Suddenly a flaming boulder of rock smashes through the roof, a piece of a wooden frame flies into his head. Miraculously, his helmet absorbs the impact but the sound and shock momentarily dazes him. The roof was starting to collapse; Allan ran to the upper garden which loos down at the gate. He realises all but Elis are there. Elis is the one after him. He turns around to see Elis, the same sword in hand. The look on Elis’s face was indescribable. Allan looks back down again to see that Trolgar and Capurnicus are fighting Elis’s two companions. One of Elis’s companions was missing. He soon recalls seeing Elis’s other companion enter the fray just as he was flung back into the palace grounds by an Orc that has unexpectedly rammed into him.
The two stare at each other. Both are injured, Elis appears to have a sword cut on his arm and thigh, bleeding through the clothing. Their armours were lost during the fighting. “This time. I really will kill you” Elis says. “No listen to me. Elis everyone may believe it is too late for you. But I don’t believe that. Stop this. Please. I won’t let anything happen to you” Allan says. Elis keeps quiet and remains motionless. “Elis! Listen to me!” Allan says. They could both feel the ground beneath them falling apart. The palace was collapsing.
“Elis please” Allan says as tear runs down his cheek. Elis loses it and lunges at Allan who slashes at Elis’s lunge, deflecting it. Elis manages to grab Allan’s arm and with his knee, knocks Allan’s sword out of his hand. But before Elis knows it, Allan kicks him in the chest, sending him to fall back against a railing. Elis succumbs to cut he received earlier and drops his sword in pain. He was bleeding bad and was slow in his movement. But he moves in against Allan and throws a punch at him. Allan dodges Elis’s fist and uppercuts Elis in the chin. Elis fell back and spat some blood out of his mouth. He then rams into Allan, throwing him to the ground and starts to punch him upwards of his chest. Allan fights back and tries restricting Elis’s arms. Elis continues to lose strength from all the bleeding and Allan can throw him to the side.
The two noticed that the wooden railings were burning there were spaces in between them created after burning. Allan then picks up his sword and points the tip and Elis. He then says “enough of this”. “Kill me then and end all of this and I want you to know that I am sorry” Elis says as he starts tearing. Allan now finds himself unable to kill Allan. He just could bring himself to do it, Elis had spared him prior and now he was to kill him. But he cannot.
Then one of Elis’s companion’s rushes in and tries to stab Allan. Allan jumps back over Elis. This companion slashes at Allan who slashes back. Allan manages to narrowly cut this companions arm. The companion drops his sword but kicks Allan who almost falls though one of the space that was created after parts of the wooden railing burned through. Allan is fortunately kicked below his stomach, so his legs went first, allowing him to grab hold of the ledge. The force of the kick was so great that the companion fell to the floor, breaking his back. The companion then witnesses Elis crawl to where Allan was and on all fours, tries to help him get back up onto the platform. The companion gets up, although in pain and kicks his leader off the ledge as well. Elis was kicked while he was on all fours fortunately he could grab on to the ledge as he fell but slipped and narrowly manages to grab hold of Allan’s waist. The companion who now seems to want both dead limps over and steps on Allan’s hand. “Both of you can share the same fate” the companion says with a malicious grin.
Allan is on the brink of letting go until he witnesses a sword go through the centre of this companion who then slumps to the side, dying. It was Trolgar who plunged the sword through him. Nero and Capurnicus then grabbed an arm each of Allan and hoisted the two of them up.
Trolgar immediately starts to punch Elis in the face, to kill him. Allan shouts “no! Stop! Don’t kill him”. Capurnicus then instinctively acts on Allan’s orders and restrains Trolgar’s arms. Elis then says “Trolgar. I am sorry” as tears start streaming down his bloody face. “I’m so sorry” Elis says again. “Allan, you may permit him to end me. What do I have left anyway. Whatever I have done cannot be forgiven” Elis says. “Everything you have done cannot be forgiven but you are my brother. I cannot let you die. I cannot see you die” Allan says as tears start rolling down his face. “This is just the beginning for you and I. I forgive you. The kingdoms won’t but I now know how to change Paradon for the better and it is thanks to you and I still need you” Allan says.
The group evacuates the collapsing palace. They emerge on the main street. Trolls and the victorious Soldiers lined the streets. Allan and Trolgar are the first to come out. Allan then raises his sword in the air and cries “we have victory!” The Trolls and remaining Hetheilian men rejoice and chant in victory. Until Elis is brought out of the wreckage by Capurnicus and Nero. The rejoicing of the Trolls and soldiers end. Allan then speaks “this man is responsible for the deaths of so many of us. He cannot be forgiven by you nor the people. But I, I have chosen to forgive him!”
The soldiers and Trolls start a ruckus, many shout “kill him!” and “he deserves more than death!” To which Allan replies “He is my brother. And twice he could not kill me. He stopped himself. I have seen good him. Good that Paradon needs now. Doomenheim has been stabilized because of Elis. He has seen the error of his ways. I will ensure he can redeem himself for what damage has been done. He can do good, I know it. I know how we can change Paradon for the better but I cannot do it without him. His mind and mine can change this world together. We are here for you and you only! This is my promise to all of you!”
A lone clap arises from the silence Allan’s speech had brought. Soon all were rejoicing again. Reassured that there was to be a new dawn for Paradon.
Chapter 10: Aurora
Little damage had been done to the great city of Ohith during the siege. The only buildings damaged are the palace and a civilian building next to it, otherwise the city was unscathed other than the destroyed towers and main gateway at the northern wall. Allan, his brother and the wounded of the battle are taken to Soroq for medical treatment, the capital of Koros. At the same time work begins on rebuilding Ohith. The palace, damaged buildings and city walls are being restored. Suffering fewer injuries, Allan can recover in a month. Elis however requires more time before he is back to his prior physical state. Allan stays in Korosian palace until he recovers. While Wilmot and Henriet stay in Hetheil. Though old and sick, stay strong for their kingdom.
Allan joins the Korosian king, Gaiseric at the dining table in the Korosian palace for breakfast. “Allan, I must commend your skills in battle. The way lead and the things you planned were incredible in that sea battle. And you ended the war at Ohith once and for all” Gaiseric says. “Thank you” Allan says. “But I must tell, there isn’t any point keeping your brother alive. Without him this war would not have happened. So many of my people died, alongside yours as well as the people of Diamonheim and Unodos. And it is all because of him” Gaiseric says, his tone of voice changes, hints of anger are displayed. “There is still much more for him to do. He is my brother and I know what he is capable of. I know he has seen his mistakes, I think it is possible he knew it when first blood was drawn at the wall” Allan says. “He is your brother, so you feel obligated to keep him alive. That is a bad decision Allan and everyone but yourself is objective towards this” Gaiseric says. “Trust me, although the horrible things he has done cannot be forgiven, accepted or equalled on his part but he can still do good things for our peoples. He has somehow managed to stabilize Doomenheim. He has a great mind, one that Paradon needs now” Allan says. Gaiseric keeps quiet and takes a deep breath. “What if I decide otherwise?” Gaiseric says. “I appreciate the care you have given to my people and I. But if you do such a thing I will do everything in my power to make you pay” Allan says, bravely defending his brother. Gaiseric sees how adamant Allan is about the importance of continued life for Elis. Gaiseric nods and says “I have gone
too far in my words. Alright, we will ensure that he recovers”. “Thank you Gaiseric” Allan says graciously and in a relieving tone.
Later Allan leaves Soroq and goes to Ohith to see his father. He reaches Hetheil in the late afternoon on horseback. He walks up to the palace. It was good as new and the people were happy to see him. The guards let him in and he immediately goes into his father’s bedroom. The nurse leaves as Allan enters. “Allan?” asks Henriet after he coughs. “Yes, father it is me” Allan says as he sits on the side of his father’s bed. “How has your recovery been?” Henriet asks. “It has been going well, I feel fine. Listen father I am worried about you. I want to see you well again” Allan says. “I have been falling ill constantly. My mind and body is in shambles. We all know it will soon be time for my permanent departure. But enough about me. How fairs your plan to keep Elis alive and at your side in the future?” Henriet asks. “I have ensured that Koros will continue to care for him along with the others” Allan says. “If I were you I would have just killed your brother. He is dangerous and