Chereads / Crescent Moon: Ancient Prophecy / Chapter 25 - Kingdom of Valtor

Chapter 25 - Kingdom of Valtor

"You won't have it, Gaius," the king said, standing up from his throne. A warrior king in his forties with his sword by his side.

"Why did you deny me audience? Have we become enemies?" Gaius asked with predating eyes

"Leave my court, Gaius, I will give you the privilege to leave my kingdom alive, I won't have you destroy my kingdom," the king said

"Hahaha, am I at your mercy, sire? I do not trouble the land, I live my life, I.." the king interrupted him

"You abuse your powers, Gaius," the king interrupted him.

Making steps to the throne where the king stood, "that same magic saved your life ten years ago, you would have died if I hadn't use magic to heal you."

"That's why I want you to leave my kingdom peacefully, and alive, take all magicians like you and leave for peace or else..." Gaius interrupted the king

"Or else what?"

"I dare you to interrupt me when I speak again and I shall forget the good you did for me and will strike you with the edge of my sword," the king threatened him,as he drew his sword.

"I have not come to fight you, my lord, you are distancing yourself from me and want me to leave because you fear me? I will not leave, I refuse to obey you, my lord," Gaius answered him with his head bowed down.

"I will not be disobyed by my subject, leave before I offer you to the spirits that guides valtor kingdom, I won't warn you again, and I don't want you cause any more trouble in my kingdom." Said by the king.

"I have come for the tome of eldrid, give it to me and I will leave your kingdom," Gaius said to make a deal.

"I won't strike deals with you, Gaius, my word is law and final, leave now!" The king thundered.

King Alem of Valtor Kingdom stood tall, his imposing physique evident beneath his regal attire. His broad shoulders and chiseled chest seemed sculpted from the same granite as the mountains that flanked his kingdom. His resolute jawline and piercing blue eyes exuded an unwavering determination, a testament to his unshakeable commitment to his people and his land.

His dark hair, flecked with hints of silver, was cropped short, revealing a prominent widow's peak, a distinguishing feature of his royal lineage. His ruggedly handsome face was accentuated by a small scar above his left eyebrow, a reminder of a battle fought and won in his youth.

His sword, adorned with the symbols of his ancestors, hung at his side, a constant reminder of his duty to protect his kingdom. The sword's leather-wrapped hilt was worn from years of use, a testament to the king's prowess in battle.

As he stood before Gaius, his eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, his voice commanding and unwavering. His broad chest rose and fell with each breath, a reminder of his unyielding resolve. He was a warrior king, forged in the crucible of battle, and he would not be intimidated by the sorcerer's threats.

"I shall not be swayed, Gaius," he declared, his voice echoing through the throne room. "Depart from my kingdom, and do not return. Your kind is no longer welcome here."

His words were met with a cold, calculating gaze from Gaius, but the king did not flinch. He knew that he stood at the precipice of a great conflict, one that would determine the fate of his kingdom. And he was prepared to face it head-on, his sword at the ready.

As night fell, Gaius snuck into the temple, his magic allowing him to bypass the guards and traps that protected the sacred site. With a sense of purpose, he made his way deep into the temple, his eyes fixed on the pedestal where the Tome of Eldrid was kept.

"Άνοιξον την θύραν, δείξον μου την δύναμη!" (Anoixan tin thiran, deixon mou tin dynami!) - "Open the door, show me the power!" he incanted, his voice echoing off the stone walls.

As he reached out to claim the ancient book, a surge of energy ran through him, and he felt the power of the tome coursing through his veins.

"Δύναμη του Ελδρίδ, πνεύμα του σκότους, ακούστε την φωνή μου!" (Dynamis tou Eldrid, pnevma tou skotous, akouste tin foni mou!) - "Power of Eldrid, spirit of darkness, hear my voice!" he declared, his eyes gleaming with malevolent intent.

With a cackle of glee, he opened the book and began to read from its pages, unleashing a dark and malevolent magic into the world.

"Καλέ sao, καλέ σκότος, καλέ τον θάνατο!" (Kale sao, kale skotos, kale ton thanato!) - "Call forth the darkness, call forth death!" he chanted, his voice rising in crescendo.

"Hahahaha, I shall control the whole land and no man shall stand before me!" Gaius said with so much pride and confidence as he vanished with the tome of eldrid in his hands.

The effects of the magic were immediate and devastating. A strange, pulsating energy began to emanate from the temple, spreading outwards in a wave of destruction. The life force of the land began to wither and die, causing crops to shrivel and turn to dust, rivers to dry up, and the skies to grow dark and with that, the people were left to suffer and die.

The palace of Valtor was a grandiose structure of marble and gold, its walls adorned with intricate frescoes depicting the history of the kingdom. The royal court, where the king held audience, was a grand hall with a high, vaulted ceiling, lit by crystal chandeliers that refracted the light into a kaleidoscope of colors. The floor was made of polished black marble, and the walls were lined with ornate tapestries woven with gold and silver threads.

The king's throne, situated at the far end of the hall, was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, with golden lions' heads adorning its arms and a velvet cushion in the deepest purple. The ministers, seated on smaller, yet equally ornate, chairs, surrounded the king, their faces grave with concern.

The maids, dressed in crisp white robes with golden sashes, moved discreetly, refilling goblets and offering sweet pastries to the assembled men. The air was thick with tension, as the king's anger hung like a palpable cloud.

"By the ancient ones!" the king thundered, slamming his fist on the armrest. "I cannot sit idly and watch magic destroy everything we've built! It's like a cancer, spreading darkness and chaos throughout our lands!"

The eldest minister, his face lined with age and wisdom, spoke up, "Your Majesty, magic has always been the backbone of our kingdom's strength. We've won wars and prospered because of it."

A second elderly minister, his long white beard and hair a testament to his advanced years, nodded in agreement. "Indeed, Your Majesty. Magic is what sets us apart from other kingdoms."

But the king's face remained red with rage. "That may be true, but what's the point of having such power if it's used for evil? Everyone in our kingdom is learning magic, for it's no longer a privilege reserved for those with the special abilities. And worse still, many of those who wield it now use it for nefarious purposes!"

The ministers exchanged uneasy glances, aware that the king's words held a dark truth. The once-noble art of magic had indeed become a double-edged sword, capable of bringing great prosperity or unleashing unspeakable evil.