Another crack splintered in the space in front of him. His view resembled a splintered window that distorted the outside world. Should he feel sorrow or relief that his death was imminent? Should he fear his life's end?
Fate had been cruel to him, so perhaps he should rejoice that his suffering would be completed. The deities have deemed his torment over.
Once again, he will embrace death. Seemingly, this was his only consistent companion in life.
The ancient legends claimed that the Primordials created the worlds. During their pilgrimage through the realms of the universe, they found an empty pocket of space imbued with power.
Deciding it was a place fitting for a new life, they created the known realms with their divine blessings. The land throughout the realms was bountiful, and the magic was rich, becoming the source of light and beauty. Within the Hairland realm, humanity evolved to become powerful beings, emulating the teachings and wisdom of the Primordials. Sects were established to govern their power; thus, the prodigious First Dragon sect rose above the others. They ruled over Halrland and guided their people to salvation.
However, with the light came the shadows, outliers who rejected the teachings of the merciful Primordials and dared to rebel. Thus rose the Shadowbane sect, the ruthless murderers of the devout.
Erebus, Commander of the Fire Dragon sect, had cursed them many times. However, he and his brothers had been shackled behind the Fire Dragon sect walls, restrained by their leader.
How many times did he beg to fight back against the blasphemers? How many times did his forehead press on the ground until it bled?
Let me kill.
His wrath was overwhelming, and he yearned to fight. He had desired nothing more than to present the heads of the Shadowbane sect to the Primordials. He wanted to bless the land with their spilled blood. They were a plague, a blemish upon the earth. Evil. Dark. Demonic. They had no place amongst those who walked in the light. They only deserved to be dragged back to the dark deities and rot in the coldest of the hells.
As of late, the Fire Dragon sect master urged them to wait and be patient. But it was nearly impossible when they lusted for blood.
How many sects had fallen by their treacherous hands? How many brethren did they steal? How many people trembled in fear from their wicked ways? The world was restless like his soul. He could feel their cries in his very bones. He felt every perished life within his heart.
The Shadowbane sect deserved death. They deserved suffering, and Erebus was determined to deliver it. He wanted to be the scythe that sentenced them.
And yet, he had to stand still. He had clenched his hands until his nails pierced his palms. He had cracked his teeth while straining to keep his mouth closed. He had watched the land fall into dark despair as Shadowbane ravaged it.
But finally... he heard the words he needed. Prepare for battle.
Erebus was not the only one who felt profound jubilation from the order. The devout population also celebrated. Every soldier, young and old, joined the procession when the horns blared through the city.
The long march led them to an open field, and now the two armies met-the Fire Dragon's light contrasting against Shadowbane's dark army.
Erebus stood with his brothers, facing the shadow army. His anger was nearly palpable. Too long have they watched the shadow demons, the Shadowbane sect, taint the world.
Like bandits, they seemingly appeared overnight. But unlike the other scum they had put down, this Shadowbane was undeniably strong and formidable. They moved in the shadows more skillfully than any assassin he had ever encountered. Their movements were as mysterious as their origins, and he watched countless people fall under their blades.
His sworn blood brother and oldest friend clasped him on the shoulder. "Eri, this may be the toughest battle yet."
A flurry of emotions raged through him. However, now that he stood in front of them, his anticipation dwarfed his fear, and his blade sang with delight. It was time to be unleashed and unrestrained.
Erebus chuckled. "With you leading us, Jericho, I am not afraid. Our flames will devour their darkness."
"Till death, brother." He said, patting Erebus on the chest with a closed fist.
"Till death."
The two orphan boys found each other many moons ago. They were drawn to each other and survived the streets together. Their childhood forced them to be thieves, facing starvation and life-threatening battles before the age of 10. But they never regretted their lifestyle because they had each other, swearing with their blood that they would fight side by side until they died.
Till death.
When the great Fire Dragon Sect witnessed their talents, they were recruited and underwent rigorous training. They grew and became a dynamic and unbeatable pair, twin blades that would raze the ground they walked on.
They met their other brothers on the battlefield, turning them into a gang of six children whose love for fighting was second only to their brotherhood. They picked up their weapons and threw themselves into sect wars, always fighting on the frontlines and always together. They slowly rose through the ranks, and the six were recognized for their deeds and honor. They became the six Dragon Commanders.
The battles they fought together were now countless, earning a place amongst the era's legends. Their hands were forever baptized in the blood of their enemies. And together again, they found themselves fighting a fierce enemy.
Jericho sneered at the figures in black rushing towards their army. "Curse the demons! Spill their blood! The air can only be cleansed when they breathe no more! Kill!"
The army behind them chanted, "Kill! Kill! Kill!"
Erebus smiled and readied his sword. It almost screamed with anticipation as it was unsheathed. "Kill!" He yelled with them on the last chant. An unusual chill crackled through the air, making the atmosphere somewhat foreboding. Erebus shook off the feeling and focused on the enemies before him.
He and Jericho were the first to step forward and rush into battle. Erebus could feel his heart bursting with anticipation, loving the first clash between armies. The chaos and the blood excited him. His bloodlust was fierce, enough to make the oncoming army shudder.
The ground trembled under his feet, and he faltered, jumping back without a second thought. He watched as the earth cracked and split into a deep chasm. It expanded towards the Shadowbane army within moments and devoured them.
Erebus stood like a statue as the dust settled, revealing the large chasm in the ground. He shouted an angry curse. How dare the land take his prey before he could enjoy his anticipated battle? Shadowbane was lucky that this stood in Erebus' way, and he glared at the retreating enemy.
He turned to complain to his friend, but time stopped for him.
Jericho was gone. Air was caught in his throat, but he could still choke out a yell. "Jericho!"
His eyes tore across the land, and he cried out as he looked into the chasm. Jericho was dozens of meters down, grasping desperately onto a rock.
Erebus could tell immediately that his arms were injured, and holding on was taking all of his effort.
Erebus moved to the edge and started to climb down, stabbing his sword into the stone to stabilize himself.
"Eri, don't. It's unstable." Jericho called out between clenched teeth. The pain erupted the moment he spoke, and he groaned.
Erebus ignored him and continued to climb down. After what seemed like hours, he finally made it next to Jericho and wrapped his arm around his waist. "Brother, hold on to me. I'm going to get us out of here."
"You're a damned fool, Eri," he said with a strained chuckle.
Erebus laughed. "If I am a fool, then I blame you."
He moved carefully, using the sword to help climb back up, but to his horror, the walls started to rumble, Stones became loose and fell from above. Erebus dodged to the side, avoiding being crushed. His arms shook with the strain of carrying his friend and holding on to the sword, but he had no time to worry about his weakening body because the wall around him started to crack a little.
"Damnable rocks." He muttered.
Jericho sighed sadly. "Let me go, Eri. You can't do this with me."
"Curse your words, Jericho. We will make it out of here." Eri said as he leaped to a more solid place.
But his sword didn't land on a stable rock, and the wall crumbled beneath him. He started to fall but twisted a little and plunged his sword in again, slowly stopping their descent. He looked at the distant sky.
Jericho urged him again. "Think of Kore, your wife. You must get back to her.
I... I have no one waiting for me. Please, Eri, leave me."
Eri felt a horrible pain inside of him. Kore, the sect master's daughter, was the love and light of his life. He loved her the moment he laid eyes on her and wondered how he became so lucky to claim her heart. She was a goddess in both body and soul, his other half.
And Jericho was his brother. A man who had lived through the worst with him. A man who fought with him. A man who was leading hundreds of thousands of men. A man slated to be the next sect master. Erebus had Kore waiting for him at home. But Jericho had the realm anticipating his return. Who else was qualified to lead the countless sects against the dark threat?
Should he choose Kore's heart or the countless hearts beating around the world? He let out a resigned breath and prayed for Kore's understanding.
"Jericho, words fail me when I try to explain how much I love Kore. She is my everything, my heart, my breath. And you, my brother, you are the reason why I survived. Because of you, I spent twenty glorious years with her. Take care of her and the sect." He adjusted his grip on Jericho.
Jericho, understanding Erebus' intentions, tried to fight him off, but his injuries were grave, and he could not contend against Erebus. He had tears streaming down his face, trying to refuse Erebus' intentions. "Eri, stop. Don't do this."
"I hope you and Kore forgive me for leaving first. Till death, brother." Erebus felt his tears fall and used all his mana to throw Jericho as high as possible. The momentum made him lose grip of his sword. He felt gravity embrace him, and the sky grew further away.
His sharp eyes watched as one of the commanders grabbed Jericho and brought him to safety. Erebus let out a small laugh.
"Kore, my love, I hope to meet you again in my next life."
His eyes flickered to the walls around him and saw them move to entomb him. The earth desired to swallow him whole, and he would accept it.
At least his brother survived. There was hope for the world.