Chirp looked down at the sword impaled into his chest. He was standing in shock at this attack looking around at the crowd it seemed like time slowed down. His mercenaries were all being cut down by Shadow Cat, Old Lord, and the Chief of the Pride. Cornelius remaining still staring at him. They shared a brief stare at one another. "You…have doomed us all…" Whistler said to Cornelius. His mind raced as a vision struck him seeing the land around him in flames. All Bird Folk in chains and the palace a ruin. The greenery gone turning black and brown from destruction making it barren. Then seeing an armored man with a crown sitting on a pile of skulls the Sword King was the root of this destruction. He held in his hand a chi stone the reason for this nightmare. Cornelius slowly walked up seeing this vision play out in his victim's mind. "I will not let that come to pass" Cornelius stated to him breaking him from his waking nightmare. His strength draining as blood flowed from the wound. He collapsed to his knees finally knocking on deaths door. "You…have doomed us all…I could of.." his words faded away as he slumped over sideways finally dead. Cornelius approached retrieving his sword from the body. He said nothing as he walked towards the palace. All the mercenaries dead the three new council members followed his lead.
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Location: Realm of Chivalry.
Con Man lay upon a table as doctors tended to his wounds. He was then taken to a tank filled with glowing water. The bottom of the tank was covered in piles of chi stones. He weakly rose up walking to the top of tank and submerged himself into it. He let the cooling waters wash over his burned skin at first stinging before feeling a sense of relief. He didn't need to hold his breath for some reason he could breath with all the rich chi flowing into his body. Healing all his wounds and creating scars over his body. Never fully healing the burns. He looked from the tank to see an armored man with a crowned helmet covering his head and face. He could see blue glowing eyes inside the dark eye sockets of the helmet. Upon his hips were two broad swords with a red skirt over his armored legs. He tapped the tank with his sharp armored hand. "Seems the army failed to take over the Land of Winged Things. Seems Whistler Chirp was killed. We have a new king chosen. Seems the World chose a slave to be bestowed the crown" he turned and rested his hands behind his back. He looked behind him seeing two individuals coming into the room. One was a young man with black hair and a long ponytail down his back. Dawned in a white long coat with armor covering his shoulders. He had a sinister grin and upon his belt was a long sword with no guard blending into the sheath. His eyes were glowing white and he had a powerful aura coming off him.
Next to him was a a girl in light armor, a hood and a cloak with a staff upon her back. She had white hair and glasses and she was stern looking. She had a plain face and glowing yellow eyes. The two bowed to the king and saluted with hands over their hearts. "Draven and Sierra what do you have to report?" He asked standing at attention in front of them. "My lord it seems the Slayer and his companions are heading to the Gate. I have a portal ready to intercept them if you like?" Sierra explained. "No. Let them leave" he stated. Draven looked confused, "But sire this would be a good time to kill them?" Draven explained trying to convince his king over in action. "No. The third companion is a puppet serving the World. Yes, during a King's Test the Slayer is fair game. But a servant that is directly tied to the World would only back fire on us. What insect familiar do we have in the area?" He asked. Sierra spoke up, "We have quite a few. One could attach and keep an eye on them. Once we know where they arrive we should send Black Group agents?" Sierra suggested. "I agree with that assessment. Make it happen now you are dismissed. Draven hang back" Sierra bowed and left. Draven stayed standing at attention as the King remained silent. "I want the knights on full training and chi pools made. We will need to find another source for the stones. Luckily we have a few. I want the Blades also elevating their power. You will lead an army later on to take the Land of the Winged Things. Make training a priority I trust you can handle this responsibility as Leader of the Blades?" The King waited for his response Draven started to grin, "Yes my lord you can trust me with this. I will not fail you like Con Man here" he said smirking at the floating man in the tank. Con Man furrowed his brow glaring back. 'Insufferable twit!' He thought. "Do not throw insults. The Slayer has taken down powerful kings. He isn't one to take lightly Draven" the Sword King stated. Draven dropped his smirk and gave the king a nod. Sword King stood in silence before waving him away. He then left Con Man alone.
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Back at the Land of Winged Things a girl with a yellow dress and golden eyes with flowing long white hair strolled up to the inactive gate. Her feet crunched under the long blue grass. She was whistling a tune and stood in front of the gate that sparked to life revealing a face. "Good afternoon Jormungandr?" She said with a smile. She revealed pearly white teeth. "Sister. What are you doing here? You never needed my assistance to travel the realms?" The Gate said puzzled. It was true this particular individual is all divine and didn't need help traveling anywhere. With a thought she could transport herself anywhere. "Simple. I want a favor?" She stated with a smirk.
The Gate was silent, "A favor?" It repeated. "Correct" she reiterated waiting for its answer. "And that would be?" The Gate asked curious. She smirked, "Glad you asked! I want to speak with the Slayer. And also test his mental fortitude. See I've looked into the Strings of Ananke he needs to be more prepared. There is a cataclysm coming and the only one I see standing in front of it is the Red Demon along with three others. So, I have arranged for him to do some soul searching if you will in a neutral realm. A king not on the list of the World free from the King's Test" she explained. The Gate was silent for a moment. "What of Prometheus? Sister Spinner may like to play games like I, but our brother does not?" The Gate explained.
What he spoke of was the truth. Out of the fifty two children of the World created to bringing order his favorite children were Prometheus and Sister Spinner. He was the Creator of life and over seer of Destiny. Sister Spinner weaved the threads of fate giving way to purpose and bestower of names. All beings have a secret name that leads to their purpose in life. She being the writer of fates she was creative but also someone who liked to have fun. She smiled big, "You both being the loyal sons? So boring! Let's shake up this test!" She stated giggling to herself. She sat upon a rock pulling out a cigarette from the air. Tip of her finger glowing gold lit the end. The end glowing gold as well as she inhaled yellow smoke. "What are you really after?" The Gate asked. "Simple. The King's Test is nothing more than entertainment to the Primordial Regime through out the Dream Universe. They are watching the realms rise and fall. Luckily for us we are going to the championship. The Slayer is MVP in the center of this show. But I'll let you on something. He is marked by me. I'm sure the World knew it when picking him. But I knew it from the inception of his creation. He isn't just some King Slayer. He is death itself and the true star of the show. Time for some soul searching!" She smiled. The Gate was silent for a moment. "What realm did you have in mind?" It asked. Sister Spinner smiled big. "The Ash Realm" she stated.