The infamous rebel, Hyrion, was in the topic of every conversation in the bustling city of Milliore. There were reports that he was on the outskirts of the city. Soldiers from other areas were instructed to pursue. Hyrion assisted the daughter of Duke Lionfang, the most powerful man on the continent, leave and travel across the ocean. This caused the belief that the coming prophetic ruin grow stronger.
The citizens talked how busy their city would be in the coming days. The Duke would certainly arrive and celebrate the death of Hyrion. The latter was one of the handful rebels left. Their eradication would prove that the Duke was righteous. Rumors around told that it would be Hyrion’s last day. Scouts had already circled the area and waited for further orders.
Although the city was on the rebellions side, Hyrion’s reputation here was abysmal. When the Duke discovered that Hyrion was the offender, he had found a legitimate reason to quell the rebellion. Over the past year, most of the inner circle of the rebellion had been tried and executed; with Hyrion as the last. There was also another reason why the Duke would visit, this city was birthplace of the rebellion’s late leader. Dealing with the unsatisfaction among the locals would be great for the Duke’s reputation.
In an alleyway on the main street, two young women quietly conversed. Under their hooded robes, one wouldn’t be able to see any of their features other than their slight height difference.
“I’ve been wanting to meet this friend of yours,” the taller woman said. “It’s interesting how he still lives to this day without any allies.”
“I told you he’s still alive,” the shorter woman said. “He was a spy in the palace for years. That’s why I doubt he’d be killed easily.”
The taller woman softly smiled. She then gestured the shorter woman to follow her as they pass through the main street. A bunch of soldiers with the insignia of the Duke marched through. Anyone that blocked the way were pushed without concern. The man in front wore the flashy red armor raised his hand to stop the march. He scanned the surroundings and waited for the folks to pay attention.
“Everyone,” the man said, “I am Ronan, commander of Duke Lionfang elite squadron, Winged Knights. I am here today to execute the dishonorable miscreant, Hyrion. We may have our differences in beliefs, but I suppose that our desire to put Hyrion to justice is enough for us to work together.”
The people talked silently among themselves. Ronan was right, they would prefer to set their differences aside and make Hyrion pay for his sins. If not for his betrayal, other nobles wouldn’t have rallied under Duke Lionfang’s banner.
Ronan saw everyone’s reaction nodded approvingly. “For now, we will use your late leader’s mansion as our base operations. I promise that before this day ends, we will have brought Hyrion to justice.”
Once his speech ended, a man wearing only a chainmail over his leather clothing ran to Ronan. He whispered something to the latter. Ronan’s expression became serious. He tugged his sword hilt and told the soldier that Hyrion had been found.
As the soldiers prepared to continue their march, the robed women blocked their way. Before Ronan could get a word in, the taller woman spoke.
“Good sir, we would like to accompany you in finding Hyrion. We would like to watch Hyrion put to justice.”
Ronan thought the request was odd, but for reasons he couldn’t explain, he agreed to their request and told them to walk behind him.
“I cannot guarantee your complete safety, but don’t worry, I will make sure that you two will always be in a safe distance.”
Ronan divided his soldiers to groups of seven and made them spread out. The faster they find Hyrion, the better. Ronan chose only two soldiers to be with him. Nobody asked, but he felt the urge to tell the reason to the two robed fellows.
“I can handle myself fairly. I doubt anyone in this city stands a chance to win a fight against me.”
Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.
The two robed women nodded.
They soon entered the forest and went to the general direction where Hyrion was last found. The shorter woman felt conflicted, but she chose to be here. She must see it until the end. The taller woman noticed her and said, “You can speak your mind here. I casted a spell so they can’t hear us.”
The shorter woman heaved a sigh relief, “I’m not sure if I should face him here. I promised that if we ever meet again it would be far from this continent.”
“Ronan seems to be dutiful.”
The shorter woman was taken aback. “I thought you’re saving him.”
“I never said such thing. I’ll decide when I meet him. In any case, his decision to send you away from this mortal land is truly the right choice. I wonder where he heard it from.”
“Me… He heard it from me. I eavesdropped from one of my father’s meeting. They say the some of the eastern lands are already uninhabitable. I urged him to break the status quo by making me, the only heir, escape this continent.”
“Did he understand what it meant for the rebellion?”
“He’s fully aware. The rebellion wanted to take over my father so they can make everyone aware of the current situation. As long as the end goal is achieved; things didn’t matter much to him. I heard from the locals that most people half the population have migrated. And the ones that are left only live in cities now. It took the lives of the rebellion, but their objective was achieved nonetheless. And fewer lives were lost for this solution.”
As they continue to march on, the group found the end of the forest. A small river was in their away. Across the river, there was a small hut. This should be the last place Hyrion was seen. Ronan requested the two robed strangers to stay hidden behind the bush.
Ronan and the two other soldiers steadily walked forward. They unsheathed their swords ready to fight in any moment. Once they crossed the river, the other groups arrived as well. They formed a perimeter around the hut and stood still.
“Hyrion!” Ronan shouted. “Surrender now and we’ll give you a swift death like your friends.”
A man walked out the hut unexpectedly. He wore tattered clothing and his hair looked as if it hadn’t been washed for weeks. The bags under his were dark; overall, he looked very exhausted.
Hyrion sluggishly raised his arms; the right extended towards the sky while the other was close to his mouth. His left hand held a purple object.
“Put that thing in your hand on the ground now! Surrender or die a dog’s death.” Ronancarefully approached. He’d rather restrain Hyrion right now. He didn’t seem like he could put up a fight. Hyrion’s mouth moved, but words couldn’t be heard.
Ronan took a step then Hyrion swallowed the object from his hand. In that instant, Ronan recognized the object Hyrion was holding. It was one of the most dangerous poison, the two-tailed snake fruit.
“Everyone, fall back!” Ronan shouted as he retreated. The soldiers in the perimeter were confused, but still followed their orders. “Never approach his body.”
“He’s still alive, sir!” The soldier beside him said.
At that moment Hyrion fell backwards on the ground. His mouth gradually released a purple smoke. Reports had concluded that anyone falling victim to it would be paralyzed for ten days and experience tremendous pain on a moment by moment basis. Anyone inhaling it would suffer the same. The only way to retrieve his body would be to wait for two weeks for the poison to dissipate.
“You fool!” Ronan said. “Even Duke Lionfang would treat you better than this.” But Ronan understood why Hyrion would do this. After all, he’s the reason their rebellion failed. Ronan instructed all the other soldiers to stop all reinforcements and told them to block anyone from entering. Ronan gazed across the river upon the bush. He was supposed to go there but forgot its purpose. Since the Hyrion was already a dead man waiting, he headed back to Milliore City.
On the bush, the shorter woman sobbed silently. “I think he saw me. He immediately ate that as soon as he saw me. Why!?”
The taller woman sighed. The taller woman patted the shorter woman on the shoulder. She put a scroll on the latter’s hand. “Tear this and return home. Leave this place.”
The shorter woman kept apologizing under her breath. The taller woman raised her hand, a faint light went out. It slowly drifted to the shorter woman’s forehead. The shorter woman calmed down and fell asleep. The taller woman tore the scroll. Blue light enveloped the shorter woman. After the light faded the shorter woman was gone.
The taller woman approached Hyrion. The soldiers paid her no heed as she ignored the smoke surrounding Hyrion.
“Hyrion, can you hear me?”
Hyrion grunted. His eyes were looking at her, but it seemed he was already blinded.
“I notice that you haven’t slept for days. This must’ve been a tough decision.”
She knelt and caressed Hyrion’s face. “I think you’re the one I’m looking for.”
Although Hyrion can hear her, his mind was too focused on the pain, not realizing that she was unaffected by poison. He felt a hand on his face.
The woman lowered her head and whispered to Hyrion’s ear. “I’ll help you achieve your dream, but you must work for me.”
Hyrion weakly refused.
The woman blew a cool air to his ears. “I wanted to go there, too. Isn’t that what you said to her?”
Hyrion weakly laughed. The woman moved her hand and the surrounding area was enveloped in a blue light.