For the first time in days, the castle doors stood wide open. The Vast halls of the palace where empty, with the king himself standing at guard within the main hall, his eyes on the horizon. A sigh would part from his lips, the dawn had barely peeked over the mountains. Chirp Chirp Chirp sang out from the birds in the distance, the morning was on the way to come say hello. ”This isn’t like them, they’re running late” He thought to himself. His hands held firm around his lance, the object held in his hands like a cane.
His eyes rested on the edge of the road outside the palace. There wasn’t anyone on the path up the long winding road, or anyone to be seen lining the halls of azure palace as the sun arrived to bring out the beauty in the beautiful palace, through the glass window right above the throne. The beams of light danced around the pillars of smooth steel which stood guard, holding up the castle balconies dressed with the finest of Sasan azure wool flags. The rays of light walked further into the castle, their steps shining of the resplendent sliver floors. Darkness had been fully eradicated from the palace halls as the morning sun had filled the entire building with its big bright smile. It bounced around from the polished architecture to the fine metals and jewels which lined the walls and pillars. They found themselves land on the illuminate Xerxes who stood mighty and proud, with shadows at his shoulder, his gargantuan mount Corva stretched his mighty black wings behind him. A warm glance towards his beast would turn back towards the horizon as the first silhouette arrived in the distance. Marching its way towards the castle with a steady vigor.
Red crystal struck the earth as he tried to ease his pace towards the castle. Strength still resided within his aging bones but sometimes he just needed something to help the pep in his step. ”I swear the older we both get the earlier he likes to get up, I guess it can be difficult for him to get a full assembly right now” Aryan would ponder while stroking his rusted beard slightly. Now wasn’t the time time to be spent daydreaming! Back to the task at hand, his stout legs moved him like a hardworking horse trying to keep up the pace. They were all late but he’d make sure he was the first one on time. His eyes looked back, he could see them trailing behind, the path ahead wasn’t much longer.
”I’ll get there first, they can all move but I still ended up moving out the earliest so I think the first arrival will belong to me. He was back in his thoughts once again, the delusion being torn through by the sound bright, inspiring, and irritating voice. “GOOD MORNING! It’s Another fine day brought to us by the Lord!” His masculine but light voice the consistent buzz of a hummingbird.
“Good morning to you as well Armin, you’re right the lord has blessed us with a wonderful morning, the orchard of red which blossomed the skies this morning during the sunrise hint at auspicious news. It’s very likely the king has important news to share with us.” His kindling fire of a voice, deep but raspy, roared out in response to try and meet the energy of the young knight but ultimately failing.
He was only in the distance moments ago but the plain man decked out in his holiest of white had paraded his way up to his senior knight with ease. Belting out once again “Wise words as always sir! I’m glad to see you this morning, I hope the other knights can catch up with our pace soon!” The old magician thought it was obvious from his thought, they had heard reports of how the crusades were going, it was possible that a dungeon could have been found any day now. He would ignore making any sort of remark, he tried his best to be a guide for the young generation, he had to do his best in his age.
The brunette would walk side by side with his senior major knight, they had a good pace going up to the towering castle, the hilled path often gave an overpowering presence especially with it being a paved pathway.
“I wonder if we’ll-” quickly he was cut off, “You two seem like you’re in a hurry but it seemed pretty easy to catch up to you all. Marcus who was pale as snow danced through the air as he seemed to gracefully land next to the pair of them. The sun wasn’t his best friend but he stood proudly between the two of them.
“I”m in no hurry myself, despite the fact none of us seem to be there and the king instructed that we all arrive before the sun had fully risen. He might be mad but whatever issue he’s gathered us for I’ll just make up for it there.” He taunted with his light, joking voice which poked like daggers. Aryan avoided looking at his wired stare and Armin provided a healthy grin, both giving their morning greeting to their fellow knight.
“I see you’re doing well this morning if you’re making jokes Marcus, the Lord has truly blessed you! I know how you hate the sun and mornings but here you are with us already.” His greeting was inviting as his prayer, Armin spoke consistently with his inviting warmth.
“Good Morning Marcus, I have no worries but when troubling news comes it is better to worry first rather than later.” He spoke out wisely, hiding his actual hurry well masterfully behind his raised voice to keep up with their tones.
“Yes yes, whatever you say, I don’t think it’ll be much longer till the beast gets here, he always seems to show up out of nowhere.” The assassin would continue on with his comments. ”He’s got no place to talk” Aryan thought to himself, they all appeared on him, a bunch of phantoms they were!
“Are you sure, I haven’t seen the prince yet! He’s normally prompt, or he’d be yelling at anyone else for being late. The Lord has his ways so I know we’ll all find our way there!” He preached out to them.
“I haven’t seen anyone miss a meeting no matter how simple the call, so things do have their way of working out.” The elder knight responded to Armin, giving him a glance before looking back at the approaching castle.
Sclooooooopghh! The oozing, bone-chilling sound of its heavy step would catch up to them. Each of them kept a professional quality of them but not many of the group were well acquainted with their towering green companion.
“Well, I wasn’t trying to be late myself.” Their voice came out like a firm command in contrast with it’s speaking manner. Neda did their best not too to seem to do strict but seemingly failed.
He marched among them catching up, with the path narrowing he stood on the outside back next to Marcus as Aryan and Armin took the lead with Aryan in front of Neda. A caravan arriving up towards the palace they continued their conversation. The prattling chatter had it’s stall for a moment but no one wanted awkward sile lnce on the way to the king.
“I guess a bright future will arrive with a lively bunch such as yourself.” Aryan would be the one who broke the peace with his warm garner. He tried to get them all focused on the meeting ahead. He didn’t want to say or needed to say much more.
“Whatever you say old man.” Marcus joked, hiding his appreciation for praise.
“It’s the work of fate! I appreciate and God Bless you Sir Aryan!”
Even Neda would speak up in response “Thanks Sir! I really appreciate the kind wor-”
FWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! would interrupt her words as forth from the sky with a great rush landed a blur. An unruly mess would surge forth with the forth of a mighty beast. The blur flew forth from the clouds running past them with a heavy thud. Each knight grabbing a hold of their stuff. The great man adorned who burned their noses with the scent of a wild beast proudly roared out to them.
“OHHHHHHHHH YEAAAAAAAAAAH, I AM NUMBER 1, I AM THE FIRST ARRIVAL!” His cheers would ring out with a voice filled with energy with a commanding, primal depth to it. Charlemagne roared with a commanding presence. He beat his chest in a victory, the four knights were only a few steps to the door, they had made their way to the threshold and here he was trying to make some sort of grand entrance. While he beated his chest in his personal victory danced they would all soon follow his example. While there wasn’t as much a flamboyant entrance from any of the other lot the gallery did make their own comments.
“Well, I see you’re blessed in health Charlemagne!” Aryan radiated as he slowly overtook the pace of the others, giving a wave to the beastly man.
“Well, sometimes thunder arrives before one sees any lightning, make sure to have some formality, good morning young Charlemagne.”
“HUH?!?, The morning may be nice and gorgeous but the best part is that I one, I’m just as bright as lightning.” He flared out in response, he was proud of his closeness with nature and the world.
“There’s no need to compete, it’s unsightly.” Neda chimed in as they waltzed by, Xerxes' overwhelming gaze loomed over them all. They all began to file in more, lining the silver floors of the steel and iron castle.
“Winning is all that’s important, it’s how one shows dominance! Dominance is needed to assert strength!” He said with his refined yet beastly tone. It would spark a sharp response from the armored image of slime that was the major knight Neda. “Formality and respect are also important wouldn’t you think Mr. Shah?” The voice which came from the knight was once again monotone but reflexive in dialogue.
“I think you both make fair points despite every single one of you five being late. I could spend time lecturing you on being late but that would waste time, I know it’ll bother most of you to know none of you were the first, the winner arrived hours ago.” The king chided with his firm voice, he never seemed to scold them unless he thought there was something to teach. With his crackling voice which carried off to the halls a THUD! would crash down onto the floor upruptly from the rafters of the castle. A dark visage which appeared a phantom now vanishing into it’s sheath, but left standing was the prince. Xerxes gave his son a glance but the boy looked at each knight firmly, he on the younger side of the knights but he was their leader.
“It’s good to see you were all in a hurry to be late, maybe the pertinent subject matter of today’s meeting will strike some fear into your hearts.” His warm but biting voice would snap at them not sharply but with a cautious quality to it. Turning around he would lead the group of knights, his vigorous steps easily keeping behind with his father, Aryan would be slightly behind while Marcus and Armin stayed back following him while Charlemagne stayed in the back with Neda as the two of them gave clashing gazes which weighed down the atmosphere. While their own tensions rattled like a pair of ravenous wolves with a juicy sirloin the front of the line kept their eyes forward. No one dared to speak at the moment, it was best to wait till they were in place for the meeting. Xerxes was leading up to the towering position of his throne, atop of the staircase it could be seen that a table had been placed with the long oak side facing the throne. Decorating all across the addition for their meeting were documents, the pieces of parchment were organized neatly, they were letters and correspondences with knights all over the world.
One by one they lined themselves around, the pressure in the air seemed to thicken indefinitely. As their leader set down his weapon his pet Corva rested his massive frame on the throne behind him, the crow reaching down to nuzzle the king. As he gave the creature a soft pet as he swiftly moved into spreading out the information before him. A heavy thud would spurt forth as his hands hit the table before him. And outrage seemed to raise within his calm speaking voice.
“These reports right here are descriptive horrors of the tragedies your knights have gone through. In their zealous efforts to find a dungeon, they have seen monsters filling the world, walking abominations, creatures with the mightiest of magic control, heathens, and heretics which tarnish the beautiful world which God has so graciously gifted us with.” He would continue with his prattle, his words inciting reactions from them all. “Our forces have fought valiantly, I know you’ve heard reports of your apprentices, the lands they’ve set out on claiming for the missions I asked you all to handle. Your forces performed adequately but they were underprepared for the dangers out there. Even Tor the last remaining of the apprentices has had nothing to report but bad news of him. With things looking glum on the dawn of our glorious crusades!” With his voice filling each of their heads he would pass to teach of the major knights a report of their apprentices escapades.
“Armin and Marcus, both of your apprentices were killed similarly by the same man. A boy with the appearance of a demon who parades around with his own forces, he claims be of some kind of miracle it seems but our forces haven’t been able to get exact info, we do know that he’s managed to defeat both sets of your apprentices as well.” His words were sharp as he looked towards both, scanning their responses. His eyes secretly scanning their expressions to note their expressions.
The ever zealous preacher would don fervent frown, his anger and grief painting a clear portrait on his face.”O SORROWFUL DAY, TWO BRIGHTS STARS IN THE LORDS’ SKY HAVE BEEN LOST, BLESS THEIR SOULS AND MAY THE FIND PEACE ONCE AGAIN IN THE ARMS OF THE LORD.” His dramatics flaired but it was all sincere, while his apprentices were well trained, Darius being older than him he still couldn’t but feel pride for them, he worked hard with them and helped them with their piety fiercely. He clenched the notes firmly, his tears softly patting the paper, he would try to keep his lamentations down, with his sadness bursting forth he didn’t want to explode out anymore. He wanted to smile again, he would try to smile and know their dedication to the Lord and Sasan was not in vain.
Ghastly Marcus would make a muffled tsk underneath his mask. His personal grievings would have to be held back for the moment. They should’ve known better, they were trained in the art of killing, of stealth. There were senior knights in the task forces his sent out, his dedicated line of communication should’ve had them prepared for any threat. He knew things were grim but hearing that his forces had fallen easily sickened him. “Well I guess they’ve returned, I can’t say how I feel, but soon they shall know the fear of death.” His gaze was low, he tried his best to play his cool but his worries weighed him down, they also inspired a wave of useful anger.
The king continuing on with his report would move over to Neda, his words would come with a surprised and intrigued vigor as he spoke of the grim details. “It looks as if only Percival was defeated, Darien never made his out there thankfully. From the details in the reports some fanatically religious organization worshipping the coming of some god has taken routes in Heliohapt the country in which he had invaded. There the knights faced staunch opposition and were batted off after only a couple weeks of conflict. Percival himself was engaged by a leader of some sort in the group. It seems as if the man himself became a massive bat-like monster who easily broke the earth with just a step, furth accounts claim he had multiple tools or weapons of magical nature on his personage but it couldn’t be confirmed.”
“Well I can see we truly do have threats that we could’ve never imagined, we’ll have to adequately prep. I’ll make sure to prepare my forces properly.” The simple response in Neda’s average tone hinted at no emotion, but her rigidity in reply showed ever so slightly that it had her bothered. How could they not be, they put their blood sweat and tears in their skill form, their apprentices were a reflection of that, they were good and honest practitioners of the craft. Percival was a bright a shining example of knight, to hear he was crushed only crushed their heart. The armored blob would look at the king with a resolute stare, he could tell her feelings would be motivation in the task to come.
Xerxes was unsure how phased Charlemagne would be to hear about the impending defeat of Tor, the worry didn’t seem to spread when he first mentioned the news, even the papers seemed to lack impact on him. He did know there would be ways to intice the raging beast of a man, however. “With Tor in trouble and the expedition likely to crumble there won’t be new beasts for you to interact with, the word is filled out there, you’ve worked hard to raise strong forces but all I can see are losses.” His response trickled out, his warm voice keeping its guiding tone but still managing to eat its way into the brain of the man-beast that was Charlemange.
“HUHH?? I don’t lose!! I never lose! They weren’t prepared for the hunt, beasts have their prime territories! Fret not! I am the the king of the beasts and I shall demolish all and any threats to that title!” He fumed out with his roaring response. He would hunt down anyone who made a tarnish to the training of the beasts, of the ultimate connection to the wild. He continued his stomping fit, making heavy smacks against the metal floor he would be forcefully calmed down by a raise in the eye of Xerxes, his soft eyes giving a dominating glare.
His old friend would never need a reason to inspired to fight alongside him, but it was less about inspiration and more so about a duty to his companion. “I don’t believe you need me to explain too much of the details, I know you’ve read it thoroughly by now and just haven’t chose to say much.” His voice only held it’s warmth for a moment as he continued. “It looks as Safir took his life in combat in order to avoid capture, he died from bleeding out according to our reports, he fought valiantly in the name of Sasan.”
It was a shame when young people lost the bright futures ahead of them. He always tried to provide wisdom and insight, death was something he was scared deeply of in his age. Not of for himself but his nation, he was scared to see the hardworking, the able and passionate for his country die when they working so fervently. He could offer a prayer but for him, sentiment had sunk much deeper than that. Safir was a could boy, he was crass and certain in his prejudices but the aging Aryan worked hard to raise and train him. His emotions were swelling up, but he chose to mutter out with his kind but raspy voice. “Flames twice as bright really do seem to burn twice as fast, however, we must carry that flame so that future fires can roar as loud as possible.”
With his emotions somberly setting deep within him, the king moved on to talk to his son. He knew the child, rather man, well but his reactions were something that his spawn seemed to keep more hidden with his age. He wasn’t looking to illicte a reaction from him, but it would be interesting to see if he was phased or if he’d just to mirror any anguish for the situation. “Even Constantine had fallen, from our reports it looks as if one of his forts was raided in the middle of the knight. During one of his sermons, he was attacked but some strange women, Quickly in the flash of knight he was kidnapped from what I heard, I doubt that apprentice of yours would spout any secrets but who knows how persistent the enemies could be in torture.” His response was almost like a little fly, nothing threatening but the buzz was annoying, it was certainly annoying to the king’s heir.
He would make a sly glance, he didn’t want to give too much into his father’s teasings. There was no need to place games right now, and he didn’t want to get into one of his long disagreements. His angry eyes would stab at his father with no doubt, but it was his sharp tongue that he held back. The knights didn’t lose because they were unprepared it’s because they were weak. It’s because those who were going on the crusades lacked putting fear in the hearts of those who threatened them. He would’ve been more fervent, they should’ve shown those out there the plagues that would come. How the fires would dance in the sky and blood would run the streets making rivers of the lost in the pits of chaos. Fear is what ran the world, they were all fools, they needed to make a safer world, they needed to control the fear which protected everyone. “We must move forward with haste than shouldn’t we?” That’s all the prince would respond with, they did need to move out after all.
With looming eyes, the other knights would look at with a gaze searching for validation. Each of them seemed ready to move out to hunt for those who tarnished their names, who ruined the legacies of those who they trained. It was obvious that the fires of passion burned within them. The king had gotten what he wanted, he could see how the patient Aryan in his worries was ready to secure a future for the young, and he was ready to help his friend. His proud son surely wanted to show Sasan’s might and the king couldn’t agree more. Charlemagne wanted to win and that was a core feeling in them all. Armin understood the true glory in doing it for the glory of God! Raising his lance in cheer he would prepare his next speech. Neda’s came approach but desire to protect the future was something the king was happy to see within his example troops. They had trouble showing up on time sure but they were a bunch that were dedicated in their causes, their iron bonds each latched onto Xerxes.
“I understand the enthusiasm within you all but they will likely come to us, in fact I think our threats will be within reach very soon.” The king would speak playfully, he enjoyed having fun every now and then. He held a reserved stance as he continued to speak out to them all. “You see, from scouring the earth we’ve been finding reports or rumors of a dungeon which may have arisen. We haven’t found the sources but torn and burnt reports of shaking the earth and strange objects standing in the sky with resplendent sheen have been found. We’ve put all the knights into search parties and have expanded groups with rotating caravans and gather information with messenger crows! The dungeon shall soon be found, and glory shall soon come to Sasan!” Corva from behind the king would let out a mighty caw. The bird was certainly excited by his rousing speech.
The faces of everyone else seemed to bounce around with an odd mix of elation and anticipation. Teeming like a pack of wild animals in search of a fresh meal they all began to clamor up, but before any coherent argument or questions could be formed by the group who all wanted answers the king would let out a roaring “HALT” His voice bouncing around the halls, out the wide-open doors of the vacant palace. He needed them to stew. With his words set in stone color drained from their faces, even chalk-white Marcus! Their emotions would be the perfect fuel from them once the dungeon had been found. He’d give them their closing commands, they were up, they had time in the day. They had all the upcoming time to plan for their eventual encounters.
Xerxes commanded “Alright, go to your daily duties, there’s no need to rile up right now. We have the search efforts working at an accelerated effort, with the glory of God on our side and good old fashioned Sasan hard work the mission is certain to pull off. Make sure any search resources you have are being expended on the dungeon hunt. Reports back here in a few days, we have a message on the way from Immuchak, I feel we’re going to hear more news from the battle of Tor and the natives of that far off icy archipelago of glaciers and banded tribesmen.” His words would trail off in the distance as all of them but the prince would leave the castle. The assortment of silhouettes would surely find itself in the distance noticeably quicker than they had found their way to the meeting. He wasn’t going to worry over the sentiments, things had gone the way he wanted, even now with bad news being the only news anticipation still danced in his body.
“You know, we were right to fear the danger out there.” His son would interject as the king tried to sit upon his throne. It was very much like his son to make those comments. He was right in that regard, venturing out in the world was an overwhelming gamble to be certain. Significant losses were already starting to make a dent in their nation, but a dungeon would provide. The king had no desire to stay rested in fear. Swelling inside of him was a desire to make that world his. “You have a point my son but this world is our, fear is no longer the shell we need to live.” He would respond to his son sharply saying back “Yes it’s our place to put them in fear!” His sickly sentiments needed to be ignored for know. “They should know the place God has willed for them, I’ve no time for arguments now though boy. Go and prepare, the climax is not far from my child.” As their two tones battled like a pair of fires there truly was a whole day to continue. The skies continued to move and life danced across the earth, even the land itself would make way for what was to come.