☆Chapter 18☆

Maya strode through the capital streets with renewed determination, her steps echoing with defiance as she approached the castle. The towering walls of the royal palace loomed before her, casting dark shadows across the cobbled path. Guard towers punctuated the outer walls, and flickers of torchlight revealed the figures of sentries patrolling the perimeter.

As she approached the grand gates, she noted the increased guard presence. It was clear the king had anticipated her arrival, perhaps spurred by the reports of his defeated hunters. Her confrontation with them had no doubt sent ripples through the capital, and Maya couldn't help but smirk at the thought of the king's desperation as he tried to contain her.

The gates, heavily fortified and adorned with intricate symbols of the kingdom, were closed. Two guards stood alert, their expressions tense as they watched her approach. Unlike the others she'd encountered, these men held their ground, weapons drawn, their posture rigid with a mixture of fear and duty.

"Halt!" one of them commanded, his voice trembling ever so slightly. "You are not permitted entry to the palace. Turn back now, or face the consequences."

Maya raised an eyebrow, her smirk widening. "Consequences? You lot really like giving me warnings, don't you? But I'm not here to take orders. I'm here to meet your king."

The guard clenched his jaw, his grip tightening on his spear. "The king does not see uninvited guests. If you value your life, you will, "

Before he could finish, Maya raised her hand, summoning a small but intense flame that danced at her fingertips. The heat radiated outward, and the guards flinched, their resolve wavering as the fire cast an ominous glow over her face.

"I'm done with warnings," she said, her voice low and cold. "Tell your king that the Goddess of Destruction is here. He can meet me on his terms… or I'll find him on mine."

The guards exchanged uneasy glances, clearly debating their next move. Finally, one of them nodded, turning to a smaller side door embedded within the grand gate. He disappeared inside, leaving his companion to keep a nervous watch on her.

Moments later, the door opened again, and the first guard returned. "The king… will see you," he said, his voice laced with reluctant acceptance. "Follow me."

Maya's smirk widened as she followed the guard through the side entrance and into the palace. They walked through grand hallways lined with statues, tapestries, and ornate chandeliers. The opulence of the palace was overwhelming, a stark contrast to the grittier streets of the capital outside. But Maya felt no awe or intimidation. This was just another gilded cage, and she was here to set it ablaze.

As they approached the throne room, Maya noticed the tension among the guards and servants she passed. Whispers followed her, hushed conversations filled with fear and curiosity. She could feel their eyes on her, their terror palpable as she walked with an unshakable confidence that filled the grand hall with an undeniable energy.

Finally, they reached the massive doors of the throne room. The guards stationed outside opened them with a creak, revealing the king's court in all its splendor. Nobles lined the room, their finely embroidered robes and jewels shimmering under the light of chandeliers. Their faces were masks of feigned indifference, but their eyes betrayed their fascination and apprehension as they watched her enter.

And at the far end of the room, seated atop a gilded throne, was the king.

He was a tall, imposing figure, his face framed by a neatly trimmed beard, his eyes sharp and calculating. His royal attire, a deep crimson and gold, was adorned with symbols of the kingdom, and a heavy crown rested atop his head, casting a shadow over his stern expression. He watched her with a mixture of curiosity and barely concealed disdain, as if she were some intriguing but dangerous creature that had wandered into his domain.

Maya stopped a few paces from the throne, crossing her arms as she looked up at him, her gaze unflinching. She could feel the weight of his scrutiny, but she met it head-on, her smirk never faltering.

"So," she drawled, her voice echoing through the silent chamber, "this is the great king who's been sending his lackeys after me. I expected… more."

A murmur rippled through the court, nobles whispering to each other, clearly shocked by her brazen words. The king's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening.

"You presume much, goddess," he replied, his voice cold and commanding. "You enter my kingdom, bring chaos to my streets, and attack my hunters. I am within my right to have you executed where you stand."

Maya let out a laugh, the sound filling the room with a chilling confidence. "Is that so? I'd like to see you try."

The king's hand tightened on the armrest of his throne, his knuckles white with suppressed anger. "You are powerful, yes," he admitted, his voice a forced calm. "But you underestimate the strength of my kingdom. I have allies, forces beyond your comprehension, who would not hesitate to bring you to your knees."

Maya raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Allies? You mean that vampire mercenary who already tried and failed?" She leaned forward, her eyes glinting. "I didn't come here to bow, your majesty. I came here to set things right."

The king's lips pressed into a thin line, but his gaze flickered with interest. "Set things right? And what exactly do you believe needs… correction?"

She took a step closer, ignoring the murmurs of the court and the guards' subtle shifts as they braced themselves. "Your kingdom is stale, stagnant. You rule with fear, with men hiding in the shadows, hunting threats that don't bow to your will. It's pathetic. You can't contain true power, you can only delay its arrival."

The king's expression darkened. "And you believe that you are true power?"

Maya's smirk was cold, her voice unwavering. "I know I am."

Silence filled the room as her words settled over the court, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. The king's gaze bore into hers, a mix of hatred and something else, perhaps respect, or the faintest glimmer of fear.

"Very well," he said slowly, leaning forward, his voice dropping to a dangerous tone. "If you believe yourself so powerful, then perhaps you would like to prove it. In my kingdom, might determines right. Those who wish to challenge me must face a trial by combat."

Maya's eyes lit up with interest, her smirk widening. "Now you're speaking my language."

The king's lips curved into a smile, cold and calculating. "Good. Then let it be known, by dawn tomorrow, you shall face my champion. Should you succeed, we will… renegotiate the terms of your place here. But should you fail…" His gaze sharpened. "Your ashes will be scattered across the capital as a warning to any who would dare defy my rule."

Maya chuckled, her excitement simmering just beneath the surface. "I like those odds."

With a wave of his hand, the king signaled to his guards. "Escort her to the guest quarters. Ensure she is… comfortable. I want her at her best when she faces my champion."

The guards stepped forward, their expressions wary as they moved to flank her. Maya followed, glancing over her shoulder to catch the king's gaze one last time.

"Get a good look, your majesty," she said, her voice dripping with mockery. "Because after tomorrow, I'll be sitting in your throne."

A murmur swept through the court as she was led from the room, but the king's expression remained impassive, his gaze cold and unyielding. She could see the tension in his shoulders, the way he gripped the armrest, his fingers digging into the gold.

As she was led down the grand hallways, she felt a thrill run through her. The trial by combat would be a spectacle, a chance to prove her power before the kingdom, to show them what true destruction looked like.

The guards escorted her to a large, opulent room overlooking the capital. As they closed the door behind her, she allowed herself a moment to take in the view. The city stretched out below her, silent and unaware of the chaos that awaited it.

Tomorrow, she would face the king's champion. She would unleash her power, and when she won, the kingdom would have no choice but to acknowledge her strength.

The king wanted her to prove herself? She'd do more than that.

She'd give him a show he'd never forget.