Kai and Ryan walked down the dimly lit castle corridor, their footsteps echoing off stone walls as they approached the throne room.
Their destination was a meeting with King Malakar, ruler of the Kingdom of Elyria.
Kai's hand reached for the heavy iron door handle, but paused mid-air as muffled voices drifted out.
Ryan raised an eyebrow, wondering why Kai hesitated.
Kai and Ryan stood outside the throne room door, unnoticed by those inside.
They continued to listen in on the chilling conversation:
King Malakar's voice was laced with moral turmoil:
"Mark is but one man, a Commoner with no notable skills... versus thousands of subjects dying from famine."
The Captain of the Guards replied calmly:
"And, Your Majesty, Mark's own appraisal suggested he might not significantly contribute to the battle against Malum anyway."
King Malakar nodded slowly:
"See to it quietly, Captain. We must avoid alerting... especially Kai, Akira, Chris, Ryan... and Divine Mercy, Hana."
The Captain confirmed:
"Shall I discreetly arrange for Mark to be sent to Brindlemark Village, under guise of assisting with the harvest festival and crop inspections?"
King Malakar's heavy response:
"Yes, Captain. Proceed with this dark plan... May the gods forgive us."
Kai's eyes gleamed with intense satisfaction, his voice barely above whisper to Ryan:
"Mark's fate is sealed. This changes everything for our rise to power."
Ryan's grin mirrored Kai's excitement.
As the Captain reached for the door handle, it swung open abruptly – Kai standing in the entrance.
The Captain's eyes widened in surprise before Kai's foot connected with his chest, sending him crashing into the wall behind him.
King Malakar, Lord Thomas, and Lord Edwin leapt to their feet, panic etched on their faces:
"GUARDS!" King Malakar thundered.
The throne room doors burst open as guards rushed in, drawing swords – ready to defend the king.
Kai stood tall, a menacing grin spreading across his face:
"How interesting, Your Majesty... I overhear plans to sacrifice Mark to Zha'thik. Tell me, is this a royal decree... or merely a desperate attempt to save your kingdom?"
Ryan slipped in behind Kai, eyes gleaming with excitement – he knew Kai's true intention.
King Malakar's face turned ghostly pale, stuttering:
"H-How did you... This was not to be known!"
Kai chuckled low and menacingly:
"Oh, I think it should be known – especially since I agree with your... creative solution. Mark's removal would greatly benefit my own ambitions."
The guards halted, unsure how to proceed – Kai seemed to be aligning himself with the king's secret plan.
King Malakar's voice echoed through the throne room:
"SEIZE HIM! Kai's treason will not be tolerated!"
The two strongest guards charged towards Kai with drawn swords.
But Kai merely smirked, eyes gleaming with confidence.
With a swift, almost casual gesture, Kai sent both guards flying backward – their armored bodies crashing into the stone wall with deafening thuds.
They slumped to the ground, groaning in pain – their swords clattering out of reach.
The throne room fell silent, horror etched on every face – King Malakar's eyes wide with dread.
Lord Thomas whispered:
"By the gods... what sorcery is this?"
Lord Edwin stumbled backward, tripping over his own feet.
Kai dusted off his hands, arrogance dripping from his voice:
"How touching. You thought two guards could apprehend me?
Now, Your Majesty... about Mark's sacrifice to Zha'thik – shall we discuss how I can... ensure his safe delivery to the altar?"
King Malakar's face turned ash gray, his voice barely audible:
"W-what do you want, Kai?"
Kai's voice sent chills through the throne room:
"I'll ensure Mark reaches the altar safely... and Zha'thik claims his sacrifice.
In return, I demand one thing: your full support in defeating the Demon Lord, Malum... immediately."
King Malakar's eyes widened slightly, hinting at surprise that Kai's demand wasn't solely power-driven.
But Kai's next words erased any glimpse of hope:
A scary smile spread across his face, twisting his features into a grotesque grin.
"And... let us clarify the terms of our alliance," Kai's voice dropped to a menacing whisper:
"I will do WHAT I PLEASE –
You will FOLLOW.
Or...
I will DESTROY THIS KINGDOM – stone by stone, soul by soul."
The throne room plunged into terrified silence.
King Malakar's face turned deathly pale, his lips barely moving:
"We... we have no choice."
Lord Thomas collapsed onto his chair, eyes wide with horror.
Lord Edwin screamed silently, his mouth agape.
Ryan stood beside Kai, his own smile mirroring Kai's – a chilling endorsement of the destruction promised.
Kai turned to leave, his voice dripping with sarcasm:
"Our newly formed alliance is truly a beautiful thing... I'm eager to celebrate."
He approached a female attendant, who curtsied nervously:
"Escort me to a private room, preferably one with... ample comforts."
As she guided him out of the throne room, Kai's eyes scanned the surrounding maids – his gaze locking onto another girl.
He reached out, grasping her hair firmly, pulling her close:
"You come with me."
His lustful gaze made the girl's eyes widen in terror as she stumbled alongside him.
Ryan followed, a sly grin spreading across his face:
"And prepare another room for me – besides Kai's quarters... I prefer quieter 'accommodations'."
He too grabbed another maid, pulling her close:
"This one will keep me company."
The throne room watched in frozen horror as the two left with their terrified captives.
King Malakar looked like he might collapse, Lord Thomas covered his mouth in disgust, and Lord Edwin seemed paralyzed.
The injured Captain of the Guards glared at Kai's retreating back with hatred.
But one person observed the scene with a disturbing interest -
The man standing near the shadows nodded slowly to himself, as if drawing a dark conclusion.
King Malakar's voice was laced with despair:
"We've seen their power... Kai and Ryan could raze our ...kingdom to the ground alone.
Lord Thomas finished the King's thought:
"If we defy them, our people will suffer unimaginable slaughter."
Lord Edwin's eyes widened in horror:
"We've witnessed two guards ...thrown like rag dolls by Kai's casual gesture. What chance do our armies stand?
The Captain of the Guards grimaced, still clutching his injured side:
"Resistance is futile, Your Majesties. We must swallow our pride... and obey them."
...Malakar's face contorted in anguish:
"Do we have any choice? Must we sacrifice our honor to save our kingdom from destruction?"
Lord Thomas whispered:
"I fear so, Your Majesty. Our only option is to follow Kai's twisted will... and pray he spares our people."
The room fell silent, heavy with the weight of their desperate decision.