Legends of Amacia Return of the Beowulf
Chapter 11: The Fall of Hreidmar’s Bastion

Three minutes later, Hannibal and Nemesis encountered the colonel carrying General Hadiff just outside the fourth gate’s courtyard. When the colonel saw Hannibal wearing Grimm’s Mask and Nemesis standing beside him wielding a heavy plasma chain gun, he stopped dead in his tracks, terror evident on his face. “Please, don’t kill us,” he begged.

Seeing the colonel and Hadiff seriously burned and wounded, Hannibal touched Grimm’s Mask at the jaw under each ear, opening the visor showing his face. “Relax; we’re not going to kill you,” he said firmly, “What happened?”

“The quake hit without warning and opened up a volcanic vent in the third gate’s courtyard,” the colonel stated, pain and fear obvious in his tone. “The ground literally exploded beneath us. It threw the General and me away from the blast, but it incinerated everything else, including our troops. Please, help us. Help the General. He’s my best friend. I don’t want to see him die...not like this. Please.”

“Do you know who I am?” Hannibal asked bluntly in a menacing tone.

“The General saw you just before the quake and thought you were a Grimm,” the colonel stated. “But I can clearly see you are not a Grimm, thanks be to Fate. Who are you?”

“I am the Beowulf,” Hannibal stated as a sharp jolt shook everything, making them stagger. “I can see you have a great deal of love for your friend there, which is surprising for one of the Emperor’s officers.”

“Beowulf, we need to vacate now,” Nemesis stated, “These walls are starting to crumble.”

The visor on Grimm’s Mask closed with a hiss as Hannibal used the Mask’s unique tech to scan the area. “You’re right, Nemesis,” he agreed, seeing the walls cracking, “Come on; let’s get out of here. If you don’t want to die here with the rest of your army, follow us. I can see you’re not a threat.”

“Lead the way,” the colonel replied, grateful for the help. Hannibal led the colonel, who carried General Hadiff to the keep. Nemesis followed closely, covering their flight.

As they passed through the fourth gate into the courtyard outside the keep, Hannibal quickly scanned the area to see if everyone had pulled back into the keep. Seeing the area clear with Hancock, Osborne, Xavier, Tyr, Carver, and Morpheus standing at the keep’s main door, he grunted with satisfaction, following Nemesis and the colonel across the courtyard, staggering forward because of the violent trembling. An explosion roared in the distance, followed by whistling sounds. Hannibal instinctively looked up, seeing a rain of lava bombs falling on their position. “Nemesis; get them under cover now! We have incoming,” he barked to Nemesis.

Seeing his plasma chain gun would be useless against the rain of large lava bombs, Nemesis shed the weapon and scooped up the colonel and Hadiff, rushing to the door of the keep. “Relax, Colonel,” Nemesis said to the colonel while in a full run, “I’ve got you and the General. Beowulf will cover us.” In less than twenty seconds, Nemesis carried the pair to safety in the keep.

Hannibal suddenly skidded to a halt to confront the incoming lava bombs. A red aura swirled around him as he cocked the Draken gauntlets, which abruptly glowed, as did Grimm’s Mask. A second later as the aura vanished, Hannibal opened fire with the Gauntlets, shooting and disintegrating the bombs that threatened their position with incredible power and precision. Hannibal’s battle cry echoed over the roar of the quake and whistling of the lava bombs. As he fired on the incoming lava bombs, Hannibal backed towards the entrance. Seeing the people gathered at the entrance watching, he shouted, “Just don’t stand there gawking! Get the fuck into the keep or these things may fall on your head! I can’t stop all of them!” Then as if to prove his point, a lava bomb hit the side of the keep one hundred feet above the door just as Hannibal reached the door. Hearing the impact, he looked up, seeing the side of the keep crumbling above him. “Oh, shit!” he cursed as the debris fell. Hancock and Osborne reached out, pulling Hannibal back as the slide of debris crashed into the doorway, sealing it. The force of the slide threw them back, breaking Osborne’s arm and burning it.

“Are you okay, milord?” Hancock asked with some concern.

“Yes,” Hannibal stated, standing up with Hancock’s assistance. “Thanks for the assist.” Seeing Osborne holding his left arm and a scowl of pain on his face, he asked, “Did the debris get you, captain?”

“I’m afraid so, milord,” Osborne growled in pain, “It broke and burned my arm.”

“Let me take a look,” Hannibal stated, using Grimm’s Mask to scan Osborne’s arm. The six eyes of the Mask glowed bright red as Hannibal saw the break in the x-ray spectrum. The scarlet markings of the Mask also glowed. “Hmmm,” he murmured, gently touching the arm, getting a growl of pain from Osborne. “It’s a clean break that fortunately didn’t compound. You’re lucky. But that burn is serious enough to require immediate attention.”

“How can you see that?” Hancock asked, puzzled.

“It seems this Mask has visual capabilities similar to Nemesis’ cyborg eye,” Hannibal reported. “I can see things in all wavelengths of the spectrum, including x-ray and gamma. I never expected to be able to use it this way. It just goes to show how little I really know about this helmet. Just keep that arm steady, captain. We’ll get you fixed up when we get to the Red Tower.”

“I appreciate that,” Osborne replied. “I could use a stiff drink to dull the pain though.”

“I can help with that,” Nemesis stated, walking up, escorting the colonel who continued to carry General Hadiff. “I can give you a shot of painkillers to dull the pain, if you will let me.”

Seeing the distrust in Osborne’s eyes, Hannibal stated, “You can trust Nemesis. He’s on our side and won’t poison you. He has great medical expertise and the ability to manufacture all manner of painkillers and sedatives. More than once he’s used them on me.”

“Okay,” Osborne conceded, “Besides, I’m willing to do just about anything to kill the pain in my arm. It’s throbbing and burning like a son of a bitch.”

Nemesis stepped up to Osborne and administered the painkillers into his arm. “I’m giving you a local anesthesia in your arm,” he stated, touching Osborne on the arm with his machine fingers. “It’ll take a few moments for it to kick in. Just keep that arm still until we get back to the Red Tower. We’ll set it there. However, your burn is bad. Let me put an ointment on it.” He then pointed two machine fingers at the burn, spraying out a medicated ointment coating the burn.

The medicines had an immediate effect, numbing Osborne’s broken arm up to the shoulder, relieving his pain. “Thanks, Nemesis,” he said gratefully. “I don’t know what you gave me, but it shut down the pain completely. My arm is completely numb.”

“You’re welcome, my friend,” Nemesis replied in a pleasant tone. “I get great pleasure from using these gears and gyros fused into me to help people rather than killing them.”

“I can see that now,” Osborne admitted. “Forgive me for doubting you when I first saw you.”

“There’s nothing to forgive,” Nemesis rumbled stoically. “I would have doubted me too if I were in your shoes.”

“Nemesis, who are these men you carried in here?” Hancock asked bluntly. “They’re dressed like 7th Division officers.”

“That’s because they are,” Nemesis stated. “I know both these men and they’re not inherently evil like the Emperor. Besides, Hannibal insisted on their retrieval. It seems they escaped the calamity that’s unfolding around us with their lives.”

“Who are they?” Hancock demanded.

Seeing he needed to identify himself and the General, the colonel stated, “I am Colonel Arzas Commora, bodyguard to General Vladimir Hadiff, whom I’m carrying. He is, or rather was second commander of the 7th Division’s Hunter Battalions, who were laying siege to your people. General Zarmari Si was the supreme leader of the Hunter Battalions. He insisted on being on the point of our spear as we made the final push to take this fortress. It’s obvious he didn’t survive this man in the Grimm helmet.”

“He was the big Zarukar in front in the mechanized suit, wasn’t he?” Hannibal queried.

“Yes,” Col. Commora replied with a bit of hatred. “He was and had a temper almost as bad as the Emperor. No one liked him, not even his own Zarukar companies. You did kill him, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Hannibal replied bluntly. “I warned him to back off and he didn’t, paying the penalty for his shortsightedness. As the Beowulf, these people are under my protection, which brings us to you and the General. You’re obviously the enemy since you were its leaders. Now that your army is gone and you’re here, what are you going to do? And be very careful with your answer because I can see through any lie. I’m not going to tolerate any man who wishes to do harm to these people. You’ve seen what I’m capable of. Answer me: why did you come to us?”

“Because we wanted to live,” Col. Commora replied. “We saw you as our only escape from the catastrophe that destroyed the army.”

“Do you wish to return to the Emperor?” Nemesis growled, not liking what he was hearing. None of those around Commora and Hadiff liked it either, gathering around menacingly.

“To be honest, no,” Col. Commora replied softly, gritting his teeth as his burns stung badly. “Neither Vlad or I believed in this campaign, but we fear for our lives and souls so we obeyed. This may be our only chance to escape the Emperor. Please, help us escape.”

“I don’t believe you,” Hancock replied darkly, pulling his sword. “No one gets to the level you and the General did without being sold out completely to the Emperor.”

“I don’t blame you for not believing us,” Col. Commora stated, shifting the weight of Hadiff as he stood there. “We have no way to prove it to you other than we came unarmed, begging for help.”

Nemesis saw Col. Commora weakening and took General Hadiff, saying, “Let me have the General, Colonel. You’re about to collapse from your wounds.”

“Thank you, Nemesis,” Col. Commora answered, relieved to be free of Hadiff’s weight. “I don’t know how much longer I could have held him up. My strength is at an end.” Turning to Hancock and those around him, he added, “If you don’t believe us, then take us prisoner. Just don’t let us die in this hell for a cause we never believed in.”

“Put your sword away, Col. Hancock,” Hannibal ordered. “I believe him, but I don’t think we should trust him just yet. We have yet to hear from the General.”

“Very well, milord,” Hancock answered, not liking Hannibal’s decision but sheathing his sword. “What do you want to do with them?”

“As he suggested, we’ll take them with us as our prisoners,” Hannibal ordered. “The moment we’re safe in the Red Tower, we’ll tend to their burns and then keep them under heavy guard. No one is to mistreat them. If we can show them we’re not like the Emperor, they may join us like many others have.”

“Thank you, milord,” Col. Commora said gratefully with a nod. “We promise not to make any trouble. Fact is at this point we’re incapable of it.”

“Don’t thank us yet,” Hannibal replied grimly. “There are many who still want you and the General dead. Don’t give them any reason to kill you.”

“Believe me, that’s the last thing we want,” Col. Commora declared as a sudden jolt shook the keep violently. He lost his footing and fell, hitting his head on the stone floor knocking him out. The jolt also caused the others to stagger, struggling to keep their footing.

Magnus checked Col. Commora’s vitals with his organic fingers and his cyborg eye. “He’s out cold,” he reported. “But we need to get him some medical attention quickly. His pulse is erratic and his blood pressure is dropping. And these burns are very bad. They need tending immediately.”

“The General likewise needs immediate medical attention,” Nemesis stated, scanning General Hadiff. “He has a severe concussion, a broken arm, and severe burns that are sending him into shock. We should get him to the Healer immediately.”

“I agree,” Hannibal stated, seeing the degrading medical conditions of both men. “Magnus, pick up Col. Commora and bring him.”

As Magnus picked up Col. Commora, a soldier rushed up, staggering as he ran because of the shaking of the keep. “Colonel Hancock, milord Beowulf; the civilians are safely evacuated with the treasure,” he reported. “Master Enoch strongly urges we abandon this fortress right now.”

“Why is that?” Hannibal asked.

“Friends of yours told him that a massive storm and quake, which are somehow connected, are ripping this valley apart,” the soldier reported fearfully. “It’s causing the valley floor to crumble and lava to break out of the ground, destroying the 7th Division’s forces. They insist it will eventually destroy the Bastion. We need to get out of here while we can.”

“I agree,” Hannibal stated. “I saw the valley floor collapsing when I was on the wall. Let’s leave while we can. I’m sure the worst of this quake has yet to hit. Come on.” Everyone retreated to the throne room, staggering as they went because of the violent shaking of the quake. Enoch, Andrew, Hunter, Kusanagi, and Liam waited for them at the doorway to the treasure chamber behind the throne.

Enoch, Andrew, and Hunter did a double take as they saw Hannibal leading the last of the defenders into the throne room. Initially, they didn’t recognize Hannibal because of Grimm’s Mask. However, Enoch did recognize Hannibal’s armor, even though the Mask had altered it somewhat with spikes. The sight of Hannibal in the Mask sent icy shivers down his spine. “Is that you, Hannibal?” Enoch asked as Hannibal and the last of the defenders approached.

“Yes, it’s me,” Hannibal stated keeping the Mask in place. “Don’t let this helmet fool you. I’m not a Grimm.”

“I wasn’t sure until you spoke,” Enoch replied in obvious relief. “If the Emperor ever saw you in that helmet and armor, it would scare the shit out of him. I know I felt a surge of fear when you approached.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Hannibal replied. “Are we the last ones?”

“Yes,” Enoch stated, “I’m glad our messenger got to you in time. This whole valley is about to blow. We need to leave now.”

“Then why are we standing here flapping our gums?” Hannibal asked with a sarcastic laugh. “Let’s bail out of here before we get our asses roasted and buried here.”

Enoch waved them on. “Let’s go,” he insisted as a loud explosion nearby caused pieces of the throne room ceiling to break loose. “This place is finished! Go; go!”

Everyone made a break for the portal in the treasure chamber. In less than two minutes, the last of the defenders of Hreidmar’s Bastion passed through the portal with Hannibal and Enoch physically being the last ones through. As soon as Enoch and Hannibal cleared the portal, Enoch called out to Elias, “Shut the gate, Elias. The Bastion is falling.”

Elias closed the portal, but left the hologram on so they could witness the end of Hreidmar’s Bastion and the 7th Division’s Hunter Battalions. Elias, Harry, and Horace stared fearfully at Hannibal as he walked over to the control panel with the Caverias Sword slung over his shoulder. The portal chamber became deathly quiet as the people who had helped move the treasure of Cushar backed away from Hannibal because of his monstrous appearance brought on by Grimm’s Mask. “Relax, my friends,” Hannibal called out, seeing their fear. “I’m not a Grimm. I just borrowed your founder’s helmet to help fight off the 7th Division so you could escape.”

“Is that really you, Hannibal?” Harry asked. “You look like a demon monster in that thing.”

“Yes, bud,” Hannibal stated, walking up behind the console with Elias, Harry, and Horace. “It’s me. It seems we found another piece of ancient alien tech in the Bastion. It allowed me to hold the line while the people escaped.”

“Fate, be merciful,” Horace breathed. “That really is Grimm’s Mask, isn’t it? I’ve read about it in the Cadre archives, but never truly believed it existed.”

“It is,” Hannibal stated without turning to Horace. “We can talk about this later. I need to see the wide view of this calamity. Something about what’s happening at the Bastion seems incredibly familiar. Elias, pull back the view so I can see the entire valley.”

“Sure, Hannibal,” Elias answered in a fearful tone while expanding the hologram view to show the entire valley.

“Relax, Elias,” Hannibal ordered in a friendly tone. “I know this helmet is making you afraid. I’ll take it off in a few minutes. I think it wants to see this.”

“The helmet is alive?” Harry asked.

“So it would seem,” Hannibal admitted. “It’s not ready for me to remove it just yet. It wants us to see this.”

“Fascinating,” Horace breathed as he and everyone fearful of the Mask realized Hannibal wasn’t allowing it to run out of control.

“Hmmm; this looks familiar,” Hannibal murmured, looking at the holograph recording the destruction of the valley. The super-cell storm dropped torrential rains along with a dozen tornadoes and hundreds of simultaneous lightning strikes all over the valley. Steam rose as the rain touched the lava breaking out of the ground in fountains. Some of the tornadoes became fiery vortexes when they touched the lava geysers and flows. The ground splintered and collapsed into a widening lake of lava. Immense landslides and mudflows slid out of the mountains into the widening lava lake. Everyone watched as a small remnant of the 7th Division Hunter Battalions fled back over the Pass of Suhrim-Shek only to be buried in the landslides from its surrounding peaks. Without warning as everyone watched, the summit of the mountain Hreidmar’s Bastion was carved from exploded in a catastrophic volcanic eruption, blowing out the entire west flank of the mountain. It unleashed a volcanic hell that buried the Bastion up to the roof of the keep along with the valley in seven hundred feet of ash and lava all the way to the pass in minutes. None survived. The superheated ash cloud hit the roof of the caverns and spread out in all directions, dropping dozens of feet of ash, pumice, and cinders over the lower third of Cushar. Lava bombs the size of houses rained down twenty miles from the eruption in all directions, setting the forests on fire.

“By the Elder Gods,” Kusanagi breathed, having made his way to Hannibal’s side to see the destruction. “It’s all gone. The Almighty was incredibly merciful to have sent you when He did, Lord Beowulf.”

“I agree,” Hannibal said softly, stunned at the unimaginable violence of the eruption that eradicated an entire valley. “And I don’t think we’d have pulled it off if I hadn’t used the power of this helmet to assist you. Now I see why the telepathic pulse I felt from it was so urgent. Somehow, the intelligence on this helmet knew this calamity was coming and wanted your people evacuated to a safe place. I believe a prayer of gratitude to the Almighty is in order. He was indeed merciful.”

“That he was,” Nemesis stated, still cradling General Hadiff in his arms. “But I think we should pay close attention to this eruption and storm. I’ve seen this before.”

“Where?” Harry asked.

“Last week just before we reversed Hannibal’s mutation,” Nemesis stated. “It was a class six magnetic storm out over the Sea of Calui. I saw it using the portal here. I also know Hannibal saw it from the roof of the Tower. I think we’re seeing another one of those storms, Hannibal, which worries me. The Rising may be closer than we think. We need to get our asses moving and in place at Srandi before that happens.”

“You’re right,” Hannibal stated, turning to Nemesis. “That’s got to be why this calamity looks familiar. The last time it took place over the sea. This time, it’s over land and has literally reshaped the entire lower half of Cushar. I am so glad we got everyone out in time.”

“I concur,” Nemesis agreed. “No one deserves to get caught in that maelstrom, even the General and Colonel here.”

“You can shut off the hologram now,” Hannibal told Elias. “I think we’ve all seen enough of that destruction. It grieves me that so many lives were lost in that inferno, even if they did belong to the Emperor. Speaking of that; how’s the General, Nemesis?”

“In bad shape,” Nemesis stated as Elias turned off the hologram and put the remote back into the console. “But he seems to be coming around.”

Hannibal walked over to Nemesis to look the General in the eye. A moan escaped the General’s lips as his eyes fluttered. When his eyes opened, his first sight was the Grimm he saw before the quake. Hadiff’s eyes grew wide as terror filled him. In the next second, he realized none other than the traitorous Nemesis was holding him. “Oh, no,” Hadiff moaned. “I’m dead. I must be dead because I see the draken Grimm and Nemesis is fixing to feed me to it.”

“Relax, General,” Hannibal stated. “You’re not dead and I’m not a draken Grimm. Here; let me show you.” He put his hands on either side of the helmet to lift it off his head. The platinum draken scale on his neck that had melded to his armor suddenly went liquid. The spikes on his armor melted away as the Mask absorbed it, uncovering Hannibal’s neck while enlarging slightly. Hannibal gently lifted Grimm’s Mask off his head and sighed, relieved to be free of the ancient alien device. Turning the Mask around to look it in the eyes, he said, “Thank you for the help, my friend. But I must return you to your proper place now. Master Kusanagi, come take Grimm’s Mask from me so your people may see I’m a man of my word.”

Kusanagi stepped forward and took Grimm’s Mask from Hannibal, telling everyone, “Who among you still doesn’t believe this man is the Last Caverias...the Beowulf reborn who will make an end of the Emperor’s tyranny? Grimm’s Mask found him worthy to channel its power to save us from annihilation. The prophecies are fulfilled, and now, as he promised, Beowulf has returned Grimm’s Mask to us now that we are safe. Does anyone not believe in him now?”

“I believe,” Col. Hancock answered. “I saw him battle with the demon of the Mask, conquering it before using the Mask to halt the advance of the enemy.”

“So do I,” Captain Osborne agreed. “I saw it too. He single-handedly obliterated five companies as they came up the causeway. Yet he had mercy on the General and his bodyguard when the calamity overtook our valley. No way would the Emperor have ever been that merciful.” The people of Cushar saved from the Bastion still in the portal chamber agreed with a rumble, kneeling to Hannibal.

“Please, my friends; you needn’t bow to me,” Hannibal insisted. “I’m just a man caught up in a game far larger than I am. Give our god, the Ancient of Days the praise, not me.”

“And he’s humble too, just as the prophecies say,” Kusanagi agreed. “We all believe in you, milord. If you need us, all you need to do is ask.”

“All I ask is that you be our friend and stand with us against the Emperor,” Hannibal replied humbly. “We must stand together or the Emperor shall stream-roll us all just as he tried to do at your Bastion, which brings me back to the General here. General, Col. Commora told us that your heart was never in the slaughter you brought to the people of Cushar. He said both of you obeyed out of fear of the Emperor, but now want to be free of that tyrant. Did is speak the truth? Think carefully before you answer because I can tell if you’re lying. My telepathic and elemental abilities enable me to see the truth when someone speaks to me. And if you don’t believe me, let me give you a small demonstration of my elemental power.” He put his hands sixteen inches apart with his palms facing each other. White plasma bolts abruptly arced between his hands as if his hands were charged. General Hadiff’s eyes grew wide as Hannibal lowered his hands, ending the demonstration with no damage. “That’s just a small demonstration of what I can do,” Hannibal stated bluntly, shaking the residual charge from his hands. “A much larger example is what I did to General Si and his five companies on the causeway below the fourth gate. I know you saw me after I blitzed them with the strongest Inferno blast I’ve ever generated. I didn’t want to do it, nor unleash that level of power, but they forced my hand. Now, my question for you is this. Was your friend Col. Commora lying? Do you really want to break with the Emperor?”

“Who are you really?” General Hadiff asked in fearful amazement.

“I am the Beowulf,” Hannibal stated, “The Last Caverias, heir to the throne of Thoth Caverias and Ariel, slayer of men, monsters, demons, wizards, and Old Ones. I’m the fulfillment of the prophecies of this savage underworld; the one that will finally put an end to the Emperor’s tyranny. I was caught and mutated by the Emperor, but I also escaped and lifted the curse of my mutation into a woman. The lifting of that mutation happened just a few days ago. The people you see around you are under my protection. All they wish is to live unmolested by the Emperor in peace. All who wish to get out from beneath the Emperor’s thumb and live in peace are welcome in our camp. But woe to those who wish to spoil that peace for I will protect these people with lethal force, as you have already seen. Now, what say you, General Vladimir Akira Hadiff? Are you tired of the senseless slaughter of innocent people and creatures to sate the Emperor’s vile thirst for blood? I can sense your disgust and hatred for this culling ordered by the Emperor.”

General Hadiff’s mouth fell open in complete surprise, speechless. “General, this man is truly the Beowulf,” Nemesis stated. “I’ve watched and assisted him since he came to the Emperor in chains months ago. I watched his mutation into a woman, his escape, his return to save his wife and the other prisoners inside the Black Fortress while still a mutated woman, and even his restoration. He fights only because he must, and only kills when there’s no other option. Had General Si and his troops backed off when he told them, they may still be alive. You can trust him. He’s the antithesis of the Emperor and is at war with him. He’s not going to back down until he’s destroyed the Emperor or is dead.”

“True,” Hannibal said in a more friendly tone than he’d used earlier. “I can be your best friend or worst enemy. I’d rather have you as a friend. Now tell me; what are your feelings about us? It’s okay to speak the truth. You will not be penalized for speaking honestly to us.”

“I’m still having trouble believing the Beowulf is alive and standing right before me,” General Hadiff stated, finally having found his tongue. “But here you are. I cannot deny what my eyes and heart tell me, especially after you took off that grotesque Grimm helmet. Despite you being an enemy, I can’t help but find myself at ease with you. I can’t explain it.”

“It’s his light,” Enoch stated, looking down at Hadiff as Nemesis held him. “Hannibal has the light of the Ancient of Days on him. You’re responding to it.”

“What about your orders?” Hannibal asked. “Do you still wish for the complete eradication of the people of Cushar?”

“No,” General Hadiff stated, “Col. Commora told you the truth. I never took pleasure in such wholesale slaughter. It’s abhorrent and wrong. But like most human officers in the Emperor’s army, I feared for my life and soul, and the lives and souls of my family. We’re bound to obey him because he holds our family hostage. When one of us doesn’t follow orders, their family is slaughtered before their eyes and then that officer is killed as an example. With what’s happened, I fear for my wife and son. Failure in such an operation such as this is not an option. As soon as the Emperor hears this operation has failed in such a catastrophic manner, my family is dead. It would have been better that I’d never been born.”

Everyone heard the sorrow in General Hadiff’s voice. “Where were did the Emperor hold your family?” Hannibal asked softly.

“In the Black Fortress,” General Hadiff replied, tears running down his cheeks. “I will never see them again now. You might as well kill me now. I have nothing left to live for. My wife and son were the only things that kept me going. Now they’re going to die.”

“Don’t give up yet, my friend,” Hannibal urged, putting a friendly hand gently on Hadiff’s shoulder. “Do you know where in the Fortress they were held?”

“They were confined in the upper levels of the dungeons,” General Hadiff stated. “That’s where they hold hostage the family members of the officers. That section isn’t like the lower dungeons. The facilities there are much better, but they’re still not allowed to move about without an escort, depending on the Emperor’s present mood. The last time I saw them, my son had been enrolled in the gladiator school to teach him the arts of war.”

A wry smile crossed Hannibal’s lips as he realized how to turn the General. “When was the last time you saw them?” he asked.

“Four months ago when the Emperor ordered the 7th Division to attack Cushar,” General Hadiff stated glumly, “I haven’t seen them since. We officers must obey instantly without question. Otherwise, the spies embedded in our forces report our missteps and failures to the Cadre. That’s why I know my family is dead now. The moment you attacked us, thwarting our assault, they sent word of it and our failure to the Emperor. It would have been better that I died out there. Now the Emperor will be gunning for my head, and my wife and son are good as dead.”

“Don’t give up hope, General,” Hannibal insisted. “Things have happened since you last saw your family. When I raided the Black Fortress to rescue my wife, who had been taken prisoner the same time I was, we not only rescued her, but also liberated every prisoner in the dungeons. I do not doubt that your family may have been among them. We just have to find them among the people.”

“What?” General Hadiff cried in shock. “You’re lying! No one could do such a thing.”

“I did,” Hannibal declared, “And I did it while still suffering the curse of being a mutated woman. I used this very machine you see here to open a gateway portal to the lower levels of the dungeons and liberated every prisoner we could find. We gave the Emperor a very bloody nose in his own house and showed him he’s not untouchable. Magnus, you were in charge of freeing those in the dungeons with the jailer. Did you find the General’s family?”

“We most certainly did,” Magnus stated, still cradling Col. Commora’s unconscious form. “They were freed about the time you returned from the Arena with the gladiators, the Captain of the Guards, and his men. They were a bit malnourished, but otherwise okay. I believe they are with the others in the barracks now.”

General Hadiff shook his head and sighed. “I wish I could believe you,” he said softly, his eyes glazing from the shock he was going into. “But I can’t. Only when I see them will I believe. If you can produce them, as you boast, then you have won my loyalty. Otherwise, just kill me now. Without my family, I don’t want to go on, and I refuse to return to the Emperor. He kills all officers when a mission fails. I will not go back there to die at the hands of that beast.”

“Sounds like you’ve already turned on the Emperor,” Enoch surmised.

“I have,” General Hadiff murmured, his complexion getting worse as his voice grew weaker. “It grieves me that I couldn’t save more of my human troops from the calamity. Many were my friends and secretly wished to be free of the Emperor. However, because of the Xenian and Zarukar companies embedded in the Hunter Battalions, no one dared to speak of such treason. I pray Fate is more merciful to them than she has been to me.”

“You needn’t worry about the Emperor here,” Enoch stated. “He cannot touch you here. I give you my word as Enoch Caverias, descendant of Thoth and Ariel Caverias. This is my island. Furthermore, we will find your wife and son. If they were alive when we made our raid on the Black Fortress, we will find them here. You have my word.”

“Enoch never lies,” Hannibal declared. “He will find your family, and so will I. But until then, you must allow us to tend to your injuries. Let us show you that there’s something to live for. Don’t let the darkness of the Emperor rob you of your reason to live. We’re all about life and light, not darkness and death. Give us a chance, please. We all want what you want: peace.”

Hannibal’s soft-toned plea touched General Hadiff’s icy heart. Tears welled up in his eyes. “Your words have touched my cold heart, Beowulf,” he whimpered. “Is it truly possible for us to be free of the Emperor?”

“We will be free of him,” Hannibal stated resolutely. “His days are numbered. You have my word. He will pay in blood compounded with blood for what he’s forced on all of us. I will see to it myself since I’m the target and source of his anger and rage. This is a fight between him and me. I’m so sorry you have gotten tangled up in this contest between us. Please forgive me.”

“Keep your word and find my family and you will have my forgiveness and loyalty,” General Hadiff answered weakly. “As long as my family is alive and safe, I can die...contented.” A moment later, he passed out.

“We will find your family,” Hannibal murmured in Hadiff’s ear. “You will live to see them again.”

“We need to get the General and Col. Commora to the Healer right now,” Nemesis stated. “His condition is degrading quickly. If they’re not put in right away, we may lose them.”

“Then by all means take them,” Hannibal ordered, “Hurry.”

“Come on, Magnus,” Nemesis growled. “Let’s get the General and Colonel to the Healer.”

“Yes, Nemesis,” Magnus replied, following Nemesis out of the portal chamber.

Turning to Enoch, Hannibal said, “Find General Hadiff’s family and take them to him. And if you can find Col. Commora’s family, do the same.”

“I’m already on it. Hunter, let’s go,” Enoch stated, quickly leaving with Hunter.

Looking at the people of Cushar still present, Hannibal asked, “Do you believe the General and Colonel are our enemies now? It seems to me that both of them have had a bellyful of the Emperor and have been looking for a way out. It seems to me neither of them wanted to be part of that carnage, but did so out of fear of the Emperor. What do you think, Col. Hancock?”

“I’m not so sure about them after hearing what the General said,” Hancock admitted. “I say give them a chance. If the two of them truly want to join us in resisting the Emperor, then they should be willing to share what they know about the Emperor’s forces and tactics.”

“I agree,” Kusanagi called out. “But I think we should keep an eye on them for now. The General’s story may be true about the Emperor keeping the families of human officers hostage to insure their cooperation. But then again, that could be a ruse.”

“It’s no ruse,” Horace declared. “I know for a fact the Emperor holds the family members of the human officers hostage...those that have families. He considers it an insurance policy to insure their obedience.”

“I’m sure he does,” Hannibal said coldly. “That always seems to be the case with tyrants. It gives them leverage over those they deem too important to kill outright.”

“That’s so true,” Horace agreed. “General Hadiff was top of his class when he came out of the Cadre’s war college. He has a natural knack for strategy. The Emperor saw him as an efficient tool he could make use of.”

“I see,” Kusanagi said, rubbing his chin. “That seems logical, but I still think we should interrogate them some more after their wounds are treated.”

“We will,” Hannibal stated. “But first, we need to show them that they can trust us. I know the General is more than ready to bail on the Emperor. He didn’t lie about anything. The key to gaining his friendship and help is reuniting him with his family. We do that, and he’ll sing like a song bird. In fact, I do believe once he sees his family is truly safe with us, he’ll be eager for revenge against the Emperor. You have no idea what the Emperor and the Cadre have done to insure his obedience. He may give us critical intelligence just to spite the Emperor.”

“That would be great,” Kusanagi stated. “Anything he can give us can be useful.”

“True,” Hannibal stated. “But until he does this, we need to keep a careful watch on both of them. They have to earn our trust, just as we have to earn their trust. That means we don’t mistreat them in any way. These guys are no different than Marvin when he joined us with his men when we launched the rescue raid on the Black Fortress. We all had to make allowances to get along. Do all of you understand what I’m saying?”

“Don’t worry,” Kusanagi stated. “Our people will follow your instructions. We’ll not attack or abuse the General or his bodyguard. You have my word on that. Isn’t that right, my friends?” The people of Cushar still present rumbled in agreement to let General Hadiff and Colonel Commora prove themselves without being persecuted by them.

“That’s all I can ask,” Hannibal stated. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have chores to attend to, not the least of which is getting something to eat. I’m starved after what I did at the Bastion. Kusanagi, I would like you to be part of our war council since you are the Sage of Cushar. Your input and perspective will be valuable to us in our resistance to the Emperor.”

“I’d be honored, milord,” Kusanagi replied, bowing slightly. “You can count on me.”

“Thank you,” Hannibal stated. “I’ll send for you when we need your input. For now, you should work with Elias and Harry to make sure the artifacts and relics of your culture are secured. They’ll also help you and your people find a place here.”

“That we will,” Elias answered. “The first thing we need to do is secure the treasure you brought from the Bastion. Come on. I think I know a good place to put it. Follow me.”

Turning to the group that stood guard over the treasure brought from the Bastion, Kusanagi ordered, “Keep watch until we return.”

“As you command, Master Kusanagi,” Hancock answered, having taken over guarding the treasure.

“Lead the way, Master Elias,” Kusanagi told Elias, “Let’s see this place you wish to store our legacy.”

“This way, my friend,” Elias stated. “Harry, could you stay and keep an eye on the portal?”

“Sure,” Harry replied. “Go; I can watch things here with Horace and Andrew.”

With that, Elias led Kusanagi and Liam out of the portal chamber after Kusanagi deposited Grimm’s Mask with the other items once used by Hreidmar Casim, founder of the kingdom of Cushar. Seeing Col. Hancock, Captain Osborne, Ronin, and their fellow soldiers guarding Cushar’s priceless treasures with worried, concerned looks, Harry chimed, “Relax, guys; you’re among friends. We’re not going to steal your treasure. We have no reason to take it or destroy it.”

“This treasure is all we have left,” Hancock stated. “It’s our responsibility to make sure nothing happens to it. All our history is here. We cannot let it stolen or destroyed.”

“Nothing will happen to it,” Harry insisted. “I promise. Maybe you could educate us on some of your history while Elias and Master Kusanagi find a suitable vault where these priceless treasures can be secured. I’m sure your history is fascinating, and would like to hear about it. I’m really curious about that strange helmet Hannibal and Master Kusanagi called Grimm’s Mask. He said it belonged to the founder of your kingdom. Who was he?”

“You’re an outlander, like Beowulf, aren’t you?” Hancock surmised.

“I am,” Harry stated. “I’m Harry Clint, Hannibal’s best friend, or rather Beowulf’s best friend. We’ve been friends and comrades in arms for over twenty cycles. Many times have we saved each other from gruesome injury or death. He’s a good man that I would give my life for.”

“I can see you’re deeply loyal to Beowulf,” Hancock stated. “That’s good. As for our history, I’m not the one you should speak to about it. Master Kusanagi is the keeper of our history. He’s the one you should speak to about it, especially when it comes to the tales around Hreidmar and Grimm’s Mask. He can give you an accurate account of it. But I can tell you what I remember of our legends if you like.”

“I’d be honored,” Harry replied. “I’m fascinated about everything we’ve found in this savage underworld. Besides, the more I know about this land and its people, the better chance I have of surviving here.”

Hancock’s right eyebrow rose slightly. “You’re pretty smart for an outlander from the surface,” he complimented. “I like that. But just realize all I know are the stories about our past and don’t really know if they’re true or not.”

“Often legends and stories have grains of truth and fact hidden in them,” Harry commented. “That’s how Hannibal led us here to this underworld. He followed the crumbs left in the stories and myths of Amacia on the surface. Eventually, he put the pieces together and led us here.”

“Interesting,” Osborne replied. “I’d like to hear more about that when we have time.”

“I’m sure Hannibal would be more than willing to share how we came to be here,” Harry said, smiling warmly. “But for now, would you guys tell me some stories about your people?”

“I see no harm in that,” Hancock stated, starting into the myths and tales he knew about his people, starting with the tales about Hreidmar Casim.

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