Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Polaris’ mind became clouded with thoughts. He began to remember why he left all those years ago. “Oh, it’s complicated.” he responded. “Ah, I see. It’s fine if you don’t wanna say.” Mary said. Polaris realised what Cliff had said. One thing I will never do to you is lie. Cliff had promised he’d never lie to Polaris. And he never did. Everything he said was true. His power, his name, why he took him in, and many other things. So why should he help Mary and the others if they didn’t care about him. Were they planning an attack on Battery? Were they going to use Polaris as some sort of weapon? Whatever they were planning, Polaris couldn’t act yet. Not until he had proof. Polaris looked down at Mary’s hand and noticed a ring. She’s married!? He thought to himself. This made Polaris angry. Mary had promised that love would not get in the way of their friendship. Mary promised she would never marry. But she did. She didn’t care. Polaris knew she didn’t care. No one cared. They were using him. He was stronger than everyone there. He could win against Battery’s army and lead them to victory. He didn’t know what was more sad. The fact that he had to leave them at once, or the fact that Battery’s army was approaching and they would all die. A loud thunderous boom came from the eastern gate. Both Polaris and Mary looked over. “What was that?” she asked. Polaris stayed quiet. They would all die. When Battery invaded, he didn’t leave survivors. He had to find David and run away. “Polaris! Battery’s army is here! You have to help!” Mary pleaded. Polaris shook his head. “I’ll help once I know the truth.” he walked away. “Polaris! Stop!” Mary shouted. “Goddamnit.” she said under her breath. She pulled the sword from her hip and prepared for battle. People came from their homes armed and ready for a battle. Others were still gearing with weapons and armor. A breach in the wall was made by an explosion. Multiple soldiers came charging from the hole. They all wore armor that was a dark black color, and wielded a sword with a greenish tint. Hundreds charged from the breach. “Soldiers! What is our number one rule?” Mary shouted. The people that were outside all shouted in unison. “TAKE NO PRISONERS!” The armies charged at one another. The clashing of metal and tearing of flesh was thunderous. You could hear it from miles away. Polaris walked farther and farther away. A single soldier was able to break through the battle and ran towards Polaris. He turned around to see the soldier running towards him. “I have no time for you.” he said. As the soldier leapt towards him, Polaris extended an arm, grabbing at his throat. He slammed him into the ground. The soldier struggled to remove the grip, but ultimately suffocated. Polaris continued walking into the clinic he saw Azarath bring David into. He opened the door. Azarath stood at the bed. He turned around. “What are you doing in here? There’sss a battle out there.” Azarath said. “I’m taking my friend and leaving.” Polaris responded. “Sssso, you found out, huh?” Azarath asked. Polaris nodded. “Then I’m going with you.” he said. Polaris looked up from the bed. “What do you mean?” he questioned. “Ever sssince I heard their plan I knew that if you came back they would ussse you. I tried ssstopping you outssside the gate, but knew I could do nothing. I didn’t tell you becaussse I thought you would be heartbroken.” Azarath explained. Polaris shook his head. “I haven’t felt any emotion in 14 years.” he responded. Polaris knew that wasn’t true. In fact, the only emotions he felt for 14 years was misery. He had to keep Cliff strong. Now that he was gone, Polaris didn’t know emotion. He didn’t know what to feel. His personality flipped constantly, trying to figure out what to feel and how to act. He simply lacked emotions. He was a broken warrior. He was scared of Battery. But at the same time, he felt he feared no man. His soul intertwined with his mind. His emotions and rational thought were completely separated. He felt, empty. He thought that going back to Sanitarium would fix his broken soul. But it only worsened it. He couldn’t trust anyone anymore. He’d go into hiding with David and hope someone saved the world from Battery. “That’sss not true Polarisss. You feel misssery. Take me with you. I actually care about you. I won’t ussse you.” Azarath explained. Polaris looked over at him. “I know you do. I know you’re different from those animals. The snakeskin are known for how trustworthy they are, which is quite ironic. That’s why I can’t take you. You’re the only one who I can trust. Stay with them. Help them win this battle. If you all die, I truly will become broken.” Polaris explained. Azarath stood straight and saluted. “I’ll do asss you sssay, Polarisss.” Azarath exited the clinic, grabbing his scimitars on the way. Polaris knew Azarath was much more powerful than anyone else there. He knew he could beat the army. David slowly opened his eyes. “P-Polaris? Is that you?” he mumbled. “Save your breath.” he responded. As David opened his eyes, he began to panic. “Holy s**t! What happened to you? Where are we? Wait, what about your arm? Is it still broken?” Polaris stopped, remembering that he, indeed, had a broken arm. He glanced over at it, but it was completely healed. “Not anymore.” he replied. David sighed. “Wherever we are, it’s to loud outside. We should get out of here so I can rest.” he said. “That’s the plan.’ Polaris explained. “Can you stand?” he asked. David nodded. He got off the bed and threw on his cloak. “Now, once we walk out this door, don’t look to the right. We’re heading left and getting out of here, ok?” Polaris explained. David nodded once more, and they began exiting. Neither of them looked right, and they started heading to the left to leave. I’ll never forgive you, Mary. He thought to himself. The battle continued to rage on at the breach. Mary, the leader of the army, was in the center of it all. She fought as hard as she could to keep the enemy at bay, but as the other soldiers tired, and Battery’s army outnumbered them, they were slowly pushed back into the town. They kept fighting for what seemed like forever. Battery’s army consisted of hundreds of mindless soldiers, while Mary’s army was her and 50 other soldiers. They all had combat experience, and could take at least 10 per person. But that didn’t stop Battery’s army from outnumbering them. As Mary’s army was pushed farther into the town, Jareg and Azarath finally joined the battle, and they seemed to tip the battle in their favor. Battery’s army continued pouring from the breach in the wall. After a while, it seemed that there were no more soldiers. In fact, there weren’t. All of Battery’s army had been defeated. Mary’s army suffered multiple casualties, but overall they had won the battle. At least, that’s what they thought. There was one more soldier from Battery’s army, and they were not someone to be toiled with. They stepped from the breach, and stood silently. They were very large in mass, wielding a large iron claymore. They wore golden armor and a golden helmet. “Come on soldiers! He’s the only one left! Kill him!” Jareg shouted. The army began charging at the soldier, but they all seemed to disappear the moment they reached him. In just one slash of their sword, the entire army fell to the ground dead. The only three left standing were Mary, Jareg, and Azarath. “So, it seems you three are the greatest warriors here?” they asked. The three of them looked at eachother. “Good, then that means I must try.” they said. They began walking towards the three of them, dragging their claymore behind them. It scratched the ground below them. “Alright then, if it’s a battle you want, then it’s a battle you’ll get.” Jareg said. The three of them began to charge towards the soldier. Jareg was the first to attack. He slid on his knees, going for a slash across their legs. The soldier just stood there, unflinching. Jareg was moments from slashing at their legs before he was sent flying into a building. Mary and Azarath hadn’t even seen what happened. In fact, it seemed the soldier didn’t even move. Mary and Azarath continued their charge. The second to attack them was Azarath. He swung both his scimitars in an X shape. And again, the soldier didn’t flinch. Azarath was inches away from connecting his attack, but a large gash was made into his chest. He fell to the floor before he could hit them. Now the only one who stood before this monstrosity was Mary. Though, she hadn’t gotten the chance to attack. The soldier was already upon her, and grabbed at her neck. Mary struggled with removing their grip. “For the most fearsome warriors, you are all so weak.” they stated. Mary began to lose consciousness before the grip around her neck was released. She fell to the ground, gasping for air. She looked up and saw a large scratch mark across the soldier’s armor. “To think Battery would send his second in command to defeat a small militia is sad. Don’t worry, I won’t be so disappointing.” someone said behind Mary. She looked up to be greeted by none other than Polaris. “Y-you came… back.” she said. Polaris looked down at her, without saying anything. “Oh wolfslayer, when will you learn that trying to fight against Battery is suicide?” the soldier said. “When will Battery learn that I’ll never back down, Orion?” Polaris responded. The soldier had been revealed as Battery’s second in command, Orion. He prepared for battle. Polaris went down on all fours. He grabbed his sword from his back, wielding it in his mouth. They both stood still for what seemed like forever, until they suddenly both dashed towards one another. Polaris was the first to strike, a large downward slash of his blade. Orion dodged the attack, but hadn’t realised that Polaris was also attacking with his claws. They swiped across Orion’s chest as Polaris prepared another strike. “So, this is how you plan on attacking me, huh?” Orion asked. Polaris had already slashed his sword at Orion’s head, but it seemed that only seconds before it landed, Orion was already behind Polaris. He reacted quickly, slashing his sword horizontally, as he prepared to swing his claws downward, which, if landed, would slam Orion into the ground. It would allow Polaris to easily end the fight. Orion instinctively jumped above the slash, but without realising it, Polaris dropped his claws into Orion, slamming him into the ground. Polaris held Orion to the ground, removing his sword from his mouth. He stabbed his claws deep into Orion’s chest before stabbing him with his sword. Orion gasped for air, before throwing his head back into the ground. “The way you fight, there’s no countering it. Where, where did you learn it?” Orion asked. “I didn’t learn it. It came to me almost instinctively.” he replied. Orion sighed. “I believe you’re the only person who could stand a chance against Battery.” Orion explained. Polaris shook his head. “Why are you like this? Why are you telling me this? Are you not Battery’s second in command?” Polaris questioned him. “When you are on the brink of death, his control on your body lessens. I can think my own thoughts now. It’s the first time in a while, actually. Polaris, do this for me. Kill Battery. Prevent him from controlling anymore innocent people. Make sure he suffers.” Orion said. Polaris stared at the formidable opponent. “I give you my respect, Orion.” Just then, Orion realised that he had been defeated. For the first time, he was bested in a fight. Orion died so easily, almost like he hadn’t put up a fight at all. And yet, he accepted it. He accepted that, yes, he was bested easily. Orion was supposed to be one of the most powerful people on the planet, but he was yet defeated by none other than a wolfslayer. The clan he killed so long ago has risen from the grave to take his life. Orion, Battery’s second in command, dies weeks before the siege on Battery’s castle, by the hands of Polaris, the wolfslayer.