"Chain Hopper, do you have the twenty Illegals?" King Amos asked. "I want this to be the strongest entity ever!"
Chain Hopper approached the king, bowing his head respectfully. "Yes, Your Majesty. The twenty individuals with the required abilities are ready and aligned, but I must warn you—"
"I'm aware of the potential issues," King Amos interrupted, causing the room to fall silent.
King Amos continued, "We'll compensate their families, as they'll no longer possess their abilities. We'll return them home."
King Amos paused, then added, "Grant each a reward and take them to the Ability Caster. Let them choose new abilities."
Chain Hopper, still bowing, replied, "But, Your Majesty, half their lives will be lost, and the other half will lose energy reserves and the ability to learn new abilities."
King Amos's expression hardened. "Then it's a sacrifice we'll have to make! Ready the twenty individuals and grab the appropriate energy orbs. We will begin immediately—that's an order!"
Suddenly, a tall, well-toned lady burst into the room. Her wings flapped slowly, radiating her anger. Her eyes crinkled and glowed a menacing yellow, directed at Amos.
"Amos, must you go so far? They all have families!" King Amos turned back, his expression stern. "I am your king, and you will address me as such."
"I am your wife; therefore, I am the queen, and you will respect me!" Sarah Sunheart declared, walking towards Amos with her wings sprouting from her back. "Don't take the fathers away from the kids for your greed!"
Amos turned and faced Sarah. His eyes darted around the room, also glancing at his knights who stood next to him. He blinked a few times, taking a deep breath, inhaling and exhaling. He then looked at Sarah and finally started to speak.
"Sarah, where are your knights? You know you shouldn't roam anywhere without them," Amos said.
Sarah looked at Amos's knights, closed her eyes, and lowered her head; she shook her head almost like she pitied the knights. She nodded at them both, "Joseph and Nathaniel, we appreciate your hard work." The knights stood right without a reply. She then looked at Amos and replied,
"They are where I told them to be—with their families!"
Amos paused, and the room fell silent. "Sarah," Amos said, "You know they are to remain by the queen's side at all times. This is why we have six knights; they all take shifts watching over you. We are in a galactic battle with other warriors; anything can happen at any time."
The room fell silent once more, and the sound of clanging and hammering could be heard in the background; Sarah could smell blood and paint. Sarah looked around, and tears started to fall from her eyes and roll down her cheek. "You are going to sacrifice these men for your greed, Amos!" She paused and waited for a reply; Amos turned around and walked towards Chain Hopper, who was still bowing his head. Sarah spoke again. "And all for what? A prophecy that you will fall!" Sarah's breathing grew heavy, and her majestic wings flapped harder. Her eyes gleamed even brighter. "All you have to do is stop, Amos! Just stop this silly conversation! We have the biggest planet in the solar system! How much more do you want!"
Amos leaned over and whispered in Chain's ear. Chain bowed respectfully. Light glowed around Chain and enveloped him; he then vanished. The room fell silent, and a voice echoed through the hallway. "Begin the ritual!" A loud noise followed. "WE ACCEPT."
Bodies flopped to the ground, and Sarah heard loud moans throughout the castle. Another voice was heard: "You will all be remembered. May you all rest in peace." A few seconds passed. "Almighty judgment!" A bright light flashed; it was silent, and not a single word was uttered throughout the castle.
Amos smiled and nodded his head. He turned to Sarah while staring at her directly as if he was proud and had made a great accomplishment.
On his knees, Chain Hopper reappeared in front of Amos, presenting a sun pendant; his voice began to crack as if trying to hold back his tears, "It's finished, my king."
Amos grabbed the pendant from Chain. "You did well, Chain! You're dismissed! You will have great rewards, and your family will be in the towers from here on out. You will be known as a great scientist! And if this works, we will have our kings and queens with all of these!"
Sarah clenched her fist and turned her head; she reached her palm out toward Amos, she closed her hand, and the pendant disappeared from Amos's hand. Sarah began to glow brightly and vanished.
Amos turned around and walked towards Chain Hopper, who was still bowed in his place, waiting to be dismissed.
Amos's eyes closed, his chest rising with a deep breath. "Thirty years of waiting... No need to rush or anger."
As he exhaled, soft light enveloped him, illuminating the entire room. The radiance intensified, forging golden armor around his skin. Majestic wings unfolded from his back, shimmering with ethereal light.
Joseph and Nathaniel dropped to one knee, fists on the ground, heads bowed. Their firm voices synchronized: "King of Kings, we honor your presence."
Their heads and eyes remained fixed on the ground, exuding reverence. Soft luminescence emanated from their fists, symbolizing their loyalty.
Amos's gaze stayed inward "Patience and determination. The prophecy's time has come."
Sarah materialized, her teleportation lingering as a bright yellowish hue. She stood still, eyes closed, taking deep breaths.
"No time for emotions," she thought. "Act swiftly."
Her chest glowed as she spoke, "Lutherial Knights Ezekiel and Enoch, stand before me!"
Two figures flashed into existence, clad in golden armor with long blades. They knelt, fists on the ground: "We honor your presence, Queen of Haeven."
Sarah shook her head. "Rise, knights. No bowing."
She walked to a nearby brown desk beside a giant stone. Her hand glowed, forming a small sun pendant.
"Ezekiel, Enoch, our mission begins," Sarah said, eyes ablaze. "Amos's ritual must be undone."
The knights stood, eyes locked on Sarah.
"Your Majesty's orders?"
"Prepare the golden warriors," Sarah replied. "We fly to the Heartstone Temple. Tonight."
Sarah's eyes glowed brighter. "Ezekiel, take the sun pendant to the Heartstone Temple's core."
Ezekiel's bow deepened. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
He vanished, teleporting away with the pendant.
Sarah gazed at Enoch. "Enoch, stay with me. We'll meet with Robuk and Lesley Mayham. They'll arrive soon."
Enoch nodded. "Yes, Your Majesty!"
A loud clang echoed through the room, like pots and pans hitting the floor. Sarah and Enoch turned.
A little girl, rubbing her eyes and yawning, walked out of the hallway, clutching a teddy bear.
"Mommy?" she whispered, tears welling up.
Sarah's expression softened. "Yes, sweetheart. It's me."
The girl ran to Sarah, embracing her tightly.
"I missed you, Mommy," she whispered.
Sarah's heart swelled. "I missed you too, baby."