The Last Sarakus

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

This story takes place in 1994, Moghes. It follows Vitraz Alkyuzi; an unassuming son of a minor clan outside Res'karum, and Raza Izweski, an opportunist thrust into a deadly game of chase with his very life on the line. Whether through destiny or the randomness of chance these two Unathi have found their fates entwined. They are now thrust to the forefront of the defining period of modern Unathi history, and their decisions will shape the fate of two ancient, noble dynasties.

 

I'm going to follow on Mofo's example and post each new section in the OP in a spoiler tag, with a posted bump for each new addition.

I thrive on feedback, especially critical. I haven't written a proper stand-alone story in about 2 years, so this is as good of a writing prompt as any to start practicing again.

Prologue: The Seer

 

The fire roared, and Raza Izweski feared that it would leap from the fireplace and consume him! But the flames remained contained, slowly embracing the firewood. He nervously fiddled with the blue gem on his bracelet as he watched the old woman move from the fireplace back to the table.

"The nights are getting colder," the old woman said; her wheezing, dusty voice sounding as if every word was about to be her last, "and I feel such chills in my bones these days."

"I am not here to talk about your failing health." Raza snapped, "I was sent here for a reason. I gave you your payment, now I want what I came for."

The old woman chuckled; her faded yellow eyes staring at Raza sent a chill down the nobleman's spine. Raza had several armed guards outside the hut, but something about this old woman...

"Very well." She responded quietly, taking a seat at the other end of the wooden table. She lowered the hood of her brown robe, revealing her azure-colored head. Strange markings covered her face in a language Raza could not understand. She reached inside her robes and pulled out several dried herbs. She dropped them into a mortar and pestle, grinding them in front of an increasingly agitated Raza.

"You will get your prophecy..." She whispered, bringing up the mushed herbs. In her cupped hands she emptied the bowl, leaving Raza staring at her expectantly.

"Will we succeed? Will the Izweski defeat the Sarakus?" He asked eagerly.

She set the bowl down and kept her eyes closed. She sat unmoving... Unmoving.... Raza continued to stare at her, leaning forward at the edge of his seat. He didn't know how to take it when the woman's somber face contorted into an expression of pain and horror. Her eyes shot open and she leapt up from the chair with such energy and force that Raza threw himself back into his seat, nearly falling out of his chair.

"Ashes!" She shrieked, "It's all ashes!"

She slammed her hands into the wooden table and glared at Raza as the fire behind her burst outward with intense flames.

"The beast is crowned

Your jealous, greedy house will prevail

And the whole land will mourn the Sarakus

As you sweep across Moghes like a mighty storm."

Raza quickly collected himself; dusting off his regal red suit with its many yellow trimmings.

"Sounds clear-cut to me..." Raza muttered, thumping his tail against the floor before he quickly turned and started to leave. But he felt a thin, boney hand grasp his forearm. He halted and froze as the old woman appeared behind him, her talons sinking into his arm as she spoke quietly into his ear.

"But hear my warning, oh Lord Raza of Clan Izweski,

If the sapling slips through your talons,

He will grow knowing his true name

And upon his rise all your lands will become ash

Scattered to the many winds

And you will be forgotten."

He wrenched his arm away, not even looking back as he burst out of the hut! He could hear her cackling from inside as he escaped into the bright midmorning day. Some of his guards looked at him with worry, gripping their spears or rifles.

"My Lord, are you okay?" One asked, but Raza waved them away. He clutched at his chest as he started to head for his car.

"I have what I need from that mystic. Now, we need to make it to the feast - but leave a car behind and kill that witch if she tries to leave here before nightfall."

 

Part One: The Promise

The great city of Skalamar dominated the skyline. The mountains themselves were said to envy the heights of the spires and skyscrapers that straddled the fertile coast of the Moghresian Sea, with even the great concrete pillars holding up the highways bringing in an endless stream of vehicles and people that filled the streets. Its majesty had made it many enemies, with the mightiest armies from across the world having besieged this city. The mighty concrete and steel walls had buckled only once, and even then the mighty Skalamar Citadel that sat in the center of the city had proven impossible to breach. It was the home of the Sarakus dynasty, and the beating heart of the Hegemony.

Vitraz Alkyuzi gazed up at the citadel from the street of a market. He saw it was burning. Vitraz clenched the sealed letter in his hand, crumpling the paper.

He'd been too late.

Others around Vitraz stopped to gape at the sickly black smoke bellowing up into the sky.

"I can't believe it!" A man next to Vitraz told another passerby, "Who's fault is that?"

As if on cue, a handful of armed soldiers turned a corner and started rushing towards the citadel. They had their spears and swords drawn and wore the blue and white zatimonos of the Sarakus' clan strapped to their back on their armor; Bannermen of the Sarakus. Vitrazi snapped out of his trance, breaking into a jog towards the soldiers.

"Hey - wait!" He called, "I need to see -"

He stopped suddenly as he spotted more soldiers clad in different colors suddenly turn the corner in front of the Sarakus' group. These new soldiers were clad in the red and yellow zatimonos of the Izweski! The Sarakus' soldiers looked suspicious and came to a stop, one of them shouting out towards the Izweski. But the Izweski bannermen raised their rifles, and started shooting. Vitraz threw himself behind a large car as gunfire chewed up the asphalt and the rest of the panicked crowd dispersed. He kept his head down and his back pressed against the steel exterior as he looked around desperately for an escape. He was surrounded by shouting and gunfire - and the unmistakable sound of steel striking steel.

Just in front of him was an alleyway, but as he inched forwards a bullet ricocheted off the hood of the car and struck the pavement in front of him, breaking off a chunk of the concrete. So Vitraz swore and pressed back, trying to meld into the door of the car.

There was a pause in the gunfire, and after waiting a beat Vitraz peered around the front of the car into the street. The Izweski bannermen stood victorious in the deserted street; some of them tending to their wounds. An icey chill gripped Vitraz's heart - the army of the Izweski would control this city within hours, or even minutes - and he had with him a letter revealing the Izweski conspiracy that had just unfolded.

He shoved himself forward, shoulders hunched as he sprinted into the alley, feet barely touching the cement of the sidewalk as he moved.

"HALT!" Someone shouted behind him, "YOU THERE, STOP!"

Vitraz entered the alley at full sprint. He could hear footsteps behind him, and knew that he was being pursued - why?! Why were they following him of all people?!

He jolted left around a corner, getting deeper into the maze of alleys that divided the many buildings. Oil slicks, trash strewn across the ground between the stained walls threatened to trip him or send him skidding into a wall. But he kept running. Even as his lungs began to burn, he kept running. Even as his legs felt as if they were being held over an open flame, he kept running. A left, right, left, left, right again -

He finally came to a stop outside the back of an electronics store. He collapsed against the brick wall, gasping and choking. He sat there for several minutes, collecting himself. As his breathing returned to normal he strained his ears - there was the faint sound of distant gunfire and violence that echoed through the buildings but he could hear nothing of his pursuers. He stood up and began walking through the alley, lost and disoriented.

In the silence, he pulled his legs up and rested his head on his palm as he tried to collect his thoughts. He had failed his mission...

Vitraz groaned in frustration, crumpling up the letter. It was worthless now - the dead couldn't plan against conspiracy. He stood up and slowly wandered through the alley, feeling lost. There was nothing for him here, and he thought only of returning home and accepting his fate. As he wandered the alley, he heard - a hatchling's cry? He moved down the alley, stepping over a discarded box. Sitting up against a chain-link fence was - a woman? She was wearing a white chenogasm with a blossom of deep red on the side. Her head was covered by a white veil, and in her arms she held a bundle of blankets wrapped around a fussing, upset hatchling.

Vitraz approached curiously, and when he got closer he realized the blossom of red was actually a massive blood stain. The blood was seeping out of a nasty stab wound, draining her life from her. Vitraz expressed alarm and vaulted forward, crouching next to her.

"Are you okay?! What happened?! Who did this to you?!"

He reached into his satchel as he sat on his knees next to the dying woman, desperately digging into his satchel for something - anything!

"Please..." She said weakly, turning her head towards him, "Please..."

"It is okay. I will call for a doctor -"

"No!" She said, her voice raised. She coughed weakly from the effort, "they'll kill - my baby."

She tried to lift the baby up, but Vitraz could see the strength had left her body.

"Who wants to kill your baby?" He asked. He examined her more closely. Something about her grey color... The blue eyes... Her extravagant clothes...

He gingerly reached out and took the hatchling, cradling it in his arms. He pulled up the blanket covering the fussing hatchling's face. He was seized with a sudden moment of realization. The hatchling had a brown face with bright blue eyes, and a splotch of grey around his right eye. This description matched perfectly the appearance of Prince Kuizi Sarakus - this woman was Princess Keiza, the daughter of the Hegemon.

"By Sk'akh - how did you escape??" He asked breathlessly.

"Keep him safe... Please..." She responded with her simple plea once more, "they'll kill my baby. Take him away... Take him somewhere safe... Don't let them kill my Kuizi."

Vitraz hesitated. He looked down at the hatchling in his arms. This... If it was as bad as Vitraz feared, then he held in his arms the last male heir of the Sarakus; the rightful Hegemon of Moghes. Every Lord in the realm would come gunning for him if they knew he survived - this baby was the one thing that could foil the Izweski's plans.

"I'll... Do my best." Vitraz said solemnly. Keiza nodded, closing her eyes. Her tense and fearful expression slowly changed to a relaxed peace... It was only after a moment that Vitraz realized that she had passed on.

He fell back onto the ground, holding the fussing Kuizi in his arms. He looked between her and the infant again, the gears in his mind turning. This wasn't a coincidence. It couldn't be. He felt deep in his heart that he had been guided by the ancestors into this specific place at this exact time - all for this infant.

"I'll bring you back to my father..." He told Kuizi as he stood back up. He warily stepped away from the body of the princess, eyes cast down. He had thrown the letter into the gutter and could have left the city without being accosted, but now...

"Oh ancestors, please guide my steps." He begged, before breaking into a jog down the alley.

 

Part Two: The Second Chance

 

Raza Izweski nervously fiddled with his blue gem as he waited outside the grand entrance to the Citadel's royal chamber. The door was twice his size and was meant to command respect. He reached out and ran a finger across the door, feeling the smoothness achieved by obsessive polish. His finger ran over a chunk of the door that had been broken off by a battering ram. He traced over the broken chunk with his talon, sighing quietly. He felt something deeply unsettling in his gut as he held his hand over the splintered wood.

The door suddenly jostled, both sides starting to swing inwards. Raza stepped back and dropped his hands to his side. Inside a courtier revealed himself, bowing deeply at Raza.

"He will see you now." The courtier said, holding his bow.

Raza nodded and walked past him, adjusting his red poncho. He was now entering the grand room and briefly felt vertigo from how the ceiling suddenly seemed to give away; rising at least a hundred feet towards the domed ceiling. Tall stained glass windows played with the light, sending hues of blue and red cascading over the bare stone walls. Raza's eyes were drawn by the architecture to the roaring fire pit in the center of the throne room. The flames bellowed with a fierce energy, the hot coals glowing red beneath the steel bars and sending the room into a cascade of dancing colors.

In front of the fire stood Raza's brother, Oevei Izweski. Oevei was still wearing the armor he had worn when he lead the army that marched into the city under the false flag of peace. The armor was the color of their Clan; orange and red. His wife Amussa was standing next to him, dressed in a flowing dress of rich mix of orange and white. Jewels hung from her horns and she held a silken white sash over her arms that flowed and fluttered from the slightest draft or movement. The fire blazing behind them made their silhouettes stand out even further, and the light made it so that Raza would literally walk in their shadow as he approached them. The former cool tones of the Sarakus' banners that had hung from the rafters had been torn down and in their place hung the bright, proud Izweski banners, only adding to the bold tapestry.

Raza bowed deeply as he came before them, waiting for Oevei to speak first.

Oevei sized him up and finally chuffed, raising his hand.

"Rise, Raza." He spoke with a deep, quiet voice.

Raza rose but kept his eyes cast down out of respect.

"Tell me," Oevei continued, "why were you not here during my coronation? I'm a little insulted you missed out on the moment I became the official Hegemon of every land and every sea of this world."

Raza kept his eyes cast down and opened his mouth... But he hesitated.

"I was ensuring that your reign would begin with as few problems as possible," Raza responded after a long pause, "you were crowned very quickly. There were still fires in the lower floors and the city is still not fully pacified -"

"Do not lie to me!!" Oevei shouted, making his wife flinch. He stepped forward with his fists clenched, staring at Raza with his yellow eyes, "You insulted me deeply by skipping my coronation and you have continued to ignore me despite my repeated messages. You will tell me the true reason of your disrespect, and you will speak it plain."

Raza bowed deeply again, fighting the urge to sway his body from the anxiety gripping him. His chest felt as if it was being tightened by a screw press, and his heart as if it were trying to use a battering ram against his ribs.

"I was... Unable... To verify...." He spoke slowly, hesitating again, "The location... Of two members of.... The royal family."

Oevei stared at Raza in complete silence, and it felt as if time were slowing to a crawl. There was only the sound of the fireplace snapping and popping.

"Who." Oevei asked flatly.

"Princess Keiza and Prince Kuizi. Keiza managed to escape the feast, though a soldier present -"

"I gave you the easiest task." Oevei interrupted again, "Their whole family and half their commanders were all in the dining room, and all you had to do was lock the doors and let the fire take care of it. I even gave you a dozen soldiers to take care of anyone that slipped past or skipped the feast. And you're telling me that all this planning, all this preperation, a massive fire, and a dozen of our best soldiers were outsmarted by a princess and a hatchling?"

Raza nodded after a pause, his eyes remaining locked on the floor.

Oevei's own eyes remain locked on Raza, and he gave a short chuff.

"If you were not my blood I would have you fed to my hegeranzi. Instead I am going to offer you redemption from this abhorrent dishonor. You are going to find the Princess and her bastard son and help them join their relatives with the ancestors."

"I serve at the pleasure of the Hegemon." Raza responded, arching his back to deepen his bow.

"Yes, you do." Oevei responded, "I doubt that they would have been able to leave the city. You will take the liberated Behemoth we seized from the Sarakus and direct your efforts from there."

"O-Okay," Raza said, his head swirling. The Behemoth...? He had never flown in such a beast... He had only seen the Behemoth during its maiden voyage, and the image of the mighty dragon of the sky was burnt vividly into his memories...

"I will have the Behemoth's crew called about your new command of it, and put the word out to all our men and loyal allies to hunt for the princess and the prince. Now you will get out of my sight and won't come to me with news of failure again."

Raza deepened his bow further in acknowledgement, almost falling forwards. He finally straightened up, wincing as his back creaked in protest. He walked backwards towards the door, keeping his head down. As he reached the front door he finally turned around and stepped out of the throne room into the hall. The large doors slowly swung shut behind him, ending with a loud boom that echoed through the halls.

Raza took a deep breath and reached into his pocket, bringing out his blue gem again. He rubbed it obsessively as he hurried down the hall, his heart still pounding against his chest. His mind kept going back to the words of the witch he had met in the meadow...

"It's all ashes..." He muttered to himself quietly as he passed the many carved statues and eloquent paintings. The portraits of the Sarakus' royal family had yet to be taken down, and Raza could feel, but not meet, the eyes of the dead Sarakus staring at him.

 

Part Three: The Guwan

 

The sun was beginning its final descent behind the distant horizon, and still Vitraz wandered the streets. The young male, dressed in modest regalia that marked him as someone of importance, was clutching the bundled up hatchling against his chest. Its fussy cries and noises got him glances from passer-bys as he moved through the crowds.

He moved through the streets of an open-air market as the baby fussed against his arms. The city had eight major gates that lead out of the city and he had managed to reach three of them throughout the day without being stopped by the many patrols swarming through the streets. All of them were barred and shut, and he had seen the Izweski soldiers holding vigilant watch on the walls. Vitraz was trying to remain hidden, and shied away from these areas. The marketplace he was in was the only place where Izweski patrols seemed to be less frequent. It was peculiar, but it was a blessing that Vitraz took advantage of.

So he wandered through the fluttering fabrics of the market stalls, and ignored the guilds-men hawking their many wares at him. Their stalls had all sorts of trinkets and marvels like gems, pottery, glassware, furniture, fabrics. Even if Vitraz was interested in these things, he only had so many steel coins in his pocket...

So he continued to wander, lost, as the light began to fade and the crowds began to dwindle. Slowly the merchants began closing up their shops, and Vitraz was left standing in the middle of a deserted street clutching a baby. He looked around warily, unsure of where to go. The buildings around him seemed like they were closing in around him. His eyes fruitlessly darted from door to door - all of them were shut and locked tight. Once the light disappeared, he knew the streets would be filled with the underbelly of society...

A street light flickered on next to him, bathing Vitraz in a spotlight as the faint electric hum buzzed in his ears. He suddenly felt incredibly exposed and he moved quickly, walking down the street towards what looked like a small inn... Or was that a bakery?

He suddenly halted as Izweski soldiers turned the corner! They were at the end of the street, rifles slung over their shoulders. They looked agitated, and Vitraz quickly sidestepped into an alley. He pressed his back against the wall and remained dead silent. Kuizi continued to make noises, and Vitraz deftly cupped his hand against the hatchling's mouth as the soldiers drew closer! Kuizi was upset by this, and he unceremoniously sunk his teeth into Vitraz' finger!

"Ow!" Vitraz swore. The soldiers in the street suddenly halted and looked alert.

"Who's there?" One of them called, unslinging his rifle and holding it in his hands. They cautiously moved down the street, spreading out to cover more ground as they advanced.

"Show yourself!"

Vitraz began to panic; his heart was pounding in his chest as he started to slowly slip deeper into the alley - but he came before a chainlink fence! His heart almost leapt out of his body as he realized his escape was blocked off. His eyes darted through the alley - there was a locked door on the eastern building next to him, and a cardboard box flattened in front of the fence. Otherwise he was completely exposed...

"Ancestors save me..." Vitraz said, turning around. He held the hatchling prince in his arms protectively as he stared at the light of the street. A shadow of an approaching Izweski could be seen, slowly getting closer...

Then Vitraz heard a soft click in the door next to him, and it swung open.

"Psst." Someone whispered, and a sandstone-colored hand appeared in the light beckoning Vitraz. He quickly seized the moment, hurling himself through the door which shut behind them with a click just as the Izweski turned the corner, seeing nothing but the empty alley and moving on.

The darkness in the room Vitraz found himself in was suddenly illuminated by a naked bulb hanging from the ceiling. He blinked against the light and looked around. His savior turned out to be a young Unathi with sandstone hide wearing some ragged looking commoners' clothes. The room itself was rather bare, with nothing but a wooden table, some chairs, and a door leading further into the building.

"Thank you." Vitraz said, collecting his breath and bowing slightly, "I owe you more than you can kn-"

"So that's the prince is it?" The stranger asked, gesturing at the infant Vitraz cradled. The question made Vitraz clutch Kuizi tighter and look fearful, making the stranger chortle.

"The whole city is looking for him, and you just waltz around with him in broad daylight."

"It's not my wish to wander the streets!" Vitraz protested, "all the gates are barred and escape is impossible!"

The stranger snorted, looking highly amused.

"I've left the city twice today; the barred gates haven't done anything more than add a few minutes to my commute."

Vitraz' eyes widened again, and he stepped forward eagerly!

"You must help me! My mission is vital! I have to leave this city - tonight! I'll give you anything - gold, land, titles - my father can -"

The stranger held up his hand, shaking his head.

"Talk to the Master."

The stranger s tarted to leave the room through the inner door, beckoning Vitraz. Vitraz followed close after and the two walked through the halls of what looked like an apartment complex. The wallpaper on the hallway was faded, and every so often the bulbs that illuminated the halls were burnt out. As they started walking up the set of stairs to the upper floors, Vitraz spoke up to break the silence.

"I am Vitraz of Clan Alkyuzi, second son of Clan-Leader Zivai Alkyuzi."

"That's nice." The stranger responded, prompting an awkward silence that hung in the air until they reached the third floor. The stranger brought him to Room 405 and rasped his knuckles against the wooden door. A lock clicked and the door opened, and the stranger beckoned Vitraz to enter. He did, and the stranger shut the door behind him, leaving Vitraz with yet another stranger that was standing before him in the dreary living-room of an apartment. This one looked like an older man with a forest green hide, and though his clothes were plain and unassuming he carried himself with an aura of dignity and pride that Vitraz tended to only see in people who were aware of their own importance.

This new stranger bowed in greeting, and Vitraz did in turn.

"Hello, I am Vitraz of Clan Alkyuzi, second son of Clan-Leader Zivai Alkyuzi."

The older man smiled faintly and nodded, speaking up with a weary sounding voice.

"I am Travei Guwan, and I have no father I know of. Not sure about any siblings, either."

Vitraz would almost recoil - a Guwan? He lost his thoughts and spent a moment recovering. Travei took the silence in stride, his faint smile just widening slightly in amusement.

"I - you know my mission - I ask you to please help me find passage from the city."

Travei nodded quietly, and turned to walk towards a dinner table. He took a seat in a dining chair, letting the silence after the question hang in the air as he did. He rested his hands on his lap, folding them together as he sized up Vitraz.

"And what do I get in exchange?" He asked.

Vitraz paused again, looking down at the hatchling in his arms. The little thing seemed to be getting tired, and yawned incredulously.

"This is your crown prince - the rightful Hegemon! It is our duty to ensure he is safe from the Izweski."

"Why?" Travei asked, his brow moving upwards, "I don't know if you noticed, but Guwan like me do not participate in the courtly affairs of the nobility. Sarakus, Izweski; whoever's in the palace, the markets still function, the fishermen fish, life goes on for us common people."

Vitraz was floored. For all his life he'd been drilled in the obligations that all Unathi had to their Lords and their duties to their vassals. And now this Guwan was throwing it all away!

"I-If you want land, wealth, power - I can promise you that!" Vitraz said, "I have many sisters and you can marry into our Clan! You will be lauded as a hero and given lands and tenants and your name will be remembered forever!"

Travei snorted, shaking his head and keeping his smile on his face.

"Nothing you could give me matches the wealth of the Izweski. If you want to appeal to my greed, you should know that I'd be infinitely better off delivering that baby to the doorstep of the Hegemon. The whole Empire'd run out of steel printing me coins, and run out of paper trying to write down all my titles."

"Then help me out of mercy!" Vitraz begged, falling to his knees in desperation as he grovelled to this Guwan, "They're going to kill this hatchling! They'll throw him from a rooftop, or lock him in a kiln, or hurl him into the ocean! They are savages - please, don't let them kill this baby!"

Travei's expression turned to a scorn, and he shook his head with disgust. He threw out his arms, gesturing around him.

"Are you blind? You're in the middle of a drug den full of addicts and smugglers that I alone keep in line. Do you think I can manage a bunch of thugs and smugglers by being a mushy woman? I don't give charity because it makes my heart warm!"

Vitraz' hopes fell. He slowly stood back up, feeling crestfallen.

"Okay. I'll do this on my own." He said flatly, turning around slowly as he held Kuizi limply in his arms. He started to walk towards the exit...

"Wait." Travei ordered. He slowly stood up, walking towards a set of curtains. He pulled them open and gestured out the window towards the empty street.

"When the Izweski rose up, I watched from this very room as their soldiers ambushed some Sarakus' soldiers here. They were hidden in the buildings and mowed down dozens of soldiers with their fancy new rifles. The men on the street stood no chance, and neither did the innocent people that were caught by these terrible weapons."

Vitraz quietly walked over, looking out the window. The building across the street had many windows shattered, only two now boarded up by planks of wood. The street still had the glittering shards of glass scattered over it, and there were faint blood stains on the cement under the light of the street lamps.

"They're barbarians." Travei continued, "It disgusts me. Everything they are doing is horrific and serves only their naked greed and ambition. They have no honor. They don't care who is in their way or what they have to do. Men, women, children - there is nothing they hold sacred. One of my dearest friends was caught in the crossfire from their cowardly weapons. He was in his own home, just beneath us."

He thumped his tail on the floor, which echoed slightly through the room below them.

"The bullets pierced his wall and gunned him down and he bled out alone. So I'm going to help you. I'm going to get this baby out of the city, and then you're going to use it to give the Izweski the same sense of loss that I will now feel every day."

Vitraz nodded quietly, still quiet.

"There is an old aqueduct that runs under the eastern wall. In old times it carried water into the city, but they sealed it up years ago. We managed to excavate a tunnel just big enough for men to squeeze through."

"Thank you." Vitraz said quietly, bowing deeply. Travei nodded and began walking towards the door to the hallway.

"Viza will take you there and get you through. Once you're out of the city, travel to Imas'hi and find Azazi. Tell them I sent you. She'll help you out. She owes me."

Vitraz followed him to the door, but as it opened and he was about to leave with the waiting Viza, he stopped and turned. He looked up at Travei, and gave one last bow.

"Ancestors bless you." He said quietly.

"Stop that," Travei said, waving his hand dismissively, "Just get outta here."

Vitraz rose and nodded. With Kuizi clutched in his arms, he walked with Viza through the halls. Outside night had fallen over the city. But even as fear and anxiety swirled in Vitraz' chest, he felt a new sense of confidence slowly wash over the insecurities. He could do this. He was destined to do this.

"Are you ready?" Viza asked, pausing near the door leading outside.

Vitraz nodded.

"I'm ready for this."

 

Part Four: The Leviathan

 

Raza ran a hand over the sash on his new Admiral's uniform as he admired himself in the mirror of the room. The sash was pinned to his golden trimmed right shoulder on its one end and to the leather belt around his waist. He fixed the collar of his shirt and patted down his white pants. He continued to quietly preen himself- fixing a crease here, tightening his belt...

He finally turned around, a hand grasping the grip of the sword hanging from his side. In the middle of the room was a steel table where a ragged, bloody Travei was sitting with his hands shackled to it. He looked far worse for wear with his face bruised and battered, and his shirt was torn and covered in dried blood stains.

Raza quietly strolled over to the chair opposite of Travei and pulled the chair back, taking a seat. He folded his hands on the table and quietly stared at Raza for a few more moments, extending the suffocating silence. Travei just sat there, staring at him with a tired defiance.

"I have to say, I am impressed." Raza broke the silence with a friendly tone. He gestured at the armed guard standing by the steel door leading out of the room with a bloody club on his belt.

"They tell me you never said a word. That's quite the bravery for a Guwan. I mean, you screamed, of course."

Travei remained quiet, staring at Raza with quiet rage. Not getting a response, Raza spoke up again.

"I have to say I don't understand. We were completely happy to let your arrangement with the Sarakus continue with ourselves. But then I hear that you take advantage of our trust and betray us. Fortunately, one of your men is far more reasonable and loyal," Raza paused, "Well, not to you."

"You're one to talk about betrayal." Travei responded flatly. It made Raza scoff and look amused.

"Well I guess we've both got something in common." Raza replied, which made Travei look disgusted.

"We're nothing alike." Travei said quickly, an edge to his voice.

Raza sighed and showed his hands helplessly.

"You're right. I'm better than you. I've got land and titles while you have nothing but your worthless, fruitless life. So I'm not going to bother trying to flatter you. I'm just going to ask you. Where are your men taking the prince?"

The question hung in the air, in silence. Raza's expression changed to frustration.

"I was told you wanted to confess to me."

"I do." Travei said. He suddenly stood up, his chair squeaking as he pushed it back. The guard stepped forward once and gripped his club, eyes narrowed, but Raza held up his hand to hold him off. Travei stood slightly hunched forwards from his hands shackled to the table, and his body swayed and shook from exhaustion and pain. But he met Raza's gaze, staring down at him.

"I want something from you. If you give it to me, I will do everything you ask of me. I'll tell you everything. I'll find the prince myself and deliver him on your doorstep singing your praises."

Raza looked exasperated, sitting back in his chair. He gestured at Travei to go on.

"Well, what is it??"

"I want out of these shackles so I can strangle the life out of you." Travei responded, making Raza recoil in surprise!

"My counter-offer is that you confess or we'll kill you!" Raza spluttered his threat.

"I don't care." Travei responded.

"Then we'll torture it out of you!" Raza retorted, a growing frustration in his voice.

"I don't care." Travei responded, firmer.

Raza slammed his hands against the table and shot upright! He clenched his fists and shook with rage - how dare this disgusting filth show such contempt!

"I'll have you held over a bed of burning coals!" Raza shouted, "I'll have your every limb broken and throw you in a pit of broken glass! I'll make them pry off your talons and sever off your horns and lower you into a cauldron of boiling wax!"

Travei just shook his head, a tired smile growing on his face.

"Hot coals and boiling wax pale to the burning hatred I hold in my soul for you. You can send my body through hell, and the agony will be horrible, but it will not break my spirit."

"Then we're done here." Raza said in disgust, angrily storming towards the door. He paused next to the jailer as the steel door swung open.

"Once I'm out of here, just kill him." Raza ordered, stepping out. But as he walked down the halls of the dungeon, he could hear Travei's voice chase him through the halls and echo inside his head.

"You can kill me, but my hated will bound my spirit here and I will haunt you for the rest of your days!"

Raza burst out of the dungeon into the light of early morning, deeply troubled. His scouts still hadn't found heads nor tails of the prince despite his men scouring the market district, and the spy in the smuggler's guild didn't know which the routes out of the city they'd take the prince, and Raza couldn't possibly cover them all with the men the Hegemon gave him... He'd never find them on the ground. So Raza travelled through the castle's courtyard, walking through the gardens and cement paths towards the southern dockyard with its warehouses and huge paved landing strip.

At the Leviathan dockyard, he paused next to a warehouse to gaze on the Behemoth. It was grounded now, with steel cables slung over the whole thing to keep it that way. It was a massive thing - 800 feet long and 200 feet tall. His eyes could roam over the white paint of the steel surface - though they found no decorations or emblems. The Izweski hadn't had time to repaint their own sigils over the Sarakus', so they had settled on hastily slapping white paint over them. There were still hundreds of dockworkers swarming over the Behemoth, finishing up maintenance, loading up cargo, or going about their business. Some men were finishing up the polish on the cannons, and smoothing out chips in the large armored cone at the front of the ship.

Raza approached one of the steel doors leading to the Gondola. The front of it stuck out of the ship to expose the bridge and the many windows, while the rest of the quarters, weapons stations, and hangar bay were tucked inside the ship itself save a few observation ports or windows. By the entrance was standing the ship captain, one of Raza's many cousins, Kizo. The younger male had a sandstone hide and green eyes that quickly caught sight of Raza.

Kizo bowed deeply on his approach, keeping a hand up to prevent his tall yellow captain's helmet from falling off.

"Lord-Admiral!" Kizo exclaimed, but Raza just waltzed past him.

"We're launching early." Raza said as he passed. Kizo paused and glanced up. He noticed no one was there and looked around briefly for Raza before scrambling to catch up with him. A sailor at the entrance quickly opened the door and the two stepped inside. Cool, stale air greeted Raza as he stepped into the gondola. The steel hallway was narrow, and he walked up towards the bridge to another door opened by yet another sailor.

"We still have a few hours of maintenance work scheduled on the engines -" Kizo reported breathlessly, "- and we still need to top off the fire cannons -"

"I said we're launching early. 5 minutes." Raza responded, entering the bridge proper. Inside the bridge there was a captain's chair in the center, the steering wheel, rudder control, and other necessary tools were present as well as the glass windows that gave a view of the outside. There were 8 bridge crew present, who all hastily bowed at Raza's unceremonious entrance.

"Then we'll launch at your command..." Kizo said with resignation. He briefly bowed again and walked over towards a large horn-shaped protrusion hanging from a pipe in the ceiling. He flipped a little lever on it and spoke; his voice echoing throughout the entire ship.

"This is Captain Kizo Izweski - we are launching in 5 minutes! All crew, we are launching in 5 minutes!"

Kizo went through the many orders to the various crew, and Raza listened to the voice of the captain echo through the bridge as he took his seat in the captain' chair. He watched the unseasoned bridge crew rapidly get to work, executing the training they had been given outside of any actual Leviathan... After all, this ship was only one of four in the world, and the Izweski never had one of their own...

Outside, the steel cables holding down the Behemoth snapped off as the dockworkers severed the anchors. After the crew flooded inside it, within minutes it slowly ascended like the rising sun, casting its mighty shadow across the city. Even as it rose beside the mighty skyscrapers, its size was not diminished. It was 800 feet of imperial power, unquestionably dominating the very skies. People stopped in the streets to stare, craning their heads up to witness the voyage of the great vessel. It's metal body was a pure white, and so far above them it looked like a great whale floating through the sky.

As it rose above the tallest building the vessel shuddered, unfolding its sails like the wings of a mighty dragon. The sails extended out far from the vessel, doubling its profile. It caught the wind, pulling the Behemoth forward. Silent and serene it floated with the wind. As it moved over the northern wall of the city, the two large engines on the back spluttered to life. The mighty turbines roared and propelled the beast forward. The belly of the leviathan opened as it soared through its Kingdom in the sky, and several small planes dropped out of it. These fragile propeller planes scattered in all directions. The Behemoth now had a dozen more eyes that buzzed through the sky like hornets seeking their prey.

Edited July 24, 2017 by Marlon Phoenix

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Part Five: The Battle of Toaixi

 

The sun was reaching its zenith in the sky as Vitraz and Vizaz hiked over the grassy fields and through the thin forests east of Skalamar. After reaching what they felt to be a safely sheltered spot, they stopped to look back. Witnessing the slow rise of the leviathan which was now moving through the sky. Even several miles away it was visible; a constant landmark of their Izweski pursuers.

"They woke the Behemoth..." Vizaz had said breathlessly, shrinking back deeper into the woods.

Now the two traveled through the woods alongside the highway at a faster pace. Progress was slow, as they had to repeatedly dart under cover when one of the small scout planes buzzed over them in the sky. To their north Vitraz could see boxy, clunky cards streaming on the elevated highway like water through an aquifer.

During their travel Kuizi had been growing more and more agitated. He'd been bundled up in blankets and jostled around in Vitraz' arms for an entire night, and was now out in the bright daylight, and all without any food. He'd alternate between suddenly falling asleep without warning and then waking up to give angry, hungry squeals.

"It's okay," Vitraz told the upset Kuizi as his own stomach growled, "we'll find somewhere to eat."

"What?" Vizaz asked, stepping over a fallen log.

"What - oh!" Vitraz responded hastily, "I was just - talking to the baby."

"Alright." Vizaz responded, a little weirded out.

Kuizi huffed with indignation at the continued lack of food. Meanwhile, Vitraz continued to struggle over the rugged terrain. After a few more hours of hiking, Vitraz spotted a town in the distance. The two come to a stop, with Vizaz leaning against a thin tree as Vitraz examined the town from a distance. It had low walls and straddled a river. Its connection to the highway was a small off-ramp which currently held no traffic.

"I know this place," Vizaz said, "It's owned by the, uhhh, Azai Clan. Called Toaixi."

"I recognize that name," Vitraz responded, "my father is a friend of their Clan-Lord. I think we can find shelter here."

"Uhhh, I think it's a bad idea to just show up into a town a few miles away from the capital." Vizaz responded warily, stepping back out of the open into the treeline, "we're being hunted and we have no idea who's side they're on."

Vitraz alarmed Vizaz by brazenly stepping out into the open, walking towards the town! Vizaz groaned, hovering near the edge of the treeline as he watched Vitraz.

"I'll wait out here!" Vizaz called out, "meet me at the abandoned mines a mile east of here outside Creizi if you make it out! I'll wait until tomorrow night for you then I’m out!"

Vitraz waved his hand to show he heard and continuing walking towards the town. He came upon the closed iron gate where the green Azai banners were fluttering in the breeze on the gatehouse. He looked up at the low stone walls. 12 feet above him, a spearman of the Azai came to the edge of the gate and stared down at him.

"Who goes there?" The guard shouted down at him.

"I am Vitraz of Clan Alkyuzi, second son of Clan-Leader Zivai Alkyuzi!" He called back up. The guard paused and disappeared, and there was the faint sound of talking. He waited several minutes, and very quickly he felt a jab of fear in his gut... Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after -

The gate suddenly jolted and started rising. Behind the rising gate stood a male unathi with red skin underneath a set of steel chainmail and leather pants. He had a green zatimono and a steel spear strapped to his back with sigils that identified him as the town's Commander-at-arms.

"I'm Commander Ouezi. Lord and Lady Azai are waiting for you in the hall," the older unathi said seriously, "follow me."

Vitraz was lead through the sleepy town. It had many small houses lining the cement road running to the Lord's manor. He passed townsfolk on the way, who were all dressed in simple attire and going about their daily lives. There were shops lining the winding streets as well. He saw a butchery, a fishery, homes, and a small shrine where a shaman was reading to a group of children. All in all, the town seemed bustling.

Vitraz kept quiet as they approached the entrance of the manor. There two guards stood at attention on either end of the wooden door, and they moved to push the doors inwards. Vitraz walked with the commander into the cool air-conditioned, grand hall of the manor. Wooden pillars with arched engravings held up the ceiling. At the end was an elevated platform with two cushioned, wooden chairs where sat a man and a woman dressed in noble regalia. The earth-colored female had a green and yellow throw-over with beads hanging on the front of it over a fitted tunic, while her white pants had green designs dyed on them. The red-colored male had a fur cloak and a bone crown on his head between his horns, and his shirt was a long-sleeved, green tunic with golden buttons.

Approaching the couple Vitraz bowed deeply, the hatchling Kuizi still in his arms.

"Hello; I am -" started Vitraz.

"We know who you are," the female interrupted, "you already introduced yourself at the gate. I am Lady Draka Azai, and this is my husband, Clan-Lord Izua Azai and Lord of this town of Toaixi."

Vitraz rose, eyeing the woman. He turned to address the man of the house, Lord Draka, who just stared at him quietly.

"Apologies. I'm here on urgent business for my clan as well as the Sarakus Hegemony." Vitraz said, "The Izweski have attacked the Sarakus and have committed many crimes. I seek refuge here."

"Yes, we've received some refugees from the capital already," Lady Azai responded, "and we received two messages in quick succession. The first was a call to arms from the Sarakus, demanding we send our levy to the capital to fight the Izweski upstarts for Hegemon Sarakus. The next was a message from the Izweski demanding we send our levy to the capital to fight for the Hegemon Izweski to defend against the upstart Sarakus. We're a little confused at the moment as to who rules the empire. From what I hear, the entire Sarakus clan was made extinct yesterday."

"That is a lie!" Vitraz exclaimed, "the Sarakus yet live!"

"Do they?" A new voice echoed through the room. Stepping out from a corridor was a sandstone skinned Unathi in red and orange regalia, with an elaborate yellow cloak hanging from his shoulders. He had a sword strapped to his belt and on the hilt was a golden insignia - the sigil of the Izweski!

Vitraz stepped back in alarm! He clutched Kuizi tight against his chest protectively, his eyes darting up towards Lady Azai. The Lady just leaned over and whispered quietly into her husband's ear, who leaned over to listen to her and nod seriously. The Izweski walked over to flank the two at the bottom of the platform, watching Vitraz warily with his yellow eyes like a snake poised to strike.

Lady Azai noticed Vitraz' reaction. She didn’t sound very happy at all as she spoke up.

"Chancellor Zizi Izweski traveled here with his escorts. He was the one that brought us the message. He has told us that the Sarakus have been killed to a man. If this is true, then it would make no sense to aid their enemies no matter how the Azai clan feels about it."

Zizi stared at Vitraz with a smug expression, gesturing at him.

"Is this some rebel vagrant coming to your doorstep to plead for you to fight in defense of the dead?"

Vitraz looked up at the two in alarm, stepping back once more. Lord Azai looked distressed, clenching the armrests of his seat. Lazy Azai looked unhappy, and sat in silence as Vitraz started talking again.

"You have been loyal to Clan Sarakus for over a hundred years! My father has told me of the impressive sense of duty, loyalty, and honor that Clan Azai hold! You know the Izweski are honor-less pretenders - the Sarakus live on and you need to help me!"

Lady Azai scoffed, shaking her head.

"It would be hard to wage a war to install a corpse to the title of Hegemon. If you're just here to ask us to commit our Clan to commit suicide with radical claims then I have no choice but to hand you over to the Izweski. Unless you have proof that the Sarakus have a rightful claim to the throne through a legal heir...?"

Vitraz looked down at the bundled up Kuizi in his arms. The hatchling's face was hidden, covered by a sheet of blanket. His chest tightened as he realized the risks... An Izweski was only a few feet in front of him, and revealing Kuizi would give him away immediately...

"So you're just a beggar then?" Lady Azai asked, her eyes narrowing.

"No!" Vitraz shouted, pulling the bundle from around the confused Kuizi. The blankets all fell to the floor in a small pile, and Vitraz thrust his arms up to hold Vitraz before the court.

"This is your Crown Prince Kuizi, second son of Princess Keiza, and rightful heir to the Hegemony!" He declared. Kuizi squirmed in the grip, and gave a hissing squeal as the attention of everyone in the room immediately zoned in on him.

Lady Azai gasped, clutching a hand over her mouth. Lord Azai's eyes widened and he shot up out of his chair, standing and staring at Kuizi in shock!

Zizi took a much different approach. Upon realizing what was before him, he reached down and grabbed his sword. He drew it quickly and rapidly advanced two steps. One of the Azai's personal guard jumped out in front of him, holding out a spear pointed right at the Izweski's chest. Zizi halted immediately, sword still clutched in his hand as his eyes darted from the guard, to Kuizi, and back again. He started to lift his sword intent on cutting the guard down, but the sound of Lady Azai's voice boomed through the hall.

"ENOUGH CHANCELLOR!" She shouted. Two more of the Azai's guards advanced on Zizi, clutching their spears. The noise and excitement had now gotten to Kuizi, who let out a distressed cry. Vitraz quickly brought him down, holding him and scooping up the blanket as the Izweski was surrounded by several armed men.

"You will not spill the blood of MY guest!" Azai shouted at Zizi. The Izweski clenched his jaw tightly, still in a ready stance... But he relaxed, slowly sheathing his sword as he kept his eyes locked on Kuizi.

"You are going to hand over the infant to the Izweski immediately." Zizi said, voice shaking with rage and adrenaline, "and you are going to beg to the Hegemon for mercy and forgiveness for harboring it here."

Lady Azai shook her head, fists clenched.

"You have no right to make demands of me to do anything. Our clan has been sworn to Sarakus for generations. We will not just hand over the infant to you. This changes everything, and I want you out of our home, Izweski!"

Zizi finally broke his stare at Kuizi. He turned in place and looked up at Lady Azai. He stepped forward once, but the spearmen around him deftly blocked his path. He spoke again over the crying of Kuizi, his voice still quivering in rage.

"You have two choices. You can refuse to hand over the child. If you do, then your town will be besieged by the armies of the Izweski. We will make your walls buckle and fall. We will raze every building and kill every man, woman, and child that calls this place home. We will dismantle anything that remains and grind it to dust. Everyone your Clan has been sworn to protect will suffer and die."

Azai paused, and her expression of defiance turned to fear.

"Or," continued Zizi, "you will give me that infant. Then you will travel to Skalamar and hurl yourself at the feet of the Hegemon and with tears in your eyes beg for his mercy and forgiveness."

Azai stumbled back weakly and collapsed into her chair. She put her head in her hand, staring at the floor with an expression of resignation. Lord Azai remained standing, but now turned and hunched forward to speak to Azai in low, hushed tones. Now the attention of everyone in the room was on them, while Vitraz continued to clutch onto the crying Kuizi.

Lady Azai shook her head and gestured weakly at the guards.

"Lower your weapons," she said with despair in her shaking voice, "and give Zizi the child."

"You can't!" Vitraz protested, quickly taking several more steps back. The guards looked at each other and several started advancing on Vitraz, who pinned Kuizi against his chest and reached for his sword with his other hand, "No! Stay back!"

Lord Azai looked on in horror at what was happening. He shook his head and pleaded with his wife, who was staring off at the floor with a thousand-yard stare.

With one hand Vitraz had drawn his sword, and desperately swung it at the advancing spearmen. They jumped back and tried to advance on him warily, as Zizi kept his grip on his own sword.

"You can't! Stop!" Vitraz's pleas made Lord Azai clench his fists, and Kuizi's screaming made him flinch. He turned and stood up, facing the fight going on.

Vitraz put up a brief fight, his sword swinging and knocking a few spears aside, but it was knocked from his hands by a deft swipe of a spear. With a sharp cry he stumbled back as blood poured from his palm. He moved back further towards the exit, but it was blocked by two more of the guards who held their spears at the ready. They had Vitraz surrounded, and began closing in...

"Stop!" Lord Azai shouted. His voice shook, but at the sound of his voice the guards halted. Vitraz looked on in wide-eyed fear, bleeding from his hand, as Lord Azai stood before them.

"Do not harm them. Let them go." Lord Azai commanded. His wife finally snapped out of her stupor and bolted upright as Zizi looked at him in disgust and confusion.

"What are you doing?! Arrest him and give them the baby!" Lady Azai shouted at her husband, who shook his head and looked at her.

"I will not let this happen. You won't make me do this. We're not going to kill a child. " Lord Azai said quietly.

"They'll kill us all!" Lady Azai shouted back, "They'll kill everyone here! Is that what you want to happen?!"

She turned to the guards again, jabbing a finger wildly at Vitraz as she stepped forward.

"Arrest him! Seize the baby! Do not disobey me!"

The guards started hesitating, unsure of what to do. Zizi just snarled and drew his sword, stepping up the elevated platform. Lord Azai turned to watch him take the three steps upwards just in time to see the intent in his eyes. He opened his mouth to speak, but it turned into a surprised, weak exhale as the sword slid into his chest. Lazy Azai heard the noise and turned. Her eyes widened. She released a long, pained scream. Zizi put a hand against Azai's chest and pushed against him, pulling the sword out. Azai wobbled and quickly fell backwards with a crash, sprawled out on the platform. Lady Azai fell to her knees next to him, clutching his chest and screaming her cries of horror and disbelief as the life drained out of Lord Azai before her.

"Your Lord has committed treason against the Hegemony and has been executed!" Zizi shouted to the room, "you will obey your Hegemon! Kill them both!"

The room instantly exploded into violence. Several spearmen charged at Zizi, who snarled and readied himself for combat. Others answered Zizi's call and began fighting the other spearmen, causing the entire hall to descend into anarchy as Lazy Azai wept over her husband's corpse. Vitraz took advantage of the chaos erupting to snatch up his sword with his bleeding hand. He darted his head left and right and quickly bolted towards the main entrance. He sheathed his sword and grabbed the handle of the door - the two guards defending themselves against assailants had no time to stop him. Vitraz swung the door open and hurled himself outside.

He ran down the path as the violence began to spill out of the manor and into the streets. News had spread like wildfire, and the whole town was devolving into a state of chaos and mob violence. Soldiers were fighting each other, and Vitraz only had minutes before he was recognized out here. An Azai spearman jumped in front of Vitraz, making him halt. Vitraz glanced behind him - more soldiers were fighting behind him, but by now Zizi's guards had gotten involved. There was the crack of rifles from inside the manor, and some spearmen running out of the main entrance were cut down. Vitraz faced the spearman before him. Vitraz knew that if he charged he would be skewered, and his hand was still bleeding...

"You don't have to do this." Vitraz said as he spread out his legs in a combat stance.

The soldier just snarled, advancing! Vitraz deftly swung his arm and dodged to the left. Blood from his hand struck the soldier in the face and eyes, blinding him. The soldier stumbled, disoriented and wiping at his face. Vitraz seized the opportunity to quickly run past him and towards the open town gate. The gatehouse was abandoned as the soldiers left to join the fray, and the gate was lowered and shut. Vitraz quickly moved to the guard tower and ran up the stone stairs to the gate's controls. He eyed the set of levers in the room above the gate itself. He paused for only just a moment before he grabbed the middle lever and yanked it back. Under him the gatehouse shuddered as the mechanisms began pulling up the gate.

Vitraz ran down and stood before the gate, taking one last look behind him. The Izweski had broken out of the manor and were opening fire down on the Azai charging from the street, mowing them down with the sharp crack of gunfire. Behind them Vitraz could see Zizi stumble out the front door. He looked bloody and worse for wear, sword clenched in one hand and something else clenched in his other. Vitraz watched Zizi lift up the thing clutched in his hand and suddenly a belch of red fire erupted from him and shot upward into the sky! Vitraz looked up in awe as a bright red comet shot up into the sky. It hung in the air, burning an arc through the sky like a shooting star. It was bright and colorful, but filled him with intense dread. Vitraz quickly ducked under the half-risen gate and broke into a dead sprint towards the woods to the south.

Leaving the town behind him, Vitraz disappeared into the woods, stumbling over the trees and rocks and branches. He kept running and running, going straight on and tearing through the brush and trees, pain running up his legs and his entire body aching... He suddenly tripped and fell forwards! He only had enough time to lurch himself around to land on his back, hard. He grunted as the wind was knocked out of him, and he saw stars exploding in his vision before darkness started swarming the edge of his vision. With the crying Kuizi on his chest, Vitraz could just meekly whisper in his last moments of lucidity.

“It’s alright... It’s alright…”

The darkness closed in on him, and Vitraz fell unconscious.

 

Part Six: It's all Ashes.

Lord-Admiral Raza stared down from the bridge of the Behemoth to the town of Toaixi. He scratched the end of his rounded snout idly, quietly observing the town slowly try to recover from the full day of rioting and upheaval that enveloped it and its inhabitants. He could see a hundred or so people still scurrying through the streets, carrying buckets of water to the still-smoldering fires or carrying bodies covered in sheets to the cemetery near the western wall. Between them Izweski soldiers patrolled the streets, barging into homes and buildings and tearing the shell-shocked town apart in their fruitless manhunt.

"Lord-Admiral?" The voice of Kizo spoke up behind him. Raza turned in place to face his cousin, looking down at the shorter male. With his pointed snout and lankey body he looked almost nothing like the taller, more built males Raza's side of the family tended to generate. Still, he looked dignified enough, though the anxious expression on his face subtracted from his noble demeanor.

"We've still been unable to find the prince," Kizo said apologetically, "but we did find a collaborator for the Sarakus' in the town, and he's being held in our brig. He's the commander of the town's militia, and some of the townsfolk revealed that he was the one that escorted the prince and an unknown male to the Lord and Lady. He's being uncooperative, and just keeps... Shouting about the return of the Sarakus."

Raza nodded, deftly thumping his tail against the steel floor. He stroked the underside of his chin, contemplating for a moment.

"Everyone that meets the little bastard gets inspired and immediately goes up in arms. This is becoming an existential threat to our Hegemony."

Raza gestured behind him out the window to the town below. Kizo peered around him to see what he was gesturing at.

"This is only a small sample of what will happen if we let knowledge of the Princes' survival slip through our talons. Every day they get closer to the mountains where we will have no hope of catching them. And the actions of this town's resistance is going to be seen as heroic once the inhabitants spread news of what transpired. If we don't somehow prevent everyone in those walls from sending word then everything we've worked for is going to go up in -"

Raza suddenly stopped, putting a hand up against his temple and closing his eyes. Kizo waited a few beats, glancing back at Raza expectantly for him to finish his thought.

"... Lord-Admiral?" Kizo spoke up.

Raza opened his eyes, lowering his hand back to his side and looking disoriented for a moment before he collected himself.

"Ah, sorry," Raza said, slightly embarrassed, "just - bring the prisoner here."

"Very well?" Kizo responded with confusion clear on his features. He quickly turned on his heels and approached one of the bridge officers manning their post. Raza turned back to gaze outside as this happened, looking back down at the town. He closed his eyes again, moving his mind to his chest and how it rose and fell with his breathing. Inhale, exhale... He could feel the stress slowly constricting his his chest like an ever-tightening knot. Inhale, exhale...

"Commander Ouezi is here for you, Lord-Admiral."

The voice of Kizo once more broke Raza out of his thoughts. He turned and looked at a handcuffed Ouezi before him, flanked by two soldiers and Kizo off to the right, watching the conversation uneasily. The Commander matched his height, and his red hide was still covered by his uniform, though without his steel armor his body was much less broad. He had a square jaw that was clenched tight with an expression of disgust and anger. Raza looked into Ouezi's eyes and saw a familiar, defiant flame burning behind them...

"I am Lord-A-" Raza began.

"You are Raza Guwan." Ouezi spat out, "you traitor."

Ouezi jerked his head around as he started shouting at the bridge crew, who stopped to stare at him.

"You are all puppets of the traitor lords of the Izweski! You will all face the righteous fury of - ack!"

One of the soldiers rammed the butt of their rifle into Ouezi's back, making him stagger forwards.

"- Well," Raza continued on, "we already know where your loyalties are, thanks. I wanted you to tell me if the prince is still in the town."

The question made Ouezi scoff, rising back up to his full height.

"Maybe he is. You'd never find him, no matter how much you tighten your grip. You may have killed our Lord but our people remain defiant."

"Your rebellion was put down by a diplomat and his handful of bodyguards," Raza retorted, "your men were gunned down in the streets, your manor has fallen, your Lady is locked in her own dungeon, and our soldiers patrol your streets uncontested."

"This is just the beginning." Ouizi said darkly, "you can't keep what happened here a secret forever. Kuizi will escape and the Sarakus' will find its Clan still has many allies that will eagerly abandon you to fight in their name against a weak, cowardly Clan like yours."

Raza chuffed, narrowing his eyes as he stared at Ouizi. He steeled himself and straightened his pose, trying to look intimidating as his expression hardened.

"You can look upon this vessel, and all that it is capable of, and say we are weak?" Raza asked.

"You stole this leviathan." Ouezi shot back, "its majesty is not yours to wield. It belongs to the Sarakus, not pretenders."

"The Sarakus are no more," Raza said with growing contempt, "you are fighting on behalf of a hatchling. If you won in your little attempt and installed the hatchling to the throne, what sort of decrees would you expect from it? Can an infant rule the whole known world?"

"I'd rather serve a hatchling than an Izweski." Ouezi said coldly, spitting on the floor in front of Raza.

Raza sighed quietly, shaking his head. He spoke up again, but this time he spoke slowly, emphasizing each word carefully.

"Then I am going to treat your entire town as a bastion of treason. You are going to watch as I use the weapons of this leviathan to render it to ash."

"You wouldn't." Oueizi responded, his voice catching in his throat. Raza knew that the Behemoth had been unleashed on cities before, and it had left terror in the few that survived to tell the tale.

"If you'd prefer us to turn our efforts elsewhere, then tell us where the prince is."

Ouezi hesitated, his eyes darting over the bridge desperately. Everyone in the bridge had gone quiet and were trying to look busy as they listened intently.

"There are innocent souls in the town," Ouezi said, his voice fluttering with fear, "shamans, women, children. Show them mercy. Please. At least let them all leave -"

"No." Raza responded firmly.

Ouezi fidgeted, the old, seasoned soldier's demeanor shifting radically to one of fear and apprehension.

"They..." His voice cracked, "aren't in the town... they escaped during the fighting... They went east."

"And who is protecting the prince?" Raza asked, making Ouezi flinch.

"His name is... Vitraz of Clan Alkyuzi." Ouezi dropped his gaze to stare at the floor in defeat.

"Thank you." Raza nodded in acknowledgement. He looked over towards Kizo.

"We are going to make this town an example of all who would aid the usurper Kuizi. Captain, fire up the cannons."

Kizo stiffened, not moving for a second. He opened his mouth, then shut it again.

"Yes, Lord-Admiral." Kizo responded after his hesitation, hurrying towards the bridge intercom, beginning to give the orders to crew and broadcasting the orders to retreat to the soldiers in the town.

"No!" Ouezi roared, quickly struggling and fighting against the grip of the two soldiers holding him back. Spittle flew from his mouth as he screamed at Raza with rage and terror.

"Damn you! Damn you all! You monsters! Demons! Usurpers!"

The bridge shuddered slightly, and a low hum began to fill the air. Deep within the bowels of the Behemoth, a vast network of pipes and pumps began feeding liquid fire into the cannons and explosive shells into the broadside artillery. The vessel's engines whirred with power as it brought the Behemoth higher into the air. The setting sun cast the town in the shadow of the Behemoth, and on its sides the large cannons slowly turned in place as they were aligned downwards. Below them, the Izweski bannermen began spreading the word to retreat. They all began quickly pouring out of the gates, leaving behind the confused residents. Raza could still see them from up here. Many of their faces were looking up at him in fear.

"The men are out and the gates are shut behind them, Lord-Admiral. We are ready for your command." Kizo reported. He seemed at edge, his composure flickering with uncertainty.

"Please. Please, Lord Izweski," Ouezi pleaded, tears in his eyes as he hung limply in the arms of his jailers, "please show mercy."

Raza looked once more down at the sight beneath him. At all the faces of the townsfolk. Their fear at what awaited them. He closed his eyes and focused on his breathing. Inhale, exhale... Inhale, exhale... He reminded himself of what would happen if he failed his mission. Inhale, exhale... He thought about facing an executioner's axe. Inhale, exhale... He thought about his daughter and what would become of her... Inhale, exhale...

He opened his eyes and turned around, facing his crew. They were all staring at him, waiting for his word. Ouezi was staring as well, tears streaming down his face as he continued to quietly beg for mercy.

"Burn it to the ground." Raza ordered.

After a pause, Kizo nodded. Within moments, the entire vessel shuddered once again as the cannons belched liquid flame and the artillery hurled death upon the defenseless town. Like the sky itself splitting open, the full fury of the Behemoth was unleashed upon Toaixi. Thunderous booms rocked the Behemoth as it rode the waves of the destruction it was raining down on the town. On his knees before Raza's feet, Ouezi wept.

Within a few hours, Toiaxi and all within its walls would be no more.

Edited July 27, 2017 by Marlon Phoenix

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

I've posted part two, which formally introduces the arc of our stories' main antagonist, Raza Izweski. Originally the story was meant to be shown exclusively through the lens of Vitraz, but I decided to have two PoV characters from either side of the chase.

Edited July 20, 2017 by Marlon Phoenix

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Dibs on the 4th post, just in case I somehow hit the post size limit.

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Part three has been posted. Vitraz has narrowly escaped capture and now meets a stranger who serves as his only hope to escape the city. Unfortunately, this stranger is unswayed by promises of wealth or pleas for mercy, and Vitraz learns that not all Unathi feel the obligation of duty and loyalty to the feudal Lords that he has spent his life dealing with....

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Part four has been posted. The Leviathan has been awoken to hunt down Vitraz and Kuizi. In a world where the Izweski are the only clan to have mastered modern rifling and almost all others continue to use sword, spear, and crossbow, the sight of these nigh-untouchable dreadnaughts can make entire armies rout from the field. But even in command of a floating dreadnaught, can Raza truly feel confident?

Edited July 24, 2017 by Marlon Phoenix

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Part 5 has been posted. I finally hit the text limit, so it's on the second post. This is the first long action sequence I've done in quite some time.

[Guest Marlon Phoenix]

Part six has been posted. Desperate times have called for desperate measures, but can the ends justify the means?