1.10 KMAS: Fall of Vermithrex (Act III)

Both men ran out of the tent and saw that fierce fighting was already underway. Ghouls, zombies, and skeletons were swarming the camp. Behind them, human cultists were butchering the soldiers, and necromancers were hurling their dark spells (wands again and some light effects). Kyros immediately joined the fray. He used his awesome power of throwing colorful balls to lay waste to the army of evil. Little zombies and skeletons stood no chance before him; cultists were rendered immobile before he slew them with a bright orange spell. When the necromancers used their evil magic on him, his shield and counterspells brought destruction upon their ranks. The soldiers of Stormhaven, emboldened by the Great Mage's awesome display of power, rallied behind him and bravely started cutting down the horrors and abominations. Prop swords pierced the zombies; cardboard shields bashed their heads in and rendered them helpless. The tide was turning, and battle seemed almost won, until the defenders heard that horrific cackle.

Lord Vermithrex, ancient lich and now self declared Emperor, floated into the battlefield, shadowed by his minions.

"Vermithrex." Kyros' fierce shout rose above the clash of swords and the screams of the dying and the dead. "You have finally shown yourself, coward. Today will be the day I put an end to your horror. Face me like a man."

"I HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF YOU, LITTLE MAGE. KYROS MAGNUS THEY CALL YOU, DO THEY NOT? MY SERVANTS ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT YOU ARE SOME SORT OF FOLK HERO. AND I, ENJOY CRUSHING HEROES BENEATH MY FEET. MOREOVER, I STILL NEED TO KEEP THAT PROMISE I MADE YOU BENEATH THE MINES OF WORMWOOD. BUT THIS TIME, LET ME MAKE A SPECTACLE OF IT. I SHALL SHOW YOUR PEOPLE HOW WORTHLESS THEIR HEROES ARE. I WILL TEAR YOU DOWN IN FRONT OF THEM, AND WHEN I SAVOR THE DESPAIR IN THEIR SOULS, THEN, I SHALL END YOU."

"Then what are you waiting for? Call off your dogs, and let us do this right here."

Claps and whistles erupted from the audience upon witnessing the Great Mage's bravery. But they were soon overshadowed by another hideous cackle from the Lich Lord.

"OH NO, NO, LITTLE MAGE. IT WON'T BE SO EASY." The Lich glanced at his minions. "BRING HER FORTH," he said.

As Kyros and the audience watched with bated breath, the hooded apprentices of Vermithrex dragged Lady Magnus onto the stage.

"Liriel," Kyros shouted.

"I SEE THAT MY SERVANTS WERE CORRECT. THIS ELF IS YOUR WIFE, IS SHE NOT? A FINE CATCH, I WOULD SAY. IF YOU WISH HER TO REMAIN UNHARMED, CEASE YOUR SPELL CASTING AND KNEEL DOWN BEFORE ME."

"Kyros, no. Leave, please leave," Liriel cried out. Her eyes were red from makeup, and her cheeks were flooding with tears.

"OH, HE WON'T LEAVE, PRETTY ELF. HIS LOVE FOR YOU WILL NOT ALLOW HIM. WATCH AND DESPAIR AS HIS KNEELS BEFORE ME."

"He won't ever bow to you, monster," Liriel said. "And if you seek to use me as a weapon against him, you have got it all wrong. I am not the one in his heart. He...he loves another. You are a fool if you seek to control him through me."

"IS THAT SO?" Vermithrex glared at his minions, all of whom shrunk back in terror. "IT MATTERS NOT. IF YOU ARE OF NO USE, THEN I SHALL MAKE A SPORT OF YOU BEFORE I CONSUME YOUR SOUL."

Suddenly, to the shock of everyone, Kyros fell onto his knees and hung his head in defeat.

The entire battlefield stood still; the soldiers watched the Great Mage's humiliation in utter disbelief and horror. The whole of the auditorium was silenced for a few seconds before the chatter and discussion reached fever pitch.

"Why? Why? Kyros, my love. Why?" Lady Liriel cried out.

The necromancers and their horrors started howling with joy. Lord Vermithrex cautiously approached the kneeling ArchMage and kicked him in the chest. Kyros offered no resistance.

"IS THIS YOUR GREAT MAGE?" he derided the defenders. "IS THIS YOUR HERO?"

The Lich Lord stood upon the Great Mage's hand and stomped on it while cackling horrifically.

Small children in the audience, and even some of the adults, started crying.

Not satisfied with this humiliation, he tore off the top of Kyros' robes. The girl playing Kyros was wearing another shirt underneath (this was still technically a PG play), but now, the necklace was finally revealed to the audience.

And it was the silver necklace given to him by Lady Liriel before he left Meridian.

The audience gasped once more, and some people started crying from joy despite the horrific scene on stage, while others cried from despair.

"YES," Sera yelled, pumping her fist in the air.

"Why are you so happy, Sera?" Liriel asked.

"It was always her, Liri. He might be an ass, but in the end he chose his wife. I still think she should leave him, but this is better than him ending up with that home wrecker."

Esmeralda turned around and asked Liriel, "My lady, were you scared when the Lich Lord kidnapped you?"

The real Liriel Magnus smiled and gently squished Esmeralda's face. "You are too cute, you know that. I wasn't kidnapped, Esme. This part is purely fictional. After my visit, I just came back to Meridian."

"So, the necromancers didn't stop you on the way?"

"Not at all. I have some of the best security in the world, and if someone had tried to attack me, Kyros would have instantly teleported there and obliterated them. Let me tell you a secret, Esme. The Kyros in the play is very underpowered for the sake of drama. Nothing like this happened to my Kyros. He is just too strong. He wouldn't let some ancient carcass literally walk all over him."

The scene ended with Kyros bleeding tomato ketchup and Lady Liriel a crying mess, while Lord Vermithrex stood tall and laughed over his fallen foe.

"That girl playing Liriel can cry," Sera observed. "I thought she was just cast for being pretty. Meridian Theatre company might have made a blunder by not giving her a chance."

"There is more to acting than crying, Sera. But I do agree that she is not bad," said Liriel.