Introduction
Welcome back to Maledicturs Terra. This is a Chain Story between myself and @lex-zaiya, meaning that we each write the parts alternatively.
If you have not read Maledictus Terra Book 1: Mortis Custos yet, it starts HERE at Part 1 and ends at Part 101 HERE. At the end of the Part 101 post you will find links to all 101 Parts!
The previous part by @lex-zaiya can be found HERE.
Part 71
"I forbid it!"
The massive sword slashed down on to the flagstones between the twins and the Lifedrinker.
The strike had not been intended to strike Lucien and he had perceived the angle of the strike with his unnatural reflexes. What he had not counted on was the force of the blow.
The flagstones that were struck by the strike and quite a few in a line beyond those struck were pulverized, as though the force of the blow had been made with some giant sword and cut the walkway in half.
The debris struck Lucien and he stepped backward fending off the other bits of shrapnel. Everyone except for the person striking was forced to shield themselves from the stones and step backward.
The Dreadknight raised his sword with one hand and pointed it at Lucien. The blade glowed with a silvery sheen as though it were enchanted, but Lucien had not detected any magic being initiated. Unless of course the sword had always been enchanted.
"Easy there! That is my castle that you are destroying!" King Sebastian cried out, for once sounding like a monarch protesting property damage instead of being a half-controlled beast. Yet, this time there was not much anger in the man. He did not seem keen on engaging in a fight with the undead Knight at this moment.
There was nothing to gain from openly fighting this being. Moreover, he had a point. What Lucien had just said would put the twins in danger once more.
Lucien lowered his hands and put his hands in his coat pockets. He sighed. "And just what do you suggest we do instead?"
Mortis stood like a statue for a moment, his sword still pointing at the Lifedrinker's face. "They cannot be placed in danger."
"What is he talking about?" Magna asked Adrian, her hand on the handle of her sword. She felt threatened by the Lifedrinker now. If Mortis was willing to fight Lucien, then so would she. Derrick had shimmered and changed into the form of a massive wolf and stood close to Manga on her left side, defending her off-side.
Adrian closed his eyes, a slight frown on his face. "He's talking about us, obviously. I thought you were following along." He smiled as his sister's face flushed.
"Hey! Don't be like that." She frowned at him, now more annoyed at her brother than worried about the Lifedrinker.
"Well Mortis. I do not see how where they are standing right now they are not in danger." Lucien replied sardonically. "Do you think that being in the centre of a Kingdom that was attacked, cursed and overwhelmed by the Hunger is safe? We are standing in the capitol, on the King's castle of the most densely populated place with creatures that are made from the corrupted denizens that dwell here." Lucien gestured at the treeline. "You understand of course that you are being watched? We have been granted one day. After that, they will come. Worse than before and She will lead and direct them."
"They are something that I can defeat." Mortis replied evenly. "But calling upon... those things... it is to invite them to this place. To this world and this version of it. I would know! I am the one who fought against them before and I would rather combat these creatures and take that corrupted horror down before risking the attention of those foul things!"
Lucien growled, the first time anyone had seen him lose his composure. "If you are not going to help me and stand in my way then I will remove you! It is not just Clarpratia whose fate rests on our success, but all of my Lifedrinker kin! Those armies who fought and died in defense of Dragonshold! The Prince and Princess owes me!"
"As ancient King of Drakenspoort I refute your claim!" Mortis' voice was steady and resolute. He would rather fight than negotiate further.
Tesion is mounting up! What will @lex-zaiya do with the story from here on forwards?
Here is an explanation of Chain Stories and here is the current Chainstory Library
Mortis Custos
Sanguifex
The Reader List
If you would like to be tagged in every episode of Mortis Custos, leave us a comment and get added in, miss nothing!
The Watchlist:
@weone, @merenludick, @clairemobey, @therneau, @blitzzzz, @pravesho, @joetunex, @captainquack22, @irisworld, @braaiboy, @sketchygamerguy, @fuego-oscuro, @felt.buzz, @dibblers.dabs, @beeber, @brittandjosie, @tamacvet, @alonicus, @joetunex, @stdd, @uop, @luizeba, @cryptoniusrex, @agreste, @itzchemaya, @darthsauron, @seki1
If for any reason you do not want to be tagged for a future episode, please let us know and we will remove you from the watchlist.