Kingdom of Humanity - night

The knights close in on me as I try to get farther away from the king.

“So tell me, what possessed you to do such a thing?”

“Nothing, I didn’t do it, and I find it insulting that you accuse me of such a crime.”

“You shouldn’t be. I have an eye witness account telling me you were there at the night of the defacing of my property."

"Geez king, that sure is convenient but is there proof?”

“I believe this belongs to you.”

The king tosses me something. Catching it, I see that it was my school I.D. Holy shit, no wonder why I couldn’t find it, my dumbass dropped it! I cringe from the fact that I messed up this badly.

“Okay, I admit, I might have done it.”

“So you confess your crimes,” the king asks

“No point in hiding it, but how long have you known.”

“I was presented that on the night of the crime, though, I didn't recognize you with those goggles on.”

“Damn, looks like my cover is blown. If that’s the case then I’m done playing around here.”

“Are you now?”

“Yeah, so I’m gonna ask you something: why don’t you do anything about the bandits? Not only that but the people used in the Hell Mine.”

“The Hell Mine, it’s been quite a while since I heard that name.”

“Answer the question!”

“I don't owe you an answer."

"Why not, too scared to answer in front of your audience!?"

"That's not it at all."

"Then what is it, you kingly bastard, why are you ignoring the threats outside the kingdom!?"

"Because they are not my problem."

"What?"

"Years ago, after the war ended, my father swore to keep this kingdom safe but his vision of keeping it safe was never realized. Which is why I'll have mine realized. I shall protect the fair people of this kingdom from the savages outside of this kingdom. And if they enslave each other, so be it, let them; we shall remain prosperous!” The crowd instantly cheers him on. What the hell is wrong with them, why are they so nonchalant about this? “Since you are from outside of the kingdom, that means you are not a citizen. I must ask you to accept the penalty of intruding into this kingdom.”

The knights come closer and closer with their weapons. Behind them though, Legion jumps over them.

“Stop this at once!” Legion shouts. “What is the meaning of this, explain yourself, king Relius!”

“You must explain yourself first. Why are you stopping his judgment?”

“Why execute him? Why not drag him out of the city?”

“Those who infiltrate my kingdom must be punished by death to serve as a lesson. I will not allow those who harmed it in the past to come in so easily.”

“So you’d execute a boy for it?”

“Not only that but for defacing my property.”

“Even if he did do such a stupendous act he doesn't deserve death."

"What I decide is my decision alone. I shall not allow a guest to question me, or am I wrong?"

"No. . .you aren't."

I have to get out before their convo ends. The question is how? I could book it for the door, but I'm sure I'll get a "screw you" backstab on my way out. Think, think, what do I do?

“Proxy, sorry I took so long, I--”

Alex appears from the crowd as he moves the guards out of the way. He gives me a confused expression as he realizes he takes a glance at the guards surrounding me. “What is the matter?”

“Do you know this man, Proxy?”

“No, he’s just some dude I had run an errand for me.”

“That’s not true, you’re my companion in the army.”

I get up in Alex’s face, I set us down into a squat position.

“Shut up, I know but he doesn’t!”

“Why does it matter?”

“Cause he’s going to have me executed.”

“Why!?”

“Well that’s--”

“Proxy, there you are.” Richard shows up from the crowd. God damn it, you people have the worst timing! “. . .What’s going on, why is everyone looking at you?”

“Another accomplice,” the king asks.

“He’s a loveless dope I found in town to take here is all.”

“No, I’m not, you jerk!”

I sit him on the ground with me and Alex.

“He doesn't know that?”

“Alexander, what’s happening?”

“Proxy’s going to be executed.”

“What the hell did you do? We were gone for only a few minutes, what the hell!?”

“He found out I painted the castle grounds!”

“Really!?”

“Why would you two do that! That is incredibly disrespectful to the people who have to clean that up,” Alex scolds me.

“Yes, I learned my lesson on defacing property, but can we focus on how to get out of this.”

“Did you already admit to it,” Richard questions.

“Pretty much.”

“Then there’s not much you can do with proving that you’re innocent.”

“I agree, you’ll be killed at this rate,” Alex points out.

“Gee, thanks for having confidence in me, but can we come up with ideas!”

“What do you want us to do, say that you weren’t guilty because trust us?”

“I think I have an idea.”

“What is it, Alex?”

He stands up quietly, his face stern-looking as well. Does he have it, the get out of jail-free card!? Wait, can he even lie; he and Legion have the same type of “good-boys” attitude, but he has lived outside of the kingdom, hell, he was in prison when we first met, so he must at least have a liars bone in his body.

“My king, he. . .” Here he goes, it’s all or nothing, he needs to pull a good one over them! Come on leader, I know you can do it, come on, let’s go! Freeeee me! “. . .Has a twin!”

The whole court reacts in silence, their faces tell me that they weren’t buying it for a bit, the king is just cringing to the max. Damn it, Alex, you should’ve done a better job, and you call yourself a leader! But then again, I don’t have any better ideas.

“It’s true, my younger brother did it.”

“Then why did you say it was you?”

“We have shared memories, so I thought I did it.”

The king doesn’t respond, he’s just sitting there, looking at us as if we were wax models with clown outfits on. Richard clocks me over the head.

“Are you guys stupid or something, why do you think this would work!?”

“Just believe it’ll work and it’ll work, that’s what I learned from after-school specials.”

“That’s so stupid, that’s stuff is for kids, you moron!”

“Hey, don’t diss my childhood heroes like [redacted] or [redacted].”

“You’re 14, don’t you feel embarrassed?”

“I’m a little boy at heart, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about!”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Trust me, there’s plenty.”

The king loudly clears his throat to drag our attention to him.

“It is clear to me that you believe I am a joke to you three, as punishment for wasting my and everyone else’s time like this, you’ll all be executed!”

I, Richard, and Alex squat back down next to each other. Richard’s glasses are doing that reflecting light thing that hid his eyes, I have my head held down, and Alex is covering his face with one hand. This is not good, we’re definitely going to get the axe, we are going to get killed. . .Unless.

“Richard, we have to do that thing we always do!” I speak with determination on my next course of action.

“Wait, that!?”

“Yeah, that.”

“That! What is it,” Alex asks.

“A plan that will save us!”

“Are you certain we can pull it off?”

“Indeed. Boys, let’s do it!"

"We have no other choice. Let’s go all-out!"

"I don't know what's going, but yeah!"

We get up, not as boys who are ready to lie down and die, but as men!

"Okay guys, ready!"

"Yeah!"

"Of course!"

"Then. . ."

Putting one foot back, I quickly turn around and push the crowd of people out of my way. Richard follows right behind me as Alex lags behind us. Yes, that plan is. . .

"RUN LIKE THE WIND!"

Richard, Alex, and I went barreling out of the hallway. Selena and Nunnalé are outside the door.

"What in the bloody hell is happening," the little witch curses.

"We have to go, like right now!"

"Why, did you get my food for me? I want to eat it in the comfort of my castle."

"Sorry, but--"

"Castle guards are coming to kill us, get your asses running!"

"Master, I'll--"

"No, just run, don't engage!"

Richard grabs Nunnalé's hand as I pick Selena and carry her as if she’s a bag.

"Let me go, you imbecile!" "Just shut it, half-pint!"

An electrical current hit me all over my body. Selena is unaffected by it, and my speed isn’t affected by it, but it still hurts.

"Whoops, that was an accident," she innocently says.

"You half-pint liar!"

Once again, I got tazed as we were making our escape to the entrance. Honestly, I should've just left her behind…

…

"My king, we followed them into the town but them as well as several people in the town had disappeared into thin air.”

“I see.”

“What shall we do my lord?”

“I want posters of them, let bounty hunters learn of their existence.”

“Understood, how many?”

“Three, one named Proxy and his assailants. Have an artist come to the castle as soon as possible.”

“Understood, your majesty.”

“In the meantime, patrol the city, have anyone outside present their proof of citizenship.”

“I shall report this to the other knights at once!”

The captain of the knights storms out of the throne room, leaving Relius to his thoughts. Tonight was a lot different than what he was used to. During the previous balls, he would dose off when he got the chance to. It was a tiresome event for him to host, but it was good for the morale of the people. However, this year’s ball was truly amazing. Even though he was outraged when he saw Proxy and Richard’s tag, he was curious as to who was daring enough to do such an act. Now that he was able to meet the boy that did it he couldn’t help but be amused by him. The cocky bravado he showed off was something he never expected of an outsider. And not only Proxy but Alexander’s blatant and obvious lie was comical to him that remembering it brought laughter to the room. His laugh is not polite or as collected as when he laughs in front of people. He laughs harder than he ever allowed himself to. Eventually, he calms down.

“Now that I think about it, the imbecile that managed the mine said that a boy destroyed the mine. There's no doubt that it was that boy. As for that blond-hair man. . ."

Relius nods to himself as if denying something. But such a matter doesn’t matter to the king now. A yawn escapes his mouth. His need for sleep has his attention. So with his priority straight, he leaves the throne room in a merry mood. He ponders what the two will do now. Whatever it is, it’ll be interesting.

Anti-bandit camp - Mid-night

It has been an hour since we escaped from the Kingdom. We were able to escape the Kingdom thanks to Selena. So far, everyone is accounted for. I’m getting ready to head out for the meeting spot where Legion and I are supposed to be. I’ll tell Alex about it though, might let me go.

“Everyone, may I have your attention?” Alex calls everyone just as I approach him. “. . .I hope tonight was fun for all of you as it was me, but now I need to talk about something important.”

Everyone gathers in front of him.

“We have been making good strides in fighting against the bandits. We gained many allies from villages that wish to fight with us! While this is a good thing, it isn’t enough.” The crowd begins to murmur among themselves. “. . .We’ve only been fighting the bandits in this area, there are many other areas that need to be fought in, and not only there, but their home base as well.”

“Brother, what do you mean?”

“I mean we need to strike harder, and strike where it hurts.”

Marie’s eyes widen as she figured out what he means.

“No, brother, you can’t!”

“. . .We must take the fight to them!”

So that means we’re going over to their turf and kick some ass!? Sweet! However, looking back at the crowd, most of them have worried looks on their faces.

“Are you crazy, if we go to the bandits then we’ll be killed!”

“Yeah, there’s too many of them to handle over there!”

“Have you lost your mind, leader?”

This isn’t good, the crowd is going against Alex’s idea. Despite that, he remains composed, not moving a single inch from his spot.

“I know it’s dangerous, and that it would be different from the number we’re used to. I won’t lie to any of you: there are risks with advancing towards our enemy; we may be killed by them if we aren’t careful. However, we must do this, or the conflict will go on. So I ask of you all: do those of you who have suffered by the hands of the Fire Wraiths wish for others to experience such tragedy? If we are to stop them, then we must not linger, we must go towards them! If any of you wish to not be involved then that is that, however, I suggest you all think about it carefully.”

Everyone is taking on dire expressions, most of them seriously contemplate what he said. He’s right about the risky part, going toward their home turf is a hell of a bet. If we make a mistake then we’re screwed. Even so. . .

“I’m with you, Alex!”

I jump up on the roundtable he’s standing on.

“Are you sure, did you think it over?”

“Nah, wherever there’s a fight, I’m there!”

“That’s the only reason?”

“Yep, who cares about the details. Already knew we’d have to go to their home turf someday, and you guys should’ve seen that coming.”

“How could we have!?”

“We’re the anti-bandit army, so it was bound to happen. We’ll have to fight their best eventually, whether they come here or we go to them. So what if it’s a risky idea? This whole damn was risky from the start, what makes it any different now? Are you guys really that cowardly?”

“What did you say!?”

“You heard me, I called you cowards, what are gonna do about it?”

Seems like I riled up the crowd, good. It seems like Alex can understand what I’m leading into because he gave a quick wink.

“. . .Proxy may be right, maybe it is insanely risky, but what’s the difference now?”

Nobody raises their voice in response.

“We fought the bandits not out of a whim but because it was the righteous thing to do. The Kingdom will not aid us, they will not save us from them; the king told Proxy so.”

“Yeah, the Kingdom doesn’t care about anyone out here.”

“. . .So for all intents and purposes, we are on our own. Some people are suffering now because the kingdom won’t step in, and we’re the only ones who can do anything about it. So tell me: are you really okay with that?” Nobody made a peep, but I can tell by their faces that they were beginning to see it his way. “Do you want violence and fear to be allowed throughout other parts of the land, or do you wish to fight against the menace! If you wish to, then step forward, and if not, then do not.”

Alex sits down on the table. His eyes are shut as he crosses his arms and legs. I squat next to him.

“Sure they’ll listen?”

“I can’t make anyone come with me, I can only hope to convince them and wish the best. But no matter what, I will fight!”

Guess that’s all he can do. Still, though, did nobody ever think we would have to do this eventually? If so, I say that’s pretty ignorant. I hear footsteps coming towards us as I had my eyes closed. A few more follow up behind that, then some more. More and more were heard until the noise stops. Opening my eyes, the crowd seemingly came closer to us. Their faces were looking fierce than before. I like it.

“You guys wanna go and kick-ass after all?”

“Can’t let a brat like you call us out!”

“Yeah, we gotta earn our keep!”

“Glad you guys feel that way, you better prove me wrong! But more importantly. . .”

I whisper into Alex’s ear. We need to hype up the crowd, so this might do.

“I got it,” he says. We both get up from the floor. Our fists are raised to the sky.

“Let’s take the fight to those bastards!”

An instant reaction is generated from the crowd, they let out a collection of individual battle cries. Now we’re rock and rolling.

“Now, we’ll need to work extra hard. Training shall be a bigger priority and we’ll need to start asking for supplies from other villages. Anyone who knows any village willing to do so please consult with Marie. We’ll also need to think about scouting potential routes to our enemies' main base, so if you wish to help, please consult with Chip.

“Geez, you serious?”

“Gotta earn your keep,” I tell him.

“Yeah, yeah, I hear ya.”

“As for training: I’ll still be holding sword training while Gilhart and Proxy head hand-to-hand.”

“Whoa, looks like I’ve been promoted.”

“You’ll have to work twice as hard now,” Alex tells me.

“Won’t let you down. And I’m looking forward to fighting you, Gil.”

“Me too!”

Alex stands up on the table.

“Now, everyone: let’s get to work. . .Tomorrow.”

Sounds appropriate, today was more than enough fun for everyone here. Although. I still need to ask Alex permission to leave, so I should get on that.

“Yo, Alex. I’m leaving camp for a bit.”

“Why?”

“Need to talk to someone who’s waiting for me at the Titan axe.”

“About what?”

“Some info on that book I mentioned.”

“I see. . .Why are you telling me?”

“Well, I wanted to let you know so you know what I’m up to.

“Funny, you could’ve just left camp at mid-night without us knowing.”

“Yeah, I could’ve, but I just feel as if this is the right thing to do.”

“How did you come to this conclusion?”

“I don’t know, I just think it’s right. No need for another reason.”

“Such a simple answer, yet, expected.”

“What do you mean, expected?”

“You’re the type to do things without much forethought into things, yet, you do for the matters that count.”

“Really?”

“But of course, I can tell because I am as well.”

“Now that is something I can tell.”

But I don’t know, I wouldn’t say I put no thought into anything; I just don’t think about things too much. Well, that’s wrong as well, I’ve been thinking about things more lately, especially on my mess-ups. But, it’s a brand new day, and a brand new me. I’ll learn from my mistakes as to not repeat them.

“Proxy: why are you helping me fight?”

“Didn’t you hear me? Cause if there’s a fight, then I’ll be there. However, that isn’t my only reason, or real one either. I feel as if I owe you big time. I still hold myself responsible for what Cade did. I need to make up for it. That, and you accepted me back with open arms, so I need to pay you back.”

“You’re still thinking about that? I told you there was no way for you to know.”

“I know, it’s just I can’t get it out of my mind is all. But you’re right, I couldn’t have known how far he was willing to go. But, this isn’t about Cade. Point is: I’m on your side, and I’m gonna kick some ass!”

“Good to know I have your support. It gives me a sense of relief to have someone like you on my side.”

“Oh man, you’re gonna make me blush. . .” Well, I think it’s about time I head out now. “Yo, I’m gonna be going now.”

“Okay, safe travels.”

“Thanks, by the way, about training. . .”

“Still need to do it.”

“What, you’re killing me!”