Shogun XII: The Awakening Remnant (Part Two)

My apologies Kayla"

          Allanah said modestly rubbing the back of her head.

"You shocked me"

    With the grand elder standing in the midst of the court addressing the room, all ears fell to him to set the tone to introduce the proposal of unity amongst the sovereign resting before him. 

"For many centuries, we have identified ourselves in various cultures, political views, and heritage that we are profound of. From a Monarchy, to a Plutocracy, Theocracy, and even Communism, we are still recognized under the 13 kingdoms of Namira. Separately we have lost a great deal through the terrorist group Freiheit, who assume they are free of our laws. With this new treaty forged by King Branston Artorius Pendragon, we shall begin a new age for prosperity and harmony."

    The words of the elder cycled in the minds of noblemen & women in the room lingering on every word he spoke. It was a great historical event that could reassure the future for the youth like Allanah, and end this renegade group of agitators. People had grown tired of living in fear of the Freiheit, judging whether it followed their view of the old world before the incarnation of Namira. To hold on to the past for power instead of building a legacy for the future is their ideal way. Branston among the sovereign rose from his seat to address the others seated next to him. Looking around, he felt that in his heart that the others should know what happened merely before the sun rose. But as he thought, he grew weary of what the impact might be if he told. Upon each member, he glanced at the sovereign, each sitting in front of an insignia marked on the table. He sighs. 

"I would like to address a matter that is prominently urgent. I wish to make it known…"

             Curious of the king's statement, the elders began to mutter among themselves. Thinking cautiously of what might be unveiled not only to them but hundreds of nobles in the dormitory.

Summoning the words for everyone to hear was quite difficult, since this could change the entire outcome of the summit. The meaning behind the treaty was to establish a new age of peace, prosperity, and amendment for all the wars and blood split by every country upon this world. Allanah could see from afar that her father was battling his inner thoughts; mustering up the courage to speak out to the others. It was something she had never seen before in her father. Once a proud man that stood for what he believed and spoke from his heart now hovered in a shroud of shame & doubt. Continuously it bothered her to see her father like this, but the thought of something this devious had tattered her father's spirit to this point. 

"Elders… My fellow Sovereign, & nobles of the court. I bring word of a diabolical travesty that bore just before the sun graced our eyes."

    A clamour of words flowed through the room like a whisper in the wind; imagining what utter acts that couldn't  be spoken of before the signing of the treaty.

"In my honor, I wish to keep nothing from the summit. Which will allow the fates to decide what path we will take today."

    Like everyone else, Allanah and Kayla were on the edge of their seats, pondering what her father was about to announce.

"Before the midnight hour, the research camp established five miles in Galveston Mines was attacked."

    Gasps arose from everyone in the room. How could such a thing have been kept so quiet for so long? Who all knew of this in the Royal courts? Some may have been members of noble families. Questions uproar through the room, shouting at the king and the courts for not being notified of this immediately when it happened. 

"When we arrived on the scene, the entire camp and mine had been destroyed by a massive explosion caused by a synchronized mechanism that laid throughout the underground cavern. Thousands of lives from Royal, to Shadow, and Striking citizens were lost last night. All in the efforts to stop our ploy of achieving world peace and a new system that will cripple the Freiheit once and for all." 

But what would stop them from doing something this diabolical again? To stop the development of the treaty? Who is to say that they will continue to kill and kill until fear has conquered the minds of even the sovereign. These questions filled the hearts of the nobles in the room; some muttering these things aloud.  

"Again & again, we preach about change!!! Banter about disemboweling the very cowardice of the Freiheit that grow rogue of our laws and continue to slaughter human life to inspire fear to control nations. I've heard among all the noblemen across the world speak upon this but never act upon their words."

Branston's words struck a nerve towards the nobles of the room; arising tempers that sprung shouting and flustered words to be bellowed from the highest seats of the dormitory.  Branston yet turned the ties, speaking humbly amongst them with condoning words to silence them of their atrocious tempers

  "Ladies and Gentlemen… Fellowship of the Crown… Members of the various Parliament around the world. I come standing before you not only as a king of this land, not as a member of the Crown Sovereign, but as a human being that has watched our world suffer in the hands of our own delusion of conquest that has borne about the vile incarnate of the Freiheit. For years, we have watched many nations shed blood upon the idea of righteousness or justice. Fighting senseless battles that only led to more sacrifices in heart. As a crown member, we only saw victory, triumph, power, and all these things that fueled our ignorance and aligned our pockets with wealth. Only while others thrive to survive and overcome the aftermath of our so called campaigns.  Wars have been fought repeatedly in every kingdom that resides in this world, and the only thing we have to show for it…"

          IN his subtle pause from his divisive speech, Branston set his eye upon each member lingering on his words that address the nations of the blissful reality that they indulge.

"Is nothing, but despair… We are no better than the enemy that threatens to take the very idea of what freedom and prosperity is, and corrupt it into a blind source of persecution for our own benefits. I have seen it done time and time again even within our walls. Even my ancestors were guilty of doing so… But time is against us now. Namira won't wait for us to repent for the grave catastrophic wound we have dealt. These twelve kingdoms won't have a future to look forth to, nor see their children thrive to the greatest potential you see them for. Not unless we decide today that we are held accountable for everything done positive & negative… From us to our ancestors… We must make a change."

         Indeed his words stirred the minds of the courts, young & old. Some thinking that this is a show to preserve the sanction of the Royal Order, while others thought that the king had faltered on a ruse of accountability of the rich. Nevertheless, it did probe the minds of nobles with thought; ideally thinking that this may be something that has become an endless tireless loop of self-preservation of one's comfort.

"For over a decade, myself and many others have devise an alternative to lift the scales of karma in our favor. And finally, it is time for us as a united nation to step forth to reclaim the horizon of peace that needs to impale this world. We may differ in religion, race, wealth, and even in idea. But when it is said and done all of our graves will be the same."

                 Branston strolled from wall to wall, preaching to the noblemen that followed his steps word for word. Reality was nothing more than a mirage that noblemen have created for themselves to boast their confidence and stature among others that turn to them for wisdom. But, times have changed. A greater threat has challenged the world that they mustered with politics and the consumption of power over others.

"In a presidency of this doctrine that has been forged, on behave of the General Taiga of the Striking Kingdom, the Shadow king of the Shadow kingdom, and myself, we ask you to join the United Neutral Peace Treaty that will set upon a new age of peace among all the kingdoms."

   Those that heard who had signed before them were shocked by their very nature. Before, the Striking Kingdom & the Shadow were the greatest alliance to be forged since the Royal influenced their younger sibling country to the north. But the previous war had torn the two apart and made them both bitter enemies until now. For someone to reunite the two must have a great deal of power of influence to persuade the two tyrants that were feared by thousands. A grave accomplishment meant only one thing to the court that murmured whispers throughout the dormitory. That Branston had won their respect in some way of fashion.

"I see that many of you question whether this is a gammon to deceive you all, but I assure you it is not."

   Unravelling the elongated scroll that was the treaty amongst the other crowned sovereign, Branston continued to portray his role to the masses as the spearhead of this.

"Fifteen years ago, Namira saw the greatest war ever known in history happen. We lost soldiers, armies, cities, legendary heroes…"

   Amongst them, Branston glanced at the few of the crown staring back at him, knowing that he spoke of those close to them that had perished in this Great War some time ago.

"Loved ones that we still ache for til this day."

          His attention is then brought back to the audience captivated by bringing this wave of peace into certitude.

"I have nothing to hide from the court. Which I only speak truth to you all. We may have a threat out there urging us to face them head on. Even in our own homes, we may be staring down our very enemy in the eye."

            This is a king Allanah admired. A man who chose to build his path in life and legacy through shaping the future for the youth to live in harmony, prosperity, and no war. The doubts of the room fluttered into nothing but empty breaths carrying in the wind. From the chest of nobles all alike, a warmth of excitement and indulgence overcame their hearts. Knowing that the king only spoke the truth of conquering cowardice, which is acting upon their words. Chanting followed by an applaud rose from the silence of the room. He had done what he dreamt of. Winning the hearts of the noblemen from across the seas. They stood and clapped, knowing that he was honest in his speech; inciting a new found pride in many that would aid in the sovereigns' endeavors. Allanah stared at her father proud. Watching her father, the king mold the world for her to rule someday in glory. From the podium, the elder lifted his hand to the room to silence the applauding of the people. Silence became of them quickly. 

"King Branston… Your noble honesty seems to stir the idea of continuing the treaty."

               Branston replies.

"If so, then I have done what needed to be done." 

"But what of the culprit that led these terrorist attacks?"

                 The heavy voice that trimmer over the shoulder of Branston, was known to one man. The king of shadows questioned Branston's pledge, leading there to be more told than what he stated. 

"From what I heard, you and your men capture the fiend responsible for this. And if memory serves me right…"

               The towering king  stood up among the others at the table, and then made his way towards Lord Branston's side. 

"The prisoner is a member of your own court, if I'm not mistaken."

              Branston couldn't deny the claim of what the king said. There was no reason to lie or even defend what the man in custody had done.

"We have, and yes he is a member of my court."

"A knight at that."

             Frustration grew of the king's probing questions about the criminal. Biting his lip, Branston was obligated to reply grunting underneath his breath. 

"Indeed."

              Glaring up toward the elders, the shadow king insisted on knowing this deviant and stood eye to eye with him.

"Shall we bring in the prisoner?"

             Curious themselves, the elders nodded in agreement to see who caused such a travesty and why. Waving forth, the knights standing near an exit door left the chamber to retrieve the rogue knight. It wasn't long before the guards returned with the imprisoned knight as requested. The cathedral-like doors boomed with a loud echo as the doors broke the seal entering the chamber of the room. As the tall doors opened, it revealed the rogue knight bearing chains around his arms, ankles, and waist. He looked like hell. His clothes tattered and tore, his long locks of hair covered in dirt and ash as well as his face smeared with the black soot. Barely was he recognizable, but every one of the Royal court knew exactly who the knight was. Allanah and Kayla both couldn't believe it was a known knight that would do such a thing against his own people.

"Accolon…"

              Trudging to the pew, the guards nearly had to drag him to stand before the elders menacingly glaring at him in disgust.   Chatter quickly fluttered through the room once more; many making acquisitions of the knights reasoning for doing what he did. The whispers became silent again once the elder lifted his hand once more to the room. Accolon, the knight Branston had known since he was a child, stood before him and his peers with the stain of dishonor upon his chest. Steadily he held his head down, letting his dirty blonde locks obscure his face from the court. It was shameful that a young knight of his caliber would throw away the honor of his family.

"Accolon; Knight of Gravesbury… You stand before us today as a dishonored knight… A traitor to the kingdom… And a mass murder of the innocent. Before we proceed with protocols of a trial, how do you plead?"

            Mindlessly, he stood with no motion or an attempt to answer the elder speaking to him. Accolon stood soullessly upon his feet, deaf to the known world around him.

"Accolon…"

            The elder spoke louder for Accolon to hear, but with some frustration in his voice. But yet, no answer.

"Accolon…"

            He said with more bass in his tone. Accolon then began to sway back and forth in a pivoting motion; barely rocking upon his heels as though he was trying to remain stable. The shadow king standing behind, stepped forth and took Accolon by his long dirty hair. With his hand nearly wrapping completely around his head, the king yanked the knight back and shoved him into the stone floor to his knees.

"This is enough. Mercy is for the weak, and a trial will do no justice for those who have perished in this man's endeavors!!! I say we make a statement of him and address to all the members of the Freiheit that we will not back down in their demise!!"

            From the table of sovereign, the queen of the Earth kingdom short in stature rose from her chair to interject on the king's proposal. Petite, the ebony queen wearing the bear like cloak and golden wreath upon her head rested calmly among Branston & the Shadow king at the head of the table.

"Usually I would agree with executing members of the Freiheit without hesitation, but in this situation, we need information from him. It may be direr to what they are planning against the Crown Sovereign. I say let a trial commence at an appropriate time."

            Branston quickly followed.

"I agree also... We need to know more about the Freiheit, while proceeding with the Treaty."

            Not all would advise the same. Even though the queen had a point, others of the crown would think otherwise of their statement.

"Why would we? It would only show that we are weak and too merciful towards criminals like him."

            The others turn to question those who spoke out against them. Far toward the end of the table, resting with his feet folded upon the surface and his hands resting in the cradle behind his head was the Typhoon king himself. Carelessly seated with a slouch in his posture, the king presented himself more of an unruly man with the least bit of interest in Accolon's outcome. With his Azul cloak laced with golden trim draped over the chair, and his golden crown with fleece wings hovering over his ears he presented a distasteful demeanor that scorn the appearance of royalty.

 "Aaron… We have to show them that we are better than them."

          Neyala the Queen Gaea opposed the Typhoon king, but still his lack of interest in the matter bothered the others. 

"It doesn't matter… War is inevitable and we in the Typhoon will be ready like always."

        Waving his hands in the air carelessly, he implies.

"So behead the bastard and get it over with."

        But next to him spoke calmly and less vulgarly was the leader of the Water kingdom. An elderly wise man dapper in sapphire  cassock with attached pellegrina and girded with a fringed white fascia,  a pectoral cross suspended from a gold cord, and red papal. Upon his head was a tall golden zucchetto embedded with a cross-like object and a tear in the center. Not as loud as the others, the wise elderly man with snow hair spoke to calm the tension of the others. 

"I believe it is fair to gather what we need from him, but also, he needs to make amends for what he has done to innocent souls lost last night. We as leaders of the free world must make sufficient decisions involving the lives of our people. With the Freiheit infiltrating some part of our kingdom, we need to learn each individual take and who they are. Or we would still be fighting the battle blind." 

          The others couldn't help but to understand the wise sovereign's point of view. Just him alone was able to contort the minds of those wishing to make a spectacle out of Accolon before the other nobles in the chambers. 

"Divine Arch Bishop… You speak reasoning amongst the rest of us." Even the Shadow king admitted. For the queen of the heavens, it was shocking to hear the Shadow king agree with the divine arch bishop after the long history they held. Other than the Shadow king, the Divine Arch Bishop was next to be the eldest of the sovereign; nearly his time was reaching a century, but from his appearance it would say another. Those of the kingdom of waves always possessed the gift to age gracefully. Being that they specialize in healing, they could have found some sort of ability to lengthen their lives or uphold their health far beyond others. Nevertheless, the queen was skeptical of the dark king's instant change of heart. Keeping her words at bay, the beautiful queen held her tongue to see how this would all play out. The elders of the Royal courts agreed with the Divine ArchBishops idea; noting it to the court.

"Then he shall stand here and now of his crimes. But no sentence will be given until further decisions by us of the council." 

        Compelled to relinquish his brute actions, the Shadow king lifted his massive knee from the neck of Accolon. He stepped back from the tattered knight, turning his attention back towards the elders that ruled against the execution. Branston and the others stood in silence, waiting for the moment to resolve the tense situation. Silence thought to have flooded the room until whispers of the noblemen in the stands began to flow through the dormitory. Even though no one paid attention towards Accolon after the fact, other than Allanah staring with a smug frown upon her face. From the stands, Allanah could see a miasma spewing from Accolon's body; pouring from him as water was inundating his head. His eyes began to bleed, along with his ears. Twitching, Accolon began to act somewhat deranged; frequently twitching and popping bones throughout his neck and back. 

"What the hell is happening?"

          The young ebony holy man from before also questioned what he was seeing. Being that they were the only two that could see it happening. Accolon, gritting his teeth, started bleeding from the side of his mouth, blood pouring down each corner.

            This maniacal beast engulfed in his own self miasma ripped through the iron chains bounding his hands, legs, and waist as though it was mere child's play. As blood spewed from his eyes and mouth, the possessed knight turned his sights intentionally upon the iron king just noticing him ravishing from his imprisonment. Before the Shadow king could counter with a deadly strike of his own, Accolon, with god-like speed & strength evaded the piercing claws of the king aiming to follow through with his execution. Swiftly stepping aside, Accolon grasped the arm of the king; bearing immense force to where the armor he wore cracked under Accolon's grapple. Undeniable force, Accolon used his newly found dark powers to bend the massive arm of the king behind his back, and then smash his foot into the back of his knee. Collapsing to the ground from the blow, Accolon swung the massive king around like a rag doll in his midst to display his questionable strength. Bearing his power over the king in front of the other sovereign that watched in sheer astonishment as he trounced the Shadow king as mere pawn, they feared that this was a stage for the Freiheit to show those of the crown how powerful they were. Knights, guards, and all race to the side of their crown to protect them from any imminent attacks from him or any sort that may arise from the crowd. The mayhem threw the entire order of the summit into chaos, nobles fleeing for their lives in fear of what may come from the attack upon the crown. Flooding the doors, the guards that manned the exits were becoming overpowered by the herd of frightened lords & ladies stampeding through the narrow way. Allanah, unlike the others, stood her ground to see what outcome may bring from this travesty. Kayla and herself standing near the base of the floor, tried to reach Branston and Ector who stood in the line of the action.

"Ahhhhh…"

            The parade of the hysterical flock made it difficult for Allanah and Kayla to guide their way through the crammed aisles. While below, Accolon, bearing pressure down upon the king's arm, locked the lord in place, idling by as guards raced to seize him from any more threats. Possessing Branston in his sight, Accolon shouted with rage and fortitude for the entire summit to hear.

"Lebe unter den befreuten: Live among the free!!!"

            Those words lost in a language of time transcended something within Branston. It wasn't fear, it wasn't anger, but a mesmerizing vibe that traveled down his spine and into his legs. Before he knew what was going on, Branston's body had gone limp, numb in a way that he could barely stand on his own two feet. Amelia: the heaven queen, saw as something came upon him unnaturally without a doubt. Suddenly, the Royal king nearly falling to the ground took a striking stance, with his hand gripping the sword to his side.

"Branston???"

            For what she thought, Amelia believed that Branston was going to end this himself. Presuming that he was filled with rage that the Freiheit would yet again try and sabotage the fate of the world he dedicated his life to. From his stance, Branston exerted himself into a strike; lunging toward Accolon with amazing force that cracked the stone beneath his feet as he launched. Drawing his sword, Branston lifted his blade high and pulling back to pierce his enemy while soaring for them. Cascaded in a cloak of teal aura, Branston's long great sword forged into a massive piercing lance that nearly obscured his arm. So many watched as the king took this outbreak into his own hands, leading to end this without any fear of casualties in the midst. For what people thought, until Accolon lifted the Shadow king into Branston's directly sight of attack. Ector racing toward them, knew that Branston was not pulling back from his strike even though the shadow king was in his line of fire.

"Branston don't!!!"

            Even Allanah saw where this was leading. Fearing the grave mistake that her father was about to commit, she screamed to the top of her lungs to grasp his attention away from the attack.

"FATHER STOOOOPPPPP!!!"

            But nothing could break the trance that had possessed Branston to attack unconsciously. Little to no hesitation, Branston lunged forward to pierce the iron chest of the king and slay the possessed Accolon that held the king hostage. No matter what cost, Branston would not stop in the endeavour to fulfill his dream of uniting the kingdoms in a new age of prosperity. Not even the life of the immortal shadow king who stood as the obstacle that plunged the world into utter chaos for centuries because of his selfishness. 

"BRANSTON!!!!"

            They all pleaded to him, but their words fell on deaf ears. Branston commenced with his strike, blazing forward to end this mayhem that spewed devastation. Shouting from afar, Amelia called out raising her hand….

"AOIN!!!!!"

            Before Branston's lance could reach the shield of the Shadow king, the young swordsman that escorted the Heaven Queen Amelia to the summit appeared in an instance before Branston's blade. With the thrust of his single edge broadsword that stood as tall as nearly two men, the warrior summoned by the name Aoin deflected the attack with a single swing. A thunderous force swept through the floor, nearly throwing a few members of the summit to the floor. Glaring up, everyone saw Branston's massive lance soaring through the air, while he fell upon his backside. Flustered by Branston's failed attempts, Accolon took the rest of the matters into his own hands. Drawing a dagger hidden in the locks of his long dirty hair, Accolon drew back to stab the king in his exposed throat between his armor.

"Shit!!"

            Ector shouted lunging to cease Accolon from committing another great sin.  

"RAGGGGHHHHHH!!!"

            He roared, collapsing on the king glaring back at him. But before he could even bear his blade upon the vital flesh of the king, his head and arm suddenly fell to the floor. Seizing Branston into custody, the knights that bared their weight upon the king glanced up to see the General of the Striking kingdom standing  pass the headless body of Accolon with a gigantic single edge axe trickling with blood from the decapitation.  The shadow king rose from the floor, holding his wounded arm that seemed to be crushed by the grip of Accolon. Turning toward the General, the King expressed his gratitude for his actions that saved his life. 

"Many thanks to you, General Taiga."

           Cleaning his blade with a cloth that dangled from his side, Lord Taiga, he was presented, paid no mind to the king's words. Only remarking with an unsubtle comment. 

"I didn't save you for your sake, Shadow King. I merely wish to see how this experiment with human nature continues after such trivial obstacles have presented itself. Simply having you vanquished would catastrophically ruin the entire ordeal. Plus I have invested a large amount of my time in this, and I hate to see it wasted on petty antics."

        Curious, the king responds.

"You see my life as a pawn in one of your little experiments, Taiga?"

        Taiga then retorts.

"Call it what you want, I merely have interest in results in trials involving human survival."

    Such a travesty has never been committed in the halls of the Royal council, or even the presences of the Crowned Sovereign. Those that coward from the scene finally eased their nerves after both attackers were subdued by the guards. Ector, standing over Branston kneeling to the floor, couldn't believe what he had done. He quaked in anger, but more astounded of his oldest friend doing something this careless.

"Branston… What the hell is wrong with you?!!"

                Yet the king did not respond. He held his head to the floor with those same cold green eyes that Accolon possessed when he entered the court.

        Speaking of the matter, the Shadow king turned his attention towards his would-be executioner, knelt down across the way. Taking sight of Branston brought instant rage that fuelled the Shadow king to beset upon the vulnerable royal king.

"You treacherous bastard!!! You seek to take my life!!!"

        Exerting his metal claws from his long fingers, the shadow king sought to take vengeance and strike back at Branston. 

"I shall take yours!!!"

        Forming his hand into a pike, the Shadow king struck with the same ferocious fortitude Branston carried to pierce his heart. Everyone was horrified by both of their actions, many gasping that still remained in the chambers. 

"Noo"

         Ector broke his burning glare of rage towards Branston to draw his sword and defend his friend from the assault of the vindictive king.

"Ugh!!"

    But as he turned, Ector couldn't believe who had stepped in the quake of the impelling pike hurling towards them.

"What?"

    It was Amelia, the heaven queen standing fearlessly in the stead of the dark king's attack. 

 Immediately the king withdrew his strike, halting inches away from the queen's chest. Firmly, she remained unmoved while her eyes burned through the helmet of the king. 

"Move aside, winch!!! His life belongs to me."

        Fierce as her rival, the queen replied.

"I will not, you soulless wretch from hell."

         Further his anger grew, the shadow king revised another insulting comment towards the queen. 

"Move, or I will rip out your heart like I did your husband's."

         The dreadful comment only filled the queen with more emotion that reflected upon her expression clearly. A cold blank stare that was igniting with an old pain that had yet to heal from losing her beloved years ago.  The travesty of her husband's demise by the man standing before her forged an unbearable pain that quaked the soul of the queen with rage. Burning with fury, the queen ravished the king.

"You damn devil!!! Go to hell!!!"

"That is enough."

            From those that remained after the vicious onslaught of the attempted attacks, the Royal elder that led the summit beforehand had reemerged into the presence of the Crown Sovereign. Only he and another remained while the rest fled the pew for their lives during the attack. The elders that remained grew questionable of why Branston would do such a thing in front of the world to see.

"My lord, why?!!! This goes without a doubt a crime against the Crown Sovereign!!!"

                No words could be muttered by the king. Simply he knelt, resting in his own little world while everyone else's words fell deaf.

"Branston!!!!"

                The elder shouted in anger.

"This sacred hall has already been tainted by the acts of one of our own. We need to not spread any more blood upon these floors."

           Yet the other elders spoke idyllic to dissolve the aching heartache of their fallen king. This blunder by Branston dishonored the elders and saddened them for all that was done could be unravelled before their eyes in moments.   Already distempered by nearly losing his life, the Shadow king turned his callous words toward the two elders cowering high upon their pew.

"Such a farce!!! You plotted to summon us together in all attempts to target our lives. How do we know that others in your court have not been compromised by the Freiheit?!!!

            Calm now, the elder held his tongue from flailing slew bashful words, but spoke just toward the king.

"It was never our intention for any of this to happen. We knew nothing, or what possessed our king to act in a way."

            The Shadow king raised his voice, protruding it loud enough for it to echo throughout the halls.

"I will be damned if I let some hopeless fool play this beguile hero that silences the immortal shadow!! I would take his head along with his kingdom!!"

            The queen bearing the scorn of hatred, reiterates to the king.

"Then you would not only start a war with the Royal kingdom, but also the Heaven kingdom as well."

            Without any hesitation, the shadow king stated.

"Then that would only add to the slain crowns upon my mantle then. I've circumvented my old actions for King Branston's idea of a new world. Thinking that mortals have changed and stand firm in the path to balance the scales of Namira. But I was wrong to ever trust him, and regret having placed my name upon this lie of a treaty."

"You only see the veil that has been casted by the Freiheit over your eyes. The intentions of the treaty were all in good nature to better the world."

            Neyala emerged from the wall of her uniformed escorts, speaking in order to preserve the frail meeting and its real purpose.

"Damn your words Neyala… The Quake kingdom is still in debt to the Royal from the war years ago. So you only bow to their needs when presented."

            Defending Neyala, the heaven queen counters to his iconoclast.

"A war you started and nearly destroyed not one, but two kingdoms!!"

            Stepping towards the queen in a fierce trudge that quakes the ground beneath his feet, the king eclipsing the queen bearing his hateful eye glaring with a red bloodshot aura that pierce the shadow of his mask.

"And yet to win, her great grandmother had to spread her legs to Branston's grandfather for aid in ceasing my campaign to colonize the warring states that their queen could not unite.."

            The grating words sparked flame within Neyala that nearly set her off. Tempted to pounce on the king, she somehow restrained herself from acting out in front of the others. But it couldn't be helped, that her eyes had turned gold with the rivers of blood coursing through the veins in her eyes. She boar fangs as long as any beast and claws that could rip through any man within an instant.

"You son of a…"

            The shadow king's words had torn this civil engagement into a dangerous plateau of violence among royalty. He knew he controlled their emotions and played them into his favor.

"Now step aside, and let me do what must be done."

            Both Queens wouldn't move an inch against the tyrant that used his words and size to intimidate. Standing their ground, both glared up at the king, waiting to see if he would act upon his words to slaughter those in his way. Allanah couldn't bear to idle by anymore from the stands; trembling in fear at the demise of her father's reign.  Neither side moved an inch. Both Queens were ready for anything that the Shadow king may try to get to Branston resting helpless upon his knees. That was until…

"I would be patient with your resolve to take Branston's life Shadow King"

            Abiding their feud, the Queens and Shadow king turned their attentions toward the elder Divine ArchBishop observing Branston with a keen eye hovering over him. Nearly closed, the Bishop gradually opened his eyes to gaze upon Branston, numb to the reality that existed around him. From his cold sky blue eyes an aura filled his sight to look beyond what had taken the mind of the fallen king. A mist of almond shade enlightened his view, now observing what the others could not see in their presence. Around Branston's neck wrapped a serpent formed from a dark miasma that was familiar to the cursed aura that engulfed Accolon. With its blood piercing red eyes, the serpent steadily spoke into Branston's ear; keeping him under the trance of a spell deployed by someone prior.

"He is hexed."

            Unbelievable. How could this be? The others couldn't have imagined that one of their own would have fallen under such a forbidden spell without anyone around him knowing. They gasp, shaken by the fact. 

"What do you mean hexed? Who could have done such a thing?"

    The Heaven queen asked with worry quivering in her voice.

"It is hard to tell. The spell has no direct link to its caster, and there is no telling when this spell is going to resolve itself."

    For the moment, Neyala had forgotten about her vigorous feud that had erupted only a few moments ago with the Shadow king, and began reminiscing about something similar to Branston. With her hand to her chin, she thought long and hard about where she had seen this. Then it dawned on her the exact moment she was trying so hard to remember.

"I've seen this before. When the Omon interrogated captured members of the Freiheit. To stay quiet, their higher ups cast this hex spell on their subordinates so they won't leak any information…."

    She approaches Branston to closely observe the forbidden spell for herself 

"Majority of the time, it ends in the victim dying from it. Because of the comatose state they are in. They won't eat or sleep until the body gives up on them." 

    Trivial, the elders had to make a decision that was against their very interest. For circumstances have presented themselves in odds against the dream lord Branston desired. Breathing deeply to ease his nerves, the elder stepped forth to announce.

"In the event of Branston being unable to fulfill the duties of the Treaty, we must set this agenda aside and undergo the investigation of our king with the infiltrators that may still be roaming our grand halls."

         The shattering of those words filled Allanah instantly with rage. Her rebellious action, she speaks out amongst the few remaining nobles to defend her father.

"No!!!"

       They all turned, staring at Allanah leaning over the reels of the stands. 

"My father worked his entire life to make this happen!!! We can't just throw it away!!" 

            The Shadow King then asked.

"Then what should we propose to Princess Allanah?!!! Idle by while another one of us becomes a traitor among the crown?!!"

          Subtle to the moment, the elder asks for Allanah to join the crown in her father's stead. Waving her forth to stand amongst the others to voice her opinion against vetoing the treaty. 

"Allanah, please come down and speak."

        It didn't take long before Allanah was marching towards the members of the crown with a scorn glare in her eyes. As she trudges directly for the Shadow king, her attention suddenly is caught by her helpless father mindlessly being held in contempt. The shameful sight brought some doubt, but it couldn't distract what her true intentions were. Since she was a child, her father spent many hours and days drafting and forging this treaty to build a new world without chaos. She watched, observing her father's every action, building this idea of a passionate kingdom that sought the true meaning of peace. Every step she took a memory appeared of her father achieving another step towards his goals. Tears began to swell into her eyes, but she couldn't let the others see her vulnerable emotions; and hinted towards any weakness in standing for her father's idea. Standing side by side, Allanah stood her ground next to the armored king that made her appear as an infant in stature. Yet this did not phase her.

"As my father is impaired to speak or defend himself, I will be stepping into his place."

    A young girl of her age had no experience in royal affairs, or for what the elders thought as they gazed down upon her with a wiry eye. There were doubts, unknowing if she was able to maintain or even uphold the stature of father's treaty. Boldly she stood before the pew with a fire burning in her eye to succeed in the negative endeavours that have cursed her father's future of the crown. No matter the cost, Allanah already made up her mind that she was not going to let this dream of her family's fall because of other's  jealousy and fear.

"Allanah, are you willing to do what it takes to foresee this through and through?"

    Without hesitation, she nods.

"I am!!"

    Others doubted also, but did not let their words grow in silence.

"You leave the fate of the world in the hands of a mere girl?!!"

    Aaron spoke. 

"If we don't see through this, what other possible outcomes could transpire in the Royal king's absence? This experiment would allow several positive outcomes that will affect more of society below high ranks and henceforth repair social impairments that may avoid riots or at most anarchy with the kingdoms."

    It appeared that Taiga had already predicted certain events that may transpire in the wake of the king's replacement of someone that he assumed feeble. Allanah didn't let the words of the general corrupt her thought of backing down from her duty. She held it all within, not revealing the inevitable state that was on the brink of the surface. But all she knew is that her father needed her right now. Taking her place by his side upon a bent knee, she stared into the presence of what was once her beloved father held in the prison of the mind. Allanah showed them a familiar trait that won them over at first by Branston. Unknowing of this feeling, Allanah words of a compassionate nature touched the heart of those that reigned in the corner of her father. 

"We have to do something to reverse this!! My father has done so much for not only our kingdom, but for those around the world. We can't let this end him!!"

    Doubtful, the others looked upon her. Knowing that it is slim for her father to ever break the hex and live. But it wasn't spoken aloud, to savor any little hope Allanah may have possessed towards her father. Amelia, the heaven queen could only sympathize with Allanah fearing to lose her father because of the cowards that feared losing their powers. Kneeling down, she placed her hand upon her shoulder to speak words of comfort to her.

"We will find a way Princess Allanah."

    The shadow king himself sheathed his claws, knowing that this was out of his hands and Branston. Cloaking his damaged arm, the iron king faced the elders that shook in question of where this outcome could lead. 

"I offer my apologies to you and the other members of the Crowned Sovereign. Yet I still have an ill temper for my age, it was not of me to threaten the life of someone cursed by deviants."

    Gazing towards Allanah, the king offers.

"In his stead, I accede that Princess Allanah be instated upon the throne, until the trials for Branston have concluded. The treaty may be stale at the moment, but can still be implemented for further progression of contracts done prior by multiple kingdoms and their organizations that are contributing. It is only right for his daughter to succeed in her father's absence as it will be sooner or later."

    The others couldn't believe that the Shadow king would agree to such a thing to the court after the fuss he stirred. Out of the ordinary, he would have slain all three without a second thought. Despite the shortcomings of the summit, it was best to offer a solution instead of causing more issues. 

"I yet imply that we have a member from my court assist with the investigation and also with any political council other than your own. We have foreign ties now that none of us can afford to forfeit.."

    Allanah, wary of her father's state, paid little mind to the idea of her becoming the spearhead of the kingdom. She gazed into Branston's cold eyes that appeared soulless from the hex placed on him. 

"Whatever to not let my father's dreams die."

    The elders had no other choice but to go along with the idea. No one opposed or spared to summon any other path to resolving this travesty. 

"I see then. Then Princess Allanah shall take the throne in her father's absences and continue the development of the treaty. Until then, we must keep Lord Branston imprisoned until he is hopefully freed from this accused spell." 

    Concluding this dreadful summit, the crowned sovereign spoke their farewells and departed from the dormitory one by one. Yet still standing, the young ebony lord that accompanied the Divine ArchBishop gazed upon Allanah bearing the weight of seeing her father dragged away like some common criminal to the dungeons below the castles. It was sympathetic to feel that heartbreak, but he could not express it among those in the public. Simply, he stared with eyes of content. That was until the Shadow king interrupted his view; strolling passed as he exited the grand hall. His eyes narrowed, feeling unease as the king gave off an unusual resonance that quaked him to his core. Even the sword beared by his side sang in the presence of the king. Quickly he grasped his hilt to cease the singing of his blade, knowing that something was not right with the king. Hesitant, the towering king paused in his steps to glance one final time at the young holy man. 

"Hmmm."

    It wasn't only him, but the young knight Aoin also glaring at the king in his quake. Arousing tension grew and grew until the king was finally out of sight of them. Though Allanah remained on a bending knee, quivering in fright of what fate her father has. It was unknown, and terrifying to see everything crumbling before her eyes. Kayla could see the pain shrouding over Allanah, and couldn't help but comfort her at this time. Taking her into her arms, Allanah rested her head on her shoulder , trembling. No one knew of what would become of the kingdom of the royal, and how allanah would manage to replace her father now. Everyone departed, leaving the land to return to their home kingdom. The festive day that everyone waited for had ended in such despair. Within the halls, yet other members of the crown that were overshadowed by the Shadow king and the queens spoke among themselves leaving the grand halls.

"It seems that war is inevitable."

    From the young nubian king with the tradesmen garments of gold & silver. His head shaved into a frohawk with silver earrings aligned around his ears. He conversed with the arab king doused in gold trinkets, white garments, a ruby sash and a golden crown.

"That will be so. I just fear the future of that young girl as she is about to traverse with the devil."

    For the words that were spoken, their eyes turned back toward the towering shadow king standing among those still in the summit. Both knew that the king had made his mark among the others, and manipulated everything to seem as though he was the victim in all this.

"Be prepared  King Zedekiah of the Desert."

The day went on after the damnation of the king spread through the land as a plague of the old testaments. The damp musk of sorrow had filled the air, and placed a blanket of distress upon the citizens that once cheered in the streets for the new day. Now they wait in wiry of what tomorrow may bring since it was uncertain who the land may fall to. For the king of the shadowlands, he drowned himself in thought of what dawn may bring as he stood at the helm of his iron ship watching the sun fade past the horizon in the distance. The waves crashed along the bow of the ship, mesmerizing the mind of the king in a subtle serene essence. Patiently he waited for night to fall, watching with an unease nerve of the twilight hour bearing upon the world. Alone, the king took pleasantry in idling to himself observing the transcendence of the world before his eyes. That was until a presence suddenly accompanied him upon the helm. Glancing over his shoulder, he witnessed a mirage of a figure ascending from the shadow that was lying on the floor. This being rose to be a young figure hidden behind a long grey cloak and iron mask that resembled the appearance of a wolf. 

"Trace…" 

    Knelt with his head bowed, the being known as Trace addressed the king.

"My lord… Did everything go as you predicted?"