#5: The Fall and Rise of a Kingdom
Palace Gate
Zefania and the bird-lady hid behind the post. "I have no idea if you will understand me. I need you to carry me to that window", Zefania leaned her forehead on the beast. The bird-lady started to flap her wings and grabbed Zefania's shoulder with her claws.
THRONE ROOM
Zefania felt a pang in her chest as she saw blood painting the whole room. She saw countless bodies piled against each other. Her eyes were glued to the sword lying down on the ground. "My gratitude for bringing me this far. This time, you are already free", the Kraljica gave a weak smile to the beast as she bowed her head. Zefania picked up the sword and walked outside the room. She saw a trail of bloody footsteps. The lady followed it. Soon, the other beasts came rushing over to the same room sniffing at the trail of blood. Zefania was more than sure that it was Zakili's own blood leading her to where he is.
NOVA's ROOM
Zefania entered and heard Zakili coughing. She dropped her sword and ran towards him. "Zakili, the whole world listened to my plea", Zefania cupped his face. Her heart broke to see Zakili's pale face and wounded body. She was sure that something is not right. "Are you real? Am I seeing an illusion?", Zakili tried to reach Zefania's face. The lady held his hand and tears fell on it. There's no way she could possibly tell him about their child. "Zakili, let's get you healed. I still have a long scolding from you. I really disobeyed you this time", Zefania kissed his hand. "You really did", Zakili had a short laugh and looked at Zefania's stomach. "If the child grows, what will you name it?", the Kralj asked. Zefania's eyes felt warm. "If she'd be a girl, she'll be named Cerys. If he'll be a boy, I want to call him Varick", the lady smiled with tears falling down both of their hands.
The beasts started to make noise. "Are they rejoicing that their prison guard is already dying?", Zakili gave a glance around the room. "There's one thing I know. Children cry when their father leaves", Zefania leaned on Zakili's chest. Zakili's eyes watered so he decided to close them. A memory flashed in his mind. He was looking down from the Palace Terrace when Zefania stepped out of the carriage. It was his first time seeing the innocent lady. He wondered if he was deserving to hold such a pure and delicate flower. "Is there any better way to say I love you?", the man asked. Zefania looked at Zakili and his eyes are already closed. "In the wind, I'll brace you. So when you feel cold, it's me persistently making you notice that I'm there. When it's dark, I will be the shadow creeping around. Because even if you can't see and feel afraid of the darkness, you'd know that part of it was me", Zakili opened his eyes for the last time and saw Zefania smiling genuinely with a river of tears streaming down his face. "If you say so, then there's no reason for me to doubt it", Zefania had a short laugh. "I love-", Zefania stopped when he saw Zakili's eyes lose light.
Dillon finally caught up with all the beasts rushing to one place. He stopped as soon as he saw Zefania's back. She stood up and closed Zakili's eyes. "It was a tough battle. You ended well, Kralj", Zefania complimented and turn around. Dillon saw another sight in the sweet and lovely lady she grew up with.
HERB GARDEN
"How is this Lady Zefania's favorite place?", Geryon sighed and watch Keanne digging in the plant bed. He saw the Black Haw and Black Cohosh. He used his sword to dig under it and saw the golden Scepter with a black gem. "It's the Scepter", Geryon recognized from one of the books he read before. "Now, we have to get rid of the foreigners", Keane had a poker face. "How? Half of your army died", Geryon said with doubt. "Half of the army is nothing compared to the army that I own", Keane looked straight into Geryon's eyes.
"There's one thing I need you to do", Keane went close to the huge man. "Ring the bell for me", Keanne patted his shoulder. "I know you just became the King. I'll give a few lectures about it. If you ring the bell, it means that you are surrendering", Geryon tried to educate him. "Here in Andor, it's the opposite. This Kingdom hasn't rung the bell for a hundred years. Do you know why?", Keane started to walk out. "Because it means summoning nightmares".
PALACE GATE
Aystar prepared to leave the burning Kingdom. He sniffed the scent of burnt houses and people and looked at the sky with uninterested eyes. The ashes falling from the sky feel like the first drop of snow for him. In addition to his victory, he heard the bell ringing. "You hear it, Nova. You're a scared cat when I offered you a treaty", Aystar commented. Nova cowered in fear and grabbed Aystar's sword. "They're here. They'll be here in a moment", Nova shivered. "What are you saying?", Aystar entered his carriage and grabbed Nova with him. "They're going to avenge their King", Nova continuously muttered. Aystar rolled his eyes and closed the door. "We're going back", the new King commanded.
The man spent all of their riches of Raven to buy soldiers from different kingdoms, not the most loyal but the finest. He also sent most of the Raven soldiers on this one quest. There's nothing that could possibly go wrong. All for the sake of one scepter, he decided to do it in one shot. Their carriage stopped. He peeked outside and saw a huge bear, double the size of a normal one. "What in the world is that?", Aystar grabbed his sword which Nova had been holding the whole time. "We angered the Children of the Lost", Nova finally snapped out and went outside the carriage. He went in front of the bear. "I repent. I am your Kralj's own servant. I did wrong. Please, spare me!!!", Nova pleaded.
"He's insane", Adom, one of Aystar's personal guards yawned. The bear didn't hesitate to eat him whole, leaving nothing behind. "Someone kills that already!", Aystar shouted. Adom, the youngest in the group with few freckles on his face, picked on his arrow and shot it at the bear's left chest. The bear stopped moving. "Someone does the decapitation, don't make me do all the work. Lazy heads", he complained. A rope surrounded the bear's neck. As it was pulled once more, the bear's head tumbled to the ground. "You stole the show again, slut", Adom pouted. "Enough. We have to get out as soon as possible", the elderly Ferox gave chills to Adom. "Your Grace, it seems that we won't be able to get what we want this time. The beasts are in the riot", Ferox knelt down. Aystar gritted his teeth and slashed one of the soldiers. "Oh, there goes another set of jaw", Selim, a good-looking soldier caressed the dead soldier's face.
PALACE TERRACE
The Andorian soldiers are shouting in victory as they were able to drive away the enemies. There were Raven soldiers lined up in the courtyard. "Mercy, Your Grace", some cried out. Dillon and Zefania sneaked out and saw Keane holding the Scepter and beside him is a familiar figure "We need to leave now", Dillon held the lady's hand. Zefania looked at Keane's calm face. "I, Keane Andor, the Firstborn of Kralj Absolom, First of my name, shall grant you the mercy you want", Keanne looked down on them. "Kralj!!! They killed our family", the Andorian soldiers complained.
"Chose. Would you rather die in the hands of men or by the Children of the Lost?", Keane asked. All the soldiers looked at one another. "Either way, we will die. We choose to die in the hands of men than that of beasts that you had created", one of the soldiers wearing a General's armor spoke. He was rather old to be on the battlefield. "How desperate is that King to send an old man to die just for this sake?", Keane raised the Scepter. "He just became the Hand of the King. Now, he is to be disposed of- cleanly", Geryon informed as he looked down on a former comrade." You decided to lick the hand of a foreign King", Garen furrowed his brow. "I'm trying to save your life here", Geryon sighed.
"Perfectly, I need someone to advise me", Keane signaled one of the soldiers. He took Garen out of the group. "The rest will be treats for my brothers and sisters", Keane grinned. Zefania was about to butt in. "But wait, I guess I needed to educate you, people, before you die. My brothers and sisters aren't as beastly as you think of", Keane whistled and summoned the beasts. "Break their bones but do not devour them. As long as I am here, you will follow my orders", Keane said with such authority.
"He's one of them. He's dangerous. We really have to leave now", Dillon tried to pull Zefania. "Aren't you going to bid farewell to your friend? He might as well give us a ride back?", Reinys appeared nowhere. "How did you-", Dillon was startled to see her. "You insolent child. How can you leave a princess in some dangerous place?!", Reinys slapped his head. Zefania gave a weak smile as she gave a last glance to Keane. "He's got a good nose. Even if I travel halfway here, he'll be able to find me. There's no need to bid farewell", Zefania turned to face the two.
Throne Room
Keane carried Zakili's corpse and let him sit on the throne. "There is no other Kralj greater than you, younger brother. We could ask for anyone else other than you", Keane kissed his forehead. Geryon peaked in and saw golden hair sticking out from Keane's nape. "Tell me, Your Grace, Your Highness? What made you one of those beasts?", Geryon walked into the room. "Shall I say, I was an outcast? I am a beast that had existed longer than you", Keane answered without facing him. "You're a half-ling", Geryon said with no reservation.
"Where is Lady Zefania? She must be alive", Geryon finally remembered why he was there. "She's already leaving. By now, she could already be in the town circles", Keane informed. "Are you just going to let her go like that?", Geryon grabbed his shoulder to look into his eyes. Keane's eyes are filled with tears. Geryon stepped back and respected the mourning time. "Forgive me, She's a woman who's vulnerable", the huge man said in a soft voice. "Didn't anyone tell you? She's the mother of the Children of the Lost. She's more fierce than any of us", Keane said proudly. "Wherever she might be, our protection will surround her", Keanne assured.
"It is a pleasure meeting you then. I'll be on my way", Geryon turned around. "To where?", Keane asked. "There is no place for me who could not protect a friend and his King", the former king's guard remembered Varick and Volde. "Then, stay here and redeem yourself. I can be both of what you wanted to protect", Keane's words made Geryon's chest feel a little bit lighter. "Are sure about that? There are two foreigners in your battalion", Geryon asked. "Am I not one of them?", Keanne grabbed the golden hair and cut it using his sword. "Your first task, prepare a ceremony for Zakili. He deserves the best burial ceremony", Keane commanded. "How am I supposed to do that? I have no idea of your custom", Geryon was bewildered. "Do whatever you think is best", Keane permitted.