As King Shola made his declaration, he turned around and started walking back towards the entrance they passed from the back.
The six bishops followed him from behind as they walked towards the tunnel as well. The ones remaining on the stage that didn't seem to have anywhere in mind to go were the vampire pawns of different classes numbered up to 16 if those below the stage were accounted for as well.
Other than them, Juan, Agatha and a dried-up Felicia's body remained on the stage together with Finn who stood and saw what was coming next.
"Grab that monster and take him away, "a third-class pawn said to the lesser-ranked ones around him.
Immediately, two second-class pawns wearing the same gear as the rest of them with the two tear emblems on their shoulders walked up to Finn and grabbed his shoulders and twisted his hand to the back.
Right now, Finn was being arrested. And the sight of it all made happy some of the vampires who had recovered from the shock of watching the king use his blood link powers.
"What an unlucky spawn. However the situation has been made out to look, and at the final stop, it all ends in his demise. There is no light at the end of the tunnel for him. Going to the underground prison with the humans is as much a guaranteed death sentence as being delivered to the nether. There just isn't a chance for him. Nonetheless, his actions are not one to be looked upon with a soft heart. With how things are proceeding, it is evident that he will become a menace if not handled properly. So while I empathise with him, justice must prevail, "Bishop Tinibu thought while they made their way out.
"Hey, I want you to listen to me, "Finn said to the vampire pawns that held his hands behind his back.
"What do you have to say to us? We do not owe you a listening ear you monster!!!"One of the vampire pawns said.
"That is fine. Call me whatever you deem fit. But hear me and know this. I do not forget a face and I certainly won't forget this day. I pray you all stay alive because I'll make you all remember this day, "Finn said.
"You spew nonsense. I can understand with you why you speak with so much ignorance and arrogance. You haven't the slightest clue where you are headed. If you do not die before the sixty days mark, then you surely will die in the nether. One way or the other, you will be punished for your disgusting crimes and justice must prevail, "a second-class pawn responded.
"Justice? You all use that word so loosely. I guess your definition of justice and mine is something we look at differently. But not for long, when I return, I'll educate all of you on my brand of justice, "Finn said with a grin that spread across his face revealing his teeth.
"But before then, I have one request to make to your king, "Finn said to the vampire pawns.
Shoving him to the ground, the vampire pawns responded,
"You will show some respect to YOUR KING. Now acknowledge him!!" they both said and began to kick Finn all over his body. They stomped on him and did numerous punishing acts with their feet all with the intent to get him to somehow submit.
"Let him be," King Shola who hadn't left the platform completely, turned around and said to the vampire pawns who were passionately stomping on Finn which to them was emphatically doing their job.
"Your audacity intrigues me. You speak with power that you clearly lack. So what is it that makes you feel you can get away with all of this?"King Shola said to Finn with an expression on his face which many found to be quite tasking to describe the emotions king Shola was feeling at that moment.
"What difference would it make even if you knew? Your doctrines and the general ways of vampires are a crippled contradiction. You preach about valuing life, yet, you took one away without pity or remorse. You talk about justice yet the thousands of humans killed to sustain the lives of every vampire here are insignificant to you people and thus, justice isn't a concept that exists when you carry out that act I suppose. But there is one principle that you all seem to have right, FATE. You believe one's Fate can not be overridden and I agree with you. So here's a question I ask you all to keep in mind for my return. What happens when Fate becomes shredded down to hope?"Finn said.
"Nonsense!! You do not speak to the king in such a tone!!"Finn again was reprimanded by one of the vampire pawns.
"Is that all you have to say to me or do you not have a request you wish to be granted?"King Shola asked.
As this statement was heard from the king, a lot of vampires had mixed feelings about it.
"Why does the king indulge this spawn?"
"He is condemned to death. It should stay that way. There is no way the king would grant a request of his," So many vampires thought along these lines.
"The King appears to have taken quite the interest in Finn. What in the gods name are you up to brother?"Juan said as she watched on from a corner still seated on the bare platform floor next to a dead Felicia.
"Other than fate, vampires value strength a lot. How strong is this principle being held?"Finn asked.
"Speak directly spawn!" the king ordered. Finn smiled at this before saying...
" I ask that the strongest vampire fight me on the 59th day to the nether gates opening. If I lose, I shall proceed to meet my fate. But if I win, I get a second wish granted by the king himself, "Finn made his proposal.
"What does he mean by another wish? Surely the king won't listen to this condemned spawn, will he?"Many in the crowd of vampires thought.
"A second wish from me. So you already believe I'll grant the first? I admire your will but I must let you know this. You are in no position to make demands. However, the vampires do value strength and I'm looking forward to the fifty-ninth day. Your wish has been granted, "King Shola said.
- Why waste time and energy to do something others can do for me? I simply let these dolls take the beating and then I came in for a simple yet emphatic finish. In the end, I'm the one remembered for the deed, not them. Which is exactly what I want, leaving a strong impression behind. And now, just as planned, this fool has played right into my trap.
Every being has a weakness. A gap in their armour that can be their demise if found and exploited to perfection. Learning this weakness grants the foe ultimate power over that being. It's like a thumbscrew in one's possession that can be turned to their advantage. For the king, his thumbscrew is his pride. He is too caught up in believing strength is all it is and has failed to see what's right in front of him or perhaps, he sees it but decides to fall right into the trap. Yet again believing he is invisible. Too much power corrupts the mind from rational thinking. Soon he will be quick to discover this trap is one too deep for him to climb out of.
Pride will only be the death of an immortal mortal like him. A wise fool he turns out to be.
And finally, I played the most effective card of deceit. The card of options. By thinking he is in control, he blindly jumps to play a game I have very well constructed. Where is the hope that he may even have the slightest chance of winning? When at every turn, every option in his hand will only end up gouging him in the eye. A trap in a trap to trap the fool. He may be king to these bloodsuckers, but in my hands, he is the puppet king. The greatest of the dolls in my possession. Woe onto him for underestimating me-Finn thought while staring at the king as he was being escorted out of the platform with a grin that spread across his face.