Wrath of the Shadow Fae
He walked toward Erikson with his astral blade drawn. His eyes glowing with sapphire light, like twin stars burning with righteous fury.
“You want to feel the fear an uneven fight causes? Fine, I shall make your blood curdle as the terror makes your heart stop.”
The ground trembled beneath Raziel’s feet, and the sky darkened as if responding to his rage.
Lightning crackled around him, and the air hummed with raw, untamed energy. Erikson’s smirk faltered as he felt the true power of the cosmos bearing down upon him. This was no ordinary fight. He realized this young boy was more than he seemed. The power radiating off him would never again be underestimated.
Erikson raised a brow and took a step back. “Wait,” he tried to get Raziel’s attention, but it was too late.
Several warriors dismounted and drew their swords, rushing in between Erikson and Raziel.
Their blades clashed with the fae’s. Sparks liberated from the steel lit the grass on fire. The fire danced and grew as if it had a mind of its own, quickly spreading and circling the army.
The heat intensified, and the acrid smell of burning vegetation filled the air, mingling with the metallic scent of blood.
Raziel screamed and threw all five of the warriors back with a magical force his anger unleashed. They flew through the air like ragdolls, their armor clattering as they hit the ground, unconscious or worse.
Hyper-focused, his energy on Erikson, Raziel ran at him with sword drawn. Erikson, not prepared for the force of the blow, slid backward. It took both his hands to hold his steel strong. To defend against the faes fury.
His heels dug into the ground, but it did not help. Grass and dirt slid with him, creating furrows in the earth.
“Fuck,” Erikson muttered. It took all his might to fight back, their swords clanging, the fire spreading. More of his men joined the battle, but none could land a hit on Raziel. The blades barley defending themselves.
His movements were a blur, a dance of death and destruction, each strike precise and deadly. Erikson’s men falling like flies.
The sky above mirrored the chaos below, with storm clouds swirling and lightning flashing.
Thunder roared, echoing the fury of the combatants. The ground beneath them cracked and split, as if the very earth was protesting the violence being wrought upon it.
Erikson’s eyes widened as he realized the true extent of Raziel’s power. He truly was a fae. A Royal Fae.
And a force of nature that could not be easily subdued. Desperation clawed at him, but he steeled himself.
He had to find a way to turn the tide, or he would be consumed by the very chaos he had unleashed.
Erikson attacked Raziel with his blade. It was returned fourfold and his steel shattered into many pieces.
Erikson smirked, seeing his opportunity. Raziel was blinded by rage. The lord swung his foot to trip the fae.
He jumped and did a backflip, diving into one of the men’s shadows. The battlefield fell silent as everyone stopped fighting and looked around, bewildered. Erikson, panting heavily, demanded, “Where did he go?”
Elrian just laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the tense air. “To turn your unfair fight on you.”
Every shadow of every creature against Raziel came to life, attacking the warrior it was attached to.
Even the shadows of the horses transformed. Twisted and contorted into nightmares, devouring the steeds and causing every last mounted rider to fall to the ground as their mounts were pulled into their own shadows by haunting, nightmarish eyes.
Just as Raziel had promised, fear filled the veins of the army, even Erikson’s, as his shadow grew taller and more menacing than the rest.
A voice, dark and mocking, whispered, “Oh Erikson, your fears taste so good. But I shall not allow them to fight you. I wish to do that myself.”
Raziel now stood before Erikson, his eyes blazing an undead crimson hue.
“I yield! My deepest apologies, my Fae Prince. I will gladly keep my promise, your people are free from my rule.”
“Can I have that as a blood oath? One based in magic that will consume your soul if you break it?”
Fear filled Erikson’s eyes. But he nodded. “Yes.”
“Erikson, you wanted to ‘see what would happen. 100 percent of your men are now dead.”
Elrian shook his head. “I can’t say that I didn’t warn you Erikson.”
The lord stared at the dead warriors. “I … I am at a loss for words. That, was most definitely not expected.”
Raziel turned back at the village. They stared at him in complete awe. They dropped to their knees. All but DeLarian. She walked up to him and smiled softly.
The adrenaline quickly drained from Raziel. His legs went weak, and Erikson caught him.
She chuckled. “Elrian, He keeps fainting before me.”
The crystalline knight simply shrugged his shoulders, “You must have a profound effect on him.”
Erikson now cradled the young fae in his arms. He smiled softly and inquired, “Where may I let him rest? I fear I would not do well to attack him now. And he has certainly earned your land.”
Elrian’s eyes glowed with purple ire. “I am glad you would know better. You would not survive a fight with me celestial.
Lance turned to Renaldo. “Sir, Did you feel that?”
“The draw on Nexus core? I did, and I know exactly who did it.”
“It felt like Aurlien, but he has been lost?” Lance tried to hide his wicked excitement with a sad frown.
Renaldo chuckled. “It is young Raziel. He is growing in power Lance. He has the bow of the Gods.”
“The Young Fae?”
“Yes.”
Lance stood up attempting to make his actions not seem deliberate. “I need to go find Issac.”
“By all means, do not let me stop you Lance.” Renaldo watched him leave and let a wicked chuckle escape from his throat. He walked over to his alchemist table and looked through his crystal ball.
His smile turned into an evilly curled grin at what he saw. DeLarian has achieved what he sent her there for. “It is almost time, my young Raziel. I shall prepare my spells.”