Chapter 43: Ogres' Last Stand: Struggle For Dominion Spire

Hmm, what's this?

Drat! A trap!

There's no way we're getting this up, it's far too heavy.

From the looks of things it's sealed by ogrish magic.

Well, this certainly throws a spanner in the works. Whatever are we to do?

Rancorem. The path to Zennon lies beyond this gate, doesn't it?

Ahead of us is what Zennon has presumptuously dubbed Dominion Spire. The throne sits at the peak.

And this gate, how do we get it up?

No less than an ogrish mage of the highest order would be able to release the seal.

Don't give me the trivia, give me a name.

An old friend of yours; the Baron.

Yes, that would make sense. This is likely his doing... That spell activated in response to our arrival... He must have plans for us.

It's likely we've been cut off from the main force. The longer we stay apart, the greater their peril grows. And ours too for that matter.

We can't have that now, can we. Enough chit-chat, let's go catch us a Baron!

Great, just who I wanted to see again. Anyway, he could be anywhere around here, so let's get him to open this.

This seems like the sort of place a high-ranking ogre might call home.

Infidel defilers! You find yourselves in the private chamber of the esteemed 7th Baron Hauzagawst.

Ah, just the ogre we were looking for.

You are pleased to see me... Well, it's a pleasure to meet you again too. How do you like my place?

You shut that gate in order to stop us reaching Zennon? In any case, we'll now have you re-open it.

Leading you here was not merely for the protection of Lord Zennon. First and foremost, I seek to silence the Gyre Melody. If the two Palsifals and Rancorem were to be reunited, and the melody struck up, we ogres would face a grave threat. The three swords' co-existence defies all logic, it is nothing short of miraculous. But this equilibrium can only last so long. At the moment the victor is decided, so too will the swords' fates be. What do you have to say, Rancorem? This interests you too, does it not.

The hatred that seethes through my steel will not fade without first seeing realization. My survival is inexorable.

You think that the Thunder King will triumph over Zennon, just as history foretells? Pathetic! Laughable! Thanks to you, Zennon now has the ultimate sword, whereas the Thunder King is robbed of his full force by the death curse upon him.

The Thunder King weakened? We've seen no sign of that.

A death curse? He never mentioned that!

Your ignorance is almost endearing for it has lead you to this unwinnable battle, and your demises, which I shall relish. The Thunder King, however... Knowing his own state and yet to come here in challenge. What selfish devotion to vengeance! Naturally, he values his waning life little. But now you see he cares nothing for the lives of his comrades either.

We have no reason to take someone like you at your word!

Ah, it escaped me, the noses of humans are mostly decorative. They may be chewy and tasty, but serve little use to their owners.

Which is just as well! You're spared quite a stench in the case of the Thunder King. For his organs are crippled and withered. His blood spoiled and festering. And his flesh rots and molders.

If that's true, how terrible!

In fact, it may not even be necessary to wield the Elemental Greatsword's full might to swat away those two puny Kings. Perhaps it shall be reserved for you, who are, in truth, the only serious remaining threat to our victory.

How could the Thunder King be so reckless...

Raise the gate at once, if you value your life, Baron! You have that power, don't you?

We'd be wise to leapfrog this small fry and go straight for our prize.

You think I'll actually raise the gate. What a quaint bunch you are. The fortress of the ferocious ogre clan really is no place for you. But there's only one way out for you now. Death.

This place won't be your fortress when we're done with it. The count of the ogre dead mounts as we speak. If you don't want to join them, do as we say and open the gate!

Stop there! Yes, I see. So this is the strength that led you here. I'm beaten, utterly beaten. I surrender! I may be one of ogrekind's finest mages, but you, you really are something else.

I am forced to reconsider my allegiances. What do you say? I will ally with you. I'll open the gate of course, as you wish. I'm in no hurry to meet death, even less so if it means being sucked into Ogre Rancorem, should Zennon fall...

We're going to the gate right now. First, you raise it, and we'll see after that.

Yes, yes, very well. But I will not join you in the fight against Zennon, there is no question of that. That said, I will pray for your success. Serving under that fiend has been... Unpleasant, to say the least.

Back to the gate then, quickly!

With a fortress full of ogres to contend with, there's a real risk our comrades might have landed in a spot of bother...

Outta the way! Get. Out. Of. The. Way! We're not here for you grunts!

Lookin' fer our King? Zennon'd take ya out wiv a flick of his little finger, mate. Or did ya come 'ere to become ogre food?

If our boy Baron's had his way, yer mates will be trapped and ready fer the takin'! Now quit yer squealin' and join 'em!

In our stomachs that is, hurhur! Lotsa room fer ya in there!

Grarrregh!

You ogres were never a match for the Thunder Army, this reversal of fortunes will last but an instance!

I will lead the charge!

Grrf...

My Lord...?

You're wounded? What caused this?

Leave me! It's an old wound, nothing to worry about. Attend to yourself.

You cannot fight in this condition!

I will be the judge of that.

This fight will be my last, that much is clear. But in accepting death I am granted a determination that doubles my strength. Do you really think I will fall to the likes of these? Watch me!

Hmm...

Very good. I will be at your side. May the twin blades of Palsifal lead us to a future freed from the ogre menace!

......

Come now, ogres! Come and face me! Die in your dismal droves!