The carriage jerks, abruptly stopping, jostling the asleep Orpheus. Waking from his slumber, his eyes open groggily. Observing Susanna seated next to him and still awake. Noticing a slight smirk, he questions her glee. "What's so funny?" He asks causing her smile to grow ever wider; an expression he has never witnessed, graces her face.
"You are drooling sir." She states with a mischievous point of her finger.
He quickly wipes away the drool, smiling back at her with a slight chuckle.
"I sir Lambert of the Ashen Knights, sworn sword to his majesty, requests entrance into the capitol." Lambert's voice rings from outside, preceded by the sound of large gears turning and metal chains clanking.
Orpheus spurned by the sounds draws up the window, peering outside to witness a large steel gate almost forty feet high. Pulling himself back to the seat, clasping his hands together and with a malevolent smile, he recites. "We're here." The carriage abruptly moves again, passing through the gate and into the city.
Traversing the streets of the capital, a bustling city can be heard composed of voices, trotting horses, carriage wheels and various other indeterminate noises. "So, what do you plan to do sir?" Susanna asks curiously.
"What do you think I'm going to do." Turning a cold gaze at her, the ice behind his eyes, was visible to none except her.
She gazes into the corrupt and amoral centre, witnessing a representation of the potential brutality he can bring. "I advise against that sir, that is definitely not part of the plan." Stating firmly, she appeals to restraint.
He simply smiles, before leaning back creating an atmosphere of uncertainty. The carriage eventually turns left, then right before driving down a long street and abruptly stopping. The door handles jostle, and an outside force pries them open, revealing the driver requesting they exit.
Orpheus carries his staff, leaving the confines of the carriage, Susanna following behind. Once exited they are greeted by a palace, surrounded by a ten feet tall gold-encrusted fence with the gate open. The gate is guarded by six fully armed steel-plated knights three on each side, standing at attention.
Lambert guides both through the gates, along the pathway surrounded by an immaculate hedged garden. The palace architecture had a unique design looming over like a massive pristine shadow. Beautiful and immaculate pillars descended from above holding up a balcony. Above are two towers on each side, reaching the highest point. Decorated windows littered the entire structure, some simple and others beautiful tapestries.
Traversing the path, they are greeted by two diverging stairways, converging upon an arched doorway, already open. Lambert and his knights guide them up the stairs and through the door. Once inside they are greeted by two female maids on the left and two male butlers on the right, all directing them through the foyer.
The foyer is wide and roomy with arched doorways on both the left and right and a larger one ahead. Orpheus and Susanna continue along, following Lambert through another door, before greeting a lavish throne room. The room has a diamond-encrusted chandelier descending from the roof. Two white pillars on either side of two thrones in the middle. Several pillars have red flags hung upon them. The flag's design is a circular royal crest in the centre with a crowned chimera holding a sceptre.
Orpheus continues down a red carpet, and his presence is noticed by the mob of nobles on either side. Seated on the rightmost throne is a man, dressed in a black golden-weaved tunic. Adorned with a red and white cloak, the royal crest on the left side. Upon his neck is a gold filigree necklace and atop his head is a crown. The king himself was middle age, noticeably handsome, fair skin and with bright blue eyes. His facial features included a short beard, moustache and long flowing brown hair passing his ears.
Seated next to him is the queen wearing a long red golden-weaved dress. A crown lay upon her head similar to the kings, pressed gently upon her long dark hair, cascading down her shoulders. Her slender face held light green eyes, fair skin and obviously attractive qualities.
To the left of the queen is a female knight, clad in full plate armour and a large great sword sheathed on her back. She is nearly six feet tall with mocha skin, short red hair and brown eyes, a scar appears just above her eyebrow.
Lambert leads them just short of the throne, kneeling respectfully. "Your majesty I have brought the man you have requested, the hero known as Orpheus." Nodding to his liege, he directs their gazes to the supposed hero.
Both stand beside him with Orpheus refusing to kneel, Lambert witnesses this and instructs him to do the same with a simple nod.
"Apologies your majesty but you are neither my king nor I your subject, so don't expect me to kneel." Orpheus announces without an ounce of shame. Everyone is visibly shocked, the knight standing next to the queen reaches for her sword, anger noticeable upon her face.
The queen raises her hand, the action preventing any rash actions. "Tiephinne stop." She orders with an imperious tone.
The knight turns to her queen, ceasing her actions. "Yes, your highness." Replying with a subservient tone, stopping just short of the attack.
The queen turns to Orpheus her cold gaze requesting an explanation from the rude hero. "You dare not kneel before royalty, well aren't you an insolent man." Her voice resounds indignantly, slightly amused.
"It's fine Lysia, the man is a hero who single-handedly defeated an entire army to protect our domain, in truth, it is I who should show courtesy." The king interrupts her, ascending from his throne and walking a few feet forward, dragging his cloak behind him. "I King Artuiel am truly grateful for your heroism and protecting my citizens... You have my deepest gratitude." The regal king bows slightly, Orpheus stunned at the king's excessive courtesy.
"Umm... You're welcome your majesty; it was nothing really I..." Just before he can finish, his eye notices the presence of a man to his far left. Standing in the crowd of nobles, the finely dressed gentlemen exist. His gaze turns to him as the King lifts his head. Orpheus's blood boils and a fiery rage fills his chest. His eyes widen and his body tenses with a mere look.
The figure that angers him so, is a reasonably tall fellow, with moderately handsome features, blonde slicked-back hair, brown eyes and lightly tanned skin. He is wearing a silver girdle woven with gold.
"You!" Orpheus raises his hand, aggressively pointing at him and singling him out of the crowd. The man stunned by his fury flashes a confused expression, perplexed by the situation. "You corrupt piece of shit. I know you. I know what you have done, you will pay for your transgressions!" Reaching for his sword, stunning everyone with his actions. Susanna attempts to stop him, and all the while the King moves back to his knights.
The nobleman's confusion turns to frustration, stepping back he yells. "Dammit!" Screaming indignantly as if everything he desires went down the drain. "Gerald plan B, plan B, go to plan B god dammit!" The noble screams to the other beside him.
The fellow replies with a stunned expression. "Plan B... You sure Lord Kencus?" He states with a shiver in his voice.
"Yes!" Kencus yells as if the fellow noble was an idiot for hesitating.
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The noble nods to his superior, withdrawing a communication stone and grasping it in his hand to yell. "Soldiers plan B, seize the crown!" Delivering his orders, he steps back into the crowd of nobles.
Orpheus having successfully drawn his weapon was ready to cleave the man's head. With swift movements, he lunges towards him. Before he can, the entrance violently swings open, soldiers pour in. A loud thud reveals the corpses of the former knights guarding the entrance, languishing at their feet.
"Kencus what is the meaning of this?" The king roars as steel-plated soldiers block Orpheus. The group composed of at least twelve soldiers successfully takes the other nobles hostage, surrounding the throne room.
"Unfortunately, your majesty but this is a coup, you will cede to our demands or you will perish here and now." The surrounding soldiers point their swords at Orpheus, the knights, the king and finally the queen upon Kencus orders.
Orpheus places his sword to his side and his staff stationary in his right hand, assessing the situation. "A coup d'état, how pedestrian, these nobles are idiots taking arms against your enemy in such a public fashion, truly idiotic. I best wait for my moment and kill that impudent insect, perhaps with a little help I can incite violent confrontation instead of a mediocre negotiation." Finishing his thoughts he relaxes slightly, his guard still up.
Kencus steps forward his cold gaze following Orpheus before questioning him. "Who are you supposed to be, hero. How did you know of my plans?” He asks with a ferocious and scornful look. “No matter, Men keep your swords trained on him." He commands before turning his gaze away from a problem he will deal with later.
"Yes sir." The soldiers announce in unison, casting their deadly gazes upon him.
Dismissing the man, Kencus moves over to the king, proclaiming his demands. "Your majesty, I wish to renegotiate the terms of our lands. Lands you unrightfully stole from us and returned to lesser countries." Lifting his chin to cast his gaze down upon a clearly taller man.
"But Kencus I returned their own lands in order to foster peace, can't you see the honour in that? Please lower your swords there is a peaceful solution I know it?" King Artuiel pleads for him to see reason, his voice falling on deaf ears.
"Your Majesty don't waste your words on this villain, he is a vile man, I know this.” Orpheus cuts on, malice dripping from every word. “He only desires power at the cost of any lives in his way." Pleading with the king against negotiation, with the apparent vile human.
Kencus turns to him, rage in his eyes. "Silence that insolent man!" The noble yells prompting a soldier to raise the hilt of his sword. Dropping the weapon upon his back, pushing him to the ground.
Susanna seeing her friend struck from behind, flashes an expression of worry.
The king and his knights are visibly disturbed by the act and protest against it. "That man is a hero of the kingdom how dare you!" Lambert yells angrily, disgusted by the noble's act.
"Merely a warning." Kencus replies, turning his gaze back to the king.
Orpheus now hunched over with a mischievous smile was out of sight of the others. He subtly lays his staff down, aiming his hand at one of the soldiers. "Imperium Corpus." Chanting a spell under his breath, a light ethereal wave emanates from the soldier's body. Command over his form is now relinquished to his absolute control.
The sorcerer slowly moves his hand guiding the soldier to turn around. The dominated soldier faces a scared noblewoman, draped in a blue gown. The other soldiers notice his actions, glancing at the odd situation. With a flick of his wrist, the man raises his weapon and slashes down upon the cowering woman.
"You bastard... Lambert go!" The king yells, directing Lambert to leap into action. The noble knight draws his two swords, charging at the enemies in his way. With two synchronous strikes, his swords slice through their armour. Spewing blood from their torso, they descend to the ground, dead.
Orpheus rises from his falsehood and draws his blade. Performing an upwards slash, the soldier above him is sliced from the stomach to the neck. Three of the remaining soldiers turn to him, ready to strike. "Veni Forth Elementum Fulgur." Lightning discharges from his hand, surrounding himself in a wave of destructive force. Clenching his fist, he rams it into the ground expelling the electricity and shocking the men to death.
Lambert follows behind, attacking the remaining soldiers. Charging at them with his two swords. "Initium!" His two swords trailing behind, the one on the left ignites with fire as the other sparks with electricity. The two soldiers attempt to block his advance, lunging towards him.
Lambert swings both his weapons blocking their strikes. The other side desperately struggled against his force. The two men push forward with all their might. Lambert is pushed back a moment before the lightning discharges a shock through the enemy's blade, incapacitating him. The fire sword's flame melts through the other's, slicing through it like butter, snapping it in half.
The soldier peers down at his broken sword, his confusion stopping him in his tracks. Turning back towards two blades coming towards him slashing him apart. Lambert peers down at the injured woman, advancing towards her.
Kencus noticing the chaos picks up a fallen soldier's weapon, advancing toward the royals with his six remaining men. "Go seize the king and queen, hurry!" The soldiers split apart, three towards the king and the other three towards the queen. Tiephinne unsheathes her massive great sword readying herself for the enemy's advance.
Separating to surround her, two of them lunge forward with deadly intent. She blocks their strikes with the side of her blade, successfully pushing them back with a burst of strength. The enemy dazed, she lunges, slicing them from the right. Both defend but are overwhelmed and sliced apart, right through their weapons.
As the ensuing fight is occurring, the third soldier sneaks around to attack the queen from the right. "You're coming with me!" He yells, brandishing his blade to her neck. Lysia smiles at the demand clasping her hands on the edge as though praying. She was directing the blade away from her body with agile movements before elbowing him in the face. The soldier stumbles back and she relieves him of his weapon. With the sword now in her right hand, she spines around, plunging the blade into his chest.
"That's your highness to you. Show some respect!" The queen states over the soldier's fading corpse before she turns to the king and throws the sword at him. "Husband, I have a gift for you!" The king turns, easily catching the weapon and flashing a smile to his doting wife.
"I truly am a lucky husband, to have such a doting wife." He exclaims turning to the three soldiers' weapons raised as they attack. The one on the right lunges first, aiming at the king's torso. He easily parries with an upwards strike. Turning the blade and sliced the man's hand, dropping his sword before stabbing him in the torso. The soldier falls over clutching his chest as the others witness his swift end, now fearing their own. "So, gentlemen, who's next?" The king asks, twirling the blood-stained blade like a toy.
"What are you doing get him!" Kencus continues yelling his commands at the remaining soldiers, roaring behind his slaughtered men. They look at each other and then at their dead comrades, immediately dropping their weapons in surrender.
"Good choice." The king states, placing the point of his sword on the ground, before gently leaning on the blade like a walking stick.
"Useless, the lot of you!" His rage reaches its limit, brandishing the fallen soldier's blade, he runs toward the distracted king. The queen notices and attempts to intercept but he is too far away.
Just as the villain is about to reach the king, Orpheus observing his movement turns to him and chants. "Subcinctus Egomet." Vanishing from his position he reappears just in front of him. With a sword drawn he blocks Kencus's strike. The two blades clash in a battle of strength, both attempting to press against each other. Orpheus smiles, and his eyes turn completely black before chanting. "Subjectum Timor." The chant ends, and his eyes return to normal.
Kencus suddenly experiences an induced paralysis and a feeling of complete and utter terror. Loosening his grip, he almost drops the blade. Taking advantage, he disarms him with the flick of his sword. The action sends the blade to the ground. Kencus, stricken with fear and now defenceless, watches helplessly as the sword sinks deeply into his chest. The blade sprouted out the back, gushing blood from the wound.
"Who... Are... You." His teeth chatter, stumbling over his words, desperately trying to resist the fear consuming his mind.
"No one really... Just an orphan with a family composed of headless corpses!" Orpheus replies with an emotionless face.
Kencus eyes light up with recognition, and his fear and confusion reach a new height. "No, that it's impossible you can't be alive... You're... You're dead!" He tries to speak but stumbles over his words.
"No, you're dead." With his final statement, Orpheus twists the blade eliciting Kencus to let out a blood-curtailing scream, falling to the floor. With the blood caking his blade and clothes, Orpheus looks around at the carnage and death. Expressing a gleeful smile before feeling a hand upon his shoulder. A slight tug turns him around, to the kings smiling and grateful face, gleefully thanking him for his actions.
"You saved me; I don't know how I can ever repay you for your continued acts of heroism." The king thanked then shook his hand.
"No need to repay me, it is just what we heroes do." They both smile, yet his thoughts denote something very different. "You can repay me, dear king... If you drop dead right now... Because to be truly honest you may find it preferable to die now, instead of enduring what I have in store for you."