Losses Of Success

Kystion looked at the small and slowly moving creature in the transparent tub. It has small tentacles and is slowly turning into violet. Kystion laughed, "Look at my wonderful creation, folks. Once it develops into its full potential, it will create havoc in the oceans and then no one would dare to attack me with their ships. I will be invincible." Xylon, one of Kystion's scientists said, "Beg your pardon, your Highness. But, it is not advisable to store such a fragile creature in this shady laboratory. Enemies might be already plotting plans to destroy your creation even before it reaches its full potential.

We should move the tub from here to the Royal laboratory. The equipment there is much better than here. Security is also three layered and we might be able to maximize the rate of the creature's growth three times." Kystion said, "I agree with you, Xylon. But, tell me what is more important. Victory or revenge?" Xylon replied, "Of course, victory is more important. Your Highness." Kystion said, "Wrong! Victory is plain salt. The spices come from the fire of revenge. I perfectly know what my enemies are plotting and I want them to do that too. It is much easier to kill the snakes that are lingering around us than the ones who are hiding in pits. I have planned all the ways to finish those pests even before they reach my precious creation."

Frankfurt entered the room and looked at them. Frankfurt was a man of seven feet and muscular. He has sideburns and a big handlebar moustache, both black as his heart. Frankfurt's left eye was split into two, years ago but using Kystion's magic, he developed the two splits into two eyes. Frankfurt looked at Xylon and asked in a horrifying angry voice, "Do you question my worth, you bespectacled moron? I can crush your head like a pumpkin if I want to." Xylon said frightened, "No, general lord. I was just trying to be extra cautious."

Frankfurt smirked, "Extra cautious? Wherever I stand, that area is double extra cautious. You were not even born when I was killing people twice your age and height with my bare hands. Whoever comes here will die and there is no doubt in that. I have gathered all my elite soldiers and will guard the laboratory till Kystion's creation doesn't come to its full potential." Maester Marcus entered the room and said, "Sir Kystion. The royal affairs are waiting for your approval. Things are getting very hasty as we slowly march towards a gigantic war." Kystion laughed, "Gigantic war, my foot. The elves are nothing in comparison to us. The previous war was not properly strategized and that's why Krymon lost and died a pathetic death. But, now those foolish elves and their weak leaders will die even a more pathetic death than Krymon."

Maester Marcus asked, "If we win the war, what will be our next step?" Kystion said, "I know what you are trying to imply, Maester. But, a coalition with the demons will be madness. Those wretches don't understand morality nor friendship. Selfish bastards. Krymon wanted to join hands with Assayah and Kayuba, but I have always hated his decision. Why should we trust the demons who have ambitions to conquer the world? History has always proved that the ones who stay under are always crushed first."

Frankfurt said, "I highly disagree with you, mate. Enmity with the demons is very lethal. I don't want to sound antagonistic but if you don't give them what they want, then you perfectly know what Xao Chang is capable of doing." Kystion said, "We will discuss the aftermath of the war after the war. Demons are not welcome here and that is for everyone's good fate only. If we don't show resistance against tougher enemies, what's the point of showing resistance anyway." He stormed out of the laboratory in an angry mood.

Frankfurt looked at Xylon and said, "Keep things steady here. I will take charge of the laboratory in a couple of minutes. I have an important job to do before coming here. Enemies shouldn't get a single chance of advantage here. Do you understand, bespectacled morons?" Xylon said, "Don't worry, General lord. We will keep the things as instructed by Lord Kystion." Frankfurt curled his lips and went away. Frankfurt walked towards his room as he mumbled, "I cannot let this arrogant man decide my future. Even earlier, his rash decisions led to deaths of both of our wife's deaths and Krymon became an orphan. Siding with the demons is the only viable option for us if we want to sustain further after the war.

Elves are weak but they are united which makes them a formidable opponent. If we don't ally with a stronger company, then slowly we will die from our own shortcomings and grudges and then the elves will take over the kingdom very easily." Maester Marcus asked, "You looked tense, Lord Frankfurt. What is bothering you?" Frankfurt turned around and said, "You startled me, Maester. What are you doing here? Following me?" Maester Marcus laughed, "When someone is capable of leading, then there is no shame in following him." Frankfurt asked, "What do you mean?" Maester Marcus said, "I know that you are not happy with Kystion's decision about the demons. I completely understand your motive, but Lord Kystion is right. Xao Chang is not trustworthy. He is an eccentric person and his tales of cruelty and betrayal are infamous all over the kingdom. Bacca, Assayah, Kenchi and Kayuba all are much similar to Xao Chang. None of them will stay true to their promises or oaths. But..."

Frankfurt asked, "But, what?" Maester Marcus said, "But, what if we don't have to side with the demons and still manage to survive and prosper for ages after ages?" Frankfurt said, "Don't talk in riddles. Speak properly what is in your mind." Maester Marcus said, "I'm talking about the Purple Mace. We all know its history and also know what Kappa is capable of doing. So, what if we steal the Purple Mace from Kystion and negotiate with Kappa and make him an ally?" Frankfurt slapped him and said angrily, "You wasted my precious time for this nonsense. Don't even dare to waste my time again in the future. You might not know what a great warrior Kappa is.

We will need the Blood Spear to even stand before him, let alone have a negotiation with him. Mend your ways, Maester. You don't want to die like Maester Cornwall. Do you?" Maester Marcus slowly walked away. Frankfurt said, "If you are successful in getting the Blood Spear, then we can do what you have planned. Without the spear, your whole plan is a suicide mission." Frankfurt walked away briskly. Maester Marcus mumbled, "Why does everything old motherfucker think he is the wisest person? I know what I'm doing and for that I don't need any idiot's advice." He walked towards the laboratory.

Alice and Vexana were sitting near the bonfire and munching some roasted walnuts. Vexana asked, "Nervous?" Alice said, "A lot. But, I think I can manage. It's my duty after all." Vexana said, "Don't be too indulged in Aliyah's patriotic bullshit. Staying alive is the foremost duty of anyone." Alice asked, "If you don't believe in patriotism, then what are you fighting for?" Vexana smiled, "Who said that I am not patriotic? I'm as much as anyone present here. But, my definition of patriotism is much different from what Aliyah inserted inside you.

For me, duty is like food. You eat it when you are hungry. But, love and family are like air. Ever present and ever needed. A single moment without them is harmful to life. For Aliyah, it is quite the contrary." Alice smiled, "You two love each other so much yet find it difficult to express your feelings. One hides behind false celibacy and the other hides behind false grief. Complete yourselves, guys. Life is much more than blaming each other. Queen Lagia was not kind to your love, but now you are strangling it." Vexana threw a walnut at Alice and said, "You are lecturing me because you haven't loved anyone yet. Look at Elgin. Earlier, he used to lecture both of us like you are doing. He would spend thousands of hours in the library to create legendary poems of our love and then would secretly send a book to Queen Lagia. You can't imagine how much beating Aliyah has given to Elgin for this mischief. But, now. He is running from his approaching responsibilities."

Alice said, "He's love story isn't as simple as yours. Unfortunately, he fell in love with one of the meanest girls I have ever seen. Cindy will never accept that an elf is the father of the unborn child growing inside her belly. She might even not believe that we are fighting ogres and demons like fairytales. Elgin is right. He cannot do anything for Cindy and believe me that he tried everything. But, now all the misfortunes fell on Cindy and therefore on Elgin too. So, now things will either go bad or go well, but it will go somewhere for sure." Vexana said, "You are advocating their love story like it is yours. Fantasizing about other people's love stories won't fill the void inside your heart. Tell me, what preferences do you seek in your future lover?"

Alice smiled and blushed, "Boys don't excite me nor do girls. Maybe, I don't have a preference because I never wanted to have one." Vexana said, "Don't give me such dull answers. One thing that I have learned from Aliyah is that containing sexual tension inside oneself often leads to devastating consequences." Alice asked, "Would you like to elaborate, please?" Vexana rose and said, "Some other time, for sure. If we stay alive." She slowly walked away towards her room. Alice also rose and slowly walked towards her room.

She opened the door and saw Yakub was sitting on her bed. Alice asked, "Did I enter the wrong room?" Yakub replied, "No, Alice. It is your room. I just came to have a little chat regarding your query for the special weapons." Alice said, "Yeah, I'm curious. But, right now it is not the perfect time for any chatting. I'm vigorously tired and might fall here if not on the bed." Yakub said, "The weapons are a very special commodity. Just in case something bad occurs with me, I want you to keep this information safe." Alice asked, "Why, what happened? Did you get threats from someone?" Yakub said, "Not really. But, I had a premonition earlier today that someone has killed all my coworkers and is about to kill me too."

Alice smiled, "As a woman of science, I really don't believe in premonitions. But, if you are so worried, then talk with Vexana. Why did you come to me?" Yakub replied, "Vexana is not the bearer of the Blood Spear, Alice. You are. The information that I have is very important and I can't trust anyone other than the rightful ruler of the kingdom in such dangerous times." Alice laughed, "All say that I'm some very important person. Yet, I don't feel any more powerful than you guys. In fact, the most common soldier of your army can defeat me in combat." Yakub replied, "Physical strength is only important for soldiers and wrestlers. The ones that craft the future of the kingdom and inspire the upcoming generation are the ones who had started their journeys as weak common people.

You are seeing your present, but I see the future. I'm a mere servant of the kingdom, so I shouldn't say this, but always remember one thing that "Justice cannot be compromised by blood." At some time in your future, you will be in a diversion where both ways will be painful for you, but it will be your duty to lead your kingdom through the difficult way towards prosperity." Alice said, "Why are you telling me all these right now?" Yakub replied, "Because now is the right time. Everything will be at stake and I know that most of us won't survive the war. I don't want to be remembered in history as a bandit but a loyal and honest servant of the kingdom who sacrificed his life happily for his kingdom. Come with me, ma'am. We can't waste any more time."

Alice and Yakub walked briskly towards the harbour as they were secretly entering the restricted part of the palace. Alice asked slowly, "Why are we hiding, Yakub? Don't you work here?" Yakub said, "Revealing our identities will slow us down. We don't have time to sign every paper on the way." They entered the room where a big lock was on the door of the vault. Alice asked, "Are the weapons here?" Yakub said, "Bow down, Alice." They bowed down when an arrow flew by them. Yakub quickly took out his sword and said, "We are late, Alice. Enemies have come here." An arrow came and struck in Yakub's left arm and another entered his shoulder blade. Alice said, "Yakub. Yakub." Yakub said slowly, "I failed. I failed. I failed to protect you." An arrow came and entered his neck. Alice started crying.

A laugh from behind interrupted her mourning. Maester Marcus and Frankfurt's elder son, Gregor came towards her and laughed. Gregor pulled Alice and said, "So, you are the one who has created so much havoc. I expected a bigger figure, but it looks like I have to satisfy myself with a smaller girl today." Maester Marcus said, "Don't do that, Gregor. She has the Blood Spear inside her. If you try to rape her, no one of us will stay alive." Gregor said, "I don't care. Such a puny human can't harm me even a little bit." He tore her clothes and took her on his shoulders. Maester Marcus said, "We should take out the spear first. You can rape her later." Gregor said angrily, "Don't interrupt me, Maester. I am not in the mood to listen to your lectures." He took Alice inside an empty room and closed the door. Maester Marcus said, "Idiots like him are the reason we are facing defeat. I have to think of another plan soon." He quickly exited from the room and ran away stealthily.

Gregor threw Alice on the floor and disrobed himself. Gregor smiled, "Once I finish fucking you, I don't have to kill you. You will die from the pain only." Gregor threw himself on her and started dishonouring her. He laughed, "There is no Mother Manaca and even if she is here. I will fuck her too and then I will kill everyone on responsible for the death of my dear friend, Krymon. I will burn all the houses, all the men and children and will make all the women my concubines." Alice looked at the dead body of Yakub and remembered what he said before dying. She closed her eyes and every memory of Yakub flashed before her eyes. In such a brief time, he trusted her so much that he sacrificed his life for her.

Her eyes started getting moist and inside of tears, blood started coming out from her eyes. Gregor looked at her and asked, "Why is blood coming from your eyes?" Alice slowly opened her eyes and every part of her eyes was bleeding. Her skin started to turn purple. Gregor tried to rise but Alice caught him. Alice bit his neck and teared a big chunk of meat from his neck. Gregor rose and started to run for his life, but Alice caught him and grabbed his cock and teared it. She punched him several times on his heart and then threw him towards the door. Alice then fell unconscious on the ground.

Vexana entered the room along with her soldiers. Sayana and Lynx were also with her. They looked at Yakub's dead body and then looked at Gregor who was lying on the ground, breathing his last. Vexana said, "Look for Alice." Vexana walked towards Gregor and looked at him and smiled, "I was looking for you since Krymon's death. But, now it looks like you got what you deserved. Monsters like you have no right to live." She repeatedly stomped on his head and then spit on him. Sayana came and said, "Alice is naked and bleeding. Looks like....." Vexana said, "Take her to the medic and never disclose this incident with anyone, especially Aliyah. She will never forgive me for this incident."

Vexana took out her sword and chopped off Gregor's head. She took it and walked towards the top of the palace and put in with the head of Krymon. Vexana smiled, "Soon, there will be Kystion's, Frankfurt's and Gregor's brother, Kavana's head too with these two heads." She closed the door and walked away as the moonlight fell on the two heads swinging on the top of the palace.....