed in bow combat as well as swordplay. The readied their bows and drew them back, the King turned to see the onrushing enemy. He yelled once they were within range, ¡°FIRE!¡± The arrows loosed at almost the same time sending a wave of black up into the sky and down onto the rushing forces, soon after the siege engines made their way into the fields before the gate and trudged their way towards the wall. The King yelled, ¡°ARM THE BALLISTAS AND TARGET THE SIEGE ENGINES. Bring the trebuchets within range of their forces and roll the catapults out and let them feel their power.¡± The King turned back around and saw that the enemy far outnumbered him and his forces but he was determined to win this battle, he could do it himself but he is honorable when it comes to war, and he will fight at near the same level as what he is faced with to make it a challenge. A challenge both to himself and to his enemy that he is fighting.


    The artillery were in position soon enough and the King gave the order to fire away. The trebuchets obliterated the enemy ground forces along with the catapults pelting them. The siege towers were getting hit time and time again by the ballistas on his wall which made what remained of the command of the armies curse under their breaths. Suddenly flashes of light shot down all over the field and the King knew these were the rest of the order. The King knew now that the death of one of the orders members may not be avoided as he wanted it to be. The King also saw Evora once again out on the battlefield using magic to destroy projectiles from the catapults and trebuchets. He guessed Kronen got her which made him laugh. If Kronen was so strong why did he hide behind an army, and this thought gave the King an idea.


    The King climbed to the top of the ramparts and jumped down. He charged the ranks drawing great power from his blade. As he ran the blade started to pour flame like it was a liquid, he soon had an intense fiery streak trailing behind him. He slid down onto one knee and took a large swipe at the front lines of the enemy forces. The trail wrapped itself and coiled like a bull whip, it cracked and faster than the soldiers could blink they had been turned to ash. The King laughed and continued to do this, cutting down massive amounts of troops on his way to the heart of their army. He grew weary of letting Kronen hide, he would fight, or he would be killed like a dog.


    Once the King saw Kronen he yelled over the noise of battle, still swinging the flaming whip, ¡°DO YOU KNOW WHAT ANIMAL WAITS FOR ITS SLAUGHTER?¡± He stopped the flame from pouring out and he jumped with great strength towards Kronen whom he punched into the ground. He said as Kronen slowly staggered and got to his feet, ¡°Sheep.¡± He dashed towards Kronen but as he did, the wizards of the Order surrounded him and bombarder him with their power. The King blocked all of it with a flaming shield until he was hit with a blast from Kronen which sent him hurtling backwards. The King stood and said, ¡°So you must all work together ehh. Good to know I am worthy of such a group of enemies, let''s do this shall we?¡±


    The group clashed for what seemed like eons, the commanders rushed Annoria, and had several siege engines reach the wall and start pouring troops over onto the wall. The fight between the King, the Order and Kronen only distracted the King from keeping his wall from falling. Within the hour the wall was taken and their fight was surrounded by the enemy forces. The King laughed all the while, easily blocking everything that they threw at him, and as a team they blocked what he did. With the fight raging on too long the King slammed his blade into the ground, sending all of the Order flying backwards but left Kronen dazed. The King grabbed Kronen and said, ¡°Let''s take this somewhere more scenic shall we?¡± He teleported the both of them into the council chamber which was away from all of the fighting. The King said, ¡°Your armies may defeat mine but you will never take this Kingdom as long as there is a breath in my body.¡± Kronen said, ¡°Let us change that then.¡± The two clashed for a very long time, neither seeming to gain an edge over the other, the King somewhat lacking as he used much power over the course of the day, but he did not stop fighting.


    They made their way into the middle of the council chairs, Kronen saw this as his moment to get him to sit into the throne and allow him to win the war. As soon as Kronen had the King oriented in the correct spot, the Wyrms burst into the chamber and surrounded them. Kronen became filled with fear, what if he failed to do this, what would happen to the world, but he shook them off. He was so close to attaining victory that he could taste it, and it tasted good as victory should. The King said, ¡°My Wyrms will finish what I have started Kronen, they will eventually dominate this area, and make every race fear them.¡± Kronen said, ¡°Not with Calentra¡¯s gifts will they, the arrows are far from here, being copied into more and more of them. You cannot stop their deaths, it is inevitable.¡± The King slashed at Kronen heavily, speeding up and up causing Kronen to struggle in defense. The King swiped one of Kronens legs from under him and he went to stab him but Kronen dodged it.


    Before he could pull the blade free he was struck by the staff and thrown back in front of his throne. Kronen charged forward and kicked the King into the throne. The King held a hand out, the sword raced into his hand, Kronen laughed all the while, lowering his guard. The King held his sword point resting on the floor as he slowly felt himself shut down. The only thing he was able to say before he was fully grasped by the curse was, ¡°Wyrms¡­flee.¡± The twins roared in anger, knowing now that the King was cursed, they rushed Kronen and threw him around, nearly killing him but he managed to teleport out. The twins rushed out of the castle and raced towards the battlefield and started to utterly destroy the armies. They were soon followed by the other Wyrms, who were filled with rage and poured fire across the fields, they first cleared the wall then attacked the remaining three armies that marched towards them. At the first sight of one of the arrows Krathen called for a full retreat, and the Wyrms obeyed. Once the Wyrms were clear of the battle and of Annoria Krathen said to them, ¡°Our King is cursed, I do not know what happens now but we must split up, we must hide, they cannot find us and we must become stronger. We must become better, and maybe we can find a way to uncurse our King. Be safe fellow Wyrms, fly true and trust no one.¡±The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.


    The Wyrms split up into several different directions, they did not know that only their deaths would allow the King to rise, nor did they know that splitting up was the worst idea they could¡¯ve had. Shortly after Kronen, still very hurt, took Annoria and showed off the King being cursed and unable to move he missed that very same detail. When Evora altered the curse, she added a way for the King to gain revenge, although she could not drop the curse, she did what she could. Both Kronens pride and his pain hid the discovery of this alteration from him, and he taunted the King who neither heard nor saw anything that was going on. The only thing about him was that the runes on his blade glowed a fierce red, as the same did with his eyes.


    Once Kronen had healed up fully he set out to conquer many things, and claim many new lands in honor of his accomplishments. He trashed Annoria and left if in ruin, and claimed the city of New Perithius for his own kingdom. He took this city for its location, which had the dangerous maze of crevices before entering a small valley which he spent many centuries arming and closing off so that it was near impenetrable. He built a massive wall which surrounded his lands, and he had the largest population of any city in the rest of the land. His army was deemed unstoppable but comprised mostly of the descendants of the Kings army and of the highest skilled warriors from the land. The name of this Kingdom changed many times over and over again as Kronen ruled it, he changed his name after a while as well, and claimed he was a descendent of Kronen, as to stay in power longer, he ruled pretty much the same for the entirety of the time he hunted down the remaining Wyrms.


    Kronen within the first two-hundred years killed only four of the Wyrms; Fenaar the Fleet, Draken the Destructive, and finally Borak and Karnac the Twins of Chaos. Borak and Karnac were killed at the same time when they had been surrounded in a cave system, They brought the mountain they hid in down on top of them and could not escape but killed tens of thousands of Kronen¡¯s soldiers in the process. With every Wyrms death Kronen noticed their power leaves, and travels far away, he assumed it goes back to where they were created from, the ash that laid before Annoria, or the Kings village. He was very wrong. Another five-hundred years went by, with the death of four more Wyrms; Wulfric the Howler, Kalduur the Terrible, Carreon the Knowing, and Travaar the Conquering. Most of the deaths of the Wyrms involved serious percussions. The sacrifices made my Kronen angered many of his subjects, which is why he changed his name from time to time, to change the source of blame. He slowly killed off the Wyrms and within the first thousand years, eight of the Wyrms had been killed.


    The remaining Wyrms grouped together, except Kalnuar who was off in a distant land trying to seek refuge for he and his fellow Wyrms. The Wyrms; Krathen, Apoph, Graahm, Estan, and Prahven set out for a final attack on the heart of Kronen¡¯s empire. The Wyrms hit his capital in the dark of night and laid waste to his farms and most of his castle, this resulted in the deaths of; Apoph the Snake, Estan the Exquisite, and Prahven the Annihilator. Estan¡¯s body was taken, filled with a sort of material and was turned into a statue, the heads of the other Wyrms were mounted alongside it within Kronens keep, in plain view of where many citizens walked past, so they can know what to rightfully fear.


    The final three Wyrms were strong with defiance, destroying until their last breaths. Graahm retreated to the volcanic lands of the North, while Krathen still fought on. Kalnuar had returned only to see many of his fellow Wyrms dead, and only two other''s remaining. It took another six-hundred years for Kronen to finally be able to kill Graahm the Greedy, he was obsessing over hoards of gold which is what gave away his location, he was the one that started the myth of the dragon¡¯s curse, where one can become so covetous over gold he would kill anything in his way to keep it. Krathen went into one final battle as she knew her time was nearing its end. She went out clawing, gnashing, and sending towers of flame crashing across the fields. She was hit by on of the arrows and she was fatally injured. She managed to pull out the arrow, and she flew off in the direction of her only home, she wanted to die with hope and should the King awake, he would be angry at her death as long as the death of the other Wyrms.


    She arrived, barely able to maintain flight. She crashed down into the ground and slid several hundred feet until she managed to limp to her feet. She entered the council chamber which was overgrown and filled with vegetation. She curled herself up around the King, and that is when she felt it. She felt a power coming out of the King and that is when she also figured it out. The deaths of the Wyrms is the key to his awakening. She looked around and saw a stone tablet inscribed with a message. The message read, ¡°In the times of great power and war, A King rose. He was betrayed by a curse, a curse that I changed. I could not stop the curse, but I could repay a favour as best I could. The Wyrms must die, and the King will rise again.--Evora the Chaotic¡± Krathen had hope build up within her, Evora, Hevaar¡¯s daughter. All those long years ago gave the King a chance, as best she could. Krathen said before she died, ¡°Evora, your debt has been payed, thank you.¡± Krathens head dropped and hit the ground, her power absorbed by the King, the runes and his eyes glowed even brighter, waiting for one more, waiting for Kalnuar the Last of the Wyrms.


    Kronen searched for many long years, and with every mention at the name Kalnuar, or anything that he suspected to be the Last he acted on. Kalnuar was very wise after all the years of hiding and on the run, choosing when and where to strike after many years of deliberation. Kalnuar many times went back to Annoria to remember, or to try a new method to raise his King. This next time he flew in and landed he discovered something new. He discovered a stone, which he could barely read, set by Evora the Chaotic, the daughter of Hevaar. This was pointed out by Krathen, who had positioned herself in her last moments to reveal it. Kalnuar did not know how he missed the signs before but he understood what he had to do, he must die. He set out over the next eight decades, and prepared for the Kings return, making sure he would have sufficient means of revenge.


    Kronen caught wind of a commotion near the Western coast, fires raged all across it and the cities were being attacked. Kronen and his armies rushed to their aide and soon found it was not a Wyrm, but an invasion. A massive army of Orcs assaulted the towns and cities by means of water, their advances were covered by the morning fogs and they caught the coast unawares. Kronens focus was now only set on holding off the Orcs but little did he know this was the exact thing Kalnuar had wanted. Kalnuar invested in the help of the Orcs, he distracted Kronen and the land while their power grew. He remembered his King saying, ¡®In times of war your enemies may become your allies to destroy those who betray you.¡¯ This was a perfect example of what the King had meant.


    Kronen was too tunnel visioned to understand what was happening. He only saw an invasion by the Orcs, and not the destruction of his capitol. Kronen let his anger overflow and he lost control over his mind, something that had begun to happen more and more as of late. His subjects started to respect him less and fear him more. His once free Kingdom turned into a tyranny where speaking out meant death. Kalnuar waited until all of Kronens forces were out of his capitol when he struck, he knew they would be days away and would not arrive in time to stop him, so that is when he struck. He leveled Kronens capital and killed all of the people that lived there, he did so with so much hate and anger, which was fueled even further by discovering his brethren adorning a wall, like trophies. He took them, and flew them back to Annoria, taking them back to their home. He took Drakon back to the Kings village to return them to their ashen states. He returned the other''s back to the fields before Annoria, where he would eventually be himself if his King was to come back. He left Krathen where she laid, the King needed something to fire him up, and set him up against the world.


    This made him think of what Kronen would think if he was too bold. Kalnuar must keep on playing the waiting game, until it would seem he could not anymore. He must keep the Kings potential return secret, so that he may prepare and become as angry as possible. Kalnuar within another century fully prepared the King for his return, and now he must slowly edge Kronen away, and deliver blow by blow until he must give his life to allow his King to rise. Kalnuar attacked time and time again in battle by battle alongside the Orcs, destroying many cities and causing much grief and mayhem within Kronen¡¯s reign. This filled him with fear, this made him think, ¡®Can this be the Wyrm that ends me?¡¯ Kronen became paranoid about everything, never trusting anyone or everything. He would not eat for days thinking it was poisoned, then he would eat too much get sick and kill his chefs. His people had lost hope in his ability to rule and started to attempt to overthrow him but to no avail.


    Kronen still had Calentra¡¯s staff and with it he still had power enough to hold back his subjects and keep them in check. Kronen often thought on how the King would have dealt with this, then he scoffed and laughed, cursing his name. Kronen thought to himself, ¡®I do not need his help, I am capable of ruling on my own. If they will not love me by choice, I will force them to.¡¯ Kronen spent the next few decades forcing his subjects to praise his image, and love only him. He turned their lives into what he wanted them to live and would not let them do anything unless he wanted to do it as well. He turned his army into more of a cheer force, fighting for how much they loved Kronen, and how loyal they were to him. He had them tote around banners with his name and face on them, making his allies shy away from helping him, they knew he was going mad. Kronen of course thought it was because they were plotting against him as his current mindset would only allow him to think of, but he did not see what truly was happening.


    Kronen would send out his army and destroy them one by one until only he remained, and until only those that loved him remained. He would ensure his reign would not end anytime soon, and he was very very hopeful in his search for Kalnuar the Last. It took Kronen around five decades to fully destroy those who once were his allies, and his mood was still not changed, he noticed his armies hesitation when he ordered the deaths of his past allies. He noticed the citizens begin to become restless, and they started to defy him. He felt his kingdom was on the verge of rebellion when he heard a massive roar that shook his newly finished capital. He rushed to a balcony which overlooked his Kingdom and he saw it. He saw Kalnuar the Last soaring in. Kronen heard the bells ring and he waited while laughing, the Last had come to his death. Kronen stopped laughing when he realized nothing was being done about Kalnuar other than the bells being rang, no arrows being loosed, nothing.


    Kalnuar barreled his way towards Kronen, letting fire bathe the town in many parts. Kronen panicked and teleported from the tower just as Kalnuar hit it and obliterated it. Kalnuar turned to see Kronen on a ballista loaded with one of the arrows, and he knew that it was time. Kalnuar brashly left himself open to an attack as he dove towards the ballista and Kronen. Kronen yelled, ¡°So long Kalnuar the Last.¡± Kronen loosed the arrow and it sped straight towards Kalnuar, who did not move, did not try to get out of the way. Kalnuar took the arrow straight to his chest, and he slammed into the ground, pain took him over. Kronen walked up beside him as Kalnuar died. Kalnuar laughed and said, ¡°Good luck, you will need it for whats coming, and it¡¯s coming for you traitor. It¡¯s coming for you. He. Is. Coming.¡± Kalnuar¡¯s last breaths escaped his scaled body and his force slowly returned to its source, returned to his King.


    Kronen stood, thinking of what Kalnuar said. Kronen said to himself, ¡®This could not be true. It cannot. The curse is unbreakable, unless. NO! I did not mess up the curse. I had too much time to prepare for it to mess it up. But how can this be? Lies are what it is, lies. The King cannot return, he cannot and will not. It has been a thousand six hundred and thirty years since he was curse, if he could not escape then, he cannot escape now.¡¯ Kronen¡¯s mind was still very fractured and paranoid, his situation of his Kingdom was lessened as the last Wyrm was killed, but tensions were still high.


    Kalnuar¡¯s essence traveled a very long way, flowing in and out alongside the air and essence of life that surrounded the fields and wooded areas of the land. As this essence grew closer and closer to the King, the runes and his eyes glowed ever brighter and burned the air around with an intense heat, waiting, ready to return. The essence reached the woods that laid before the fields that lined the front of the ancient Kingdom. Speeding across the fields of ash of which Kalnuar was born. Drawing ever closer, creeping through the ruins of a once prosperous city. Reaching a massive ornate castle door, covered in tarnish and fauna. Squeezing through the cracks, and into the castle. Flowing down the once majestic and beautiful halls straight to the room in which it will all end. The suffering of an era of old ends with the birth of a new era. The essence reached the King and entered him, causing the statue like substance that coated him to crack and fall away. This substance was the ash that hardened around him of the burning of his Kingdom. The new era began, the Era of the King.

 CHAPTER X: Portrayal of Power

    He once again saw with his eyes, and felt with his body that which he had not. He was in a dark room and he asked himself, ¡®Is this death? Have I finally reached the end?¡¯ He moved, knocking his sword over. He stood up, he felt his strength returning, but more than he was used to. He suddenly felt a surge of pain and misery, images flashed through his head, his Wyrms. His Wyrms were all dead. These images were ended by Krathen wrapping herself around him. He sent out a burst of flame that lit the room. He dropped to his knees as he saw the bones of Krathen laying as he had seen them. He slammed a fist into the ground in anger. He reached for his sword and took it, looking at the blade he said aloud, ¡°Let us remind them who we are, but first a visit to see what has happened, and how much time I lost.¡± He teleported once again into the familiar temple of Annor.


    Annor turned in surprise and said, ¡°You have returned? How was the curse broken?¡± The King said, ¡°I do not know what curse you speak of Annor.¡± Annor said, ¡°Ah, of course you don¡¯t. Kronen cursed you to become trapped within your throne for eternity, yet here you are so many many long ages later.¡± The King asked, ¡°How long has it been, how long did it take for my Wyrms to die?¡± Annor said, ¡°It has been a thousand six hundred and thirty years since you were cursed. Kalnuar was the last to die, and he went out in one massive fireball and he did not die easily.¡± The King said, ¡°Can I speak with Krathen through your device Annor?¡± Annor said, ¡°Yes but it will bring you great pain, you will feel what she did as she died, are you sure you can handle it?¡± The King said, ¡°I can, I must know how.¡± Annor motioned him to follow and he did. They came to the device that Annor had to look over, and it took nearly an hour to find Krathen who was alongside the other Wyrms. The King clenched his fists and said, ¡°All of my Wyrms are dead. Oh what have I missed over the years.¡± Annor said, ¡°You missed much. Kronen conquered the land and slowly killed off your Wyrms, it took him a very long time but Kalnuar seemed to know something Kronen did not, as if he knew you were going to return.¡± The King said, ¡°That is why I want to speak with Krathen, she was like a leader to them, she would know. Let us get on with it.¡±


    Annor connected the King and Krathen together. The King dropped to his knees full of pain and agony. Krathen said, ¡°You have returned my King.¡± The King stood and fought the pain off and said, ¡°I have but much too late. I could not save you.¡± Krathen said, ¡°You were not meant to. The curse Kronen left would¡¯ve taken you for eternity, but Evora changed it. She could not destroy the curse as Kronen was far more powerful with the staff he had, she could only alter it. Since she knew you would not be able to protect us, and Kronen would no doubt eventually kill us. She added in that once all of us died, you would gain our power, and become thrice as strong as you used to be, and you would be broken out of the curse. Time had worn away the message she left in your throne room sadly. I had said before my last breath of life that her debt was paid, and I hope you can agree with me.¡± The King reached out a hand and laid it on Krathens large scaled face, but he was unable to feel the Wyrm. He said, ¡°I will destroy Kronen and all that he controls, then I will cleanse the land of his influence, I will cleanse them in fire beyond comprehension, then I will give up this power, and return it to Annor, so that I may finally die. I will be with you all once more, wait for me, and find my wife and child, tell them I am coming soon.¡± Krathen said, ¡°I will, I will also tell the other Wyrms of your eventual arrival. Goodbye my King.¡± The King replied, ¡°Goodbye, Krathen the First.¡±


    Once the connection was broken the King said to Annor, ¡°Where is Kronen?¡± Annor said, ¡°That I do not know, however I do know it is to the far East, further than the Orc lands of old, near the coast. Before you go on your journey I must tell you, the world is far different now, the beasts of old are no more, there are far more dangerous and devilish creatures. A dark power is rising in the East and I fear it is the Orcs, or something more powerful. Be careful.¡± The King said with a stern face, ¡°I will not be stopped in this quest for revenge. Kronen will die, along with any who decide to step into my way. I will return when it is done.¡± The King turned to leave but before he teleported out he said, ¡°I am sorry about Calentra, Annor. She betrayed her oath and I did what had to be done.¡± Annor said, ¡°It is fine, I know well what she did, I still ache however. You know all too well how that feels though so I need not explain it to you.¡± The King said, ¡°All too well indeed.¡± Then he teleported out, leaving Annor deep in thought.


    The King teleported back to Annoria, to the fields before on top of his once prestigious wall that now crumpled over time. He looked over the ruins of his Kingdom and said to himself, ¡®Time would have it no other way. Now I must seek vengeance for my Wyrms. Goodbye Annoria I will miss you very dearly.¡¯ The King jumped from the wall and left Annoria, walking over the ash fields where he felt the presence of his Wyrms, they were returned here by something. He thought it must have been Kalnuar who did this, honor was a large part of his personality and it would make sense that he would do it. The King continued on his walk, through the woods and off towards the East, cutting a straight path to Kronen, his anger and calmness in an ever shifting equilibrium. If he was going to lose control, Kronen would be who he would do it on.


    After several days of walking he came upon a small armed brigade of soldiers who hoisted very ornate flags overhead and bore the face of Kronen. The King grew angry, drew his sword and mercilessly attacked the soldiers, slaughtering all but one. He grabbed the last soldier and asked, ¡°Do you know who I am?¡± The soldier said, ¡°No, please spare my life great warrior.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°I am the King of Wyrms, tell Kronen I am coming for him, now picture his castle in your mind, I will send you there. I want him to be ready for the destruction I will bring him. I want him to fear me like the entire land used to. I want to see how filled with regret his eyes are as I cut his head from his body with naught but a eating utensil. Tell him his King has returned, for him.¡± The King teleported the soldier away to Kronens Kingdom, and he continued on his journey there even thought he now knew where it was, he would not end it so early. Fear must take its toll on Kronens mind first, then death will follow swiftly and easily.


    Two soldiers dragged the bloody and beaten soldier which the King teleported to Kronen. The soldiers said, ¡°This one has gotten some funny ideas in his head, you might want to hear ¡®em.¡± Kronen said, ¡°How important are these to me?¡± The Soldiers said, ¡°They are threats on the life of someone named Kronen sire.¡± Now thinking back there are not many who still know him as Kronen, only a small handful, and this filled him with fear but he did not let the soldiers know this. Kronen hid his true name from his peoples, changing his name as to change his peoples angers onto past rulers instead of blaming him all the time when a trouble arose. Kronen said, ¡°Let me hear this so called threat.¡± The bloody soldier repeated, word for word what the King said. Kronen yelled, ¡°Begone! Leave him with me!¡± The two soldiers dropped the bloody one and left very quickly. Once they were gone Kronen took his staff and jabbed it into the bloody soldiers throat several times. Kronen finally killed the soldier after he figured out he was not lying, and this made Kronen very terrified. Kronen called for the body to be disposed of and he once again sat on his throne but this time, consumed by the terror of what was to come should this be true.


    The King was reaching the outskirts of an Elven city, which was now in ruin. He looked around as he walked through and thought, ¡®This is Lith¡¯ Oreanas¡­.oh what have they done to you.¡¯ He soon found a banner of Kronen, buried into a pile of bone and armour. The banner was planted straight through the skull of an elf he knew, it was the same Elf whom Votaar knew when he first arrived in the elven city. This made him angry, and also gave him an edge. Kronen betrayed his allies, and that would be his last betrayal. The King removed the banner and turned all to ash, giving them more of a proper fate then what Kronen had left them in. He took the banner and made a decision. He burned the banner off of the staff that carried it and replaced it with his own banner. He would bury this banner in Kronen, while he still breathed, and he would laugh as he did it.


    The King left Lith¡¯ Oreanas, not looking back as to not bring back memories of a once beautiful Elven city. This made him think of the other cities, how many were left? How many Dwarves, Elves, and Men still lived? Kronen was brash, out of control, and very aggressive at times which the King learned over time until he was betrayed. He wondered what the Order was doing, or if they lived in fear of Kronen. He guessed that they indeed were in fear of Kronen, as they once had been in fear of him. The King said to himself, ¡®I should pay them a visit, and announce my return and my plan, or maybe I should kill Kronen first as to¡­.You know I will tell the Order. If they tell Kronen then he¡¯ll have to believe I am back, then he will fear even more.¡¯ The King made his way to the Order, which was not all too far away from Lith¡¯ Oreanas as a matter of fact.


    He arrived at the Order within a three days journey on foot. He walked up to the gate and noticed there was a small armed group of guards instead of the two that used to be there. One of the guards said, ¡°None shall enter, the Order is off limits to all outsiders.¡± The King said, ¡°I am going to ask nicely. Where is Kraagor?¡± The guards looked at each other a little confused and said, ¡°There is no Kraagor here. Begone stranger, you fly an unknown banner to us.¡± The King said, ¡°Kraagor the Keeper? You mean that he is not here?¡± The guard became angry and stepped forward a bit drawing his sword as he said, ¡°There is no Kraagor the Keeper here. Leave or we will kill you.¡± the King laughed and said, ¡°Ya, right. Just like There is no Evora the Chaotic here as well eh?¡± One of the guards in the back said, ¡°Evora has been dead for five hundred years stranger, are you an Elf? Only explanation of how you even might know her name.¡± The King said, ¡°No, I am no Elf. I am the King of Wyrms, perhaps you heard the legends of me? If not know this, I go where I want, when I want. Those who get in my way burn, so. Who wants to keep standing in my way?¡± All of the guards except the one that walked out and had his sword drawn stepped aside quickly.


    The guard said, ¡°You cannot burn me without fire, so called King. Your name has not been heard of by us either, so your threats are empty.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°I do not make empty threats, and I always have a little fire with me.¡± The King burst one of his hands into flame and punched the guard in the chest sending the guard flying back at a tremendous speed. The Guard stood and charged towards the King. No matter how hard the guard tried to hit the King, he could not land a blow. The King was much faster than he used to be, much faster. The reabsorption of the Wyrms at the hands of Evora made him much more powerful and he loved every second of toying with the guard. Soon enough the King had enough with his little game, he grabbed the guards sword, ripped it out of his hands, melted it down in seconds. He then grabbed the guard with both hands on his helm, and he begun to engulf him in flame. The King cooked the guard alive within his helmet, which he then eventually melted into the guards skull by the amount of heat he was putting into it. He let go of the guard and his lifeless body fell like a net filled with stone to the ground while smoking and smelling of charred flesh.


    The King looked around, his hands still flaming and asked, ¡°Any other¡¯s want to get in my way?¡± The guards quickly said no and opened the door to the tower, letting the King enter. Soon after he entered several wizards surrounded him, he felt them holding, or attempting to hold him, in place. He knew they were not strong enough, but he was not here to kill any of them, only to find answers. He said, ¡°I am the King of Wyrms, and I have returned. I come for the head of a traitorous scum called Kronen. He may go by a different name but that is the only one I know him by. I come simply to say thanks to Evora, although she is long since dead. I also come to say, Kronen will die, I travel now to his Kingdom. I am going to bury my standard in his skull as his final breaths escape his body. Warn him, do not warn him, that is your choice.¡± He went to leave when he was approached by a very old wizard in a grey robe.


    The wizard introduced himself and said, ¡°I am Waardehn the Wandering, I am sure Evora would have appreciated your thanks, I was the last to see her, She was the last of her time. I was the first of mine. We lived in fear of Kronen after we thought he killed you, Evora never lost hope as she knew something we did not. Turns out she was right. I do not know the level of your power, I have not seen it but I felt some of it earlier I assume, out front with the guard?¡± The King said, ¡°Yes, he would not move aside and he paid the price. I have long been separated from this world and I no longer feel for anything. I will stop at nothing until Kronen is dead with my standard buried in his skull. I will burn this land to the ground if need be. Nothing will stand in the way of my revenge, as nothing did last time I set out for it.¡± The King turned and walked away leaving the old wizard stroking his beard and scratching his head.


    The King turned into a vortex of anger over the course of his journey, not helped by the guard complicating the visit to the order. He would continue on his journey, the next stop would be the Dwarven capital, at least what was during his time. The City of Karnidine, a mountain fortress that was built by the Dwarves and manned for centuries by them since last the King visited. Within a few days he came within eyeshot of the mountain and saw no promising signs. He walked through a large set of gates, which had been broken down many years in the past. He continued on and came upon the ruins of another once great city. The King walked into the center of the town, where a very weathered, and nearly destroyed statue which commemorated Barik stood. Next to it was a statue much the same but dedicated to Gornik, equally as weathered and falling apart.


    The King gathered his strength and touched the statues, he wanted simply to fix the statues, and have them never weather again. When he was finished the statues looked as they had just been cut from the stones which they had so many centuries ago. The King could still not believe that over a millenia had passed, with his Kingdom being so thoughtlessly destroyed by those who thought they could do better. He was angered greatly by the destruction of pretty much all he knew, once again he lost his friends, and his family. He considered the Wyrms as his family as the were borne of his power and the ashes of chaos. He picked up his pace and headed off towards the City of Perithius, which he did not think would be standing either.


    The King reached Perithius within two days, which was much faster than he normally would have made it. He reached the city and notice it had the same colors as Kronen¡¯s standard did. He entered the city and looked around, seeing that this once was his capital. The King walked over to a large stone wall, where there were eleven mounts on a wall, and one large one where he saw the claws of a Wyrm were supposed to sit. He ran his hands over the inset in the stone and said, ¡°Estan, figures they would make you the largest of the trophies, you were too exquisite for your own good. They will pay for this.¡± He continued walking around and saw signs of this being an attack, but not by Kronen. A Wyrm did this, and he was not sure who it was, no all of the mounts on the wall went to all of his Wyrms, there was three missing. Krathen he guessed, but he could not tell what the other two alive were. Whoever it was did a very good job, the entire city burned and this brought a smile to the King¡¯s face. His Wyrms fought to the very end, like he knew they always would. Once the King was done searching Perithius he continued down his long journey towards the coast, and to Kronen.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Kronen was busy going over defense situations in his head when several wizards from the Order showed up. Kronen said, ¡°Ah, you have come to swear fealty to me eh? About time you did.¡± One of the wizards said, ¡°No we haven¡¯t actually. We have come to warn you. We were visited by a man whom said he knew your true name.¡± Kronen said, ¡°Oh really? What did he say my name was?¡± The wizard said, ¡°He said you are Kronen, and you are in fear of him. He said he was once your King. There is something you have not told our order, and what he has said backs that up.¡± Kronen stood and started to yell, ¡°I will not be told lies in my own castle. Begone or you shall be killed. I fear no one, I am King here, I am in charge of this land. Begone!¡± The wizards shuffled out and were sure of their suspicions of Kronen.


    Kronen sat back in his throne and his head was once again filled with thoughts of fear. His mind was consumed by it, he gripped Calentra¡¯s staff with both his hands and said aloud over and over again, ¡°Her power will save me, her power will save me¡­¡± Kronen did not sleep in the weeks that came and he was miserable. He became rash, killing many of his once most trusted guards and soldiers. He killed his commanders and took full command over the army and threatened all talk of leaving as betrayal and he would kill all who tried to leave. His paranoidism clouded his vision and his being. His true self was once again emerging, his self before he became the court wizard for the King of Wyrms. The slime of the land that he once was which preyed on the weak and took all he saw, even from those with less than him.


    The King arrived at a city, this city was not burned or destroyed but bustled to and fro with soldiers of every race. This reminded him of Annoria before its fall, with peace between the races. He was confronted by one soldier who asked, ¡°Who are you and what do you want?¡± The King looked at him and said, ¡°I am the King of Wyrms, and I journey to kill the one who betrayed me, Kronen.¡± The soldier said, ¡°I am commander here, Commander Zerek. I have not heard of you before.¡± The King said, ¡°I have been away for awhile, it would not surprise me the land has forgotten my name. I see you have gathered a fine army Commander. Let''s say we make a deal.¡± Zerek asked, ¡°What kind of deal King?¡± The King said, ¡°I kill the wizard, your army can take care of the rest, seem fair?¡± Zerek laughed and said jokingly, ¡°OH your going to kill the wizard eh? Get a load of this guy. You cannot kill the wizard, he is immortal.¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°I made him immortal Commander. I was his King before he betrayed me and killed my Kin. My Wyrms. I guess your tongue would not know them by that name, perhaps dragons would better suit your knowledge.¡± The Commander and the surrounding soldiers laughed for several long minutes on this.


    The Commander gathered his composure long enough to say, ¡°I do not believe that you, a stranger, has seen dragons.¡± The King said, ¡°I have not just seen them, I created them. Now I will kill the wizard, with or without your help, or I can kill all of you here and now and use your ashen bodies to fuel my new dragons. Which sounds better?¡± The Commander drew his sword and said, ¡°You will not have our help King.¡± The King said, ¡°So be it then. Hope you¡¯ve made your peace.¡± The King held his hands out to his sides, flame slowly flickering out of his hands. He started to rise up into the air, the flames growing in size and intensity soon becoming a raging torrent. The soldiers around him began to panic and rush around wildly, yelling. The King said, ¡°Do you believe me now Commander. Or shall your forces be crushed like insects beneath my boots?¡± The Commander threw his sword to the ground and said, ¡°I do believe you now, spare these men, they have been through much at the hands of the wizard and we are not sure of those who we can trust.¡±


    The King lowered himself down, he killed the flames and said, ¡°I enjoy showing off a bit, which is why I first made the dragons, I had fourteen once. That damned wizard and his betrayal caused their deaths even though the eventuality of them dying was inevitable, as with all living things.¡± The Commander asked, ¡°What about immortality like the wizard has?¡± The King laughed and said, ¡°He merely does not age, I told him it was immortality but he still must eat, sleep and drink, he is not immortal, he is an Elf in a man¡¯s body. I on the other hand am truly immortal. It has been a thousand six hundred and thirty years since last I saw that wizard, and this standard I carry will be driven through his skull. I will laugh and drink merrily on his death, then I will leave the choice of his replacement to the people, and I will return my power to its source.¡± Zerek asked, ¡°Why?¡± The King said, ¡°So that I can finally die. I have been away from my family for about two thousand years Commander, I wish to see them again.¡± Zerek asked, ¡°Do you even remember their faces after all this time?¡± The King looked to the sky and said, ¡°I do in fact. I remember every little detail.¡± He laughed and asked, ¡°Did that seem moody enough? I¡¯m not very good at this social thing, never have been.¡±


    The Commander set up the King with a tent and other useful provisions. The King was present in the command tent to listen to the battle plans set out by the Commander and his fellow soldiers. The King cut in at one point and said, ¡°If I know Kronen, which I do, He will no doubt use Calentra¡¯s staff to his advantage. I will break it, allowing your troops to mount an attack with little resistance. I will not hold back and I ask you all to not hold back either. I can feel Kronens fear of me rising, he knows I¡¯m toying with him, I could have killed him as soon as I broke free of his curse, but I will do this like I would have before. With ample time, and carrying a heavy message. He distributes soldiers terribly by the way, unless something has changed since I last went away, he cannot place battalions to save his life so his paranoidism may win you an easy battle. Good luck Commanders, I head out now to pave a way for you.¡± The Commanders nodded at him and he left the tent.


    He did not get far when someone tried to stab him in the back. He turned blindingly fast, grabbed the dagger by the blade and stared into the man¡¯s eyes who dared try to stab him. The King grabbed him by the throat, carried him back into the Commander''s tent, slammed him onto the war table and said, ¡°Talk or die assassin.¡± The man on the table said nothing but spit in the King¡¯s face while laughing. The King said, ¡°Shall I show you what¡¯s funny?¡± The King grabbed him with both hands holding him by the head. The King burst his hands into flames, which melted the head of the man, charred it, and filled the tent with the smell of burnt flesh. The King dropped the lifeless body, what once was a head still smoking. He said, ¡°Sorry for that, he tried to stab me while I exited the tent, use extreme caution around your camp Commanders.¡± The King once again left he tent and this time was left alone on his walk, not getting attacked.


    Word reached Kronen soon that his assassin he sent to kill the commanders that survived his purge of the races had failed, when it was described what happened to him he became ever more fearful of the King. Kronen tried desperately to keep spirits high for his subjects, but his rule was not the best, nor was it the safest. Crime was high, guards were lazy unless someone tried to escape. Kronen stopped the army being trained, saying they needed to spend more time on praising him. This did not please the army in the slightest and they started to lack in means of readiness of incoming attacks, and any who spoke out were killed in a public execution to ¡®put the others in their places¡¯ as Kronen would put it. Kronens rule simply turned from a once great Kingdom to a feared, hated, and least liked of any in the region for many centuries to come.


    The King, with information he received from Commander Zerek found that he was entering Kronen¡¯s domain when he reached a checkpoint on the road ahead of him. He reached it and the guards approached threatening him. The King said, ¡°Let me pass or you shall die a horrible death.¡± One of the guards said, ¡°So be it then.¡± The King looked at him awkwardly, then drew his sword and struck all of them down within seconds, each still alive however. He said before he left, ¡°Bleeding out is a much worse death than you may think, enjoy it.¡± He kept on past the checkpoint and followed the main road towards Kronen¡¯s capitol with only one thought in his mind, one so familiar to him, vengeance. As he traveled he saw many of Kronens standards being flown in many cities but none of them were the capitol. It took the King a little under a week to finally find and walk to the capital of Kronens Kingdom.


    He reached the city and it was very large, much larger than Perithius, and even larger than Annoria. This city was before an open plain, and built on a mountainside, and was made of a stark white stone. Kronens red banners could be seen flown even from where the King was currently which was still about several hours of travel. The King looked over to the otherside of the plains which was dominated by the dark existence of the Ashlands, where he could see flares of fire arise every now and then. He then looked towards the coast, which was still a very far ways off from the White City. He saw a small port town located at a river that empties out into the ocean. He started off towards the small port city but after about an hour he was distracted by commotion from the Ashlands. He turned and looked over to see a massive black wall which had not been there last he visited those lands. He took time to walk over to it, but soon found the Ashlands were plagued by Orcs. The King stood out in the open, causing horns to bellow and the gate slowly lugged its way open.


    A single armorclad warrior walked out an Elf, lugging a large heavy weapon behind him. The figure reached the King and said in a chilling language that the King noticed as his own, the Wyrmtongue. He was not sure how any came to learn this, but he did not care. The Warrior said, ¡°I am Trakoor, I am in charge here. Who are you to come to my domain?¡± The King said, ¡°I am the King of Wyrms, how did you learn my tongue?¡± Trakoor took a slight step back and said, ¡°The King of Wyrms? You must lie, he was cursed many centuries ago by that foul wizard Kronen in the city across the plains.¡± The King drew his sword, the blade turning to an intense flame and he said, ¡°I do not lie Tarkoor. How came you by the knowledge of the Wyrmtongue?¡± Tarkoor said, ¡°I used to be head of Kronen¡¯s guard, but he was not a good ruler. I deserted his army and came here, built an army of Orcs through magic, as it was Kronen who taught me the Wyrmtongue. I made it the tongue of all Orcs under my Kingdom, we made this our fortress for now until we find something better, preferably far away from that wizard.¡±


    The King said, ¡°Try searching within the North, the mountains there form a narrow pass to lands beyond, it would be a good place for a Kingdom. I had considered it for my own actually but I found a better one that suited me more. Your needs are far lesser than mine were so you have room to choose better than I had.¡± The King went to leave but said before he did, ¡°Do not worry about the wizard, it was I who taught him Wyrmtongue, it was I that is his King, and it was I whom he betrayed. He will die.¡± The King left Tarkoor standing just outside his large gate, he shouted for scouts to be sent Northward to find the place the King talked about. Little did the King know that the Kingdom he just found in the millenia to come would launch war on the land.


    The King reached the port city and rested for a day before making his move. Early in the morning he set several houses on fire, he strategically placed them so the entire town would be burned, sending a message to Kronen. Not soon after the emergency bells rang, and the White City responded by ringing bells in response. The King walked through the port city as it burned, looking left and right at those unfortunate enough to escape, or those already dead. He looked at the families and fully understood a lesson he would use to commit in killing Kronen. He continued walking, his sights set on the White City and his mind ready.


    He reached the front gate at an hour past midday, and came to a full stop. The massive front gate of the city was closed, blocking his entry. Not soon after he stopped did bells signaling an attack were rang. When the city gate opened thousands of soldiers ran out of the city rushing directly towards the King. The King drew his sword but started to rise in the air, he rose above the army and shouted in a voice that bellowed throughout the White City, and even across the plains to the Ashlands. The King yelled, ¡°KRONEN. YOUR KING HAS RETURNED. SHOW YOURSELF YOU TRAITOROUS COWARD AND SUCCUMB TO YOUR FATE!¡± This was answered not by Kronen, but by ballistas and artillery being shot at him by the soldiers on the wall. The unique thing about the White city is that it is tiered, there are seven in total, each having the ability to be split off from a lower tier and guarded separate. The top level, where the King assumed was where the Keep was located, was on a large flat outcropping that the lower tiers were also built around. The outcropping was decorative, and had trees lining the entire thing, at the very edge of the outcropping was an opening in the railing where if one was not careful enough they would fall.


    The King looked towards the outcropping and he saw Kronen standing there, far away from the battle. The King¡¯s rage grew and he started to glow with flame. The Kings ashlike skin soon turned to a fiery torrential storm which raged as he soared overhead the city. Within a few seconds his rage became so intense massive wings of flame erupted from his back and started to flap, as if he was a Wyrm made of only flame. Kronen started to run backwards, fleeing from the King but he was not fast enough. The King slammed down, the wings fully extending, flames melted and burned the trees as Kronen ran away. The fiery embrace of the wings reached both sides of the outcropping which the trees had lined. As the King walked, the trees withered, burned and scorched. Kronen turned, fell and started to crawl backwards. They had made it to the center of the outcropping which rested a massive White Tree. As the King came closer the tree shrank in size, it shriveled, but it did not burn, it did not scorch. The tree soon stopped shrinking, stopped getting smaller but seemed to look like white ash.


    The King looked at Kronen and said, ¡°Long time no see wizard. Before I kill you, In the name of Annoria you are charged with high treason what say you in your defense?¡± Kronen said, ¡°DIE.¡± He lashed out at the King with Calentras staff which the King caught easily. The King ripped it out of Kronens hands and burst it into flames, watching it melt and fall to the ground where it cooled. The King grabbed Kronen, the clothes which he was wearing began to smoke and eventually caught on fire. The King drove Kronen into the ground and said, ¡°You killed my Wyrms. You betrayed me, Annoria, and its peoples. You killed my Kingdom. You buried your standard in the head of my ally. You will learn what it is like to feel pain, you will know death with nothing on the other side. You will know the sweet sweet embrace of cold, black, nothing.¡± He cut off one of Kronens hands. The Wizards screams echoed across the outcropping, guards rushed out but only looked on at his pain.


    Kronen yelled at them, ¡°Attack him you cowards, do you job.¡± The Guards stood their ground and Kronen knew this was it. The King cut off Kronens other hand, then he tossed his blade aside, grabbed the bloodied nubs of Kronens arms where his hands noce were, causing Kronen to scream in pain. The King flared his hands up and burned the wounds closed saying as he did so, ¡°Don¡¯t want you to bleed out before I kill you now do we?¡± The King did the same with his arms up to his elbows, then to his shoulders. He did the same with his shins to his knees, then his knees to hips. A very slow and painful death. Kronen laid on his back, armless, legless, half crying and half delirious. The King pulled his standard from his back, hoisted it high, aimed for Kronens head and said, ¡°I will reclaim what is mine.¡± Kronen managed to ask, ¡°What?¡± The King said, ¡°Your life.¡± He drove the standard through Kronens skull, cracking the stone on which he stood it had so much force. He said to the guards, ¡°Let them know, their wizard is dead. Choose a new King from the people, let them decide. Burn this with the standard in it, the standard will turn to ash along with him. Do so at the roots of this here shriveled tree. Good luck in your endeavours, you are free now.


    The King teleported out. He teleported into Annor¡¯s temple. Annor approached the King of Wyrms and asked, ¡°Is it done?¡± The King said, ¡°It is done Annor, it is done.¡± Annor led the King to a molten pool and said, ¡°Hand me my sword warrior, it is time.¡± The King said, ¡°It is time isn¡¯t it. I will go as I said I would. Keep an eye on the White City for me, and that Tarkoor, he seemed a bit off.¡± Annor said, I already know who Tarkoor will become, your suspicions are true is all I can say. Now my sword.¡± The King handed Annor the sword, Annor chanted a spell, and the King saw all the power leave the blade, all of it flowed straight towards the device that allows to see spirits. All the power in the blade left, restoring it to Annors blade once more. Annor turned and said, ¡°Now it is time Wrecker.¡± The King said, ¡°Take it slow, I want to feel everything.¡± Annor said, ¡°If you say so, it will be very painful until death.¡± The King said, ¡°I will handle it. Now let''s get it over with, my family waits for me.¡± Annor began by engulfing his blade in flame. Annor then drove the blade into the King¡¯s chest, releasing all of the power within and taking it into the blade. The Kings life flashed before his eyes, he saw his younger self, a warrior, he saw his family as he was a farmer. He saw fire, war, corruption, and he was a warrior once more. He saw the rise and fall of his Kingdom, the deaths of each of his Wyrms and how they happened, all the pain was felt, all the suffering was felt, the screams were heard. Then he came to himself as he was cursed, staring into nothing, then he was back, his journey continued and he was a warrior again. Just as fast as it started, it ended, his life was fading he could feel it.


    He sank to both knees and breathed heavily, he could feel the strength as it left, he could feel the cold as the fires died. He closed his eyes and looked at the dark of his eyelids, he knew, this is what he would see, nothing else until it happened, until he died. Annor said, ¡°I wish to see you again old friend, you have done a great deal for me, and I for you. I will pop by every now and again to let you know how things are going. Farewell King of Wyrms, farewell Wrecker, farewell great warrior.¡± The King dropped, he could feel himself falling, he looked around and he was no longer in armour, or clothes for that matter. He was bare, everything visible, everything. Slowly he felt clothes wrap around him, and suddenly he saw the ground approaching. He hit the ground but it did not hurt. He went to stand when he felt a hand grab his, no, two hands. He looked and saw his wife and child. He said, ¡°I am finally home.¡± He looked around and saw above circling, fourteen shadows, far above him and he knew, he knew he finally made it home.

 CHAPTER XI: Remembrance of a Legacy

    Days after Kronens fall, the remnants of the races, the Elves, Dwarves, and Men went their separate ways. Men retook their old lands, Elves and Dwarves took theirs and things went back to a mild peace between them. The Occasional Orc attack happened but war would not for many many years. The Order was tasked with a challenge, and only one solution to that challenge, downsizing. The Order would reduce their ranks down once again, down to five. There would remain, a white in the vise of Keeper, a grey in the vise of Wandering, two Blues sharing elemental responsibilities, and a Brown with only nature as a concern. This meant that the Orders tower would be destroyed and rebuilt to serve only one wizard, the white.


    The blue wizards were always about going around and stopping problems that were related to elemental sightings to casual fighting the elements to save lives. The brown took up stock in woods, moving every now and then until it was time to be replaced which was doubled again by the Order, meaning more age and wisdom gained to pass along. Now they would however only be allowed to take on a non direct relative as in sons or daughters even though they were all related from past ventures but so distantly it did not matter. Very few exceptions to this happened, except in the Wandering, not many apprentices wanted that title, and so it was given to a son more than not.


    In the millenia to come, the White City will be destroyed and rebuilt many times before donning a permanent name. The Ashlands opposite, whose origins are unknown will be the epicenter for a massive war, a war that ends with the White City being victorious, at least as much as they could be after a war. The lands to the North that the King had recommended would spawn the force that would start that war, and would also eventually lose that war. This is where Kaaltric the Wandering comes into play. This is one Wandering wizard who often bit off more than he could chew, going to very dangerous places. He lived during a time of peace, after the fall of Tarkoors legions and before his eventual rise. During this time Kaaltric learned many secrets of the past. Kaaltric discovered a temple in the Volcanic Lands, he only found it due to volcanic activity resurfacing it from an ancient burial by ash. He entered the temple and learned much about the wizards of old, he also found a burial chamber. He eyed around, touched more than he should have and opened a passageway. He poked his way through the passageway and made his way down a staircase which emptied into a large cavernous room filled with many things.


    Kaaltric saw a man sitting in a throne with a sword laid across his lap, the man noticed Kaaltric and stood. The man greeted him and said, ¡°Hello wizard, it has been a while since any have found my temple, let alone made it to me personally.¡± Kaaltric asked, ¡°Who are you?¡± The man laughed and said, ¡°I am Annor, one of the original four wizards, I¡¯m sure you read the stories on the walls of my temple. Who are you good wizard, I know you are one because I feel your power.¡± Kaaltric answered, ¡°I am Kaaltric the Wandering and it is an honor to meet you Annor. How are you alive after all this time though?¡± Annor looked at him with a weird look and said, ¡°We are wizards, how do you think we do anything young one, with magic. I have been tasked, along with the other three firsts, now only two as one is dead, with looking after the flow of souls into and out of death state, come have a look.¡± Annor led Kaaltric to a device which turned on and begun to spin rapidly. Kaaltric noticed a weird sight and saw a beast of which he never had before.


    He asked, ¡°Annor, what is that beast there? I have not seen anything like that before.¡± Annor said, ¡°Why don¡¯t we ask the man that made them?¡± Kaaltric asked, ¡°A man made that?¡± Annor laughed and said, ¡°He looked like a man but he had the power of a god, this sword was his for a while in fact, his runes still mark the blade.¡± Kaaltric asked, ¡°What was he called?¡± Annor said, ¡°I knew him better as Wrecker, but history would know him as the King of Wyrms. You may still not know anything about him but you will. I will tell you his story if you would like?¡± Kaaltric said, ¡°I would very much like to hear about him.¡± Annor said, ¡°Ah, found him, along with his Wyrms. Let us converse with him for a while.¡±


    Suddenly Kaaltric felt everything melt away, and he was met by a man that stood in front of him. The man had a menacing stance and Kaaltric could tell by the look of him, he was a warrior. Kaaltric said, ¡°Hello there. I am Kaaltric the Wandering it is a pleasure to meet you.¡± The man said, ¡°You do not know of me do you? They have forgotten already eh? I am not surprised, most tend to forget what they fear. What would you like to hear?¡± Kaaltric said, ¡°I would like to hear your story fair King.¡± The man held a hand up and said, ¡°Please, call me Wrecker. I have not been the King of Wyrms since I gave back my power to Annor. My story however, is one of grief, anger, and a terrible price. Let''s find out where to begin, at the beginning yes?¡±


    Several hours went by, nearly a full day, and the story of the Wyrm King was once again told. Kaaltric listened as Wrecker went, step by step, over his journey to power and his quest for vengeance, he left no part out either. Kaaltric, even just listening to this story feared Wreckers power and was glad he was not around when he was in power. Once wrecker had finished telling his story Kaaltric asked, ¡°If you could go back and do it again, would you do it?¡± Wrecker looked down for a few seconds then back at Kaaltric and said, ¡°No.¡± Kaaltric then asked, ¡°Are there any Wyrms left or are they all gone?¡± At this question Wrecker laughed and said, ¡°I planned on their deaths, you will see more of them in the centuries to come, stay away from the lands in the Northeast, you will not like what will happen to you should you stray there.¡± Kaaltric said, ¡°It has been a long while, and a good talk but I must leave now. The other wizards will wonder where I have gone.¡± Wrecker asked, ¡°How is the Order by the way, are the other eight doing well?¡± Kaaltric gave a weird look and said, ¡°There are five of us, we have not had eight in a long time but then again you would not be able to know that would you? Have a good life beyond Wrecker, I will have your story known again, I will tell it far and wide.¡±


    Wrecker nodded and said, ¡°Thank you, and keep up the good work young Wandering wizard, I have met many Wanderings in my time, you show the most potential so far. You will also outlive the rest of you companion wizards, it¡¯s just a perk of the Wandering. Good luck to you Kaaltric.¡± Soon Kaaltric found himself back facing Annor who held a questioning look. Annor asked, ¡°How did it go?¡± Kaaltric said, ¡°It went well, I must leave now however, I have to keep on being a Wandering. It was an honor to meet you Annor, I will tell of this for years to come.¡± Annor said, ¡°No you will not. My existence is not known, and I would like to keep it that way.¡± Kaaltric said, ¡°I understand Annor, don¡¯t want lots of visitors of the wrong kind. Goodbye.¡± If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    Kaaltric left the temple and traveled back to the order to pass on his discovery of the tale of the Wyrm King. Throughout his life as the Wandering Wizard Kaaltric told the story of the Wyrm King thousands of times, to any who would listen. He made sure his tale was heard, and was spread throughout the land and it was. This story however was only thought of as fake, as no one believed a man could hold that much power then give it up so easily. They did not understand however that this man was more of one than the rest, he had the guts to stop when he said he would, his family would be his only want after his journey. Kaaltric even went as far as to find Annoria, which was in ruin and beyond recognition by the time he was able to reach it. Once within he searched and found the ancient remains of Krathen the First and was left in awe.


    Through his searching he ended up reaching a courtyard on the highest peak, where a singular column, and a flat side of the mountain were located. The mountain side was perfectly flat and had names inscribed into them, seen clear as day. This made Kaaltric assume they were put in using magic, magic that still remained. He read the names and recognized some of them over the course of the Wyrm King¡¯s tale. One of which intrigued him the most, Votaar the Wandering. This was one of his predecessors, another Wandering. Kaaltric thought he should do a little research on Votaar to see if he could learn anything, which is when he saw the last name which followed after some symbols. The name was a very weird one, one which he had not heard before in the tale. The several symbols followed the name, and upon looking around he saw that it was a mark meaning fourteen. He thought aloud, ¡°This means the Wyrms, but what is this last name, the name Marnos Ragnar.¡± Soon he heard a scratching sound. He looked back at the wall and saw more being inscribed into the mountain after the name.


    This was a continuation of the name, like an alias, then he saw it. The mountain read, ¡®Marnos Ragnar - Wrecker - The King of Wyrms¡¯. Once the name had been finished the mountain rumbled and shook. Kaaltric looked around and saw the column in the center begin to spin and lower at the same time. It spun slowly and descended into an unseen cavity by the means of magic. Kaaltric stood, unsure of what was happening until he saw a single large very ornate chest revealed by the column moving. He approached it and saw that on it, was a perfect representation of Wreckers face, his crown adorned, and on each side sat seven Wyrms, each in perfect detail. They were set out in the order they had been created, and shared the same gilded finish as the entire chest.


    Kaaltric touched the chest and a small wave of flame washed over the chest in seconds engulfing it. Once the flame went away, the chest was no longer gilded, and instead was a deep black, with the Wyrms scales as they would have been if they still lived. They were perfect recreations of the Wyrms made by Wrecker, and to the utmost and finest detail. The scales glowed and seemed to haunt Kaaltric with a fierceness he had not felt before, and this was only ornaments on a chest. The chest unlatched and steam poured out for a few seconds then stopped. Kaaltric opened the chest and within it lied a small dark black silken pillow with a single item on it. On the pillow sat a crown. Kaalric picked it up and it was very hot in his hands, not enough to hurt but it was rather uncomfortable to hold. The chest slammed shut, Kaaltric noticed the crown he held directly matched that of the one on Wreckers head on the ornamental decoration on the chest.


    Not seconds after this a voice said, ¡°You have been chosen as the recipient of my crown. Kaaltric the Wandering, you have done well I still have means of affecting this land whilst dead. I give you my crown simply so you can remember, so you can prove, I am real. The crown will always be hot, no matter how cold, it uses the emotions of the one who wears it to increase their power, but only by a small amount. It would increase simple battle stamina by only a few minutes and not very much strength would be added. This is intended for the race of Man, and the White City. Take it to them and make sure this crown is the one that their King passes down. This is my last request of you as well. Take the bones of Krathen to the ashen fields of my home, and return her to her rightful place. Her burial shall not be put off any longer. Thank you.¡±


    Kaaltric nodded, placed the crown within his bag and went to take Krathen back to where she had been borne, the ashes of Wrecker¡¯s village. Kaaltric managed to fit her ashes within a magical urn and carried them all the way to the remains of the village. Kaaltric tooke much care in spreading Krathens ashes, making his best attempt to not seem dishonorable. Once he had done so he noticed and ashes as the hit the ground flamed up and shot flame in different directions. Kaaltric backed up a ways and watched a fiery apparition appear, a flaming visage of Krathen who said in a voice Kaaltric barely understood, ¡°Thank you wizard, my burial is complete.¡± The fiery dragon visage soared way up into the air, let loose a massive roar which shook the very land, then turned and dove straight to the ground.


    The visage hit the ash and disappeared. Kaaltric had braced for a heavy impact and ash to be sent everywhere but it was not and he felt a little awkward after it had happened. Kaaltric then continued on his journey, headed for the White City. Kaaltric reached the White City after about a month of traveling across the land. He climbed the tiers slowly, and reached the keep at about midday after arriving shortly after sunrise. He had to stop from his long journey and rest for a bit. He entered the keep and greeted the King of Man. Kaaltric said, ¡°I bring you a relic from a long forgotten age, a crown from the first king of Man. He pulled the crown from his bag and the King stood and gazed at it with intent eyes. Kaaltric said, ¡°This crown was once the Wyrm Kings crown, and now it is yours to wear and pass down from generation to generation. It cannot fall from your head while you live, and cannot be stolen by hands unfit to wear it. It also is warm to the touch and always will be. Enjoy your new crown King Borr.¡±


    Borr looked at the crown and back at Kaaltric and said, ¡°What if I refuse this crown wizard? I already have a fine crown why would I need another.¡± Kaaltric said, ¡°This crown increases your battle strength and your ability to fight during battle. It was made for the race of Man and the race of Man shall use it. Power like this is not to be ignored so blatantly good King.¡± Borr picked up the crown and exclaimed at its warmth, ¡°Ah, the crown is hot. Not too much to hurt however, what is the point of this?¡± Kaaltric said, ¡°It keeps your mind focused, and gives you knowledge beyond compare.¡± Kaaltric was obviously lying about the last part but the King did not need to know that.


    After several hours of debate the King finally agreed to wear the crown. Once the crown was on the torches around the room began to flare up and soon died down once again. Kaaltric left the White City, walking past the stark white tree that sat in the center of the open courtyard. He looked and saw at the base lied ashes, ashes of a traitor and the past. Kaaltric journeyed off, not sure where he would be led next, or what adventures might surprise him. He did know one thing however, he would tell the story of the Wyrm King, and all would know of his life.

 CONCLUSION

    Time and time again warriors rise and legends fall. In the beginning none are known by their deeds, only in death are true legends born and that is an unchanging fact of the world. Do not try to live to become a legend, die to become a legend. The Wyrm King was a legend in his time, but only as he died. A legend cannot live, it is then changed from legend, to hero. Heroes are the living legends that dominate the land so fiercely until their death whence they shall become legend. Time is the only downfall of these legends. Even the most feared of things becomes lost in the entanglement of times tricky embrace and keen devices.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    The King of Wyrms did not live as a legend. The King of Wyrms built his Kingdom in the hopes that his legacy would endure, and the land would learn better from what he did, learn that war is not the best solution, but it is a very good one. His legacy was forgotten because Kronen was in fear of him still. Kronen was trying to live as a legend, he paid the ultimate price for it. Do not live for today, live for tomorrow. Do not live as if you want to be remembered, live as if you do not want to be forgotten. Live as you, not who you want to be. May the King of Wyrms live on, as a legend.