Fan Fiction ❯ The Four Lords ❯ Rules of War ( Chapter 43 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Alex’s heart felt numb as he raced back towards the castle. His mind was a jumbled blur as he tried to comprehend it all. If I’m right then they’re here for Brittany. The only reason they would have any reason to come for her would be if she were to have told someone about what I told her. Dammit, she couldn’t have, she promised me she wouldn’t. Still, the only way I’ll find out is if I ask her, but there’s no time for that. I’ve got to get back and get everyone ready.

Alex ran faster, not needing to look back at the large armies that were now emerging from the woods. His only thought was on Brittany.

Alex burst through the castle doors looking in all directions searching for Brittany. Instead Kiba ran up to him. Seeing the expression on Alex’s face Kiba stopped in stunned silence.

“Where is she?” Alex snapped. Kiba faltered for a second before regaining his composure.

“Where is who my Lord?” Kiba asked.

“Where the hell is Brittany?” Alex replied. Seeing the shock on Kiba’s face Alex took a deep breath and tried to calm himself. “Never mind, I want you and Shadow to take her to the treasure room and keep her there until I come and get you.”

“Why, what’s going on my Lord?” Kiba asked as he furrowed his eyebrows and looked at Alex with suspicion.

“The other Lord’s have sent their armies to capture her.” Alex replied softly, a hint of sadness in his voice. “In case anything happens I want you and Shadow to be there so you can get her out of here in one piece. You’re the best warriors I have so I’m counting on you okay.”

“Yes my Lord.” Kiba replied. “Who shall command the troops?”

“I’m hoping there will be no need for the troops to get involved. However, seeing how unlikely that is I’ll have Holly command them. Go find her and have everyone get outside now.” Alex ordered as he turned and headed back outside. Alex stared at the gloomy scene before him. Across the plain Alex’s eyes saw the three general of the other Lord’s armies marching in front of their troops, all of their troops. Alex watched their approach, but his mind wasn’t calculating the odds of winning, or trying to figure out how he could get them to leave. His mind was only trying to figure out one thing. Why did she betray me? Why did she break her promise?

Alex knew that there was a possibility that they might not be here for Brittany. Yet try as he might to believe those thoughts, his heart told him otherwise. Alex didn’t even turn to acknowledge Holly as she stepped up behind him. The wolf demon’s had all fallen outside and formed ranks behind Alex as they glared into the eyes of their enemy.

Holly felt her throat tighten as she replayed what Kiba had told her. They’re here for Brittany. There’s only one reason why they would be here for her. Brittany, this is all my fault. If I hadn’t asked you to tell me maybe none of this would’ve happened. I’m sure someone must’ve overheard our conversation, but I didn’t think this would happen. Holly’s eyes focused on Alex, causing her heart to break even more. He looks so sad, so hurt. He knows, he knows that Brittany told someone. You can see it written all over his face. This isn’t going to be good.

Alex straightened himself up as he glared at the three generals who halted their troops and walked towards him. Each one was a powerful demon. The demon general for the west was a bat demon. He had long black hair and glowing red eyes. His wings came out from beneath his arms and hung to his sides. The only clothes he had on was black pants and a black vest with a crescent moon embedded on the shoulders. The demon general for the east was a large and powerful looking minotaur. His brown skin and large horns gave him a fierce appearance. He had on a silver plated armor that covered his chest and legs, along with large silver gauntlets. The final general, the general of the north, was the fiercest looking of them all. He was a large black drakel hybrid demon with red eyes and black horns. His black, leathery wings formed a cape around him, showing off his muscular and scaly body.

It was obvious that Zanatos’s general was in charge as he pushed his way past the other two and stood in front of Alex. He glared at Alex in a facial expression that almost mimicked Zanatos’s perfectly. “Move aside. We haven’t come to fight with you. There is something that we want.”

“I know what you want.” Alex replied calmly. “But there’s no way in hell that you’re going to get your hands on her.”

“Do you really think that even you will be able to stand up to the might of all the realm’s armies?” the general said in a mocking tone. “Your pitiful mass of troops would be lucky to total five thousand, even then it’s a stretch. A sacrifice of their lives is worth nothing and will serve only to delay us. There is no way five thousand could stand against the might of are combined forces totaling well over a hundred and fifty thousand.”

“First off, I can assure you, that not a single one of my men are going to die.” Alex said with a small smirk. It was plain to see the shock and disgust register on the demon as he glared at Alex.

“What makes you so confident about that? Surely you don’t expect to fight us all by yourself.” the demon declared haughtily.

“You never know Baou, he might just be crazy enough to do it. Maybe the bitch we’re after really is a witch. Maybe she really can control his mind.” the bat demon jeered. The minotaur nodded as a sudden thought came to his mind.

“Baou, if Doma is right, then shouldn’t we be afraid of her too? If she really can control other’s minds then we could be controlled by her also.” the minotaur said after some consideration. The irritation on Baou’s face was apparent as he spoke.

“Ginpachi, Doma, both of you be silent this instance! Only weak minded fools could be put beneath a mind controlling spell. Something tell’s me that this ‘witch’ is nothing more than an ordinary girl.” Baou snapped. Alex smiled at Baou’s frustration as he explained.

“What I mean is, that unlike your poor excuses for Lord’s I will not send my men to die. They are not some number, some mass of bodies simply used to do tasks that I myself do not want to do.” Alex said as he composed himself in a manner befitting only a Lord. “I know everyone one of them by name, and can pick them out in a crowd. These are not nearly my soldiers, these are my friends. For that, you won’t kill a single one of them. I will be the only one to fight. They are only here to ensure that none of you runaway.”

No one, not even Alex’s own troops could contain their shock at what he just said. Through everyone’s mind raced the same thought. He’s strong, but is even he powerful enough to take on the might of the realm’s armies?

“Only a fool cares about those who serve beneath him.” Baou spat. “Do you think I care about any of my men? They know I don’t, that is why they fight to survive. Because they know that I won’t save them.”

“A Lord, or a general, should fight not for himself, but for his men. If you can’t do that, then your defeat has been assured this day.” Alex said calmly. “If you want to serve a Lord that would kill you just the same as look at you, then that is your choice. However, if you want to serve a Lord who actually care’s about those he is governed to protect, then you have that choice as well.”

This is bad, but I think if I play my card’s right maybe I can make them see. They have been hidden in the darkness for so long, I’m not sure if they’ll even know what the light is anymore. I can only hope that maybe my words are making them remember what a Lord is supposed to be. Maybe they will see that Zanatos is no Lord, he is a monster.

“You’ve got to be fucking crazy!” Baou mocked. Even though he could sense the murmurs in the crowd. “Do you honestly think we’d serve under someone as pathetic as you?”

“I did not say that you would. I was just giving you and ultimatum. If you don’t want to die this day, it would be wise to think about your future. The future that Zanatos will bring you, is nothing short of the one you all fought to stop. Zanatos’s ideals are the very same as those of Scion. So why will you stand against one and not another?”

“These are the last words of a man who knows his time has come.” Baou declared, but his voice wasn’t as confident as before. “Pay no attention to him. He’s trying to spare himself so that we will not kill him.”

Alex could sense the uprising in the crowd’s as he challenged them. “I may not defeat you all, but I will assure you.” Alex said pointing at each one of the generals. “If you fight me, none of you will escape with your lives.”

Baou smirked as he regained his composure and faced Alex defiantly. “I am sorry to inform you, that you won’t live long enough to have the pleasure of fighting us. Our Lord thought you might try something like this and so he gave us some reinforcements.”

Alex’s throat felt tight and his heart turned to ice as ten wraiths emerged from the woods and made their way through the ranks towards Alex. Alex could see the terror and confusion in everyone’s eyes as they came to realize that their Lord was the master of these creatures. Baou’s intimidating look fell upon Alex as his mind raced with questions.

Shit, there may only be ten of them, but that’s all it will take to finish us off given time. If I use the barrier to get rid of them, that will only bring our downfall quicker. Last time I used that I was badly injured, using it now would ensure our defeat because I would be unable to fight. Zanatos has thought of everything this time, he’s not leaving anything to chance. If only I could remember that damn spell!

“Holly, fall the troops back. This is my fight and no one else’s. Is that clear?” Alex commanded as he titled his head to look at her. Alex buttoned up the outer layer of his coat to stop it from flying in the wind, even so his eyes remained fixed on the wraiths who were standing beside Baou.

“My Lord, you cannot defeat them by yourself. Please, allow us to help you.” Holly pleaded. “If you fight them you will lose. I do not want to be the one to tell Brittany that the only person she ever loved fought to protect her and we did nothing but watch as he was slain.”

“You have a problem with telling her things, but evidently she has no problem with telling you things.” Alex said coldly. Holly froze at these word’s as her eyes hit the ground. She moved the troops back as Alex requested, but knew that if anything should happen she would die before she let him.

“Please, be safe my Lord. For everyone’s sake, but especially for Brittany’s.” Holly silently prayed as her eyes fixed on Alex staring down the wraiths.



Author's Note: There seems to be some confusion, have no fear I am here to stay for a while longer. I didn't mean that I was ending my story there, even I'm not that evil. Trust me you will know when the stories over because hopefully you'll both hate and love me for it. I don't promise happy endings, but I do promise to tell you the entire story of Alex's past. It's one you definetely want to hear. I'm not making any promises, but I should have well over 20 more chapters before this story is told, so like I said I'll be here a while longer. Also on a side note, I guess I won't be revealing who the traitor is after all in this chapter : (. Things came up and I'll have to leave early so I won't be able to finish as much as I'd like to. But I promise you should find out within the next two or three chapters. Take care, and I hope everyone enjoys this chapter cause I'm running late by writing it, but hey writing's my life. Especially when you know you have reader's who actually enjoy what you write...a.k.a. greengal48. I'm really glad you're enjoying it!