Chereads / The World’s King Slayer / Chapter 27 - Crippling

Chapter 27 - Crippling

Scene 16:

Slayer went back to the original warehouse killing all guards out front. He piled their bodies up with Frick front and center. He grabbed all the explosives from the warehouse, piling them up with the corpses. He took some, putting them on pillars holding the roof up. Some were strapped to war machines and inside of them. He dragged wire throughout connecting them to a trigger switch upon the door. He grabbed a few explosives for himself, putting them in his belt. At least a hundred in total ranging from grenades to plastics. He then found fuel and poured it throughout the facility before leaving.

He traveled the city finding the abandoned parts that didn't take long. He knew the city by heart, living here he knew the history of these abandoned parts. His father long ago had an uprising. These four locations were given a purge order killing all who participated. All rebels and their families were put to the torch. This cut the population of the city in half afterwards. These locations were known as Rat Holes. Demon King is poetic in the naming. The leader was a traitor who served him.

Slayer had no worries of killing innocence in this city. No one was innocent here anymore. All that remained was corruption. A stealthy Slayer made his way into a warehouse and began to kill all inside. Afterwards he did the same, pulling explosives everywhere only this time he had a remote.

He repeated this at the other three locations and had now four remotes. He stored them and began a plan to enter back into the palace like he had when he visited his old master. 'Regardless of him being my teacher. I must assume he will betray me. I'm ready for that if he does' he thought entering the sewers. He headed for the dungeon and found the one guard he bypassed slumped over a chair with wine everywhere. He was dead and his stomach was bloated and round.

Slayer paid him no mind as he found a spot in the castle away from prying eyes. In the darkness he meditated and waited.

/////////////////

In the chambers of the Demon King was a long table with demons all sitting at it. At the head was the king. To his left Vick and Brigg. To his right his wife and son. All others in attendance were military leaders and members of the Shadow Cohort.

Demon King tapped on the table, "So no one has any idea how the Black Dragon died?" He said with annoyance. "I talked to Frick employing a mage to assist sire" Vick professed. "Where is Frick anyway? He should be here. Where is the mage he promised as well?" Demon King grew impatient. Vick shook his head. "I do not know my lord" he waited for the rage to take over his king.

He didn't wait long, "Send someone to fetch him then!" He shouted. Vick complied, gesturing to one of his cohorts Brigg and the goat man. They nodded leaving the chamber with a group of guards. "Let's talk of the civil war between factions. What news from our spies?" Vick cleared his throat. "Seems some of our supply lines involving silver have been over taken by the Midas King. Seems he has chosen to side with the Void Faction?" Demon King banged his fist against the table. "Will the War King act?" He demanded.

"Stupid question! The boar would call me already. Only reason he keeps this information from me is to delay my wrath" he punched the table again. "Sufferable gold hound! Mark my words when I defeat him I'll pour molten gold down his throat!" He said with spite. "The Dread Faction is losing this war. For a leader like ours you would think the tide would be in our favor!" He said out loud. "The Void King is high king for a reason. He has more sway than the War King" one military spoke. Demon King merely nodded, "True. But the War King is aided by alchemy, technology, and enchantments. Surely this could best even the oldest of gods?" He said perplexed. "Nothing we can do about it till I reach out" he brushed the matter aside.

The Demon King sighed, "What news on the Slayer?" He asked. "No familiar in the realms we have placed have seen him sire" Vick stated. "Maybe he's laying low?" His son suggested. "If he is then he could be planning something. Double guard duty. My son you will also take over a guard and protect your family. Do you understand?" the king said to the teen. The boy looked taken aback by this honor, "Yes my lord I will do as you ask" his mother Zeena smiled at him. "Trax said you will be rank two soon?" Demon King stated. Trax at the end of the table nodded. "Yes, there should be an evolution soon" the boy stated. "What is your element now?" the king asked. "I have the ability of Flame and artificial meridian element Light. I was modified a month ago" the boy said proudly. The king looked at him with his masked face and was silent. "Not a shadow element huh? Shame. I thought you wanted to surpass your brother in all aspects?" The king asked, "Light would compliment flame father. I feel it would benefit both elements?" He tried to explain. The king waved a hand in annoyance, "Well I will have a soul weapon made to accommodate your elements" This comment made Zeena and the boy frown.

"I'll see what Frick has in stock once he arrives. Until then I have promised refreshments so…'' he was cut short. At that moment the entire palace then shook from a massive explosion from outside. All in the chamber ran to the balcony to see a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. At that moment four more explosions erupted on all sides of the city. Vick stared at the first one, "that was the location of Frick's sire?" He said. The king had his fists clenched as he beats the railing with his armored hands. Over and over he grunted with anger smashing the railing. Zeena and her son backed away along with Vick. One military leader spoke up, breaking the tension. "Sire what is our plan now?" The king turned and then proceeded to slam the man to the ground raining down fist after fist on to the demon's face killing him. He then pulled him by his leg and threw him over the balcony. All that remained of him was a pool of black blood left on the balcony. "SEARCH THE CITY! Find who did this! I don't care if it takes all night! I WANT WHOEVER DID THIS! NOW!" He screamed at Vick. His son and his mother looked frightened as they backed away. Vick said nothing as he turned and left. Trax stood in silence staring at the five plumes of smoke. 'Well he just made this little drama more entertaining' he smiled inside. Trax approached the teen, "Come young master we leave your father with his thoughts" he said, nudging him. The teen did as he was told, leaving with his teacher.

Zeena finally spoke when all were gone, "My love you will find this culprit" she told him. He said nothing and stared at the plume of smoke. "The Slayer had to have done this. Somehow he made his way into this city undetected and sabotaged our military, crippling us" he said deep in thought. "If so then how did they get into the city? Is there perhaps someone working with him?" she suggested. Demon King turned with burning red eyes glowing under his mask. "Who do you think would have done so?" he straightened his posture and approached Zenna. She seemed scared by his eyes and felt a shiver down her spine. "I don't know husband...could be anyone?" she stated. He hit her across the face. "Yes, well if you have a suggestion backed up with facts over theories. He's in this city. I will find him" He walked away leaving his wife on the ground. She wiped black blood from her face. She stared at the smoke plumes with anger.

/////////////////

Vick stood in the rubble of the warehouse, smoke still bellowed out as it cooled from the fire. He looked around and found machines and weapons all destroyed by the fire. He kicked over a piece of metal. He looked back with two bodies covered by sheets. Brigg and the goat man along with their guards all died during the explosion. His remaining team, the girl, the demoness, and the four armed glutton all stood over the sheets. He walked up, "take a group each and search the city top to bottom" the all gave him a nod and left. He walked back into the rubble after looking around he was no longer alone.

After awhile Vick wandered the streets searching for signs. As he walked down an alleyway he felt a presence of chi. Slayer stepped out in front of him, sword in hand. Vick shook his head, "King Slayer?" he asked. The Oni mask warrior nodded silently. He shot forward, attacking Vick viciously. He moved about manifesting shadow from the dark corners of the alley. They were immediately dispersed by Slayer's shadow control. Vick looked shocked and tried again for the same thing to happen. With him distracted by this, Slayer kept up the offense and pushed Vick back. The shadow user fought with great speed, but then suffered a cut across his chest. Slayer then impaled him with his sword killing him. He approached the downed warrior. "You always were a good fighter" he said to him. "Your cohort is no more" he was blunt with his words. Vick scowled before a hand went over his chest. He was then drained of all his chi killing him instantly.

"Now my father is truly alone" he said walking away.