2 Kingdoms:
Invasion
Harry H. Hawkins, III
H3 Enterprises·•Marietta, Ga.
2 Kingdoms: Invasion Copyright 2011 Harry H. Hawkins, III
Smashwords Edition
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40 years before the Great War
The small messenger never saw the attack coming. One moment he was looking out at the great forest and the next he had a black blade sticking out from his abdomen. The large spirit known as Vaden the Fallen Anakim removed his blade from his enemy. The messenger's greatest weapon, his speed, was rendered useless by the stealth of Vaden.
"Did you see any others?" Vaden asked his companion.
"None." was the response.
Vaden wanted to make sure that the spirits that were still loyal to the Ancient of Days were not warned of his arrival so he could infiltrate without interruption. His task would be easier to accomplish that way.
"So this is Munir." Vaden said looking around.
"Nira is the land we are standing on, one of the largest continents on the planet." his companion stated.
"Indeed. This is definitely a magnificent forest; the care and effort they put into its creation is evident everywhere. Don't you think so Septar?"
"It is. It is easy to see why this planet was chosen." Septar replied.
"Yes. Once we remove the Anakim from power here we will be able to do what is needed to turn this planet into the perfect example of what can be accomplished without the power of the Ancient." Vaden said walking forward.
This was not the first time that the pair scouted a planet looking to usurp power from the spiritual Prince that was assigned to guard and protect the will of the Ancient. The two fought together on countless worlds and had become quite adept at breaking down strongholds of their enemies. Munir was one such stronghold. The Anakim in charge, the Prince of the world was known for his ferocious ability in battle and his lack of concern for cutting down Fallen Anakim that challenged his authority. Like all Anakim, the Fallen Anakim were made up of pure energy and only took forms when it suited their purposes. When they were struck down in battle, they would return to their natural most pure form, a small spark of life. Vaden brushed his way through a cloud on drifting energy that used to belong to the Messenger that he dispatched earlier.
Septa his second in command reminded Vaden of his need for continued stealth.
"Your sword is still unsheathed Vaden."
Instinctively Vaden remained in a battle ready position expecting an attack at any moment. When none came he released his will from the energy that was in his hand. Most of the energy that made up his sword was absorbed back into his body, becoming a part of his essence again and the rest floated away into the air becoming part of the surrounding again. Each Anakim, Fallen or otherwise had the ability to produce a spirit weapon of their choice that represented their fighting style and power. They would mingle energy from life forms and the elements around to create their deadly constructs. Vaden's weapon of choice was a black blade with a slight curve to it. it was in stark contrast to his white clothes that he chose to display; they were layered and gave the appearance that hey hid something thick between their layers.
Vaden and Septar were walking towards the city of Dirus, the capital of the Niran province Canis. The Anakim were in charge but they were spread out thin since they controlled most of the planet so the pair went unnoticed as they approached. It was as expected. The same thing had been done on the six other lands of Munir. Vaden and Septar would infiltrate the enemy's territory and secure a charge, one of the Gammadim, mankind. Although the Fallen Anakim posed a great threat to the Gammadim with their weapons of spirit energy, the fact that they were invisible to most people was the most dangerous trait they shared.
"Who are we looking for in this city?" Septar asked.
"We are looking for a young man named Gavannon. He is a young man with great potential and should be very useful to our plans. If the information we received was accurate, and he holds to his normal routine he will be outside of the city with his mentor." Vaden said.
As he said the words the pair saw two men walking along a road that lead out of the city. The moonlight lit their path as they made their way to an undisclosed destination. The grass road beneath their feet barely made a sound as they walked
"The younger one is our target." Vaden said to Septar.
Before Septar could respond another voice rang out behind them.
"Just as I expected."
The duo turned to face a large Anakim who donned an older appearance and brandished a large axe.
"Very impressive protector. I was unable to detect your presence until you announced yourself. Very impressive indeed."
"That Gammadim is under my protection Fallen One. You should return to your post."
Septar grinned as he released some of his energy and produced his sword.
"This will be my post when I am through." Vaden said.
"That is highly unusual behavior for a Fallen Anakim; telling your plans before they come to fruition."
"I am not worried; you will never get a chance to utter those words to another of your kind until its too late." Vaden said dryly as he produced his infamous black sword.
The two men wandered off of the road heading into the woods off of the beaten trail unaware that meters away a spiritual battle was taking place.
"Who are you protector?" Vaden asked somewhat amused at the Anakim's bravado.
"I am known as Savas, and Nira is in my hands. And as such the future ruler of Nira is mine to protect."
"Is that right? I suppose you are suggesting that our presence here goes against the very Rules t that govern our existence...is that correct?" Vaden asked as Septa moved to a flanking position.
"That is absolutely right trespasser!" Savas spewed.
"Hmmph. I believe you are either bluffing or are too stupid to see the true nature of the hybrids, these mixes of flesh and spirit. As we talk, your 'charge' is heading into the woods to participate in a ritual honoring a spirit other than the Ancient of Days. That will make him available for me to influence him and put him at enmity with your precious Master!"
"Just because you chose to revolt and follow a traitor doesn't mean that you are not bound to the Ancient of Days! You still have a Master in him!" Savas responded.
"Perhaps we will have an opportunity to discuss this at length but right now you are out of time protector!" Vaden said issuing a silent command to Septar as he spoke.
Septar taking the cue launched the first attack aiming for the arm holding the large axe. Savas did not move back to avoid the blow as Septar expected but parried the blow with his axe and lunged at Septar increasing the distance between himself and Vaden. Septar realized that he was dealing with a seasoned fighter as the Anakim clearly analyzed the situation and could see that he would most likely lose if he took on both at the same time and decided to attack the weaker of his two opponents.
" I knew that you all were coming here eventually. The attacks on the other lands did not go unnoticed." Savas said as he parried another strike from Septar and rolled away from one from Vaden.
"If you knew that we were coming, where is your help?" Septar asked.
"You assume that I need it!" Savas roared as he took advantage of Septar's aggressive movements and found an opening striking the Fallen Anakim in the chest sending him railing backwards.
Vaden wasted no time in exploiting the opening and made a quick cut on Savas' thigh to slow him down.
Septar retreated from the fight not wanting to lose anymore of his energy and be reduce to a spark. If that happened it would take years or possibly decades to gather enough energy to reclaim his consciousness and form. He knew that Vaden could handle the rest. It was a calculated move to expose himself for an attack, but time was of the essence.
Vaden smiled as he looked at the wounded Anakim.
"Why are you smiling?" Savas asked
"The Prince of this world will be here shortly! I posted the Messenger that you extinguished because I knew that sooner or later you would come. He wasn't a lookout, but his job was to signal every few minutes that everything was as it should be. I knew that the swift attacks made on the other continents meant that you didn't have much time to investigate your surroundings. When the Messenger did not report in as usual, I dispatched a Messenger to summon my host. He will be here very soon."
"That is why we could not wait and drag the fight out over a long period of time. Septar knew you would not be able to resist taking an opportunity to strike at him if the chance presented itself. Now you are too slow to get away."
"I have no intention of running away from you!" Savas said raising his axe a little higher.
"I have fought with greater wounds than this before!" he continued.
"I am sure you have....but I am not going to chase you. I won't have to." Vaden said reabsorbing his sword back into his body.
Savas looked at his foes, puzzled. The realization came to him too late. During the battle he became distracted and never noticed six other large Fallen Anakim appear behind him. Before Savas could turn around he was skewered by four blades, the fifth and sixth one severing his head from what would have been his shoulders had he been made of flesh. A sudden burst of energy announced the end of this span of his existence, a spark floating in the air was all that remained of the once proud warrior.
Vaden turned in the direction of his quarry and moved on. He had anticipated resistance as their successes mounted. His Seven followed his lead as they marched to claim another life for their cause. In the forest the young man named Gavannon was taking his first steps toward becoming a practioner of an ancient religion; one that allowed the Fallen Anakim to 'feed' off of the energy of the Gammadim through the worship. The Gammadim never realized that they were actually worshipping Fallen Anakim, but the power in the experience was not lessened for it
Vaden loved watching as the hybrids showed their true nature. He hated them them with every fiber of his being. They were given something that they would never understand, the chance to be like the Ancient of Days; it was one of the reasons he sided against the Ancient when the rebellion took place so many ages ago. Now he was using the skills that the Ancient bestowed upon him to destroy the very weak creation that the Ancient loved so despite their many failings.
The ritual was complete and the defenseless Gammadim could now be claimed for their cause. Gavannon and his mentor would never guess that their devotion to nature could have been twisted against them in such a manner, thus giving the Fallen Anakim the true power they needed to work; ignorance of their existence.
"Claim him as ours and let us be on our way. Nadir, the Prince of Munir is most likely on his way, and now is not the time for introductions.
The eight Fallen Anakim lifted off of the ground and took to the skies flying as easily as they walked. Vaden looked down at the vanishing city beneath him and the Gammadim that he knew held so much of his plans.
"He will do nicely. He will give his strength to us and we will use all of it." Vaden said as the city disappeared beneath him.
***
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