The Against All Odds

CH 11 - King Sullivan

The shout seemed to be a spark in the middle of the dry straw. Soldiers and people from the Nabis Kingdom were immediately provoked by emotion, and war finally erupted. The sword met the sword, an arrow shot through the air, and the atmosphere that was once full of spirit was now filled with chaos and confusion.

Jurgan Emeric, Queen Thelsysa's husband, has no power to hold back his anger. With eyes full of anger, he slashed his sword towards the Nabis soldier who was near Leo. The presence of Leo, who was still holding the body of the Queen, further triggered boiling emotions in the middle of this battle.

Jurgan Emeric approached Leo with eyes burning with emotion. The steps were heavy, each trace of him echoing amidst the fighting crowd. His face that was originally filled with sadness and loss was now filled with burning anger. He approached Leo with a threatening attitude, as if he saw Sullivan as the cause of the Queen's death.

At the same time, a soldier loyal to King Sullivan attempts to protect him. "King Sullivan!" shouted the black-armored soldier. He prepared to throw his spear at Jurgan. However, before he could throw his spear, an arrow shot out quickly until it stuck right in his chest. His eyes widened, and then his body collapsed lifelessly. His weapon fell to the ground in a terrifying silence. Instantly Leo stood in place, his eyes fixed on the soldier who had just died.

Jurgan, in an angry tone, exclaimed, "That is the result of your actions Sullivan, you traitor!" he walked closer with a burning look.

Leo felt very eager to dodge or fight, but his body was locked, unable to move. Not even a word could be said. Until the jury stood right in front of him, and without further ado he thrust his sword into Sullivan's body.

When the sword pierced through King Sullivan's body, the seconds went in its slowness, as if time had stopped. The sword pierced deeply, but Leo felt no physical pain at all. Leo felt as if his spirit had separated from Sullivan's body.

Now, Leo could see both of them clearly, Jurgan Emeric who was sticking his sword into the body of King Sullivan, if that was what he looked before at the moment.

King Sullivan, with a meaningful gaze, looked at Jurgan Emeric. His smile seemed to imply something deeper, as if he had prepared himself for this moment. Jurgan Emeric looked bewildered by that smile. He felt something unusual. Is King Sullivan so stupid? Her thought.

King Sullivan felt his last breath draw near, and he knew that death had picked him up. He looked into Jurgan's eyes. As if he was sure, Jurgan was behind all this mess. With a breath left, he said in a weak voice. "Why did you do all this Jurgan.why did you kill Queen Thelsya, your own wife."

Jurgan smiled full of satisfaction, feeling the victory over his opponent. He whispered in a sly voice, while continuing to push his sword. "It's not clear, King.. Sullivan's. And now, the Kingdom of Thellidia will be entirely mine. And also don't expect the relationship between our two kingdoms to be okay after all this chaos. The kingdom of Nabis will soon fall into my hands." He pushed his sword deeper, uprooting the life of King Sullivan.

"People like you will never feel enough in this world... Jurgan Emeric."

Sullivan breathed his last, his eyes dimmed, and a faint smile was still engraved on his lips, as a sign that, despite his loss, honor and honesty remained with him.

...-...

"So, that's how my life ended."

Leo was surprised after hearing the voice of the man standing before him suddenly.The man turned out to be King Sullivan. "So there are now two Sullivan Kings here? Who was killed just now?" thought. "How is that possible?" Leo looked at King Sullivan standing next to him with a face full of astonishment.

King Sullivan smiled wisely, "There is nothing to worry about, your real body is not here. This is just a glimpse of the memory of my life as King Nabis as well as the Leader of the Nythorian faction. This isn't real."

Leo was silent, his eyes pondering as if trying to dig up meaning in King Sullivan's words. "I understand." his voice sounded trembling, "I have now understood some things about this world called Erder. But.. I still don't understand, why am I in your memory?"

"You are lucky, having been chosen by the Minister Bastion, a sacred monument that holds the memory and power of all factions. You have tremendous potential, which we believe can help us in maintaining the balance of this world. Especially to quell the darkness that began to eat away at the peace of the world. That's why, you can look into my memories stored within Menhir Bastion."

"So, what happens next if I get elected?"

King Sullivan replied sincerely, "Leo Demhian, you will inherit all the power that has long been suppressed from the Nythorian Faction."

While Leo was digesting the information, King Sullivan continued, "As you just saw, how did I die. Jurgan's crazy sense of power is one example of what I mean by the darkness that gnaws the world."

Leo nodded and felt increasingly confident about his mission in this world. "So shall I succeed you as king?"

"Of course not." King Sullivan said, "You are more than that."

Leo was confused. "Then what do you mean?"

King Sullivan smiled expectantly. "Everything will be explained further, Leo Demhian. The most important thing now is your preparation for the upcoming journey. Your long journey to reach your destination and your own peace."

In the final seconds, Leo wants to know more, wants to understand more about Erder's world and the great task that awaits him. However, the space around him began to fade away, like thin smoke drifting away into grains of sand. King Sullivan standing before him grew increasingly blurred, but his smile remained hopeful. Leo felt like he was immersed in a sea of memories and knowledge he had never found before, then he felt like he had fallen, falling through a strange layer of time and space. Until finally, darkness was over him.