(The New) Power of the 8 Elements: Part One

Chapter Twenty One: Killahead

"What's done is done." - Willard Macbeth
900 YEARS AGO
SKRAEL

"I don't know, you guys. Do we really have to go to battle?" Nari asked.

Bellroc stood in the far corner, sharpening the scythe end of her staff till it was perfect enough to slice through flesh. I stood somewhat close to the moonlight, making sure that my dorsal crests responded correctly to any imminent danger. Phoenix gathered as many arrows as possible.

"The plan is we don't have to," I said, walking next to Nari and tapping on her nose. She sneezed lightly.

"Why so dusty?"

"This is no laughing matter," Bellroc said.

We all turned around to look at her. She stood up, slamming her staff on the ground.

"By walking with that, you do realize you are making it dull. That kind of destroys the point, doesn't it?"

"Do shut up for me. I'd like none of your insight during the battle, so I can focus."

"If we're not supposed to be fighting, why are we sharpening our weapons?" Nari asked.

"Yeah, why are we sharpening our weapons?" I asked.

"In case I need to take necessary measures."

"We agreed that no contact among the mortals would be made. Why now, of all times, you disobey the one rule that you made."

"I never said we would have to start fighting." Bellroc removed her mask. "I'm just saying that there may come a time when fighting is necessary, and I need you guys to be prepared."

I rolled my eyes. If we had to get involved tonight, I would have to knock Bellroc out for lying. Phoenix was our best and our only battle strategist. We'd been in wars for a long time, and none of her plans had gone south which was why we made her the general as soon as we realized how well she could plan things.

Once all of us were ready, we started the long trek to the Wild Woods. People are already getting ready to go to war. I caught a glimpse of Camelot's soldiers running through the forest. They all look ridiculous. They pretend to fight for something, when really they just want more dumb*ss land. Technically it still belongs to us—the Arcane Order. We own everything. We just happen to be generous enough to give people some of what we have.

We arrive atop a rock platform that gives us the perfect view of the battle. The two warring sides on the separate edges of the field. I know the battlefield will run blood red. Phoenix sits on the edge, hanging her legs over. Bellroc and I stand while Nari crouches down. The sun leaves our view, and night appears.

"And so the battle begins..." I said.

"...and the reign of humanity ends," Bellroc finished.

The soldiers and Gumm-Gumms charged onto the field and violently and heartlessly slay each other. I watched the fight ensue quite casually, occasionally smirking and laughing to myself at someone's bloody death.

"Nothing is happening," Phoenix said, tapping her feet together.

"You call this nothing!" I said. I point at all the exciting things that have happened since the battle started. "A Troll just tore his head off! A knight lost his arm and is running around looking for it, and technically we're winning!"

Phoenix squinted. She looked at me, confused. "And how do you know that?"

"Well, Camelot is losing. There are more Trolls than soldiers."

"That's not enough! I need Arthur dead!" Bellroc exclaimed.

"Patience, Bell," Nari said. "This is only the beginning."