Chapter 4: A Tragic Love
It's been a week since I arrived in this world and endured that disastrous engagement. Zapher and I seem to be drifting further and further apart. Not that we were ever close, but now it feels like an impenetrable barrier has risen between us. But who cares? I have more important things on my mind.
As I walked down the long hallway, my thoughts consumed me. I need to uncover the identity of the bastard who gave this ring to me. Apparently, I have a meeting with that red-haired man from the ceremony. He's been staying here for a week, relentlessly pestering Zard for an audience with me. It seems my presence is highly sought after, though for reasons unknown to me.
As I walk down the long hallway, bathed in the warm glow of sunlight streaming through the stained-glass windows, intricate patterns dance upon the tapestries adorning the ancient stone walls. I can't help but wonder what the red-haired man wants.
As I approached the dining hall, two imposing figures stood guard, their presence demanding attention. The first, a tall and broad-shouldered man with a stern countenance, was clad in a striking black military-style jacket adorned with crimson epaulets and intricate gold braiding. His piercing gaze, framed by thick, dark eyebrows, swept the surroundings with unwavering vigilance, a silent challenge to any who dared approach. The second guard, a woman with a cascade of raven hair and piercing emerald eyes, wore a fitted black blazer accented with blood-red piping and a gold-embroidered belt. Her expression was stoic, a hint of wry amusement playing at the corner of her lips.
As I approached the doors, the guards pushed them open with a flourish, announcing my arrival. I will never get used to that, I thought, as I entered the grand dining room, taking everything in. Sunlight streamed through a row of tall, arched windows, casting a warm glow on the polished marble floor and illuminating the intricate tapestries adorning the walls. A long, mahogany table, laden with a sumptuous feast, stretched across the room, its surface gleaming with silver cutlery and crystal goblets. Delicate floral arrangements graced the center of the table, their sweet fragrance mingling with the enticing aroma of roasted meats and freshly baked bread.
I let out a sigh as I walked to the head of the table and sat down. The red-haired man, Zeke, was already seated at the table. Along with Zard, his easygoing smile absent, replaced with a look of concern, and Jack, his usual cheerful demeanor replaced with a pensive frown. There was also a blond-haired woman with captivating red eyes, her expression unreadable, and a brunette woman with dark green eyes, radiating an air of quiet confidence. Of course, Zapher was here too, but he looked as though he'd rather be anywhere else. He was slouched in his chair, arms folded tightly across his chest, and a glare that could kill directed towards Zard. The tension in the room was palpable, a stark contrast to the lavish spread before us.
"Red hairs, you said you came to talk about a peace treaty?" I said, looking in his direction. With a gleeful smile, he replied, "Yes, I did. I would like to discuss the idea of a peace treaty with you."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "As you know, I just arrived not long ago, actually the same day you came for a peace treaty, so my question for you is, how did you know I was here?"
Zeke's smile widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Ah, a perceptive question indeed! It seems my reputation precedes me. Let's just say I have my sources, and those sources informed me of a...unique opportunity that coincided with my arrival." He paused, his gaze meeting mine. "Perhaps destiny has a hand in our meeting, wouldn't you agree?"
"No, I wouldn't," I replied, rolling my eyes. Before I could continue, Zard cut in with a glare and an annoyed expression he had no intention of hiding.
"Seems to me that you're just a scheming rat. So what has got your kingdom in such bad shape that you'd risk coming here knowing knowledge only my people should know?" He asked with a calculative glare. "Who's to say we won't use psychic magic to get you to tell us your sources and torture you just because we can."
Zeke kept his smile plastered on his face and replied, "I don't know that you won't. If you are willing to listen, I'll tell you everything."
[2 days prior to Rean's Arrival]
[Location:THE ONYX KINGDOM]
[Time: 1:00 PM]
Zeke woke up from his nap. His body was just as sore as his mind; he had been fighting off the invaders from the upper Onyx kingdom for days on end.
For generations, the Onyx kingdom had been ruled by both the older and younger siblings. The upper Onyx kingdom was ruled by the older brother, and the lower Onyx kingdom was led by the younger brother.
Zeke is the youngest son of King Zarlon and Queen Azara and the ruler of the lower Onyx kingdom. His older brother, Kalar, is the ruler of the upper Onyx kingdom, but he wished to rule both kingdoms. He didn't think his brother was fit to rule anything, let alone one of their kingdoms. Both their parents died a year prior to the war; they were assassinated by an enemy kingdom looking to take over their kingdom.
Contrary to Kalar's beliefs, Zeke was actually quite exceptional in his rule, which was not something his brother, Kalar, was counting on. Kalar expected his brother to goof off like he usually did, then turn the lower kingdom against him and seize the kingdom for himself with promises to be a better ruler. When this didn't work, he decided to take the lower kingdom by force. He offered to let them surrender, but Zeke wasn't having it, and neither were his people. They decided to take up arms and fight.
A long-haired blond man made his way towards Zeke. His long, blond hair flowed effortlessly, framing his face. A chiseled jawline accentuated his striking features, while those electric, fierce blue eyes gave way to nothing but his determination; everything else was locked away like treasure he did not want to be found. His lean, athletic physique suggested a dedication to training and discipline.
"We don't have much time left. Your Highness, you need to make a decision by nightfall."
"I know, Lander. This is your 8th time reminding me today," Zeke said, sighing.
"Excuse me if deciding between killing my brother for the good of my people or letting him live for the good of my conscience is hard to do." Zeke said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
Lander simply pursed his lips and stood with his hands clasped behind his back, as always.
"I understand you. I'll let you know by nightfall," Zeke said, sighing to himself.
"Understood," Lander said, walking out of the building. Zeke sighed once more. "What am I going to do, honestly?"
Two hours later, the reconnaissance unit Zeke sent out returned with pale faces, as if they had seen a ghost, which was understandable seeing as half the team was nowhere to be seen, and half of the team that made it back were missing limbs, oozing blood, and dying upon arrival.
"What happened, Joe?" Zeke asked with widened eyes.
Joe, the captain of the reconnaissance unit, climbed off her horse, stumbling. Zeke reached out to catch her before she fell.
"Joeleiona!?" Zeke called out, worriedly.
"I'm fine, no need to yell," Joe said in a raspy voice. It was clear she was dehydrated. Zeke motioned for someone to bring her water. Once Joe drank all the water she needed, she looked at Zeke.
"We were ambushed. They'll make it here by nightfall." She said, looking down with a self-loathing expression.
"It's not your fault. You did all you could; go get some rest." Zeke responded, running his hand through his neck-length red hair. "No! I-I need to talk to you," Joe said with a troubled expression. "In private," she emphasized. Zeke nodded and pulled her arm around his shoulder, helping her walk to his counsel room.
Once they arrived at the counsel room, he helped her sit in a chair and walked back to the door, closing and locking it. He walked to his desk and opened the bottom drawer, pulling out a small, ornate brown box. The small wooden box, with its dark, polished surface, gleamed under the light, revealing intricate floral carvings and golden studs along the edges. Standing on four short legs, it had a golden keyhole on the front. Zeke pulled a key on a black string from under his shirt, pushed it into the keyhole, turned it, and the small box clicked open in turn, revealing four black crystals.
Zeke walked to each corner of the room, placing a black crystal in each corner. Once he finished, he walked back to his desk, sitting down. He placed the small wooden box on the desk and looked at Joe.
"Now that I have the mute crystals up, tell me what's going on, Joe," Zeke said, his face shifting into a serious expression. He placed his elbows on the desk, clasped his hands together, and rested his head on his knuckles.
Joe looked at him with an equally serious expression. "Something weird happened," she said, pursing her lips. "It was like they knew our every move—from where we decided to hide, what time we planned to sleep, to the road we escaped on... It was as if someone had told—"
"Them your every move," Zeke replied, cutting her off.
"Exactly," Joe replied sadly. "I don't want it to be true, but I think we have a mole," she said, clenching her jaw.
"If this is true... we have a big problem. We don't know who the mole is, my brother and his troops will be here by nightfall, and we've lost quite a few of our best warriors in the scout you just came from. You're pretty much out for the count... Honestly, what am I going to do?" Zeke sighed, leaning back into his chair with his eyes closed.
"I'll fight with you to the death, you know that, right?" Joe asked.
"That's just it, Joe. I don't want you or anyone else to die," he replied.
"I know, but... That's life. We don't always get what we want," she responded, and Zeke nodded in understanding.
Zeke stood up from his desk and grabbed the small wooden box. "I, of all people, should've learned that by now," he said, looking back at her. "Thank you for sticking with me, though it may be futile," Zeke said, giving her a sad smile. She returned the smile and nodded. Zeke picked up the crystals and placed them back in the box, then put the box back in the bottom drawer.
Zeke helped Joe to a safe place where she could rest and recover. His brother had poached most of his healers, and the ones they had left, he sent them with the reconnaissance unit, which was futile, seeing as they not only died but half the people they were supposed to heal did too.
He understood why most of the healers left and didn't hold it against them. They were scared for themselves and their families. How could he be mad at that?
Zeke walked back to his council room and took a seat in his chair, leaning back with a sigh. He called one of the guards from outside the room and told him to send for Lander.
After a while—30 minutes, to be exact—Lander walked into the room. His blond hair was now tied up, and he wore his armor, if you could even call it that. He only had on a Cuirass and armored boots, but he did have his legendary sword, Frostbite, on his waist.
His sword, Frostbite, is a rapier with a long, narrow blade. The bluish-silver blade shimmers like moonlight, with glowing runes etched along its length. The hilt features a guard shaped like a crescent moon, adorned with tiny, sparkling stars. The grip is wrapped in enchanted leather that feels warm to the touch. The pommel is shaped like a teardrop with a deep blue gemstone at its center that glows softly.
He never lets anyone touch it. The only reason I know the hilt was wrapped in enchanted leather is that I made the mistake of picking it up one day and almost got my head bitten off. We were younger then, before my parents died and my brother became a power-crazed maniac.
It was early spring. My brother and I were running to the training grounds because we were already five minutes late. When we made it there, no one was there, but I caught something shining out of the corner of my eye. It was the gem from Lander's sword. I wondered why he'd just left it there. I wish I'd known that everyone was too afraid to even look at it, let alone touch it. Of course, my brother knew, but he didn't tell me. He just dared me to go over and pick it up. I, being the prideful fool I was, marched over there and picked it up. The hilt of the sword felt warm and inviting, nothing like its owner. Mere moments after I picked up the sword, a kick landed on the side of my face, knocking me to the ground. An angry and surprised-looking Lander stood over me; his surprise quickly melted away and was replaced with a cold glare.
After that day, people started telling me about Lander and his sword and how he almost cut someone's hand off once. All I could think was, "Now you tell me," and that my brother was an ass.
"Ahem." Lander coughed, jolting me out of my dazed stare.
"Ahem." Zeke cleared his throat, sitting up straight. "I've thought about what you said, and... I'll do it. I'll kill my brother."
"What changed your mind?" Lander asked with a knowing look plastered on his face and a glare that clearly said, "Don't you dare lie to me."
Zeke sighed and chuckled nervously, scratching his neck. "We have a mole." A look of surprise flashed across Lander's face but was gone in a blink, replaced with a glare.
"Do you know who it is?" Lander asked coldly.
"As of now, I don't." Zeke stood up and walked over to him. He stopped directly in front of Lander and looked down into his eyes. Lander twitched like a frightened cat ready to flee.
"Have you thought about what I asked you?" Zeke asked, staring into the shorter man's eyes, love reflected in his own.
"Don't look at me like that," Lander said, clenching his teeth. "I told you, that's not proper. You are the king, and I am your subject."
"And I told you I lov—"
"Stop!" Lander yelled, cutting him off. "No, Zeke. The answer is no," Lander said with a sad look in his eyes that was quickly blinked away.
"You kissed me first! You made me start thinking this way, and now you want to quit, you coward!" Zeke yelled in frustration.
"It's not that simple, and you know it," Lander said, glaring at Zeke.
"What if I die? What if I die, and we never got a chance to explore this, Lander, ple—"
"Stop this. I will not change my answer," Lander said resolutely, turning to leave. Before he could make it to the door, Zeke grabbed his arm, pulling him back, kissing him, and placing his hands on either side of his face. Lander's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly pushed Zeke away and punched him. Zeke fell to the ground, and Lander ran out of the room.
"Sorry, Lander. I had to get one last kiss in, in case tonight is my last night," Zeke said, rubbing his face. "But owww," he muttered, getting up and walking back to his desk to write up the war plans for tonight.
[Time 4:00 PM]
Zeke had just finished a council meeting with his four generals, five advisors, and his right-hand man, Lander. All but a few nobles had teamed up with his brother, but the lower kingdom was known for its combat, so they still had a fighting chance. He passed out the plans for tonight's war to everyone there; on the paper was every order they were to execute.
Zeke was heading to the inn where Joe was taking refuge. It was in his sights, but then—
"BOOM!"
The inn was blown up. Zeke just stood there, confused, the fact that Joe had just been blown to bits not yet sinking in.
"Ahhhh!"
An ear-splitting scream snapped Zeke out of it.
"J-Joe—Joe—Joeleiona!" he screamed, running towards the building. A person grabbed his arm, pulling him back.
"It's not safe, Your Majesty. You must leave here." The voice belonged to his second-in-command, Garlak. Only one person in his army could even come close to Lander's skills, and it was him. He had tears spilling down his face but determination in his eyes.
"Gar... I-I can't just—"
"Believe me, I know how you feel, but if you die here, everything we've—she's—fought for will be lost," Gar said through gritted teeth. Zeke knew he was hurting more than himself. Joe was his little sister and twin at that. So Zeke nodded and followed him into the forest.
Zeke stopped running and looked back, watching the only home he'd ever known be burned to dust. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something shining. He'd know that gem anywhere—it was Lander! He quickly turned his head, relieved to see the man.
"G-Gar, it's Lander," Zeke said, running over to him, looking for wounds. Lander looked at Zeke's worried expression, the sword in his hand covered in blood.
"Are you hurt?" Zeke asked, walking around the man in circles. Lander only shook his head. Garlak approached, nodding to Lander, and Lander nodded back.
"Did you see anyone escape? Are Lila and Kali okay?" Zeke asked impatiently. Lila and Kali were his third and fourth generals.
"I saw them run into the forest along with some refugees." Lander responded. "We should move." Garlak said, wiping his tears, looking around. Both Zeke and Lander nodded, walking with Garlak. Lander falls behind, to watch their backs.
Soon they reached a clearing, someone already standing there with a hood on their head and their back turned to us.
"Who are you!?" Garlak called out.
"That's not something you need to worry about," the figure said, turning around. "You'll die soon anyway." The figure said. removing his hood, Garlak and Zeke both gasp.
"Kalar, how did you-." Before Zeke could finish his sentence a sword was driven through Garlaks chest. Zeke would know that blade anywhere, he didn't want to turn around, he didn't want see, he couldn't but life is a cruel bastard, the sword driven threw Garlaks chest was yanked out and Garlak fell, Zeke caught Garlak before he could fall the the ground easing him down to the ground on his back, now on his knees, with Garlak in his arms, Zeke gritted his teeth and looked up to see Lander standing before him with cold blue eyes, those blues eyes he couldn't help but stare at since the day they met, once his lovely dream now his never ending nightmare.
"H-how could you!?" Zeke yelled out in frustration with a pained expression.
To be continued.
Mini council:
Mini Rean: I want to know what this has to do with his reputation, no one even brought up his reputation so what does he mean his reputation proceeds him?
Mini Zard: (Nods) Indeed.
Mini jack: (Yells and shakes his head) that's not what's important here!
Mini Zapher: (Just glares at Zard)
Mini Zard: (😓)