GOD ASSASSIN (PT 4) AN ADVENTURE STORY YOU MUST LOVE
“General Dorvares,” I bowed, acknowledging the second-in-command’s presence.
She alone among the high-ranking officers had remained untainted by the Emperor’s schemes.
“Is that your pet?” she inquired, her legs crossed on the rooftop exuding an aura of firepower.
I hesitated, my mind wavering. “No, General… I mean, yes.” My uncertainty was palpable.
Dorvares smirked, her eyes gleaming with insight. “You know Cryblade, that creature is drawn to your grief.”
I rose, my gaze fixed upon the reptile as it continued its rampage. “Indeed, it is my grief, General. But the Emperor… he orchestrated this tragedy. They slaughtered my wife and child in cold blood.”
Dorvares stood, her countenance somber. “What purpose will your vengeance serve Cryblade when your plan is to kill all the generals and the Emperor? It will be an endless war for we are the dynasty’s protectors, shielding it from the assassins.”
I countered immediately, my voice thick. “Do not deflect, General. Why did the Emperor not consider the consequences before sending us to war, only to ambush us upon our return? What was his aim? Did he believe we were ignorant of his orders to slaughter an entire village of women and children? Is that why he sought to eliminate us?”
The general bowed her head, her hair cascading across her face. “I apologize Cryblade but if it brings you peace, you have slain the major generals responsible.”
“Except Vorg…”, I interrupted.
“No!” she spoke vehemently, her eyes locked on mine. “That mage you seek has placed revolutionaries like yourself on a pedestal of endless torment. Even your grief…,” she gestured to the reptile, still ravaging the fleet, “won’t save you.”
“But my revenge isn’t complete,” I turned away, my resolve unwavering.
Dorvares sighed, her lips in a grip. “Choose, Cryblade… Peace or war?”
“War,” I responded with a shout. “I was foolish to think love could mend my past mistakes, but now an innocent boy and the Emperor’s second daughter, my wife have paid the price.”
Dorvares landed in front of me, her jump impressive. “Did you think the Emperor doesn’t grieve for killing Princess Shogoye? He’s consumed already by pain having sacrificed his own daughter, who knew not only of his plot but risked herself to come to the battlefield for your sake. And now, his other daughter Princess Yeoh is missing.”
“None of my concern,” I replied, my eyes fixed on the reptile sated from its meal. “You’d best depart, General before it notices you. I know you weren’t part of this initially.”
“But I am now,” she smiled, her iron rings at the ready. “I trained you Cryblade. You’re my protégé and now the Emperor bids me not return until I bring your head.”
“General,” I hesitated, “I don’t wish to kill you.”
“Love is a motivation for all evil things, isn’t it?” she retorted, her rings gleaming with deadly intent.
“Feast,” the reptile whispered returning to my blade. “Feed…..her….. to….. me.”
“So much bond,” another general emerged from the earth, his presence commanding attention.
I steeled myself though my timidity threatened to resurface.
“Move Dorvares or I’ll move you,” Amadesh warned, his predatory countenance on the general who quietly stepped aside.
I knew his greedy capabilities but my mentor’s words echoed in my mind: this would be an endless war. The generals might never cease their pursuit and the assassins left behind would likely deem this fate an opportunity to claim the dynasty, including myself.
“Reject!” General Amadesh scoffed.
“I am no reject,” I rejoinder but he scowled pointing at the blade.
“I wasn’t addressing you,” he snarled. “You Vykons seek out vessels for your gain only to discard them once surfeited with their vengeance. How pitiful.”
“Good,” my blade responded with a mischievous chuckle. “Cryblade and I share a similar path… wrath. And make no mistake dark magic is overrated.”
Amadesh gnashed his teeth summoning a mallet from thin air. “Then I’ll demonstrate why I’m called the King of Hell.”
