The council's impressed expressions marked their underlying intentions. Jakob, driven by desperation, had agreed to venture into uncharted territory to retrieve the Shallow's head and rescue his mother. The council's promise of the Mark of Cleanse hung precariously in balance.
Emperor Jonn and Empress Joan voiced their doubts. "Can we really trust you, Jakob? Just hours ago, you plotted against us, and your brother lies critically injured."
Jakob stood where his father once stood, his downcast in shame. The council's elevated platform emphasized their authority.
Sovereign Deckard intervened, "Let's forgive the boy. The angel's blessing is influential. Consider this: Jakob's actions simplified our decision regarding this brother."
Regent Malanie curiosity piqued, "And how did it it simplify our decision, Sovereign Deckard?"
Sovereign Deckard's excitement was unsettling. "Prince Jakob eliminated a potential problem. The cursed Prince Kendrik's existence threatened the five kingdoms' royal families."
Rumbus spoke out of turn, "Why do you suddenly despise Prince Kendrik, whom you once cherished? Many of you offered your daughters to him in marriage."
Sultan Tomas's anger flared. "How dare you, servant! Know your place!"
Rumbus hastily apologized, kneeling and bowing his head. "My apologies, my leaders."
Sovereign Deckard's explanation dripped with condescension. "We don't despise Prince Kendrik, but his existence threatens our powerful families legacies. The angels' wrath is a consequence we cannot ignore."
Monarch Kendrick seethed, his anger boiling over. Chained and treated like a criminal, he realized the council's betrayal. "You sons of bitches! You've been plotting against me for years."
Sultan Tomas's words crossed a line. "Enough! Monarch Kendrick, you're uncontrollable. No wonder Mika committed suicide; you drove her to the edge."
Monarch Kendrick's eyes blazed red, illuminated by crackling lightning. His chains clattered to the floor as he jumps to Sultan Tomas.
"How dare you! You dare besmirch my late wife's memory?" Monarch Kendrick's hand clenched around Sultan Tomas's throat, his grip crushing.
The council cowered, terrified. Two burly guards rushed to intervene, but Monarch Kendrick's speed and strength proved overwhelming. With a swift motion, he crushed the lead guard's titanium helmet and slammed both guards into the wall.
Unconscious, they left behind indentations in the stone. Monarch returned to Sultan Tomas, his grip unyielding.
The room froze, witnesses to Monarch Kendrick's unbridled power.
The council recoiled in terror, witnessing Monarch unbridled power for the first time. Sultan Tomas lay unconscious, trembling like a seizure victim.
Monarch Kendrick's eyes returned to normal, and the crackling lightning dissipated. He calmly reattached his chains and sat within his family crest.
"So, what's my punishment?" Monarch Kendrick asked, crossing his legs.
Mikeal whispered, "Whoa, your father is super powerful!"
Regent Malanie remarked, "Jakob's actions are no surprise, considering his father's behaviour. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Monarch Kendrick smiled, taking it as a compliment.
Sovereign Deckard slammed his gravel. "Enough! Your fate, Monarch Kendrick, now rests in your son's hands. If Jakob fails to bring the Shadow's head and rescue his mother, you'll be executed, and we'll claim the Mark of Cleanse and your kingdom!"
Monarch Kendrick clapped his chained hands. "Finally, you revealed your intentions."
Jakob's face fell. "That wasn't part of the deal!"
Regent Malanie chuckled. "Shut up, boy! Your father's actions have consequences. Who'd want to accompany you to the Shadow's hideout after your stunt?"
Jakob's realisation hit hard: no one would be willing to go with him.
Just as despair set in, a voice echoed from the back, "I will."
Jakob, Mikeal, and Monarch Kendrick turned to see the brave soul willing to accompany Jakob to the unknown. To their astonishment, it was Kendrik, Jakob's older brother, struggling to balance himself.
"Kendrik, what are you doing here? You should be resting." Jakob exclaimed.
Kendrik chuckled, hiding his pain. "Resting if for the dead. I'm fine as you can see."
Mikeal rushed to hug his best friend, overjoyed. "Thank the heavens, you're okay."
Kendrik hugged back, wincing in pain. "Yeah."
Monarch Kendrick's mix of happiness and concern showed. "Klaus, go back to bed, son."
Kendrik smiled, approaching his father with Mikeal's help. His body bore red marks, bruises, and bloodstains.
"I guess that makes three of us going," Kendrik informed the council.
Regent Malanie scoffed. "You think we'd let you leave after discovering your truth?"
Kendrik proposed, "You want the Dynasty bloodline eliminated. I'll give you the chance. In my state, I'll likely die first, buying time for Jakob and Mikeal."
Mikeal's confusion grew. "Wait, what do you mean Mikeal and Jakob?"
Kendrik smiled. "You're going, Mikeal Axel Phoenix."
Monarch Kendrick insisted, "You're going with them, Mikeal."
Mikeal's fear showed. "Okay, fine. I'll go."
Emperor Jonn and Empress Joan intervened, "Who gave you Dynasty authority?"
Monarch Kendrick taunted, "I forgot about you twins. You've been quiet for too long."
Sovereign Deckard intervened, "Enough, Kendrik Klaus Dynasty. You know the council's order: execution."
Kendrik remained confident. "You won't do it."
Sovereign Deckard's curiosity piqued. "Why not?"
Kendrik surveyed the room, noting his father's devastation and brother's distress. "I have a better deal."
Regent Malanie grew impatient. "What makes you think you're privileged?"
Sovereign Deckard calmed her. "Let him speak."
"Well, you've been here long enough, angering my father and harming three people," Kendrik said. "Let's make the deal interesting."
"I propose," Kendrik, "if we return unscathed or if one of us returns, release my father, restore his kingdom, and let me live in peace."
Emperor Jonn and Empress Joan rejected the offer. "You're a disease, spreading chaos if unchecked!"
Regent Malanie concurred. "We won't be swayed. Accept your fate."
Guards of varying sizes and shapes surrounded the Dynasty men and Rumbus, weapons at ready.
Sovereign Deckard halted them with a hand signal.
Regent Malanie protested, "What are you doing, Sovereign Deckard?"
Sovereign Deckard admired Kendrik. "He reminds me of his mother, who united the five kingdoms and ended the Blood War."
Emperor Jonn and Empress Joan attempted to intervene, but Regent Malanie motioned for them to wait.
"Very well, boy," Regent Malanie said, packing her belongings. "You've earned some time."
Monarch Kendrick approached Kendrick, beaming with pride. "You're becoming more like your mother every day," he whispered, hugging his son.
The council leaders descended, adorned in robes representing their kingdoms' colors, traditions, and crests.
Sovereign Deckard wore a long white robe with a circle and cross, accompanied by crystals.
Regent Malanie's green robe feature an angel ascending within a circle.
Emperor Jonn and Empress Joan wore blue and white robes, respectively, with a star-crossed circle.
Sultan Tomas, still unconscious,was carried away by guards. His red robe bore a fiery phoenix within a circle.
Monarch Kendrick's white royal uniform hid his family crest.
Sovereign Deckard gestured. "Guards, take Monarch Kendrick to Lakewood Asylum."
Two unsettling guards emerged:
One wore a knitted mask, wielding a scythe.
The other had crazy eyes, drooled, and smiled eerily, sticking his tongue out.
Chained and dragging wrecking balls, Monarch Kendrick's fate seemed sealed.
Kendrik reassured his father, "Don't worry, everything will return to normal."
Monarch Kendrick smiled, "I know," as he was led away.
As Kendrik watched the council exit, Jakob and Mikeal approached him.
"So, how do we get there?" Mikeal asked.
"We're not going alone," Jakob said.
Just then, a group of royal guard recruits formed a circle around them.
"Looks like we have backup," Kendrik said, relieved.
Jakob scoffed, "Do we? They seem weaker than you."
A recruit stepped forward, "Sir, we're here to serve you!"
Mikeal burst into laughter. "We're as good as dead."
Jakob faced-palmed.
Kendrik whispered, "Watch yourself."
Tomaso, the lead recruit, introduced himself. "I'm Tomaso of the Heart Kingdom, My Prince."
Kendrik shook his hand. "Nice to meet you, Tomaso. I'm Prince Kendrik, alongside Prince Jakob and Prince Mikeal of Phoenix Kingdom."
Jakob asked, "Just how do we get to our unknown destination?"
Rumbus volunteered, "I can assist with that."
Rumbus unfolded a worn, yellowish paper, revealing it's blank surface. "This is it?" Jakob asked, skeptical.
Rumbus cautioned, "Patience, young prince. Watch carefully."
Time passed, and Jakob's impatience grew. Suddenly, the paper transformed. A black dot appeared, followed by precise lines, trees, and the five kingdoms' landscapes.
The princes gasped in unison. "Whoa!"
Rumbus smiled. "Behold, the Map of Fate, one of the rarest and most ancient maps in existence."
Jakob seized the map, examining it intently. "What does it do?"
Rumbus began, "Well-"
But Jakob shrieked, dropping the map as if burned. His high-pitched cry echoed, startling everyone.
"Ahh! What's wrong, Jakob?" Kendrik asked, alarmed.
Jakob stumbled back, eyes wide. "It... it showed me the Shadow's lair! The darkness, the horrors... I saw Mother's face, trapped and suffering!"
Mikeal's eyes widened. "What does it mean?"
Rumbus' expression turned grave. "The Map of Fate reveals more than just paths. It shows the hearts deepest fears and desires."
"Meaning?" Kendrik pressed.
Rumbus met the princes' gazes. "This map will guide your journey, revealing it's path, dangers, and triumphs. Only you can determine your journey."
Mikeal hasitated. "But we still don't know our destination!"
Kendrik's determination showed. "We'll figure it out. Let's move."
He picked up the Map of Fate, it's yellowed parchment crackling.
Jakob's eyes narrowed. "Are we ready for this?"
Rumbus nodded. "The map will reveal what you need to know, when you need to know it."
Tomaso and the recruits stood attention, awaiting orders.
Kendrik folded the map, his gaze locking onto his brother. "Jakob, Mikeal, we have each other. That's enough."
With newfound resolve, the unlikely group set off into the unknown.