Cladius looked up the mountain. Lennix paused as their men got ready for battle. Tents were set, they could see the clouds dark all around. Lighting crackled from the peak, yet no rain poured from the sky. Cladius looked at Lennix, who spoke with Nerus. It was easy to know that they not only enjoyed their rivalry, but had become quick friends, they argued strategy, in heated debate. Cladius smirked. He moved on, helping others set their tents in the deathly mountains. It took three days of travel; Lennix had known not only the safest paths, but the warmest areas of the mount. He spoke of the time that he was commanded to avoid the practicality of the mountain, or be a weak male figure.

It took about an hour for the forces to be situated. Cladius glanced over the mountain peak; he could see the beauty of the earth. He smiled, knowing that this could be his last day. Night had finally set, when he had chosen a stone to stand on and gaze. He knew that no matter what, beyond Helm, even the gods, that he would save Almorah. He would protect her at all cost. Zelstine felt like home, but His heart wasn't there, it was with Almorah.

"You think of the girl." Nerus asked.

"I do, she was but a girl two years ago. To think this journey would take so long, oh and so grueling." Cladius scoffed at himself, "She was but in her ninetieth summer when we met. She hasn't even appeared to age a day."

Nerus smiled, "She will be rescued, my lord. If not plausible by your hand, then by mine, I assure you."

Cladius placed his hand on Nerus, "Thank you, master. It's been while sense I have called you that, but Nerus, you deserve my respect. I'm grateful for all your many lessons, and your dedication."

"Half the time, I didn't have time to train you, because I was working with Volohs, you two boys were never supposed to meet, so, I left you in Riggers hands most days."

"That explains a lot, to be honest, Nerus. It explains much. I got bored with him. Though I must say, I miss the man; his reassuring hand would be a comfort about now."

"Indeed, he was a good man, he was my best friend."

"Say, Nerus, what will you do after we win this war?" Cladius pulled his eyes from the view.

"I don't know. War is all I know, perhaps I will be more of a political figure, and it's hard to say."

"After this, I will finally be able to rest, at least for a day or two. I plan to ask for Almorah's hand. At this point you're the closest thing to her father." Cladius spoke.

Nerus was stunned, "Are you asking for my blessing?"

"I am, indeed."

"I'm humbled, but it's not mine to give. I wish you two the best luck."

Cladius chuckled, "Well, I guess that's good enough."

"You're a great man Cladius, you are honorable and strong. I told you many times before, that you had the ability to surpass me as a knight, and you have, you are the greatest knight known to Helm, and soon to be the greatest king. Though I must say, it is hard to swallow, that you, of all people, are the God of the Sun."

"It's still hard for me to swallow as well." Cladius replied, "Simply consider me your friend. Move on past formality. You, of all people, deserve that."

"I appreciate that, Cladius."

Cladius nodded, as they continued to chat, into the darkness of night. Cladius's heart was heavy the whole night. He wanted to just go after Almorah, but he couldn't or he would risk killing everyone on this mountain top. He needed to be patient, even if it was killing him inside.

Slowly night became day and Cladius wasn't able to receive any sleep. He had the woman of his dream on his mind of the midnight sky's rule. He left his war tent as he took in the morning breeze, he closed his eyes for a second, stretching about. He looked around, finding Nerus, Lennix, and the Emperor of Inger talking among themselves.

"Gentlemen, are you ready?" Cladius asked.

"Ready? Hardly! You want my men to be bait while you run into a tower to kill yourself?" The emperor yelled.

Cladius clenched his jaw, "All due respect, know your place. I am Cladius, King of Helm, and God of the Sun, do not raise your voice at me. Now, you aren't listening at all. I can slay Volohs, but not with an army of demons on my back, if we don't fight this day, then we will all die. Chose, but do it quickly. Death or life?"

"I choose life, I'm going to walk off this mountain now."

"The entire venture, only to get cold feet and turn away, honestly, I expect more from Inger." Cladius taunted.

"Cowardice is not a comparison to extinction." The Emperor said, jabbing his finger into Cladius's solid chest.

Cladius grabbed his hand before another jab could be made, "You are free to go, but I will not let you take your army with you."

"Oh, is that so? We'll just see who they want to follow, now wont we!" The Emperor said back, "Come men, we are going home to Inger, this is a suicide mission! He wants you to stand there fighting demons while he runs off!"

"Listen to your Emperor. It's the noise of a coward! There is only one way to shut that portal, and that is through my power. Stand and fight with me and we might all just see tomorrow, flee and run with this coward and you will all surely die, if not today then tomorrow, if not tomorrow, maybe a year from now. You choose is between a life with your wives and children, or a year of imprisoned life, until your flesh is torn open and eaten by demons!" Cladius yelled.

The soldiers of Inger were conflicted, looking at each other, but all not moving. They were not cowards; they would face death with courage. Cladius raised his sword drawing it from his sheath.

"Let us fight, let us live!"

The men of Helm began to cheer, and the knights of Inger soon joined. The emperor murmured under his breath.

"I will exact my revenge upon you Cladius, of Helm!" The Emperor scorned.

"You are welcomed to try." Cladius replied, as the man made his way down the mountain.

Volohs looked over the peak of his tower, spotting the armies of Helm and Inger, his fear when he started this conquest. At this point it didn't matter, even those forces, they didn't stand a chance. Cladius was the only real threat, Volohs's only challenge. He would wait for him, on top the tower. This is where it would end, where the gods could clearly see it.

Azera stood beside the man, leaning her arms and head against his armored shoulder. Volohs looked back at the woman's eyes.

"Azera," he paused pulling a ring from his pouch, "You are mine from this day forward, and I authorize our marriage."

She smiled at the words, as Volohs slid the ring onto her finger. He gave her a kiss, as she wrapped her arms around him. He smiled, as they continued, the men below hearing the events above. They gripped tightly to their weapons, knowing the enemy was near, the demons ever gazing at them like food.

Almorah looked at the small bard window behind her; the frosting air chilled her bone. She covered her body with the tattered clothe from her make shift bed. They considered the raw material a blanket, but she was simply grateful for anything to combat the cold.

Cladius began to get ready for battle, strapping his armor to his body. This would be the beginning of something greater. If he won, or lost, the land of Lumesc would then have to be rebuilt. This was the end to start a beginning, and he was all too aware. His journey would travel far beyond this point, yet, all he could focus on is this final battle between him, and Volohs. He closed his eyes, as he placed his helmet on his head, praying to Claydrin to give him strength.

He grabbed his blade, strapping it to his waste, Necrosis battle ready. He walked out from his tent for the second time this morning, every soul walking into formation. Cladius stood in the front, on each side, stood Nerus and Lennix, one on his left, the other by his right. Red boulders began to fall from the mountain as the men, readied their shields. Cladius looked more closely, they were demons.

"Ready for battle!" Cladius yelled, "Its beginning!"

The man charged forward towards the demons, knowing all too well that this could be the end. Cladius lead the charge. He slammed his blade into one demon, cutting in half, then moving with speed beyond the sights capability, slammed his blade into another one. He ducked under one's blows as he decapitated it. He got on his knees as he slammed his blade into the ground, sending a wave forward, tripping the demons to the ground. The men leaped on top their hide, slamming axes, swords and spears into their flesh. Cladius got off his knees, as he spotted another demon leap towards him. He pointed his blade into the sky, lighting fast, letting the weight of the beast kill itself.

Cladius charged forward, seeing the demons come now with axes and swords. Volohs had forged those weapons. Volohs was out of control; this was dangerous for the world. If left to their own devices, these demons would desecrate and destroy human life. Cladius kept moving forward, hoping to reach it in time. He dodged blows, and parried attacks, slamming his blade into anything he could, and still propel himself forward. He had to keep moving. He started to make a line of dead demons as he continued pressing forward. Blood drenching his boots, and blade; the blood flicked off the shining steel like a down poor. He wasn't just trying to save his soldier's lives; he was trying to save Almorah's.

Lennix growled at the demons, as he leaped into the air, thrusting his blade into their flesh. Nerus, blocked, a blow, staggering back, to deliver a counter. They were inhumanly strong and fast. Each was like fighting a troll. They were nearly impossible to get past and their numbers kept increasing. Their only hope was Cladius. Their line of attack couldn't be held, not for long.

Cladius finally made it to the castle. He stood there a second, catching his breath, a demon slammed down, from his fortified position slamming his axe into the ground, missing Cladius by a hair. Quickly the god reacted, slamming his horned head into the wall, making an opening. A whole in the wall was formed, as Cladius tour bricks from the place. Knights of Volohs began to attack him, their blades, reflecting off his plate male, as they used the murder stroke technique. Cladius grabbed a sword, by the blade, with one hand, stopping the sword form sliding. He snapped the thing in two, as he smashed his helmed head into another man's. The human soldier flew into the wall, the rubble crushing his body. Cladius grabbed one other man by the throat as the other one ran.

"Where is Almorah?" He yelled.

"Below," The man choked, "In the dungeon."

Cladius dropped the man, to the ground, and began to walk on. He could hear the faint shift of his boots, as he came at Cladius with a sword. The god simply took a step back, slamming his elbow into the attacker's chin. He then turned around, grabbing the man in midair by his chest plate, and slammed him into the ground. He turned around, and again started down the stairs.

Almorah looked up seeing the men grin as they drank wine by a table they had set up. Steps were heard quickly, coming down the stairs, as the men, shushed themselves. They both gripped their sword, ready to pounce from their seats. In a speed fashion, Cladius charged down the stairs. He heard men yell, coming at him with weapons. Cladius grabbed his sword's hilt, slamming it into one man's helmet, dodging the blow of his partner, and then punched the other man. He slammed his sword into the ground as he rushed to Almorah's side.

"Cladius, you came!" Almorah yelled for joy, tears still falling from her eyes.

"Of course, I would give you this world for your life. You are everything to me." Cladius replied, "I will never let this happen again. I am so sorry."

Almorah simply wept, their hands touching through the bars. The tears with both of sorrow, and of joy, as Cladius placed his head against the bars.

"Let's say I get you out of here." Cladius spoke softly.

Almorah nodded, she was broken, Cladius could see that. This war had taken its toll. He stood up, ripping the metal door form the frame of the cell. He knelt down, picking Almorah up in his arms. He held her close to his body, as he moved slowly, around. Her hand fell upon his breast plate. Fire began to come from Cladius's feet, as he moved forward. He could see her, bruised, and wounded. Volohs would pay for this mistreatment.

Cladius set Almorah down softly against the throne. He held her hand, as he looked into her eyes. Slowly, her wounds began to heal; she could feel strength and energy return to her frame, it was invigorating. From thin air, Sosire, appeared before Cladius's hands, and he placed the weapon in Almorah's hands.

"Do you think you could walk now?" Cladius questioned, "I have to close this portal Almorah, or saving you would only end up in your ultimate death."

"Close the portal? You mean Volohs has opened the portal permanently?"

Cladius nodded, "And in order to close it, I will have to kill him. He won't let me do it otherwise."

"He's set in his ways." Almorah replied, "I will stand by you."

Cladius gave Almorah a hug, just kneeling by the throne, where she sat. After a few good seconds had passed, he let her go. He stepped up, moving towards the tower, he expected Volohs to be there.

Almorah followed Cladius to the steps, watching him until she was interrupted.

"It seems that the knight has saved the damsel. You know what that means?" Azera smirked, "It means you're killable now!"

A giant flaming fireball was hurled at Almorah as she leaped to the side. The woman laughed, as Almorah drew her blade from the sheath. Almorah had learned very little magic; she was hoping that through her small knowledge, that she might stand a chance against the witch. She glanced back the castle engulfed in fire. She charged forward, head strong into combat for the last time.

Nerus huffed and puffed, as the demons continued to flow, he was too old for this kind of fighting. He saw the blow coming from the enemy, and was about to repel it, but Lennix had already crawled onto its back, slamming his ommartic blade into its spine. Nerus, slammed his shield into the dying demons face, and thrust his own sword into its throat.

Lennix, fell to the ground, they weren't faring well out here. They had been fighting for maybe ten minutes. The men began to become exhausted. The demons were coming in never ending flows, and two men were worth every one demon. This was a doomed victory from the start. Not everyone was to make it. Nerus could watch the fiends, take chunks of flesh form soldiers, tearing them limb from limb, like a turkey.

Cladius looked at Volohs, his mace leaning against his pauldrens. The man slowly turned around.

"If it isn't Cladius, my brother; come, let us celebrate." Volohs smiled.

"Volohs, you sicken me. Men are dying out there, and you use the powers of evil!"

"What makes these beasts evil? The fact that they eat human flesh, so doesn't a bear!" Volohs yelled back.

"It's not the same. I have come to close the portal."

"Then you know you will have to kill me. That's too bad Cladius, I was really hoping we could re-forge the world together. You bring strength that most other mortals lack!"

The two charged towards each other in combat, shock waves were seen from above the battle field. The clashing of gods could be seen from miles around. Even those still enslaved in Dechonues and Helm could spot it.

Almorah slammed Sosire against the woman's flames, reflecting them away from her flesh. She could still feel the searing heat. She moved forward slowly making progress. She felt Sosire beginning to burn. The witch smirked, thinking she had already won, little did she know Sosire was a magical blade, witch split between the realms the material it cut, making the strikes clean. Almorah fought through the pain of the burning handle thrusting her blade, with both hands, through Azera's magic shield, and into her heart. Blood began to spill against the floor as Almorah dropped the blade to the ground.

"I told you I would kill you." Almorah whispered to herself out of breath.

Cladius felt the horrors of Volohs mace against his chest, as pieces of his armor, cracked and broke against the blow. The magic of the mace was a sonic boom, enough to send a dragon to its knees, or even a god, such as Cladius. Volohs looked down upon his enemy.

"Cladius of Helm, I am certainly disappointed, I was hoping for more a challenge!"

Cladius charged forward, talking Volohs to the ground, as he began a fist fight, slamming his fist into the God of the Void. He used everything he could think of, his hands, feet, and head, to beat Volohs to a pulp. Volohs smiled, grabbing Cladius by the jaw, and slamming his other free hand into his abdomen. Cladius, fell back from the blow, gripping his stomach in pain. Volohs kicked him off to the side, as he retrieved his mace.

Cladius watch the mace slam right into his face, as his helmet disintegrated before his very eyes. Cladius whole face ached with pain, and he began to bleed from his ears, eyes and mouth. His head fell slack from the trauma of the blow. Cladius saw the next one coming, placing his hand against the blow. The mace stopped at his hand, as his arms crackled with broken bones. His armor flew from off his entire right arm. Cladius then punched in, Volohs's knees, sending the god to the ground with him. They wrestled for control, as Cladius struggled for victory.

One man on top the other, striving for life; Cladius finally had gotten, Volohs in a neck hold slowly chocking him Volohs reached for Necrosis, with arm's length. Cladius strived to pull him away, but to no avail. He grabbed the blade plunging it into his stomach, hitting Cladius underneath him. Cladius let go, as Volohs rolled to his feet, tossing the blade to the side, Cladius was finished. Lying on the ground cold was the defeated. Volohs turned over towards the portal he had opened. Leaning against the battlements of the tower, he turned his head back, as Cladius rolled to his feet. Both men could barely stand. There were both equals at this point in time, both struggling for victory.

"You just won't die, will you?" Volohs spoke, behind blooded teeth.

"Not before you!" Cladius said, sword in hand.

Volohs let his hand fall to his side as he charged at Cladius. Cladius could see the weakness in his sloppy form. He tripped Volohs to his hands and knees, and slammed Necrosis into his neck, sliding it completely to the left. The head of Volohs fell to the ground, rolling in his blood. Cladius dropped to one, knee, propping up his body, with his sword. He had yet to close the portal. Slowly he inched his way there. He left his sword into the tower, where Volohs was slain, only thrusting his hand into the portal, closing it by hand.