The skies here are always angry. Lightning hits everything in sight and thunder echoes throughout the region. The land, lifeless and is made of baron rocks and stone. And the worst of all, the sky is always shedding its freezing cold tears of rain and snow. Those are the things that describe the Iron Kingdom of the Kra’ens. They border the High Kingdom of the Eagles to the north, the Mystic Realm in the south and the Middle Kingdom to the west. Vulturets always fly over the dead forest killed by its cold weather. Either rain or snow, it will be scavenging for food. The only thing that this region is good for is their vast metal ore and the most valuable of metal that can only be mined on their lands, the Kraenite that a few kingdoms desire.

Imperial Diplomat Ferrier Ole made his way to the Kra’en territory; they plan to head straight to the Kra’en capital citadel, Mathron. They reached the first gates to the Mathron territory as two post guards halted their trail.

“Good day sir. May we ask who you are?” asked the guard.

Ferrier stares at them seriously and answered, “Am I not expected by the Mathron Council?” another guard looked at the diplomat and shoved the other on the back and whispered at him.

“Why are you asking him that? He’s expected, he’s the trasidar diplomat you fool!” he shoved him again at the back and quickly apologizes to Ferrier, “I am sorry your highness. He’s new.”

Ferrier just nodded up and said, “May we continue now to Mathron?” the sky bursted lightning and thunder lighting up the sky and echoed throughout the mountain side.

“I’m afraid you have to wait this one out sire, the storm today is unusual,” the guard answered as he stands firm while the wind howled its strongest.

Ferrier paused for a moment then said, “But we really need to get their as soon as possible,”

The guard insisted and answered by shaking his head, “I’m afraid you will have to wait this one out. Don’t worry sire we’ve prepared a cabin just for you on a post not so far from here,”

He said while he smiled at Ferrier. Ferrier left with only one choice, chose to wait the storm to calm a little.

“Where is this post?” he snobbishly asked.

The guard arched his eyebrow, pointed to the direction of the cabin, but before he could begin to tell, Ferrier talked.

“Tell that to my driver would you, I’m not feeling too well,” the guard nodded and he approached the carriage driver and pointed once more.

“You go straight ahead, then when you see the first right turn—”

“Then I’ll turn right. Right?” interrupted the driver.

The guard politely declined, “Uhmm, no. You go straight ahead,” the driver agreed and continued listening, “Then after that. It’s about a couple of moments and you’ll see some lights. Follow it and that’s the post you’re looking for. Ok?”

The driver said ok and took off, as they are getting far.

The guard shouted, “Oh! And look out for some rocks that on the road! It may get a little bumpy! Have a safe trip!” and he waved at the carriage.

The driver turned his head to look at the guard and saw him waving. He waved back as a sign of thank you and out of the sudden the carriage was shaken by something. The driver struggles to regain control and he did.

Ferrier got a little tantrum and shouts, “Pay attention to the road!"

The driver catches his breath and answered, “Sorry sire, there was uhmm, a furry on the road.”

They rode through the angry night as they finally saw the lights the guard was talking about. They made their way to a big house guarded by a dozen soldiers as they slowly appeared. They parked on the roofed side of the road and the diplomat get’s off of his carriage. The guards saluted him and he asked for his things to be picked up and brought to his room. He walked through the corridor that is also full of guards.

Not nearing his room, he began to suspect something was up. He looked around and asked one of the guards.

“Excuse me but, why it is this post is heavily guarded? I know that I am important but this is too much,” he asked while he giggled.

The guard not looking too happy stared at Ferrier. He noticed the guard was not amused at all. He quieted down and coughed intentionally.

“I’m afraid that we are guarding you and on the lookout for a possible break in from an escaped prisoner, sire.” the guard answered.

Ferrier looks at the floor and rubbed his nose and said, “Escaped prisoner? May I ask who this is?”

The guard coughed and answered, “I’m sorry sire but it doesn’t concern you.” Ferrier looked at the ceiling as he sighed deeply. Then they continued to the room.

Meanwhile not far from where the Imperial Diplomat was, a chase was unfolding. Barking dogs can be heard along with the constant stepping and puddle-splashing along with pouring rain. Not so far in front of them another one was running. Half-armored waist down and his arms dripping with blood. He was running far away from the people who were chasing him.

He turned his head to see how far he was from the guards; he was suddenly brought down by a large mutt that jumped on him. He rolled down to the ground as he tried to out-wit the beast.

“Damn, dog, with biting and all!” finally he over powered the bulldog and he threw it away and ran again. The guards caught up with him and got him surrounded on an open field in the dead forest. He looked around to realize that he was surrounded by soldiers.

“You are surrounded Graveloth Demio! There is nowhere to run!” yelled the other guard. The others were holding the bulldogs in their leashes as it savagely barks.

Graveloth just smiled at them and said, “I’d like to see you guys even try to lay a finger on me.”

Another guard shouted to catch him and the bulldogs were unleashed. Graveloth just smiled and lightning and thunder go roaring in. He threw his arms up and down again then the wind started to shield him as it spins rapidly like a tornado, with him inside. This deflected the bulldogs as they ricochet around as Graveloth stopped, with a smirk on his face. The guards charged towards him with the spears pointed at him and he spinned again as he summoned a powerful tornado deflecting and throwing the guards in every direction.

He continued spinning until the top of the tornado shapes into a point and it flies into the air hurdling away from the enemy. Still spinning it hit the dead forest destroying everything in its path. The spinning tornado then disappeared as he jumped out of it. He rolled in the ground then managed to stand up to run away.

Graveloth Demio, dark skin and larger eye pupils. The greatest blacksmith of the Kra’ens. The only thing setting him apart from the rest of the Kra’ens was his ability to use and harness the wind at his will that even him can’t even explain why. He was arrested by rejecting the princess of the Kra’ens invitation to a grand gathering. As a result he was accused of a crime that doesn’t even exist.

The next day, the rain was not as strong as last night. The carriage was already prepared for their departure. Ferrier is just wrapping up some things with the head guard of the post he just stayed into. After that he goes to his carriage and makes his way to Mathron. It was only a shower that day, small lightnings and not-so-loud thunders. They roam the mountain side on their way to the city. Ferrier looking outside the window notices something downhill. He asked the driver to stop and he goes out the carriage. He looks downhill again and saw a strong gust of wind rampaging through the dead forest. He was amazed with what he sees. As it devastates the dead forest it was suddenly put to a stop by a strong metal sheet net, he saw the guards and Kra’ens close in on someone.

He asked his pilot to give him a scope and the driver immediately hands him one. He stretches it and scopes towards the guards. He saw someone being pulled out of the net and being handcuffed. He looks exhausted and was being dragged by the guards and was put to a carriage, and it heads over to the city. He puts down the scope, took a deep breath and said to himself, “Interesting.” as he hands the scope to the driver, “let’s go.” he said and he gets in the carriage and they resume their trip.

It was almost mid-day when they reached the city. Guards surrounds the main citadel as they enter it, they stop in front of the gates. The council members of the Mathron Council were there to greet him.

“Welcome friend.” said the head council and they both bowed to each other.

“So, what brings the imperial trasidar to a place like this?” asked the councilor.

He was offered to come inside and they walk towards the center room. Ferrier then answered the council man’s question.

“We need to start now. Gather everyone. I wish the presence of the King and the Princess. I wish to discuss something.” Ferrier said as he kept walking while the council man just stood there surprised.

He shakes his head and follows him, “But sire—”

“Gather everyone now.” Ferrier insisted as he stared down the councilor then walked toward the center room.

The councilor calls a guard and ordered him.

“Call the King immediately and the Princess as well.” the guard saluted before running. He gathers the councilors and enters the center room. Ferrier sitting in just above the entrance and with his head leaning against his left hand and his other constantly taps in the table.

The King and the Princess enter the room in the opposite end from where Ferrier is. He stands up and begins to talk, “Fellow Kra’en kingdom. The Trasidar Empire is in dire shape.”

The king surprised, asked Ferrier, “Dire shape? What happened? What is it?”

Ferrier looks around him and said, “The greatest general of the imperial army, Prince Tamiron Lluch has abandoned the empire. He rebelled against us and joining, the xerxecian army that attacked us,” the room chatters as the King was confused. Ferrier continued to deliver his ominous message, “and due to that. Due to that, the king is ill, and is in a grave condition. And we don’t know when he will get better…”

The room chatters more and the King asked, “Then who sent you here? Who is currently in charge of the empire?” Ferrier looks at the king as silence dwelled in the room.

“The one in-charge as of the moment is now, Prime Minister Menoich Anarchu.”

The room chatters again loudly as the King was in disbelief, he looks at his daughter and she too looked back. He asked the diplomat, “Are we assured that we can trust the archbishop?”

The diplomat held both his hand together and answered, “Yes you can.”

“Ok. Then what is the Prime Minister’s plan to do with the rebel prince?” he quickly asked.

Ferrier smiles and answered, “Yes. Actually we are currently gathering the mightiest warriors of the land as the Prime Minister ordered.” he said as the King looks anxiously, “As latest Intel tells me, the Princess of the Order, Evangeline Ressei is already in the meeting place. Prince Ravaen of the Falcons is on his way, General Sevidon and Colonel Glaivel of the Crimson and Virscent elves are on their way as well.”

“Then we will also send our strongest warrior, my daughter Princess Melia.” he asked his daughter to stand and she stands up, the room claps loudly but Ferrier giggles.

The king felt mocked and asked the diplomat. “You come here, demanding an audience with us so urgent and you will just laugh? Is there something funny that I should be aware of?”

The diplomat stops and said, “Well, I already made up my mind good King. I want the Kra’ens to be represented by the one who was just captured this morning in the woods.” he smiles and the council room murmurs loudly.

The king held his arms across as princess Melia sat on her chair, “Quiet!” he shouts, “And how can you be sure that we’ll let some convict represent us?” he added.

Ferrier just shakes his head left and right and answered, “Well because, it is up to me whether you could join the group or not. So it is up to you.”

The council looks at the King when he’s about to explode. The King bursts and growls after hearing Ferrier’s answer and points at him and then he said, “You can’t do this to us! There must be some way to change your mind!”

Ferrier just closed his eyes while still holding on to his ridiculous smile. Then the King’s face gradually changes and then he laughs. Ferrier’s face became annoyed and said to the King.

“Is there something funny that I’m missing?”Ferrier came to ask. The King just continued laughing loudly, the councilors were confused on what is happening when the King suddenly halts his laugh.

“I just came up with an idea.” the King said. Ferrier just stares to the king as he continued, “Why not hold up a fight, between who I chose, against yours?”

Ferrier’s smile was back and asked, “Against whom may I ask?”

The King pointed towards his daughter and shouts, “Against princess Melia.”

The council murmurs as the King confidently looks at Ferrier.

“Is it rather unfair for a gentleman to go up against a maiden?” the King retracts his arm sat back down once more.

“Graveloth is known to be a heartbreaker, and he doesn’t care who he come up against. So it will just like a fair fight for him.” the King grimaces as Ferrier is unsure on what to answer.

Ferrier sits there thinking about the odds.

“Okay, I agree against your bet. The Maiden against the convict.”

Ferrier smiles deviously to the king as he suddenly asked.

“Against a convicted blacksmith, prepare to send word back to the Imperial Council that Princess Melia is on her way.” the King said then laughs out of sheer confidence that her daughter will win. Ferrier confused, looking around him also and thought to himself, that they had no idea on what Graveloth can do. He just smiles deviously again and requests to see him. The king laughing allowed him to see Graveloth.

The guards escort’s him to the cellar where Graveloth is being held. He walked along the cellar corridor, he saw the convicted as they rot along with the cold. The guards guided him to the farthest cellar and the most guarded. They stopped in front of a heavy metal door. The guards that was there opens the metal doors. There he saw another two beside the main cellar as he saw Graveloth. Beaten, the blood dried to his skin, and his hands sweating blood because of the handcuffs while kneeling on the floor and his head is facing down. The guards and his escorts where left outside as they close the doors. Ferrier looks behind him when the doors completely close. Graveloth, awoken by the echo of the door, gradually looks at Ferrier.

He looks at Graveloth with curiosity. After seeing who his visitor is, Graveloth again gradually bows his head and said, “Who are you?”

Ferrier was surprise that he suddenly talk and then he answered, “I’m here to help you take back your freedom, Graveloth.”

Graveloth looks at the man with him in the cellar. He stands up and approaches Ferrier slowly behind the cell bars. He looks at his visitor from feet to head then tilts his head a little to the left, “How?” he asked.

Ferrier just walked around the cellar while he answered his question, “I arranged a fight between you and the Princess,” Graveloth confused, just continued listening as Ferrier just continued to walk, “and supposed you win and I know that you will. You will be chosen as the Kra’en warrior that will represent your realm.”

Graveloth tilts his head to the right and said, “Go on.”

Ferrier continued to walk around the cellar as he smiles.

“Upon that, you will be lifted of all charges against you.”

Appealing to his ears, Graveloth just smiles and asked out of curiosity, “Why do you even need me? You’ve already got the most powerful warrior in the entire kingdoms.”

Ferrier stops walking as he sighed, “apparently, that’s the very reason why we need all the greatest warriors.”

Graveloth suddenly got confused as Ferrier continued to talk, “The prince of the Trasidar has rebelled against us.” he looked at Graveloth while he was shocked on what heard, “His rebellion against the empire is threatening not only our existence but the very existence of Unibeltrasia.”

Graveloth was overwhelmed and was confused, “He’s just one man. You can take care of him yourselves. Heck, you got the Mystic Falcons and the Maroon Orderian at your side. Why need all of us?”

Ferrier stares at Graveloth, and answered, “Because he took out an entire army with one swing.” Graveloth’s eye’s widens. Ferrier just stares at him and said, “That’s why we need them all. Are you willing to kill the rebel prince in exchange for thousands of lives, Graveloth?”

Graveloth was just standing there as he is trying to digest everything Ferrier is telling him.

Ferrier, seeming that he already know what his answer is, tells him.

“I almost forgot, you’re fight against the princess is tomorrow. They also said you can use your armor and weapons. Don’t let me down Graveloth, the Empire is counting on you.” he said while the door behind him opens.

He looks back to Graveloth again as he gradually kneels down once more before leaving the cellar completely. He was escorted out of the dungeon while the doors shuts back again echoing throughout. He was escorted back to his chamber to rest and wait for tomorrow’s big fight.

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It was a dark and horrid night as it rains heavily somewhere within the imperial southern territories. Thunder echoes throughout the night and lightning lits up the sky. In a large passage way between two enormous cliffs, Prince Tamiron leads his restored xerxecian army. He marches alongside his men when he jumps on top of a big rock in the middle of the passage. The army continued walking while he points forward. High above, Observer Scout Owls flies as it shadows the renegade prince’s army as it moves along the wide enough corridors. The Prince, aware of the owl’s presence looks at it with his glowing red eyes as it flies over them while he smiles deviously. He jumps off of the rock and lands in front of his army. They continued marching on the cold rainy night when Tamiron notices something wrong. He breathes heavily with smoke coming out of his nose. He raises his right arm with palms open and the army halts its march. He looks up between two enormous rock pillars attach to the rocky side.

He grins and walked back as he slowly looks from the very top to bottom. He growls then his right gauntlets turned into an enormous red glowing iron fist. He steps his right foot back and held his enormous fist behind, after getting enough momentum, he hurls it towards the space between the two stone pillars. And surprising enough it hits a maroon colored force field. Echoing throughout the passage, rocks started to fall from its side while the earth shakes.

The force field deflected Tamiron’s attack and retracts his arm with the big aural-iron fist. Tamiron got angry and roars as he once again threw a punch on the invisible wall. It continued to repel Tamiron’s attacks and is starting to backfire because of the falling rocks. When he heard that his men are being showered by falling rocks, he stops punching the wall and the enormous glowing iron fist disappears. He walk towards the back of the army retreating as it seem. He once again jumps and slowly knelt at the top of the rock he turned his sight to the back of his army as he quietly growls. Looking displeased he looks back at the owl and looks at it for a minute or so. He stands up and jumps in front of his army disappearing from the owl’s views.

At the joint Imperial-Order defense ministry. The generals of both the imperial and orderian armies observe the renegade prince by one observer owl projecting what the other sees. They were all holding their breaths as they watch Tamiron’s army marching. But now that they left, they all felt a satisfying relief. The generals released a sigh of relief when the prince and his army left. Some were scratching their heads while some drinks a lot of water.

Then two orderian generals talked to each other “Good thing we’ve put up that barrier in time.” said the other.

“It’s a good thing it can hold up, because a few more punches from him and then the shield might have fallen.” one pointed out.

A trasidar general then quickly adds one of his own.

“I want those shields in every part of the Barceneim region.” silent chatter began between the generals.

“Not only at the capital region. It should also be put on the surrounding regions, specifically Go’Renhor,” another suggests.

“Yesm”The other general addedm “It should be put to the secret passage ways that we and the prince know, he will certainly try to slip through the defenses.”

Everyone agrees to his suggestion but the other orderian general added.

“If we put barriers on the passage ways, it will take too much time. And we haven’t perfected the barrier yet. Soon enough the Prince will notice that it is still weak.” another orderian added.

“Yes, so we should buy us more time. The Imperial Phalanx should try to flank the Prince in an effort to do so.” another trasidar general suggests.

“Yes but we also need your Magisters to help us on doing that.” a trasidar general added.

“Yes, we are ordered to aid you on doing that. Maybe one battalion is enough per defender?” still chattering echoes throughout the room.

“We need time, we need power.” a trasidar general told the others.

“In our luck, the Imperial Phalanx has enough durability for time and power for attack.” some generals arched their eyebrows as they listen to their fellow general.

“But we need an extra punch to pressure the Prince.”

A general sighed deeply and the generals looked at him, “The Prince’s armor, look,” he points to the hologram the owl is producing, towards the prince. Everyone looks at it while the general continued, “That armor is an ancient one.” Everyone looks to the general, “yet very hard metal and iron combined that only a few of the Kra’en Blacksmiths know.”

An orderian general then points out. “Very hard indeed, but you know we can penetrate whatever armor our enemy has, we can easily smash it.”

The general silently giggle and the orderian general finds this offensive, “What’s funny general? Do you doubt our strength?” the general tries to calm down and answered the general’s question.

“I’m sorry but—” stops giggling, “I may be old, but I’ve seen that armor. Which is the very armor worn by the Trodonar Warlord, who was defeated by the current King. Not even magic can break it,” the generals were surprised on what the old trasidar general said so they became silent. Then he adds, “That’s why we need the warriors now. We need them as quickly as possible. Their skills are the very key to bringing him down.” the generals were silent throughout the rest of the day.

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Back in Mathron, at the center of the city, a large coliseum is being filled of tons of people waiting for the match prepared by the King. They slowly fill the coliseum as they still wait for the Princess and Graveloth to come out. The noise echoes throughout the entire arena as mid-day approach. Graveloth was approached by two guards carrying his own armor, and his blade armlets. His handcuffs were removed by another guard and they hand over his armor. He smirks as he takes his armor and puts it on. The guards help him on putting the other parts of the armor while his weapon which is the blade armlets were laid down on his bed. He looked at it for a couple of seconds before putting it on. He slowly puts on the two blades as he prepares for his battle for his freedom. After putting this, he rotates his right arm a couple of times as he checks the blade. He then swings his arms forward a couple of times then for the last time, he swings his left arm to his left side and the blade deploys in front. He looks at it for a moment and then turned to his right arm. He points it upward and then swings it downward and the blades there too deployed.

Satisfied by the condition of his weapon, he retracts the blade and heads out to the arena. He walked through the corridor as he slowly hears the crowd cheering the princess’ name. As light breaks and shines on his face as the crowd suddenly roars out of control. He looks around him as he sees the crowd that will watch them. He then looks to the opposite side of the arena and saw the princess, on her battle gear. The crowd chants her name loud as she waves to the crowd. They both approach each other on the center of the arena. They just stared at each other as princess Melia stares deviously. Graveloth just stares at her with cold eyes and then the King finally enters the arena. Along his entrance is the imperial diplomat who is also waving at the crowd before he sat down. The King continued to wave until he held both of his arms on both sides.

Then the crowd slowly quiets down before the king makes a speech.

“My fellow Kra’ens! This battle will determine the warrior that will represent us!” the crowd burst out again as they cheer princess Melia’s name. They slowly quiet down again, “I’m not going to make this long! So let the battle begin!” the crowd explodes out of excitement.

The princess pulls out her blade from her back and strikes Graveloth immediately. He manages to block the princess’ attack and deflects it back, throwing them both far from each other. The princess just smiled at Graveloth as she spins her double blade. Graveloth still staring cold at the Princess, crosses his arms then swings it at both sides then the blade deploys. He charges the princess then jumps in the air and strikes. Melia deflects his attack, she was forced to kneel to the ground while Graveloth pushes her against it. Melia pushes him far from her then charges, he got to his knees by the blow as the Princess charges towards him. He stands up and was surprised of the ferocity the Princess is showed.

Constant clanging of sword that is hitting his armor echoes throughout the arena along with the cheering crowd. He closed his eyes for a moment then he opened up his them. Summoning a wall of fierce, strong wind around him that caught the princess off guard that throwed her to the arena wall. The King was stunned and was made to his feet as he watches the match. The strong wind in the middle of the arena disappears as Graveloth just looks at the princess. He smirks toward the Princess and then she screams. She charges towards him to deliver another blow. Graveloth spins again, summoning another intense wall of wind and encircles the princess. She looks around her as she was surrounded by a wall of spinning blade. The strong winds enclose her as she braces for a thousand impacts. She was squeezed by the wall of spinning blade as she was being striked at every direction. The wind as sharp as blades where hitting at every direction and every part of her. Graveloth then pushes the princess upward as she was being carried by the now, column of wind that’s devastating her. He finally leaves Melia alone and was left to drop to the ground.

The column smaks to the ground and turned his attention towards the standing Princess who still was willing to fight. As the he approaches her, the fierce winds stops and dissipates, revealing Graveloth, walking as he deviously smiles towards her. Melia, shaken yet standing just looks at him. He spins again towards the princess, he hits her and cutting off the swords she’s holding. Going through her without a scratch and the wind spins back towards her. Breathing heavily she braces herself for the impact and for her surprise, the tornado stops and Graveloth jumps out of it and pointing his blade towards the princess. The Princess was shocked and the crowd along with the King and the diplomat was bewildered. Melia was still shaking while she passes out as Graveloth stares at her with cold eyes and still smirking at her. He retracts the blade from his right arm, as the princess is knocked out. Ferrier is stunned by the performance he just saw, said to himself, “Not a bad decision indeed.”

End of chapter V

Next Chapter: Chapter VI: Coming and Going