"What's happening, Alexa? Why am I so weak?"
ALEXA: OBSERVE. AN UNIDENTIFIED SUBSTANCE IS COURSING THROUGH THE PHYSIOLOGICAL SYSTEM. I SUSPECT THAT IS THE CAUSE OF THE BODILY WEAKNESS.
A blow was struck against him for the umpteenth time, resulting in his collision with the wall. The wall fractured under the force of the impact as he sank to the ground, his eyelids growing heavier with each passing moment.
"You vile nuisance. You inflicted harm on the innocent maiden."
The resonant voice of General Thalric reverberated as he charged towards Kael with frenzied velocity. He extended his left foot in an attempt to strike Kael's countenance, only to have his attack thwarted as Kael seized his leg.
His grip faltered almost instantaneously, compelling him to release General Thalric's foot.
A smirk played on General Thalric's lips as he gazed at Kael, well aware of Kael's weakened state and seizing the moment.
He grasped Kael by the neck, hoisting him up, his feet dangling above the ground. Kael struggled for breath, convulsing vigorously in an attempt to free himself, causing his manhood to sway precariously before General Thalric.
"How about a taste of your own medicine?"
His eyes widened as General Thalric's words registered in his mind. "A taste of my own medicine? I hope it is not what I fear?"
He felt a warm hand envelop his semi-erect member, exerting immense pressure. His primary objective was to prevent his manhood from being detached from his body by sheer force.
Despite his weakness, Kael couldn't let that happen. He bit into Thalric's hand, tearing away a chunk of flesh.
"Ouch!" Thalric screamed, releasing Kael, who slumped to the floor. Kael looked up to see Thalric's single finger stuck between his lips.
"You piece of shit."
Thalric cursed, pulling a dagger from his breast pocket and aiming it at Kael's chest, but Karrien intervened, pushing Thalric away.
"Don't let your anger ruin the plan, Thalric. The King already demands his presence."
Karrien ordered the two guards with them to carry Kael. As they dragged him out, Kael struggled to gather his energy, spitting out Thalric's finger.
"What do you think the King will do to him?" Karrien asked, watching Thalric, who was still fuming with anger. Blood dripped from Thalric's hand as he stared at the finger on the floor. Just then, two maids rushed in and knelt before them.
"We are here for..."
"Take her to the Princess," Thalric interrupted, storming out with Karrien following behind.
The maids quickly covered Lady Rose's handmaiden with a wrapper and carried her unconscious body out. On the way to the inn for immediate treatment, they encountered the Princess, who had been searching for her maid.
"What happened to her?" the Princess asked, fear gripping her heart.
"We don't know, ma'am. We found her this way in Sir Kael's room," one maid answered.
"Kael?" she asked, shocked, and the maids nodded. "What was she doing in Kael's room so late at night?" She pondered this as she sprinted towards Kael's room while the maids continued their journey.
Upon reaching Kael's room, she found it in disarray from the earlier brawl. Tears streamed down her face when she saw the bloodstained bed.
"Kael has taken away the girl's innocence," she thought, regretting ever trusting him. She recalled how he asked about her handmaiden and pushed her away when she wanted to stay the night. A sarcastic laugh escaped her lips.
"So this was his plan all along. To sleep with my maiden. I won't let him get away with this." She stormed out, heading in the direction Kael had been taken. She easily located him, having become accustomed to his scent.
👾👾👾 The Grand Hall of the Elvarin Kingdom 👾👾👾
The hall was as silent as a graveyard, though two beings were present, glaring at each other with murderous intent: Kael and General Thalric.
Blop!
Blood dripped from Thalric's hand where Kael had bitten off a finger.
Blop!
The door creaked open, and Thalric turned to see the Princess standing in the doorway, glaring at Kael, who was barely conscious. His immune system was failing, and his eyes were closing.
Tap! Tap! Tap!
Despite his weakened state, Kael's ears twitched at the approaching footsteps. Without looking back, he knew who it was.
He struggled to turn towards her, only to receive a hot slap that sent his head spinning.
"You... How can you stoop so low? How dare you defile my maid?" she demanded, pointing at him.
He tried to speak, but no words came out. Whatever was affecting him had taken his voice.
"Answer me, you scumbag. You're nothing but a worthless dwarf. I shouldn't have trusted you." She punched him hard in the face, nearly knocking him over.
Thalric watched with a devilish smile, adding fuel to the fire.
"My Lady, I suspect the Dwargon are behind this. He's a spy. He came to trick you and defile your handmaiden to disgrace you and make you a laughingstock."
"I'm sorry I'm just realizing this. I tried to stop him but was too late. I even lost a finger trying to save your maid."
"So you came to tarnish my reputation?" she asked angrily, her mind clouded by Thalric's words. She demanded an explanation from Kael but grew infuriated when he remained silent. Losing control, her blue eyes shone in the dark hall as she lifted him effortlessly with her gaze, blue smoke wrapping around his body and squeezing him.
Rose was surprised he didn't scream, unaware he had lost his voice.
"That's enough, Rose."
King Jade's voice echoed from the dark end of the hall. Rose and Thalric immediately bowed while Kael fell to his knees. King Jade had been watching the entire scene, ready to intervene to prevent his daughter from killing Kael.
"Kael, not only did you defile a maid in my palace, but you also cut off my general's finger and attempted to tarnish my daughter's reputation."
"This is my judgment."
Kael looked up, meeting King Jade's piercing blue eyes. He was at the King's mercy, who could do whatever he wished.
Thalric eagerly awaited the King's judgment, while the Princess was in despair, unable to believe what was happening.
"Or am I dreaming?" she thought, hearing her father's voice.
"The penalty for your offense is death. You are to be executed before dawn."
Thalric felt overwhelmed with joy, confident the King had made the right decision. Even Rose supported the proclamation, unwilling to let anyone tarnish her image without consequence.
"But that would cause turmoil in my kingdom," King Jade continued. "You've won many hearts, including mine. Who knows, you might be a spy from the Armed Nation of the Dwargon. Killing you could lead to war, which I don't want. So here's my judgment."
"Because you once saved the Princess and rescued my chief, you won't be executed. You are banished from this kingdom. If you ever set foot in Elvarin again, it will mean your death."
King Jade's voice echoed through the Grand Hall as tears streamed down Kael's face.
When King Jade's presence faded, Thalric and Rose stood up.
"I'll lead him out of the kingdom. This pest shouldn't be here by dawn," Thalric said to Rose, who stared at Kael with tears in her eyes.
"Kael, why? Why did you do this to me?" she thought, trying to hold back her tears.
"Don't worry, my lady. I'll ensure any news of this is concealed. Instead of tarnishing your image, his will be destroyed in our kingdom," Thalric added. He walked up to Kael, grabbed his hands, and pulled him to his feet. It was the second time Rose had seen him naked. Though it was dark, her blue eyes penetrated the gloom. She gulped hard, turned, and started towards the door when she heard him call her name.
"Ro... se."
She stopped and turned back, meeting his gaze. His innocent eyes pleaded for mercy, but she was too blind to see it. Thalric forced him to his knees, and she stood there for a minute before walking out of the hall.
🔥🔥🔥 The Great Aethralis Forest 🔥🔥🔥
"You should've known better than to compete with me, boy. This is your end."
Thalric laughed loudly as he dragged Kael far from Elvarin's borders. He squatted before Kael's bruised body. Dawn was approaching, and Kael's skin changed color, his red hair turning brown, his veins becoming visible.
"I knew the King wouldn't kill you, but your death is inevitable. You have less than five hours to live, that is, if the monsters in this forest don't have you for breakfast first."
"I didn't wish to kill you. I only wanted you to know I'm your superior. Unfortunately, there was an order from above. Enjoy your remaining hours, boy." He stepped on Kael's face before walking away, leaving Kael lying on the ground.
ALEXA: ALERT! A SPECIAL TYPE OF POISON HAS BEEN FOUND IN YOUR BODY. IT HAS CIRCULATED THROUGH ALMOST EVERY PART. YOU HAVE ONLY TWO HOURS LEFT BEFORE IT REACHES YOUR HEART.
"Two hours? I'm dead already."
To be continued...