Chronicles of Aetheria

Chapter 7: Kill or Get Killed

Chapter 7: Kill or Get Killed 

“Vagnar, you don’t have to do this,” said the tenth Elf, trying to negotiate with his opponent after discovering his identity.

“I can't stop, Brakor. I've been ordered to kill you all,” Vagnar replied and launched at Brakor. He had successfully eliminated six of the Elves. He swayed his gaze, which Brakor dodged by moving backward, but the step he took was uncalculated, causing him to lose balance and fall hard to the ground.

“Elven magic: Sigitta Firannea!” one of the Elves chanted, and a fiery arrow appeared in the air. He directed it towards Vagnar almost immediately.

Vagnar noticed this impending attack and quickly turned away from Brakor, catching the fiery arrow with one hand. He sent it back to the caster, and it sank directly into his chest.

This was the time Brakor needed to get on his feet. He clasped his hands together, and the force pushed Vagnar backward, causing him to crash on his butt.

Brakor charged at Vagnar, mustering all his strength with a blade in his hand. The latter noticed the dangerous intent his opponent was coming with, so he quickly fixed his gaze on the ground.

The ground softened, trapping Brakor midway while the blade flew from his hand and beheaded another Elf.

Brakor's eyes widened. He had just killed one of his allies by mistake. Not just an ally but an Elf. He was indeed a dead man walking.

Eleven was watching everything from where he lay on the floor. He struggled to get on his feet, but the ground started shaking, causing him to fall back.

Right before his eyes, Vagnar levitated. His dark eyes fixed on the crimson clouds, and his hands stretched out.

Whatever he was planning must be something disastrous. Brakor was trying hard to get out of the ground. It was difficult since all the soil around him had been softened. Whatever Vagnar was planning, he had to stop him before it was too late, but how?

He was stuck with no one to help him. While he was thinking of what to do, he saw a hand—a dark-skinned hand. He looked up to see Eleven.

“You’re not dead,” Brakor said with a smile after Eleven successfully struggled to pull him out.

“I think we’re about to be,” Eleven replied, watching the fiery ball that Vagnar was creating.

Vagnar sent down the ball without hesitation, aiming to burn down all the captives.

“Elven magic: Lux Scutum!” Brakor chanted, creating a light shield that protected them from the fireball.

Vagnar growled angrily and launched himself against them, pushing through the shield, causing them all to scatter.

“This is no time to be weak,” Eleven said to himself and quickly rolled up to face Vagnar.

“Hey, dark elf. Look at me,” he called, and Vagnar turned to him.

“You’re so weak and useless. You can’t even cast a decent magic spell,” he taunted, getting Vagnar even angrier.

Eleven didn’t wait for Vagnar to charge at him before launching himself at Vagnar, without any plan of striking an attack.

Vagnar concentrated all his energy into his hand, aiming to deliver a death punch to Eleven.

Growing impatient, Vagnar opened his mouth to cast a spell that would extend his arm when an axe drove into his back, and the edge protruded from his chest.

Brakor withdrew his hand from the battle-axe instantly as green liquid streamed down Vagnar’s chest instead of blood. Eleven screamed loudly, his fists clenched, as he delivered a hefty blow to Vagnar’s face, destroying his head almost immediately.

Vagnar’s headless body crashed hard to the ground, causing the axe to come out of his chest.

Eleven was shocked to his core. He looked at his fist, unable to believe he had delivered such a fatal blow.

He looked at Brakor, who flashed him a smile.

When they were in the light shield, Eleven had explained to Brakor that he had encountered Vagnar before he was captured by the Reapers. Brakor then knew exactly what was going on: dark magic had been used to bring Vagnar back. The only way to kill him was to stab him where he was first killed.

Eleven had come up with a plan to serve as bait, giving Brakor the chance to strike.

Immediately after Brakor struck, he cast a spell that led to Eleven’s fatal blow.

There was jubilation in the crowd. The villagers cheered for them, and Eleven couldn’t help but smile happily.

“Seems it’s cool to have magic,” he thought and looked up at Rose, whose face was all gloomy.

The only captives remaining were him and Brakor. The rest had been killed by Vagnar. They both stood beside each other, waiting for the proclamation of their freedom when suddenly a Reaper stepped forward and handed over his blade to Eleven.

“What for?” he asked, directing his gaze from the Reaper to Lord Arctic.

Brakor was already on his knees. He understood the message. Everyone present understood what was about to happen, apart from Eleven, who was confused.

“You seem surprised, boy. Where are you from?” Urgath asked.

“I don’t know. I just found…”

“He doesn't remember,,” Rose cut in. “But I believe he's from the East. They're blacks there.” She added. 

“What about his ears?” asked Urgath, and that was when Eleven noticed that everyone present had long ears, including the villagers. They were all Elves, which confused him even more.

Rose couldn’t come up with a better reply to Urgath’s question, so she remained silent instead. History has never recorded a black boy with an ear just like that of the Aetherians. 

“Black boy, I’m amazed by your courage, and I’ll grant you your freedom instantly, but you just have to complete your task,” said Urgath.

“But we completed the task already?” Eleven replied, still looking confused.

“Yes and no. You killed your opponent, yes, but you see that man kneeling over there? He beheaded an Elf, and his punishment is a death sentence. Kill him and gain your freedom.”

Eleven turned to Brakor, who was kneeling behind him with his arms stretched out, not ready to defend himself. He was an important figure in the Elvarin Kingdom, and he understood the rule.

“Kill me and gain your freedom,” Brakor urged as Eleven scanned the sword. He looked around his eyes traveling every corner of the village square.. From Rose to Lord Arctic, the chiefs, the Reapers and finally the villagers. 

Everyone was silent, anticipating the next action. He raised the sword in the air and shut his eyes as he propelled it towards Brakor’s neck.