The Battle for Trenamirra

Gloom pervaded the air of the city, growing thicker as they approached the palace. The Good Company marched long upon the countless steps, enemies rushing to meet them. Swords were hurled aloft and power bolts smote from afar, leaving their path painted with wicked blood. They reached the summit. The great palace doors stood barred against them. Railan gazed at their height as he stepped forward. Placing his hand upon them he sighed and spoke softly, "I have come to set you free." He looked at his friends. Athaure and Inrix saw regret in his face and nodded in reassurance. He sighed again.

Standing back Railan mustered his might and cast his will. The doors rumbled and groaned in defiance. He willed more; their groaning grew louder. You will grant me pass. He commanded in thought. The groaning ceased. The great doors tore from their hinges, shattering the stone that held them. They flew far, crashing with a clang and a gong atop a few Foullings, finally resting before the holy throne. They entered, greeted by a garrison in rows with weapons drawn. Smoke and foul stench filled the hall.

The company gasped and murmured at the horror of sacrilege before them. Railan walked forth, pointing across the distance. "How dare you sit upon the Throne! How dare you defile what is sacred!" His bellow like rolling thunder shook the hall to its foundations and forcefully moved back all residing within, boring fear into their hearts. Saleyes sat surrounded in smoke, the hallowed Seat searing his ashen flesh. He chided him, "And how dare you enter the dwelling my master has bestowed to me." "It was not his to give!" Railan retaliated. "That Seat is solely for the sovereign King!" Saleyes mocked him with his own bellow, "There is no King! The great Guardian of the Realm, Lord of the High Hill is slain. My master's will is done. But who was it that fell by my hand?" A shock jolted through Railan. Galivor was dead. He could still hear his voice, "Go now! Leave him to me." He defended me—us. And I could do nothing. He thought. Tears filled his eyes. Rage and grief now battled for control of him. Athaure approached him and took his hand, looking at him with pity. For a moment her touch soothed him. "How did it feel, child?" Saleyes said. "To watch him fall?" Athaure tightened her grip as more tears fell. But now his brow was furrowed, his jaw clenched, his gaze like a thousand daggers fixed forward. She quickly released him as the Mantle swelled around him again like molten glass, emanating heat as from a blaze. His companions stepped away as it grew. Saleyes showed an eerie smile and uttered a final phrase: "Come to me." 

Railan phased in a brazen fury towards his foe. Saleyes phased in a dark shroud out of his path. He continued on past the company out the broken entrance with Railan firmly following. The garrison snarled, brayed, and then charged. The Good Company drew their weapons and cast their wards. The Battle for Trenamirra was come.

***

Fire and lightning filled the sky at Railan's command. Saleyes defended with shrouds and attacked with spears of shadow. They battled for a time, brandishing their power in destructive bursts. Railan then drew a blade of the Mantle and phased with deadly intent. Saleyes met him with a blade of shadow. They clashed again and again, neither gaining the mastery. 

They halted in their onslaught, locking eyes as time passed. Saleyes' cracked lips spread with another grin. He turned and fled the battle, returning with haste to the palace. "Why flee?" Railan shouted, following after him. "Are you not the master of foul craft and dark power? Fight me!" Saleyes continued on.

Railan pursued him back through the palace atrium where the floor was awash with Foulling blood. They delved through hall after hall, deeper into the bowels of the palace until they reached its foundations. Great columns arose from the depths of the chamber to the height of the vaulted ceiling. And there, resting in the air of its place: the Prime Core. Great rings inscribed with ancient runes of power rapidly circled about in every direction a bright light. The walls were sewn with lighted veins bearing the concentrated power of the Mantle to where it might serve purpose.

Railan marveled at the sight. "Quite a feat of forging, isn't it?" Saleyes said. "The Dwarves do great work indeed." Railan looked at him again with furrowed brow. "But it shall be laid in ruin like all the rest of your world." Lightning surged at him, striking the distant wall as he shifted aside. "You will not have this city, not as long as I draw breath!" Railan shouted. "Fool, I care not for possession of this place. But neither shall you claim it." Saleyes responded. They battled on with ever greater bursts and feats. The chamber shook from their fury, rumbling through rock and carven stone back to the throne room where Athaure felt worry growing in her heart.

Saleyes now stood in the air before the Core, his ashen form silhouetted by its light. He chided Railan once more, "Come now, boy, I expected a greater display. Show me your strength." He let loose a continuous assault of shadow far greater than before. Railan's eyes widened as he hastened to shield. Strained shouts escaped his mouth as he crashed through a column and collided with the wall. 

His ward nearly failed. The wall slowly encased him as Saleyes held his attack. I cannot fail. Heaven help me. I cannot fail! His hands and arms bled from the strain. Shouting in pain and defiance, he gathered his might again, calling upon more and more of the Mantle. His heart raced, his muscles ached, his mind fought with fear. Give me strength! I cannot fail! He shouted long, releasing his power. The walls and ceiling cracked and columns crumbled in ruin. 

Railan opened his eyes, slowly lifting himself from the broken floor. Saleyes stood not far away looking up at the Core. His heart fell. "No." He whispered as a tear rolled down his face. The cracked rings circled wildly out of kilter. Saleyes turned to him with a satisfied smile, "Well done. Now you shall reap your folly." He then stepped through the Mantle leaving Railan alone with his dismay. The cracks opened to great fissures and the ceiling crumbled around him. "What have I done?" He said falling to his knees. I have failed. Galivor, your sacrifice was in vain. I failed you, those who follow me, and my friends. All of it was in va-- Another shock ran through him. My friends! They still fought high above him.

He stood and ran to put forth his power again with what strength remained to him. A battle of wills ensued as the Core fought against him like a thing alive, a beast refusing to be tamed. Railan grunted through gritted teeth and shouted in his mind, Athaure! Athaure!

Black blood bathed the floor of the palace with few of the enemy's forces remaining. Athaure now tended to wounds of their casualties. Athaure! Athaure! A distant voice echoed in her mind. She paused and focused. Athaure! The voice grew louder, veiled in pain and desperation. Get everyone out! Leave! She placed a hand on her chest and stood. "Inrix!" She shouted. He turned to her from a distance. Tears welled in her eyes. The floor now shook beneath them. "Retreat!" They both shouted. The ceiling shattered. Shards of bladed crystal rained down, killing every last Foulling. Athaure cast a ward over them as the company poured out of the hall, returning with haste to the skyships.

Railan was bound in his struggle. His brow and face dripped with sweat and tears. His hands, arms, and back were bloodied. His strength was nearly spent. We are safe. A gentle voice echoed in his mind, granting him a fleeting shred of relief. Let go. Return to us. He looked at the Core one last time, the rings clanging and breaking against one another. The light they circled reached outward, yearning to be free. I can hold it no longer. Sobbing, he lifted into the air and released his hold. "Forgive me."