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Chapter 5

He walked the halls of his palace, his boots the only noise echoing off the stone walls as he made his way from his gardens. Off in the distance he heard the sounds of swords clanging together as men locked in mortal combat fought for their very lives. His small mouth lifted into a smile.

It had been almost nine years since he had managed to get these soft peoples to look forward to the fights. He had spent countless weeks spreading rumors that war was coming, convincing those of power that troops need be mobilized.

Now he had the games. Games of courage, of wisdom. Games that would set apart those that were worthy, and those that were nothing. He needed a new champion, since his last one died. Died at the hands of that miserable wretch of a wolf.

"Draxuz.." he hissed. It had taken a long time, trying to just get the name of the boy that he hunted. He fondled the handle of his curved knife at his belt. A long, enjoyable, amount of time, to get that name. So many that were loyal enough to take his name to their grave. It had just taken one, sweet little child, to get what he wanted.

And then he had burned that village to the ground.

Before he knew it, he found himself out in the open, the wind tearing at his cape. He looked up to the clear blue sky and took a deep breath, reveling in his power over life and death. Pushing on, he briskly walked across the small court yard and through the large wooden doors that led to his place in the arena's audience. Those nearest to his small enclave that could see him immediately stood up and began chanting his name.

He put his hands up in front of him, signaling the people to resume watching the games. Below him, he saw several mangled and bloodied bodies laying about the arena. His smile broadened. The homeless will be fed well tonight. There were still 14 warriors out on the field, swinging swords of various sizes that were being deflected by their opponents shields. A large brown canine cleaved right through his opponents shield, severing the arm, causing blood and bits of bone to go everywhere.

The crowd went wild.

The shield and severed arm clattered to the ground as the smaller silver feline fell back howling in pain. The large canine tossed the sword up in the air, grabbed it by the hilt as the point was falling to the ground and drove it through the feline's chest. The feline grabbed at the blade and gurgled something before his head and hand fell back to the ground. The canine pulled the sword back up and patiently waited for someone else to finish their opponent.

The emperor leaned back in his chair to escape the sunlight, his white fur a bright contrast to the dark hole in which he sat. He gently rubbed his feline jaw as he studied the arena. He spied a large, all black canine that looked like he had mostly wolf heritage. He deftly dodged each swing of his smaller black and white striped opponent's sword, and brought his sword around to block when needed. His opponent was showing extreme signs of exhaustion, yet the glory of being the Emperor's champion spurred him on to try to kill the black canine. The skunk's nose twitched as he narrowed his eyes and suddenly sprang forward, his sword held straight out in front of him as if he had turned himself into a spear.

The black canine side stepped and spun around, the flat of his blade catching the skunk in the back of the head and sent him flying. He didn't get back up. Seeing that the black canine was done with his opponent, the tan one charged at him, his sword held above his head.

The Emperor heard the latch to the door to his room click, and a moment later Draegor scurried inside, closing the door behind him.

"Master, I bring pressing news from the battle fields. It seems that Arenthia has managed to gather a considerable force, and it has overwhelmed the soldiers we sent there to take it over. Lord Barrooth requests additional soldiers be-"

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. "Yes yes, see to it. Send four battalions of soldiers. That should easily take care of that problem. Is there anything else, Draegor?"

"Yes Master. Representatives of two smaller towns are here, wishing to negotiate a truce. What would you like me to do with them while you wait for the results of this game?" Draegor said quietly as he bowed at his waist.

"Have them wait for me in the audience chamber, I will deal with them once the games have finished." he instructed.

"As you wish, Master." Draegor bowed lower and quickly exited. Slipping in as the door closed, a female figure dressed in near see through purple clothing came in, holding a tray with foods and wine. She sat the tray down on the small table next to his chair and slipped to the back of the enclave, into the shadows. Seeing the tray of food, he reached over and idly plucked a few grapes out of the fruit bowl and tossed them into his mouth. He stopped chewing as he watched the large black canine take on the tan one. Both danced and dodged around each others swords, neither having the advantage over the other.

The Emperor's mind began to wander as he thought of what it would be like to get his hands around Draxuz's neck, how it would feel to be able to squeeze the life out of him. In his mind's eye, he played out different methods of torture. Things like smashing each and every bone, one at a time, crushing one a day until he died. Or slowly, ever so slowly, dipping him in boiling oil feet first. Or, he could take..

He was suddenly snapped out of his day dream by the roar of approval from the audience. The Emperor looked down and saw that the large black canine had split the tan one down the middle. He nodded in satisfaction. It was unlikely any of the other players on the field would be able to stand up to him, since they were all scrawny little things. He reached out and grabbed his goblet of wine and drained it quickly, setting it back done once he was finished and picked up a piece of fish while the servant refilled the cup. The black canine quickly and easily dispatched the rest of the combatants, and then walked slowly up in the direction of where the Emperor sat. The Emperor raised an eyebrow when he noticed the lone figure standing there.

"Emperor Tyr! I challenge you! Come out you coward and fight me!" The canine roared out.

Tyr's mouth pulled up into a tight smile. He hadn't had anyone dare challenge him in a very long time. This was definitely a nice change of pace. He stood up and unclasped his cape from around off his shoulders and let it fall onto his chair. He gave a toothy grin as he drew his short sword and sprang forward, leaping over several rows of seating at a time. He landed on the ground with a hard thud, small clouds of dust rose to his knees before settling back down.

The black canine nodded. "Good. I had hoped that the emperor that everyone seemingly fears would have the spine to do some dirty work himself."

Tyr narrowed his eyes. He didn't like being taunted. He watched as the canine circled him with his sword spinning in lazy arcs.

"Come now warrior, may I at least know the name of the one that challenges me? This way I will know the name to have chiseled into your headstone!" He growled out as he launched himself forward, his sword slashing around in an arc. To his surprise, the canine was able to kick his legs out from behind him and land flat on the ground, quickly rolling to the side and bring his sword back up in a defensive stance before Tyr had had time to recover.

"My name is Vectris, false emperor. Remember it well, for it will be the last name you hear of before I send you to your grave!" He charged the emperor, his sword held close to his body. Tyr narrowed his eyes as he waited a moment before launching himself towards Vectris, his sword pulled around to his side and pointing towards the sky. Vectris brought his sword up quickly in a defensive position and blocked the attack, and pushing back to force Tyr back. Taking initiative of his enemies opening he pressed, quickly bring his sword down again and again, Tyr barely staving off each ferocious attack. On one swing, the tip of Vectris' sword grazes his stomach, ripping his bright blue shirt and tearing fur and skin, leaving a bright red line across his middle.

Growling in rage, Tyr began his own onslaught, amplifying his attacks with his magical abilities. He pulled the sword around him and spun, unleashing all his strength into the swing. Vectris brought his sword up in time to block it, but Tyr's sword caused his to vibrate hard enough to force him to drop his weapon. Vectris leaped backwards away from Tyr, sliding to a stop as he began reassessing his options. He hadn't counted on him being able to amplify his strength like that.

"What's the matter, poor Vectris? You should learn to never underestimate your enemy. Though it appears you won't have the chance to put that lesson to use." Tyr charged in again, and swung his sword with all his strength. As the sword made its graceful arc toward Vectris, he blinked. Before he could open them, his sword hit something solid.

His eyes opened wide in surprise. From out of nowhere another blade had appeared and stopped his cold. He looked down and was further shocked to see that it wasn't a sword that Vectris held, but it was his arm itself that had become the sword. Vectris's face lit up in a wicked smile.

"What was that you were just telling me, to not ever underestimate the enemy? Trust me, I have not. I have studied you and your movements over the past year. I know what you can do and what you are capable of. This has been very carefully planned. We ARE going to win and you WILL die, today. This will be the very last blood bath you can enact here. It all ends NOW!" Vectris screamed the last as he launched himself at Tyr, both arms now being swords he swung at the emperor, driving him back step by step.

Tyr gritted his teeth as he blocked each swing. He was quickly tiring of this game, especially since he was losing ground in front of his loyal supporters. Tyr moved to block another swing of Vectris's arm, but suddenly felt a sharp pain explode through him. He looked down in disbelief as he saw Vectris's other arm sword sticking through his stomach. He looked up into Vectris's eyes, and saw satisfaction burning there. Tyr gave a smile back.

"Thank you," he said quietly, "for giving me a new body to inhabit." Tyr fell back into his magic before he could lose consciousness and called upon the darker magics dealing with the underworld. He felt an extreme cold wash over him, and a sense of nausea. He opened his eyes and looked down to see that he now controlled Vectris's body.

Disoriented, Vectris coughed up blood and looked around in disbelief.

"Ho-how did you do this!?" he gurgled out.

"Oh, I don't know, a little bit of magic perhaps. Does it matter? I told you, never underestimate your enemy. You should have listened to me. Thank you for this strong, new body. I will be sure to take very good care of it. Now, kindly just DIE will you?" Tyr pulled out his arm from his old body and watched it slump to the ground.

He sighed. This complicated matters greatly, but he decided to worry about that later. He needed to get this body out from view and quick. He beckoned two of the guards over with one of his sword arms.

"You and you, take this body and place it in one of the lower levels of the crypt tower, stand guard from the end of the corridor, and let no one but me enter."

The guards glowered at him for just a second before complying with his orders. Tyr sighed to himself. They were going to have to get used to this, a new emperor. It was then that he noticed that the crowd had gone quiet.

He looked around warily, at all of the hundreds of faces that seemed to be expecting something from him. As he stalled for time, he finally managed to cause his arms to revert back to a normal look. He flexed his arms and fingers as he stormed to the middle of the arena.

"Do you think me not worthy to lead this kingdom?!" Tyr shouted out. "Are there any in this crowd before me that thinks they could do a better job and would like to challenge me?!"

For a moment, everyone was silent. Then as one, they jumped up and cheered him.

Tyr looked around at all the spectators, noticing a few here and there that weren't really sure what to think, but were merely joining in so not to draw attention to themselves. After scanning the whole of the arena, he turned and made his way to the exit. People continued to cheer and stomp their feet until well after Tyr had left. He had made his way through the stone corridors of the arena wall, making a few turns until he came across a door. He pressed his right hand against the metal plate that sat in the middle and closed his eyes as he focused his magic into it. The plate began to give off a soft glow and Tyr felt the plate heat beneath his hand. After a moment, something inside the door clicked and it swung open on its own. Tyr quickly stepped through and began his descent into the darkness.

As he quickly descended the stairs, he nearly tripped over his own feet and fell. He growled at himself for his clumsiness and managed to get his balance back and continued down. He was completely unused to this body, it was bigger than his old one, and bulkier. He kept his eyes down toward his feet so he could make sure he didn't misjudge another step until he reached the bottom. At the base of the steps was another door, similar to the one that was at the top. He placed his left hand on this door's plate and channeled some of his magic into it, getting the same glow from the plate that he had gotten from the other. The door creaked open only a small bit and stopped.

Tyr sighed as he reached up and pushed at the door. It wouldn't move. Lowering his head against the door, he wondered what it was he had done wrong this morning that would warrant him running into so many problems. Growling in a fit of anger he pushed on the door as hard as he could, finally getting it to open wide enough to allow him to squeeze through it and the door frame. As soon as he managed to free himself of the door, it slammed shut, kicking up a large dust cloud that caused him to go into a coughing fit.

"Stupid door." Tyr growled out. Then he had a sudden thought and spun back to the door. He placed his left palm on the plate and tried to open it again. The plate barely glowed before going dark again. The door had not moved.

'Oh, this can't be good..' he thought to himself. He hadn't ever taken over a body that already had magic before. He had to get the restore gem put on his other body to bring it back to life quickly so he could retake that body. As wonderful as it was to have his arms that could become swords, he couldn't do everything he needed. The plans that had been set in motion would crumble around him if he didn't rectify this quickly.

He marched down the corridor, his face showing a scowl as he passed the guards that were guarding a doorway. He had planned on beating them there, to shock them and have a bit of fun. Oh well, he was no longer in the mood for such things. He stormed down to the end of the hall and closed that door behind him.

The guards had set the body on an altar-like platform in the middle of the room. In the base of the altar was crystals of varying sizes and shapes. He reached into the middle of the collection and pulled out one that had a purplish glow. He set it on the chest of his previous body and watched with a critical eye for a few moments before it began to glow a little brighter and the wound began to slowly close. He knew the repairs would take a while on this body so he decided to leave it to its work and check back in a few hours. He had some dignitaries to go meet.

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Tyr waltzed in to the chamber where the two dignitaries sat, discussing problems each of their lands were facing. They looked up as one when his silhouette blocked the light coming in from the door. Both men's faces flashed concern at seeing the wolf, instead of the feline they were promised an audience with.

The better dressed of the two, a brown colored rabbit with expensive looking robes stood to greet Tyr. On his chest bore the emblem of his lands, and his sword at his hip showed the wear of ages as it had been passed down from one generation to the next.

"Good sir, will the Emperor be joining us soon?" He asked cautiously.

Tyr gave the man a crooked grin.

"I take it no one has bothered to fill you in. I -AM- the emperor. I killed off the coward and have taken his place. What is it you want? I have much to do."

The dignitaries looked to each other nervously, then back at him. "We wanted to try to negotiate a treaty between our two lands. We are peaceful people, most are farmers. We simply do not want to be attacked or bothered." The one standing said.

Tyr looked them over with a critical eye. "And what could you possibly offer in return for us to not occupy your lands? Do you expect us to come protect you when you and yours are under attack?"

The dignitary stuttered and looked helplessly back to his counterpart before looking back to Tyr. "In am sure we can come to some form of arrangement, my Emperor. I just need-"

Tyr waved a hand to silence him. "You are correct. I am sure there is something we can figure out. For the moment, however, I have pressing matters that requires my immediate attention. I shall hopefully be able to talk with you two in a few days time. In the mean time, please feel free to indulge in my hospitality until I am able to sit down and discuss this with you."

Before either of the men could protest, Tyr turned and walked out. He waved over Draegor. "Please see to whatever they need for the time they are here. I have more important matters to deal with until I am able to deal with them."

Draegor bowed low and remained that way until he heard the echoes of his boots fade to nothing. "Yes, Emperor." He said to the air.