The Holy Sword!

The King sighed before continuing. "The Inolid Kingdom is slowly becoming more and more audacious. They've attacked all of our villages, killed our precious citizens and even managed to infiltrate our Military Academy's defenses, killing present and future Master Mages.

Their dark ways are mysterious and we are still incapable of stopping them. All we managed to figure out was that the rips in space they do before their demonic forces appear is not a form of teleportation, but a form of traveling.

Using unknown means, they are capable of opening a portal to the spirit realm. This allowed them to travel into our borders and bypass our defenses without any problems.

We are still incapable of figuring out a way to counter this and block their way, so our only option is to be prepared for an attack at any moment." The King pulled out a crystal ball out of his storage space and set the artifact on the table. It lit up and what seemed like holographic technologie, a picture appeared in the air.

Link was surprised and impressed as he watched the contents of the video. It showed the Academy, where students were going to and from places, minding their own business. The sky was clear and sunny, while the familiars in the air kept an eye out for any form of rule breaking.

Suddenly, the sky shook, as ripples passed through. Tearing sounds filled the area, and a large portal appeared.

No one expected this, not even the present professors. In mere seconds, the Academy was swarmed by odd humanoid creatures. They looked different from the ones Link saw attack his village as they showed shocking speed, killing everything that moved.

"They're not collecting the souls" Link muttered. "That makes sense since i found Samuel's soul still there, luckily"

Link watched closely as he saw them eat every resource they happened to come by. Either in stores, in the dorms, ones possessed by students or inside the Castle.

It was chaos, but their goal was obvious. They cared little about the people around them, but that did not stop them from killing all they could. Link saw some professors fighting with a few of them, but with their overwhelming numbers, it was all for naught.

"This is the last recording we managed to recover from the Academy. The defenses, spells and runes set did not activate, as if nothing was happening. All the preparations we made for its defense made no difference.

Their main goal was to collect all the resources in the Academy, which were not few. They killed most of the students and all of the professors. May the gods have mercy on their souls. They sacrificed themselves to save all the students they could." The King's demeanor changed as his eyes burned with anger.

"This is unacceptable" He yelled, slamming his fist on the table, cracking it. "Our people.. our lands… our resources.. We lost enough" The King stood up, bringing out a golden sword from his space storage. The sword flew in the air, looking down on everyone in the room.

Link did not know what that sword was, but looking at the people sitting around, and seeing their shocked and determined expressions, he knew that it was no simple artifact.

"BY THE POWER INVESTED IN ME AS THE KING OF RECHANGUARD. I DECLARE THE YANAX.

ON THIS LAND

IN THIS WORLD

IN THIS REALM

WE SHALL NOT COEXIST

EITHER WE PERISH…

OR THEY DO!"

The golden sword shone, wings appeared behind it with a sudden tremor. The sword with a mighty force stabbed through the table like a phantom, leaving no sign. It kept going through and disappearing into the ground.

Everything settled for a second, but slowly, a golden symbol appeared where the sword vanished. It was a drawing of an eye, releasing suffocating pressure.

Outside, the sky dimmed, as a ray of light shone down on the castle.

Words echoed in the sky. "Holy! Holy! Holy!..."

The words were heard all across the kingdom. Startling the commoners and people.

Back in the room, Link looked at the scene in shock.

A being appeared, bearing 12 Wings. It floated from the golden eye, looking at the King.

"Are you certain?" It spoke, as its voice froze the people all around. Even Link was unable to move, as his heart was gripped with fear.

"Yes!" The King spoke.

"Then it shall be!" The angelic looking being nodded, floating back into the eye.

As it vanished, everything went back to normal. The sky and noises stopped, and the glowing golden symbol on the ground dimmed, leaving behind a simple drawing.

"Your highness!" One of the attendees spoke. "Was this a good idea?"

"They've wiped out all the villages and destroyed everything, this was unavoidable" The King said, taking a deep breath and dismissing the meeting.

Link and Abby left together, both silent. The events that have just occurred were stuck into their brain. They will never forget the feeling of inferiority and oppression that being made them feel.

"W-what was that?" Link managed to mutter.

"The King has used the Holy Sword" Abby explained. "I've only heard of it in rumors.

They say that each King of each of the Kingdoms owns a sword, one bestowed upon their ancestors back in the first appearance of the Gods. Each blessed by them" Abby took a deep breath. "The Yanax, is a word in the divine language, meaning Challenge… Our ancestors think that the gods are spectators, while the realms are their playground.

Since a challenge has been declared, the Inolid Kingdom can no longer act as they please. They can no longer run, avoid us or use underhanded means. The Gods are watching now!"

Link took a while to comprehend what he had been told and asked. "Then why did the King wait until now to use the sword? Only after we lost so much?"

"Nothing is free!" Abby spoke. "When one deals with the Gods, they must not go back on their word.

First of all, we lost the sword now, which we will never get back.

Second, like what the King said. We can no longer exist together. That means no one that belongs or belonged to the Inolid Kingdom shall live. Now, the citizens that escaped seeking refuge shall be executed"

Link's eyes widened when he understood. "Women, children and all the innocent people will have to die too?" He asked.

"Yes, that is what will be done!" Abby answered. "The Sword had 3 Options.

The first is Awan, which will save the Kingdom from destruction. It can only be used after we lose. Meaning most of the Kingdom will have to be destroyed and all citizens die for it to meet the conditions.

The second is Yanax.. You already know what it does and can guess the conditions.

And the Third we know nothing about. Only the Royal Family have such knowledge"

Link was stunned for a bit as he walked out of the castle. He shook his head, taking flight towards his old home.

*****

A man sat on a giant throne. He wore a black crown, with a dark cape and intimidating armor. His eyes had dark circles around them while his pale face stared numbly into the distance.

WOSH!

In the dark hall, a blinding light appeared, taking the form of a sword. It floated in front of the man.

In the sky above the castle, the same words echoed all around. "Holy! Holy! Holy!..."

A figure took shape from the light with 12 wings on its back.

"A Yanax has been declared!" It spoke, carrying the same suffocating feeling.

And as it appeared out of nowhere, it vanished, not waiting for a response.

The man once again sat alone in the dark hall. His eyes finally moved as he looked at the symbol engraved into the floor. It was of an eye, looking back at him.

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