Consume

"So, why did the King turn into a frog?" Arthur asked as they made their way to the castle, on foot.

Roman was wrapped in a cloth and carried by Lillian who looked like she was ready to throw him across the road if he even brushed her with his slimy hand.

I better not tell her that I jumped on her face, she will kill me otherwise.

Fortunately, the bag Jasmine carried was unharmed in the explosion thanks to a protection spell she cast on it. All the money and mana the Duchess gave them are stored in that bag.

They walked through the alleyways like criminals on the run because they couldn't reveal themselves to the public. Well, that's what Arthur told anyway.

"You didn't tell him?" Jasmine asked.

"Nah. I only told that we came from another kingdom and are here to meet the King. Also, why can't we just walk through the town to the castle? Squeezing through hidden pathways looks so suspicious." Lillian whined, shivers running up her body every time she squeezed the cloth with the frog in it.

"I apologise for inconveniencing you like this, but the people shouldn't see you, especially since you came from a different kingdom." Arthur smiled, making another turn in the cramped passageway.

"Why is that?" Jasmine inquired from the back of the line.

"Power." Arthur continued to speak, picking up his speed, "I can sense strong magic coming from you both. If the people saw you, they will start a hunt."

"Hunt? Hey, slow down." Lillian gasped, trying to keep up with him.

"Yes. Do you know that the ability to wield a certain magic can be transferred from one person to another?"

They stopped in front of a wall and with a wave from Arthur, the wall slid away and there is a dark path. Empty as a cave.

Arthur created red flames in his hands and they ventured inside.

"That's impossible," Jasmine called out. "This has been studied for years but they haven't found a safe way to transfer magic to different users. Except if it is by the possession of different spirits."

"This 'nothing' kingdom has found it out a way to do so. Remember when I told you about the Surname thing?"

"Yes?"

"Well, you are a step closer to getting a surname the more power you hold."

"So that's the social hierarchy here."

"Yes. We are here." Arthur stopped in front of an enormous wooden door.

Huh? How? Didn't we just enter? What?

"This door leads to the chambers of the King. Wait here. I will check if anyone is there. Here, hold this flame." Arthur passed the flame onto Jasmine's hands, opened the door using his magic and entered in, leaving the three alone to wait for him.

"Lillian, I don't trust him," Jasmine whispered to her. "There is something so off here."

"I understand why you would think that, Jasmine. But shouldn't we give him the benefit of a doubt? I have read a lot of stories where this type of person comes to the side of the good ones and the dynamic is so fun to read about. Though someone always has to die for them to be redeemed. Plus, he's hot."

"Lillian, you cannot have a crush on every attractive male you see."

Lillian narrowed her eyes, a smile making it's way to her lips. She patted Jasmine on her shoulder and said, "Watch me."

"That wasn't a challenge."

"You can't blame me if I find someone attractive. Don't worry, my crushes never go beyond that."

"That just sounds sad."

"Never mind that. Are you feeling ok, Jasmine? You seem a little different." Lillian leaned down to Jasmine, concern in her voice.

"Different how?"

"I don't know. Just, something seems so different about you. I wonder why-"

"Shush. Do you hear that?"

In the silence, they could hear hundreds of little footsteps around them.

"W-what is that sound?"

Jasmine used the flame Arthur gave her and made it stronger, both froze when they saw millions of little eyes staring at them. Eyes full of hunger.

"What the f**k?" Lillian whispered as the flames died down again.

"Lillian, very carefully, try to open the door."

Lillian walked back and, holding Roman in one hand, felt for the door behind her. Once her hand rested on the doorknob, she tried to pull it open.

"Jasmine. It won't budge. What should we do?"

"These creatures, they prey on power. Just a couple of them will be easy to take care of but this is ridiculous. They cover the entire wall and ceiling."

"So what do we do?" Lillian grasped Roman closer to her, she didn't care that he touched her anymore. "I hate bugs. I hate them so much."

Jasmine sighed, "Do we have any other choice except to fight?"

"Will we even survive?"

"We won't know unless we try right?" Jasmine smiled at Lillian and handed the flame to her, "Think you can do it?"

"Of course."

__________________________________________________________________________________________

"Ok, Coast is cle-" Arthur opened the door, he held another flame in his hand, stopping when he saw the sight in front of him.

Lillian and Jasmine were backed against the wall, surrounded by creatures. They had a barrier around them but the barrier was cracking from the creatures.

Lillian was trying her best to keep the barrier up as well as attacking the creatures at the same time but she was beginning to wear herself out. The flame he gave them still burning in the palm of her hands.

"Lillian! Jasmine!" Arthur waved to them as they made eye contact. He began summoning his magic.

There is no way they will be able to make it through all those creatures. What should I do? What should I do?

"Arthur! Take them!" Lillian shouted, releasing a bright flashing light which blinded the creatures for a second. She grabbed Jasmine, who was holding Roman and with a burst of magic, threw them to him.

Arthur spread his magic out and grabbed her, "Caught you! Are you ok?"

Lillian's barrier broke the moment they reached him. Creatures began crawling up her dress, gnawing at her flesh. Hundreds of little footsteps climbed up each other.

"Get off me. Ouch. Ew. Ah, F**k. Is this how I die? Really?"

"Lillian!" Jasmine shouted, trying to make her way to her but Arthur held her back. "What are you doing? Let me go or you help her!"

"Jasmine! It's ok." Lillian gasped out from the mountain of creatures swallowing her whole. "I told you I would take care of this."

"Lillian!"

They watched as Lillian disappeared under that mountain and they watched as the creatures dispersed, leaving nothing behind.

Not even the flame.