Alexandros Manuscript Page 140
Alexandros!
I barely heard the yell over the howling wind, but instead of responding, I ignored the call. I cast my view over the desert expanse in front of me. Across the wind strewn dunes, the demon horde heads this way.
"General!"
I stole my attention away from the oncoming onslaught and acknowledged the messenger. "Are the tasks done Ako?" I asked.
Ako nodded his head and glanced in the distance, a frown creasing his face. "All entry points are closed off except for this corridor and of course the skies."
"And the evacuation of the city?" I asked.
"Half way completed. Pharaoh is uncertain about falling back to the palace."
"He said as much?'
"Not directly."
"His council," I said with a smirk. Ako nodded confirming my thoughts. "We'll hold them off as long as we can. Go back and tell Rashida I'll join her shortly."
Ako nodded once more before leaving. I turned my attention back toward the horde. Normal men would look at the situation and feel fear at the task they have to face. I am a Spartan and fear doesn't fit into my vocabulary. Instead, I had the overwhelming feeling of concern—concern for the citizens of the city.
I took one last look at the city, then drew my sword,
Gaijin
, and I prepared myself. The demon horde had made its way down the valley, nearly passing the ambush point I had set up. I had a smile on my face that was quickly replaced with a frown. Rolling behind the horde at a steady pace was what looked like a sandstorm. I doubted it was something natural, but rather conjured up. Instantly, I knew this didn't bode well for my men.
The horde already passed the ambush point as my soldiers uncovered themselves from the sand and began attacking. The sandstorm came upon my soldiers, sweeping them up unprepared. Blinded, the soldiers kept up their effort and fought bravely. The horde stopped moving forward and instead began its feast on the soldiers below. I stood watching good men fight and die, preparing to die myself if necessary.
When the last of my soldiers fell so did the sandstorm. I turned once more toward the city, seeing that the people were still evacuating. It was up to me to hold back the tide until the people were safe. The first of the foul beasts come over the hill only to fall under my blade. With a quick slash, the creature's insides fell at my feet. As quickly as the first one fell, another took its place. A stroke of my blade took its head clean off -- its body sliding past me.
I held my ground, eliminating each of the creatures as they crested the hill. The foul creatures of Hades were no longer match for me. Over the past few weeks I had fought enough of these foul beasts to know how to slay them effectively.
The battle continued for many minutes, feeling like a lifetime. No matter how many creatures I killed, the horde only seemed to grow. Each one that fell only seemed to bring forth two in its place. I stole a glance to the city and dread overwhelmed me. The demon horde acted faster than I thought it would. The city was engulfed in flames -- its citizens being massacred. I knew right then, my efforts here were no longer of any use.
I started to question how -- how is it possible they slipped past us? Could Khaldun have been defeated?
With a last effort, I fought the newest wave of creatures before taking my leave of the battle field. I raced to the city, barely staying ahead of the horde. This attack was only the distraction. The real one was coming from the east.
——
Khaldun's
efforts to keep the portion of the horde attacking from the east had failed. The reports strongly supported the
Demon Lord
Vectivus to lead the army from the north. It was there Alexandros would face him. Instead, Khaldun's men were trampled over and easily defeated. Khaldun stood with the last of his men ready to face Vectivus. Each of them was prepared to give their life if it meant the end of the
Demon Lord's
.
Vectivus, however, had no intentions to face the general and his insignificant band of soldiers. The demon smiled and stepped aside. Malanatohiel took his place as Vectivus and the remainder of the horde filtered past.
You were expecting to fight my master? I'm sorry but your skill is rather pathetic.
"Then why do you care to fight me?"
Unlike my master I care not about skill. I care about killing you and ripping your soul from your worthless body.
"Then I guess you are in for a surprise when it is your worthless corpse I will be standing over when this is done," Khaldun said smiling.
——
Alexandros Manuscript Page 143
Bodies
were strewn and smoldering over the city streets. Houses and shops were in flames. Life seemed vacant and desolate in a once thriving city. I didn't have time to lament over the carnage that lay in front of me now. The horde was almost upon the city gates and the palace was already under attack by the main force.
I went straight to the palace, cutting down any creature that stepped in my way. It only took minutes for me to reach the palace gates. Behind me lay dozens of demons and creatures, but a multitude of them still remained in the various parts of the city.
Ako was there waiting behind a stack of barrels when I reached it. "Alexandros, you must hurry," he said breathlessly.
"What's wrong?" I asked looking over my shoulder, not wanting to waste anymore time.
Ako looked nervous, even more so than I had ever seen him to be. "Rashida sent me down here to meet you. Pharaoh's inner chamber came under attack and I feel it may be too late for them!"
My first thoughts went to my wife, but I knew right away that she would be fine. Rashida was a great warrior, almost as fierce as the women of Sparta. "Who leads this attack?" I asked, already fearing the answer.
"The
Demon Lord
himself," he said shaking.
I knew I had to inspire in him some bravery. I couldn't have him come with me only to have my attention divided between the enemy and him. Rashida would kill me if I left her brother here to face the vicious horde by himself. "Go find General Khaldun and have him rally the men. Have him circle to the south and attack. He must get around to help the citizens."
"I will honor you with your request," Ako replied, looking a little more confident.
"I will see you when this is over Ako." I watched him as he left until he was no longer in sight. Once he was gone, I turned my attention back to the palace. My fate would be determined this day and so would many others.
I entered the palace and was surprised to see it desolate of creatures. The bodies or what was left of the palace guard and Pharaoh's private guard lay, strewn across the entire floor. Death and carnage was expected in a battle, but what I witnessed this day was well beyond anything I expected.
I treaded as carefully as I could, trying not to slip in the blood that pooled the floor. I remembered Ako telling me Rashida lead Pharaoh to his inner chamber—that was where I needed to go. I started up the stairs that lead in the direction I needed to go, when suddenly a hand grabbed me. I was slung backward, across the room and I hit the wall with such a force, I thought my armor and body had been broken.
Coming out of my daze, I looked up to see the demon responsible for the attack and recognized him instantly. "Amnischnell." I spat his name like it was venom on my tongue. He growled with satisfaction.
It's been a long time Alexandros. I told you I would be back one day to finish what we started. You still are the weakling I left for dead all those years ago. It's a shame, really. The master believes you to be a threat, but I cannot see why.
The demons had one fault that could always be exploited -- the continuous boasting of themselves and the putting down of you. I felt around for my sword, my hand grasping the shaft of a spear instead. I was a Spartan and a spear was an extension of my own body.
