The Fall of Wetherden

Ailas had a massive smile on his face as the two of them charged Kyle. He blocked their attacks and was able to parry most of them. However, with two opponents, he struggled to keep up with them. Ailas was still much stronger than him and Kyle knew it. Ailas gripped his sword tightly and was determined to end the fight. He struck Kyle's heart, but it was like hitting a steel wall. His flesh was scraped but no deep wounds could be inflicted. Ailas scoffed and became annoyed. Blick and Ailas synced up and were able to overwhelm Kyle. He tried to gain some distance from the two of them, but Ailas was too quick. Kyle used Earth Energy to erect a stone wall and separated him from Ailas. The wall surrounded him completely. Blick continued to fight Kyle. Seconds later, the rock wall melted. Blick and Kyle both stopped as they felt Ailas' mood change.

"You really think you can win with petty tricks?" Ailas asked rhetorically.

Kyle braced for an attack.

"Do you know what Energy truly is? I've seen it in many different forms. I've heard stories of men who could use it in any and every situation. Energy is limitless and can achieve whatever the user wants it. You said earlier that it can't bring back the dead," Ailas said, lifting his shirt to reveal a massive scar that runs down his torso, "But I am living proof that it can!"

"That is not your body." Kyle said.

"No, but it is my heart," Ailas said, "People believe that there are many types of Energy. Earth, Water, Fire, whatever you want to call it. But it is all the same. Do you know the difference between magic and Energy?"

"No." Kyle said.

"That's because they are the same. Energy is something of the mind. You can do anything if you have the imagination and the capability to do so. That's why you will lose. Because I'm going to show you the true power of Energy." Ailas said, gripping his sword.

"What you are saying is absurd." Kyle said.

"I knew you were too simple-minded, that's why you couldn't save her that night and why I am still breathing." Ailas said. 

"I was holding back before, but now you are really pissing me off!" Kyle shouted.

The sky suddenly darkened, and lightning flashed in the distance. Kyle held his hand out and summoned a bolt of lightning. It struck Ailas and blew him back several feet. Kyle ran over to Blick and swung with all his might. Blick parried and deflected his sword. Ailas ran up from behind and managed to cut deep into his back. The flesh healed quickly, so Ailas attacked with more strength and speed. Blick got kicked in the chest and fell onto his back. Kyle turned to face Ailas. He screamed in anger as he used more of his Energy.

Ailas did not hesitate and jumped at him. He slashed and sliced Kyle's body in various places. Kyle used Lightning Energy to electrocute him, but he was undeterred. Ailas took a few hits and then cut him down his shoulder to his ribs. Kyle screamed in agony and used Earth Energy to send a boulder towards Ailas. He sent a shockwave that shattered it into tiny pieces. Ailas snapped his fingers, and a massive light blinded him for a second. Ailas used this time to imbue his sword with pure Energy. The metal became hot and began to glow. He jumped up in the air and aimed for Kyle's neck. The blade was inches away from slicing it clean off when Kyle stepped back and continued to dodge all of his attacks. Blick gathered his strength and rejoined the fight.

Kyle sent a blast of Gravity Energy that sent Blick flying backwards. He hit the ground with a thud and stayed still. Ailas continued to fight Kyle relentlessly. He used Earth, Fire, and Wind Energy, but Kyle matched him every time. He managed to catch Ailas off guard and sliced his arm off, but it grew back instantly.

Ailas laughed and flipped his sword around to thrust at him. Kyle dodged the blade and used the hilt to knock him back. He put his hand out and pushed Ailas with all his strength. He flew back and landed on his back. Kyle quickly charged him while he was on the floor. Ailas held out his hand and froze Kyle in place. He had used Gravity Energy to completely trap him.

Ailas stood up and walked towards him with a smug smile on his face. Blick couldn't move and could only watch as Ailas killed Kyle.

"Any last words?" Ailas said.

"I'll make sure to carve out your heart this time." Kyle said.

Kyle yelled as he broke through Ailas' hold. Ailas was taken back and was in awe at his strength. Blick managed to stand and prepared to assist Ailas with another fight. All three of them let out a primal roar as they collided in one final battle.

Blick's sword broke into pieces, and he was thrown back again. He got up and saw Ailas and Kyle battling it out. They were using their Energy to try and outmatch the other. However, Ailas outmatched him in strength and power. Blick was impressed and watched as they clashed blades over and over again. Zorn created a sword for Blick as he regained his power.

"Let's end this." Blick said, charging at Kyle.

Ailas and Blick both struck him at the same time. Kyle's body was nearly split in half, but it healed instantly. Blick charged at him once more. He landed a few good hits on Kyle, but it was not enough to slow him down.

"That damn crystal!" Ailas shouted.

Ailas grabbed Kyle by the throat and Blick was able to disarm him. Ailas cut off the necklace and the crystal fell onto the ground. Ailas licked his lips as he raised Kyle off the dirt.

"What the hell is taking so long?" Sage asked, rounding the corner.

All three of them turn to look. Sage quickly threw a dagger at Ailas' arm and made him let go of Kyle.

"Who are you?" Blick asked.

"My ally." Kyle said, with a cough.

"Sage Opius. Prince of Ivorius. Good thing I came over here." Sage said.

"This just got more annoying." Ailas said.

"Let's talk peace, Sage. I am Blick. Lord of Wetherden." Blick said.

"Peace? You are Blick? My father said to make sure that you die. There will be no peace." Sage said, unsheathing his sword.

"Before we begin, there is something I must do." Kyle said.

Kyle quickly grabbed the crystal and looked towards the children bound to the tree. He held out his hand and closed his fist. In that second, all of Blick's siblings were crushed. Blick shouted in pain and ran at Kyle. Ailas stopped Sage from interfering.

Blick swung his sword and Kyle easily dodged it. Kyle unleashed a wave of Gravity Energy that sent Blick soaring backward. The wind was knocked out of him and he had trouble standing up. Ailas and Sage began to fight. Sage pulled out a horn and blew into it. The sound echoed and men roared in response.

"You really thought you destroyed our ballistae. I had one deeper in the woods." Sage said.

Ailas just stared as he spoke to him.

"The west gate will be broken, and we will invade and kill everyone inside. Men, women, and children." Sage said.

"Enough talk," Ailas said.

Kyle slowly approached Blick and raised his sword to deliver the final blow. Blick was in too much pain to react as Kyle brought his sword down. Ailas and Sage continued to fight until a group of knights approached them. They separated Sage from Ailas. Sage looked over and saw Kyle was about to kill Blick. He looked back towards Ailas and saw he was gone.

"Where did he go?!?" Sage shouted.

"I don't know! He just disappeared." a knight answered.

'Is this the end?' Blick asked.

'No, I can get us out. But if we leave, then the city will fall.' Zorn said.

'Get us out of here.' Blick said.

'Where?' Zorn asked.

'Somewhere quiet.' Blick said.

Kyle held his sword over Blick's body and swung down. Before he made contact, the body vanished. Kyle looked around and saw that Sage was just as confused. Sage held out his arm and used Gravity Energy to rip open the city gates. Knights flooded in and blood was spilled. The last ballista was used to destroy the city walls and buildings. 

In just a few hours, the city was reduced to a pile of stone and death. They took anything of value and raided the food supplies. Sage stood on top of a hill and looked over the carnage. Kyle walked up to him.

"I'm sure this will have many consequences." Kyle said.

"Yeah. My father knows what he is doing." Sage said.

"Hmm... I hope he does." Kyle said, walking away.

Sage slightly turned and watched as he vanished into the forest. The sun slowly rose over the horizon, and the battle was over.