Fall of Dekkand
Mobius closed His eyes, waiting for the Disciples to be ready.
"Maya, hurry! Laertes is barely upon us, and we must leave now!" Kaicii urged, trying to help Maya onto Mezda, Maya's Dragon.
"But my dear Beyonce!" Maya worried, looking at the messenger on the horse who held her precious cargo. He was the last to leave, for Maya had wanted more time with her fairly young baby.
"Maya, I assure you, the children will be fine. Mobius has assured us of that," Thanos repeated for what seemed the billionth time. "We really must hurry!"
"Really, Maya, get on Mezda and we shall be on our way! Please hurry!" Rhafphayel pleaded.
Suddenly, Mobius opened His eyes and was spreading His great wings. "We must be on our way. He breathed upon Beyonce, blessing her like He did the others, and was soon in the air, flying, with His Disciples following close behind.
From there Thanos saw that Laertes' army had just broken through the walls and were trying to make their way through the clueless maze to the castle. That should take them a while, he told his Dragon, Xaviara.
I hope so. I just wish Mobius would wipe them all out.
As do I, but Mobius must test the people somehow.
Zarek stood at the tower, watching Mobius and His Disciples fly away. "What's their progress?" he asked a nearby servant.
"They just broke through the wall. Shall I send the army?" he asked.
"Send every soldier, child, and woman through the Gate."
"Sir?"
"It's no use letting them die like dogs, when they have almost done nothing to do so. Let every child 17 and younger pass through, along with every woman you can find. Also every soldier that's not at the front lines and not at my throne. Hurry!"
"Yes, my king!" The servant quickly went on his way.
King Zarek looked at Laertes' army, which spread as far as the eye could see in any direction. Tears came to his eyes as he remembered the day the city was built. Laertes had just been defeated, and all were merry.
But Laertes now was back, stronger than ever and seeking revenge, that jealous Black Dragon! He had opposed Mobius so many years ago, and now he was back for revenge.
Now all he had to do was have faith and wait.
As they went farther and farther, they became in more trouble. Catapults launched fire balls at them and even winged creatures attached, but Mobius made a shield around all of them that could not be broken.
Thanos! Xaviara exclaimed. Look! It's the servant that had Korrah!
Korrah was Thanos' baby, of course. Thanos had to use a spell before he could see the servant—indeed it was him—on the ground dead, a bundle in his arms. "Korrah!" They spiraled from the sky as fast as they could, barely landing safely.
Thanos checked the servant who had died next to the large river that made Dekkand's border. The servant had been speared right through. He picked up the bundle—that the heavens Korrah was still alive, tears running down her dirty face. "My sweet Korrah!"
Thanos, hurry! Xaviara urged, looking to see a dark "cloud" coming in fast.
Thanos thought fast, then began a spell that protected Korrah. He took a water-proof basket from his pack and dumped it, then gently placed Korrah inside and set her in the water.
The cloud was almost upon them.
Thanos! She bared her teeth and let her crown expand, as if greeting an enemy. And she was. Garr himself, Laertes' right-hand assassin and advisor had a spell on Thanos immediately before he could react.
Fly, Xaviara!
No!
Go now! Go, hurry! He's getting ready to kill you, I can feel it!
She leapt into the air without a moment's hesitation, for a good Dragon always listens to their master. Mobius bless you. I hope to see you soon.
Fly, Xaviara, fly.
"Ah yes…you save your Dragon, but not yourself. It's a waste," Garr whispered with a low, threatening voice.
"Unless I tell you what you want to hear. I am a Disciple of Mobius, but I am easily persuaded."
"Oh, really? How valuable are you really?"
"I have information about the future and Mobius' plans that no one, not even King Zarek of Dekkand can give you."
"Careful what you say, scum—Zarek is soon to be demoted to prisoner, as are you."
"Zarek still does not have as much information as I do."
"Such as where Mobius is going?"
"Such as where he will soon be. Laertes will have his revenge in time, if you act at the right time…"
"The right time is now, fool!" Garr growled.
"Who is this you have, Garr?" a cold, eerie voice that gave even Garr the chills spoke from under a black hooded cloak. "A noble? Or just another worthless pedestrian?"
"He claims to be the keeper of more information than Zarek, like plans of Mobius'. I don't believe him."
"He might be proven worthy…we shall test him once we have the capitol. Mount your Eegon, and we shall be on our way." In a burst of flames, the man was transformed into a large, Black Dragon, almost as big as Mobius Himself, and flew a way.
Eegons were a mixture between Eels and Dragons. They had the head of an Eel with rows of sharp teeth and the body of a Dragon, and the power of one also.
They were large, but light, not made for heavy combat. Garr's Eegon even had rips and holes in its wings. Garr shoved Thanos onto the Eegon, then climbed up himself, and off they were.
Thanos noted that Eegons and its rider had no special connection what so ever, like Dragons did. Then he realized that made him miss Xaviara, so he tried not to think about it.
He also noted that Eegons weren't as smooth as Dragons, and they often made loud, screeching sounds, probably taunts direct to him. He listened to it:
EEEEEAAAAH!!!! EEEEIIIIIIIIIIAAAAHHH!!!! EEEIIII am hungry! Food! Food! Would these people just get off!? He's hurting me! I'm hungry! No food in days! He's hurting me! Pain! He's hurting meeeEEEEEAAAAHIIIIIYEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
Thanos began to take pity for the poor thing.
Zarek heard them pounding on the door, slamming their fists on it, trying to break through.
"What shall we do, King Zarek?" asked a guard.
"The hidden doors are now impassible, without a trace?" asked King Zarek.
"Yes, my king."
"Good. Man your posts, as if it was a typical day in the throne room. If they wish to take the king, I will be taken as a king."
"Yes, sir."
Suddenly the doors were burst into splinters as a large Black Dragon burst through, followed by an Eegon. King Zarek recognized the Dragon as Laertes. One man on the Eegon was Garr and the other—no! Thanos!? King Zarek showed no emotion as Laertes angrily stomped over to the throne and roared loudly into Zarek's face, showing his "authority" over him.
King Zarek stood and bowed to Laertes as if greeting a friend. "Welcome, Laertes. To what may I have the honor of you being here?"
"Is that sarcasm I hear coming from you, Zarek? You had better shut your mouth before it gets you into a world of pain you can't imagine," Laertes retorted.
"No, Laertes, I am submitting. You have come to take over my thrown, and if I must no longer be king, you might as well take me as a king."
"Stop wasting your breath! You think you're so wise, just because you have been alive for over 1,000 years. I've been alive for way longer than that!"
"Yes, and you've wasted more than half of it going against a Force that will not give way."
"Hold your tongue before I cut it out! You are nothing but a fool following a coward!"
"Mobius is no coward." The guards wondered how Zarek could remain calm and not show fear, anger, or any emotion for that matter.
"Why did he run away then!?"
"Higher the pride, greater the fall."
Laertes growled. "Take this imp and torture him in the worst way possible without killing him! NOW!!!"
Several unpleasant-looking creatures came forward hooting and hollering as they took Zarek.
As Zarek passed by Thanos, their eyes met for the last time. For the first time in their lives, they both failed to hide their emotions: tears streamed down their faces.
Thanos quickly wiped his away, before Garr noticed.
It took a moment before Laertes settled down into a Shade, then he sat in the thrown, trying to cool off.
Garr had by this time dismounted the Eegon and was now by Laertes' side with Thanos standing in-between Laertes and his drooling, disgusting army.
"We still have the issue of that little liar there," Garr gestured towards Thanos who stood boldly.
"Ah, yes…you," Laertes eyed Thanos. "Now, tell me all you know. If you lie about the simplest thing, I will have your head!"
"My lord, he is too valuable to be killed. If he has the information we want, we should present a greater reward," Garr advised. "If he should refuse to give the information, I'm sure I have ways of an unpleasant language."
"If you are wrong, Garr, it will be you that is tortured," Laertes growled. "Now then, what is your name?"
"I am Thanos Ckristoll'Ban, Disciple—"he recovered himself—"former Disciple of Mobius. My Dragon escaped before Garr could capture her."
"What is Mobius planning?"
"In about 17 year's time, He plans to return, but in the form of a man, and create an army that He has preserved and is hidden away, where I do not know, only that it is to the North of here. He plans to die after that."
"He plans to die? Sounds like a fairy tale."
"I am only repeating to you what He told me."
Laertes thought for a moment, then said, "Garr, rack his brain for every memory he has."
Garr smiled cruelly. "Of course." He proceeded towards Thanos.
Thanos quickly erased memories with magic, including the ones of Korrah, and some information he had left out, like the Prophecy and the secret tunnel in the city. He knew he would never remember these again, but it was worth it.
Garr placed his hand on Thanos' head. Thanos felt Garr dig through his head, making Thanos wince and shudder without cease. There was no such thing as mercy in this newly-established kingdom.
Finally, Garr snarled in anger. "My king, I'm afraid he was telling the truth."
Thanos almost collapsed with relief.
"Hmm…Thanos, are you?" asked Laertes
"Yes, sir," Thanos bowed.
"What is your profession?"
"I was a disciple of Mobius."
A smile stretched across Laertes' face. "Well, then that makes you all the more welcome here. Tell me, Thanos Ckristoll'Ban, are you willing to become my right hand man?"
Garr snapped his gaze to Laertes. Horror was painted on his disfigured face.
Thanos cracked a smile at this. "I humbly accept it, my gracious king."
"My lord! What of I?" asked Garr, almost afraid to hear the answer.
"You're just an Orc. Besides, being my personal assassin isn't so bad." Laertes glared mockingly.
"My lord, I was your right hand man. Now you put me as 3rd in command, below this lowly nemesis?" Garr argued.
"Garr, just be lucky you're even here! I could've left you in that molten pit!" Laertes hissed.
Garr lowered his head in defeat. "Yes, my lord."
"You have made a wise choice, Thanos. You are about to see the greatest victory that has ever happened it this world!" Laertes held his fist up in triumph.
Yes, we shall, Thanos thought in the back of his mind.