"Mom! Where are we going? These clothes are so tight!"
A kid who wears a shabby clothes complained to his mother as they line up for something he didn't know.
"Are we gonna eat? I'm starving. We're queuing up for food, right?"
The mother could only caress his head and pick him up to carry him.
"Didn't we just ate a fried fish earlier? How can a small man like you eat so much?" She helplessly laugh and pinches his chubby cheeks.
The kid pouted As he suffer from the pain his mother's caused him. The pain immediately went away after she kissed him in the cheeks. An Innocent smile appeared on his lips and quietly waited for the other person they were with.
"Cynthia! I got the tickets."
"Good thing! Let's go inside then."
"Here, hold these tickets, ill carry this bag of meat instead."
Knowing that he was the one being made fun off, the kid got angry and pulled down the beard of the man.
"Aww! Aww! I'm joking. You are the most handsome meat stick son of mine!" The kid gives up and just wish for his mother to pick him up again from this father of his that loves to make fun of him. His mother only looks at him and made fun of him of his misery by sticking out her tongue.
Cynthia gave the tickets to the commoner and let them inside.
What greets them inside are the high columns and hundreds of chairs. The kid couldn't help but open his mouth as the place is much bigger than their house. He didnt know what is their purpose here but the atmosphere of the around calms him as if it's his home.
He sit at the middle of his parents and looks at both at them, both have eyes of anticipation. He seem to question what's will happen.
Ever since he starts to understand the things around him, this is the first time he got out of their house and this is the first time he saw his parents wearing something different from their usual shiny adorned dress pieces and armors. They are also not wearing their usual crown on their heads.
After couple of minutes, the vacant seats started to get filled up and then the kid notices a couple of man that sit on their back.
3 burly men sit behind them but the kid isn't scared by even a bit like the other kids around. Instead, smile and excitement appeared instead.
"Uncle Bon!"
The big man put a finger on his lips,
"Shh. Uncle Bon will play with you when we get back so behave for now."
The kid nodded twice and sat back to his seat properly.
"You're highness, everything is clear."
The father just caresses his head in reply and sighed in relief.
"Ehem."
The chattering around the place stops and all eyes went to the man in the middle.
"Welcome everyone. Today I thank you for attending this event. This is the event where it will only happen once in our history. Our kingdom, aside from it's might and prosperous lands, we are known to be the best when it comes to the field of music all over the world. And today, we are gonna witness the last performance of the one and only, Dina! Please, enjoy."
A round of applause reverberate around and seeing his parents clap, he also did instinctively. He curiously looks at the stage in the middle.
An old woman slowly climbed up towards the stage and this time, a much bigger excitement are written on his parent's faces.
The old woman bowed gracefully and brought this instrument onto her shoulder and neck. She takes a deep breath and nodded somewhere the kid couldn't see.
A melody starts to fill the void in the room, but it wasn't special for the kid as these kind of melody is often being played on their house during some events like his birthday celebration months ago.
But everything changes when the old woman starts to stroke the instrument on her neck.
The kid is blown away by the new set of melody that struck all of his senses. He felt like hearing stories about some adventures from his uncle Bon and parents. If they were telling the stories in the form of books and words, the old woman in front is telling a story with melody and movements. Melodies that gives and reflects the emotions and expression.
He was told a series of tragic, good, sorrowful stories. It was much better than being read bed time stories or the stories in their library.
But time passed by but for him, it stopped up until the old woman stopped her strokes and gave a final bow before leaving.
"She's.. done?"
He asked to his parents. Both are wiping tears from their eyes.
"You like it, son?"
"Yes.. it was something.." the kid cannot find the most appropriate adjective for it. W
His early vocabulary isn't enough to give justice to her performance.
"But, why are you both crying, mom, dad?"
"Well, son. It's because her music is something that can hit someone's feelings. That's the peak that every musicians in our kingdoms are wanting to achieve. To transcend into something more than just melody and music. Something that could control the emotions of the many."
Those words are too complex for his age but he didn't mind it. He put all those words in his words and found a goal in his life.
"I want to be like her!"
...
Years had passed, the sound of Modavin plays inside the grand ball of the Palace.
Nobles from different houses are scattered around wearing their expensive brooches as a sign of their wealth and power. Some men either your typical big belly men or the strong and towering kind. There are some women who wears something conservative but some are daring to show almost every skin they have.
But no one dares to not focus on the performance happening in the center because the person who's playing in the stage in the crown prince of the kingdom of Melodia, Allegro Melodia.
Currently he's playing the piece that his Idol, Dina of Modavin, performed when he was still a kid. The song struck his heart and pushed him to learn the instrument and achieve the peak, and the aftermath he saw at the end of the said performance.
He practiced the whole year just for this birthday celebration of his to perform this piece and see the fruit of his years of training.
He opened is eyes for a little bit and look around towards the crowd and specially on his parent's side to see their reaction. Everyone is smiling and seems to be saying good things about him. On the other side, his parents has the face of proud parents. But these are not enough. Those are not the expression he's been wanting to receive.
Feeling the pressure from his own perfectionism, he put more soul into his performance until he finishes unto the final note.
Silence deafen everyone around him before an around of applause disperse these void. He felt exhausted but the applause help to lift this exhaustion out of his body.
He lowers the Modavin from his neck and gives together with the bow towards the attendant who first to come up the stage.
"You did it, Allegro! That was great!"
The attendant whispers that only both of them could here.
"Thanks Simon, our hard work paid off."
Allegro looks back to the days where he asks some attendants who's into music to give him feedback until the dead night. Some attendants specially Simon, did his best to stay awake throughout the night just to give the most honest opinion he could give.
Simon left with a smile on his face after nodding twice to Allegro, it's their sign that gives a lot of meaning but usually means "go".
Allegro just smiles back and faces the nobles that are coming towards him. As per tradition, those who came from the highest peerage are the ones who should talk and congratulate him first before those at the ranks of barons and knights. Each of them gives him congratulations and compliments in regards to his performance.
Even a representative from the biggest music school in the whole world which is situated inside the kingdom offered him to study in their conservatory and have a Modavin master as his personal teacher. And finally, it was his parent's turn.
He could see the proudness in their eyes but he still feel pained for a simple reason. But he throws it away for a while and wore a happy expression in front of his parents.
"Son! Great job! Like I told you, hard work pays off!"
"Yes, mom. Ill do better next time and play more piece for you."
"Of course, mom will always be there to watch you perform." A satisfied smile appears on her lips.
"Hey! How about my favorite piece, son?" His father, the king, interjects on their conversation with a smirk in his face
"Nevermind you, dad. You can play it yourself." He said as he smirk towards his father.
"What did you say? You really are not respecting me, you father, huh?" He said as he pouted.
"Maybe once you're a better Modavin player than me, 'father of mine." He didnt forget to expound those words to tease this old man of his in public.
Hearty laugh rings around as he left the crowd after giving a final bow towards everyone.
His father gives him a wink which a signal that he will take care of everything from then on. He winks back and his father then faces the nobles and start a toast to everyone in the ball.
The giant door opens and then closes after he went through.
The two guards bows and congratulates him for his performance and greet him a happy birthday. Not before long, he reaches the area where the attendants are. Every maids, attendants and butlers only looks at him for a while before nodding and went back to their things.
A maid came up to his and gave him a thumbs up.
"Your highness, told ya! You will do well!"
"Thanks Marie!" He gives her smile before looking down again.
If it's the other noblemen, they would either hang these attendants already for not giving the respect and attention the crown prince deserve or maybe they will never hang out inside the attendant's quarter as these places is too dirty for them. But the royal family of Melodia is not that kind of people. They are the type of noblemen who eats dinner with their attendants in private. This is why the people inside the palace loves them and even do their best to protect this family st all cost
*Ting*
The sound of porcelain clinking to another woke him up from his overthinking.
"Still overthink, your highness?" Simon slowly give the teacup towards Allegro.
"Yes. Did I really do good?"
"Of course! I've never seen such a kid at such young age plays modavin like that."
"At that age." Allegro pointing out what Simon said.
"And what's so bad about it, your highness? You are already a prodigy. Pushing yourself more might do more harm than good, you have more years on your belt, your highness. Just be patient and use it."
What simon said was right. And these words rings all over his head. He was right about him pushing himself too much. No one at his age plays better than him.
"Maybe I should take the offer of the conservatory of Music."
"Hmm. Yes, your highness. There's a bigger world beyond the castle world. You will see more masters busking in the streets specially at night."
His sipping on his teacup stopped. Those words from Simon gives him a big idea.
"Simon, can you me help get out of the castle walls?"
...
"Your highness, i already talked to the guards but we are strictly under supervision. Since you don't want your parents to know this, we have to get back to the palace before the moon is at it's peak. And also... you have to wear this mask."
Simon gives him a box. what's inside it is a black mask made from Moda, a rubber like material from it's fruit. These rubber are also used as the strings for Modavin. The mask covers his eyes unto his nose.
Wearing this mask, he can be disguised which is kind of normal inside the kingdom. For women, those who wants to hide their identity uses thick veil to cover their faces and men on the other hand uses Mask.
Immediately did Allegro wear the mask and they start his first real journey outside the castle walls excluding the time when he watched Dina of Modavin.
At first, the crown prince was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the crowd around the capital city but eventually he was able to blend in.
With the Modavin on his side, he travelled around and hear different kinds of musicians. There are some that plays different instruments. And also, there are some that also plays modavin like him.
He was amazed by how good these people are. They might not br as good as Dina of Modavin but they are truly masters of each of their own craft and styles.
"Simon, you were right. The world outside the castle walls is big. Bigger than I imagined."
For hours, they only watched different performances. Allegro couldn't help but feel little from these masters around the busking area of the capital. Each of them are competing for the silvers and coppers that the crowd that passes by can give.
Unlike in the war stories his Uncle Bon read to him, there fights are fought with their Modavin and Strings. Everytime he closes his eyes, he could see each one of these masters releases their magic, parries with their sword, shoots with their bows and even defend himself with a giant shield before bashing it towards his opponent.
After an hour of battle, everyone stops playing their instruments and faces each other. Smiles appears in their faces and each of them hugged And congratulated themselves for their good work and craft.
"Simon, it feels not enough. I want more of those performances."
"Just you wait, young master. Can't you see the people are coming the more time passes by?" Allegro then looks around and got shocked to the core. Before the fight of these musicians started, only him and simon and some other who were there to watch the spectacle. He was dead wrong to think that there will be lesser people at the end.
"Simon, what's happening?" He only looks at Allegro with a mysterious smile and look at the front.
Allegro saw these musicians who was once away from each other now grouped up.
The musician sith the percussive instrument cues 4/4 signature and everyone played their instrument in the sa.e timing. Not everyone did the same thing but these different sound blends in the most beautiful way.
These performance didnt stop and Allegro becomes curious about the piece they are playing.
"Simon, what piece are they playing?"
"Piece? That's not a piece, Allegro. That's a matri. You know what is a matri, right?"
Allegro couldn't help but shocked about what he heard. Matri is the term from war times when soldiers does something out of their martial training patterns to catch their opponent guards off. It is used to music when a musician did something our of the blue or something knew, or simply, they just made it in that exact time.
"Wow."
Suddenly, the bearded man who plays Modavin went towards Allegro.
"Hey, butlig! You can play those strings?"
"Ugh.. yeah?"
"Why don't you join?"
"But.."
His finger itches to go in there and have fun but he also feels afraid to fail and also he doesn't know if Simon will let him.
He looks at Simon to see if it's okay and he only replied with a double nod. A happy smile appear in his face and he then replies back in the same way before going towards the band of musicians.
"Hoo. A modavin kiddo, huh? You sure knows how to play?" Another burly man who holds a Modagra, a modavin like string instrument but instesd of being bowed, it's played with strums and plucks.
"Uhh. Yeah... Bujt this is the firdt time I'm gonna play s Matri."
"I see. There's always a first time for everyone, butlig! Here, you have 2 bars to memorize the chord Progression from there on, have fun!"
The modagra musician then plays a single bar progression and there did Allegro realized that hr already played a song with the same chord progression in the past. All he needs to do is use those notes in the key in a way that best fits these progression.
And finally, the 3rd bar started.
His bow starts to move and he did an arpeggio for starters. Hearing what he had done fits. Another surge of confidence filled him. And from then on, another series of bars passed and his instinct to music succumbs his piece.
And finally, the Matri comes to an end. He lookd at his back and saw these masters nodding at him and giving him non worded praises. These looks of admiration are the most genuine he ever had. Unlike those inside the palace that gives him the courtesy and respect, these people doesnt know him by even a bit. He's just a kid with a mask covering his face.
A much bigger around of applause woke him up from stupor and Simon on front being one of them.
"Hey kid. You killed those riffs. You really are the best modavin player around your age. Im not even as good as you at your age. But, i can see in your eyes that you are not satisfied with it. Am I right?"
He could only stay quiet. He already accepted that he should just train slowly and let tine pass by and evsntually hd will reach the peak he wants to achieve but he still longs for that goal.
"Why don't you come here everyday? We will definitely give you pointers and we could play Matri, everyday. Sounds, good?"
He then looks towards Simon from the crowd and he nodded twice.
"Yess!!"
...
In the plaza of the capital city, the melody of a sorrowful love struck the hearts of many. Those who's supposed to be busy working on their own job stop at their tracks and shifted to where this sound coming from. And before they knew it, they are already one of the crowd that surrounds the man in the mask.
Everyone seems to be hypnotized by the vibration of the strings and gives them the illusion of having the most painful love in their lives. For some, tears starts to drip down in their faces because they could relate very well to the story they're being told. But there's also some people that cries due to the sympathy towards the illusory man who had a broken heart.
The masked man then suddenly whispers, "Allegro." It was only him who heard this and the melody starts to speed up. This time, the pain from the melody lessen until it changes into feeling of perseverance.
The story reaches it's climax where the love will persevere. It maybe a tragic ending or a happy ending, the love will persevere in the end.
His bow stop and took a deep breath. He feel exhausted but this time, he's afraid to open his eyes. He doesn't want to be dismayed by his expectation.
He practice all over the years, for a decade. He doesn't want to let down the busking masters who taught him every single night after their Matri. He even accepted the Conservatory's offer and after of years practicing in isolation, this is the first time that the people seen the Masked Modavin player again.
He takes a deep breath again and this time open his eyes to see the result of his performance.
What he saw is definitely much different from his expectation.
He started playing with only the busking masters who already retires from their busking careers and just there to support his comeback but now he feels like a stranger island in the middle of the sea. This is the biggest crowd he ever seen. Not even the last performance of his idol reach this attraction to public and noy just that, he can see the eyes of these people wet and red from crying.
His melody, his music finally transcends just like what his father told him that day.
With pride, he bowed in front of the crowd and they started to give him praises he deserves.
"Oi butlig." The old man who plays modavin called out to him with a cane on his hand. His modavin dangles on the side of his leg as he walks towards Allegro.
"Sir, I'm already old to be called like that."
The other masters laughs as they agree to what he had said.
"Even if you grow some hairs on your face and crotch, you will forever be the butlig of this busking street. Time passes by so fast, the butlig who kept on asking pointers every night for years is a better Modavin player now. This old man is proud of you."
"Thank you, sir!" Allegro thanks him with the most formal salute. The old man scratches his still red eyes and give the salute back to Allegro.
"Hey kid, why are you still hiding your identity from us? Do you really have to?"
"Sad to say sir, yes. But, don't worry. Tomorrow, ill finally tell everyone and let the kingdom know my identity on my performance tomorrow in the city plaza."
"City plaza? You got permission to play there?" The percussive master ask. They got shocked from this news since they were masters in their craft for years but they never had the opportunity and permission to play there. Only Dina during her golden years were the most recent before she tours around the world.
Allegro can only nod since hr doesnt want the conversation to reach to how was he able to achieve this feat. It's just one of his perk of being the crown prince, he just backs it up with his performance.
"Oi oi oi. Stop the drama and look, the crowd is waiting look. Kid, you're the center today."
"Hmm, old man. Just like always, please."
The old man then picks up his modavin and start playing. He plays the first bar and just like a human body, everyone works in unison. A happy and jolly sound lead by Allegro made the crowd dances until the Matri is done.
Everyone left the busking district with a happy smile and news that the Masked Modavin is back, he will play in the Royal plaza and lastly, his identity will be revealed tomorrow. The day where everything will change.
...
"You're highness, it's time."
Allegro who had his eyes closed slowly opens. His bright blue eyes which is only unique to the royal family show it's glory.
"Are they in the crowd?"
Of course, the first thing he would think about is the sole reason why this event is happening, His selfish goal.
"Yes, you're highness. I got a word that they are already in the vicinity blending with the crowd like always."
"I see. It's showtime."
"Show them." Simon nods twice and gibes the mask to Allegro.
Allegro then wears the mask breathes deeply calm his raging nerves. He isn't sure if he's nervous or just totally excitement. His instincts are telling him that there's something that is about to happen. He hopes that his music will catch the hearts of many and especially the emotions of his parents.
Simon on the other hand is very proud of his work. The mask on he made for Allegro did a great job hiding his eyes from the public. And of course, he is also proud that the kid who was just a dreamer in the past is now at the peak of his craft. He isn't young anymore like he used to and can even retire from his work but he didn't mind working for more. His tenure feels like a vip seat from a top tier Musical play.
Allegro left the tent and a sea of people welcomes him with a round of applause. His eyes scanned around and once he found their Royal commander, Bon, He saw his parents just below him. Both who wears an excited expression.
He gives the area where his family is a final scan and realized Bon is somehow pale and seems like having a lack of sleep. Then did he remembers that the King and Queen has been busy for years now due to the frequent invasion of rival kingdoms. Thankfully his parents are not pushing him to study the kingdom's affairs which is why hr had a lot of time to pour in the field of music.
The ear deafening clap stops and it's time for him to show the people his music and who he is behind the mask.
His fingers fiddles on his bow as he fix his Modavin on his neck. No one dared to make noise in the crowd or else they will receive the wrath of those who weren't able to hear a section of the piece.
And finally his bow touches the strings.
Right on the first note, everyone felt they are into something big. A music that will be etched in history. The long piercing whole high note immediately stuck the hearts of the crowd and many of them alr peady had their tears falling.
Allegro takes a look to where his parents are and saw both of them already in trance with tears treathening to collapse anytime now.
He finally tells the story of a man who only have an unrequited love. Every note struck the hearts of people and every tears he could see becomes a compliment to his work which pushes him to do better.
And when he's about to reach his final move, he whispered, "Crescendo."
He changes the position of his thumb to have a better grip but maintains the flexibility and finally starts the climax.
"Guards!!!!!" A high pitch voice screams from the crowd followed by people screaming and scattering around in horror.
Allegro's bow stops and his heart felt heavy all of a sudden. Not just because of the voice that shouts and the danger that is lurking around, but mainly because the first scream was his Mother's.
He looks towards their direction and there he saw his father laying down on the floor dead without any blood and looking so pale. Bon on the side looks much paler than earlier and looking almost the same as his father's.
And lastly, he saw his mother impaled by a couple of blood red spear looking thing.
Allegro's hand lost it's strength and his bow and Modavin drops onto the floor and asking himself quietly. "Is this real? What happened?"
His knees are about to give up but he saw his mother reaching out her hands towards him. Following his instincts, he run towards his like a newborn calf. His knees giving up from time to time until he finally reacher he and grabs her hands that slowly loosing it's warm.
"You.. did.. great. So.. son." Her hands lifelessly left his grip and soon his knees followed.
His memories with the woman in feont of her and the man who laying down lifelessly on the floor came back to him. He worked hard so much just to reach this day. He did reach his goal, to play a music for his parents and capture his parent's emotions. But for what cost?
His mask went off coincidentally. The people saw who is the man behind the mask. But they forgot to talk about the mystery identity because of the expression Allegro is making.
His tears are flowing non stop but he is smiling as if he's mocking the world over this kind of joke they are pulling to him.
Simon then appears from his back, and help him up.
"Your highness, we have to get out of here now."
He get up and went to where Bon is. He knows the Bon always have a knife at the back of his shin guard and picks it up.
He goes back to where his mother is and cuts the ash grey hair of hers with the knife.
And lastly, he looks at where the assailant is, it's a middle aged man being pinned down by the royal bodyguards.
"Bring him to the castle dungeon. Feed him 3x a day, give him water, give him bed and clothes to change to. Let him bath twice a day."
The people around are shocked over ehat he just said. Why would an assailant have such treatment behind bars? Isn't being hanged before the new day breaks better? But one of the quick witted commander realizes what happened and gives his affirmation.
"Yes, our king. Your orders are absolute."
His words becomes a wake up call to everyone around.
Allegro just left with Simon helping him walk. His ears are being bugged by millions of suffering and sorrowful voices. His face is calm, those voices are like music in his ears.
...
The news about the commotion spread around, it starts from the Masked Modavin id being the Crown Prince of the kingdom, the Kingdom Rivals infiltrated the security of the Royal guards by taking the life of Bon, the royal commander, and making him a puppet by the power of Hemomancy, an art of controlling blood which was found by the rivalling kingdoms from the dessert. With this Spy breaching the security, he was able to easily kill the King and Queen using Bon and The King's blood. And lastly, the New king, Allegro, is in isolation ever since the funeral ritual of his parents.
Months have passed since then it's already the time of harvest in the Kingdom. But unlike any other harvest seasons the people are not that happy or joyous. The festivities during such time are also postponed. This is all due to uncertainties they are having. For once, they don't know what's there for the future, they don't know how King Allegro will rule the land. Second, the rivaling kingdoms are heightening up their raids. Thankfully, thr kingdom has better war equipments to defend itself but who knows for how long. And lastly, there are some nobles who are grouping up take advantage of this and start a coup against the royal family.
And finally the day when the traitors start storming the capital and the day when Allegro went out of his isolation comes.
...
In the dungeon of the castle, 3 persons are there. 2 who are the dungeon masters and lastly, the assassin.
"Hehe. Isn't it already my lunch time? Where is it?"
"Ugh. This guy is making me puke."
"How come a prisoner has better life than us. He eats 3x a day? I can't remember when was the last time I did that."
"Oi oi oi! I thought the king's orders are absolute?"
One of the dungeon masters scratches his head and stood up.
"Alright alright. This guy is making me sick. Frank, ill go and pick some up. I want some breathe of fresh air too."
"Sure sure. Ill take a nap for now then." Frank the Dungeon master picks up a thing made of Moda from his pocket and plugs it towards his ears. This is a tool that isolates a person from noise. A great tool for people who can't sleep with a noisy surrounding.
The other Dungeon master reaches the heavy metal door and upon opening it, he saw a person with a tray of food in his hand. This person is clad with royal clothing and a dark crown on his head. White hairs seems to start to appear from his top. The man gives the dungeon master a familiar feeling until he saw the Modavin dangling beside the man's leg and the bow's threads now changed to a color of ash grey. And what's more eye catching is that there's a horn protruding from his right shoulders.
Never did he seen throughout his entire life a creature with judt a single horn. It's always been a pair. But he made a conclusion that maybe the reason for his left one not appearing is to give way for the modavin when he plays.
After so much thought, the dungeon finally realizes who's the man in front of him.
He kneels with a thud, his armor clanking.
"My king! Its a pleasure to be in your presence."
Allegro taps his shoulders and said, "rise, Dungeon master. Im hear to give the prisoner his lunch."
"Sir, you don't have to come inside the dirty dungeon, ill give it to him myself."
"No need. For I have a reason to come here. I need to talk to him and also, i think the dungeon masters are needed on the front gate. Will you buy me some time and defend the castle walls?"
He felt alarmed by the news he heard. He felt scared all of a sudden and had the urge yo run and hide out of this mutiny but when The dungeon master saw his King,'s smiling face, the worry was washed out and he felt this kind of security in his soul.
He thought, the king's appearance is not just coincidental and very much timely when he will be badly needed. At the back of his head, he feels like there's a string vibrating which is giving him courage than fear.
"I will defend it with all my heart, my king! I will wake frank in haste and have him help me defend the castle walls."
"Please. I thank you dungeon master."
"This ways, My king."
He went down the dark stairway followed by the king.
Once they reached the bottom, he saw frank dozzing off and immediately smack him in his cheek enough to wake him up.
"Ahckm you rat!" Frank stands up furious. But frank saw the new person inside the dungeon.
His sleepiness disappeared and he kneels in hurry.
"Your highness. My king! What can-."
"Ill leave him to you. And also, get rid of the slave collar on that person on cell then you both can now go.."
Frank couldn't understand what is happening in front of him. He knows he cannot stop the orders of the king but also he is seeing no hesitation from his buddy doing this dangerous thing. Throughout the whole population of soldiers, they know how dangerous Hemomancers are.
*Clack*
The sound of heavy Slave collar echoed inside the dungeon. Frank immediately held the sword on his waist to defend the King if ever the prisoners attacks him.
"Ugh. Finally. My body is starting to get used to the collar." The prisoner said as he cracked his neck.
"You two, leave. nd defend the castle."
"Yes, my king."
"What whhat?" Frank unlike the other feels wary of the king's order but he got pulled by his buddy Nd left the dungeon in haste.
The sound of heavy door closing reminds the two thay only they are present in the dungeon.
"So, parentless king. You should've just told me you missed them much earLIER!!!"
The Hemomancer bites his finger until the blood oozes out and form a giant foot long needles.
On the other hand the king picks up his bow and modavin and starts playing.
He thought the King already gave up defending and readied himself to die but he was badly mistaken.
"Caesura." The King said. His modavin also went to an abrupt stop. To the prisoner's surprise, his body and the needles stop just a meter from the king.
The king the. Picks up the blood mDe needles from the air and suddenly stabs it into the body of the prisoner.
"That's.. what. She. Felt."
The prisoner saw the coldness in his eyes and pain and suffering starts to corrode his soul and life.
The King again start playing a soft music in his ears, but his soul trembles in fear. He is stuck, still frozen in time.
"What's your name?" The king asked.
"Lud.. wig."
"Leiden." The last thing the prisoner heard.
"Ackkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk!!!"
...
"Defend the gates! Kill the traitors!"
Simon who was like second in command of the castle and most trusted ally of the king ordered. Part of his oath in the past is to defend the integrity of the castle that helped him upk even at the cost of his life.
But whatever he did under the table to stop the rebellion, the dukes already consolidated so much power that could rival the royal family. He thought if only the king is now out of his isolation much earlier, the situation could still be salvaged. But the King came out just minutes ago according to the dungeon masters. He just hoped that the king already fled far enough to be safe from this rebellion. He was ready to sacrifice every life inside the castle just for him to successfully leave in one piece.
But his good façade collapse when he heard a familiar footsteps on his back.
He turned towards his back and there he saw the King he was buying time to run.
"You! IDIOT! WHY DIDNT YOU RUN!?"
Allegro was stunned by his words. Simon knew that was just came out of his mouth is already a capital punishment. But he didnt care already, he care more about the wellbeing of the person he serves. Allegro just laugh and taps his shoulder.
"Leave this to me." Allegro nodded twice.
*Bang*
The castle gates Drop and the rebels starts to storm the palace.
The duke who heads the military was the last person to come in with a smile on his face. Who looked at allegro with a smug smile and said, "oh Our king. I thought you have ran away? Are you here to for us to bade you farewell?"
The other nobles atop their mounts laughs but the king just position his modavin on his neck softly fiddle his fingers on his bow and said,
"Intro."
Right on the first note, the man who has low presence from his back wearing a hood start moving fast and siphoned all the blood of the dead men and bloods on the armors of the living soldiers into a ball of blood.
"Staccato."
The ball of blood then start shooting foot long needles and shoots towards the enemy soldiers. The duke in front was lucky enough to defend himself with his giant shield. But those who are not got their blood siphoned into the ball and turned into foot needles to kill their allies.
The enemies starts to group up with their shields and successfully defended from the barrage of attacks but the king had another plan on play.
The tune that he plays changes into another key and the hemomancer made it's next move.
Two swords are formed on both of his hands. The hemomancer then ran onto the enemies and start attacking them from their blind spots. The soldiers are now faced with 2 problems, one is the needle barrage and next is the attack from their blindspots.
An enemy soldier found a good timing and brandish his sword to hack the hemomancer's neck. "Die!!!"
But his sword got parried by something beneath his cloak. The soldier didnt know what it was but the hemomancer showed him the mystery.
The death took off it's cloak and the reason showed itself in the public eye. Two protruding horns from each of his shoulders. Looking unbreakable.
Another soldier took advantage of the Hemomancer's showing off and stabs him right into his gut. But fear succumb him and everyone beside them cause not even a cry of pain was heard, not even a painful expression eas seen. The eyes are already dead. It's a walking dead Hemomancer.
Their instincts told them to run and they did scatter around but they also forgot that there's still another problem. The needle barrage took their life.
If they stayed inside the defence they erected, they eill be hunted down by the Hemomancer's blade, id they run away, they will die frkm the needle.
But either way, some risked their life to run away or fight the Hemomancer.
The king's eyes turned cold and smirk. "Vibrato."
The blades of the hemomancer start to vibrate. And everything the enemies parries his sword, their sword just snap into and they gets killed on the spot.
After couple of minutes, the purge went to stop when the king finally speak to them.
"Kill your leaders and I will welcome you."
Even if the king already stopped playing, they could hear the strings on the Back of their heads playing. Without thinking, their each turned towards the rebel nobles and went after their lives.
Another minutes have passed and the heads of the nobles are lined up in front of the king.
The hemomancer stand lifelessly on his back as if awaiting for his orders.
...
Allegro hears the pain and suffering of all the people around the world. Ever since his psrents died, their words rang on his head even in his sleep and dreams. And now, he realized, there is a way to quell it.
All these voices are connected to him. So if they could hear them, they might as well hear him.
"To you all who suffers in pain, regret and injustice. Come! I have a land to give you relief. We will wipe away all the negativities in our lives. We will make a world that will rule the sorrow. So come! Im waiting! Embrace it, don't be afraid. As I will lead you to a new age of humanity! Outro."
He again plays a sorrowful bar and all the people around the world who suffers in pain heard that music that cleared their mind. And just likd the words that struck thsir hearts, they embrace this sorrowful memories of their. Their skin darkens by little bit slightly darker than those who live in the dessert and horns start protruding from their shoulders
The people who saw them morphed got scared and runaway and all these new race came into being and start their march towards the kingdom of melodia.