CH 29 Summary: Arcane draws ever closer onto Castla nu Craara, driving all the Guardians into a sense of foreboding...
At last... the climax is here... this and CH 31 are as such... watch it. The next two chapters are going to be somewhat graphic...
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The Guardians of Life: Justice (Book I)
Chapter Thirty-
Family Reunion

His army was within the sights of Castla nu Craara. His army was advancing quickly through the harsh mountains like they were absolutely nothing. His army had come to steal away the only things the Guardians cared about. Arcane had come for the last time. Aerobolt watched as his army crossed one of the last valleys between them. Some of the Guardians tried to hinder their progress by moving and shifting the earth around. Nothing seemed to work. How were these Shadow Vulpines and Kobold Bandits so capable of these mountains? Aerobolt just did not understand. Then he realized the imbalance Arcane was causing must have something to do with it. Aerobolt clenched his fists at the thought of Arcane’s army.
The Guardians got very little training done since FIelra’s announcement. They had spent this day preparing the entire stronghold for defensive attack. The citadel fortified with enhancements of sorts to protect it, many of the Guardians plated in metal armor that was said to protect against the Forces.
Arcane was here. Arcane was where he was born now. Like Aerobolt himself, he had returned to where his life began, but for a purpose. A purpose that Aerobolt simply could not allow. Aerobolt watched as the Unknown Enemy’s army drew ever closer. It was huge. How many of them, Aerobolt could never count. There had to be at least thirty hundred of them. Outnumbered. Brilliant. Aerobolt tried to pick out Arcane in the mass of dark fur. He tried with no success. He felt someone clutch his handpaw. He looked over, and it was Shade with a scared but determined look on her face. The sky whirled above them in an angry swirl of violet clouds that blocked out any and all sunlight. Arcane was already beginning to drown Nyethra in darkness. The daunting lightning flashed. The foreboding thunder crashed above them. Aerobolt turned his gaze and looked up briefly before returning it to the army that was still miles away. Aerobolt realized that he was at the very front of his own army.
Fielra had walked up to him. She was one of the many plated in armor. Her armor was pure white and shined even in the darkness. If she wanted to hide in that suit, it’d be impossible. Or was that the point…? Fielra’s voice was soft in Aerobolt’s ear. “Are you ready…? To fulfill our Prophecy…?” she asked almost tonelessly inaudible.
Aerobolt didn’t move or say a word. His eyes were glued on Arcane’s army. His stomach was in knots, but it was mostly out of hatred and not fear. He hated Arcane. He wanted him dead. And he knew he was the one to kill him. Arcane will die tonight. Aerobolt swore it. He swore it under his breath, not even looking at Shade or Fielra.
Fielra continued, “Are you nervous, Aerobolt?”
Of course Aerobolt felt nervous. He was just too determined to kill Arcane to let it stand in his way. He kept his gaze focused sharply on the several vulpine and Kobold forms moving stridently across the valley over.
“Aerobolt. There is someone who wants to greet you,” Fielra said.
What? Now? Why now of all times? He wanted to question it, but could not find the words leaving his muzzle. Fielra scooted to the left and revealed the battle worn Kobold Warrior commander, Kyaeta. His thousand Warriors were behind him by several yards. That shocked Aerobolt. “K-Kyaeta!?” he exclaimed.
“Greetings, Mister Aerobolt,” he said formally.
“H-how are you here?! I thought Fielra said you couldn’t make it back in time!” Aerobolt was dumbfounded. With Kyaeta’s Warriors on their side he knew they were guaranteed a victory. …He hoped so anyway…
“I had to pull a retreat out of Koboldar early to get here earlier. It hurts my pride to run away like this, but if the sacred Guardians must be protected at all costs,” Kyaeta answered.
“You wouldn’t believe how much I hoped you’d show up! With you by our side, our victory is ensured, right?” Aerobolt prompted.
Kyaeta was wary. “Maybe… maybe not… never underestimate your enemy, Aerobolt; it is the easiest way to get yourself killed,” he said.
Aerooblt nodded tight-lipped. He turned his gaze back to the army. Most of it had disappeared. It must be climbing the final hill to Castla nu Craara. This was it. It ends here. He glanced at Fielra. Fielra looked back with a determined glare and nodded. Aerobolt looked back to their army. His… army. “Guardians! Advance!” the words flew out of his muzzle before he tried to say them.
The now three thousand man strong army of Guardians and Kobold Warriors began to march along with Aerobolt further away from their beloved citadel to meet Arcane’s. Aerobolt took long, deep breaths. He was suddenly letting his nerves show. He wasn’t the only one. Storm and Shade were right behind him, and Storm was hyperventilating. No. There was no turning back now. There is never turning back.
Arcane’s army began to make its appearance over the hill and Aerobolt finally got a good look at it. Everyone wore spiked armor. The armor looked like it could impale you and rip you apart if you get into paw-to-paw combat with the wearers. The Kobolds carried very long daggers. So long, they could be considered swords. The Shadow Vulpines carried these weapons too. That gave them advantages in close and distant combat. Aerobolt looked to the center of the advancing wall of creatures and saw him. Arcane. The dastardly tyrant was leading his massive army in a jewel encrusted armor suit. Typical Arcane. Always being flashy.
“Fielra,” Aerobolt hissed. “If we are marching away from Castla nu Craara, how are we going to get Arcane into the Iridescent Fountain?”
Fielra hissed back. “He will inevitably try to sneak in Castla nu Craara while everyone is fighting. He cannot fool us anymore. I must ask you to never let him leave your sight even for an instant.”
Aerobolt nodded. He turned back and had his stomach drop into his tail. Arcane was already walking out ahead of his army to meet them. Aerobolt hesitated. He was suddenly afraid. Instinct told him to move forward as well. His paws moved by themselves. With relief he saw Fielra following him close behind. It took only a few seconds for them to meet once again, but it felt more like hours to Aerobolt.
“Greetings brother!” Aerobolt started boldly.
“Humph. So you know. Are you as ashamed of it as I am? To have a brother whose intentions in life are contrary to yours?” Arcane spat unfriendly.
Aerobolt stayed calm somehow. “Indeed, brother. Indeed. Are you ashamed like I am? To have a brother whose intentions are contrary to what the world needs?”
Arcane shook his head. “Darkness needs to be the overlord of the Seven Forces does it not? With stronger darkness all over Nyethra, it should enhance ours as well as the Bandits’ performance!”
Aerobolt stepped closer. “All the more reason to stop you!” he snarled.
Arcane was not looking at him. “I suppose you know why I am really here? It is true I want to submerse Nyethra in the noblest Force, but is that why I am really here…? Brother!?” he spat out the last word with such hatred. Aerobolt did not flinch.
“Revenge is it?” Aerobolt said plainly and evenly.
“Precisely. And do you know against whom?” he continued with a sneer.
“Nova. Me. All the Guardians?” Aerobolt’s voice started to rise.
“You’ve learned too much about me, cub,” Arcane snarled.
Aerobolt smiled. “You are not the Unknown Enemy anymore aren’t you? You barely ever fit that name,” he taunted.
Arcane snarled harder. “How dare you insult superiority!?” he roared. Despite his fury, Aerobolt still did not flinch.
“You want revenge because we had refused your barbaric behavior and cast you away from Castla nu Craara! You want revenge because you were told that you were never meant to be destined for greatness!” Aerobolt got bold now. “You want revenge because… you, sir, were never supposed to be born!”
Arcane recoiled slightly, eyes wide. Arcane must have been so angry, yet unable to show it all at once, so he snapped his head backwards towards his army and yelled. “These fools will not come to terms with our noble goals! Therefore we must take them on with full force!” Arcane’s army roared. They were ready for bloodshed. Some looked so vicious that Aerobolt wondered if they even cared whose blood was spilled tonight. He looked back at Arcane’s scarred face. “Prepare to die tonight, sonny,” he said ominously soft to Aerobolt before running back to his flanks. Aerobolt whirled around to face Fielra.
“It’s time Aerobolt! Call the army to attack!” she said with a tinge of fear in her voice.
“R-right! Guardians!” he called out loudly. “It is time for the Unknown Enemy’s long overdue elimination! It is time! Charge Guardians! Charge into the fight for the revival of justiiiiiiiiiice!” he roared so loudly that he was surprised at his own voice momentarily. The Guardians and Warriors gave loud roars of approval, louder than Arcane’s army, and began to charge.
Arcane’s army was prepared all right. Riled up from Arcane’s commands they began to charge at the advancing Guardians as well. The distance between the armies grew smaller and smaller every second. In just a couple of second, the battle would be underway. Aerobolt realized a second too late he was right in the center of it all, and that his mission was to tail Arcane to the citadel at first.
The opposing armies met an uproarious clash of metal, Forces, and roaring. They swarmed all around Aerobolt, blinding him of where his target was. He didn’t care about his enemy’s army. He only cared about his enemy himself. Where did he go…? Without warning, something very hard hit his shoulder, and he was sent spiraling into the stony ground. Eyes watering, he quickly regained his paws’ balance and swerved over to where it came from, and saw three Shadow Vulpines advancing on him, paws raised. Aerobolt growled to himself. He had no time for this! Glaring at them, eyes glowing green, he slammed two nearby boulders together and sandwiched them to death in them. They didn’t even know what ended their lives. It was instant, not even painful. As disappointed as Aerobolt was at that fact, he knew he had no time to make them suffer. Besides, his one target should be the one to suffer; he deserved such a privilege. But where did he go?
Aerobolt looked to his left and saw Shade in a battle with a vixen Shadow Vulpine, and two Kobold Bandits at the same time. Nearby was little Storm, taking on a powerful looking huge Bandit by himself. Fielra’s large, white cape was easily spotted in the fray. She was handling her enemies with such grace and beauty it stunned Aerobolt momentarily. A flash of black cape drove Aerobolt’s mind back to reality. Arcane! Aerobolt was bloodthirsty; he wanted Arcane’s blood spilled, his soul released, his eradication was a must. Aerobolt simply could never let him live any longer. Aerobolt gave chase to where he saw the cape flashing. But he already lost its owner. Cursing loudly, but being unable to hear it, he looked up and around some more. Instantly, paws clasped his scarf and he was put into a chokehold with it. Gagging out and unable to breathe, Aerobolt was dragged to the ground by his attacker. Aerobolt thrashed about trying to free himself, but his attacker held a firm grip on his scarf. Panicking as his throat burned for air, Aerobolt wondered how he was going to escape this one. He would surely suffocate in seconds if he didn’t do something. Brain unable to focus to form a strong enough Force he continued to thrash about until his scarf began to glow brightly. After a few seconds he heard his attacker screaming. The vixen had released him and started waving her paws around as they smoked. Taking the momentary reprieve to his advantage, he scrambled to his paws, burning his throat in the cold air and aimed a Force at her. Before he could however, the cape flashed by again. Arcane!? Surely he could have made it to Castla nu Craara by now!? Or was the slippery reynard trying to trick him, trying to catch him off guard? Aerobolt shook his head quickly and turned to the vixen. She was already lying on the ground, paws charred black horribly. Someone had already finished her off, Aerobolt assumed.
It wasn’t long until Aerobolt began to see many more foxes from both sides beginning to fall. Shadow Vulpine takes ice straight to the eyes. Guardian takes a dagger to the throat. Bandit stabbed in the stomach by a Warrior’s lightning sword. Warrior dispatched by a spiked shield. It was all such a gruesome sight, but Aerobolt had no time to dwell on that. Where was Arcane!? He was intercepted by yet even more Shadow Vulpines. Aerobolt growled out in frustration. “Get out of the way!” he roared. His impatience to kill Arcane made him see an angry red haze of anger. Somehow he knew he was losing control of himself, but all he could think about was murdering Arcane. He should have dispatched him when they first confronted each other. He was told oh no, it is highly dishonorable to kill one’s commander in the pre-fight! Aerobolt didn’t care about that anymore; he just wanted Arcane. He wouldn’t let anyone stand in his way.
The Shadow Vulpines blocking his way to Castla nu Craara summoned up what looked like the black lightning from the purplish clouds above them. Pure darkness, Aerobolt assumed. Aerobolt thought quickly over what he could do to stop them. Then he remembered. Exactly what Shade had said he had done when he went up against Isrir. But there was no sun. What was he supposed to do? No time to think, just try he decided. Focusing what little light he could, he tried to block out the impending darkness with it. The Shadow Vulpines’ combined power completely broke what little shield he managed, and blew him clean off his paws. Aerobolt felt himself fly backwards for several feet before landing hard on his back. Quickly looking forward, he saw the Shadow Vulpines, wordlessly grinning, paws raised for another attack. Aerobolt could not let himself be defeated that easily. Not before he even got to Arcane. So he scrambled quickly to his left, just as a blast of dark energy disturbed the peaceful rocks on the ground where his head was just milliseconds prior. Aerobolt swept behind them, quickly regaining the balance onto his paws until he was right behind them. The Shadow Vulpines whirled around, but it was too late. By the time one of the Vulpine’s eyes locked with Aerobolt’s, they were colored deep blue. Aerobolt froze him solid, necak down. The Shadow Vulpines yelped in surprise and faced Aerobolt too. Once again, Shadow Vulpines proved to be too slow for him. Aerobolt had already begun encasing their paws in ice and immobilized them to the ground. Aerobolt whispered a good night before freezing all three of them completely solid. He didn’t even bother finishing them off. Arcane… where was Arcane… was all he could think about.
The entire battlefield radiated with the dark waves the sky gave off. Aerobolt had not noticed it before. Aerobolt knew it meant only one thing. The imbalance was getting worse. He had to hurry before Arcane became too strong in its power to stop. The sounds of battle continued to echo in his head. The sounds of friend and foe screaming their last echoed endlessly. Soon the mentality of the battle was eating at his mentality. He wondered if one of these screams was someone he cared about. Shade… Storm… he could not bear to see them die. He cared too deeply for them to handle the very thought of it. He wondered how they were doing at that moment. Could at this very moment, Shade was being stabbed in the heart? Could at this very moment, Storm was being buried under tons of Earth? All this death… Aerobolt wondered what cost this battle may have. No. He knew why this battle must happen. The sooner Arcane was felled, the better.
A flash of lightning flew right past Aerobolt’s muzzle, barely singing his nose. Aerobolt barely flinched, though he was surprised. He looked to where it came from, but saw no one. He assumed it was a rogue bolt from a vulpine. He focused his gaze at the rippling form of the citadel. The rippling, of course, being the special enchantments Fielra cast over it for its protection. Both Fielra and Aerobolt knew that would never keep Arcane out. Aerobolt continued forward, towards the citadel, feeling a twinge of pain as he stepped over some of his fallen comrades. The battling foxes and Kobolds finally began to thin out as he approached the sacred structure. Arcane could surely be unable to hide with so little cover now, right? So where was he? Even right around the citadel’s almost invisible shadow, Aerobolt could not find his enemy anywhere. He looked towards the doors of the citadel. They were closed, yes, but they also seemed untouched since the enchantments went up. Aerobolt was getting frustrated at being unable to find his enemy. He wanted Arcane. Needed him. To die, by his power. For everything Arcane did to make his life miserable. Aerobolt would have his own revenge right now, if only Arcane wasn’t so cowardly!
“Looking for someone?” a sickeningly familiar voice said. Aerobolt knew it wasn’t Arcane, but his anger surged forth to want to attack the voice.
“Isrir!” he roared as he turned around to face his rival.
“You really have gone too far, haven’t you, you pathetic fool?” he said with quiet arrogance.
“No. You have, you swine!” Aerobolt hissed, furious.
Isrir held up his paws. “Now, now. That is no way to talk to your superiors…” he said casually.
“Haven’t we been over this before!?” Aerobolt snarled.
“Perhaps. But you still haven’t learned that I am better than you will ever be, fool. I assume you know why by now, I hope!?” Isrir spat.
Aerobolt couldn’t help but laugh. “Oh the arrogance that makes up your sick and twisted mind! You are like Arcane Jr. or something!” he laughed.
“You have no idea, fool. You have no idea who you really are,” Isrir spat harder.
“I do. A Guardian. One that will protect whatever YOU try to destroy or steal,” Aerobolt countered.
“That is not what I meant, you foolish maggot,” Isrir said.
“I don’t care what you mean, Isirir. The point is I KNOW who I need to be. You don’t.”
“Liar! I am meant to serve under Arcane and aid in his noble goals of guiding Nyethra unto darkness!”
“You really are the blind fool around here, Isrir,” Aerobolt said quietly.
Isrir’s eyes were so wide in anger, that Aerobolt thought his eyes were the anger. “I will kill you!” Isrir roared with so much fury, Aerobolt’s fur fluffed out against it, like his voice was a chilly arctic wind. Isrir then proceeded to form his dark energies to fire at Aerobolt at point blank. Aerobolt shook his head.
“You have no idea how powerful I am now, Isrir. More powerful than you will ever will be!” Aerobolt decided to counter with his own pain. His own emotion. His own fear. His own past. “You will see the extent of the pain you caused me here and now Isrir! You have hurt me far too long!”
All of the sudden, Aerobolt began having flashbacks of his life in Hydyraen, and how Isrir always bullied and harassed him. All the pain he caused. All the hurt he inflicted. Everything Isrir has done. Every feeling Aerobolt gets. All of it. In Aerobolt’s paws now.
Isrir cried out in the loudest voice he seemed to a single word, “DIIIIIIIEEE!” before shooting off his negative emotions at Aerobolt. The trajectory had them aimed right in between Aerobolt’s eyes. Aerobolt was too blinded by the red haze of his own rage to even care, as he fired Hyda nu Craara at Isrir. The black lightning that came from Aerobolt’s paws disintegrated Isrir’s emotions and buried Isrir into the ground with them.
Isrir writhed and screamed as he was enveloped in all the pain he inflicted onto Aerobolt all at once. The dark fiery aura surrounded Isrir, and urged Isrir’s nerves to feel nothing but its overpowering fire. Isrir couldn’t breathe. He had to scream so hard that he couldn’t take another breath to do so. Aerobolt knew he should be sickened at the sight, but he found it too enjoyable watching his second most hated enemy beginning to die.
As Isrir collapsed to the ground, still defying death by thrashing about, Aerobolt began to realize how bloodthirsty he had become. He remembered what Iridescence said in his dream of the Prophecy, that if he became so bloodthirsty like that, he would be no better than the Shadow Vulpines. Even as Isrir at last breathed his last with one last hateful glare at Aerobolt, Aerobolt couldn’t help but say, “I’m sorry.”
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Wanna start from the beginning? Here is Chapter One! http://www.furaffinity.net/view/11187661/
Here is my series' index! http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/5340298/