The castle walls were eerie. It seemed as if no one live here. Mildew sharply covered the peeling plaster; moss was sprouting out from crack and corners, shattered glass, broken paintings and fallen debris. An abandoned castle, a place where no one lived but bats and mice. But that's not true. If there is a castle then there is a kingdom. No matter how ruined it may be the king lived here. They lived here and they ruled this kingdom with tyranny.
I can't believe I would see this day. A day where I would have to kill that tyrant. A simple oracle said I have to or else the world would perish. And now here I am in front of the king's door. Behind it is the throne room and king lies in waiting for me and my party members.
It's not like I am not sure I would be able to kill the tyrant. I would be able to and be praised as the hero who killed the evil king. I am going to be called a hero for saving all these people. But why am I so anxious? Is it because the person I am going to be fighting is someone I knew? Is that the reason?
"Ophie, are you alright? You are not moving."
I looked to my right. Michel smiled. Encouraging as always.
I shook my head with a smile. What was I thinking? These people whom I learned to call my family and friends; I should protect them. They are all depending on me after all.
With a last determined look I pushed open the wooden doors. They opened easily but noisily creaked around the hinges.
The pillars that were supposed to hold the structure had eroded away. Parts of the ceiling had caved in long time ago judging by the moss that was growing from it.
At the far corner was the throne half hidden in shadow of a towering archway. The only profile I could make out was a long red cape draped on the floor before leading back to its wearer and a pair of lean legs covered in grey pants and knee length heeled boots. I nodded towards the others and all seven of us fanned out with me being in the middle.
A glint of green moved. The head slightly tilted before a cold, cruel laughter filled the collapsed palace before dying down in silence.
"A few mice came in." A voice as soft as silk with a certain thrill to it. As if they were about to sing. Completely different from the shrill laughter.
I gulped. The nervousness from before came back. We might not be able to win.
The figure from the throne stood up and walked towards the light.
Pale skin made the bottle green eyes and dewy red lips even brighter. Snow white curls tumbled behind a graceful back. A black gloved hand gently holding the hilt of a sword while the other was hidden behind the cape and a black uniform with gold lining and decorations. Time must have stopped for her, for she looked the same as the last time we saw her; the same sly smile, the contempt filled eyes and a deadly bloodlust from ten years ago. Rather she was more radiant than ever. Claudina stared down haughtily at us.
We had all previously drawn our weapons before hand but we seemed to forget about them in front of the grand villainess looming ahead of us.
Melany was the first to snap out of it. She quickly set up a barrier by raising rocks from the ground. "Did all of you forget? That person is the tyrant why are you gawking at her?"
She was right. This is a battlefield, one mistake will kill everyone. I gazed up at her. Claudina hadn't moved an inch. She simply stood there... watching...waiting...
I gripped my rapier with one hand and pulled it out, pointing towards her. "Claudina Von Crowley the king of Valfri, I, Ophelia Crescent the 22nd saintess, am here to oppose your tyranny and bring you to justice for ruling with complete dictatorship."
At this she laughed again, highly amused "Where oh where did they teach the commoner about such flowery language. At the temple?" She turned to see Lucian with vicious eyes "Or at the palace?"
"She is no commoner; she is the Saintess of our nation and the next queen!" Lucian yelled at her.
She smirked. Something was wrong.
I brushed it off again. "Everyone remember the plan and we would be able to take her down!"
On cue, everyone took off. I clasped my hands together before starting to chant a spell for individual protection "O' Holy Heavens, cover us with light so we may not stray, grant us protection from evil in your heavenly light!"
Noelle and Syrus jumped over the rock shield a bright halo shining on both of their heads, a sign of protection being casted over them while Michel and Orion distracted Claudina by attacking her with magic. Noelle came from the back and Syrus from the front. Melany had previously covered their swords with a lethal poison.
It should work.
They dashed over towards Claudina but she easily overpowered the two. 'The Holy Protection was overpower!?' With a quick swish she stabbed Syrus with the hilt on the shoulder and Noelle on her head. She towered over their shaking bodies. She didn't even unsheathe the sword!
"Foolish. Is this the best the Five Nation can send?"
"It's not us you are fighting against, you witch." Noelle said clutching her throbbing head.
"Wha-"
Lucian had come up behind her. She tried to move her sword but vines had wrapped around her. Melany was right beside me, a green liquid like smoke emanated from her hands. "Don't gawk, heal the party"
"Oh right sorry."
That's strange, how did we overpower her so easily?
I quickly said the chant for healing when I looked at Lucian. Orion and Michel had stood beside Lucian. I looked away again. No matter who it is or how evil they are I still cannot look at blood.
Claudina didn't make a sound, let alone a scream. Michel created a magic circle and placed Claudina's head over it. I didn't look at it or the bleeding body nor the white locks being dyed red.
"Is it over?" Whispers behind the door.
A loud bang, we turned around and saw soldiers streaming in. Soldiers from the Five Nation. They were sent as backup should we have taken too long. They looked around and found Claudina's headless body.
"The tyrant... she's dead?"
Michel raised the severed head on the circle, like a golden plate that is served as offering to a god.
Everyone cheered at the sight. Claudina the tyrant king of Valfri is dead. After years of tormenting she is finally dead. A tight smile formed my lips.
Claudina was...gone. Something I never could have imagined. I was so sure that even when I am dead, she would still be alive.
A hand brought me back. Noelle grinned at me. "So she's gone. No one is ever going to bother you again."
"Yes but somehow I feel empty now that she's gone. And a bit anxious."
"Don't worry, it's just nerves. Besides we all agreed you weren't going to kill her."
I turned serious "Is she really gone?"
Noelle's tone was softer now "She's gone the cause of your nightmares is finally gone." I smiled. If only she knew...
"Now come on, everyone has already thrown a small feast. We should enjoy this while we still can." With that she left me to join the others. Indeed, there was a feast. Soldiers had put down their helmets, generals were drunk singing and everyone forgot about their status as they sat on floor drinking and eating.
This is what I wanted. People forgetting about their social status and treating each other equally. Laughing, spending time together, this is all I ever wanted. This is all I wanted to protect.
For some reason I walked towards Claudina's head. It was kept away from the feast's sight. Through the golden cage with floating words running around the bars I saw Claudina's head. For the first time I didn't look away.
Dull lifeless eyes looked back at me, a ghost of a smile still evident on her face. Her shorn white hair had bloody tips and frizzled at the ends. The sword had cleanly cut off her head.
I felt tears prick my eyes.
But Claudina couldn't understand it. The fact that everyone has the right to live with respect, that the social status didn't matter. In the end we are all human. A human that wants to live not just survive. Not crawl around dirt and eat vermin but live like a human.
If only Claudina could understand then maybe this wouldn't have happened.
No it would have happened regardless.
I brushed my fingers on the bars.
Goodbye Claudina, my nemesis, my youth, my friend.
I was about to turn away to join the feast when I first saw it.
So small almost unrecognizable. A red butterfly.