Dawn of Night Chapter Five: Fate Rising

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Valiant looked at the scythe in his hand, a work of art he had fashioned himself. It was made of obsidian mixed with a few special ingredients; souls, dragon scales, and dragon venom. The dragon scales made the blade indestructible and prevented the edges from getting blunt. *This is so sharp,* he marveled. *This could probably cut through diamond! At the very least it would cut deep gashes!* The dragon venom made the blade poisonous. If it cut you, venom would seep into your blood, becoming oxidized, creating bubbles in the circulation of blood. Many people didn’t know about Ender Dragon venom. They just assumed that the breath was just plain poisonous. However, that was actually the venom, which would become a gas upon exiting the dragon’s mouth. *It’s funny how so few Ender Knights know this, even though we are the ones who live with the dragons ourselves!* The final ingredient was the most important. The souls inside the blade had a unique ability. The souls could give him extra strength, endurance, speed, stamina, and would heighten his senses. The souls could even heal him of the most grievous of injuries if they were given enough time.

Normally, he wouldn’t carry a weapon since he was horrible at fencing. However, his sister’s life was now under threat by unknown plots. *I have to protect her!* Which meant he had to learn to fight. At first, he had been severely klutzy with it, even managing to cut himself with it. *This thing can cut even obsidian armor with ease!* Luckily, he had an antidote to the dragon venom, otherwise he would have died. He would also keep hitting himself with the weapon, and throwing it was the worst. *If I didn’t know better, I would think that the weapon was actually trying to miss!* He spent countless hours swinging away, trying to twirl the weapon and really use it. It took months, but eventually he got better. Soon, he could hit bullseyes and his combos with the blade were amazing. *Especially when combined with my martial arts abilities!* He could go from knocking his opponent's blade away with the scythe to suddenly pulling them into a choke hold. It had been frustrating and tiring. He would often chastise himself and would sometimes throw the blade away, hating himself for his incompetence. *What’s the point? I’ll never be good,* He would think.

But his patience had now paid off. *I can actually fight now,* he thought joyfully. *I never thought I would live to see this day!* He also worked on two other skills. The first was channeling the power of the souls inside his weapon. *If I can’t channel their power, I can’t use this blade to the maximum power.* It was intense, and he tried over and over again as he failed repeatedly. Even after all these months, he wasn’t completely a master at it. *But I am still much better.* *At least now I can actually call on their power.* The other skill was teleportation. This ancient skill was something that few Ender Knights could do. The oldest living member of the Ender Knight order, the queen, had never been taught. However, Valiant had searched the massive library of the End Capital and had found a book on this art. It was difficult and confusing. He had struggled to use it, even more so than channeling the souls of his weapon. As such, he had spent the most time on this skill, learning to perfect and control it. The concentration and dedication required was intense. *But I’m a master of this now!* He was now the only Ender Knight even aware or able to use this power. *The others really need to visit the ancient section of the library,* Valiant mused to himself.

Outside the forge, Valiant watched a strange drama unfold. At first, he attempted to block out the noise as he fixed an iron broadsword. However, the noise continued. With a sigh, Valiant closed down his forge and walked outside to the massive courtyard in the center of the fortress. Slinging his scythe over his back, he wondered what was happening. *What could all this commotion possibly be about?* What he saw was hardly suppressing. All the knights were clustered in their groups, but they seemed to be having frantic conversations. *Strange.* Valiant chose to go to the group near the training space once he saw Nina among its populace. As Valiant walked by, many knights gave him funny looks. *They’re not used to seeing me with a weapon.* When he reached Nina’s group, he groaned inwardly at who was speaking.

“All of us are going on special missions. And I daresay,” Zourk puffed up his chest. “I have the most important mission. I am supposed to search for the egg of the rare Great Drakon!” Zourk was a large human who had an extra ten feet of arrogant, prideful attitude. Even worse, he was constantly trying to impress and win over Nina, a fact that made Valiant’s blood boil. *I see he’s bragging like always,* Valiant scowled. Zourk noticed Valiant’s scowl and pointed at him. “What are you scowling at mate? Your reflection?” Zourk laughed cruelly as he gave the insult. *And still as mean as ever.* “Actually,” Valiant replied calmly, “I was wondering why they gave such an incompetent food such an important task.” Valiant pretended to be thoughtful as he put a hand to his chin. “Oh, that’s right. The egg is just a myth. I’ll bet they just wanted you out of the way so you wouldn’t mess anything up.” Zourk snarled at this. He strode up to Valiant and attempted to push him, expecting to finish the argument immediately. Instead, Valiant grabbed the arm pushing and used it to throw Zourk to the ground. Zourk immediately sprang up with wild rage. “You filthy red-blood,” he screamed, “You’ll pay for that! Get him minions!” As seven other Ender Knights came forward to help their leader, the others fell back in shock from Zourk’s insult. Giving the opponents room to battle, they waited to see what would happen.

“If you beg enough,” Zourk drawled, “I will spare you. No need to get humiliated in front of your true love!” Zourk smirked at the stunned expression on Valiant’s face. “You thought I didn’t know about your little crush on Nina?” Zourk laughed. “I suppose not. Pathetic.” At this point, Nina had stopped moving to the point where Valiant wondered if she was still breathing. He thought she would be revolted by this revelation, but she looked almost…*eager.* Racking his mind, he remembered a recent encounter between Zourk and Nina. Zourk had wanted Nina to date him, but she had turned him down. *I already have given my heart to someone else. But first he must prove that he wants it,* Nina had declared. The meaning hit him as she gave a small nod to him. *She meant me! But I have to prove I’m willing to stand up for my love!* To answer Zourk’s question, Valiant glared as he spun the scythe off his back and crouched into a ready position. Zourk’s expression turned stone cold as he glared at Valiant. “So be it. Get him!”

Three of the guards rushed forward at once, one from the left, one on the right, and one in front of Valiant. Valiant smirked as he spun his scythe in circles, knocking out first the one on the right, then the one on the left. With a flourishing spin, he turned towards the front and stabbed with the blunt top of his blade. As he did, he summoned strength from the souls and channeled it into his body. The result was devastating, with the knight being thrown into a far off wall with a stunning impact. The other knights circled, wary and hesitant to attack now that they had watched their partners fail. *Let’s entice them to come to me.* Valiant slung the scythe back to its position on his back and put his fists in a fighting stance. This emboldened the other knights, who rushed him. Summoning both speed and strength from the souls, Valiant charged back at them with the speed of lighting.

The first one fell too easily. Valiant ducked the right hook, before grabbing his opponent’s feet. With a massive heave, he flipped the unfortunate knight into the air, before swinging him around and tossing him against another knight. Together, the two comrades clashed and went flying into the ground. One of the opposing knights, the scrawniest, turned to flee. *Not so fast, boy.* Valiant summoned the power of the end within, teleporting directly in front of the coward. With one punch, the weakling was down. The other knight hesitated for a moment, then charged. Valiant waited for his opponent to reach him before he fought. His opponent, desperate, had launched a flying sidekick at him, but Valiant merely grabbed his leg and slammed him into the ground. Valiant brushed himself off before he started back to Nina. Zourk was cowering behind her in fear as he and the other knights stared at Valiant in respect and awe. “Do you still question my power Zourk,” Valiant snarled, “I believe that you are the only one left!” Zourk cowered away, sniveling and begging for mercy. Valiant regarded him coolly. “Word to the wise. Never underestimate your opponent.” With that, and a nod to Nina, Valiant left for the Queen’s chambers.

Before he had got caught up in the crowd, Valiant had been about to go to his sister. Apparently, she wanted something. As he went down the familiar corridor, he couldn’t help but try to guess what she wanted. *Perhaps she wants a sword fixed?* As he came to the guards outside the door, he nodded. They nodded back and allowed him inside. With a deep breath, Valiant entered the Queen’s chambers to see what she wanted.

Abbigail was waiting for him while she checked her armor in a glass mirror. When she spotted him in it, she launched into the briefing. “I’ll make this quick and to the point. A nether virus has taken over some Endermen in a nearby city, about three islands away. I need you to go there and deal with them. While you’re there, I want you to give this message to Baron Toren. Since all my other knights are on missions, I need him and his team here to make sure the infection does not reach this city.” The Queen turned to look at her brother. “Understand?” He nodded as he rose from his bow. “I won’t make this a large argument sis.” Abbigail raised one eyebrow at him as he spoke. “But it is risky and a threat to your security to send off all the knights and leave barely any protection for yourself. I know you don’t believe in plots or anything of the kind. But just to be safe, prepared, and ease the conscience of both me and the worried guards outside, please promise me you’ll get some more security in here.” *Here we go,* Valiant thought as his sister opened her mouth. But rather than argue, she merely nodded and closed her mouth. With a sigh, she waved him away, tired from the pressure of running the kingdom. *Sometimes I can’t help but wonder how she takes on such responsibility!* With one final bow, he turned and headed out the archway. As he went down the hallway, he could feel the guards behind him smiling.

Valiant crossed through the main courtyard of the fortress as he headed towards the dragon stables. As he passed, he could feel the eyes of many Ender Knights follow him as they whispered behind his back. *But they aren’t being mean with gossip!* For once in his lifetime, they were whispering in awe and respect. Many even nodded or waved at him. He strode through, his back straightening in confidence with each friendly greeting. *I’m finally somebody to them. I’m important to them!* He was cool, and he was loving it. Eventually, after walking what seemed like several miles, he finally reached the dragon stables. He looked around until he found a pair of stable hands and waved them over. To his shock, they actually bowed to him before they went and retrieved his dragon. Together, the stable hands brought Vishy out and waited for Valiant to come get the dragon. Just as he was about to go, a hand grabbed his shoulder.

Valiant turned to see Vector. “Hey,” Vector said quietly, “I heard you got a mission?” Valiant nodded. “I have to clean out the infested Endermen three islands down.” Vector nodded. “Well, I’m going on a mission too and I thought I would wish you good luck. Those infected Endermen are mean!” Vector shuddered. Despite his suspicions about Vector, Valiant couldn’t help but be touched by his gesture. *After all, he was one of the only ones who stood by me when everyone else would taunt or mock me.* With a warm nod, Valiant returned the wish. With a wave of goodbye, Valiant strode to Vishy and clambered on his dragon’s back. Vishy roared with delight as he crouched. Then, with a mighty jump, Vishy sprung into the air and flapped his wings, sending the two airborne. Taking a good look at the fortress before Vishy flew away, Valiant looked back. “Let’s complete this mission,” he said with renewed determination. With a happy roar, Vishy complied, pushing the pair to even higher speeds as they soared over the end.

Below them, islands zipped by, filled with purple chorus fruit and Endermen. In no time, they had reached the fourth island, the one they were looking for. Unlike the Capital City, this city was designed to be like the ancient End Cities, made of giant stalks with cubical ender rooms on top. Around the stony purpur city, Endermen with red eyes and veins shrieked as they teleported around the place. *Where will I land? I can’t land on the ground. They might infect Vishy!* At that moment, though, Valiant spotted an Ender Knight on the roof of the largest building. The knight was waving for Valiant’s attention. Valiant spurred his dragon in the direction of the knight. Seconds later, they landed next to the knight on the roof. Valiant disembarked. Looking sternly at Vishy, he gave his dragon a warning. “Now listen here, don’t get any ideas. You stay right here.” With that, Valiant turned and followed the strange Ender Knight through the city.

This city was nearly the same as the Capital City, but shaped drastically differently. Plus, there was no obsidian here, as end bricks appeared to be used instead. All around, shulkers guarded the hallways and rooms. *These halls and rooms are much smaller than at the Capital City.* Soon enough, they made it to a new room. Inside it, a massive man stood behind a desk while surveying a map in front of him. When he looked up, surprise showed on his face. He quickly composed himself though, and nodded to Valiant. “I am Baron Toren. I assume you have a message for me from the Queen.” Valiant nodded and gave the baron the message. “Queen Abbigail wants you to send some of your knights to defend the Capital City while she sends her personal knights on missions to stop this Nether plague. I was also sent here to clear out the Endermen here.” Baron Toren nodded as he responded. “Better get on with it then. It isn’t pretty doing that work. I’ll get my knights to the capital immediately.

Valiant nodded and began to leave. When he was at the door, however, he heard the knight that had escorted him here whisper to the baron. “Does this mean that we make our move against the throne now?” Shock ran through Valiant as he comprehended what this statement meant. *So I was right! There is a plot against her!* Valiant ran through his options in his mind as he tried to figure out how to handle the situation. *I had better figure out what they are planning.* Once he was out of sight, Valiant closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and summoned the power of the end. Instantly, he was teleported to the window behind the baron. Valiant quickly ducked to the right side of the window. Flattening himself against the wall, he listened in on the conversation taking place.

As Valiant listened to the room, he could hear that more knights had joined in. “What shall we do baron,” one of the knights questioned, “To go against the Queen is madness. If we assassinate her, everyone will know!” The baron growled in reply. “You heard our guest! Her personal knights are gone! Besides, we have an inside agent who will cover for us. He is popular! All the other knights will follow him! We must strike while she is weak. She won’t suspect us since we will be there to protect us. With her trust plus the timing on our side, nothing will stop us.” Valiant could tell by the mumbled replies that the other Ender Knights were hesitant. In the end, unfortunately, they agreed. Once he had heard them leave, he raced onto the walkway. Springing, he rushed towards the roof where his dragon was. *Wait, I’m being foolish! I can just teleport up there. I don’t have time to run! They have too long of a head start as it is!*

Using his power again, Valiant teleported to the rooftop. Swiftly, he clambered onto his Ender Dragon. “Vishy,” he commanded with worry, making his voice waver, “Our Queen is in danger! We must hurry!” Luckily, Vishy understood. Once he was in the air, Vishy pumped his wings with all his strength. As they flew, Valiant could feel his body shaking with terror. His mind was numb with shock. *If we don’t get there in time, she’s doomed. She should have listened to me earlier and kept her knights near!* Adrenaline began to take over as he realized something horrible. *I’m the only thing standing between her and fate! Don’t worry sis,* Valiant thought grimly as he tightened his hold on Vishy. *We’re coming. I won’t let them kill you!*

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