Ascendance The Original Lands Book 1

We all jumped to our feet faster than any of us thought possible. My head jerked around, looking for any damage or danger in the room. I saw none. Zurlian had already drawn his sword, causing a gasp to escape me at the sight of it.

The blade was a mixture of silver with dark azure trim and had to be was the most beautiful weapon I have seen. The edge and tip of the sword were the dark blue color, it looked like the blade was illuminated, at least the azure part. The silver part was just as beautiful. It was a real silver color, it didn't illuminate but neither did it have to. The blue of the other parts did that for it. The handle of the sword was also silver, but the difference is it actually looked comfortable to grip. Like it was wrapped in some sort of silk that was comfortable to hold but colored to be the beautiful silver color itself. The guard on the sword which stood between the handle and the blade itself replicated the color of the trim.

I stood there in admiration of the weapon, even with the commotion going on. Only then that I realized that there was a commotion that I looked up to see four of the Knights standing by the doorway, their weapons were at the ready. With a mixture of spears and rifle-like guns.

Wulf was on the radio, attempting to find the problem from the sound of it. That's when the loud pops started.

"Gunfire," Wulf stated simply while drawing his own pistol and scanning the room attentively.

Zurlian looked toward his men and nodded. They returned the nod, forming a small perimeter around me, Allen, and Mom. I trembled slightly. I didn't want to die here, and I didn't want my mother or Allen to die either because I was unlucky enough to get picked like this. It just wasn't fair.

"Have no fear, majesty. We will not allow you to come to harm. The rest of my men are already en route, they will be here in moments." Zurlian assured me. I did feel a little better, though his words did nothing to calm the beating of my heart that rang out through my ears.

Footsteps reverberated down the hall, as well as the unfamiliar sound of metal clanking. Moments later, more of Zurlian's Knights stopped right outside the doorway. They scanned the hallway repeatedly, and then one of them suddenly pointed.

"Halt, in the name of his Majesty!" He shouted, while others drew and raised their weapons. The Knights rushed forward, forming a line outside of the doorway.

"Sire, please come with us. We need to get you out, down to the foyer. Lord Folduin has been informed and will be arriving shortly with several high-speed drop sh.i.p.s."

I nodded as Zurlian ushered me, my mother, and Allen out and into the hallway. I let my mom and Allen go first, I noticed both of them shaking slightly.

In the hallway, the Knights had formed a small formation. Upon us exiting the room, several of them broke formation and fell into step with the men that were originally guarding the doorway. Then with a quick gesture from Zurlian, one of the Knights stepped forward, and pulled his sword from his belt, and handed it to Zurlian.

Zurlian examined it for a moment, then he turned towards me. "You have no armor or battle experience, we can't change that right now," he said, while maintaining eye contact. "But, what we can change is if you have a weapon or not." He handed me the weapon of the Knight. I grabbed it with my trembling hands.

This felt so surreal. I couldn't believe I was holding a sword, it was lighter than I thought it'd be. Instead of it being azure like Zurlian's, though, it was a lavender color. The sheath included, was a mixture of the silver trim and lavender.

One of the Knights with our group turned and looked down the hallway. I heard him gasp and turn towards Zurlian.

"Captain!" He shouted, his voice muffled with a hint of alarm. Zurlian glanced at the Knight. "Those are Yurian Stalkers!" He pointed down the hallway.

I turned my head and looked over the shoulders of the Knights in the formation. I immediately regret doing so.

Heading towards us were several figures shrouded in a pure black cloak. It covered their entire body, from head to toes, with the exception of their face. A black mist emanated from under the hoods. Crimson eyes were the only thing able to pierce the mist.

I felt a chill run down my spine as the one I was looking at locked eyes on me.

Zurlian quickly pulled me back then shouted at his men, "Fire at will!"

I didn't have time to be shocked at how fast chaos ensued. The Knights that had guns raised them open fired. The shadow figures, or the Yurian Stalkers as the Knight had called them, were suddenly armed. A blade the color of their crimson eyes suddenly appeared on both arms. I couldn't tell if it was a metal or not, but it was terrifying either way.

The figures charged the line. Zurlian shouted a command, and all at once, the Knights switched from their long-ranged weapons to their swords. The ones with spears remained as they were, and all at once, the formation rushed forward with Zurlian in the lead to meet the Stalkers head-on.

The two sides clashed in a sea of metal and flesh.

It sounded exactly like what a medieval battle would sound like, or that's how I imagined one atleast.

The men around our formation ushered us away down the opposite hallway. I held the sword tight, clinging it to my c.h.e.s.t and unsure whether or not I could use it. I couldn't stop my hands from trembling, and I could see that mom and Allen looked pretty shaken up as well. I couldn't tell about Wulf, he did have his pistol at the ready though.

Gunfire continued to be heard outside, I assume that the agents posted by Miller were fighting figures as well. I can't imagine how they fared, though. If the enemy possessed armaments as the Galians did, then it probably wasn't good at all.

The howl of battle echoed down the hall with an occasional scream.

The Knights directed us back through the maze of corridors. I couldn't even begin to think about what it'd be like to live in a house as big as this. It suddenly dawned on me that my thoughts strayed from the present, I released a light chuckle. I was here thinking about getting lost in a large house when there was currently a war going on inside and out.

Allen must've heard the chuckle, because he turned his head back towards me with a brow raised, then shook his head slowly, as if saying, "Really, Sebastian?"

I made an attempt to instead of thinking ideal thoughts, to instead observe the group we were with. We had six of the Knights with us, as well as Wulf. The Knights looked so impressive in their armor with their weapons. To me, they were an opponent worth fearing and an ally worth respect.

I was slung from my thoughts once more when several figures emerged from the shadows in front of us, as if they were shadows themselves. The Knights with me readied their swords and spears. I clutched the hilt of the sword Zurlian gave me.

Maybe, just maybe, I could protect mom and Allen with this.

"Surrender the boy, or die where you stand!" one of the figures hissed, swords materialized on each of their forearms, like in the other hallway I wonder where they came from.

One of the Knights stepped forward and sneered, "Over our dead bodies, will you only get him."

"That can be easily arranged!" The Stalker shouted as he charged forward, followed by his allies.

"Stand firm!" The Knight ordered, readying his weapon as the others did too. They stood firm against the weapons of the Stalkers as the Knight commanded. Swords met swords as each man fought against each other. Several Stalkers fell in the first wave of the assault, with the Knights fighting incredibly well. They parried, dodged, and struck with ease.

One of the Knights slashed down a Stalker in the first wave of the fight, another quickly replaced him and was dispatched just as fast as the first.

Another of Knights stabbed at a Stalker with his emerald spear, the Stalker fell to the ground. Then the Knight threw his spear like a javelin and drew his sword mid-flight of the spear throw, from its home on his waist, moments later, he was locked in a deadly melee with the enemy.

A few Knights fell minutes later, I wanted to rush and join the fight, to help protect my family. But from watching the movements of the Stalkers and Knights, I knew I was way out of their league.

Mom and Allen turned towards me and with an individual consensus, we turned to run but were blocked by a lone silhouette.

Agent Wulf stood blocking our path of escape.

How'd he get there so fast? He was in front of us...

I thought as Wulf raised his weapon at us.

"Well kid, you lucked out. Miller should have never put me in on this assignment, the fool was just too trusting." Wulf said, as he eyed us.

A spear whizzed by my head flying towards Wulf, he only barely dodged it. His gun did shatter though, leaving him defenseless, or so we thought. I glanced behind me to see a Galian turn back towards the fight as he drew his sword. A Stalker was right upon him, but he managed to deflect the blow right in time.

With a frown on his face, Wulf reached into the back of his pants, pulling a hidden dagger out. It was the same color as the weapons that the Stalkers used. The pieces clicked together at once.

"You did this?" I half asked and half stated.

Wulf knew what I meant, he nodded.

"Unfortunately for you kid, Galia isn't the only country with assets in this part of the world. I work with the Yurians as an informant, and often at times, an assassin. I secured myself a place on the security team, and quickly earned Miller's trust." he explained as if he were instructing a class.

"My original mission was to try and convince you to reject Foldiun's offer. Seeing as how you accepted, however, made me switch to plan B. Unfortunately, all of you have to die." Wulf said, taking a step forward.

Allen and Mom took a step back, I mustered up the courage and drew the sword given to me. It hummed as it slid from its sheath.

Wulf snorted.

He is amused, the bastard. I must protect Mom and Allen. I thought, raising the sword with shaking hands and half the resolve.

At that moment, Zurlian came running from the other side of the hallway with much fewer Knights than he stayed with, where we originated from. "Majesty!" He shouted, while looking at Wulf. He quickly charged Wulf.

Wulf turned around at the sounds of Zurlian rushing down the hallway. Quickly, he turned back towards me and charged forward. Zurlian wasn't going to make it in time to stop the charge. It was up to me.

I raised the weapon to meet him. He was right up on me now, time slowed. I tried to order my hands to raise the sword, they didn't listen and instead trembled like a coward. It dawned on me that I was going to die.

I looked up at Wulf, he raised his sword beside him, moving to run me through. All of a sudden, I felt myself go flying, landing against the hallway wall. Replacing me from where I was standing was Allen with his arms stretched out towards me, and a confident smile on his face.

I realized that he had pushed me. The sword that had my name on it instead reaped its due from Allen, coming out through one side of him to the other. The blood on it only adding to its malevolence. His expression changed to one of pain and shock.

"Damn boy!" Wulf chided, trying to pull his weapon free of Allen. But Allen wasn't having anything of the sort. He gripped the blade itself and held it in. I watched in horror, my treacherous body not heeding my commands to assist my best friend- no my brother.

With a final sneer at me, Wulf abandoned the weapon inside Allen, and rushed past me, my mom who cried nonstop at the sight, and the men fighting a desperate battle.

I didn't care though, my mind was aimed at my best friend who lay bleeding out. I scooted myself over next to him and sat on my knees. I didn't know what to do.

Moments later, Zurlian arrived and quickly fell to his knees next to me. I didn't even spare him a glance. My eyes teared up, as my best friend stared at me. The light leaving his eyes slowly.

"My lord, it pains me to say this but we must go. The Agents defending this area have nearly all been killed, our location is compromised and we have no way of knowing if more of the enemy are out there." Zurlian said. Its only then that I looked up at him.

"Please, help my friend." I pleaded.

Weird, how was it raining inside of the building? My mind thought idly, not registering that the water sliding down my cheeks were my own tears.

Zurlian took one look at Allen, and shook his head. I couldn't see his expression because of his helmet, but I had a feeling it wasn't good.

"I can't promise I can save him, my lord," he replied, looking up at me. "I can only promise to do my best, the wound is deep and the recovery injection I have in my pouch may not be enough to save him before he passes, but I will try."

With that said, he quickly opened a pouch on the side and pulled out a long tube. Quickly removing the cap on the thin tube, he pointed it towards Allen and pressed a button on the side. A needle extended, and he quickly but somehow gently plunged the needle into Allen's wound, then he pressed the button again and withdrew the tube, placing it in a separate pouch on his belt.

Once he finished that, he looked at me. "Hold him down as best as you can, my lord. I need to withdraw the blade from him in order for the wound to heal, assuming it does. We must do this fast, as he doesn't have much time."

I gulped and nodded, quickly placing my hands on Allen's shoulders and holding him down. Without another spoken word, Zurlian latched onto the sword handle and pulled as hard as he could. Allen's mouth split his face as he let out a silent scream, and then quickly grew silent as his eyes closed.

I looked up at Zurlian quickly with an unspoken question, "Don't worry, he is only unconscious now. The pain of removing the sword was too much, this is good as it'll help with the healing process." he answered without me even asking.

I couldn't help but crumble down, exhaling softly.

Its such a relief to find out that my best friend will be fine. However, the ones who did this will pay. I will bring judgment to them. Not just for Allen, but for the dead agents and even the dead soldiers.

The halls became quiet, excluding the continuing gunfire outside right along with the occasional scream.

I quickly glanced up, taking in the scene. Dozens of the enemy lay dead at the feet of my guards but they, unfortunately, weren't the only bodies littering the ground. A few of the Galians lay unmoving as well, blood seeped through wounds in their armor.

I almost felt a cloak of regret wrap itself around my heart, and my cheeks flushed as tears began to swarm from my eyes once more.

These men possibly had families back at their home, and now they lay dead defending me. I couldn't help but feel like this was all my fault. I don't consider myself naive, and I know better to assume that the world revolves around me, but I just can't shake this damn feeling.

The intensity in Zurlian's voice quickly grabbed me from my stupor, "We have to go, my lord."

I nodded briskly and got up to my feet as quickly as I could. My knees popped as I stood. I enjoy the sound, but I've heard several times that you could get arthritis that way. I haven't been able to confirm or deny that myth so far. Maybe one day, though.

I sheathed the sword gifted to me by Zurlian. It was useless in my hand, I had no courage to use it in this situation, but continued to hold the sheathed sword rather than give it back. I can't say why, maybe it just reassured me.

A quick look around told me that the Knights, one who held now Allen in his arms, and my mother were ready to move. Thankfully, my mom was unharmed. I couldn't have another important person hurt because of me.

Zurlian gestured ahead, and once again, we were moving. Only five of the Knights excluding the Knight Captain remained with our group.

Along the way, we passed several agents who lay unmoving on the ground. Blood decorated their bodies, and I struggled to keep the bile down.

Before I knew it, we were downstairs where a trio of agents lay. Like those before them, they had moved on from this world, leaving behind their bodies that continued to eject blood.

Zurlian and the Knights said nothing, as they spotted the bodies as well as several quick shadows, and in seconds, a pair of Yurian Stalkers burst forth. Zurlian quickly did a stroke, stabbing one of them, then he grabbed the Stalker before he fell to the ground and threw the body into his comrade, who was quickly behind him.

The Stalker stumbled to the ground, one of the Knights stepped forward and ended his misery in one quick lunge with his spear.

I visibly gulped, these men were trained killers and had obviously shown no regret in the killing. Hell, after what they and Wulf did to Allen, I had no regrets.

I'm just grateful that they're here to protect us.

Zurlian turned towards me, having already withdrawn his sword from the fallen enemy. "Folduin should be here shortly. I requested it as soon as this whole fiesta started. They should be here in moments, high-speed drop sh.i.p.s are no slow matter." His voice held not a single taste of exhaustion, the complete opposite of me.

"What will we do then?" I asked, glancing around the large room that we remained in.

Us leaving brought several questions to the front of my mind that I pushed back.

I couldn't help but wonder what would happen to the house or the bodies. I even wondered where Miller was and if he was safe. I hope so, I started to like the agent. He was honest with me, at least.

Responding to my question, Zurlian answered, "well, we'll most likely just head towards the flagship. You have already been compromised by the enemy. No use keeping it a secret." He shrugged afterwards.

Moments later, a large hiss rang throughout the area. Then what felt like several very small earthquakes followed, as well as something that sounded like cannons rang through the air.

"That's our cue," Zurlian stated as he started walking towards the door. He opened them and nearly took a blade to the face as a Stalker dashed at him. With unnatural reflexes, Zurlian ran his blade through the neck while ducking under the weapon. He kicked the body off his sword and quickly ran out of the house.

We followed with two Knights guarding the rear. The Knight carrying my best friend went in front of us. On exiting the house, I saw something that s.u.c.k.e.d the breath away from me. Aside from what looked like a dozen Galian Knights, minus their capes, there were four massive humanoid robots. They all held rifles, some of them discharging emerald bullets at moving blurs.

Now up close, I could see the robots were in between three to four stories tall. They each had what looked like a sheathed sword strapped to their waist. Their heads were the shape of squares, with a small antenna sticking towards the sky where the right ear would have been. Their bodies were carved with graceful, elegant designs. This was starting to be a pattern for this culture, it seems.

The majority of their body was painted white, with a blue trimming along key parts of the edge. The large machines formed a square around what looked like a ship, barely bigger than a helicopter, but smaller than a large cargo plane, though the ship looked like it could fit onto a landing pad at the local hospital.

The ship had a wing on each side, them forming a shape of a chubby triangle. That's really the only way I could describe it. A hatch on the back of the ship was open, and several Galians stood guard around the exit. Each holding a rifle and discharging it towards the same targets as the large machines.

Zurlian gestured us towards the ship, and together, we all broke into a jog towards the landed ship.

It only then occurred to me that the ship was a small distance away, and we were running straight out in the open. It's only then that I heard a loud pop that stood out. Time seemed to slow, as I turned towards the direction of the pop. A yellow blur raced its way towards me, and at that moment, I knew that I could do nothing to evade it.

I had no time to mentally prepare myself, and then suddenly, the petite figure of my mother jumped in front of the blur.

The force of it smashing into her made her stumble, yet even with this fact, she turned towards me and smiled softly. I could see a large river of red flowing freely down her shirt, exactly where her heart would be.

She tried to speak, but her words never came. They didn't have to. Unlike Allen, the light left her eyes permanently this time, and she tumbled towards the ground, falling hard on her side.

I know just from her personality, that my mother's last words were, I love you, Sebastian.