The orcs charged the startled Archeon troops spurring their massive war birds onward with blood-chilling howls and waving their fearsome Gnashkers in the air while the one previously christened the black demon of the sea led the attack. The humans shifted to the right of the orcish contingent as they fired their short bows. Next, reading their short lances as they prepared to enter the fray, attacking the poorly armored archers. Venom realized even with the addition of the Ragul’s rebels, they were hopelessly outnumbered. She had witnessed the encounter between Fyre and Censor, or the being called Azantre with more then a passing interest.

     For some reason, he couldn’t seem to bring the full might of the ruby to bear against them. He had attempted to decimate the City walls with a spell only to have his effort thwarted by some unknown source. The statuesque woman reasoned this might be their only chance to defeat Censor. If she could slay the Prince, chances were good the Archeon Army would cease the attack without their charismatic leader. Spurring Redeemer forward, she plunged through the opposing force and cut her way through the ranks in an attempt to reach the Prince regent of Archeon.

     Through the haze and din of battle she could see Fyre had organized several sorties to sally forth from the keep to enter the fray as the archers above covered their exit with a withering barrage of arrows. The extra troops and the element of surprise had shifted the fight in their favor, though Venom realized it would not last for long. Eventually the discipline and sheer numbers of the Archeon army would shift the encounter back to their favor.

     “He is to the left,” Havoc’s Tears told her. “And it is not Censor who is in control.”

     “Azantre,” Venom growled as she slashed out severing a hapless Archeon soldier’s head even as Redeemer gored another with its sharp beak.

     “Yes,” the sword confirmed. “Azantre is in full control now, though severely weakened.”

     “Good,” Venom replied.  Censor for all his faults, was still an excellent fighter. She was wagering Azantre, will not be quite so talented in martial skills.

     The rain increased as she caught sight of the tall figure of the Prince Regent in his red glowing armor. Several orcs had reached him; only to have the heavy bladed weapons bounce off an invisible shield. Azantre laughed as he bashed their heads with the gold staff he still held in his hands, splitting the green behemoths skulls open. He fired several red beams of energy into the melee. The air was soon filled with stench of burning flesh and feathers.

     “AZANTRE!” Venom bellowed as she charged for the grinning figure.

     Azantre pointed the staff towards the warrior, sending out another withering beam of energy. Havoc’s Tears emitted a bluish glow as the beam struck the weapon and deflected the deadly ray harmlessly into the air. A smile curled on her full lips.

     Venom tossed her weapon at Azantre/Censor. The shocked being was barely able to raise the staff to parry the attack that managed to knock him back thirty feet. The statuesque warrior retrieved her weapon as she leaped from her mount onto the man sprawled out on the ground, slamming her glowing fist through the barrier into his armored chest. Azantre/Censor kicked Venom and threw her back, taking the opportunity to scramble back to his feet.

     “Venom,” he hissed.

     “So you are Azantre,” Venom snarled at the being inhabiting the body of the Prince Regent.

     “The same,” Azantre said responding to her question with a mocking sneer. “And you are Venom. The one who has caused my current host such problems.”

     “I do my best,” was Venom’s response with a mock curtsey.

     “I suppose you are going to ask me to surrender,” Azantre scoffed. “I heard you like to give choices.”

     “No,” Venom shook her head. “I am going to kill you and hang your body on a cross.” Her eyes narrowed as they ignited with a cold fire. “Sound Familiar?”

     Azantre screamed in rage as he fired several bolts at his antagonist only to have them knocked aside by Venom. Havoc’s Tears was feeding her as much of the energy of the Sapphire as he dared. Fortunately, it seemed to make her at least equal to Azantre in his current condition. Venom lowered her sword firing a blue ball at Azantre.

     Incredibly, the being took to the air, avoiding the deadly blast and letting off a salvo of short bursts. Venom dodged to the left, taking to the air herself, leaving a trail of blue light in her wake. The two began to streak across the thundering sky, filling the night sky with streaks of red and blue. The heavens were lighted with bright glowing lights as the two fired deadly bolts at each other.

     All the combatants, even the savage orcs ceased their struggles and stared up through the rain at the colorful combatants.  Not one of them could ever recall seeing such a sight as this in all their plantings. Even the seasoned Paladin and Mercenary Captain stared in wide-eyed awe at the struggle unfolding before them.

     Venom glanced down at the ground, catching sight of the mesmerized people below. She realized the outcome of this battle, perhaps the fate of Iamoore itself rested on the results of this confrontation. She had to defeat Azantre.

     Venom dove beneath a fiery bolt as she slammed into his midsection before Azantre could react, stunning him temporarily. He managed to twist around, ducking as she attempted to slash him with her sword.

     Azantre flew over her grabbing her shoulders then he sped back down, slamming her into the ground creating a human sized crater. Venom kicked out with her legs and hurled the man into the air causing him to crash against the walled city causing the mighty structure to tremor from the impact. Venom leaped up with incredible speed slashing Azantre across the arm ripping open the armor and the flesh beneath. Azantre howled in pain and rage. Venom next delivered a powerful uppercut throwing her foe headlong into the river.

     “Not used to fighting someone on equal terms,” Venom taunted him as she flew towards the river.

     Before she could reach him, Azantre took to the air once again, firing several blasts to cover his escape; Venom dodged left and then right, avoiding the attacks, not slowing her ascent. The dark skinned woman had adapted quickly to his form of combat. Arching her back Venom swooped left letting off a quick blast, catching him in the back and causing him to fall. She dove down, kicking him savagely in the head. Azantre slammed into the soaked ground. Azantre realized he was losing as he struggled back to his feet. He could hear the wind whipping over the figure of the woman as she dove down accelerating her speed to deliver the killing blow.

     “Release me you fool,” Censor cried. “We both want this bitch dead.” Azantre had to agree with that statement. He was beginning to understand why the Prince Regent despised this woman so much.

     “I will do better then that,” Azantre declared. Azantre unleashed both Censor and the mage that had been causing such a drain on his power. He would deal with the one called Zarlorn later. Right now, the only thing that mattered was destroying this annoying sea-bitch.

     Venom let out an amazed gasped as she bounced off the kneeling figure of the Prince Regent. Before she could recover, her opponent let off a deadly blast, which spun her around three times before she collapsed upon the damp ground.

     “He let me go shelan,” Censor laughed. “It seems he hates you as much as I do now.”

     Venom struggled to her feet, only to be booted by the Prince Regent, sending her crashing into the mud on the bank of the river.

     “This time bitch,” he growled bashing her in the head with the staff. “I am going to make sure you die.”

     Blood flowed from her nose and mouth as he smacked the stunned woman across the face.  Then with a final blow he sent her splashing into the river. He watched the river for several minutes for any sign of bubbles then hurled several gigantic balls of energy into the water, just as a precaution. Pointing the staff at the river he created a reddish glowing hand, which plunged into the river and dragged out the limp body of the former pirate.

     “Now you will stay dead,” Censor snickered kicking the lifeless body lying before him. He turned to stare up at the stunned assembly. “Now Orisa,” he said pointing up at the Seer staring impassively down at the glowing figure of the Prince Regent. “It’s your turn.”

***

     Zarlorn leaped from the bed he had been held captive on for so long. His back ached as he attempted to move after the prolonged period of stasis. Still, he had to keep moving if Azantre had released him it would mean he had a good portion of his power back. He doubted that even Orisa could stand against the full might of a gem lord.

     He deduced he needed to see Emperor Janus as quickly as possible. The arch-mage silently cursed the stones set in the rooms of the castle that made it impossible for him to teleport except at key locations.  Taking a few moments to focus his mind, he resumed the appearance of the aged mage Primerian, personal advisor to the Emperor before exiting the room. Using the illusion after struggling against Azantre so long was very taxing, but he determined it would be worth the effort.

     The guards posted on either side of his door immediately snapped to attention. “Lord Primerian,” the one who was in charge announced giving him a sharp salute. “It was my understanding you were in deep meditation attempting to ferret out more of the elven traitors and could not be disturbed.”

     “I am through,” Zarlorn replied. “I have determined the cleansing as been complete.” He announced.

     “The Emperor would be glad to hear that,” the guard answered, daring a quick grin. “He ordered us to stand this post to ensure no harm came to you.”

     “And where is the Emperor now?”

     “He is in the Emerald Hall,” the guard replied. “He is awaiting the outcome of the battles now raging.”

     “Battles?”

     “Yes,” the guard nodded. “The battle to reclaim Midtor from the traitor Fyre and the forces sent to stop the elven advance whose units have been joined by the rebel force from Tynor.”

     “Take me to the Emperor,” Primerian ordered. “I have intelligence that could decide the outcome of these conflicts.” He prayed that Zaphrina was well and that she had not been tempted to use her magiks. Still, the human Terrell was with her, and seemed like a levelheaded fellow for a human.

     “At once sir,” the guard responded as he and his partner marched the arch-mage to throne room.

     Janus eyes opened with joy at the sight of the mage as he perked up sitting upright on the throne. “Zar-Primerian,” he exclaimed, “I am so happy to see you are well.”

     “It is a pleasure to see you as well your highness,” Zarlorn responded bowing respectfully. “Though we have little time for pleasantries. You must send a message ordering all your troops to stand down.”

     “I would love to,” Janus sighed, “but I can’t. You see,” he whispered.

     “Yes I know,” Zarlorn interrupted him, “they have Livonia. Give me a few moments and I will collect myself and locate her.”

     “You can rescue her?” he asked so filled with hope he neglected to whisper the response.

     “Yes,” Zarlorn nodded. “It should be a simple matter to deal with this problem now.”

     Zarlorn began to concentrate on the name Livonia and what the Prince had told him of her during his incarceration. A small chuckle rose from his throat as the picture of the woman materialized in his mind.

     “What is so funny,” Janus demanded.

     “She is at the gate right now giving one of your poor captain of the watch a severe tongue lashing for not allowing her and one Ellianora Bladedancer to pass.” Zarlorn smiled.

     “She is at the gate?”

     “Yes,” Zarlorn affirmed. His smile quickly changed to a frown. “The half-elf is in need of serious healing. The guards are even contemplating killing the half-elf and arresting Livonia as a traitor.”

     “GUARDS!” Janus shouted. “Go to the gate and have this Ellianora Bladedancer taken to the royal healer. I want the human woman brought to me. Be quick about it,” he snapped. “I’ll have both your heads and if any harm comes to either of them.” Three of his personal guards immediately rushed out of the huge doors of the audience chamber to comply with order.

     “I’ve misted the minds of all at the gate so they should be well till the arrival of your guards. Zarlorn assured him.

     “Good, I’ll have the message crystals send the order for our units to stand down.” Janus declared resuming his seat upon the throne.

     “With all due respect I fear this may require more drastic measures to end hostilities as quickly as possible, especially if what I suspect as occurred at Midtor is true.”

     “What do you propose?”

     “They used a portal projection to force you to view your beloved in the hands of Malice,” Zarlorn explained. “I see no reason why we shouldn’t do the same,” he paused giving mischievous smile, “along with a few modifications

***

     Fyre stared at the unmoving figure of the former pirate, still too stunned to speak. It looked as if Venom had the upper hand in the titanic struggle. Then, Censor seemed to have a new surge of power, easily defeating the woman.

     “This is your second chance,” Censor called up to her. “You can’t win.”

     “You kill black orc. You die,” Eye Gouger growled before she could reply to Censor/Azantre’s demand.

     “That’s my answer,” Fyre smiled despite herself. Apparently, the woman had been able to inspire loyalty even in the likes of these green-skinned warriors.

     “You are all fools!” He shrieked. Censor/Azantre turned around to look at the Archeon soldiers still standing around looking aimlessly about, uncertain what to do next. “What are you waiting for?” he declared brandishing the glowing staff. ”Slaughter them all.”

     Before the conflict could begin anew, there was a sudden flash in the sky. A gigantic image of the current Emperor appeared in the sky sitting upon the great Emerald throne. His brown eyes were filled with determination, as he looked down upon his troops like some god-king “Soldiers of Archeon,” the voice boomed throughout the battlefield, “I order you to lay down your weapons. This horror is through. There was no elven conspiracy. It was a plot manufactured

by the Prince regent, who manipulated me and the Empire itself for his own gain.”

     “NO!” Censor/Azantre cried out in disbelief at the sudden accusation. The Archeon officers immediately ordered their men to comply. “You can’t! I wont allow it.”

     “Censor is declared a traitor to the Emperor,” Janus accused. “He is stripped of all rank and privileges and is to be taken into custody to await our judgement.”

     “I still have the power of the ruby,” Censor/Azantre warned waving about the staff, forcing the advancing soldiers to back away. They had seen what the gem was capable of. “I can eliminate all of you with the power at our command.”

     “It’s over Censor or Azantre, whoever the dragperg you are,” a familiar deep female voice remarked from behind him.

     “No it can’t be,” he muttered in disbelief. Censor/Azantre turned around to see the soaked mud covered figure of the woman called Venom stagger towards him. “By all the deities in the heavens,” he shook is head in disbelief, “what does it take to kill you woman?”

      “Much more then you.” A cold smile appeared on her lips as she brandished her sword.

     “I was able to pull in your psyche to my own being,” Havocs Tears advised. “It made you appear dead, but we can’t defeat Azantre at full strength.”

     “Release the Sapphire,” Venom replied. 

     “What!” Havoc’s Tear’s exclaimed in her mind. “Then I will have no more control over him.”

     Venom watched as Censor directed the staff towards her, firing a massive bolt. “This time I will reduce you to ash!” He cried.

     “Do it!” Venom ordered. The former pirate felt a sudden surge of unbelievable power as the sapphire’s energy coursed through her. Placing her sword in front, she sliced the massive ball in half, causing the two portions to pass harmlessly on either side.

     She could feel the gem wrestling for control as she charged forward. Venom determined the best way to keep the gem in check was to force the being to use all of its power to defend its own existence.

     With an angry scream Censor/Azantre fired a barrage of repeated blasts at his antagonist, Venom felt as if she was being slammed into a wall as the beams struck her with brutal intensity. The gem had erected a shield to defend its current host as she continued to press onward. Venom gave a loud shout as she increased her speed making a sudden lunge for the being in red armor.

     Censor attempted to block the attack with the staff, this time Venom had aimed for his exposed hand, removing several of his fingers. Censor let out a startled yelp as he dropped the staff, cradling his wounded hand. Venom dropped to her knees in near exhaustion.

     “We can defeat them all now,” Zarlara whispered in her mind. “Take this world and make it our own.”

     The former pirate could feel the blue tendrils twisting in her mind, whispering promises of riches and her greatest desires. She could have Ellie back, this time with none of her faults. No selfish tantrums, no arguments. She would behave and do whatever Venom wanted. Then again, that wouldn’t be Ellie. One had to accept a person as they are, with all their faults as well, that is what made them unique.

     “No!” Venom exclaimed as she tossed Havoc’s Tear’s to the ground, falling to the ground trembling from the effort.

     Censor noticed everyone was still to shocked to react. He could still succeed. He reached out for his precious staff and the Fire Ruby just as the gem was wrenched from the socket of the staff and attached to the sapphire on Venom’s sword.

     “This can’t be!” He screamed staring at the blade now glowing with eerie light. He tried to reach for the cursed sword only to have his hand be turned aside. The power was gone. “This is your fault,” he accused the woman kneeling helpless before him. “I swear by Malice’s dark heart I am going to kill you if it takes my last breath.”

     He let out an insane laugh as he snatched up a discarded sword aiming the blade for her exposed neck. Suddenly, a large two-handed sword parried his deadly attack away from his intended target. He looked up to see the stern face of the paladin Fyre.

     “Prince Censor,” Fyre announced directing her sword at his chest. “As a noble of the Archeon Empire and Paladin of the order I charge you with treason both against the Empire and Iamoore.”

     “You expect me to surrender,” Censor sneered, baring his teeth like a rabid wolf.

     “No,” Fyre smiled. “I expect you to resist, in fact I implore you to do so.”

     “If I can’y kill that sea-bitch then you will do,” Censor retorted as thrust his sword at her.

     Fyre deftly avoided the strike and responded her with her own attack to his right that Censor managed to dodge. “You are old woman,” he smirked as he stuck her side. “Your reflexes are not what they used to be.”

     “You are correct Prince,” Fyre responded and feinted left then slashing him on the right leg. “Though I am far more experienced than you.”  She struck him on the same leg forcing the Prince to drop to his knees. “Do you surrender?” She asked.

     “NEVER!” Censor screamed springing to his feet, his sword held overhead to deliver one last blow.

 Fyre cried out as the sword struck her shoulder. Despite the intense pain, she spun about delivering one last mighty swing severing the Prince’s head from his shoulder, sending it flying into the startled troops. The seasoned Paladin fell to the ground holding her wounded shoulder.

“Are you okay?” Venom asked as she crawled over to where Fyre lay.

“I’ll live,” Fyre replied, as she glanced over at the battered and bleeding face of the dark-skinned woman. “I believe I’ve seen to many plantings to be doing this,” she said forcing a small smile.

“Well, you did fine for an old lady,” Venom attempted to grin.

“So tell me did we win?” Fyre asked.

The sound of loud cheers of adulation rang out from the crowd.  Venom noticed the storm clouds were breaking up as the sun began to break through, bringing a new day.

Epilogue

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