Ravens circled across the dark clouds, making loud cries. Emperor Lysander Voss sat on his majestic horse, his eyes gleaming with determination.
He sniffed his nose as his gaze locked with his nemesis, General Ryker Blackwood, commander of the ironclad Legion.
Ryker smirked lightly as he gestured to the warriors behind him. They immediately covered themselves with their shields, the air heavy with tension.
"Archers! Now!" Ryker commanded loudly. The archers behind mountains behind them drew their arrows against their bows. Their eyes were focused on the emperor's warriors and they shot sharp arrows.
"Take cover!" Lysander said as he raised his heavy shield. His men immediately formed a strategy they had always practiced before the war and the arrows hit their shield instead.
The generals on horses beside Lysander also took cover and none of them got hurt.
Lysander dropped his shield on the sandy floor immediately, his face twisted in anger.
He removed his long sword forged from dragonsteel, from its sheath and pointed it at Ryker. "Tonight will be the last day you will declare a battle against the emperor."
Ryker smiled and hit his hand against his armor, his gaze calculating. "We will see about that."
"Attack!" Lysander yelled angrily and the two armies rushed towards each other. They let out a battle cry and the earth roared with their running legs and horses.
Lysander's cloak beaded the imperial crest, his armor glowed, and was adorned with phoenix emblems. His look was imposing and seemed to burn with inner fire. He turned his head to his four generals beside him.
"Leave Ryker to me and deal with his men." He said, his voice cold with authority and they shook their heads.
"Victory is ours!" They declared in unison and rode behind Lysander's men. The armies clashed, sending the echoes of sharp swords and magic across the earth.
Lysander tapped his horse and rushed towards Ryker who was still on his horse, stabbing Lysander's men with his long spear.
He got off his horse, his legs almost touching the soil of the landscape as his fingertips hummed with magical forces.
He pointed his hand at Ryker and this made him fall from his horse. His men rushed towards Lysander but he closed his eyes and an invisible whip came out of his body and lashed them swiftly.
Time stopped for some seconds as their bodies separated into pieces and fell on the sandy floor. Lysander opened his eyes and stared at the shocked Ryker.
"You should have just stayed at home with your men, how dare you bring weaklings to the battlefield!" He said, his tone harsh.
Ryker looked around immediately and saw that Lysander's men were already gaining on them. He summoned courage and shifted his gaze to Lysander. "Why don't we make this a fair fight? The physical fight is fair, isn't it?"
Lysander was stunned, hesitated for some seconds then grinned wickedly. "You will die anyway." He held his hand into a fist and his footwear immediately touched the sandy ground. His fingertips became normal and he pointed his sword at Ryker.
They got into a physical fight, Lysander hitting all of Ryker's weak spots. Moments later, he fell to the floor, blood dripping from the side of his mouth.
Lysander walked towards him and then bent over him. "I will let your men live but you will die a terrible death."
Ryker laughed loudly and cleaned the blood dripping from his mouth with the back of his hand. "It is so stupid how the emperor Lysander thinks he is capable of defeating death himself."
Lysander looked at him thoughtfully. "And what is that about?"
"In your next life, don't trust anyone." He replied and before Lysander could summon his magic, a dark sword stabbed him from behind, piercing his armor.
He groaned as he stared at his bleeding chest. Ryker rolled to the side and stood up immediately, a smile appeared on the side of his mouth as he looked at Lysander.
"You fell into my trap, emperor. Now let's see who dies a terrible death." He said coldly.
Lysander fell on his knees, the forbidden sword rendered him paralyzed from the neck down to his legs. The warriors stopped fighting and looked at him.
"Look at your emperor! The one you cherish so much, is this the man you loved all this while? A weakling!" Ryker spat, pointing at the weak Lysander.
One of Lysander's generals took a few steps from his back and then stood in his front bravely.
"What… have you done?" Lysander inquired weakly, words failing him.
The general bent before him and placed his hand on Lysnader's chin. "You must not have known but I have nothing but pure hatred towards you. The people love you and praise you every time but what do we get? Nothing! I am sorry Lysander but I had to do it."
Lysander closed his eyes in pain. He could not believe he had been betrayed by his most trusted general, he never trusted anyone apart from him. He took him as his brother and was fond of him.
"I never believe you can do this," Lysander retorted, his voice laced with pain. "I took…you as my own but you betrayed the emperor…
"Oh spare me the justification. You can die in peace now, we will take care of the seven realms for you." He cut in as he placed his hands on Lysander's shoulder and then pushed him to the ground.
He grunted as he fell on the sandy floor backward, the sword thrust his chest deeply, and dark blood flowed from his nose and mouth. His vision blurredly as he looked at the ravens, circling the sky continuously.
"On your knees!" Ryker announced to the Lysander's men.
They hesitated for some seconds and Ryker smiled broadly as he placed his hands on his hips.
"On your knees or get beheaded." He added and they obeyed reluctantly except for a young man.
He had red hair and injuries from the battle on his arms. Ryker walked closer to him and leaned closer to him. "Are you deaf? On your knees!"
"I will never bow to anyone except the Emperor. Behead me if you want." He replied firmly and Ryker laughed hysterically.
"What a brave man," He turned his gaze to Lysander. "How do you manage to lure this man to die for you?"
"We don't have all the time, Ryker. Let's get out of here before the council of elders arranges his burial." The general who stabbed Lysander let out calmly.
Ryker gestured to one of his generals and they brought his sword to him while the young warrior stood tall. "I hope you and the emperor have a good time in the grave."
"And I hope you die in pain…
Ryker struck his neck with the sharp sword and his head fell immediately. His blood splashed on the others kneeling beside him and Ryker's face.
His lifeless body fell while his head rolled on the sandy floor. Ryker licked the blood on his sword and took a deep breath. "What fresh blood, he just wasted his life for nothing."
Lysander could not believe the young man would die for him but after all, it was Ryker.