Chapter 15
“Where Loyalty Lies”
The siege of Lovelacia had left many soldiers either dead or wounded. Fallen warriors were carried to the castle mortuary to begin preparations for their honorable burials in the catacombs beneath the fortress. The wounded were carried to the infirmary where nurses and doctors worked in a frenzy to treat them. A bandaged Amdusias and Agatha were in Cariphae’s royal office sifting tirelessly through her many journals and parchments that had been removed from her locked cabinets. Agatha stood at the desk while Amdusias paced nervously across the room. His tail whipped from side to side in anxiety while he gnawed on the thick nail of his thumb.
“This is not right, Agatha. You shouldn’t have let them take her.” Amdusias spat with his ears twitching and sweat dripping down his neck.
“General Amdusias, you know as well as I do that if what the sorcerer says is true, then she is in grave danger if she stays here. Look at these journals, look at her words.” Agatha pointed to a black leather journal on Cariphae’s desk that she had pulled from the drawer.
“It is beyond inappropriate and out of line for either of us to look at those.” Amdusias grunted offendedly and turned his head away from the desk. Agatha scowled and ran the tip of her long finger across the cursive words etched in black ink.
“She says it herself, General. ‘Guardian has consistently avoided questions regarding the integrity and current affairs in the Ensanguined Kingdoms, often acting as if he hadn’t bothered to check in years. The hesitance he expresses raises suspicions that I cannot dismiss.’ Why would Guardian avoid those questions? And look here, she states that Guardian has also had a history of pursuing his own agendas against the order of the Arithmetian Crown and her counsel. This does not sound like a true ally to our queen. No wonder she turned him away.” Agatha continued as she turned the journal sideways to try and tempt Amdusias to spare a glance. Though he did not look, it did stop his quick pacing.
“Guardian is merely an ally; he is not under Arithmetian authority. The surface world is his domain and he is not required to inform Cariphae of every detail.” Amdusias defended with a shake of his head in confusion.
“Even if it involves the Ensanguined? The race that had enslaved Valaah and Altaones for countless generations? Does this not concern you, General? They destroyed my race.”
“Which is why you are biased. I mourn for your kind, but it does not make it appropriate to begin accusing Guardian, nor allow a stranger to take Cariphae to the surface!”
“Your judgement is as twisted as the braids in your mane, General.” Agatha snapped.
“The agendas Guardian is allegedly pursuing could simply be protecting the human race in a way we cannot understand. We know little of them.” Amdusias reasoned.
“The agendas were crimes of war, General. This is dated back during the Red War.” Agatha peered closely at the scripts and blinked as she read as if in disbelief. “Oh, my goodness…” She breathed. The tone of the advisor caught Amdusias’s attention, and he slowly approached the desk. His interest had stirred at the mention of war crimes as he was a Valaah of honorable battle.
“Very well then. What have you found?” He asked while still adverting his eyes from the journal in his best attempt to show respect for his queen’s privacy.
“See for yourself, General.” Agatha pushed the journal closer to the edge for Amdusias.
“Agatha, I will not–“ Amdusias tried to argue.
“Amdusias, please.” Agatha pleaded and locked eyes with the General who pursed his lips in frustration. He took the journal in his hands and begrudgingly began to read. His face changed from disdain to distress as he read the script and felt that he had to lean on the desk out of shock. His ears folded back, then slouched to the side as the script fell heavy on his heart.
“She never told us.” Amdusias spoke in shock.
“She never told anyone.” Agatha rubbed her temple stressfully and leaned against the basalt of the fireplace. “This is why she declined Guardian’s marriage proposal. If he committed such a crime like this, what would’ve stopped him from retaliating with a siege that would render her completely powerless against him? He takes power as he sees fit. The entire event was flawed and unorganized; it was almost too flawed to be a true siege.” Agatha stated as Amdusias gently sat the journal back down.
“She didn’t kill Virgoth. Guardian did.” Amdusias swallowed hard and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “Why would Cariphae take credit for Guardian’s kill?”
“I don’t know, but he’s been avoiding giving Cariphae information on the Ensanguined Kingdoms. We’re attacked by Ensanguined days after she rejected the proposal, and the sorcerer warned that Guardian was coming for her. The flaws make sense if Guardian was targeting Cariphae from the beginning. I truly feel the sorcerer is right and we made the correct choice.” Agatha pushed herself off the basalt fireplace and began to pace as well.
“This isn’t proof that Guardian has been conspiring against Arithmetia. He is a demigod who fought for Cariphae and won. If he was the one who killed Virgoth, why would he help the Ensanguined rise back into power? There are too many questions left unanswered for us to have even considered letting Cariphae go into the hands of that sorcerer. It doesn’t make any sense and we cannot jump to conclusions over a few journal entries.”
“I don’t think he is helping them back into power. He may be using them as a pawn for his own agenda and he clearly has a history of doing so. I think we’re dealing with a conspiracy longer-lived than either of us. None of this seems right.” Agatha reasoned and pointed to the journal.
“Guardian is a hero of the lands; he is the embodiment of justice. War crimes are inevitable, and we both know that.” Amdusias continued to defend.
“Our queen thought differently. Do you disagree with her? Everything she has done has been in the name of our people and our home. She’s sacrificed more than we could ever imagine, and her denying Guardian a right to Arithmetia was no mistake. I’ve seen how she truly feels when she takes off the crown. She is miserable and riddled with a sorrow we cannot begin to comprehend.” Agatha crossed her arms and tilted her head curiously. She played heavily on Amdusias’s loyalty to the queen who shifted uncomfortably at the thought of disagreeing with his queen’s morality. Amdusias turned away from the desk and rubbed his eyes.
“If Guardian committed these atrocities, why would she not hold him accountable? Why continue an allegiance?”
“A war between two powerful beings would spell disaster for both realms. She was trying to tell us something and I think we should listen to her, through these journals. Lovelacia is not safe for her anymore, not while Guardian wants it, or – rather – wants her.” Agatha urged as she pointed to the ground, symbolizing the entirety of their kingdom.
“Who is to say she’s retained this information to solidify her power? Why would she take credit for killing the Ensanguined King unless it’s for the sake of power over the people?” Amdusias snapped back and closed the journal with a harsh thud. Agatha stood nose to nose with the General as if offended by such a bold comment.
“Is that the Cariphae you know, General? A Queen who lies for power? Remember what she did for our forefathers. She has brought two hundred years of peace to our people. Not one soul in Arithmetia has gone hungry nor suffered the inability to provide for their family. Cariphae has not violated the promises she made to us, not even if it meant reaching into Endle for new land and you know she could very easily do so, but she has chosen peace instead. She puts us all before herself. That, you cannot deny.” Agatha reasoned sternly and defended Cariphae’s honor against the General’s skepticism. Amdusias felt defeated when he couldn’t argue the Advisor’s point.
“No, I cannot. Nonetheless, she lied to us all about Virgoth’s slaying. She did not kill him and by right of conquest – did not earn the crown.” Amdusias turned away from Agatha and fell deep into thought as the truth created more questions than answers.
“Perhaps, she felt she did, just in a different way. Would you have rather served her or Guardian?” Agatha softened her tone with a solemness to her eyes, knowing well the pain and guilt her queen felt was immeasurable. Amdusias stared intensely at the ground beneath his hooves and weighed every option he could. Trusting a sorcerer and an Ensanguined woman with an unconscious and wounded leader was not good enough for the General and it greatly unsettled him and rocked his trust in the Royal Advisor.
“I still feel this was a mistake, Agatha. The nobles will have many questions when we brief them on the situation, and chaos will ensue when you tell them that you let our queen fall into the hands of rogues responsible for her condition. Arithmetia will be going off your best judgment. That isn’t enough; not even for me.” Amdusias continued to argue.
“One of those rogues was the Entity of Shadows himself. He saved an entire village during the Red War when Guardian – mind you – failed to do as he was charged. Cariphae pardoned him for a reason.” Agatha stated and watched as Amdusias looked taken aback.
“And he uses our own dead soldiers to perform those miracles. My men are still shaken by that act of degeneracy! I’m still not convinced this was the right choice.” Amdusias asked with disbelief. Suddenly his disbelief turned sour, and a frown spread across his face. “He is a wicked bottom-feeder, blackened by dark magic. He is not to be trusted, you saw him yourself.”
“I would trust a necromancer who protected innocent people to care for Cariphae than a demigod who has slain innocent people needlessly! Or at the very least, abandoned his post to let a village burn.” She crossed her arms and Amdusias scoffed.
“He violated our fallen soldiers! The magic infesting him has harmed our queen! Who knows what plague has befallen upon her after he’s touched her!”
“He did not have a choice, Amdusias! He wore the Black Silk Hex; the curse drives good men to do terrible things against their will.”
“Where do you find this information?” He asked with exasperation.
“We have a library, General.” Agatha smugly replied.
“Well then, Lady Agatha, what do you advise we do now that our queen is injured and missing?” Amdusias straightened himself and placed his hands on his belt. “Without our queen, we are vulnerable. The people of Arithmetia will be asking questions. Most importantly, if the sorcerer is telling the truth, what do we tell Guardian?”
“We tell the people that the queen is injured and has been relocated to a safe area in the fortress to recover. As for Guardian…we tell him nothing of her location. As far as I am concerned, he is an enemy of Arithmetia.” Agatha put her fingertips to her lips nervously as she began to slowly pace in front of the desk.
“What of the Ianuae? Shall I have soldiers follow the sorcerer and offer any aid to the queen?” Amdusias asked, desperate for any opportunity to act. He was not a patient beast.
“Leave it deactivated until we know it is safe. Give them time to get Cariphae far away from the other side.” Agatha ordered and heard the General growl in frustration.
“That’s not good enough!” He pounded his fist on the desk.
At that moment, there was a startling crack of thunder that shook every bit of glass in the royal office which made both Agatha and Amdusias flinch. As a natural reflex, Amdusias quickly put his hand over Agatha protectively and looked up to see the dust fall from the ceiling. They both instinctively knew that this was no ordinary rumble of thunder and they looked at each other with concern.
“He’s here.” Agatha trembled and looked at the journals on Cariphae’s desk.
“The sorcerer was right.” Amdusias sounded to be in disbelief when he noticed Agatha quickly gathering Cariphae’s journals and shoving them back into their respective drawers as neatly as she could.
“We cannot allow him any knowledge of her whereabouts. If he thinks we’re onto him, we risk our own safety. He is no fool.” Agatha rushed to clear off Cariphae’s desk and found a script stating her daily duties in Cariphae’s absence which she promptly tossed into the fireplace to burn.
“What are you doing?” He asked, unsure of what Agatha was destroying.
“Destroying evidence of her plans on visiting the surface.” Agatha tossed in anything she could find relating to the visit before hearing a knock at the door. “Enter!” She yelled. A Valaah guard opened the heavy door and bowed to the Advisor and General.
“My lady, Guardian is here and demands to speak with the highest authority.” He informed urgently.
“Escort him to the Queen’s Cabinet and offer him wine. We will be there very shortly.” She ordered.
“Yes, my lady.” The guard obeyed and closed the door behind him. Agatha took in a deep breath and gathered her composure.
“Can you do this, Agatha?” Amdusias asked. He noticed the visible nervousness of the Advisor.
“I hope my best efforts will be enough. Cariphae entrusted me to look after Arithmetia in her absence. I will not fail her. Will you join me?”
“Of course.” He nodded.
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Guardian had entered the Queen’s cabinet with a guard by his side. He looked on edge with a deep scowl when he came to a seat in the middle of the room. A doe-headed Valaah maid offered him a bottle of wine, which he declined before shooing her away. The demigod ambled through the small private room lined with curio cabinets filled with antique trinkets and old worn swords significant to Arithmetian history. Frames with large, yellowed maps of the land decorated the walls as well as oil paintings of prominent Valaah nobles. A chandelier of brass and lit candles hung in the center of a painted ceiling depicting moments of war between Valaah and Ensanguined, and four red luxury sofas surrounded a singular brass table with a mirrored surface. He found no desire to sit and felt only eagerness to find the queen.
He wasn’t alone for long before Agatha entered the room followed by General Amdusias who calmly closed the door behind him. Guardian confusedly peered at the two and anticipated Cariphae or a doctor to follow in behind them but was disappointed to see that it was only her General and Advisor.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“What is this? Where is Queen Cariphae? Is she well?” He asked impatiently. Agatha kept her composure and clasped her hands together in front of her, walking elegantly and calmly to a sofa.
“I am aware of your concerns as we have just endured an unexpected Ensanguined siege. We are still settling down and there is much to process. Please, sit.” She calmly requested, motioning to the seat next to him.
“I cannot sit while the Queen’s condition is unknown to me. I must see her, now.” Guardian argued.
“She is well, but I cannot allow you to see her. I understand your concern; we all are concerned.” Agatha attempted to sympathize but only got a confused and frighteningly frustrated double take from Guardian.
“You would dare refuse my right to see her? What has happened to her?!” Guardian demanded and Amdusias watched his reaction closely. The demigod seemed more enraged than he did concerned and passed a glance at Agatha whom he prayed noticed as well.
“With all due respect, Guardian, you are not owed a right to see Queen Cariphae.” Amdusias chimed in with a flat tone and caught Guardian’s hateful glare.
“It would do a Valaah well to hold his tongue in a Royal Meeting. You are just a General, nothing more.” Guardian insulted as he gave Amdusias a half-glance.
“Calm yourself, Guardian. We are just as worried as you are. It does not help to insult one another, we are allies. Only together can we understand the situation fully and work to bring order back.” Agatha motioned her palms downwards to try and ease the tension growing rapidly in the room.
“You do not seem quite worried. The loss of a kingdom’s queen is of great concern if not defining in its integrity, and you wish me here in this room?!” Guardian swatted a vase off the side table, shattering it and throwing the shards across the floor. Agatha flinched at the sudden burst of anger that had erupted from Guardian so rapidly.
“Guardian, hysteria will not help us find her any faster–” Agatha attempted to calm the demigod who only turned to her with an overwhelming and frightening stance that cast a shadow over her. Though she was taller, her frail frame and delicate limbs were far outmatched by the imposing layered strength beneath Guardian’s armor. His eyes brightened furiously and became so mesmerizing that Agatha could only back away until she bumped into a curio cabinet – knocking several books from their place. Amdusias grabbed the handle of his sword when Guardian displayed aggression toward the Royal Advisor.
“Hysteria? Do you mock me, Altaone?” Guardian seared with smoking eyes and his dual-tone voice suddenly favored the deeper tone while the higher tone became a whisper. Calling Agatha by her race’s name forced Amdusias to step forward with loud hooves to tear Guardian’s attention away from the visibly intimidated Advisor. Guardian looked to his side with a slow turn of his head.
“Respectfully, it is Lady Agatha. Back away from her, and I suggest you retain your composure while in the presence of Arithmetia’s current leader.” Amdusias warned, making it very clear that he was on guard and willing to challenge the powerful man. Guardian smirked with a squint of his eye and fully faced Amdusias.
“And what will you do, General? Strike me down?” Guardian taunted as he opened his arms to the General.
“I will if I must.” Amdusias replied confidently as his ears flattened against his head.
“If I recall correctly, my alliance with the Arithmetian crown was forged between Cariphae and I – not an Altaone and a Valaah steed.” Guardian sneered.
“Guardian, General, I implore you both that we discuss matters as calmly as possible. This is no time to argue, and we must work together. We are all allies of Cariphae.” Agatha pleaded while watching both brutish men stare one another down without an ounce of fear for the other. Amdusias slowly removed his hand from his sword and whipped his long-haired tail side to side in agitation.
“Of course, my lady.” Amdusias respectfully obeyed and Guardian placed his hands at his sides. The demigod swayed as he walked around the room to distance himself from the General before turning his attention to a framed map on the wall. The tension in the air was choking as the silence between the three remained for a dreadfully long minute.
“Yes, we all have her best interests in mind.” Guardian sighed to break the silence.
“Without question.” Amdusias crossed his arms over his chest as if skeptical of Guardian’s statement.
“If I cannot see her nor know where she currently is, then tell me exactly what happened. Cariphae’s safety is of the utmost importance to me; it is imperative that I know every detail you have. My services are of no use while I remain uninformed.” Guardian spoke flatly. Agatha stepped carefully over the broken vase pieces to have a seat on the lavish sofa – crossing her legs cordially.
“We were all preparing for eventide when we were attacked. Cariphae responded quickly but was injured in battle. All we currently know is that these Ensanguined were dressed in Destillion’s colors; we’re led to believe Queen Nacre is behind the attack. Forgive us if we choose to keep her location classified for the time being.” Agatha explained and had to pause to try and carefully distort the story. Guardian’s eyes narrowed as he glared at the map and put his hands behind his back.
“Destillion harbors no Ensanguined. I was informed by your sergeants that they have collected nearly three hundred Ensanguined bodies. That is a rather small siege, and but a mere inconvenience to someone such as Cariphae. Tell me, how is it that such a small number of soldiers were able to injure her? No weapon could ever injure her.” Guardian calmly spoke and slightly turned his head to eye the two in his peripheral.
“Queen Cariphae may be mighty, but surely a sword could cause her harm.” Agatha half chuckled as if the speculation Guardian had made was foolish.
“Was it a sword that injured her?” Guardian asked curiously.
“I do not know.” Agatha seemed to stumble over her words.
“Oh, you do not know? ‘Surely a sword could injure her’, that is what you claim, yes?” Guardian turned around to face her with his hands behind his back.
“No–“
“No?” He asked.
“Yes?” Agatha questioned confusedly. “I do not know, Guardian. I was in her office, guarded well until the siege was over.”
“Cariphae’s closest friend and Royal Advisor does not know what injured her? Have you bothered asking the men who witnessed it? They all appear quite eager to remain silent on the matter. Then perhaps it is I who knows more about her than you do. No mere steel blade could injure her; this I’ve seen myself.” Guardian asked mockingly and chuckled.
“I never claimed it was a sword.” Agatha frowned in frustration.
“So, you don’t know anything. You dance around my questions and expect me not to pry?” Guardian slightly smiled which made Agatha shift uncomfortably in her seat. He then turned his attention to Amdusias who had looked away – having witnessed what injured Cariphae. “Perhaps the great General could tell me what has happened. After all, you were forcing the soldiers onto the ground for Cariphae to clear them. I know you wouldn’t dare take your eyes off your leader in the heat of battle.”
“I saw nothing but the aftermath.” Amdusias glanced away and flared his nostrils in agitation.
Guardian clicked his tongue and clasped his hands so tightly together that the leather stretched loudly, and the metal of his gauntlets scraped against one another. His eyes began to steam heavily, and electricity flicked from between his fingers as if he were trying desperately to control himself. Hiding behind his smile was wrath growing hotter and hotter with each passing second that Agatha and Amdusias could practically taste in the air.
“You lie to me. The both of you. Do you not trust your strongest ally?”
“Perhaps I should ask you a question, Guardian.” Agatha spoke up. “You came so shortly after the attack. How did you know we were attacked? You were not sent for.” She crossed her arms with her head tilted to the side.
There was a long pause and Guardian’s eyes slowly closed. With a very deep breath, he laughed lightly as he couldn’t deny that her question was a checkmate.
“Altaones, always so clever, always asking just the right questions.” Guardian softly chuckled.
“You knew it would happen… The siege, you knew!” Amdusias snarled.
“Of course.” The white-eyed demigod grinned.
‘Why? Why do you betray us?!” Agatha pleaded in disbelief at what she was hearing. She held onto a small amount of hope that the journals were not true, but her wisdom warned her otherwise. It was surreal to hear it straight from the hero she and all the land thought they knew.
“I have chased that woman for hundreds of years to the edges of the world, repelled by the seas she once sailed. I have set aside my duties of defending humanity to come to Arithmetia’s aid and sacrificed my time and power to allow you creatures a false sense of comfort. I even allowed that ungrateful woman to claim the right to a crown that belongs to me – as a gift. I gave you the right to walk freely in these halls and have your little families – pretending like you’re anything but fly-infested cattle who belong in stockades and pens. Now you stand before me and lie to me to deny me my right. No longer will I bestow upon you my patience.” Guardian growled before rushing towards Agatha so quickly that she had no time to react.
Though she had scooted back in her seat during Guardian’s horrifying monologue of selfish delusion and unbridled hatred, she was not quick enough to escape his hand that snatched her up and lifted her from the ground in a violent motion. Without a chance to even shriek, she felt unforgiving fingers press against her windpipe painfully. Her tendrils wildly thrashed and whipped at Guardian in an attempt to free herself while her hands desperately clawed at the grip that stole her breath away.
“Agatha!” Amdusias roared. He charged at Guardian and swung his blade with all his strength, only for Guardian to grab the steel and stop the assault mid-swing with his free hand. Amdusias was briefly shocked at the strength and the failure to slice through the demigod’s hand, and Guardian simply twisted his wrist to shatter the blade like glass in his ruthless grip. Guardian then quickly swung his fist and connected the unforgiving lion’s teeth-knuckled gauntlet to his cheek. Amdusias toppled over the sofa violently – taking it down with him and causing a loud crash.
Amdusias felt thick blood drizzle down his face and onto the floor while his blurry vision witnessed Guardian grab Agatha’s tendrils at the base of her skull and tear them from her body. Deep purple blood splattered across the floor from her wound and tears streamed down her face, unable to let out a cry of pain. He couldn’t hear anything as his hearing was muffled by a dreadful ringing in his ears.
“Traitor!” Amdusias desperately howled. Alarmed guards heard the commotion and kicked open the door of the room with their swords in hand. They saw their Advisor’s brutal dismemberment and charged at Guardian with their swords in tow. They let out a battle cry as they ran to Agatha’s aid but were stricken down by a blinding bolt of blue lightning that charred a gaping hole through their torsos. The soldiers crumbled to the ground dead and dropped their weapons with their wounds sizzling and steaming. Guardian closed his palm that had sent forth the lightning and discharged the electricity with a sickening crack of his knuckles.
“You treacherous murderer!” Amdusias spat out blood from his mouth as he staggered to his feet. “Release her now!” He demanded loudly.
“I will release her when you tell me what happened here tonight and where Cariphae is currently located.” Guardian calmly bargained.
“D-don’t! Don’t t-tell him–” Agatha begged through her asphyxiation but was silenced once more by a painful jerk of Guardian’s arm.
“I will not let you harm our queen.” Amdusias refused as he wiped thick blood away from the swollen lacerated wound on his cheek. The demigod looked upon Agatha’s desperate face and forced her head to the side to get a better look. He relished the fear in her eyes and saw nothing but a creature unworthy of mercy. She had no resemblance to a human and therefore did not deserve his kindness or pity. It was interesting to the unfeeling demigod to see such emotion that he could never feel himself; it was mesmerizing.
“She is the last of the Altaones, General, and Cariphae’s most beloved friend. It would be a shame to drive yet another race to extinction beyond its time, wouldn’t you agree?” Guardian grinned and heard Amdusias snarl.
“That’s enough!” He screamed.
“Wouldn’t you agree?!” Guardian repeated thunderously and forced Agatha’s head in the other direction to make Amdusias gaze at her fear-stricken face. Agatha’s eyes swam in tears, and she put her hand on Guardian’s chest, terrified of the beast keeping her in his grip. Amdusias quickly looked between the two in a panic, torn at what the right move was. Seconds felt like hours as fear began to settle in and break the noble General much like it would a wild stallion. Guardian could see the defeat in Amdusias’s eyes, and he smiled with half-lidded eyes.
“Why have you betrayed us, Guardian? You have always held our people’s love. Do you feel no shame?” Amdusias trembled.
“My sole purpose in this world is to serve and protect humanity. Your races are beneath them and they are beneath me; I feel nothing. I have defended humans for thousands of years alone, and I grow tired of loneliness. I will have my queen, and when I do, I will produce powerful children in my own image, and they will inherit the surface world. All I want is Cariphae. Tell me what has happened to her and where she is, or I will tear down Lovelacia brick by brick and slaughter anyone who stands in my way. Will there be blood on your hands, General?”
Amdusias’s eyes fell to the floor as his ears sank, understanding the gravity of what Guardian was threatening.
“What shall it be, steed? Where does your loyalty lie? With the crown, or with your people?” Guardian spoke softly and watched the mighty General close his eyes and hang his head low in submission.
“There was a man who held a shadow bow. He shot Cariphae with an arrow and took her. That is all I know. Please, I beg of you, release Lady Agatha and leave our people be! Be merciful; she has done no wrong! I beg of you!” Amdusias begged, making Agatha shut her eyes tightly in defeat and sadness, for the General could not stay strong enough. Guardian smiled and slightly lifted Agatha higher.
“As you wish.” The demigod agreed before suddenly snapping Agatha’s long delicate neck backward easily like a stick – killing her instantly and feeling her fall limp in his grip. Amdusias watched in horror and let out a scream of anguish, watching helplessly as Guardian tossed Agatha carelessly to the sofa. He sank to his knees in stunned horror and heartache as time slowed to a halt. He saw the horrified permanent stare of the Advisor slumped lifelessly on the sofa and felt overwhelmed with unfathomable guilt and pain. His throat seized and the will to fight back was ripped away.
Guardian strolled passed Amdusias and put his palm on the General’s head between his ears to gently pet the beastly Valaah. The coldness in Guardian’s eyes was unnatural and dark, for he felt not an ounce of regret for the cold-blooded murders he had committed. Once again, Guardian found the anguish and sorrow interesting and sweet. He tilted his head to see the shock and awe plastered across Amdusias’s face and admired how one could feel so much heartache.
“What have I done?” Amdusias uttered weakly.
“Such is war, General. The sweetest release for Agatha was death. How painful it must be to be the last of one’s kind. I granted her mercy, just as you asked. Arithmetia is now under my command. Let it be known that while under my rule, lies will result in grave consequences. I do not blame you for your stubbornness, for what is a wild horse to do but kick and buck when its rider demands obedience, hm?” Guardian smiled before electrocuting Amdusias’s skull and holding it tight while the Valaah thrashed and jerked about wildly with an agonized wail.
The Valaah General’s eyes rolled to the back of his skull and passed out from the amount of power surging through his body and fell flat on the hard floor with his hair smoldering. Guardian watched Amdusias struggle to breathe and kicked the beast in the ribs to ensure that he was still alive. Confirming that he hadn’t killed the General, he swiped his cape to the side and left the room to make his way down the hall in a hurry. Any soldier who dared to stop Guardian was slaughtered and burned with ruthless bolts of lightning. The very sound of murderous thunder sent the entire fortress into a panicked frenzy.
Guardian approached the balcony where he oversaw the Valaah soldiers working tirelessly to gather their dead and rebuild their fortress. As he approached, the winds blew his cloak to the side and a bolt of lightning struck across the sky toward Guardian – capturing the attention of every soldier beneath him.
“Citizens of Lovelacia, listen well!” Guardian thundered for all to hear. “Your queen is missing, and your Royal Advisor is dead by my hand!” He boldly continued, casting a furious uproar from the Valaah as they dropped their tools and withdrew their weapons. “Arithmetia is in new hands, hands that can and will destroy your cities and crush your livelihoods!”
Far in the distant homes of the surrounding city of Lovelacia, Valaah mothers held their children close to their bosoms while fathers protected their wives. Workers dropped their hammers and wheelbarrows, and elders stood from their seats. Lightning flashed an ominous red and terrifying glow upon the children’s sobbing faces as the citizens were helpless to protest. All knew the godly voice that once brought confidence to their world, only for it now to cast shadows and nightmares into every home.
“I will tear your children from their mothers and kill their fathers! I will burn your fields and shatter every brick – every stone in every wall until there is nothing left but ash and rubble! There will be no hope left for a single soul in this world unless you heed my every command! I want Queen Cariphae! You will help bring her to me, and I will leave your world in peace! Defy me and the consequences will reign down upon you in a merciless and never-ending storm until every last Valaah is dead! Bow and submit!” Guardian shouted mightily.
A handful of Valaah soldiers pointed upwards to Guardian, snarled viciously at the threat, and did not back down.
“He killed Lady Agatha?!” A Valaah cried out in despair.
“You betray Arithmetia and threaten the innocent!” One exclaimed.
“You hold our innocent against us like a coward! You have no honor!” Another shouted and found an uproar of agreement behind him.
“Tyrant of the surface!” Another screamed.
“Murderer!”
“Wicked usurper!”
The clamor of the Valaah was deafening as none dared to bow to such an act of disgrace. Guardian expressed disgust at the shouts and lifted his fist high into the air. A whirr of energy circled around the demigod who glowed with electricity snaking around his body, and he then threw his fist down, raining bolts of blazing and blinding lightning down into the center of the crowd. The power was so immense that any Valaah caught in the unforgiving bolt’s vicinity was vaporized instantly while others were fatally set aflame. They screamed in fiery agony and a portion of the forces were wiped from existence in the blink of an eye.
The thunder was so deafening that any nearby soldier could only hear painful ringing. The rest scrambled away from the broiling hot ground where the lightning had struck – suffering terrible burns and melted armor. Those who survived backed away and trembled before Guardian who lifted his fist once again. The Valaah dropped their weapons and fell to a knee in fear. The demigod’s warning did not go unheard, and they shivered in terror, muttering prayers under their breaths that he would spare them so long as they obeyed.
Satisfied with their compliance, Guardian smiled and slowly lowered his hand before placing both hands behind his back. “Much better.” He spoke under his breath with a wicked grin. Overlooking the world of Arithmetia, he knew now that there was only one way to gain what was rightfully owed to him – by taking it by force. By right of conquest, Arithmetia had always belonged to him, and he now had an army of his own, even if they cowered before him clutching their terrified women and children against their chests.