1 Memories of a Coup

I awaken to darkness. 'Uhh, where am I? Why is it so dark? Hello!! Can anybody hear me!?'.

'Wait I can't talk!? What the hell's going on?!'

Scared I start to struggle, trying to move out and grab something, anything.

To my dismay I'm in a box of some sort. I don't understand why or how I would've gotten into this situation but it's very cramped. I start to panic as nothing is happening, but as I'm about to lose my mind I hear a grinding noise. I try to move the top of the box and to my surprise light starts to shine into where I am. I get a clear picture and realize that I'm in a stone box. I still can't understand why or how, at least, I couldn't understand until I managed to catch a glimpse of my hands.

'WHAT THE- AAHHHHH!!!'

You'd expect after waking up to see something normal, to just continue your day unhindered, but unfortunately I'm not so lucky. Hovering in front of me, is a skeletal hand attached to a skeletal arm attached to my skeletal shoulders.

'WHAT THE... AEAHHE... WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?! MY ARMS!!! MY EVERYTHING!!! IT'S ALL BONES!!!'

After losing my mind for a couple of hours having a post life crisis and completely destroying the stone box I was in, I start to regain my "kingly" composure.

'Alright Midas, you're okay... Everything is fine... Yes that's right... this is just a dream... you'll wake up in no time... oh god- OW! Why did that hurt?! Godda- AAH! Shit that hurts like hell!! Why does it hurt every time I say Go- Ya know what... I'm not going to say- well, think it again. Since this is a dream I might as well look around, not everyday you get to sleep and still be aware of everything. Am I in a crypt of some sort?'

Looking around I see random objects. Some seem valuable, while others seem worthless. Dust covers the entire place in a thick layer, well, excluding the area of my "confusion" which is littered with chunks of stone.

After looking around for another five minutes in utter confusion, I come to a realization... I'm not dreaming.

' I'm really dead... but how?! What happened to me?! Where the hell am I?!'

I look around again for anything to explain my circumstance, then I spot it. On the wall above my tomb, a plaque made from marble, that's somewhat eroded due to the passage of time, rests. On it are words I can't understand, words I don't want to believe.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Here lies King Midas 'The Just' of Meldrath,

Assassinated and betrayed by their most trusted advisor, General Tormund 'The Cruel' of Westlarthia."

- the 12th of Noxis 1500th winter.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Suddenly as if a jolt of electricity ran through my skull, I start to remember my "final moments".

'AEUU... AAAHHHHHHH'

The pain I feel is unlike anything I could've imagined.

Due to the overload of pain, I fall to the ground clutching my skull.

*que memory sequence*

"What about the populace? The people deserve to know about the incoming invasion!" A voice says.

I can't remember who it belongs to, but I can feel myself agreeing with them.

It's a weird sensation sitting in the passenger seat of your own body.

I begin to speak, "Tormund, what do you think of this matter?"

My view changes and suddenly I see a man in Full plated armour sitting next to me. He has black, short hair and dark brown eyes.

He begins speaking, "I see no reason to inform the population of this matter. You have more than enough capable men to defeat them your majesty."

The previous voice retorts, "Oh come on! You should know more than anyone that brigands will take advantage of the situation and start raiding our villages! Are you purposefully trying to ruin our economy?!"

My voice resounds once more, "I have heard both of you, and I have made my decision. While it does indeed sound plausible to just send our whole troop to counter this invasion, it would be wiser to prepare for the consequences of such actions. We will send half our armada, and start a recruitment drive with the other half to replenish our numbers and defend valuable key locations. Do either of you have any issues with this?"

Tormund snorts and let's out a little laugh.

I stare at him in confusion.

"This is no laughing matter Tormund!" The voice yells.

Tormund walks beside me and proceeds to explain, "You fool, if you won't walk into the trap yourself, as is my mission I will slay you myself!"

Hearing his words I realize something is wrong and try to get away from him. Then I see it. A puddle of blood and a man reaching for me. The voice I'd been hearing all this time no doubt, but how did they get into that condition?

Suddenly I notice 12 shadowy figures, features all hidden. They bow before Tormund and stare at me, likely awaiting orders.

I scream for help. Even if I were to attempt battle myself. Against this many foes, I wouldn't last five seconds, not enough time to cast a spell or reach for my weapon.

"All the guards are dead, my acquaintances made sure of that. Nobody will even notice anything until it's too late, and by then I'll be long gone." Tormund whispers to me.

In my anger I attempt to strike him.

"You really think your feeble body is capable of harming me, not that it'd even be capable of matching my speed old man. Nice try though, not often when met with an assassin does one attempt to fight back when unarmed. Though I suppose fleeing is impossible for you." he laughs.

"You talk too much. Just take my kingdom and be done with it already!" I shout.

Tormund Sighs, "I already said I'm an assassin, old man... I'm not here for your kingdom. As far as I care, a peasant can rule... no I've come because my employer wants you, I don't typically do kidnapping jobs but I have to say, this one pays well."

"At the least tell me who it is." I ask.

"You'll know when you see them, but I guess since we're already this far it wouldn't be such a bad thing to-" Before he can finish his sentence I make a run for the window.

I know it's practically suicide at this rate, but it's better than being tortured to death.

In an attempt to prevent me from fleeing Tormund jumps in front of the window to block me.

I don't stop.

I keep going, pushing forward.

I charge into the man, taking him with me through the window, shards of glass and ceramic flying with us. Unsurprising the whole upper district pretty much witnesses this event.

The two of us tumble for a bit, approaching the ground faster and faster the longer we fall.

I close my eyes in anticipation and depression.

"At least I'll go out on my own terms."

*Smack*