B4 Chapter 516: Tyrannomachia, pt. 2

Kaius could feel the tug of fate pulling him towards that scorched mark of black that lay in the no man’s land outside of the city walls. It could have been the gods’ will, or simply an urge born by his need to cut down the vile creature who had challenged him.

It mattered little, he would face it soon, one way or another.

He stared over the wall, leaning on the edge of the siege tower as the rest of the city’s elites gathered. All of them were there. An emergency meeting, to decide how they would respond to the Tyrant’s threat. He wasn’t sure why.

Out of the corner of his eye, Kaius saw Arc walk onto the peak of the tower. The carapaced brawler was the last they’d needed. Without words, they gathered to watch the distant army. It was far reduced from its earlier numbers, but it was still a black horde that stretched across the horizon.

More than enough to overwhelm the city. Deadacre was too small, and its defenders too weary and depleted.

One of the spire mages broke the silence. Cantor, Ianmus’s old teacher.

“We cannot seriously be considering acquiescing to the demands of some warlord monstrosity, can we?”

Nearby, a frown of bitter distaste spread across Ro’s face. “We have no choice. If we do not, we all die.”

“You can’t be serious! There’s no guarantee that a monster like that will abide by its words. Look at the last week — it is a thing of abject cruelty! We have ten Silvers and three Golds, the thing would stand no chance with our full forces committed to the assault.”

Kaius sighed, turning around to face the crowd. He understood the mage’s sentiment, he really did. None of them were happy about abiding by the terms of such a creature, but there were too many unknowns — the risks were too great. Send six, or gamble with the lives of them all.

It was simple to him. Besides, six was enough. No matter how strong it might be, or the strange powers of its Essence, his team would slaughter the creature. They’d fought for moments like this. More than anyone else, they’d forged themselves in certain death. What was one more so-called impossible fight?

But he couldn’t say that. The mages might know they were strong — they’d seen them in the last week — but they hadn’t truly digested it. Such a statement of confidence would be seen as bluster and hubris, and that wasn’t exactly a helpful impression to make.

“It’d see us coming,” Kaius said instead.

Cantor scowled. “Then we send six, and prepare a ranged barrage to slay it before it can command its beasts!”

Kaius frowned, shaking his head. He didn’t get it — they had no idea how the Tyrant’s commands worked. What if it had the ability to command its beasts ahead of time? To make them pounce if anything intruded on the duel?

“Kaius is right, I fear,” a croaking voice said.

Dross, he hadn’t seen the man the entire battle — he’d been holed up in the northern siege tower, supporting the defence. He looked like shit, all sunken features and sallow skin.

The ranger frowned, the slightest of shakes banished with a clenched fist. “You haven’t felt it — it’s foul influence. It binds you like wretched chains of adamant. We know too little about what it can do.”

Rieker nodded firmly. “The risk to the city is too high — we send six.”

In the crowd of mages, a short woman in green robes sighed. Madrigal, the life mage. She looked tired, her eyes so bruised it looked like she’d been fighting on the wall. Kaius wasn’t even sure if she had slept — she’d been treating the wounded throughout the siege.

Madrigal suddenly looked straight at him and his team, a worried look on her face.

“And what of you, the youngest amongst us by far? If we acquiesce, we throw you to the wolves. Are you not worried? Bitter, at being the only ones named? You are strong for your age, but at low Silver, you will be taking on a considerable risk.

Kaius blinked — she was scared for them. Genuinely, truly concerned that they were putting on a brave facade in the name of some noble sacrifice. He prayed that Ellyntir would bless the woman with good fortune, for she had a soul too warm for the world’s cruelties. Of all of those gathered, she had seen the least of their capabilities.

A wide smile spread across his mouth, before he started to laugh. He couldn’t help it — the idea of dreading the coming fight was just so…absurd.

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The life mage frowned at his laugh, seeming to take offence at his disregard of her concern. The other mages seemed taken aback too, their brows furrowed at his outburst. That said, he did catch the slightest of knowing smiles on Rieker’s face. The guildmaster, at least, knew of some of his history.

Quieting down, Kaius wasn’t quite able to suppress his smile as he shook his head.

“Apologies, Madrigal, I meant no disrespect.” he said, resting his hand on the pomel of his blade. “I am no stranger to death.”