Xerxes Wrath

Gillian stepped forward, he was enraged by what the man said. "What are you talking about?"

The man laughed, jeering at them all. His eyes had a glint of malice and hostility in them. "Xerxes my master will crush you all. When the time comes, not even the artifact will save you all."

Felix balled his hand into a tight fist and slammed it hard on the man's face. Which sent him tumbling over still tied to the chair. Felix dragged him and loosen him up. Other men rushed over and held the man on each side of his arm. Which made him struggle and curse under his breath.Then he was pushed down on a chair.

The man fell to the chair, breathing hard. As Felix's men left him, before anyone could react, the man sprang up and in a swift motion, he took the dagger lying on the table. "For Xerxes," he screamed, then he stabbed himself.

"Oh no!!!" Delphi screamed.

Gillian rushed to the man who had already fallen to his knees, blood dripping from his stomach where the knife had sunk in. Then he collapsed to the floor, jerking and finally he became motionless.

"He is dead," Gillian announced after feeling his pulse.

The atmosphere was tense and a feeling of dread hung above the room. 

"This is quite serious, we needed him to give us information about Xerxes, now this," Felix said.

"Quite a loyalist if you ask me," Pato turned his gaxe to Delphi. "We still have one card to play against Xerxes.

The others casted their gaze towards him as they waited patiently for Pato to speak up.But he motioned for Gillian, Pato and Klarissa to come with him. They went to a corner and spoke in hushed tones.

****

"Move your ass, you scumbag!," Delphi whipped Gillian hard on his back. His hands were bound with strong ropes, then tied to a horse which dragged him along a dirt filled path.

The whip filled with thorns was raised and then it landed on his skin, tearing his flesh in the process. He fell to his knees, screaming in pain.

"Get up, fool! You think you will escape my hands," she laughed hysterically.

His body vibrated with pains as he stood up, he felt a tug on the rope and the horse dragged him. Delphi climbed the horse and it started moving slowly, dragging him along.

It took a while but they arrived at a post, this was the path leading to Xerxes stronghold, his territory. Two guards who stood watch, approached them. And Delphi got down from the horse, flashing them her brightest smile.

"Greetings, I bring you something that Xerxes would be interested in."

The guards exchanged glances and the other one spoke up. Without taking his eyes off Gillian. "And what could that be?"

"He is the one who is imbued with the artifact."

Their eyes bulged with interest and then it vanished, replaced by awe. "Are you certain? Xerxes won't find it funny if you're lying?"

"I swear on my mother's grave, it's the truth."

"You can leave him with us, Xerxes will get your message and of course, you will be handsomely rewarded with gold coins."

"No," Delphi protested. "I wish to speak with Xerxes and hand the fool over," she said as she eyed Gillian.

Gillian could feel a dull ache building up in his head. He was thirsty and needed to quench his thirst. He doubted anyone would listen to him. The harsh glare of the sun burned against his flesh making him hot and panting for breath. He watched with little interest as they haggled over him like a piece of bread from the local market.

The guards spoke in a foreign language and then the other spoke, "Fine, you can come with me."

Delphi climbed the horse and rode behind the guard, the other one was left behind to take watch.

Soon, they arrived a huge building surrounded by armed guards who looked fierce and dangerous. Delphi looked scared but she shake it off, and assumed a look of courage.

"Get down, we are here," the guard said.

A bulky man walked towards them, "What brings you here?"

The guard pointed to Gillian. "He bears the artifact, Xerxes our master will be glad to have him in his hands. You know how long he had waited for this."

The bulky man approached Gillian and sneered. "It's quite a shame that a woman caught you before you could even begin your quest."

Gillian went into a fit of cough and the bulky man struck him hard. He removed the rope from the horse and dragged Gillian into the building. Delphi and the other guard followed him closely.

A cruel smile appeared on Gillian's face as they dragged him in. The building walls were etched with ancient runes. Their feet walked hurriedly on the cold floor.

When they finally got into a hall, they stopped in their tracks.

"Just a simple order and you failed me," Xerxes spat coldly as he punched a man kneeling before him. The blow landed a devastating effect on the man and it sent him falling backwards. There were bruises on his face.

Xerxes pulled him up and kicked him hard. The man stumbled. "Please, Master. Don't kill me, I will do your bidding," the man pleaded, his voice trembling with fear.

"I see," Xerxes said as he walked slowly towards the man. "Stand," he instructed.

The man was shaking with fear as he stood up.

Xerxes touched him gently on his shoulder. "You have served me well, Osuaris. I'd give you a second chance to redeem yourself."

Osuaris nodded weakly as a dreadful feeling overtook him. He had served Xerxes, his only mistake was refusing to kill a little girl who stole from Xerxes. "Y...Yes. T..Thank you."

"Now leave," Xerxes ordered.

Gillian watched the man stumble forward as his legs shake while walking. Suddenly, a scream escaped the man's lips. Xerxes had pierced through him with a sword from behind.

Osuaris' eyes bulged and then he fell to the floor, dead.

Gillian was appalled by the display of wickedness from Xerxes. Xerxes threw the sword dripping with blood and it clattered to the floor.

"Well, well, well. Look who we have here, Gillian playing hero," Xerxes snarled.

Gillian felt intense hatred for Xerxes and so he spat on Xerxes face who was standing close to him.

A man rushed to Xerxes to wipe it off after that, Xerxes pushed the man away.

"I will make you suffer unimaginable pain!," Xerxes barked harshly.

Just then, from outside, a horrifying scream tore into the air and the hall was thrown into commotion. 

Taking a defensive stance, Gillian bit the rope hard and it came off, he grabbed a sword and screamed. "Get ready for your doom, Xerxes!!"