Rally to me. We hold the line here.
Tempest cries out to her soldiers and assembles them in defensive formation as she helps Gale to his feet.
I wouldn't have anyone else as my queen.
Now is not the time for affirmations.
As she watches her troops take formation, she thinks back to the day she was a challenger in the pit. The day she became the ruler of the Stormborn. On that day she set an example. One of ferocity, strength and unflinching resolve. Where was that example on this day as she sends her people to die and the rest to flee? Watching from the shadows as the people of a neighboring nation fight to save her own? In the distance, Verglaw and his soldiers duel with Aetherius.
I hope you know how alive I feel right now, Vergla.
Cherish that feeling while it lasts.
Prince Frost sends a swath of glacier born troops to ambush Aetherius from the side. They charge with lances made of striking blue ice and a few points make significant scratches on Ethereus's armor. Overwhelmed, she incapacitates as many as she can bolts of energy before hitting her limit.
Enough.
A spherical blast of crimson power capable of rupturing the very fabric of reality erupts from Aetherius, casting back every glacier born in her vicinity. Vergla drives the hilt of his hammer into the ground beneath him, using it to stabilize himself and keep from getting knocked back by the Force. Force?
I was hoping to break it myself. Instead, it appears I'll have to use an extension of my will.
Etherius's monstrous creature emerges from the shadows, proudly demonstrating its six obsidian swords it wields in each of its six limbs. Elsewhere, the Infernoborn King Midas stands in an empty void. Alone. A voice calls out from the gaping maw of infinity.
There you are. I've been wandering this hellscape for far too long. Searching for you.
Midas catches a glimpse of the source of the voice. An old man with a broken face hobbles towards him. As he gets closer, more details make themselves clear. His face has streams of dried blood smeared into his skin, and he wears royal robes of various colors that have faded significantly since their glory days. The only things the man wears that do not seem decayed or frayed are a pair of resplendent golden armored gloves and a golden crown.
I'm surprised it's taken me this long to meet you. Where am I? Your dream. And you're not waking up until I'm done talking with you. Who are you? Can't you tell? I'm your namesake. The myth you were named after. The man cursed to turn anything he touches to gold. You don't share the curse. You can turn anything to gold but at will. Lucky. I am not interested in speaking with ghosts. I'm not a ghost though, am I, Midas? We share more than gold in common. I was a ruler, same as you are. I made many decisions, lofty, weighted ones that held the fate of my people in the balance. The fate of other people's as well. I know the feeling. Can you feel it now? That dreadful feeling? The crushing weight of consequence? It's happening around you. At this moment.
Verglaw plants his armored boots where he stands as he faces Ethereus monstrous bodyguard. The beast towers over even the 6 foot 7 Glacierborne King, looking down with violent intent. The decaying torso of what was a Stormborn corpse reeks of rotten flesh.
What have you done to this person?
I have repurposed it across the way. Tempest spreads her wings, prepared to go help Verglaw, but Gael stops her.
Let him handle this.
Verglas swings his glacial hammer toward the imposing being in front of him, knocking one of the swords from its hand. The beast stumbles backward a step before regaining its footing. It swings two of its sword with its left hands in a downward swipe that Vergla deflects with a well positioned hammer doubling as a shield. He pushes the swords off and retaliates with a hammer swing to the monster's ribcage. Prince Frost, noticing the creature is distracted, takes this opportunity to take his troops to chase after Aetherius, who is slinking back through the woods. Tempest stands behind her soldiers, eyes focused on Virglaw's battle with Aetherius Creation.
Slay the monster with every arrow you have.
The Stormborn archers charge their arrows with electric energy and fire a volley at the beast, each arrow finding its way somewhere in its body. Electricity courses through it, causing it to spasm and recoil. Vergla takes the opportunity to send another crippling swing to its ribcage, this time shattering a few bones. The beast collapses to its knees. Verglaw looks over at the Stormborn and yells out as loud as he can.
Tempest get the rest of your people out of here. We can hold it off.
Tempest clenches her teeth in hesitation before nodding and turning away, heading off to the rest of her people to lead them to Infernus for refuge. She assembles the refugees, but before retreating, she takes one last look at Verglaw, a decision she would later regret. Vergla is about to land a finishing blow on the skull of the monster before it drives an obsidian blade through a thin gap in his armor, piercing his heart. Vergla rolls to his back, putting a gloved hand to his chest. Blood is gushing from the wound. The monster takes another cleave at him, this time slicing his helmet and knocking it from his head. Verglok crumbles again onto the ground. His long grey beard reaching down to his chest is now dipped in blood. Vergla looks up at the beast walking towards him, preparing to take another swipe at him. Despite the pain, he gets up to one knee.
For the realm and all lives within it.
Verglaw reaches for his hammer, but does not reach it in time. The dark blade comes down on Verglas skull with the deafening sound of cracking bone. A sudden bolt of lightning capable of splitting metal crashes into the monster's body, sending it flying. Tempest, body surging with energy, fires off bolts of electricity as a monster, burning its flesh with each hit.
Tempest get back here. You can't take that thing on yourself. Neither can our army.
Tempest chooses not to hear anything. She continues blasting. Eventually the monster regains its composure and charges at Tempest. It takes a huge swing, chopping one of her wings straight off her body. She stumbles backwards, turning to retreat. She takes to the sky, clumsily flying her way a short distance back to gale at her people. Gael begins to lead the retreat as the Stormborn leave their home. The archers holding the line keep off the monster for as long as they can.
You feel that sinking hole in your chest? Yes. As do I. As do I. How do I make it go away? It never goes away. It's not a sickness that can be cured. It's an unpatchable wound. A tear in your soul. That black hole will linger forever.
Midas wakes up in a sudden cold sweat. Breathing heavily, he looks out the window of his private quarters, looking at the statue of Furio, the inflamed serpent displayed in the central square. He holds a hand to his chest and lays gently back down on his bed. He stares at the ceiling. He does not get any more sleep. That's.