Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Polaris and the four horsemen were nearing Wildehollow. Through the gallops of the horses, a voice was heard. “We’re about an hour away from Wildehollow, are you ready, Polaris?” Death asked. He looked over and nodded. “I have a plan, but it will only work if I go alone. You four stay outside and fight off the army.” Polaris explained. The horsemen nodded in agreement. He couldn’t wait to get to Battery and finally end his tyranny. He would finally live up to be the legend he always wanted to be. He would be famous across the world. But that wasn’t the only reason why he wanted to kill Battery. It wasn’t just because he wanted to be famous and a hero. It’s because he had a burning hatred towards him. Battery ruined his life. Battery was the one who ordered Lucretia to kill Cliff. Battery was the one who attacked Kravero. Battery was the one who left him for dead after taking Aza, the only person he wanted to protect. It wasn’t because he loved her. It’s because he knew Draven loved her. Draven invited Polaris into his life. If he left Aza, then he was unintentionally breaking their friendship. Draven was nice enough to take him in, even though he served someone who was evil. He gave him a second chance. If he left Aza, it was indirectly saying that he didn’t care about Draven’s good deeds. It would be a betrayal. That is why he wanted to kill Battery. For ruining his life. For ruining his friend’s life. For ruining everyone’s life. He’d kill him. He would fight for those who couldn’t. He’d become the hero everyone needed. In just one hour, everything will be better.

Draven and Cravell had made it to Wildehollow with little resistance. They planned to sneak into the castle by using a portable wormhole. It’d make for a silent entrance, and a quick and easy exit. Though Draven didn’t plan on leaving. He was going to kill Battery once he entered. His plan was foolproof. Nothing could prevent Battery’s creeping death. Draven and Cravell approached the wall of the castle, and used the portable wormhole to sneak inside. Once inside, Draven looked up to see if there was anything he could climb onto. He was the only one who needed to hide, as Cravell and his friend could go invisible since they were spirits. Draven spotted a tubing system all across the ceiling. Perfect. He thought to himself. He climbed his way up and snook around on the pipes. They were two floors below where the throne room was, so they had to move fast. They were able to make it to the first floor without any trouble. No guards were posted inside the castle. Battery is sure he can handle whatever comes his way. I’ll make sure he never makes that mistake again. Draven thought to himself. They were approaching the throne room. Draven and Cravell stopped 10 feet away from the gates. Cravell looked at the knight and ushered him closer. The knight placed their ear on the door. It was quiet. He looked at them and nodded. We’re clear. Draven thought to himself. They opened the gates and stepped inside. Draven looked around. Battery wasn’t in the room. Though, Draven felt something was off. Like anything could go wrong at any time. “Perfect, we’ll set up the ambush no-” Draven looked behind him and saw Cravell and the knight standing absolutely still. “Guys?” Draven asked. Cravell looked directly into Draven’s eyes, without breaking eye contact. The knight stood up straight, no longer slouched over like he used too. Draven began backing up. What’s up with them. He thought to himself. They began walking closer to Draven. He continued walking backwards. Draven realised they were trapping him further into the room. The gates began to close behind Cravell. Someone entered? He thought to himself. He looked all around. It was just those three. He returned his gaze to Cravell, but they weren’t there anymore. What!? Draven quickly looked around to see where they went. He looked to his left to see Cravell dashing straight towards him. Draven recoiled before quickly making a sword made of steel. Then he realised. He looked behind him. The knight was inches away from him. Draven quickly dodged, but was too late. A large gash was made at his side, and he began to bleed. Cravell continued his assault towards Draven. Two at once huh? I can take them. He thought. Cravell pulled a giant sword from his back. It’s hilt looked almost like a scale, with two little dishes hanging by a string. It was made entirely of stone. Cravell went for a large slash towards Draven. He quickly dodged the strike, before dashing towards Cravell. He plunged at his chest, incapacitating him. That makes one. He thought to himself. He knew the knight would be the most difficult to defeat, since he couldn’t block their sword. The knight was much faster than Cravell, so dodging his attacks was much more difficult. Draven turned around to see the knight preparing another attack. They could sprint very fast, and they kept their sword at their side, making it difficult to know when they were about to strike. Draven prepared himself. The knight prepared a downward slash. Draven dodged preemptively, and realised that the knight used that wind up as a fake-out. The knight quickly changed to a horizontal slash. He’s going to cleave right through me if I don’t do something. He thought. Draven jumped up, landing on top of the sword. He pushed it down with his feet, dazing the knight. Draven quickly slashed at the knight’s legs. His blade tore right through the armor, slashing through the flesh. The knight fell to the floor. That makes two. He thought. He looked around to see if anyone else was in the room. He turned to the gate, and saw someone else. They wore chest and leg armor, with spikes on the shoulders and ankles. A large cape followed behind them. “Who are you?” Draven asked. The person stopped their approach. They looked at him. A large smile crossed their face as they began to laugh aloud. It was maniacal. Insane. Sinister. It can’t be. Draven thought to himself. Sweat dripped from his brow. His heart began racing in his chest, and he prepared for battle. Battery, I’m going to kill you!

Hunter made it to Wildehollow as quickly as he could. He could already sense that Draven was inside, and in danger. I need to get in, fast. He thought to himself. He tried to find an entrance, but it seemed the only place he could go through was the front gates. He landed and saw that there were no guards. It’s odd that a castle doesn’t have any guards. He thought to himself. Hunter slowly opened the main gate. He looked around to see where Draven might be. If anything, he’s already in the throne room. I just need to find out where that is. He thought to himself. Before he could take another step, he was ambushed by assassins. Two of them dropped from the ceiling and attacked, but Hunter easily dealt with them. They each had a sword. Hunter grabbed the blades and slammed the assassins into the ground. He took his finger and swiped it across both their faces. The skin on their head began to blacken as their flesh boiled. Hunter looked around to see at least 20 more assassins coming after him. “If it’s a fight you want, then it’s a fight you’ll get!”

Draven readied himself to fight Battery. But Battery didn’t advance. He didn’t prepare for battle. He continued to laugh loudly. Draven was disturbed by this. He felt scared. He heart was beating out of his chest, and he was sweating profusely. I can’t read him. What kind of person is he? Draven thought to himself. Draven decided that he would be the first to strike. He charged at Battery, but he didn’t flinch. He continued to laugh. Draven was only some odd feet away from him. He swung his sword down onto Battery, but something stopped him. He was stuck in place. “Fool. Clear your mind before you go to attack me.” Battery said. Draven’s heart stopped. He completely forgot about Battery’s muzzle ability. He stared into the face of death. He couldn’t do anything. Battery just stared back at Draven. His gaze pierced Draven’s soul. He was horrified of Battery. “I’ll give you no chance, as you’ve already blown it.” Battery said. He grabbed at Draven’s neck, and threw him across the room. Draven went flying into the wall. The impact created a large crater on the surface. Draven threw up from the pain before collapsing onto the ground. He tried his hardest to stand, but he was too weak. His head most likely had trauma, and he definitely had a broken back. He looked up to see Battery approaching him. Once he reached Draven, he grabbed at his head, picking him up. “Now, you die.” Battery said. He slammed Draven’s head into the wall. The impact on Draven’s head was so painful, that he went into shock. Each strike hurt more than the last. Battery continuously slammed Draven’s head into the wall. His skull was cracked, and most of the skin was scraped off, leaving only flesh and bone. Draven began to lose consciousness. Battery looked over at him. “You cannot compare to my power, Draven. You’ll die here without even landing a hit on me.” He said. Battery dropped Draven onto the floor, kicking him over to the side. “You’ll… pay f-for this.” Just then, the gates slammed open as the body of one of Battery’s assassins came flying into the room. It scraped across the floor, leaving a streak of blood. “Battery! Your opponent is me!” Hunter stood at the doorway. Battery turned away from Draven. “And who might you be?” he asked. “I’m going to kill you, then save Draven and Aza from your tyranny.” Hunter said. Draven looked over at him. Aza. He forgot about Aza. Where was she? Did she run away? Draven hoped she did. He hoped that she broke free from Battery’s control and ran away. He turned his attention to Hunter. He was radiating with hatred and anger. Radiating with human emotion. His humanity has returned. Draven thought. It was true. All of the flesh and skin returned to his body. “Hunter… Don’t.” Draven mumbled. He coughed loudly, which just hurt him more. Hunter looked over at Draven worriedly, then returned his hateful gaze towards Battery. I’m gonna kick your a*s, Battery! He thought to himself. Hunter dashed towards Battery, pulling a small dagger from his back. Battery was surprised at Hunter’s quickness. In almost no time, Hunter was upon Battery, and before he could react, Hunter slashed at Battery’s arm and swiped his hand across the cut. The cut blackened and decayed. The skin around the slash began to crumble. “You’re clever, but that’ll be it for my injuries.” Battery said. As Hunter went for another attack, his body went stiff, and he was frozen in place. Battery turned his head. He grabbed at Hunter’s throat, throwing him into the ground. Draven recoiled. Please, Hunter. Run, while you still can. Don’t die for my sake! He wished Hunter could read his thoughts. Hunter tried to get up, but Battery slammed his foot into his neck, snapping it. Hunter lay paralyzed on the floor. Battery lifted his boot, and continuously stomped his foot into Hunter’s face. It was so brutal, that once Battery had lifted his boot from Hunter’s face, strands of flesh stuck to the boot. Draven looked away, and threw up. It was because of both the pain, and the horrible sight he had witnessed. I did what I could, Draven. Please, gain your strength back and finish this. Were Hunter’s last thoughts. The Angel of Death died in a fight against the legendary warrior Battery. Draven began to tear up at the sight. He felt like all hope was lost. One of his only friends has died. Aza was nowhere to be seen, and surely his death would be next. Someone, save me. Please! He thought to himself. “Oh, my apologies. I almost forgot to kill you.” Battery said. He began to walk towards Draven. He became more desperate. He cried out with all the strength he had left. “Please! Anyone! Save me!” Battery grinned. “No one will hear your cries, and I will show you no mercy!” he shouted. Draven realised the situation he was in, and began crying. He failed. He wasn’t fit to be called the second most powerful person in the world. He couldn’t even land a hit on Battery. And now he was going to die. He was never going to see Aza again. He was never going to see Polaris again. Polaris… Polaris! Draven thought to himself. Both Battery and Draven stared at the boom of the gates being broken down. The sounds of swords clashing echoed the halls. There Polaris stood, a large brown cloak covering him. Sword in hand, Polaris clenched his jaw in anger, before releasing a vicious snarl. “BATTERY! TODAY IS THE DAY YOU DIE!”