Star King Chronicles

On the morning of the seventh day, Nasiah stretched his arms while he overlooked the horizon where the sun rose. 

Today was the day of the final battle.

Forcas was busy acting as a commanding officer of multiple outposts, ensuring that the enemy wouldn't catch them in an ambush.

Musa was busy trying to access any prophetic-like message from meditation under the Sage Tree to find signs of what was to come.

Forenus's scouts pinpointed where they would be headed. That would be within a river pass in between two mountains to the south of the desert.

And Nasiah was going to force them out of the choke point by defeating them all there and then.

He turned to look at his mother, Myrym, who approached him while carrying several ornate armor pieces styled to look like tree roots, as well as a sword with a wooden blade.

"It's been completed. Use it well." She gave her son a nod while she placed the equipment in his hands.

Nasiah's eyes sparkled as he wore the armor over the disguise, now looking more like a king than a dark assassin.

He raised his wooden sword to the sky, using his Magick. He then caused the sword to become more structurally sound, and thanks to its properties of coming from a Sage Tree, this was able to be amplified many times over.

"Thank you for bringing it to me, Mother! I'll make sure to thank those who made this many times over when this is done." He hugged Myrym, giggling with glee.

Myrym hugged back. "You know what to do right?"

Nasiah nodded; he knew he would just spare them, make sure they all lived and had ample time to retreat just like all the other battles.

She smiled back at him before giving him a kiss on the forehead. "Take care, Nasiah. Come back safe and sound."

"Don't worry, Mother! A king will always return home to his queen!" He stood tall, placing his hands on his hips before giving his mother a heartwarming smile.

She returned the smile and the boy ran off into the distance to face his ultimate task yet.

----------

The sun was nearly high in the sky, overseeing the valley where Nasiah waited alone in the center of. He stood perfectly still, much like a statue, waiting for a change.

It was not long until he heard it. The sound of thousands of marching footsteps, of the rumbling of carriages and horses that were coming forth from the distance.

Nasiah focused on the most notable figure amongst them, and it was a tall man wearing the rusted armor of a knight slouched over on a chariot. On his back was a massive cleaver almost as tall as himself. 

It must be their leader, Knight Jossel Argon, the Sky Cleaver.

He led an army of dozens of battalions and regiments, hardened soldiers, every last one of them numbering in the hundreds to thousands. 

However, that was not all he sensed. He looked upwards and found that on the mountain sides by the high ground, several archers and mages appeared.

He smiled, and even waved at them once he noticed their presence before he turned to the army, standing his ground as Jossel lazily lifted up his hand, causing his men to stand still and at the ready.

"Tall, dark armor, masked face… so you must be the Hyena of Nahar. The one who stalked my men and took them out. The one who defeated Jaguar, the Earthshaker, one of my generals. How impressive."

Nasiah grinned under his helmet. "Oh, thank you! Jaguar is safe, too! We're making sure he's well-fed and hydrated!"

Stunned silence spread throughout the army, confused about why the figure was so joyful. Were they mocking them?

"Oh? Is that so? Keeping someone like him prisoner… you are certainly quite interesting."

Jossel knew that this man was dangerous, but to even keep a giant chained in their midsts? He had to approach with great caution.

"I have heard you have shown mercy to those you face. Allow me to extend the same courtesy to you. Surrender now, and we shall show mercy as well."

He raised his hand to Nasiah, narrowing his eyebrows.

The little boy tilted his head. It was a wonderful offer indeed; he would have given it more thought if he did not have a job to do. "Hmmm, oh, that's great! Thank you, but I can't surrender. I have to drive you and your people away from this land. Don't worry, you can turn around now, and we don't have to fight."

The army stood silent for a bit. Did this man really think they could stand to defeat them all at once? They knew his power but it seemed so arrogant, especially with his offer to run away. 

Or was it that he was actually genuine at that moment? It was true that the one they faced, after all ensured that each blow he made was as non-lethal as possible.

Jossel shook his head. "I have a duty to drive you away from this land as well. So it seems we are at an impasse."

The knight raised his giant cleaver into the air before pointing it at Nasiah. "One of us shall rise, and another shall fall. I offer one last chance to realize your folly. I will not surrender until my last breath, as it's my duty as a Knight to House Yuseff."

Nasiah smiled under his helmet and raised his sword at Jossel. "That's okay then. It's wonderful that you have such loyalty; you would make for an excellent knight in my army!"

Jossel was stunned; what did he mean by 'his army'? Was he trying to recruit him right now? Well, that did not matter now; he needed to win this, no matter the cost, for his prince and the glory of his nation.

With no other words left to be spoken. 

The army pounced upon Nasiah.