CHAPTER FOUR: RISING DARKNESS

The Kingdom of Aylon, a kingdom under the reign of King Aaron Bert, it is also one of the six kingdoms independent from the Southern Empire ruled by His Lordship Bishop Ekmond Alexander.

Aylon is a small growing Kingdom, stationed on a cliff. It's Royal compound stands at the cliff top followed by the town, split into two by a vineyard and a meadow, just outside its walls, lies a large Fir forest.

Though the day stood dark, a flock of Finch still peeper around the Fir forest; the whiff of air blowing across was chilling but tepid in an oddly way. At the Meander of a river dividing the Fir forest horizontally into two halves; five Men gather around a camp fire chatting while awaiting two rabbits roasting in the bright flame.

“Seriously, we've been here for almost a week now," said Benny, the youngest and innocent looking one amongst the men.

“Quit complaining Benny,” replied Alan, a grumpy looking fellow and the shortest amidst the men.

“I’m supposed to be with my love,” Benny stretches his hands wide  gazes at the cloud, “enjoying this wonderful atmosphere.” He spoke like a poet.

“Two bad, your wife may probably be lying with another man.” Alan proposed resulting in a general laughter.

“Shut it Alan.” Benny spoke with a straight face.

“Well quit complaining.” Alan replied with a smirk, one brow raised above the other, "Or did I strike a cod there."

Everyone smiled at Benny, awaiting his response.

“Ha-ha," Benny phased the tense atmosphere, "at least I’m living a good life.”

“Oh really, you think heaven will welcome you as its citizen.” Alan asked sarcastically.

“I live to please God, so yes, heaven will embrace me with open arms.”

“Suit yourself Benny, all I know is there’s no God, it's only a religious sham."

“Oh He exists.” A gusty female voice spoke from a corner, alerting the men on their feet as they drew their swords.

A wished-washed skinned lady with bulgy eyes came from a dark corner; hands behind her back - she was dressed in a filthy torn white gown, water dripping from her long wet black hair.

“Who in seven hells are you?” Alan points his sword at her.

“Me?" She glanced about then at Alan, "you must be mistaken, we are many.” She replied with a giggle.

“Does she match the description of the dark ones?” Gerald whispered to Alan

"No," Alan assured, staring intently at the lady, "Her eyes are normal."

"Well someone has to check her." Gerald spoke out.

Everyone gazed at look, he sighed then approached the Lady.

“Don’t Luke," Benny stopped him, "Something feels strange, I’ve read stories of Demons possessing humans in the Holy scripts.” Benny warned.

“For pit sake Benny shut up," Alan ordered, "Luke grab that lady and check her.” Alan urged.

“Come," She glanced at Luke, "let us see the gloriousness of the Creator.” She proposed with a grin, bringing her hands forward, holding unto two long knives.

Staring profusely at the knives Alan could see the crest of a serpent, his eyes widened towards the lady.

“She’s harmed with a weapon of the dark ones.” Alan yelled, “Cut her down.”

Gerald and Luke quickly dashed towards the lady, who seems to be prepared for the fight.

The lady deflected the first strike from Luke with ease, stabbing through his chest.

Before Gerald could thrust his sword through her the lady quickly pulled the knife out of Luke’s chest to counter the attack then slits his throat.

Now wide open, Alan thrust his sword into her torso.

“Damn you demon.” Alan screamed out, his eyes heavy.

There was no struggle nor any sign she felt pain, Alan was driven into despair instantly, his eyes were open - gazing death in the lady’s chuckle.

“God is great,” the lady praised, stabbing Alan’s neck with both knives, “God is good, God is terrible,” she proclaimed, stabbing Alan again.

With an alarming war cry another man impales the lady from behind.

“He his marvellous and His presence shall endure forever.” The lady proclaimed all the more, her voice fading into two bold voices as black blood spouts out of her mouth.

“To hell with you,” the man caused, plunging his sword further into her till only the hilt remained.

“Let everything that moves and breathes praise his holy name,” the lady spoke then gazed defiantly at Benny who has been watching and trembling, unable to move or speak.

Her eyes twirled black in an instant, “Let the end begin.”

With the last words of the Lady, black flames engulfed her which exploded in black fumes.

BEGINNING OF THE END

In a Valley of black sand, there were no trees in sight, neither mountains nor hills; crows feasted on gutted, headless and limbless corpses of Drokan soldiers as well as Riana Soldiers - Both Riana banner and Drokan banner stood at various points, some broken others impaled into corpses; Riana banner was dark-blue bearing the Levia house figure - a four-point white star, while the Drokan banner was green, bearing their figure - a flaming skull.

Within the mist of the sore sight, a pale, oddly good looking, yet elegantly-handsome young man with dark long curly hair, put back to form a ponytail by a silver band, cheerfully whistles his way through the corpses while flaunting his Katana from side to side, his Riana armor was stained with dirt and blood, though his was different, the star crest wore a crown.

The young man soon halted as he stood before of a huge bald man with beards almost covering his face. He was vested in Drokan armor, jade green armor, he was kneeling in the mist of six Riana spear-men, ready to impale him.

“All hail the great general, Zodiakal.” The young man praised mockingly with a bow and a gesture of his hand.

“It’s an honour meeting you, Prince Richard of the Levia household.” Zodiakal complimented.

“You've heard of me, I’m flattered Zod, can I call you Zod.” Prince Richard asked jokingly

“I heard about your family during my short stay in Riana, observing. How you think you can get in the heads of your prey, playing mind games with them,” chuckles “too bad, I didn’t get to fight you.”

“I’m beginning to like you already, I also heard about you Zod; fierce commander of the Drokan raiders, uncivilized, lawless, savages.” Prince Richard smirks “You know what, I’ll give you the opportunity to choose life.”

“I don’t need…”

“Shut it Zod I’m not done,” Prince Richard interrupted, “denounce your god and accept Christ as your Lord and saviour.”

“The Drokan Empire serves only one god, Dorak Herra.”

With a chuckle Prince Richard spoke, “Empire you say, you dogs have been scavenging and looting towns and growing kingdoms for years, with no Kingdom to call your own or to show for it; hiding in caves and mountains, is that what you refer to as your so-called Empire.”

“Our present Lord is different Prince, Wengi iku peteng lan medeni banget (The night is dark and full of terrors.)” Zodiakal warned

“Enough with your blabbering northern tongue, accept Christ and I promise you a peaceful death.”

“Damn your god.” Zodiakal caused then spat on Prince Richard’s black leather boot

Vexed by Zodiakal’s words and action Prince Richard slashed at his head with his blade then drags it out allowing the body to fall and bleed out.

“No one has the right to insult my creator, no one,” he stares intently at the spear-men, forcing them to pull back a little, “bring me his head” he ordered walking away.