HammerFall

[b]Chapter 39:Forged By the Blood of Kings :[/b]

"Six Magic Circles forged by the blood of the kings, We are fighting the holy war for the Crown and the Ring." Crauchan chanted over and over in the archaic tongue. "Six Magic Circles forged by the blood of the Kings!"

His fingers were busy forming six massive circles within the chamber that Black East Kings had died in. Within each circle was ancient text that even Cruachan, the most powerful Sorcerer in the East, wasn't sure of their true power or meaning. He knew only that this task had been set before him by King Gorgoroth, and that was all that mattered to him. He had gained enough power for a sorcerer, and eternal youth; now he only had Gorgoroth. He would follow whatever desire the Dark Guardian most sought.

***************

Long silver hair flowed on the wind as Mikael stood over looking the peaceful village below. He had no interest in this but he had little choice. His actions were now being controlled by the Dragon Lord. If he was not so annoyed and frustrated he would actually find his situation quite amusing. Cold sapphire eyes gazed away from the village as he headed for the special mission that had been tasked to him. He was to find the Seven Keys and bring them back to HammerFall for the Dragon Lord Bisucaya. Such was his fate. He smiled though for one of those Seven Keys rested around the neck of the man he most longed to battle, Lord Schaller's new general.

He vowed that he would find this Aes'danan and for the first time since his battle against Niklas find a worthy oponnent of his skills. Unlike Niklas, Aes'danan would be able to command sorcery; a fact that interested the apathetic seeming Stormblade warrior.

Mikael turned quickly as his blade struck against that of another. He smiled into those familiar black pools. He saw the hatred brimming there. It was all that was left. "Niklas Sundine."

"Die!" the long haired brunette roared as his blade somewhat pushed Mikael back.

*****************

The circles of blood reeked as black smoke wafted into the air as strong male choir voices raised up in song speaking in archaic speach that Gorgoroth's wizards had used, "High and Mighty a Lonely a King. The Winds of Fire we ride! Covered with blood am I."

Gorgoroth strode into the center of the six rings of blood where was a hidden seventh ring. Gorgoroth raised up both his hands and spoke in the same speech as the unisoned singers, "Brothers I await thy, the true son am I. I pledge my sword, and to no man I kneel. Now is the time the Kingdom of Dark!"

There was silence and then a brilliant flash engulfed all. Within the six rings stood dark armored beasts. They looked like demons that had not been able to fully take human shape; hidden beneath armor.

Marduk stood in shock at all this. He gazed to see Cruachan standing stoic with a black spear thrusted through his middle. Blood spilled down his wounded body and across the floor. Marduk watched as Gorgoroth strode to his sorcerer. His hand gently caressed the dying sorcerer's face. He was screaming in pain within; but the sorcerer held it in. The evidence though of his pain was clear upon his face; despite Gorgoroth's fingers trying to smooth them out. The young Prince could not help but wonder if he would meet a similiar fate under the hand of Gorgoroth. But he saw no choice but to allow with the powerful Dark Guardian.

Gorgoroth's lips then pressed savagely down upon Cruachan in a parting kiss. Gorgoroth then had walked out of the crimson puddle towards his summoned demons; from a hell which was little known to Marduk. Gorgoroth's hand stroked them as though they were his beloved pets returned to him from a long journey.

Marduk did not speak. He merely looked upon all this with silence. There was little more that he could do. He turned crisply on his heels to leave; to return back to his now dead father's kingdom to take up the reigns of rulership.

He halted in his steps at the voice, "Prince Marduk, where do you think you are going? I have not dismissed you from my presence."

Marduk trembled for a second; but suppressed it. He did not desire to appear weak and lose his life. "Do you desire something of me, King Gorgoroth?"

Gorgoroth remarked, "You shall call me, Emperor now. All the Black East now truly belongs to me, and you have yet to swear your fealty, Prince Marduk."

Marduk knelt down with his head pressed against the cold and crimson, sticky floor. He felt the blood in his hair from those of the four kings that had been slain to summon these hellish knights.