Attack of Appetites

Farid Talleness, ruler of the realm of Mesipol, and all of Fallenia if he had his way, grimaced as the doors of the royal chamber swung open. Turning his head slightly, he let his gaze fall on the Evil Dralkon who strode into the room with an air of arrogance befitting a king, something that he was and always had been.

Born as a king, his father killed just before his birth, Farid never answered to anyone. He stood tall and proud, his cruel smile as wicked as his emerald eyes that watched over the kingdom with a simmering intensity. Farid was a man simmering with ambition who believed that he was destined for greatness. And he was ready to do whatever it took to get it.

"Gresh," Farid sneered, "You speak too freely for someone who is merely a visitor in my realm."

The Dralkon's gaze bore into Farid with a terrifying intensity. His formidable dragon-like figure loomed menacingly over Farid, the royal garments hugging his toned body accentuating the aura of a predator.

"You are too preoccupied with sovereignty, human," Gresh snapped, reminding Farid of the reign of terror his species had achieved in their realm. "You care too much about power and greatness when you should be focusing on the doom that looms on the horizon."

Farid scoffed at the Dralkon's conceited words, taking his leave from the throne. "And what might that be? What threat could be worse than the likes of you?"

Gresh's smirk widened as he lowered his arrogant gaze to meet Farid. "It's what we are running from. The Great Evil." His draconic eyes bore intensely into Farid's as he uttered the ominous words. "Your realm sits on the brink of complete destruction, King Farid, and unless you aid us, there will be nothing left for you to rule over."

Farid considered Gresh's words, feigning concern. Yet, a cruel smile tugged at his lips. Rising from his throne, he donned a look of genuine concern pretending to be invested in Gresh's revelation. He was a man of no allies, only interested in his rise to power. Farid would play along, for now.

"What of this Great Evil? You talk in riddles, foul creatures. Speak clearly or I shall burn you where you stand. While you might be able to use multiple magics, my treat is not one to be taken lightly, reptile!" Farid growled, and Gresh narrowed his eyes at the king.

"Hmm, it seems we are going to have issues with our alliance. Remember Talleness, you're not the only one who can manipulate fire," Gresh hissed, his eyes glowing with a menacing fire as the room filled with unsettling tension.

Farid could not help but feel a thrill at the looming confrontation. He was born for this, for power, for dominance, yet, he departed without uttering another word. Even though he was ready to battle, the price of confrontation wasn't a cost he was willing to pay. Not now, when another conquest was within arm's reach.

As Farid retreated to his office, the door quickly shut behind him, he reveled in the silence, and his heart burned with fiery ambition. He had no intention of sharing his kingdom with anyone, let alone some higher deity the Dralkon hailed as the Great Evil. His mind started to formulate a plan to betray the Dralkon. However, first, he had to deal with Maze and the mysterious man accompanying her.

Meanwhile, Reinhart and Maze, unaware of the turmoil in Mesipol, nestled within the thick foliage of the woods, piecing together the spectacular twilight view of Fallenia beyond. A peaceful moment, abruptly shattered by a clanging of a distant metal, instantly snapped their gazes toward the source of the sound.

"Farid's guards," Reinhart whispered, his heart pounding in his chest. Maze's eyes flared with determination as she gently picked up his peculiar dinner packet form.

"Then let's give them an unforgettable feast," Maze smirked, lifting Reinhart high and preparing herself for the looming fight.

The thunderous sounds of armored footsteps pounded closer, and Maze, gripping Reinhart tightly, propelled herself and him into the clearing, ready to take on the wave of encroaching soldiers. The darkness of the night engulfed the surroundings, providing a picturesque stage for the imminent clash.

A horde of Farid's guards swarmed into the clearing, their malicious grins wiped clean by the sight of the confident queen standing tall, Reinhart, in his packet form, glinting silver under the moonlight clasped in her hands.

The ensuing battle was a whirlwind of flashing steel, howling wind magic, and dazzling light resulting from mana clashes. Maze, her eyes blazing with fierce resolve, manipulated her wind mana to send the guards reeling backward, effectively disrupting their formation.

However, the guards were quick to recover, countering Maze's wind magic with a barrage of earth and fire spells, trying to force her towards the tree line.

"Reinhart, any suggestions?" Maze shouted over the clash and roaring of magic.

"I... think so!" Reinhart stuttered, his mind racing to combine his construction knowledge with his limited abilities in his current form. "Use me to create a moat!"

With a nod, Maze swung Reinhart forward like a disc. As he sailed through the air, he released a rush of his innate mana, manipulating the earth below. A wide trench, replicating the foundation structures he used to dig during his construction days, erupted around the battlefield, disrupting the guards' advance and breaking their coordinated assault.

However, a group of guards, using their wind magic, levitated above the trench to avoid it. They renewed their incendiary assault on Maze, who was quickly losing strength from the constant use of her mana.

Upon landing back in Maze's hand, Reinhart had an idea. "Maze, pour my contents into the moat!"

With a quick nod, she perforated the packet with her dagger, pouring Reinhart's magical soup into the moat. Intense steam immediately rose as Reinhart activated his magical substance, quickly transforming the trench into a boiling moat cheese and broccoli soup.

The guards hovering above the moat lost their focus as the surging steam engulfed them, causing them to lose control and crash headfirst into the boiling soup. The steam provided Maze and Reinhart with a necessary distraction, allowing them to retreat unnoticed into the protective shadows of the woods.

Their hearts pounded in their chests as they took one collective breath, listening to the dispersed curses and yells from the clearing. With Farid's guards incapacitated, Reinhart and Maze were safe, for now. They had tasted battle, a terrifying yet victorious encounter that solidified their unique bond and set their resolve aflame for the trials to come.