Chapter 8: Hour of Darkness

In the days following, Richard lay deep in fever, ravaged by his wounds. In his delirium, shadows of the past and future seemed to blend; he saw William, face contorted in accusation, and Eldoria burning under Drefan's conquering legions.

Through it all, Sophia kept vigil, coaxing fluids and herbs between his cracked lips. Slowly, the fever broke, leaving Richard weak but newly determined. They broke camp beneath gray skies, continuing east where mist-shrouded peaks loomed before them.

As they rode, refugees filled the roads, faces haggard and possessions few. Where do you flee? asked Richard. From the warlord came the reply. He comes, and all before him fall to sword and his demonic power. Your fair kingdom is no more, good sir; only Drefan's dominion remains.

Grim news settled like a shroud over Richard's heart. Yet still, they pressed onward through ravaged hamlets and fields laid to waste. Upon a hilltop under an ashen sky, they glimpsed in the distance their goal—an ancient circle of standing stones like silent sentinels gazing over desolation. And amid that circle rose a great, shadowy citadel that could be none but Drefan's seat of dark power.

Descending into a barren valley, Richard reined in sharply. Littering the blackened grasses lay bodies beyond counting—Eldorian soldiers in tattered crimson, cut down with brutal efficiency. Among the dead glinted a golden circlet, and with dread certainty, Richard dismounted to find the remains of his beloved lord, King Lionheart.

Grief and wrath warred within as he closed the staring eyes, reciting a final prayer. Yeshua, you have shown me the depths my enemies will plumb. Now I understand—there can be no turning back until this tyranny is ended, whatever the cost. Too long have the innocent suffered. No more!

At the citadel's looming gates, Richard stood defiant before Drefan, seated upon a throne of bones, his features corpse-pale and his eyes pools of nightmare. You took all I held dear, demon. But your dominion ends here—face me if you possess any shred of honor left!

With a sinister chuckle, Drefan rose in a swirl of shadowstuff. So the mouse would challenge the serpent in his very lair, would he? Very well, mouse. Let our finale play out. I shall enjoy breaking your spirit in your God before feeding you to my pets!

Their climactic duel was joined amid the gathering storm.