Crown Prince Troy sighed, "I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted."
"What do you think we should do?"
"Let me handle the politics. I was once a princess of this world after all. I know how to play my cards right. Now, Queen Milah, Crown Prince Troy, why don't both of you work on restoring morale and keeping records of Salencian resources?"
The royals nodded. A wicked look glinted in Zahanna's eyes.
"We'll see how long Pteleria holds on."
Then, she disappeared in a black cloud of smoke. Zahanna reappeared just outside the palace in Pteleria's capital city, Xitun. She walked forward and approached the two guards at the front gate.
"I'm Princess Zahanna, Mistress of Hell. I'd like to speak to your King and Queen."
The guards looked to one another. Then, they barred the gates from her. Shock flashed across Zahanna's features; she wasn't expecting a no. But as an idea came to mind, a smirk spread across her lips.
"Well, you can't blame me for not being polite first."
She sighed. "Ai tule!"
Zahanna summoned her hellhounds, and they flanked her. The Guards eyes' widened.
"Hait dun!"
The hounds lunged at the two guards and ripped them to shreds. When the soldiers were dead, Zahanna recalled them.
"Ti suq!"
The hellhounds disappeared in a flash. Then, she blew the gates open with her magic and strode in. Zahanna gracefully ascended the stairs and snapped her fingers, breaking the necks of the three guards at the two front doors. She entered the palace and made her way to the throne room, only stopping when two more guards barred her from entering.
"I'd like to speak to the King and Queen. It's urgent," she said politely.
They didn't answer.
Zahanna sighed and snapped her fingers. Two daggers flew into their chests, and they dropped to their knees. Then, their lifeless bodies fell to the floor.
"I really wish you had just let me in. Oh, well, more souls for the others to torment, I guess."
Then, she pushed on the throne room doors. The heavy okay and metal doors creaked open.
Zahanna strolled in despite protests from court officials. But as she neared the King and Queen, drawing more attention to herself, the room quieted. She stopped at the bottom of the dais, but did not bow or curtsy.
"What insolence!" King Fenten cried. "How dare you not bow?! Who are you?"
Zahanna didn't answer. She stood, gauging whether or not it was worth it to just obliterate the entire nobility of Pteleria immediately.
"Guards!"
None came. Silence ensued. King Fenten drew his sword and brandished it at her.
"I demand you give me an answer, wretch! Who are you?"
She raised her eyes and leveled her gaze with the King's. Finally, she spoke.
"I do not bow because you do not rule me. You do not lord over me. Not only because I am not Ptelerian, but also because I hold a higher status than you," she grinned wickedly. "In fact, you should be bowing to me."
"How dare you! Guards, guards! Remove this woman this instant!"
But still, no guards came.
"Oh, sorry," Zahanna said sarcastically. "I already killed the guards that stood outside the doors. A dagger to each chest. How painful a way to die... but so delectable too."
The King's eyes flared with anger. He threw his swords straight for Zahanna's heart. She did not move in inch. The swords bounced off her breast and fell to the floor. The room gasped.
"Who the hell are you?" King Fenten breathed in shock and horror.
She laughed. It was a dark and cruel laugh. "Hell. What a funny thing."
She took a deep breath and let it out. Her eyes flicked around to see courtiers and others of the nobility waver in hesitation. Then, she returned her sights to the King.
"I am Princess Zahanna, one of the seven Masters of Hell."
Murmurs began to erupt in the throne room. The King's and Queen's eyes rounded.
"Then, why have you come?" Queen Daphne asked.
"Upon a utilization agreement between the royal family of Salencia, the Masters of Hell would provide help should they ever be in need. So, I'm here on behalf of Salencia."
Their Majesties went still in their seats.
"What do you want?" the Queen asked.
"To end this world war," Zahanna said. "I'll admit, if I had my way, I'd just wipe Pteleria off the map entirely. But Queen Milah wouldn't let me. And seeing as I'm here to assist her, I cannot go against her wishes. Pity, but those were the terms. So instead, I'll just threaten you."
The room exploded again into noise. people yelled at her, voices overlapped each other. It was mayhem, which brought a pleased smiled to her face. Then, King Fenten held up a hand, silencing the court.
"If you don't stop the war with Salenica," Zahanna continued. "I will ensure that this country remains, but just barely. Pteleria will never recover from my wrath. It will become the poorest of all the seven countries. Your crops will not grow, your trees will die, your grass will burnout, your rivers and lakes will dry up, and your people will beg you for something as kind as death."
Silences followed her threat. As a Master of hell, Zahanna had the power to follow through and make it come true. And everyone in the room knew it.
"We are not afraid of you," King Fenten said vainly.
"No? Well then, it looks like I have some work to do."
She snapped her fingers, and the Black Dog appeared. Fear crept into everyone, even Zahanna. She remembered when the Dog had been sent for her. But now, it answered to her, and only her.
She said darkly, "Meet the Masters' trusted pet. The infamous Black Dog."