Chapter 4 - No Rest For The Peaceful It had been six years since the truce had been accepted, the empire was still haunted by that day, all their commanders and leaders burning. Flesh sliding from bone and bone turning to ash and the realisation that there was true power out there, lurking behind the eyes of King Yunoki. For those six years, the Boarwood family had lived happily and safely in the village of Bayton. The truce had been upheld for all that time, but things were about to change. They ran, harder than they needed to, the sharp corn fields tore at their hands like little razors, few scratches but nothing to worry about. They were panting, trying to fill their lungs with some air but they felt so closed in, so scared. They could hear shouting twenty feet behind them, they knew they couldn't stop but felt like they could not go any further. They pushed through the pain kept running, Tommy's feet were bleeding, bare feet against rocky soil was not a pleasant experience. He had lost Nadia in the fray, a voice came through the greenery all around him. "Tommy! Tommy! Where are you?!" Her voice cried out for him, there was panic and yet laughter. He turned quickly, trying to find where the voice was coming from. He stayed rooted to the position, his heart was pounding so hard in his chest that he could hear it ringing in his ears. There was a rustle to the side and he stared, hoping that it was not old mad man Farmer Cottonburn. Nadia came bursting out from between the corn stacks, laughing. "Run Tommy, Run. He's catching up" She said each word after a heavy breath. He did not have to be told twice, he took her hand between his fingers and tore off through the endless corn. Sophia walked back into the Boarwood family home after her morning stroll. It looked almost exactly as she left it, the fire was burning brightly now, the flames were crackling away nicely, they were worthy of roasting a pig upon their orange streaks of heat. Her eyes were drawn towards her sister's bedroom door. 'Still shut' she thought 'lazy what name'. Sophia moved towards the dining table, she noticed a red thick book laying upon its surface. She ran her fingers along the leather cover, the front was illuminated by big gold letters reading 'Rare and Mystical Creatures'. There was a page bookmarked with a piece of blue string, she opened it with her face covered with suspicion and curiosity. The pages were old and watermarked, giving the book the appearance of age and rarity. At the top of the page there was a little note in running black ink, 'Fathers killer?' It read. Her expression now turned to worry as she begun to read the passage draped on the page. 'King Yunoki Origins: Unknown King Yunoki is a member of the Nirlia race, he is thought to be the last one left. They are beings of great power and manipulation but are widely considered to be the most evil of creatures. They have no remorse, no mercy and no thought for people and creatures they kill. They live to be thousand years old. The leader of the guild of Science and Amotology cursed the race because he felt they represented all that should be hated and loathed about the world. He cursed them so from the moment they are brought to #life they will suffer constant horrifying pain until the day they die. Only a few people have ever seen the King and even fewer have lived to tell the tale. He was first spotted when his forces invaded the city of Dawntie, he keep his prisoners alive only to turn them into People of the Damned, they will forever walk this surface and never rest. He built his Palace of Purmartite on the summit of Colossua which overshadows the city. The accounts of people who have seen him rarely vary, they have said that he caused them to experience the greatest fear they have ever felt. His eyes were said to be just black and nothing else. Verdict: If seen, run for your #life!' Sophia noticed that there was no picture on the page, she starting to wonder what on earth her sister would be doing marking a page like this. Nadia and Tommy reached the path on the edge of the cornfield, they could no longer hear the screams of Cottonburn or his hurried footsteps behind them, they thought nothing of it and began their short walk back to the village. Tommy opened his hand smiling at Nadia. The objective of their little game was to see who could steal the best trinket from Old Cottonburn's house. Tommy held out a golden necklace with a blue sapphire hanging from its chain. Nadia said "Not a bad catch Tommy, I'm impressed, I didn't have time to grab everything, you made too much noise pulling that thing out of his wife's jewellery box" She laughed as she pushed him lightly to the side, he returned the favour, almost knocking her to the ground and then scampering off quickly down the path. She called out to him "Remember to put that back tomorrow! If you don't, then I will find you!" She giggled as she wandered home. She turned the doorknob but suddenly the door was ripped from her hand and her unhappy sister was staring back at her. "What the hell are you doing with this" Sophie said, glaring at her sister with a blunt expression. Nadia's eyes were drawn to the book she was holding and she cursed herself under her breath for leaving it out. "What did you think you were going to do? Track down dad's killer and get your revenge? You are just a 15 year old girl filling your old head with your head with stupid stories and legends" Sophia continued, turning her back on her sister. She walked over to the dining table and slammed the book down with a thud and a light cloud of dust filled the air round Sophia. Nadia moved towards Sophia and put her soft hand on Sophia's shoulder. "I'm sorry Sophia, I know dad's death was hard on you, all I wanted to do was hopefully bring your some damn peace. You have been so distant for six years and enough is enough, it is time to pull your head out the sand and start taking care of yourself, instead of wallowing in self pity. You are not the only one that is hurting you know, you have been really selfish if you think about it. Mum hurts, I hurt. You aren't the only one in this!" Nadia's soft shy voice became louder and more confident as she talked, she patrolled around the dining table, trying to look Sophia in the eye. As Nadia talked, Sophia looked upon her sister and wondered when she became so mature, when she grew up to be a better person than her supposed role model. Sophia hung her head in shame after Nadia had finished talking and spoke gently. "So what was your plan?" "I don't know, I hadn't really thought that far" Nadia replied "I only really started looking a few months back. Before then I had been focused on my prep report to submit to the Guild of Science and Amotology" Sophia sighed and tried to move the subject on, she did not like talking about their father. "What is your report about" Nadia's face lit up with excitement and she skipped towards her room, opening her door and moving inside. Sophia could hear the rustle of papers and the light crash of objects falling from Nadia's bookcase and desk. A few seconds later she came rushing out, waving round what looked to be a stack of papers, she handed them to her sister, practically throwing them at her. Sophia could see the words at the top of the first page from afar. It read 'The Legend of the Seven Crystals'. Sophia looked puzzled and questioned her sister. "What is it about? I have never heard of seven crystals" "Well there is a quiet legend about the reason that King Yunoki attacked our world six years ago. He is said to be virtually indestructible but......." Nadia paused, trying to pull her sister in with suspense "if one person was to unite these seven crystals then they could kill him before his thousand years was up. Wipe him from the face of earth, never to return" Sophia started to become suspicious for her sisters motives. "And why exactly would you be interested in that subject?" "Because I think the legend is true, I compiled a report on all the available evidence, photographs, sightings, thoughts, maps and so on" Nadia answered. Sophia flick through the tens of pages of her sisters report, she was both impressed and worried. She looked up from the pages with a sympathetic expression. "Nadia, you know that none of this will bring dad back" she tried to speak in a forgiving tone but she could not mask her sadness. She always felt a wave of sadness whenever her dad was mentioned. Nadia's face turned to frustration and anger. "I am not trying to bring him back, I am trying to get some retribution for him! Trying to get some answers about why we had to lose him!" The irritation in her voice was not subtle, she was becoming annoyed that her sister could not see her point. She grabbed the book from the table and stormed out into her room. Sophia could only watch her sister run away from the argument, but she was right they deserve to know why their father has killed. It had haunted Sophia's thoughts for all these years. She had fought having to talk about it but all she could have ever do was think about it and now the opportunity comes along where she can finally get some answers and she was going to turn it down. 'Not a chance' she thought. Walking up to Nadia's bedroom door, she looked at the sign and smiled and knocked her knuckles against the soft wood. Farmer Cottonburn was an old man who had lived in the village of Bayton his whole #life and had never had any intention of leaving. His farm was the largest for a hundred miles and he sold to the largest cities across the empire. He was a rich but humble man, gave most of his wealth to his fellow villagers who had been through hard times. He helped the Boarwood family and built their house when they arrived six years ago. He was generous man but he had never liked people taking his stuff as they pleased. He was mumbling under his breath as he trudged back to his farmhouse door, waving his pitchfork in the air furiously. He stopped suddenly, someone made him stand dead in his tracks. He felt oddly numb and cold. There was an unexplainable pain in his chest. He looked down and he was horrified by what he saw. There was a white arm, covered in blood, sticking out of his chest. A quiet voice whispered in his ear "Sleep now old farmer, think about your sweet town burning to the ground" The arm was ripped backwards out of Cottonburn's chest and without delay the farmer fell to the ground with a terrible thud. His face was plastered with a look of shock, his eyes stared into the never ending distance and a shadow was cast over him. A man stood over him but he wasn't quite a man. He was completely white, he was wearing a brown tunic and had a large scimitar strapped to his waist. His face was covered in veins which were black and his eyes were just black balls in their sockets. He turned towards the village of Bayton and looked over the happy people going about their business. He whispered "No one can save you now" He was a Spectre, the most deadly legion under the King Yunoki's command. We were ruthless killers, lived for nothing other than the destruction of others. Fifty shot past his sides and he smiled as he watched his forces descend on the unsuspecting, unprepared village. Sophia's knuckles rapped on the door of her sisters bedroom. "Nadia, please come out, I know I don't understand right now but maybe you can teach me to understand. I love you sis. I have not been a good sister these past few years and I know that, but I miss him, I don't know how to overcome it" she starts to sob with her head pressed against the door. Her sisters voice came quietly through the door like an angel from the sky. "You don't have to overcome it, you need to embrace it, use it, love him forever and he will always be with you" Nadia's kind words made Sophia smile and sigh gently. She stood up tall and the door slowly opened before her. They smiled at each other and the younger sister leapt into Sophia's arms and they hugged each other like they hadn't done so in a long time. "Let's go find mum, shall we?" Sophia asked. Nadia nodded and they went through their front door and was shocked at the horror they saw before them.

Chapter 1 - Its Too Late "It's too late, we're overrun" Major Boarwood's words rang out through the courtyard of Fort Goran. Battlements fell around them, cannons crashed to the floor and fire crackled in the darkness. His heavy metallic armour weighed on him after three days of siege. His thick helmet couldn't keep out the sounds of people's screams around him. His breathing was loud and raspy and his hazel eyes burned in the heat of his dying Fort. He knew he was going to die. All he had left was his honour and Major Augustus Boarwood had never been destined to die without honour. He climbed up onto the half crushed roof of a market stall and called out to his men. "Tonight, you are going to have to make a choice. I will not judge you for whatever option you pick. The women and children are fleeing into the caves with hope of escape. I know many of you have families down there. You may choose to die with them or you may stand here and fight alongside me and try to buy them some time" He finally caught his breath, taking off his helmet to look upon his men. Men looked straight back at him with the faces of long service and years of fighting. One pushed his way to the front and stood tall. "I have been proud to serve alongside you, Major, for many a year. My wife will tell my son of the story of his father's death when he is old enough. She will tell him that he fought to defend their right to live and died at the side of a great man" He held his hand up for Major Boarwood. The Major knelt down, slowly, his exhaustion finally beginning to set in. He grasped the man's hand firmly, a nod was all he could muster to show his appreciation. After all, his own wife and two daughters were currently escaping through the dark damp tunnels that laid beneath Fort Goran. He pushed up hard, clambering to his feet. His armour creaking as it showed the signs of wear and tear from its battles over the long years. He stared at his men, all had spear and shield in hand, they look tired and weary but he could see that their courage had not faltered. Mustering all the strength he could, he shouted "What say you!" "Howrah! Howrah! Howrah!" His men answered their commander's call. Outside what remained of the castles walls, Gorgon, the commander of the Spica legions listened to the desperate rallying of the Major's men. Gorgon has a huge beast, 7 feet tall with green skin and numerous scars scattered up and down his arms. He was 197 years old and joined the army of the Siadi Dynasty when he was just 24. He rose through the ranks quicker than any Spica in history. His troops did not follow him because of loyalty, they did so because of fear. Gorgon was ruthless and answered only to one, King Yunoki, leader of the Siadi Dynasty. The king saw Gorgon as a brother but one who had to be controlled or he could become a loose cannon. Gorgon had followed the King for more than 100 years and was willing to die for him but he had no plans of doing so today. He sat upon his own beast, Amdacus. A giant black bear, her fur was burnt as charcoal and her red piercing eyes put fear into even the bravest of men. She was given to Gorgon by his father when he and she were small. They have never left each other's sides. Her claws were as sharp as knives and hard as rock. Blood of her victims stained them dark red. She snarled as they moved between a hundred thousand soldiers armed with heavy spears that looked more like pitchforks. They had been forged from melted Grittum found in the hills of Portide. One of the toughest materials found in the land. His army would shake any man to his core, but not these men. Major Boarwood knelt down in the shadow of the portcullis, feeling the cobbled stones with his bare hand. He was the mere age of 12 when he walked through these gates for the first time with his mother. He could still remember the smell of Apple pie in the air and the noise from the markets, people haggling, change being rustled in someone's pocket. "Sir, Sir...." A voice whispered behind him. He opened his eyes slowly and turned round to the 50 men standing behind him. "I am honoured to die beside your side men." He said through a raspy voice and watery eyes. "When this gate is lifted we will make our final charge into the light realm, may I see you there." He raised his fist and punched his armour three times as a salute and a sign of his gratitude towards them. His men gave a little bow and then did the same. The Major took a deep breath and rotated to face the roar that resonated behind him. He looked straight into the red angry eyes of Amdacus. Her mouth was foaming at the edges and her large white teeth bared at him. Boarwood kept a straight face, this wasn't the first time he had come nose to nose with this brute. Amdacus and Gorgon both shared scars that were caused by the silver tip of Boarwood's legendary blade, Therod. Therod was passed down through ten generations of the Boarwood family. As his father died when Augustus was very young, his grandfather, Samier Boarwood gave Therod to his grandson on his deathbed. "This blade has a past, present and a future. Your forefathers were its past, I was its present and now my dear Augustus you are its future, she will never fail you. Use her to cut down your enemies, defend your people and honour the legend of the Therod knights" Samier whispered with an airy voice. "I will grandfather, I promise" Augustus replied. "I know you will, I know you will" Samier whispered again, with an even quieter voice this time. He shut his eyes and he was gone, gone to join his son in the light realm. Finally at peace. Boarwood removed his helmet to look Gorgon in the eye. The green monster had the same expression as the monstrosity he sat upon. The Major met them with a smile, almost a laughing smile. He gently began to tap Therod against the courtyard floor. The silver tip made sparks with the cobbles. An accompanying noise thundered behind him. Without turning round he knew his men were banging their spears against the ground, trying to strike fear in the enemy's heart and showing they were not afraid to die for the right cause. Augustus looked up at the shivering man in the gate hub. The man look back and gulped, grasping the lever in his hand, knowing that he would be opening the door to dozens of deaths. The Major turned and scanned his men, he knew they were scared but they did not show it, he looked around and saw courage, might and the will to protect one's family. He held his sword up as high as his body would allow it and screamed from the bottom of his lungs "Fear no evil!" The gate behind him lifted up with an almighty creak. Once it is just halfway up both sides charged. Amdacus went straight for Boarwood. He had to duck and roll out of the way of her clenching jaw. He could hear the large snap ring out in his ears. The world around him began to spin as he tunnelled under her. She tried to turn back round too quick and fell onto her side, crushing five unlucky souls in her way. Gorgon was thrown from his mount into a wall and was stunned. Boarwood quickly shot to his feet and did not dare look back, he charged towards the advancing legions alongside his men. Soon all around him was the sound of breaking spears and shattering shields. His men were holding them back in the shadow of the gate. Gorgon's troops were a range of different races from the wide reaches of the Siadi Dynasty. The majority were Monie, they looked like walking rats, the size of a man but with the advantage of extensive claws on their right hand. Claws that could slice a man's torso open in one slash. The Monies were the front line, expendable creatures whose only real strength apart from their claws came from their sheer numbers. Many men had dropped their spears after the first charge, unsheathed their swords and begun to extinguish the plague of rats before them. Boarwood was in the thick of it, Therod was too strong for the Monie's light steel swords, it cut them in two and with the following strike he cut the rats down. Then a tremendous roar echoed across the field in front of them. Every man stood in his place as did every Monie. Over the crest of a small hill that had faded into the darkness came ten gigantic trolls with huge lit torches in their hands. The torches seemed to be made from tree trunks. For all the Major knew the trolls had just ripped them right out of the ground. Augustus stood in shock but only lost his senses for a second. He quickly regained his composure and called out to what remained of his small force. "Men take the higher ground, choose your opportunities well and go for the throat. If you need to throw your sword make sure it is going to strike its target" His words were quickly taken in by his men and they began to regroup and move as one to the rocky mounds on the east side of the fort. The major knew they would lose time obtaining that position but he also knew it was easily defendable. Gorgon had failed to take that advantage during the siege. The green menace had managed to collect himself and strike down a few of Boarwoods companions with the mighty club he clutched in his fists. The club was made of steel but it is thick enough to make it virtually unbreakable and it would strike fear into his enemies when they got within range of the metal spikes at the top of it. Gorgon quickly caught onto the major's plan, cursed himself for not utilising that option. He gave Admacus, who had gotten to her four large heavy paws, a stare that was so angry it frightened even the giant bear. She slowly moved back from her master and then leapt into action. It took her a matter of seconds to catch up with the scattering men who were clambering over the rocks. She swung her head with mean force, throwing Gorgon's forces onto their backs to clear her path. Boarwood saw her coming and screamed at his men to climb faster. A man's foot slipped from the rock he was climbing upon and she crunched it in her powerful jaws, his yelps could be heard across the battlefield. She tossed him over her shoulder as though he was a chew toy and he disappeared into the masses of Monies below them. With every passing moment the trolls got closer. They were now at the base of the rocks and in that time Boarwood and his men had only managed to climb twenty feet. It was not going to be enough. He jumped over one of the troll's swinging arms and then quickly rammed Therod between its knuckles. A giant roar rattled the rocks. He seized his chance. Climbing onto the trolls hurt arm, he raced up on all fours towards the beast's neck. He pulled a knife from his gauntlet and stuck it in the eye of the troll. It fell backwards, taking the major with it. The defeated monster lay dead at the bottom and Boarwood surged into a run but was taken by surprise. Gorgon had entered the fray and hit the major square in the chest with his enormous fist. Augustus was thrown backwards and landed on his back, coughing up blood on the dirt underneath him, he feared the worst. Gorgon slowly approached him with Admacus at his side. She prowled around the downed warrior, jumping in front of the major and snarling so he couldn't even try to crawl. He leaned his head up to see his final few men trying and failing to fight valiantly. They were struck down with ease by swords. One disappeared into the mouth of a troll. Leaning his head to his right, he could see the masses of Monies scurrying into Fort Goran to try to eradicate the last remaining human occupants of his beloved castle. "This is where a man might say that you fought bravely, Major Boarwood" the booming voice came from Gorgon, the deep tone only heightened his power and might. "I am not a man, I don't have your honour and mercy, I know only blood and victory. You have escaped me many times but it seems your running has finally come to an end" he continued. "Any last words?" The Major looked up and said "I'll say hello to my father for you". Gorgon smiled, but it was an evil smile full of hatred and dirty brown teeth. Boarwood laid his head back and shut his eyes. Only one image entered his mind in final moments. His two daughters, Nadia and Sophia, stood before him in blue silk gowns smiling at their father, their brunette curls winding down over their shoulders. His beautiful wife standing behind them, a hand on each shoulder of her children. He smiled at her, she smiled back with a look that had always filled him with love and happiness. He looked deep into her hypnotic light blue eyes and became oblivious to the world around him. 'This is perfect' he thought. Gorgon raised his club above his head with a look of anger paved across his face. He brought it down with all his might and stuck the major in the torso. The club met his body with a great thud. But the major made no noise and did not stir. He simply shut his eyes and he was no more.

Chapter 2 - The Feel Of Bayton The sun began to blaze at the horizon, shining a soft yellow glow through the open window of a bedroom that faces east. The hard wooden floors bathed in the light, while the thing under the blanket in bed seemed to cower away from it. A groan came from under the woven blanket, it had stars and moons knitted into it, the red, orange and yellow wool sparkled off the dark background of blue making them look alive. The room was small and cramped, it was lightly furnished, an oak wardrobe loomed large in one corner of the room, it was old, tattered and had several chips in its dark wood. A simple dressing table lay against the wall beside the window, nothing special apart from the mirror that sat upon it. It shined like it was regularly cleaned, it was surrounded by a border of light wood with a pattern craved into it in the shape of pretty flowers with the stems wriggling down around the bottom of the mirror. A worn hand-me-down rug lay across the floor, it was dark red in colour, its corners turned up like it had kicked repeatedly and not really cared for, it was littered with holes where the mice had gotten to it. A young woman rose from under the blanket, kicking it to the end of the wooden bed with her feet. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, her wavy brunette hair stood up in its end in a disorganised fashion. She got up and made her way unsteadily towards the door, yawning once as she stepped across the hard cold floor. Pushing open the door, it lead to a large room which looked like lots rolled into one. There was a large wooden dining table situated in the centre of the room, the surrounding chairs had green hand made cushions on them to offer the slightest sense of comfort, each chair seemed to be a slightly different colour wood. She walked slowly towards the newly lit fire on a wall of the room, kneeling down she rubbed her hands together, trying to hold them in close. Only a few embers had to started flickering into #life, burning bright orange as the kindling caught a flame. A section of the room was cut off from the rest, surrounded by a small stone wall. Several counter tops stood with an iron stove in the middle, the door to the stove had hinges that would get stuck and sometimes you would have to pull really hard to overpower them. The young woman got up from the floor and walked to the other side of the room, her long pink nightdress rippled gently in the breeze coming from a broken window on the west side of the room. She approached the door, her fist lightly clenched, ready to knock. The door had a craving in it, the words were hand chipped with the blade of a short knife, it was a scruffy and yet delicate craving, it read 'Nadia Boarwood's Room - Be careful Nutter at work'. She shook her head and decide against waking her sister, she knew it would only make her grumpy. Instead she moved towards the front door, slipping her bare feet into a pair of tired looking brown walking boots at the doorstep and walked outside. Her boots met the damp, muddy porch floor boards with a clunk and a creak. She walked down the cobbled path and past the black stone wall circling her house. She took a left and walked up the street. The road was cobbled just like everywhere else, making it uncomfortable to walk on. She looked up at the sign hanging from two metal chains on opposite buildings. The sign read 'Welcome to the Village of Bayton', the yellow words stood out from the olive green background on which they were set, Sophia never liked the olive green, she thought it was an ugly colour, it reminded her of murky unclean water. Bayton was a small farming village in which the Boarwood family now lived, it housed only around fifty people and it was the sort of place where everyone knew everyone else. There were only four roads which met at a central town square, usually used as a marketplace where a few passing visitors could buy local produce. In the middle of the town square was an fountain, which had been there as long as the village had, it hadn't worked for a single day since Sophia moved to town, she found it almost sad and depressing, something that didn't have a purpose and couldn't do anything about it. The only buildings at the square were a few houses and an inn called 'The Blue Hornet', where Sophia and Nadia's mum, Esmeralda Boarwood, now worked. It was usually quiet but she enjoyed serving drinks to her regulars and playing piano for those who wanted to listen. When Esmeralda was a young woman she didn't have a lot of money so she didn't have a good education, but when she met and married Augustus Boarwood, who was the grandson of a well-respected noble at the time, she wanted to learn all sorts of skills instead of being a lowly housewife. Augustus loved her even more for that and the pair were inseparable. Esmeralda ended up learning how to knit and sew, how to cook spectacular meals, could talk in eight different languages and play the piano. Sophia took this walk through Bayton every morning, she felt that it reminded her of everything she lost. Nadia was too young to remember the grim details of the night they lost their father. But at the age of 15 Sophia remembered everything, she was now growing up and at the age of 21 she hoped that she would have got over it by now but this was not the case. She was still traumatised by the death of her father, she was a person quick to anger and looked for trouble wherever she went. She had a few friends throughout the village but was beginning to lose them because she didn't make time for them. She feared this deep down but didn't show it on the outside, she thought it made her weak. She had no ambitions about what she wanted to do with her #life or how she could ever leave this place. She loved her mother and sister with all her heart and she didn't want to let them down. She felt guilt over her fathers death, felt like she was the cause of it in some way, no matter how many times she convinced herself that that was stupid, the thought always managed to creep back into her mind, she wanted to be rid of it. Sophia Boarwood was away from the world when a noise from above startled her. Her head stood upwards and to the left to track the noise but the suspect was already gone. More scurrying behind her, she followed it but couldn't see who made it. A small what appeared to be an animal crawled from behind a barrel on the ground of the town square. It travelled on all fours, it caught Sophia's eyes and stopped dead like a rabbit in the eyes of the predator. Sophia held its stare and opened her mouth to talk but the creature quickly moved a step back. Across her face crept a nasty smile. She picked up a small pebble from the ground and threw it, hitting the intruder on the ankle. There was an immediate reaction and the creature leapt to its feet and ran away into an alley as fast as its legs could carry him. "That's it Tommy" Sophia shouted "You run back to the woods!" Tommy Sprakan was a homeless orphan, only 9 years of age. His parents died in a raid of their town by King Yunoki's soldiers, no one wanted to take him in so he ran away until he came across the woods near Bayton. He was fast, agile and nimble, a kid who did not stick around where he didn't want to be. He climbed up onto a nearby ledge and his thin arms just about managed to pull him up onto the nearest roof. He ran across the joined roofs with nothing more than a light pitta patter like a slight drizzle in the autumn. His eyes were fixed on the tree line on the edge of town and he was not going to stop till he got there. He leapt from the final roof, landing in a thorn bush near to the ground, he rolled out from under its branches. His arms bled dark red and as he rolled it smudged over the mud that was caked over his whole body. Even his dark black skin tone could not hide the grubby nature of his figure. He disappeared into the tree line, he was a child who could choose to be seen or not be seen whenever he wanted. He was a scared kid but the people of Bayton had nothing but love for him. They knew he was harmless and would always offer him food, a bed and kindness whenever he wanted it, very rarely he took up their offer and he would always be gone before morning light. He was mischievous as well, like to steal but only little trinkets and would always return them after a few days. He would keep him in a specially dug hole in his tent in the woods. I suppose you could call it a tent, he made it out of logs and a collection of thin sticks that he could find around him. He used a blanket of leaves for cover, he had picked from the floor and stuck them together using tree sap that often feel from the nearby Gillian trees. He may not have been academically intelligent but he knew how to survive, he had been this way since he was four years old. He was terrified of people and shied away from people, save for one, Nadia Boarwood. He wouldn't talk to anyone else but her and only in whispers. He rushed past Nadia's window and was quiet about it, climbing a nearby tree he sat and watched the rustle of the branches shock a sleeping Nadia into #life. She shot upwards, unlike her sister's, her room face north, away from the sun so the darkness meant she always slept later. Nadia was not a girl to waste the day. She got up quick as a mouse and folded her own blanket at the end of her bed. Hers was also woven but this one had vials of green and yellow liquid all over it, laying on a purple background. Her room has very neat compared to her sisters but there was no space was unused. Sheets of paper hung from every inch of the walls, they had diagrams, equations and notes written all over them. Most were hand written but some were pages carefully ripped from books. She had a dresser in one corner but no wardrobe, on top of the dresser was a big bookcase that stretched to the ceiling. Many books were crammed onto the shelf and some lay on top of others, she did not like to throw books away. They were not novels or stories, they were all educational, some full of information far beyond her supposed years. Nadia had shocked her mother and sister with her thirst for knowledge and her ambition to succeed. She had a dream to join the Guild of Science and Amotology 500 miles away in the city of Paciadan where her father had gone for just a semester before being hauled off to Fort Goran by his mother and grandfather. It would be unfair to say that Nadia had gotten over her fathers death but she didn't let it rule her #life, she only wanted to make him proud. She went over to her dresser and pulled out a pair of tacky shorts and a muddy shirt. She slipped these on and went over to the window. Staring outside, she caught the flash of a moving foot in the corner of her eye and smiled, opened the window slowly, trying not to make a noise, climbed out and bent down onto her knees on the ground. She turned her head to face upwards and looked through the thick and the thin branches of the towering tree that shadowed her house. She clutched one of the lower branches and pull it to test its sturdiness. Feeling confident, she climbed up and move through the tree, climbing higher with every movement. She stopped when she saw Tommy's face pop out from behind the trunk. She whispered "Morning Tommy, been up to no good again?" Tommy just held her eye and shook his head slowly. She waited patiently for him to say something but the words never came. She smiled and spoke quietly. "Would you like to play a game?" Tommy nodded his head, a mischievous smile appeared on his face. Tommy always likes to play games.

Chapter 3 - A Fake Truce Only four days had passed since the destruction of Fort Goran and the blood had not been wiped from the cobbles. Gorgon stood with Admacus at his side staring over proceedings as the Monies tore the place stone by stone, bringing it down to its foundations. A caw in the air distracted the green monster and he caught the bird, breaking its neck with ease, the animal lay limp in his giant palm and he unravelled a piece of parchment pinned to its leg. The message read: Gorgon, The Lords have called a meeting to discuss a truce. Rendezvous with me in the City of Paciadan in two days. Don't disappoint me. King Yunoki The message was written in dark red blood and appeared to be written with a fingernail. Gorgon's eyes widen as he read it. He had expected a call of a truce for some time but he had not expected his King to answer the call. He climbed abroad Admacus with a grunt and snarl from her. Pulling on her reins he growled and spoke in a harsh tone. "Ride for the City of Paciadan. Do not stop till you are ordered" Admacus hurled her head and launched over the defenceless Monies that gathered by the gate. They had to duck and roll out the way to avoid the swinging claws above their heads. She rode hard for a day and half and rode faster every time she felt her masters hand clenched around the back of her neck. Gorgon was not a beast who would accept a truce, he liked the bloodshed too much. Admacus slowed her pace as they arrived at the gates of the city. These huge gold gates stood before them, they shined in the bright sunlight, the walls that held them up were even greater. Gorgon had dreams of one day taking this city but he knew it would be near impossible to penetrate those marble walls. They could withstand years of siege and the supplies held inside the city would keep the occupants well fed for years beyond that. The guard at the gates was wearing a red uniform with a boar fur hat. He was looking down at a piece of parchment when Gorgon pushed through to be at his side. "Name and state your business" the man said in a bored and tired tone. A shadow was cast over his piece of parchment and he looked up with a questionable look, his face turned to horror as his neck was held and he was lifted by the green plate of a hand. "King Yunoki sent for me" Gorgon spoke through his teeth, holding the terrified stare of the man between his fingers. The soldier gulped and now spoke with a whimper "Go right ahead". Gorgon threw the man aside with nothing but a flick of his wrist, he bounded off the hard marble wall like a ball and landed at Admacus' paws who let out a roar that blew the solider's hat clean off. The commander and his bear moved through the gate, it made even Gorgon look small. Everyone was happy going about their business, some were having conversations about money, some were about the local news and some were even about that girl they tried to get with last night and she rejected them. But every single soul stopped and turned as Admacus strolled past them, she made sure every person knew she was there and that she was the scariest thing they had ever seen. She had a constant look of anger and hatred in her eyes, some people say animals can't think and feel like humans but she knew exactly what she was doing. They approached the Hall of the Great Table, Gorgon had never stepped inside this sacred place. The Great Table was the place where all manners of business concerning the empire were discussed, lords and kings had gathered here for centuries to deliberate such topics as war, corruption and economics. Even Gorgon thought it was an honour to step inside, it was of course though run by the Emperor's Lords but he hoped to change that soon enough, he had a plan set in motion that would tear down the Emperor's Kingdom from around him. He climbed off Admacus, his club clattering against his metal shin pads as his feet hit the ground. "Go enjoy yourself my sweet" He whispered in her ear with a soft tone but a sinister smile on his face. She tore off towards a little alleyway where chickens and pigs were being herded, she would eat nicely this morning. Gorgon turned and began a slow walk up a set of marble steps. He arrived at a big brown door, it was beautiful with cravings up and down it, it appeared to be of a large battle where a hero killed a monster and save his people. Gorgon chuckled and shook his head at this stupid notion, he thought of the Majors final look. Two gold and steel armoured soldiers were standing guard at the entrance. Their armour had the Emperor's emblem on it, a howling wolf on a hill in front of a large full moon. They stepped in front of him and he was a foot taller than them, they did not seem fazed though, they had their hands on their swords ready to attack at even the look of defiance. One of them spoke, in a deep yet not offending tone, as though he had practiced it before going on duty. "Turn in your weapons please before you pass into the Great Table Hall, you will get them back upon your departure" Gorgon knew there was no point in trying to disagree with them. Even if he managed to kill them, at least fifty guards would rain down upon him, a battle that even he can't win. He unstrapped his club from his belt and passed it over. The guards bowed to him, a very small disrespectful bow and opened the door. Gorgon stepped inside where he could already hear shouting. The Great Table sat in the middle of a huge circular hall, it looked like it would seat 100 people but there were only about twenty round it. The Great Table was made of oak that had been enhanced by the magic of the Rachii which made it indestructible, or at least nobody has tested that theory yet. Gorgon took his seat and listened to his fellow lords shout about how many lives had been lost already, he looked around for his King but could not see him then a comment caught his attention. "Does this so called great King Yunoki deem himself too worthy to attend this court! I mean has anybody actually seen him? Does he even exist?" The Lord on the far side on the table cried out, making sure his voice would be heard by everyone. At that moment a door opened on the other side of the hall, ten guards walked through it looking like the ones outside. They parted down the middle and a man walked, he looked very much like the others but he had silver and gold armour, the emblem was raised from his armour and made bigger. This man, Gorgon immediately recognised as Emperor Mecial Homdon. He strode to his chair which was bigger and grander than the rest of them, with purpose, he pulled off his armour to reveal a light blue tunic beneath and sat down. The Lord that was currently standing gave the Emperor a little bow and Mecial nodded back allowing him to continue. "Our lands are being taken by a force that we don't know. I suggest that we proceed with caution. How do we know that they will honour the terms? This King has not proven himself to be a trustworthy figure" The Lord kept on in his harsh tone. Gorgon could feel the anger build up inside him, his fist was clenched upon the table. The Emperor cast an eye in his direction and raised a hand quickly to silence the red faced man across the table, he sit down with a great swiftness. The Emperor spoke in a soft, kind tone, not raising his voice but could easily be heard across the table. "Something to say Gorgon?" Mecial Homdon was a strong and powerful man but he was exceptionally kind and loyal to those who were loyal to him, he was loved by all throughout his kingdom but King Yunoki seemed to want to take it for his own. He was a skilled strategist and a fierce warrior in battle but the people also needed a leader that could sit on the throne and talk politics, he was constantly plagued with worry that he could not be that man. He had dark blonde hair, green eyes with a tan skin tone. He was a very muscular man who had been on the throne since he was 15, thirty years later and he is still trying to give his people what they want, which at the moment was peace. Gorgon stood up, the great hall was silent, every set of eyes were piercing into him, some with anger, some with fear but the Emperor's eyes held pity, he saw a creature who had been manipulated into serving under a cruel ruler. "The King should not be spoken about in this way, he is not a merciful being and will always strike down those who oppose him" Gorgon said, he had a proud tone about his voice. He was certain that his legions would help and ensure that King Yunoki would sit on the throne. As he finished his sentence, someone laughed a couple of seats down and Gorgon shoot this man an angry look. "Please gentlemen, we need to be calm in this Great Hall" A soft voice sounded out from the far end of the table. The Speaker of the Empire stood up from her seat. "I understand that this is a time of war and we are all working to obtain peace but that should start in this room. My Lords, Divine Emperor, this room is a civilised place to speak about matters threatening the Empire. It has been civilised since before you were born and will stay civilised long after you are all dead" She never once raised her voice, she spoke to them all as though they were equal, even the Emperor. She was a Rachii, they were bred to keep the peace, they have a special ability to remain impartial and calm in any situations. They are born high in the mountains of Herebode where they train to be able to settle disputes between any rivalling parties. They stay in the mountains until someone employs them, they are employed by businesses, merchants and even the Emperor. They have a light red skin tone but few people can look away from their eyes, they have black irises and gold pupils. The Speaker for the Empire was a short wide woman who had been in the employment of the Empire since the start of Mecials reign. "Who ever wishes to speak next please mind their tone otherwise they will be evicted for this hall" Her face showed no emotion as she scanned the room trying to guess who would stand up next. "I would like to know why King Yunoki feels he can claim these lands for his own, what is his right?" A Lord stood up but his height barely put his head above the edge of the table. "He has no claim to the throne, he can't just take these lands, and as for the murder of Augustus Boarwo....." The Emperor's hand shot up as The Lord began to speak the Majors name. "Major Augustus Boarwood was not murdered, he fought bravely at the Battle of Fort Goran, he fought to defend his people, he died in battle, there is a difference my lords" he said with a hint of sadness and regret. "I admit that Gorgons actions were evil, malicious and have been building up over a long time but it was a fair fight and the Major lost. I will not have his death become the fire for a war" he looked straight at Gorgon as he spoke his name, he could see the pride gleam in the beast's eyes, he felt disgusted. A Lord stood up and shouted "I call for the execution of Gorgon and King Yunoki!" He froze, he suddenly felt a cold presence all around him, the whole room seemed to get darker and colder. A slithering voice spoke into his ear with a whisper. "Oh do you now?" A light chuckle followed. King Yunoki floated past the Lord like a ghoul. His red cape slid across the ground and his feet did not make a sound as he moved. He moved round to face the shuddering man. The man's eyes opened wider as she looked upon the face in front of him. It was pale white and very thin as though it was only a skull, his eyes were endless pits of black and his grin came with a grating sound as his teeth moved over one another. All the Lords were staring at the new arrival with nothing but fear. Yunoki turned to the Emperor. "You called for me Mecial?" His voice never stopped slithering and the volume was never raised. The Emperor held his gaze "That is Emperor to you Yunoki and you know it" Yunoki chuckled again "I was summoned to this court and came under the assumption we were all held equal in this room" "We are but I am still your superior" The King carried himself towards the Emperor. "You never will understand Mecial, will you. No one is my superior" Yunoki took his seat next to Gorgon, even his loyal servant was surprised and chilled by his kings presence. Every set of eyes round the room were hypnotised by the King. The only creature round the table that did not hold a terrified, scared or shameful expression was the Speaker. She stood up once more and spoke in her usual soft tone "I welcome King Yunoki to this hall, we are now all present to discuss the terms of truce that you would like the King to accept" One Lord took to his feet, his hands visibly shaking, rattling the sheet of paper in his hands. "The terms of the truce are: 1) you may keep the lands that you have already obtained but your armies must have no presence in them. All your forces must retreat to the City of Dawntie 2) Fort Goran will be classed as neutral ground and shall not be touched by either side, a memorial will be constructed to honour Major Augustus Boarwood 3) You will leave our lands and never return under the charge of execution" his voice shivered as he spoke. Gorgon's smile could be seen by every man at the table, he knew that his King would never accept such fake demands. The Kings smile moulded into a look of rage and anger. He banged his fist on the table and it shook violently for a second to everyone's amazement. No one had ever managed to damage the table before, they had not set their eyes on this kind of power. "Why should I have to bow down to your demands? My armies could spread across your lands like a plague, wiping your people from existence, taking the world for my own...." His eyes moved off as he pondered on a thought. Standing up, he addressed the whole table. ".... You people are like ants to me, that need to squished under my boot" He slid slowly round the table, he looked the Emperor's deep in his eyes and suddenly spoke with booming, underlying voice. "The truth will come out, your people will betray you and your head will be a prize on my mantelpiece. You have your truce for now..." Gorgon shot up and the King quickly raised his hand. A low level of black smoke began to fill the floor, the lords looked around terrified as the King's eyes began to glow red and burn. "Make my words, Mecial. The time of men is over and my time..... Is just beginning" The smoke rose violently around him, thunder and lightening seems to conquer all inside the smog. The Emperor could do nothing as he watched his fellow lords suddenly were set alight and began to burn and melt around him, he fell off his chair backwards and began to crawl. The screams filled the room, guards launched themselves through the doors, only to met with people burning alive before them. They did nothing but stand there and watch, unable to take in what was happening. Mecial Homdon scrambled and slipped across the floor, he had never been so terrified. The lords finally dropped to the ground and the smoke seemingly sunk into the floor, Gorgon stood on his two feet in shock and the King was gone, nowhere to be seen. The Emperor whispered under his breath "What have I done".