《The Devil King》Chapter 15
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A Skeleton made up of Orichalcum and wore a white robe stood in front of a pair of large, golden double doors which depicted the many faces of those who were dying in gruesome detail upon the left, whilst the right held the imagery of glutinous nobles who feasted upon the bodies of those who were dying. When the doors were commissioned, it was believed the monarch wished to express his desire for equality, and show the world that only the nobles prospered from the death of their charges. This thought was given credit due to the dissolution of many “Noble” houses since the very beginning. Where these would always try to use their charges and reach to better themselves upon Terra, whilst those below suffered greatly. Of which was not allowed within the world of the God King.
However, even though such laws existed, the truth of the matter with the doors was far from accurate. For Brutus, who was the Lich King of Necropolis and right hand to the Ageless in all things, only wanted to show off his latest project with the world. Because, before he became a Lich King, he was long ago a torturer of great renown, and would often times retreat into his dungeons, currently, in order to experiment with those who broke his and his God's laws. The door was one of them, but he did not voice his opinion to strike down those who thought otherwise.
In any case, the Skeleton, who was in fact Brutus, had two retainers standing next to himself, each holding a clipboard whilst scratching their writing upon it as those before themselves ran about a grand courtyard of marble, cleaning it as well as they could. This was due to their knowing of the Goddess Queen Sarah and her son arriving soon. Therefore, they were to present the best of the best in order to keep them comfortable.
Though, the night prior, Brutus had the pleasure of hosting Nox's twelfth cycle of his birth. Of which was entertaining enough for the old Lich. On top of that were the twins, who were also invited for this day, but declined due to them having to appease their tutor after their abrupt absence. This led to the Skeleton chuckling at the thought, the blue flames in his skull flaring once, which led to the attendants to catch such a motion.
Believing that their Lord was displeased with something, the pair dashed off in order to begin shouting with a harsher tone towards those who were working. Whereas the other, who watched such an event, just shook his head with a sigh. Every so often, there are always those who believe the slightest movement in their Lich King's head was of disappointment. These would be told off later, but for now, the misunderstanding was to his advantage.
For within a few moments after the pair began their tirade, the guards atop the westernmost gate released a low horn call. From there came the crackling and swirling of energies within, as a vertical oval of a dozen metres in height and half as wide sprang forth, revealing a world with only a little little. One where only perpetual midnight reigns supreme over a land which was so alien to the world of Terra, many who were not used to it would simply turn away an invitation to journey to such a land.
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However, the western gate was an area where those traveling by portal would enter into the courtyard of the Lich King's castle, whereas the eastern one was used for exiting. Everyone knew of this, and knew full well of the schedule that was meticulously kept in regards to Immortals and Gods who desired to enter Necropolis this way. So to see the land of Perpetual Midnight in the background, it could only mean one thing.
The Lady Goddess Sarah, her son Nox, and whomever else was coming through.
And indeed she did, as her horseless carriage wreathed in shadows and trimmed with gold and two ancient styled Living Armours hung from the sides, drove through the portal, which also closed behind them. From there, it weaved itself in a small arc until the right side faced itself towards the golden doors where Brutus stood before it, and watched as the Armours detached themselves whilst standing at attention with their gauntleted hands keeping a tight grip on their shields and spears. For although their charges were relatively safe within this castle's confines, it was still a very different world to them.
As denoted by the colours which they were not wholly used to, and the approaching gawkers that were the guards and staff. What was more worrying to them were the whispers they heard, starting with, “Who do you think it is?”
“I dunno, but they have to be special if they're to use the Western Gate.”
“Think it's another God?”
“Seriously? Do you think a God would travel in something as tacky as that car? I mean, it has a great smoke effect, and the trim ain't half bad, but it's still a tacky car.”
“Not to mention it's really outdated. I mean, that model hasn't been around for over uh hundred years.”
“And did you see the LA's? We've read about those in class a year ago. They're supposed to be extremely ancient and there aren't any around.”
The moment one spoke up about the pair of Living Armours that were present, the multiple staff and guards ceased their dribble about who it was that rode in on the carriage, or “car” as it were, and instead focused on the Legionaires which were currently wondering when their Lady and young master would exit. Which wasn't for very long, as Brutus slowly drifted down away from the golden doors whilst snapping his right fingers to grab their attention. Without any words, he directed them to stand at attention next to a door leading up toward himself, and had them open it.
The first to appear were the exciting words of a child's voice of, “UNCLE BRUTUS!” Followed up was a streak of darkness as a small bundle of black fur with nine tails and wearing crimson outerwear attached itself to the old Skeleton. Of whom was pushed back to the point of him almost falling over from the speed and strength of the boy who was currently embracing the other. This led to the Lich King to release a soft chuckle as the lights within his sockets glowed with a great warmth that would have startled anyone who was not close to himself. As well as him petting the child's head, who released a slight purr as he buried his face into the Skeleton's robe.
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From within the vehicle, however, came a pair of metallic beings. The first was the skeletal Wolfwoman Sia, and the latter was the Orichalcum Bear Beastwoman called Shauu. Both of whom wore the same robe as Brutus, but made for their size, and both offered their clawed hands towards the final occupant within. Which led to many to wonder who it was, as the crowd was unable to view the interior. More still was the lack of reaction when the being was pulled out.
This was due to the fact that the masses were rarely, if ever, told about she who was their Goddess Queen, as the Ageless was a secretive and jealous God King. Therefore, he allowed only a few to know of her and only his inner circle knew about his son. For he had many enemies, and although his reach was large, this did not mean he could be anywhere and everywhere, despite what many would claim.
Despite all of this, the crowd was soon amazed as they noticed it was a Wolfwoman in a one piece dress which stepped out of the vehicle, and more than a few commented on her beauty. Not only this, but they were each surprised as her fur, hair, eyes, and dress swirled with ever changing colours that were never the same one twice. Unfortunately for themselves, the view to herself was blocked by the Beastwoman, who turned to glare at the crowd with a menacing gaze that only the few brave or foolish souls chose to ignore. The rest, on the other hand, dispersed in order to return to their tasks just as their king was able to detach himself from Nox and embraced his Goddess Queen.
“Ah,” he sighed with some joy, “Lady Sarah, so good to see that you have escaped your home to visit us and our world of Terra. Come, tell me, what is it you wish to view first?”
Before anyone was able to voice an opinion, Nox chimed in with his nine tails wiggling in every direction, “Why not go to Lee'ahnyo's restaurant?”
“Hmm,” the Skeleton's voice hummed as the Goddess's posture was of question, as she was not familiar with the area due to a long absence. “That would be... Very well,” his eyes flared once, and promptly summoned a shambling Skeleton to his side. One which appeared to have a pair of fleshless wings attached to its shoulder blades, and was then given the order, “Go. Tell him we shall be there within the hour.
“For now, though, let us walk this way towards the car park and procure a vehicle for our travel.”
“Um,” came the voice of Sarah, whose eyes were full of uncertainty, “What's a 'Car'?” To which everyone stopped in surprise, and slowly turned to stare at their Goddess Queen with amazement, resulting in her own colours to become a little muted from the stares.
It was here that they realised how out of touch she's been whilst within the land of perpetual midnight, and how sheltered she was from the slow advancements of technology. For example, the world outside, though the structures were of stone and clay, transports were of horseless carriages. However, there were also the populace who were able to fly, teleport, or run at high speeds from the use of their magicks or inventions.
All of this, and more, was explained to a now wide eyed Sarah as they awaited the arrival of a violet coloured and slender vehicle which was able to house the Lich King, Nox, the Goddess Queen, and their four retainers with little discomfort. After climbing inside, which was covered in a blue velvet that led to the child to purr as he rubbed himself all across the surface, the vehicle lurched forward towards the southern gate.
Upon reaching it, the occupants listened as there were a few muffled calls to open the gates. After which, there was a short rumble as the gates slowly flung themselves outwards to reveal a colourful world full of many sounds those who were cloistered for so long, like Sarah, would not be used to. This led to her eyes widening greatly, as they were filled with so much awe and wonderment from the world below which steadily grew larger as they continued on, and she had to wonder to herself, 'When was the last time I stepped out of our Castle of Perpetual Midnight?'
Thus leading her to believe that it was too long, as a male Wolf Beastman flew by their vehicle with his mouth open and tongue hanging out from pure exhilaration. What was strange about the sight was not just him flying, but that he had a chest piece made up of Mithril with a pair of great and stiff wings in the shape of a dragon's attached to his back with a gout of flame erupting just above his tail. Thus leading herself to gawk and point at the male and his contraption in amazement. Whereas the others, save for the Living Armours and Nox, just smiled or flared the lights in their eye sockets with enjoyment over her wonderment.
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