CLANG

The King had pulled his swords from under his robe.

They were both long and skinny swords, like a mix between a rapier and a long sword.

Deke had focused the spell on the tip of his blade to puncture and then blow the King’s guts out.

But the King’s skill was amazing, he had hit Deke’s blade away with one blade and the other was about to slice Deke’s

throat.

Although . . .

“ . . . Leon why do you protect this traitor?”

He said as he narrowed his eyes from Leon to the stunned Deke.

Deke felled to the ground in shock and some guards came to take him away.

Leon had leaped in front of the King’s strike and at the last second, blocked his strike.

“The king I believe in is just but he is also fair. To strike down his own subject would only serve to fuel his opposition”

“Humph!”

They both retracted their weapons and Leon strolled back to me.

“Are you alright?” I asked him, concerned.

“Yes, though what Deke did is reprehensible we can’t become divided. We’ll need all the help we can to repel the demons,

both his and Maria’s”

I paused for a moment to think.

“But what if they incited him? Could you finish him if you were forced to? For the greater good?”

“ . . . I’d like to think I would do what was right. But I don’t know, I just hope I won’t have to find out”

A sad smile emerges on my face and I nod.

I take his hand and we start to walk away.

The crowd disperses and the festivities continue despite the tense scene that had just occurred.

I could feel the discontent in the great families but even they aren’t so bold to challenge the church’s authority.

I greeted and talked with everyone who was of any importance.

The dukes each told me that they would give me their support.

I wonder what plans do they have behind those false smiles

Their fathers supported me through the hard times

Unfortunately, their time has passed and soon I will as well.

My children . . . soon, oh how I’ve missed you.

ALL of you, even the problem one.

Would you’ve become like the dukes?

Looks like you have your work cut out for you, oh great saint.

I was lost in thoughts for a while now and decided to take a small break from the ball.

I left Maria who was surrounded by many curious nobles.

Like always, I decided to walk to that place.

Huh?

As I approached the painting, I saw a maid looking at it.

“You there!” I called out.

It was strange, most of the servants here were already familiar with it

Was she new? or did she come with someone here?

“Hmm?” She turned around and I was surprised.

She was young and had a calm demeanor about her.

Her wicked smile felt like it was a part of a front.

That combined with her shiny black hair and piercing yellow eyes made me wonder if she really was just a maid.

“Do you like this painting?” I asked her as I walked beside her.

She put her hands behind her back and tilted her head a little.

“It’s interesting, was she a fae or a nymph?”

I rubbed my chin

“Dragon actually, . . . no goddess I should say”

“Hahahaha”

I raised my eyebrow at her

“What’s so funny?”

“Humans call many things “gods” what makes you think she was one? Or perhaps she was an Elder dragon?”

“I saw her in all her majesty all those years ago. The power that she wielded was unlike anything an Elder would have. The

earth in all it’s glory bent to her every whim”

“You’ve met her before? The girl in this painting?”

“ . . . yes I did years and years ago. She saved many people in my village, including me when we were attacked by a horde

of monsters. I got to see her in action and had this painting commissioned in her honor. The artist was also a fellow villager

and survivor”

“Eeh? But why not her dragon form? It would’ve looked more interesting”

“ . . . it was my fault, I . . . .”

I couldn’t say the words, I still regret my actions back then.

It was a simple instruction and yet I wanted to know.

To see.

“I like the eyes”

The maid tried to break the silence and looked at me with a sad smile.

“Hm?”

“They’re just like mine”

She gave me a genuine smile which surprised me.

Why? What was this feeling?

I sensed a cloud surrounding her as if it were blocking me from remembering something, but what was it?

“Who—“

“Your majesty!”

I turned my head and saw Maria walking towards me.

When I looked beside me again, the maid was gone.

How odd . . .

I turned around the corner and saw the king staring at that painting again.

“Your majesty! Your people are starting to notice your absence”

I stood next to the king and viewed the painting for the umpteenth time.

“You know this painting is heresy, the church won’t accept “the goddess of the earth”

The king turned and looked at me.

“I know what I saw”

“You were a child and it was decades ago. Besides, it was just probably a very powerful dragon. An elemental perhaps?”

“No . . . her magic was chant less and she didn’t become part of the earth to use it. I believe it was ancient magic and she

had more than one kind. The earth bent to her will but she could also command life to spring forth from it. If you witnessed

her power, you would agree as well”

“We gave you our blessing and ignored this “goddess” of yours since you helped my grandfather. But soon all traces of her

will be stamped out, do you understand?”

“ . . . . .”

“We should get back soon; the most important people shouldn’t be missing”

“I’ll just be a moment”

“I’ll go back first then”

Just as I was about to turn the corner again, I bumped in to Arthur.

“Arthur”

“Maria”

We exchanged simple pleasantries.

Well that was to be expected, I did take what he wanted most after all.

It looked like he was going to talk to the king.

I motioned at two guards.

“Watch over them”

I passed Maria and suppressed my thoughts of lashing out at her.

All these years.

All these plans.

. . . All these sacrifices.

I can’t . . . No!

I WON’T let you ruin everything.

“Your Majesty” I said as I approached the king.

He nodded to acknowledge my presence but that was it.

“I would like to make an appeal to you”

“Hmm . . . what is it?” He said while rubbing his eyes.

“The succession of the throne should not be in to the Church’s hands”

“And why not? It was they who gave me support to unite the land was it not?”

“Did you forget? The seven families also gave you aid. The church is from a time of fear and darkness. They controlled us

for generations, draining our resources for what? They can barely keep themselves together. Let someone who actually

understands the situation here rule”

“Oh? And who might that be?”

“Me”

“HAHAHAHAH”

The king locked eyes with me when he finished laughing.

“You dare? You presume yourself the best candidate for this role? You are barely a hero much less a king”

I smiled.

“I thought you would say that, how about appealing to personal desires rather than duty?”

“What?”

I pulled out an orb from my armor.

“I encountered an interesting person in the woods”

The king narrowed his eyes

“She was . . . breathtaking to say the least. Her hair was green like emeralds, eyes like golden amber”

The king’s face moved a little but I knew I had him so I continued.

“Her skin was fair and it glowed in the moonlight. The ground itself cleared a path for her to walk on . . . need I say

anymore?”

I said as I turned to look at the painting.

“ . . . You’ve seen her?”

“Yes, she’s exactly the same as she is in the painting . . . no possibly even more awe inspiring. And I have what you want,

what you TRULY want. You can see her again, maybe even meet her”

I held the orb to him.

“I recorded my meeting with her in this. It’s yours if you recant your announcement. The church doesn’t need to be in

charge but you don’t have to appoint me either. This is more than enough proof for you that she is real. This can weaken

their power and we can finally be free. The goddess of the earth chose you not the goddess of light. And she chose me as

well. She must have appeared to me to show you the way. She was a benevolent goddess wasn’t she? She protected you

during a dark time and dark times have come upon us once more”

“ . . . . . Gaia”

You were obsessed enough to have displayed a painting of her even though you were married.

I can see your weakness clearly, so do it.

Take my offer and chose her.

The king was clearly in turmoil and right when he looked like he was about to say something.

BOOOOOOOOOOOOM

CRASH

CRASH

CRASH

CRASH

A dark wind blew through the windows and shook the entire castle.

The demons had come.