The Worst Kingslayer

[Strazio Rockwell]

Heat and sand, the two things Strazio found in no short supply as he ventured across the Endless Dunes. Even with the oppressive heat threatening to roast him alive he pushed forward. The nomad had no particular destination in mind, but much like the moors he had a feeling that action would find him whether he wanted it to or not. Strazio ran a hand through his sweat-soaked hair and pulled his hood over his head, trying to block some of the sun. He yelled in frustration, how long had he been walking for? So long that he couldn't even remember, so long that his legs were sore and shoes filled with sand. On the horizon, barely visible but definitely real Strazio saw a line of strange camel-like creatures and several humans.

A caravan, maybe they have water... I hope they're at least friendly.

Strazio picked up the pace and tried to catch up to the travelers. They must have noticed the incoming prime because they slowed to a crawl. After a few minutes he was close enough to see the group in its entirety, two of the odd creatures and three humans dressed in long dress-like red and blue clothing. The eldest woman smiled at his approach and waved, revealing thick golden bracelets on her arm. Strazio lowered his white hood and smiled back at her. She looked to be in her mid thirties, her hair was black and skin a soft gold-brown. The other two were younger boys, probably in their late teens. They watched silently as Strazio slogged towards them, one carried a sheathed scimitar and the other leaned on a spear. The prime felt them size him up, they thought perhaps he was a threat wearing a smile to only get closer.

As soon as he came within striking distance the younger of the two boys thrust his spear, stopping inches from Strazio's neck. Instinctively his powers flared to life and he dashed backwards. His hands sparked with energy, he was ready for a fight as were the two boys. However neither of them dared to move a step forward, they looked scared. The woman stepped forward and spoke softly.

"What is your name?"

"Strazio Rockwell, Defender of Darkshire. I'm just looking for water, or at least directions I don't want to fight." to hopefully drive the point home Strazio raised his hands, white sparks diffused into the air. The boys lowered their weapons slightly as the woman stepped forward.

"I'm Mishka, it's a pleasure to meet you Strazio. We're heading to New Babylon, its in the North we're only a few hours away."

"New Babylon?" He stepped forward cautiously to test the waters. The boys lowered their weapons and walked back to the strange animals.

"Yes" she smiled earnestly "my sons and I were told of a place of riches and gold, led by a great king known as Gilgamesh. My... my husband passed away and we're hoping to start new in the city. You're welcome to join us"

Gilgamesh, a great king? He must be a powerful prime, or at least a persuasive one to rule a city in this desert. He nodded and smiled as Mishka led him over to the animals and retrieved a water skin for Strazio. He drank greedily from the sack of water, he drank so fast that he accidentally inhaled some of the water which forced him into a coughing fit. In between hacks and wheezes he managed to ask Mishka

"What are these beasts?" He motioned towards the horned animals. Before Mishka could respond the sword-wielding boy responded.

"They're called Neapts, great beasts of burden. They're perfect for the desert, incredibly loyal too! I raised these two since they were younglings." The teenager was passionate about the animals and he lovingly patted one's neck. The neapt growled happily as the teen started scratching the creature's neck. After a few moments of this he finally whistled shapr and loud, patting the beast on its flank. Both neapts jumped to action and began moving at a gentle clip northward. Mishka motioned for Strazio to follow and he happily obliged, glad to finally have direction. During their trek Strazio learned the boy's names. Karos was the oldest and he wielded the sword, he grew up raising Neapts with his father. Markos was younger, but much more practiced with fighting, joining Carrefore's militia at a young age.

They spoke for a long time, Strazio asking questions about the Dunes and the lives of his companions. He learned that Mishka made beautiful jewelry before she came to the Omniverse. She lamented that in the omniverse her craft was under appreciated, considering primes could craft masterpieces for a tiny amount of OM in only a few minutes. Even her most intricate baubles paled in comparison to a prime-crafted piece. The jovial conversations took Strazio's mind off the heat and he was glad to find solace in his fellow travelers.

"You said you were a defender of Darkshire, what brings you to the Dunes?" Karos asked

"I'm going to kill Dracula, but in my current state I am way too weak. You could call this a pilgramage for power"

"Bold ambitions, I hope" before he could continue the ground began to shake a rumble. The Neapts reared up on their hind-legs and slipped into the shifting sands. Strazio looked around, trying to locate the source of the shaking. From underneath the sand came a whirlwind of blades and long strips of red cloth. Karos drew his sword and stepped in front his mom, he shouted back to Markos.

"Dervishes! Shit, get ready!"

A towering sekeleton, covered in long strips of red cloth with chunks of metal tied to the ends. Two long curved blades were strapped to the Dervish's forearms. Two smoldering red lights glared at the group from within the skull's eye sockets. Two more Dervish's erupted from the sand, spinning like tops they careened towards the group. Strazio charged a breach bolt and fired at the closest Derish, the bolt collided with the creature but was seemed to have no effect as it was deflected by the whirling mass of metal. Karos yelled at them to move and everyone except for the poor Neapts managed to jump out of the way. A mist of blood and scraps of cloth erupted upwards. The two dervishes careened into each other tangling themselves up the other's clothing strips.

Strazio sweared as he dove into the sand. Even before he stood up another breach bolt was charging. The third Dervish was already spinning towards the prime. The whirlwind kicked up a cloud of sand and came mere feet from Strazio. He released a fully charged breach, a white hot beam of energy tore into the Dervish kicking it from its dreaded spin and forcing it into the ground. Blood stained the sleeve of Strazio's cloak, his arm ravaged from his attack. The cloud of sand began to settle and Strazio turned to the other two Dervishes. They were untangled and spinning towards the separated family, one heading towards Mishka and the other towards Karos and Markos.

"Fuck" Strazio cursed loudly and began charging another breach beam. He had time to stop one, but which one? I can't hesitate, as soon as this beam is ready I have to act. Fuck, which one? Which one!? Mishka cried out as the two boys yelled for their mom. Strazio fired and prayed that he made the correct choice. His beam ripped into the Dervish heading for the boys, the direct hit ripped the Dervish apart sending metal shards and bones everywhere. Strazio watched in horror as the chunks of metal rained on the teens, cutting them severely. Even more horrific he listened to Mishka's blood curdling scream as she was sliced into ribbons. The dervish slowed down and turned towards the fuming prime.

No matter what I do, people still die. He gritted his teeth in rage and readied one final breach beam. His arm roared in agony as it was ripped raw from the fourth consecutive breach attack. Strazio yelled in rage as he readied himself for the approaching whirlwind of death. He poured all of his frustrations and anger and fury into this attack. He wanted to rip apart the world, he wanted to tear a hole in the Omniverse. The mindless creature came closer and closer, threatening to tear Strazio apart. One final eruption of energy marked the end of the fight, decimating the dervish. A hail of sharp metal and bones assailed the poor prime, cutting his cloak to shreds and slicing deep into his skin and sending blood across the sand.

The family was dead, and there was nothing left to remember them by except for a few shreds of cloth and flesh. Strazio walked over to the two boys, their bodies were ravaged by the metal shards. The prime sighed and shed his cloak, trying to cover their bodies with the shredded remnants of his cloak. His blood dripped onto the sand, the wounds weren't horrible but they were indeed painful. His arm was the most damaged, his magick tore it raw. As he always did he moved on, heading north in hopes of finding refuge at New Babylon.

Eventually the sand gave way to a prairie type terrain, flat grassland. New Babylon was a stunning palace, an affront to the harshness of the Endless Dunes. Strazio smiled weakly as he limped towards the city, he had lost a decent amount of blood on his trek but most of the bleeding had stopped by now. The palace was surrounded by a smaller shabby village. People stared as Strazio limped through Nippur he ignored them and headed straight for the palace. He didn't want to waste time with underlings he wanted to meet the head honcho. The lustrous palace seemed out of place in the small village. After a few minutes he finally reached the palace and was stopped by an older man.

"You look terrible, what is you business in the great kingdom of New Babylon?"

Strazio looked up at him and took a short breath to compose himself before speaking.

"My name is Strazio Rockwell, a defender of Darkshire. I'm here to see the King Gilgamesh, please I've come a long way" he pleaded.