Heritage
Dawn of the War

I reached out and petted Starflower comfortingly. She was nervous, I could feel it. She probably was more nervous than me but believe me, I was terrified. We stood in line with the other riders, overlooking the hill where Zack’s army stood. And there was Cannabec, even through this damn visor, I could see him there, standing in front with his sword in his hand. I turned my head slightly towards Gardenia’s army. She stood in front, solemn and silent like the other elves, her lexicon clutched in her hand. Directly behind her was a quivering Aura, scared and gripping his sword. I reached down to stroke my father’s sword in its scabbard.

“Steady!” Paradox’s voice echoed across his army as he rode his Florony forward a few paces. He looked up the hill and probably spotted Cannabec because I heard an angry growl leave his lips. He rode ahead and I swallowed nervously as Cannabec walked down to meet him halfway. Paradox was angry, I could tell, he spoke fiercely to Cannabec and I only caught a handful of words. This helmet was restricting my hearing and I didn’t like it. I guess that’s why there are so few elves that have helmets like me. I quickly glanced up and down the line of elves I was with. Yeah, most of them didn’t have helmets, some of the magic wielders had circlets to help their concentration which was the only other headgear for war.

I held my breath as Paradox took a swing at Cannabec with his sword. Cannabec blocked it without much effort it looked like, then took a swipe at his Florony who shrieked and reared up, knocking Paradox off. He landed with a loud thud and I winced as the noise echoed through the open air. His armour was bigger and looked heavier than mine. Surely, that had to hurt.

“Charge!” Lord Tirade in front of me yelled as his Florony reared up and the rest of the riders followed him into battle, including me. Zack’s army came charging down the hill and I made my way towards Cannabec, sword out of scabbard and aimed for the demon. However, humans soldiers cut my path and Starflower reared suddenly, sending me flying off her. I landed heavily and managed to get my shield up to block the next attack that came for me. I swung my sword at their legs and managed to hit something vital because they fell and screamed in pain.

I stood up shakily, stumbling after being off the ground for a long while. Starflower took off into the woods. She must be really terrified and believe me, with all this noise, I’m quite scared too. I set my eyes back onto Cannabec but then saw Aura in the distance, struggling to defend himself and even though Gardenia wasn’t far from him, I decided to save him. I ran towards him as he continued fighting the soldier in front of him. Now, I didn’t have the stomach for killing so I only aimed for places where it could hurt the soldier hard enough to stun them whenever anyone got in my way. I lunged for the soldier attacking Aura and put myself between them. Aura fell over as I attacked the soldier until his weapon was on the ground.

There was a gunshot and I looked down at where the bullet was embedded into my armour. I looked back at the soldier who was shaking, the gun in his hand shaking as he stared at me with wide eyes. He was frightened. Like all of us. I lowered my sword and flipped my visor up.

“If you don’t want to fight then run,” I called over the roar of the battle going on. He could guess from my eyes alone that I was female, if the voice hadn’t given it away. He lowered his gun, probably uneasy to fight against a female. I suddenly raised my blade and he turned and ran. I quickly flipped my visor down and saw Aura was still on the ground, looking up at me in shock.

“Zel-”

“Aura, forgive me for this,” I said and raised my sword, stabbing him in the thigh three times to make sure he would be unable to walk. He yelled in pain and I quickly sheathed my sword to hide the blood as Gardenia turned and quickly hurried over. She looked him over and ran a hand over his wound, probably concluding that she alone wouldn’t be able to heal such a serious wound quickly because she picked him up and carried him off the battlefield. I let out a short breath before taking my sword out again and held it up whilst scanning the area for Cannabec. They had gone nearer the lake, fighting furiously and I could see Cannabec was going easy compared to his battle with me. I made my way over and managed to get behind him, my sword raised. However, he quickly knocked Paradox over and turned sharply to block my blow.

“Why hello,” he purred with a smirk as he recognized my armour.

“Stand down, soldier!” Paradox ordered as he got up “This isn’t your fight. Go back and help Lord Tirade!” Oh how wrong he was. I pushed down on Cannabec’s sword and gasped as his clawed hand hit me across the head. I fell back and expected another blow but nothing came. I looked up to see Paradox fighting Cannabec once more. I got up and rubbed my helmet, feeling the claw marks that had scratched it. I took up my sword and I got back up, slicing at Cannabec but he just turned, blocking Paradox with his sword and catching mine in his free hand.

“And she’s still at it!” he grinned wider.

“I said to stand down, soldier!” Paradox said more forcefully. Cannabec spun around rapidly and the handle of his sword hit me around the head, sending me back down to the ground.

“You should listen to him,” Cannabec said as he continued fighting Paradox “If that’s the best you’ve got then you don’t have much of a chance against me.” I glared up at the two fighting before getting back on my feet. I had a headache from this bloody helmet, any noise that was made when it got hit echoed around inside and made my ears ring. I raised my sword once more and charged at Cannabec again once his back was turned. But Cannabec always knew what I was doing somehow so when he managed to knock Paradox over down the hill towards the lake, he turned on his heel and blocked my attack. We struggled for a while until his clawed hand came up and hit me around the head once. As I stumbled, he raked his claws down the side of the helmet and I heard something snap. Light suddenly filled my vision and I closed my eyes as my helmet fell to the ground and Cannabec clapped with glee.

“Zelda!” I turned to see Cannabec and Paradox at it once more, except this time, Paradox cut through Cannabec’s armour, cast him aside and ran to me, grabbing my hand. “What do you think you’re doing?!” he shouted as he dragged me off “Why did you think it was a good idea to get involved?! Come, I’m sending you back to the Northern Palace as promptly as possible, I knew I should have made sure that Mother knew you needed to be restrained…” I pulled out of Paradox’s grip and when he turned to me, I slapped him around the face as hard as possible, leaving a rather purple mark on his cheek. He stumbled and stared at me, speechless.

“Cannabec was the one who influenced Zack to kill my family, he needs to pay!” I snarled “This is my fight!”

“Zelda, I won’t let you go and kill yourself!” Paradox snarled back “Why won’t you do as you’re told?!”

“No-one tells me what to do!” I shouted and I readied my sword “Not you, not Vincent, not anyone!” I gave him a challenging look before turning and charging at Cannabec.

“Zelda!” I ignored Paradox’s shout as I brought my sword down and began fighting Cannabec. He grinned at me as he furiously hacked at me.

“You still fight me, even though you don’t stand a chance?” he hissed as I defended his blows.

“You never know until you try,” I said before teleporting behind him and hitting his side. Petals fluttered everywhere as Cannabec turned and continued fighting me. I blinked as I saw Paradox coming up from behind and Cannabec spun on his heel to block his attack and grab my face with his free hand. My sword slipped from my grip and my hands flew to Cannabec’s wrist as he lifted me up whilst fighting Paradox.

“Two against one,” Cannabec sighed as Paradox’s attacks grew more aggressive, from what I could see from between his grey fingers “Now that isn’t fair.”

“You demons never play fair so deal with it,” Paradox hissed.

“Hm, true enough, I guess,” Cannabec cackled. I began kicking my legs in futility as I tried to wrench his hand off of my face. Paradox looked livid as his blows grew heavier and heavier from what I could see. I whined in pain as Cannabec’s palm pushed into my nose and his claws dug into my skin. It was too uncomfortable and I could barely breathe. He was suffocating me!

“Let her go, she has nothing to do with this!” Paradox snarled as my head began to spin and my vision began to go black.

“On the contrary, as the princess of the Central Elven Kingdom, I think she has a lot to do with the fight between humans and the supernatural,” Cannabec grinned. I gripped Cannabec’s wrist in my weakened state and twisted it sharply. He let go with a surprised yelp, lowering his guard and allowing Paradox to shove his sword handle into his stomach and push him away from me. I took up my sword again and followed after them down to the lake.

“Zelda, stay out of this!” Paradox snarled as he pushed me back with one hand whilst defending Cannabec’s blow.

“He said it himself, I have a lot to do with this fight!” I argued.

“Never listen to a demon!” Paradox argued back.

“Oh really?” I raised an eyebrow as we got pushed back and Paradox fell to one knee, enduring Cannabec’s strength.

“He’s right you know,” Cannabec smirked “But then again, you never do as you’re told, do you?”

“Damn straight!” I growled as I swung my sword at him. Cannabec pushed Paradox into me, causing me to fall. I teleported behind him as I landed and knocked him over with a sweep kick. He fell on top of me and Paradox was on his feet, foot firmly on Cannabec’s chest (and on my back).

“Give it up, demon filth,” he sneered as I lay on my front, enduring the weight of both males “Even if your Soldier wins this war, we’ll come back much stronger than before. There is no hope for you.”

“So arrogant, I bet Opitham would love to have you as a candidate,” Cannabec smirked “And if you’ve forgotten, we demons don’t depend on hope like those bastard angels.” He thrust his sword up and Paradox stumbled back in surprise, letting Cannabec go so he could get up and start fighting again. I got up to my hands and knees but slipped and realised how exhausted I was. I felt really weak, tired and unfit. The adrenaline must be wearing. But every time I glanced at Cannabec, I remembered why I was here, in the sun, in this uncomfortable armour. I had a score to settle. I got up but my vision wouldn’t allow me to see straight. I stumbled to one knee, breathing erratically as I watched the two of them fight.

“Zelda, retreat!” Paradox ordered. But I didn’t listen to him, obviously. I got back to my feet and staggered over a few more steps before falling to my knees again. I had to keep going, I needed to. I couldn’t let my mother down, let her sacrifice go to waste. I needed to fight for my people and my race.

And that was when a familiar surge of power took hold of me and rippled through my body. A flash of white streamed across my eyes and thousands of petals brushed across my skin. My armour disappeared and soon I was standing in my limit form, using my fans to cool myself down. Seriously, I was sweltering in that armour! How can anyone stand it?! I let my hair down, pulling a disgusted face at how matted and messy it was from being in the helmet. Shaking my head to clear my disgust, I focused on Cannabec and threw my fans in his direction. As they cut through the air, I chased after them as Cannabec noticed the coming attack. He ducked, Paradox fell over backwards to avoid the fans and they circled back at my command.

“Zelda, don’t waste your energy!” Paradox barked as Cannabec turned from him and his sword turned into a sickle.

“Aw, someone doesn’t want his little princess running around half naked,” Cannabec taunted then eyed me up and down “Make that three quarters naked.” I didn’t even bother to try and cover myself. Vincent said I don’t have much to hide anyway.

“I’m not his little princess,” I snarled at the demon as I held up my fans. Cannabec just grinned, his teeth gleaming in the morning sunlight and ran towards me, sickle raised to cleave my head off. I teleported behind him and cut him behind his neck. He scowled and turned to cut through my waist but I teleported away from him quick enough. I glared as Paradox ran towards us and spun around sharply. A column of petals surrounded Cannabec and I, restricting Paradox any access. Cannabec looked around at my handiwork and laughed.

“Really!” he cackled “Petals? Petals! You make it far too easy to kill you, my dear Zelda!” He snapped his fingers. Green fire consumed my petal column and I stood there, paralysed, the rush of those memories coming back to me. My real family, my adopted families, all consumed by fire. Burning slowly to death, their screams of agony and where was I? Trapped, running away from the flames, white hot agony as I was severely burnt by the angry flames. My fans slipped from my grasp and I stared at the fire in horror as Cannabec teleported away. I couldn’t move, my chest was caving into my lungs, I couldn’t breathe…I couldn’t breathe!

“Zelda!” Something heavy hit me and I was pushed through the column of fire, some flames burning my cheeks and hair. I barely felt the fire on my hair as it was patted down. I landed on the grass and that heavy object landed on top of me. Broad arms were holding me still and something was breathing down my neck. Hands cradled my head as I slowly calmed down from my shock. My heart was still beating erratically as I turned my head to see Paradox lying on top of me, holding me close to him. Our breaths were very uneven, his breath tickling my ear and going down my neck as my breath went across his blue neck, brushing against his hair.

“D-Dox…” I murmured softly as I struggled to speak.

“Please, Zelda, leave!” Paradox begged “It’s too dangerous, you will lose conscious soon, I won’t lose you again!”

“Well isn’t this touching?” I looked over Paradox’s shoulder to see Cannabec, sickle in his hand and glinting in the sun.

“Dox, get up, get up,” I whispered as I pushed against him. My eyes widened when Cannabec lifted his sickle and brought it down onto Paradox’s back. I heard the creak of metal and Paradox’s pained grunt. Cannabec smirked as he brought his sickle up again. “Dox get up!”

“No, I need…” Cannabec brought his sickle down again and Paradox gasped, his eyes widening in surprise “I need…to protect you…” When Cannabec brought his sickle up, I saw his blood.

“Dox, he’ll kill you!” I shrieked.

“I don’t mind…” Paradox smiled as he looked down at my face “As long as you’re alright, I’ll protect you no matter what the cost.”

“Are you insane? You can get up now and defend yourself! I can take care of myself!”

“You can’t always do everything yourself. And besides. I love you.” My heart skipped a beat as I stared up at Paradox’s smiling face. “I’d do anything for you. Even if you don’t feel the same anymore, I’d die for you. As long as you’re safe, there is nothing I would do to be happier.”

Something like this has happened before. I remember. Paradox and I used to play in the gardens when he visited. One rainy day, he covered me with his body to shelter me and said that he would always protect me no matter what. That was the day when I learned that we were betrothed. I remember, I felt so happy, I got along so well with Paradox. Even after all these years, he was still dedicated to protecting me. Why didn’t he find someone else to be betrothed to? Why doesn’t he just listen to me? It was stupid, so stupid, just like the whole of male race! And yet it was oddly romantic. My consciousness was fading already, the edges of my vision was going black. But I could still see Cannabec raise that sickle of his. I used the rest of my strength to push Paradox off and raised my hand to attempt to catch the sickle.

“Zelda, no!”

Everything went pitch white for me as I heard Paradox’s yell in the background. I felt calm, hearing my steady heartbeat as comforting warmth spread over me. I breathed in and out, feeling petals envelope me, brushing against my skin and soothing me. And then I felt the power. It began surging through my body, powering me up to fight further. It grew stronger and stronger and I took a deep breath. I roared. Everything rushed back but my vision was blurred. All except Cannabec who was a few feet away, rubbing his eyes. He stood up straight and faced me.

“My, my, impressive,” he purred tauntingly. I was on my hands and feet, crouched like a tiger. There were more petals clutching onto my body, making stripes? I didn’t focus on it though. I was more focused on Cannabec. Power was surging through my body and I couldn’t talk, just snarl and growl like a wild animal. What was wrong with me? I saw Cannabec swelling and morphing into his anubite form. He brandished his sickle and what weapon did I have? Looking down at my hands, I had grown some nasty looking claws. I looked back up at Cannabec and snarled deeply. He snarled back and we began charging at each other.

“Zelda no!”

Cannabec’s morphed face, the wind rushing past my body and Paradox’s voice. Those were the last things I could remember for that day.

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