Sacrificed as Tribute

After the guards consulted with their king, they allowed him into the palace. He was guided through the labyrinth of portals until he reached the courtroom, which had no doors or windows. A man sat on the throne before him, and blue torches lit the room.

"Welcome to my abode," said the masked man on the throne. Judging by his gruff voice, he was a middle-aged man. "What brings the almighty king of wrath to this dogshit of a city?"

"Never heard a king say that about their city."

"The entire world is shit, so what makes my kingdom any different?" asked the king with amusement as he tilted his head. "I heard about how you handled my son, Kirk."

"Those old feuds are over now, right?" asked Arthur with a smile. "Echo never delivered what I asked for, either."