“Hanf! What's gotten into you!?” Krix held a finger to the Commander’s neck, her eyes glowing red, “You continue like this, and I’ll drive every one of your Knights insane!”

  “What. Do. You. Care?! I just spent the last few minutes fighting for my life against a contingent of Death Knights born out of the corpses of my own! There was a Lich right outside our walls! A LICH, Krix! I find this Otherworlder at the center, and you expect me to let hi- You know what?! Get out of my way, you overgrown fly!"

  The heat climbed up my throat.

  “Krix!” Roukk was panicking now. His hands held a glowing axe, “Let me talk to her.”

  "I'm right he-" The Commander suddenly laughed, “I knew you’d take her side.”

  Everywhere went quiet.

  Krix eyes widened.

  Hanf stared at her feet, “I wonder why I've cared for you mortals anyway…” She shrugged, “Toss it. Let’s End it now.”

  Something invisible brok-

  “MIDA!”

  The Commander flinched as white flames engulfed her.

  Hanf stared at me from within the burning shell.

  Krix held her husband away from the flame consuming myself and the Commander. The flame guttered and my knees shook as all my energy fled. In moments, Hanf held me inches above the blackened ground with tears in her eyes.

  “You bastard! Why would you do that?!”

  I was not in a state to answer, and unfortunately my unintelligible words only made the Commander furious. She drew me closer with a hand and squeezed.

  'GONG!!'

  Roukk’s Spectral axe rang loudly as it met the Commander’s collarbone. There was no blood.

  But I could breathe again.

  I noticed Krix had tried to free me in the commotion because she was stymied trying to pry the vice-like fingers wrapped around my neck.

  The vice tightened again.

  Krix growled. Her eyes began to glow like a furnace, runes appearing on her arms in simple patterns.

  Suddenly, I was swamped with terror, far more than I’d ever felt before in my life. The Commander went wide-eyed as her fingers were forcefully pried open, digit by digit. Then her eyes went black as ink.

  There was a ‘WHUMP!’

  Krix was blasted backwards while Roukk staggered back with the shock wave that erupted from The Commander. Krix soon steadied herself mid-air before she hit the wall.

  Slowly, she floated closer, her hands tracing glowing sigils in the air. Roukk muttered eyes closed as he knelt by the entrance. His axe reappeared in his hand from where it had fallen after bouncing off the Commander’s pristine shoulder.

  I slammed my feet into her abdomen, gritting my teeth as my ankle dislocated. The Commander side-eyed me with malice, adjusting her stance before returning her gaze to her opponents.

  What did I even do?! What is this fight?!

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Pressure built in my head as the tension ratcheted up, till I felt it would burst.

  A voice cut through the room like a missile.

  “All who heed Fate’s Call, respond!”

  Xihan stepped between the three combatants and one Jude, with a spinning ball of magic bobbing along in the air in her wake.

  “Let's have a return to sanity, Commander.”

  She gestured behind us, “You probably haven't noticed but the Council has been keeping your skirmish from reaching your Knights.”

  We glanced behind us to see a glowing barrier holding back the now standing Knights. Though their weapons were brandished, they seemed a bit lost.

  Who would they fight against? The Commander? The Captain? Either way, the choice having been taken from their hands by the Mages, made the potential schism void.

  The Commander relaxed minutely, and I could breathe again. My ankle had already reset itself, painfully.

  “We'll wait for the Response.” The Commander announced tersely.

  Roukk slumped, his axe dissipating into nothing, “Very well.”

  However, Krix remained stone-faced. “Let him go first.” She nodded at the Commander.

  “Don’t test me-” The Commander started towards Krix.

  “Certainly! Keep him within grasping distance. Just don’t dangle him like some kind of animal.”

  My thoughts exactly, Krix!

  “Krix…” Xihan massaged her forehead, “We have a truce. Why on Relir are you going this far for some random?!”

  The Commander kept walking towards Krix. Probably intending to dangle me in front of her face.

  As one does.

  “Oashinma.” Krix intoned.

  The Commander slowed as though walking through molasses.

  Eventually, she froze completely. I remained unaffected, however.

  I needed no other signal. I began to scramble at the fingers around my hand.

  No dice. Let’s see…

  I reached within me for where my fire had erupted from, but this time, I tried something different. Closing my eyes, I focused all my intent on those blasted fingers.

  Hope this works!

  “MADAN!”

  There was a sound like a rusty steel door forced open. My neck burned and I blacked out for a second. By the time I regained consciousness, the Commander was already breaking out of whatever effect Krix had set up.

  I got myself to Krix’s side even before consciously making the decision. The numbness I felt on my spine slowly faded as we watched the Commander fully break free of Krix’s spell.

  Here we go again…

  I expected the Commander to come at us like hellfire, but the moment she broke out, she simply stood still… Staring flabbergasted at me.

  I eyed Krix to ask what the hell- But she was also staring at me.

  “What?”

  Krix sighed, straightening up. She gave the Commander a look, “See why killing him would be a waste?”

  “I admit, he has potential.” Hanf answered begrudgingly, “Perhaps-”

  “Perhaps, it would be best if he used his gifts for his family.”

  Say what?

  The spinning magic ball by Xihan had sometime during all the drama, become a giant portal through to the bustling city outside, through which an equally gigantic man had walked through.

  He was built like a Colossus. He was huge. He was la- I'm repeating myself... This guy is ridiculous.

  The Commander raised an eyebrow at the newcomer, “And you are?”

  Xihan answered exasperatedly, “The Responder, Hanf.”

  “Talan.” The man smiled and smacked a plate sized hand into his even broader chest, “Duk-”

  “You’re a long way from home, Duke Talan.” The Commander frowned, then pointed at me. “The boy your son?”

  “Yes.”

  “Impossible. I have it on good authority that he’s an Otherworlder.”

  “I know. He’s been one for a while now.” The man answered straightly.

  The Commander stared at him askance, “… Prove it.”

  “Maydon, Commander.” The giant looked me in the eyes, "Hala da’meno minu chant.”

  Then he stared at me expectantly.

  “Uh… Am I supposed to know what that- Myrmidon cana da su man- What the hell?!”

  “Blood calls to blood.” Roukk explained, “Even Ascended would find it hard to resist replying.”

  “I thank you for finding him. But I would like to take him home now.” The giant said.

  “Okay!” I made a time-out sign, “I’m getting a little tired of people thinking they can-”

  “Go with him.” Krix whispered to me.

  “What happened to making me your apprentice?!”

  “Go with him! I can’t guarantee your safety from Hanf if you stay here!” She whispered furiously, "You have no idea how lucky you are to somehow have blood in the nobility. GO WITH THE MAN, JUDE!”

  ... Nothing for it... I needed an out anyway.

  “I- Alright.”

  I walked to the man, crab-walking past the Commander and the floating Seeker, who winked at me before closing his eyes once more.

  Imma ignore that...

  Stopping by the portal, I turned back, ”Roukk!”

  “Yes, Jude?”

  “Thank you!” I side-eyed Lady Krix, “Thank you too.”

  “You owe me.” Krix said primly.

  “Maybe! Captain! If it’s true Yero will see the dawn tomorrow… tell him-” I shook my head, “Send my regards.”

  “I will. Goodbye Jude.” Roukk nodded at the portal meaningfully.

  I nodded, then jumped through the portal to the other side.

  I turned to the duke, still inside the Castle, “Come on then, Daddy! Hop to it!”