When All Else Fails

  Night had fallen over Dulciena. Tonight would be Midas’s final night as king of Dulciena.

  By morning the people of Dulciena would have a new ruler, a better one. 

  Dulciena may be the first in Maxwells conquest but it certainly wouldn’t be the last, Arion was his for the taking.

  His dark goblins would spread across the world as his unstoppable army. They’d make quick work of the heroes from the other kingdoms and if they didn’t there was always other ways.

  He could already hear the panic at the gates, he would have liked them to avoid killing as many guards as possible. After all those guards would still be needed once Dulciena was his.

  The sound of footsteps pulled him from his thoughts. He’d been hiding out in an abandoned house, he’d made sure he was alone.

  The door to the bedroom he was in creaked open, revealing the large man with the pig-like face he’d seen with the royal family.

  “I knew this was where you’d think to hide, I’m guessing you’re the one who’s got my nephew so worried. Maximus Luminose, isn’t it? I saw you in the palace but we were never formally introduced. I’m King Midas’s uncle, Honest Lagore. It’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance.”

  “I wish I could say the same.”

  He was five times Maxwell’s size, if it came to a fight he'd certainly have the advantage.

  “You see Maximus, my nephew wants you taken care of but I think it would be a waste to throw away such a skilled and renowned hero such as yourself.”

  “Get to your point.”

  “My point is, you should join us Maximus. My nephew’s plan will change this world forever.”

  What a coincidence, perhaps he and Midas were similar. However the difference is that only one of them would live to see their plans come to fruition.

  “I’m afraid I’ll have to pass on your offer.”

  Honest chuckled. “I can’t say I’m surprised you declined however if that is your response then my response shouldn’t surprise you in the least.”

  “No, I suppose it shouldn’t.”

  Honest unsheathed his sword, it had been stained crimson from the countless people he’d slain both on and off the battlefield. Its edges had also been made serrated so that its teeth would get stuck in his victims, making it even more painful to be stuck.

  Maxwell had an ace up his sleeve but he’d need to at least strike Honest once for it to work.

  He let Honest make the first move, he swung the blade with such force that he cut through the paper thin walls of the bedroom with ease.

  His strength was monstrous, one hit from his blade and Maxwell would be sliced clean in half.

  He waited for his opening that would never come. Honest wasn’t taking any risks against him, he wouldn’t underestimate his opponent.

  There was only so much Maxwell could dodge before Honest would get lucky and land a hit that would end the fight instantly.

  “I must admit, I’m disappointed. I’d heard so many stories told about your mastery of the blade, yet all you do is dodge my attacks? I guess they’ll just call anyone a hero these days.”

  All he needed was for Honest to make one mistake and the outcome of their duel would be in his favor.

  “If you’re waiting for an opening, I’m afraid you won’t find one. I’ve battled entire armies and not once has a blade even grazed my flesh, my blade on the other hand…”

  Honest blade seemed to come alive as it bent and moved like a tentacle from a giant squid.

  Before Maxwell could react the bade shot past him grazing his arm, the cut burned like the blade had been on fire.

  “Isn’t she a beauty, I forged her using the tongue of a hydra. It takes a lot of blood to feed her but luckily I have a near endless supply from my prisoners.”

  A living sword certainly complicates things, perhaps a retreat was in order. He could wait until his dark goblin arrived to equal the paying field…

  His thoughts were interrupted by the blade shooting past him again. Luckily the time he was able to parry with his sword.

  “I’m growing a little bored of the Maximus, I was trying to be polite and give you some time to reconsider my offer but now that I see that the legends were greatly exaggerated, I think I’ll just finish you off now.”

  Once again the living sword shot at Maxwell, it moved too fast for him to dodge.

  Just before the blade struck a familiar woman who’d been unconscious the last time he’d seen her, leapt in between him and the blade.

  She continued to parry the living sword as it relentlessly tried to attack her from different angles.

  “Rei?”

  “Why are you just standing there?! Aren’t you supposed to be a hero or something?!

  He wasn’t but in that moment, seeing her there alive and well, he would be just this once.

  “Would you look at that, I thought Elaine had killed your companion. That girl is going to get quite the punishment when I get back.”

  “Oh, she’ll be punished just not by you.”

  Despite never fighting together the two were moving in perfect sync with one another. Together they were able to cut down the living blade until it was the size of a dagger.

  “You two fight so beautifully together, your companionship has moved this old man to tears.”

  “Is that your way of saying you give up?”

  Honest laughed. “No it’s my way of saying, I’ll do you both the honor of finishing you off together so that your souls may ascend to the heavens together.”

  “Your swords not looking to good, you sure you don’t just wanna give up? We’ll let you live.”

  She may but he certainly wouldn’t.

  “Oh, I wouldn’t concern yourself with my blade.”

  The living sword instantly regrew to the same size it was, maybe even bigger.

  “As you can see, there’s nothing to be concerned about, for me that is.”

  “So you figure out how to beat this guy yet or…”

  “Do you trust me?”

  “What does that have to do with anything right now?!”

  “Just answer the question.”

  “Yeah, fine. I trust you.”

  Maxwell lowered his blade. 

  “Alright Honest, we give up. I’ll take your offer.”

  “What in the underworlds are you saying?! What offer?! I didn’t agree to this!”

  “I don’t know if you remember Maximus, but I took back my offer after I saw the way you held yourself in a fight. You couldn’t even beat me with your companion. There is no room for weakness in our new world.”

  “You made your offer to the great hero Maximus Luminose. But he’s long been dead, you see my name is Maxwell Lumin and I’m a villain from another world.”