Chapter Eleven

The Battle of the Capital

Brave men fighting for a wrong cause can bring down a whole world

Elisium

The Fifth Loop, Year 1, 4th January (5L/1/1/4)

"Believe me, something big is about to happen. It is time for the Transition," One of the residents of the Capital whispered to his friend.

"It is the start of a new Loop. Hope these men teach our tyrant king a lesson, " the other man said, pointing to the small army marching through the streets.

Elisians had never seen a hundred men on horse-backs—covered in armor from head to toe and brandishing naked weapons. A nervous excitement, a sense of anticipation was building amongst the people.

"I can't believe this is the same city I left a decade ago," Solomon said to Aaron, Peter's son, his dearest friend and his most trusted advisor.

Aaron was admiring the city with wide eyes. "I have never seen such humongous palaces ever before."

"During my forefathers' reign, the Capital was one large settlement, with the elites and the commoners living next to each other. Now I can see a distinct divide. That Royal Mound," Solomon said pointing to a hillock, "which houses the Grand palace is now a part of the heavily fortified enclave."

"I assume The Grand Palace isn't the only palace in The Capital anymore. Your Uncle Thomas's corrupt ministers have built some lavish residences for themselves, right beside his palace."

"I heard people were thrown out of the vicinity of the Grand Palace to keep this enclave free of commoners," Solomon said with a sigh. "While the elites enjoy the extravagance, commoners are compressed into small houses, narrow streets, and overcrowded neighborhoods."

Solomon and his men waded their way through the congested streets towards the Royal Mound. A procession of curious onlookers had started walking behind them. Their caravan stopped at the large clearing in front of the magnificent gateway of the Royal Mound. Solomon nodded to Aaron and he turned his horse towards the gateway.

Boris, head of the Royal guards, walked towards Aaron. "May I know who you are and what is the purpose of your visit?"

"I am Aaron, the chief adviser to Solomon the Conqueror, son of King Isaac the Enlightened, the righteous king of this world. King Solomon has come here to claim what is rightfully his. He wants to meet King Thomas and explain to him the terms of his surrender."

Boris broke into a burst of laughter. "Terms of surrender? What cheap booze are you drinking? My friends, better you get lost from here before our king loses his head and gets all your heads on spikes."

Aaron gave a quaint smile. His calm demeanor unnerved Boris. "Your king will certainly lose his head, quite literally, if he doesn't bow it for Solomon the Conqueror. Anyway, I didn't expect a better response from you. But don't you think this matter is way beyond your grade? So, why don't you fetch someone with real power to talk with us."

Although Boris didn't like Aaron's dismissive tone, he knew he had a point. This was an unusual scenario and he must inform his seniors about this situation.

***

King Thomas was presiding over a meeting in the Great Hall, when Boris informed Geoffrey, the minister of security and commander of the Elisian army, about the situation at the gateway.

Thomas guffawed when he was briefed on the situation. "Solomon? Son of Isaac? This person doesn't know what happened to Isaac, or how Solomon, shivering with fear, committed suicide by jumping into the Abyss. If he had known that he would have chosen someone else to impersonate."

Geoffrey quietly nodded. "But Your Highness, we have to give him a reply. After all, he is standing at our gates with an army of a hundred men."

"Take my sword and tell him to kneel before it. Ask him to leave before sunrise tomorrow or else I will have their heads mounted on spears. Also, tell him never to try such antiquities again."

"And what should I do if he doesn't leave?"

"Assemble our troops and slaughter them in the most gruesome way. Make it a spectacle. I have heard rumors that some commoners are thinking of revolting against us. Let us grab this opportunity to show them what happens to the rebels."

Geoffrey loathed the idea however he bowed his head and went out of the hall. So much blood had already been spilled during Thomas's reign. He had to somehow stop this madness.

***

Geoffrey barged inside Solomon's camp an hour later.

Solomon welcomed him with a warm smile as if greeting an old friend. "I was expecting you, Geoofrey."

"But no one is expecting you here," Geoffrey shot back. "Thomas will have your heads on spikes if you don't leave. I don't want bloodshed in these lands. I request you, please go."

Solomon looked Geoffrey in the eyes. "Blood was first spilled in these lands when Thomas murdered my father. I won't leave without punishing that monster and freeing this world from his clutches."

"Son, I am a painter by hobby and a pretty decent one. I made a portrait of Solomon at King Isaac's request and I can see that you have an uncanny resemblance with him. However, you look much older than his age."

"I know about that portrait, Geoffrey. I had to pose for you for hours. As for my age, I faced a lot of hardships after leaving this world. It does take its toll on a person's appearance."

"My men saw Solomon jump into the Abyss. No one is going to believe your story."

"You knew my father and me pretty well. I think you have other ways to find out the truth if you want."

"I don't. Because I don't believe you. See whatever vendetta you have against Thomas, just drop it. I admit Isaac's murder was wrong but nothing can change that. Things have just started to stabilize a little and I plead with you not to ruin it again."

Solomon snapped his fingers in quick succession. "If exploiting Elisians and building palaces for yourselves is called stabilizing, I am afraid I don't agree with you."

Geoffrey leaned forward in his chair and brought his face close to Solomon's. "I get it now. You are one of those disgruntled commoners who want to start a rebellion. But remember son, this is no more the land of righteousness. Rebellions here will be brutally crushed."

"That is the reason I am here—to return this world to its old virtues. This is no rebellion, but a war for justice."

Geoffrey buried his head in his palms. "You look hell-bent on getting yourself and your men killed. I hope Almighty puts some sense in your head, or else we meet on the battlefield at sunrise."

"No fight for justice is won without sacrifices. If bloodshed is the will of destiny then let it be. See you tomorrow Geoffrey."

Geoffrey went towards the exit, then turned to face Solomon. "Son, overly high ambitions of some young men bring their downfall."

"Brave men fighting for a wrong cause bring down a whole world," Solomon replied, his eyes locked with Geoffrey.

Geoffrey glared back at Solomon and stormed out of his camp.

***

On the fourth morning of the new Loop, two armies stood facing each other in the plains north of the Capital.

Two thousand men against a hundred. Even the never-ending thunderstorms had paused for the battle. Residents of the Capital had gathered as spectators on the fringes of the battlefield. They didn't know who these hundred men were, but they all secretly prayed for their victory. However, the odds were heavily stacked against them. This was going to end in a massacre.

Hell! Uncle Thomas is leaving no stone unturned to get my head. Two thousand men? I should have listened to Grandpa David when he said not to come here.

Geoffrey was in front leading his troops. Despite Thomas's orders of brutality Geoffrey told his men to fight with honor. He explicitly ordered them not to kill anyone who surrendered and not to attack the wounded.

Solomon looked at the enemy troops and then closed his eyes.

It is time for some miracles.

Solomon clutched the amulet. His lips moved, and his fingers snapped.

Both armies charged at each other, but just when they were about to engage, a massive sandstorm swept across the battlefield. There was complete pandemonium. Geoffrey's men were not able to open their eyes. Sand entered their mouths and nostrils. They struggled to breathe. Some of them started coughing violently. Neither could they see their enemies nor could they hear their movements.

However, Solomon's men were unfazed by the sandstorm. Their full faces were covered in red veils. They could breathe normally and see clearly. Their enemies were handicapped but they had no such limitations. Their arrows found the target, their swords hit flesh and their spears tasted blood.

Solomon watched the gruesome scenes in front of him—severed limbs, chopped heads, pools of blood, enemies crying for help, and their shrieks echoing around the battlefield—and silently thanked his forefathers.

Thank you, Grandpas David, Abraham, and Noah. This wouldn't have been possible without your guidance.

While looking at this mayhem, he remembered that one conference where he had insisted on going back to Elisium. David was the first one to give him some strategic advice. "If you do visit Elisium, you must first select some loyal men, then train them to fight so that they can protect you in any circumstances."

Abraham gave him more than just advice—he led him to a treasure. "I can lead you to something which will be very useful during a battle. Near the northern wall of my old city, dig under the ancient Holy tree and you will unearth a dungeon. There you will find some armors, swords, spears, bows, and arrows."

"You had forged these weapons for what?" Solomon had asked Abraham. "You never went back to the world of your birth."

"I made them for dire situations but never got a chance to use them. These armors and weapons have been coated with the stardust of the same holy rock that provided the fifty diamonds for the Amulet of Transition. No sword or spear can penetrate these armors and these weapons will shatter other weapons like a rock smashes a glass."

The discussion was about beating the enemies so how could Noah stay behind? He too had a trick up his sleeve. "The northern side of the capital is surrounded by desert. If you ever get engaged in a battle, and I am strictly against you going back to Elisium and starting a war," Noah added hastily when he saw Adam glaring at him, "however, if such a situation arises, hold the amulet and pray for a sandstorm. Make sure that your men cover their faces with veils made of permentine cloth. That thin fabric will keep out the sand and help your men see and breathe normally."

Adam slammed his fist on the table. "I can't believe that we are discussing war strategies during a conference. You all are almost nudging him to go there and start a war. Solomon, just forget all this, you are not going back to Elisium."

Solomon remembered every little detail. He unearthed Abraham's dungeon and found just about enough armors and weapons to arm a hundred men. He also camped in the fields north of the Capital and lured Geoffrey's men there. And once he conjured the sandstorm, his men wearing the permentine veil and armed with stardust-coated weapons cut through the enemy ranks like a knife cuts through butter.

Solomon felt pity for Geoffrey's men. They could see nothing, hear nothing, as if they were fighting blindfolded with their hands tied behind their backs. Even when they swung wildly they hit impenetrable armor. Their swords broke when they clanked with Solomon's weapons. They were as helpless as a herd of sheep surrounded by a pride of lions. Wherever they ran death followed them.

Eventually, people's assumptions were right. It did turn out to be a massacre, but the other way around. Those who were over-confident of a victory were thoroughly routed.

Solomon's men tried not to inflict fatal wounds on the enemies, still, more than eighty Elisian soldiers were killed and hundreds were injured. The rest fled the battlefield. Solomon's mission was to disperse the enemies and show them his real powers and he achieved resounding success.

When the dust settled, Solomon and his men surveyed the damage they had inflicted. His enemies, either dead or injured, were littered all across the field whereas Solomon had just lost two men in the battle.

***

Geoffrey, despite his serious injuries, went to the king to report their losses.

"You are telling me that our strong army lost a war against a hundred men?" Thomas shouted at his commander.

"Their armors are impenetrable and their weapons shatter ours like iron shatters a glass. Did you notice that the everlasting thunderstorms gave way to clear skies before the battle and then out of nowhere a sandstorm arrived to leave us in shambles? How many sandstorms have you seen in your life?"

"None."

"So, do you understand where this points?"

Thomas knew the answer but he still asked. "Where?"

"That this man is Solomon and has the amulet of Transition. I have met him Your Highness and I believe he is telling the truth."

"But people saw Solomon jump into the Abyss with that amulet."

Geoffrey shrugged. "Somehow he survived. We just can't fight the powers of that amulet or his invincible troops. We must try and strike a peace deal."

Thomas slumped into his chair and began rubbing his temples. "Why would he accept any peace deal when he is so easily winning?"

"He doesn't want to spill innocent blood. His men could have easily slaughtered all of our soldiers but they tried only to incapacitate them. I am sure he will accept a reasonable peace deal if that can stop this bloodshed."

Thomas sighed and pressed his lips together. "Arrange a meeting with him. Let us see what he wants from us."

Thomas's truce was supposed to stop the bloodshed but destiny had some other plans.