Chapter 282: Years of Evil
Rufus had been found collapsed on the ground by his loyal Ghersengs, that had survived the fight against prince Segeric. They found him with burnt skin and flesh but still breathing. As they were preparing to carry him back to the field infirmary, he the strength to order to take the crystal with him, as it hadn't been destroyed.
Rufus was laid on a field bed and treated by the best healers in the allied army. The medics wanted to remove and scrape off the burnt skin of Rufus and wished he would take a sedative, but he declined. He was adamant about not letting go of the crystal holding Haley out of sight.
The medical tents were in utter chaos. Thousands had lost limbs with rocks falling on their legs and arms. The battle before when Dalai was resurrected, had also resulted in many losses and injured. The ground in the medical tents had turned red with all the blood.
As companions of Rufus heard that he had been found and brought to the infirmary, they rushed to see him. They found Rufus, like a statue, keeping a watch on Haley, who was sealed inside the crystal.
"Rufus! Are you okay?" Doreen asked.
"Do not ask about me. Get me instead, wise men, stone carvers, and anyone who can free Haley," Rufus said adamantly without blinking.
~~
Rufus spent a few days in the infirmary. He had no recollection of what had happened nor how the emperor had met his end. The monster he had summoned had disappeared, and Rufus didn't recollect it, nor had any idea it even ever had existed.
Queen Satifa had survived as she, like almost everyone else, had fled Dalai. She was mortified as more than half of her initial army had died and only six locust witches remained. Many of her loyal clan leaders had also found their end, either by an imperial sword, or the chaos caused by Dalai.
Gadaric's collapsed body was never found, making many believe he was still alive. His soul watchers went underground and cut all connections with the empire. Gadaric had been tried to be assassinated by an imperial prince, so the resentment toward the empire was strong among the assassins.
Maxim and the greyhound knights had been devastated. Before Markus fled, he unleashed a small rain of swords made from blood. Many knights had died, almost wholly destroying their order. The worst was that their leader, Maxim succumbed to his injuries in the infirmary.
Markus and his black company flew into the universe. They were long gone before the fight could have ended and didn't see its results, but, likely, even Markus couldn't predict it. The next place the black company would sail was unknown, but surely the inhabitants would hope they would never arrive there.
~~
After a couple of days, the battle's realities could be evaluated. Over a hundred thousand soldiers had died, but many believe this was an understatement. The horrors the soldiers had to face had caused many to go insane. Post-traumatic stress disorder some inhibited forced many soldiers to kill themselves as they couldn't deal with regular life and nightmares caused by that day.
Seeing a live god made an ordinary mortal human with no divinity feel so small and humble that one would see himself as an ant. A being puny against the great powers that turned the universe's axle.
The empire was crumbling from within as the central government collapsed. Wulfila and Wulftrude were the only ones to survive the battle, but were unable to keep the empire together. Every single occupied territory and conquered kingdom declared independence. Soon the imperial garrisons retreated and withdrew back to the empire's heartland.
Wars between nobles and kings instantly started as they saw this new instability as chance to change their realms and titles to their favor. Warriors such as Bertrand du Guesclin, the titan knight, and Jacques, the deadwood knight, had to fight to place themselves or their liege on the thrones. The empire cut the lines of clear succession, so many tried to gain what wasn't theirs, no matter how small the claim was.
Raiders from the Haraldrar islands used the wars to their advantage and raided many shores, in a way not seen in decades. The Guiscards were eager to be hired to fight for lords and dukes, who believed they could wrestle the crown for themselves. Often Guiscards fought on both sides, and the winner would negotiate the release of captured Guiscard soldiers, giving them a chance to continue fighting.
This age of constant civil war and unrest was called the years of evil.
Most shockingly the memory of the emperor had, in a way, disappeared. Everyone knew that the empire had fought against an allied force led by Rufus Fairfax. But none knew who led the imperial troops and was the cause of the war. This evil that came forth from the empire had become a sinful burden to all Heian people, as they felt guilty for causing the deaths of thousands and the years of evil.
~~
Though the Aesis world continued to spiral out of control, nothing of that mattered to Rufus. The crystal that had sealed his sister was still intact and was transferred to the capital of the Fairfax kingdom. There, Rufus secluded himself inside the royal palace's dungeon chambers to try and break Haley free, but was not successful. He called knowledgeable people from all over Aesis. He sent word that anyone who could save his sister could have all a king could offer, even his kingdom. But all who came failed.
Divine beings with knowledge from neighbouring worlds came, but none could help. Elves and even Phoenicians traveled, but no progress was done. Rufus was already ready to make a deal with Kilir and the Dokkaebi, but neither he nor his vast wealth and connections could help.
As the months rolled by, Rufus isolated himself more and more inside the palace. Palace staff was sent away, and the windows were barred shut. The Ghersengs kept watch, ever vigilant and forever watchful, for their loyalty never wavered.
His friends came often, trying to comfort Rufus. They tried to help, trying to get his mind into other things. Rufus refused and his replies got more colder as time went on. Eventually they also lost hope as Rufus lashed out at them and now only wished to be alone.
Soon, Rufus became the hermit king of of the Fairfax kingdom.
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