Retribution of a Fallen God

[SaigoKusunoki]

"Firstly, I bring a message of congratulations from my King. He commends your efforts as Grand Marshal, and says there has been no finer leader here since Geliath Jerramas. That being said, we must focus on the matters at hand."

Maleus found a chair and pulled it close to Abzadrael.

"My men have intercepted one of the approaching forces. We are hard pressed right now simply due to the fact that these are no barbarians or demon rabble...Morian has sent his finest, the Legio Dominatus. It would be wise to not underestimate them...they are fast, strong, and utterly ruthless...as well as some of the finest disciplined soldiers I have ever seen. Then again, they were trained by Chou Raenyc...so they would be." He said that last part with a smirk. The famed general Chou Raenyc of Archanas was one of the only humans Maleus ever got along with, surprisingly enough, despite their personalities being completely opposite of each other.

*****

The sound of footsteps in front of his door awoke Saigo with a start. Silently and quickly, he hopped out of his bed and grabbed his spear, pointing it towards the door. Slowly, it creaked open to reveal the one person he was afraid of seeing. Sunev stood unmoving, scythe slung across her shoulder and perpetually closed eyes fixed on Saigo. He chuckled quietly, and approached her.

"You know, you scared me for a moment. Though Morian had already sent assassins waiting for me." he said with a grin.

"Saigo, you can mask your imprint on the Winds of Magic but you cannot hide your scent. Do not forget what we've shared. I know every bit of you." she said levelly. Saigo could sense a hint of malice in her voice.

"Calm down, love. C'mere...what did you do to those eyes? Those beautiful azure eyes...men could get lost in those, you should draw up a map." He said amusedly as he brought his open palm mere inches from her face. His skin began to glow, then shine, and soon, magical light was pouring from his hand. Slowly, the threads holding Sunev's eyelids shut began to burn and ember away. If she felt pain, she did not show it. When the threads were gone, Saigo took a step back.

Sunev slowly opened her eyes, and he was right; a sea of azure that lesser men would most certainly lose themselves in. The first thing she sees in five hundred years is the face of her Emperor, best friend, and husband. Before he can react, she reaches back and punches him hard across the face.

"You've brought doom and damnation to us all Saigo. If you had not lost your head those five centuries ago, none of this would have happened! I hope to the Gods above you have some sort of plan in that cavern you call a skull!" All of the level-headedness she had displayed previously was gone, replaced with wrath, the anger of a broken lover.

"...I love you too?" was his only response. His answer was sarcastic, but sarcasm was not what Sunev wanted to hear. Without another word, she turned on her heels and left the musky, dusty, abandoned building, tears welled up in her eyes. Saigo closed his door and slumped against it, eyes on the ground.

*****

Morian took a long drink of wine from the skull pan of an executed East elf noble, savoring how the bone adds to the flavor of the red spirit in such a subtle way as only a King could recognize or enjoy. While he sat upon his throne, carelessly enjoying his wine, Gaius stood at his left with a worried look on his face. Morian took notice of this, and motioned for a half naked slave to bring the strategist some wine.

"Gaius, why the long face? Enjoy this time while you can. I predict we'll be at our wit's end in due time. Not that those fools at the Bastion or Bloodthorne worry me at all." he boasted, causing a few attendants and Acolytes to titter respectfully. Gaius shook his head.

"My lord, your army is vast and powerful, nay, innumerable and indestructible...but the forces you sent out will not be enough."

"So, are you doubting the skill of the Legio Dominatus?"

"Not at all Lord. But think of it this way; the Bastion of Dawn's Light is a giant wall set against a mountain. An army of elder dragons could attack it and fail. Also, scouts report that Naorond has engaged one of the Legio divisions. On top of that, they report a man with a gigantic greatsword, meaning that troublesome swine Tanata is back as well. We cannot take these issues lightly."

Morian merely raised an eyebrow and began laughing heartily. He motioned for the slavegirl to refill his skull goblet.

"Do not fret, Gaius. At this very moment, Praxis is rallying the barbarians of the Central Plains, and our demonic emissaries should be back any day now, each with at least one hundred fifty thousand demons! Remember, we sent forty of them into the Nether...no matter how powerful he is, Tanata could not have killed them all alone."

Gaius nodded and bowed.

"Your knowledge is infinite, lord."