Imprisoned

Corvus Aurum Goldenvale the Sixth sat upon his throne, an embodiment of regal authority, as the party entered the wide audience chamber. The elaborate details on the walls, the polished marble floors, and the ethereal glow of chandeliers created an atmosphere of splendor that left Cole in awe. 

Aeliana as the party leader set foot forward as the rest of the members fell to one knee with a hand to their hearts, including Cole who followed their actions.

"Your Majesty, we bring tidings from the eastern side of the kingdom. Part of Whisperwood and Stonehaven have been affected by the Celestial Eclipse but have begun to regenerate. Unfortunately, Grimmhammer, Lumira, and Elyndor have been faced with devastation, as for the west side of the Kingdom, it remains a question to be answered by the other dispatched knights."

Aeliana's voice resonated in the grand chamber, recounting the challenges and triumphs of their journey. The king listened attentively, his expression shifting subtly as Aeliana spoke. When the half-hour report concluded, Corvus Aurum Goldenvale the Sixth turned his gaze towards Cole at Aeliana's action.

"And this," Aeliana gestured towards Cole, "is Cole Deimos. He played a vital role in defeating the Herald of Darkness."

The king's gaze shifted to Cole, curiosity evident in his eyes. "Is this the mysterious one you mentioned in the Communication Parchments, Aeliana? The one you encountered in Elyndor?"

Cole nodded, taking a step forward and getting rid of that quietness he usually exudes.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I am Cole Deimos, originally from Elyndor, and a traveler who found himself in the midst of these events."

King Corvus studied him for a moment before motioning to Grand Inquisitor Morwenna. 

"Quite the young one, aren't you? It's interesting how a 'manaless' could survive this long."

With a scoff, King Corvus slightly moved his left hand, "Come forward, Inquisitor."

Morwenna, a strict look etched on her face, approached Cole with measured steps from her former position behind the King's throne. 

"We'll need to test something out first, I hope you don't mind—"

Suddenly, with a fluid movement of her hand and a swift motion, her fingers touched the center of Cole's forehead. 

'Kgh— I can't move?!'

The room fell into a tense silence.

'…?!'

Fwoom~

A dark flash took over his sight instantly, and then, without warning, a screech erupted from Morwenna. 

"Kirghyaargh!"

She stumbled back in fear, pointing at Cole with terror in her eyes. Her serious and confident demeanor gone.

"T-The devil... THE DEVIL! HE'S A DEVIL!"

The proclamation echoed through the chamber, stunning everyone present. 

"— Guards!"

The prime minister yelled out to the guards in the two layers to aim their spears at Cole, who was left dumbfounded.

The king scoffed, contemplating the situation. 

"Huh?!"

Movement back to his body, Cole was still unable to do anything, the spears and sudden aiming for his life being the reason.

"W-Wait—"

The party members stood motionless, their expressions unchanging. 

Cole, caught in the crossfire, stared at each of them, silently pleading for some sign of support.

"Guys…!?"

The guards reacted swiftly, aiming their spears at Cole. Panic set in as he tried to deny the accusations, but the guards silenced him with a painful shove to the ground.

"Y-You know I'm not like that, right?" The party members stood unmoving, their expressions unchanged, and Cole, bewildered, looked into their eyes, silently pleading for help.

Tied up in cuffs, Cole found himself surrounded by guards as the king, Prime Minister, and Grand Inquisitor who had regained her calmness discussed something quietly. 

Desperation grew within him as he called out to his party members, asking why they weren't denying the accusations.

"I can't even use magic! I pose no threat!" Cole desperately declared, but the guards silenced him with a kick to his jaws.

"Bluergh!"

Blood trailed from his lips, but he couldn't even process it.

Everything happened so quickly.

The king, unmoved, gestured for the guards to proceed. They approached Cole cautiously, tying him up in cuffs as he tried to resist, but to no avail, they easily restrained him with the grace of mana. 

While being tied and moving around to cause trouble for the guards, to stall for time, Cole called out to the party members, seeking an explanation.

"Why won't you deny what she claimed? Why won't you tell them that it's not like that!? Don't you feel anything about this?" he questioned, met with nonchalance.

Hell, Brander even had the audacity to yawn as he cleared his ear with his pinky finger, ignoring Cole's existence.

The king signaled a guard, whispering something to him as the rest of the guards stopped moving.

Waiting for the announcement, a small curve began to etch on the corners of Cole's lips.

'That's right, tell them I have no fault—'

A glimmer of hope ignited within Cole, only to be extinguished immediately.

"With the decision from His Majesty Corvus Aurum Goldenvale the Sixth, Prime Minister Beornwulf, and the Grand Inquisitor Morwenna, you are to be executed for the use of forbidden magic in the next two weeks!"

"Huh?"

"You will be imprisoned until further notice!" The guard declared.

"Wait, what?!"

"I told you, I have no fault!" 

"Take him."

"No, wait— Aeliana, Brander, tell them, tell him! Tell them that I'm not evil! Guys… Lyra…"

No one replied.

No one acknowledged Cole's existence… except the urging wave of Brander's, telling the guards to quickly drag Cole out of the Audience Chamber.

'…'

That's when a surge of blood rose to Cole's face, flushing his expression red as fury overtook him.

"What the…" Cole voiced with a shivering voice, anger clotting his voice chords as his tone raised into a screech.

"Did our time together not mean anything? YOU FUCKING TRAITORS!?"

"Showing his true colors, aye?" The King smirked.

"You'll see... " Cole muttered as his body shook.

"YOU WILL ALL SEE!" The scream echoed through the grand chamber as the gates closed behind him, leaving the party in an awkward silence.

***

Fwshh~

Fwshh~

Cole, now rather quiet, was dragged and thrown into a cell. Chains adorned the walls, and the once-mighty hero found himself chained like a monster. 

"Now, stay put and behave properly if you don't want another kick."

He was betrayed by those he had fought alongside. 

Alone, cuffed, and shackled by the numerous chains stretched out from the wall, Cole lost all hope for this world that fell once again, albeit, his anger and frustration were far from being shunned down.

'They will all see.'

Thus… desire was born.

"About damned time, oh Angel!"

The Desire for Destruction.