“Each of us are multi-faced.

  That does not mean we do not

  choose the face we wear.”

  - Janus

  Chapter 18: An Unlikely Savior

  Their attacker and her duplicates stood poised at the end of the hall, waiting to strike. Like a horned cat toying with its prey, she slowly moved towards her and the robot, letting her every movement act as a potential tell for her first attack.

  R.U.D.E. stood between Maria and their foe, methodically stepping back as Maria hobbled backwards as well. They looked at the projections intently, being sure Martzia had not somehow slipped one behind them. The situation was looking more hopeless by the moment.

  “Any bright ideas?” Maria asked her protector.

  “Negative. You?”

  “Working on it,” she replied.

  The enemy took another step forward, licking her lips in anticipation. Withdrawing another sword, she activated it and brought it to her side. As she stepped forward, her swords cut along the floor below her, sparking as the metal collided with her sword’s outer laser.

  “I’m tempted to kill you myself,” she threatened. “But maybe it would be more fun to watch it happen. That is, if you’re still working for us?” she asked, turning to the Krieger.

  Krieger grinned. Maria knew he must have been lying earlier, although for a split second, she would have to admit he almost had her. Now, his true intentions were apparent.

  “This one helped put me and my mates away,” Krieger replied through gritted teeth, pointing to Maria. “I’d love the chance to bash her head in.”

  “Glad to hear it,” the enemy replied, her grin sharpening into an even more twisted smile. “It’s good to see a little loyalty these days.”

  Keeping one sword pointed toward R.U.D.E. and Maria, Martzia activated the panel to open the prisoner’s cells. R.U.D.E. seemed tempted to charge her as she activated it, knowing her real self would have to be there to do so. He could not , however, leave Maria unprotected. Her injury was still severe, and it would not be long before Maria was too weak to even stand. Maria pursed her lips, taking in a deep breath. This was the end.

  The cell doors deactivated, and the pirates began to leave their cells, surrounding her and R.U.D.E. Maria’s situation had gone from bad to worse, and their options had just grown thinner. Maria looked to her robot protector.

  “Please tell me Red is almost here. That anybody is almost here,” she said, turning from left to right with her swords at the ready.

  “Sorry. I’m not a good liar,” he replied.

  As the pirates closed in, the woman with the driver’s cap began to step back towards the elevator from which she came.

  “I don’t think I’ll watch after all. Looks like a rerun of something I’ve already seen. Be seeing you,” she waved, blowing a kiss to R.U.D.E. and Maria.

  As she walked towards the elevator, her projections disappeared. Putting away her sword, she summoned the elevator. Maria and the droid prepared for the end, keeping their weapons activated as they prepared for the pirates’ attacks. The First Mate, standing next to her Captain, looked to Krieger as to what she should do.

  “Before you go, I need to know...” Krieger asked, calling out to Martzia. Annoyed, she turned to face him.

  “Yes?”

  “Where are you keepin’ my boy?”

  The woman scoffed at him.

  “He’s working as one of us, now. If you’re a good boy, maybe I’ll let you see him again. Now finish your job.”

  “Keeping ‘im this long wasn’t part of the deal. You know this.”

  “It is now. If you ever want to see him again, I suggest you start killing,” she replied, perturbed.

  Krieger turned to his men, turned to his First Mate, and then turned back to Martzia. With a crimson grin, he stepped forward towards Maria and R.U.D.E.’s foe. Cracking his knuckles, he sized her up.

  “What an idea. Get ‘er, boys!” Krieger roared, pointing at the woman.

  Without question, his men did as he asked, nearly knocking down Maria in the process to get to her. Thoroughly riled, the enemy shot out projections of herself as she withdrew her weapons. Krieger pushed his First Mate back before she could engage her.

  “Leave with them, and find my son. Swear to me you will,” Krieger ordered, motioning towards R.U.D.E. and Maria as he addressed her.

  “But Captain! I’m not leaving you to-”

  “I’ll meet you topside... I need you to stay alive. Free my son, Marianne,” Krieger interrupted.

  “But-”

  “Go!” Krieger roared, pointing towards the back entrance. Swiftly, he turned away and ran towards the interloper, who was cutting down the weaponless pirates left and right.

  R.U.D.E., without second thought, picked up the utterly shocked Maria and ran towards the back elevator. Marianne, who also seemed shocked, soon followed behind them.

  Maria could not understand the old pirate’s motives. To think the very man responsible for taking her husband’s life was the same one she now owed her life to was beyond infuriating. Maria had hoped to be rescued, but not like this. Never like this. She looked on at the fight in confusion, as R.U.D.E. carried her to safety.

  The last thing she could see or hear before the elevator doors closed was Krieger running headlong through his men and the woman’s projections. Roaring, he cried aloud for his men to rush her. The sound of the enemy’s humming blades could be heard cutting through human flesh and bone. As the elevator began to ascend, the pirates’ screams of agony became less and less audible.

  Then, silence.

  When the elevator doors opened, the three of them stepped out. Maria’s wound was not healing properly, and continued to bleed. She felt herself growing weaker by the minute, and the shock of the last set of events did not help her situation. Neither did the presence of her new companion.

  Marianne, who herself was injured, took it upon herself to take the lead.

  “Follow me,” she commanded, her tone stern and apathetic.

  Maria scoffed.

  “And why would we do that, you murdering-”

  Before Maria could finish, Red stepped out of the tree line.

  “Where is that... woman? Who is this?” Red inquired.

  “She’s coming. There’s... no time,” Maria managed to say, stumbling as she began to lose consciousness.

  R.U.D.E. rushed to help her, as did Red.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  “She needs medical attention,” Marianne stated. “We need to get to a ship.”

  “R.U.D.E., analyze her status and provide care,” Red commanded.

  “Where are you going now?” R.U.D.E. replied, sounding perturbed as usual.

  “I’m going to finish this. Once Maria is stable, get to the ship.”

  “You can’t defeat her. She’s too powerful,” Marriane interrupted, cautioning her.

  “Watch me,” Red hissed.

  Red ran into the elevator, weapons at the ready. Closing its doors, she descended downwards, all while the three looked on. R.U.D.E. continued to do what he could for Maria, shaking his head, apparently in disapproval at the actions of his master.

  “Where is your ship?” Marriane inquired.

  “How stupid do you think we are?” Maria retorted.

  “How could I steal your ship? I don’t know its launch codes,” Marianne argued.

  “You’re a pirate. I’m sure you’d find a way,” R.U.D.E. reasoned.

  “Well, we can’t treat her here,” Marianne retorted.

  R.U.D.E. picked up the fading Maria, and began to run in the direction of his master’s ship.

  “Wh-wait! Wait for me!” Marianne cried out, trying to keep up with him.

  “Don’t… bother letting her catch up,” Maria whispered.

  “Oh I wasn’t going to,” R.U.D.E. replied. “Hang on. We’ll get you sorted out… stupid.”

  *

  Red stepped out of the elevator. Ready to fight, she charged forward, hoping to take her foe by surprise. To her disappointment, Martzia was not there. She, like her apparitions, had vanished.

  She walked past the bodies of the dead pirates. Among them was one she thought she recognized. The overgrown, bearded man was none other than Halsey Krieger himself. As she approached him, he opened his eyes in a panic. She nearly jumped at the sight.

  “My… son,” he whispered.

  Red, knowing the old man was nearly dead, drew closer to hear his final words.

  “He’s at… Deathlock. Tell my First Mate. Please…”

  The leader of the Dread Pirates was dead. His final words etched into Red’s brain. Reaching down, she closed his eyes.

  As she hastened back to the elevator, she wondered if a few good deeds at the end of your life could undo years of selfishness. If someone as evil as Krieger could change, could she? Were his actions that of selflessness, or one of a crazy old fool with nothing to lose?

  Was life worth living as it had been? Or was it better to live for something beyond yourself, even if it got you killed? A life of safety and torment, or a few moments of selfless happiness?

  What kind of choice was that?

  *

  The fight had been hard. Despite cutting through multiple foes, Magnus and his friends, as well as the rest of the island, were outnumbered. It was a battle Magnus knew, at this rate, would be lost. Determined to not go down easily, he reinvigorated himself, and kept up the fight.

  More transports were descending from the skies. The Sashyrian army was too great, and Lima and Gar’s forces were too unprepared to deal with them. By the time they were, it would be too late. If the fight was to continue, retreat was their only option.

  When all hope had seemed lost, the Sashyrians began to retreat to the beaches. In droves, they hurriedly ran back to their transports. The retreat was in no way tactical. They seemed desperate. All throughout the city, they all but crawled back to where they came from. Confused, Magnus and the others stood dumbfounded at the sight.

  “Look!” Penny cried out.

  As she pointed upward, it all made sense. Looking to the skies above, they saw that mysterious saviors had come to their aid. Sashyrian fighters, transports, and battleships were being engaged by a much larger force.

  Like a hawk descending on its prey, its back to the sun, so came glistening, golden ships from above. Methodically, they began to attack Tulius’ crafts, destroying them with ease. With Tulius outnumbered by a surprise attack, it was clear he could not afford to safely withdraw his ground forces from Rosari. The tide of battle had turned completely. In a hurry, he retreated, with many of his transports having not made it back to their mother ships.

  Magnus, as well as those who accompanied him, looked on in awe at the sight, as their foes looked on in despair. Whoever these new allies were, they were powerful, welcome, and could not have come at a better time. The battle above had brought the battle below to a complete standstill. That was, until reinforcements from the golden ships arrived. Descending into the city streets, they fanned out and began engaging the Sashyrians.

  Droids, covered in ornate designs and standing twice a normal man’s height, swarmed out to engage the Sashyrian riders. Rushing in from all sides, they startled both the Sashyrian’s and Magnus’ group. Equipped with golden energy shields and laser swords to match, their elongated ligaments allowed them the reach advantage to combat their mounted foes with ease. The raptors screeched in horror when struck, and their riders could do little to prevent being overran by their metallic enemies. The battle was over.

  *

  The fighting had been fierce, but with the help of the machines, victory was easily assured. Tulius, overwhelmed by these golden droids of salvation, retreated with his tail between his legs. Magnus thought it was nice to see the good guys win for a change.

  As he stumbled back towards the C.C. with his compatriots, the sounds of “all clear” rang across the island’s alert systems. Voices cheered in excitement all around them. Meanwhile, others wept for the lost. The victory was bittersweet.

  Intending to see if the Matai was still living, Magnus and his friends headed towards the Command Center, where he thought he might find him. That was, until a speeder with three golden droids came to greet him.

  “Sir, please come with us,” they said in a robotic yet friendly tone.

  “Me? Why?” Magnus inquired, thinking he might be in some sort of trouble.

  “”You’re needed at the capitol building. The Chronicler and the Matai await you.”

  Magnus looked to his friends, unsure of what to do. Who was this ‘Chronicler’? And why was the Matai awaiting his presence? Pickett was the first to reassure him.

  “Go on, my friend. The others and I will meet you there. Don’t think these droids mean any harm to you.”

  Letting reason illuminate his surprise, he knew Pickett was right. The droids had come to help, not hinder. At least, that was what it seemed like. There was no reason to doubt otherwise.

  Hopping on board the four seater P.A.C., they all proceeded towards the capitol building. On the way through the city, Magnus saw Maria, Red, R.U.D.E, and some other woman walking together. Maria appeared to have sustained some type of injury. It appeared they too were making their way to the capitol building, though the droids did not let him stop and ask. They were insistent on the urgency of reaching the capitol in a timely manner. Why, they would not say.

  Smoke was coming from around the building, but the building itself was undamaged. The beautiful copper plated structure had seen better days, but it still was a sight to behold. It shone in the sun, as Miriam palm trees gently swayed about it.

  A crowd had assembled outside the place. Although Magnus inquired as to why this was, the droids would not answer. Aggravated by not having any answers, he was certain he would know soon enough.

  Everyone stared at him. They whispered amongst themselves as he made his way inside. For a brief moment, he stopped and tried to make out a conversation, but with the size of the crowd that was gathering, it was hard to make out anything.

  “This way, sir,” a droid said, motioning him inside.

  Ascending the staircase, they made their way inward. Lima ran out the large copper doors to greet them. He looked panicked, which was very uncharacteristic for a man who had seen countless battles. He was wearing a formal robe, denoting the colors of the Rosarian flag: green, white, and red.

  “Matai Lima, what’s going on?”

  “No time for that,” the Matai implored, tidying up Magnus’ attire as a mother would her child. “Come.”

  Making their way through the marble halls of the capitol, Lima led Magnus to an upper chamber. There, an old man, surrounded by elite, golden droids awaited them. The old smiled upon their entering. The Matai bowed in obeisance, and motioned for Magnus to do the same.

  “No need for that, my friends. Come, sit with me at the table here,” the old man spoke gently.

  The old man adorned golden robes, the same color as his droids, with silver linings. His white hair and beard, and his wrinkled skin showed he was quite old, but not so old that he could not move around. He had slanted eyes, and a warmth about him that was quite comforting, similar to how Magnus’ own grandfather made him feel.

  “My son, are you badly injured from the battle?” the old man inquired.

  “He was tortured, my lord, and-” Lima began, not giving Magnus the chance to answer.

  “Respectfully, Matai, I was not asking you,” the old man retorted, but in a kind fashion. He then lightly chuckled and turned to Magnus once again.

  “He fears you’ll say something out of turn, Magnus. May I call you Magnus?”

  “Y-yes,” Magnus began, Lima’s nervousness rubbing off on him.

  “Good. There’s no need to be frightened in my presence. I want you to be yourself because I already know the real you.”

  “You do? How?”

  “Because I’m the Chronicler. And as Chronicler, I see all to record all.”

  “How is that even possible?” Magnus asked, confused.

  “I suppose the Matai here can explain more to you. I’m here to do one thing, and one thing only: keep my promise. Saving you from the Sashyrians was just a side effect, I suppose,” the Chronicler explained, handing him a two handed sword from under the table. “This is for you.”

  Magnus could not believe his eyes. He wanted to pinch himself to ensure it was real. He blinked, and the sword was still there in his hands. It glowed a yellow hue as he handled it, just like in the stories he had read. It was unbelievable.

  “This… can’t be real. It can’t be…”

  “Oh it is. Why do you think the whole island is gathered outside? So you do know what this is? Glad some Paradignians know their history,” the Chronicler chuckled.

  “Of course I do! Uh- sir. Every Paradignian who studies our country’s history knows. The Sword of Right… but is this real? The real one?” Magnus inquired in disbelief.

  “Very much so. Your ancestor, Leonidas Stryker, used this to destroy the 8, and restore balance to Inkh, as you might recall. His blood runs through this sword, as it does through you.”

  “Is… that’s why it’s glowing?” Magnus asked, not even daring to assume.

  “Yes. My promise has been fulfilled.”

  Magnus waited for the Chronicler to continue.

  “A long time ago, when Leonidas stepped down from the throne, he entrusted the blade to me. He did so because he knew that the day might come that it would be needed again. Today is that day.”

  The Chronicler took the blade, and held it up to admire it. Upon his touch, the blade ceased glowing. He began to walk around with it. Then, he continued his discourse.

  “The blade’s power to Paradign is not in what it can do, but what it represents. It represents the first lineage of the second age. It represents power, not just in ability but in legality. Once I bestow this blade to someone,” he emphasized, “they, in turn, become king. The rightful king of Paradign.”

  “Wait…” Magnus began, confused, “what?”

  “Succinctly, I’m making you King of Paradign, Magnus,” the Chronicler said with a smile.

  “But… why?”

  “The current king, old… oh, what’s his name… Azakar, is it? He’s a betrayer. He spits in the face of what the throne stands for. Him, and his children. It’s time for a rightful king, one that still loves his country, to take the throne.”

  “Why me?” Magnus asked, his humility shining through. “I’m not really kingly material.”

  “From your lineage to your loyalty, you are. I’ve watched you for a long time, and although I am strictly prohibited from interfering in the affairs of the mortals, this was one promise I had to keep.”

  “But-”

  “Kneel, son of Stryker,” the Chronicler ordered.

  In haste, Magnus kneeled. Lima did as well, but the Chronicler shook his head in disapproval. Lima stood back up.

  “By the power invested in me by your forefather, by Leonidas’ command, and for the good of Paradignians everywhere, I crown you King of Paradign! Rise!” the Chronicler roared, knighting him with the Sword of Right.

  Magnus stood, finding the experience surreal. The Chronicler handed him back the sword. Nodding to the two of them, he turned around and began heading to the door.

  “Well, I really must be going. Lots of chronicling to complete,” the Chronicler continued, looking upward and pointing. “I kept my promise, Leonidas. May you rest In peace.”

  As quickly as he had come to aid, he left. Him, and his droids with him. He left behind a very stunned Magnus, and a very flabbergasted Lima. With the Sword of Right in his hands, Magnus was now left with a difficult task ahead of him, should he choose it:

  taking the throne of Paradign.