A Daughter's return and an Audience with the King (Plot)

The High Priestess was walking through the streets with her inner circle and several other members behind her. The entourage behind her were wearing their usual masks but also crimson red robes that showed them as devout followers of the Sacred Order of the Flames Reach.

It was an odd site to see outsiders in the holy City but they were right by the side of Gilles, the young knight who left during the crusade and never returned. However, unlike the others who have fallen off the path of their lord, Gilles has only done the service of their god and country.

Gilles was uncertain if they would have heard of her efforts in the various countries. Her work in Kou wouldnt be well known and Magno is a bit subtle despite having a large hold on the populace already. But Helio was her biggest success, she had gained on of the largest faction in the void there as well as potentially claiming land for her people and sassan.
All of this was for the sake of her country, king and god of course.

SHe would raise her stitched up arms in the air smiling, "I, the High Priestess of the Flame has returned. I have Brought news of an inquisition that has been led by me all these past years while you all have been planning for another crusade. I have laid down ground work for my country and even replenished our numbers by the thousands! All for our lord of the Flames!"

She would go straight to the palace with her entourage before stopping at the doors to speak to the guards. "I am here to request an audience with out King! I know i did not notify ahead of time of my visit but this is urgent." SHe spoke with an air of urgency and importance about her. Soon she would see the man she loves

The burning woman's return to her home was one that was met with mixed reactions. The calm streets of Sasan were never well with spectacle. A woman, bringing foreigners?? Sure she was a knight but it was still an audacious thing to do. The guards simply allowed her entrance in disbelief of how to react. An escort of a prisoner or a captive was one thing, but a horde of followers? That was something the king would need to see. If she wanted an audience, there would be few brave enough to face her. Only those with higher authority would step up to Gilles. As she approached the palace, she would soon see who would await her.

With Leon away enacting his plans Xerxes awaited in the daunting blue steel palace. Its doors were held shut as the Paladins kept guard for the Knight-King. They were the guard, those who kept vigilance while the Majors of Sasan watched their district. During the time of change, people were wary, so when The pale lady would waltz up to the doors she would see a wall of blue armored warriors. Their identity is concealed by their duty. One a man smaller than the others but more decorated would approach. He was shorter than the pale woman but he was built well. Each step carried power.


"If you wish to have an audience with the King you'll leave your people outside and enter with me. That is the stipulation of O' daughter of Sasan, do you agree?" He would ask, a voice still as the ponds of the palace. His hand placed over his sword, even the workers around, the pedestrians gazing with awe. It seemed formal, but it was a tense exchange. Even if the operations of things changed, authority was still important here and Gilles knew that. Whether or not she would respect it was another thing.

Normally one would be greeted by the mentors, the Majors, or even the minors. They were all working, trying to repair things for a stronger future. They had a chance to prosper, so they were cautious. Still, this was likely a better boon for them all, Xerxes sat waiting as word was brought to him of a visitor. A small smirk appeared on the King's Face. "Now this, this is promising....."

The high Priestess of the Flames reach would look unabashed by the looks of concern and confusion by her fellow citizens. She expected this would happen. They were an isolationist nation basically most of their time existing so it was unheard of to bring in outsiders of their own free will. She would smile, trying to look like the stoic knight she claimed it be still. Everything was fine that is until she was  close to the audience chambers.

Gilles would nod and have her entourage of followers leave and retreat for now. Honestly she had just done this to put on a show to reveal the work she has done so far. It was nice and all to talk about but it was best to show physical proof. But they have served their purpose. Now it was time to follow protocol of how sassan deals with things.

"yes sir, I apologize about the surprising upset. I was just hoping to show my work to the king himself but I understand. That was foolish of me. I am currently unarmed as well so I would like to have an audience now if that is still possible" she tried to show the paladin respect. Normally this sint something she does but it was not an act. In sassan she actually cared about order and law of the nation and was trying to respect it.

She would still be grinning as she looks at the large doors behind the paladins knowing her love was there.

As Gilles was escorted inside the daunting Azure Palace she would see all manners of Paladins on guard. It was their job of course, but there was a sense of vigilance in their eyes, their stance. Piercing through the holes of their helmets were gazes colder than than immuchak tundra and sharper than kinan steel. The people of Sasan seemed to have something festering inside of them. It was hatred, it was anger to others it was fear of the unknown. They had already disdained the world, upon seeing it many of them were scorned. Now one of their daughters came parading into the city not only showing she could face the real world but conquer it as well.

None would address here, that was until she had reached the chamber of the Knight King. There he sat clad in blue armor tight and built with layered purpose. He was a walking fortress compressed into an articulated killing machine. She had of course seen the King, but Xerxes seemed almost fiercer. As if something had stoked a fire inside the man once more.

"Welcome home O Daughter of Sasan, Gilles Farzad!" he would say his weary face stretched into a smile. His eyes filled with passion despite his aged expression. He would waltz down the mountain-steep staircase that lead up to his throne. Each step resounded through the hall, no guards would dare to interrupt his speech, but all of then would enthralled to see how this meeting would go.

"I hear you come to my door with followers, returning home so many years after the crusades I can say you've sparked my curiosity. Please tell me, what brings you home, and what do you bear for Sasan?"

He expected any of those of his nation to do things for the prosperity of the people, of their purity. He was not sure the methods she used, or how to feel about it all. The one thing the king knew, was that this moment bore an opportunity. The question was, an opportunity for what?

As she was escorted, Gilles keen eyes would observe the state of the country that she had left. Outwardly everything looked normal and fine but there was something deep underneath the skin, a festering wound that was hiding it's ugly face now. The people here had become like still that has not been tempered properly, cold and can snap under the pressure at any moment.

The High Priestess knew that they would be in a mood over the failed crusade they started but this seemed different, something darker. Of course this lack of understanding could be due to the fact that when she heard of Xerxes defeat in the dungeon race, she did not lower her head and retreat to regroup but instead she went harder and was one of the few to make actual steps towards their goals. She never ended their initial crusade, she kept going strong and now she has several fruits of her labors to show them that their was still hope for their initial plans.

The moment that she was before her king she would immediately kneel before Xerxes and lower her head. "It is an honor that you know my name, your majesty. I am blessed by the light of your brilliance bestowed by our lord of the flames." Outwardly the unhinged killer was stoic and calm like the knight she was, but inside she was a bit of a mess.

Xerxes looked a bit older but he was even more beautiful and sexy now. The look in his eyes. that fire of passion sent butterflies in her stomach. She was worried that he had changed and was no longer her xerxes, but an imposter. But here he was, the man she was in love with. THe one she burned nations for. The one who is below only the Lord of the Flames, King Xerxes. She would inwardly applaud but restain herself outwardly as she watches him move swiftly and with such grace. SHe loved him so much, she would even kill him if he at all looked like he was in pain which he did not for now. This was how great and twisted her love was for the king, the imaginary king that lived only in her mind.

SHe would look up grinning unnervingly up at the king. This grin and her eyes were the only thing that did not match the rest of her stoic stance and appearance. While Xerxes' eyes shone with the fire of passion, her's shone with darker flames. A glimpse into the unhinged and chaotic self that she truly was, something that made her own delusions to justify the things she has done. Something she saw nothing wrong in. While soldiers were lead by their king's orders and the prosperity of their nation, gilles was fueled by a passion of fire, burning thousands just to feel pleasure at the site of their corpses dancing to the symphony of cracking and sizzling.

"Yes I have returned to the great motherland but not alone. The ones that follow me are but a small portion of those that have devoted themselves to out great lord of the flames. The one and true lord that we all love as his chosen people." Her voice would sound a bit robotic as if this was something she said constantly, not to rehears  but to herself. The lord of the flames was her mind's excuse for everything that she did. She could not currently comprehend that she did this simply out of a love of killing and manipulating.

"I brought this small sample to show that we have not lost hope! There are people out there who want to open their hearts to out cause, to out god! Thousands upon thousands have flocked to me, to the Sacred Order of the Flames Reach. Being loyal members of the Order they are no longer Magnostadts or Kouens or Heliohaptans but Sassanids! They have fully devoted their cause to spread the love and control of our lord and yours as well. Our nation is steadily growing outside of these walls! Hundreds of thousands follow out lord who speaks through us, the high Priest of the Flames the the King chosen by god."

SHe would take a few moments before continuing to talk, "As for what all have I gained for Sassan besides numbers? I have gained a portion of our lord's power through a metal vessel, allowing me to control ice, fire and the dead. A power that can turn nations against itself. A power under your control now since i am simply a weapon of my king and god. But that is not all. I have gathered power and followers in three major nations outside of this world. First there is Kou where i first started the revival of the Sacred Order. When i left there were 3 villages with 300 members but that was years ago and they are sure to have spread and reach thousands by now under the guidance of my priests. Then their is the lands south of Riem that were originally contested between them and Helio. I have gathered around a couple hundred thousand, the number is hard
to know for sure, could be less but it is still a great number. As well as land of the peninsula. We have created a sort of state that works together with 4 other factions to make rules over the land and work together when needed. 4 states that could be persuaded to help us as minor allies when needed. I have promised not to invade the other 4 states but if you command it i will break this promise and conquer them. There is a similar treaty with 3 groups of Helio that i had no choice but to make. But I can also initiate another war if commanded. I think it is best to wait and build relations with the states, slowly converting them until its too late before they realize they are part of us now."

This was long winded but she had finally gotten to the most important news, the gem of her crusade, her inquisition of brimstone and ash. "Finally, there is the nation of Magic, Magnostadtt. This one i do not have a clear number of because a lot of it has been through words and persuasion more so than my usual methods. But the word of our god of flames has taken deep root in the nation and I have probably the most solid foothold there. The nation is at a turning point with the people beginning to splinter against themselves over petty reasons, with a push from myself of course. I am about to create a mass conversion of the nation which if it goes well it will becoming a state under sassan. The nation that is the most advanced in magic will soon be under our control. All of this I have done for you and our lord!"

SHe would salute and kneel her head once more as she had finish her report of everything major.

"I say, if your words are as true as your claim then you should feel tremendous pride. With such information I imagine we could send out a few battalions of knights to help build up the settlements you have. My son, Leon is gone on a similar mission. To sway hearts rather than steal cities."

While addressing the young Knight the king would quickly snap his fingers. The sharp sound would ring throughout the metal halls. In a second a few knights would start scurrying, a small figure clad in white armor, masked with steel would stand before the knight king. He would whisper, few words going into the child's ears before rushing off once again in a blur.

"Theyll fetch a nice reward for your effoers. What youve done is worthy of a Minor, even a major knight. With such a daunting task riding on just the edge of the horiozn. I imagine of you are coming here it is for more than just to sing of your own praise, to give your honor to Sasan. What is it you ask from me, from your nation?" Xerxes had a curious gaze in his eyes.

This was a chance for all of Sasan, her loyalty seemed true. There were many that had deserted the nation if he didn't care to admit it. She even had the power of a king, he had failed to claim a dungeon but he had been granted power by the contractor. Which one had she earned, gained strength from. Depending on what she said is what would decide how the king reacted in turn.

Her heart would flutter as he sung praise about her. She could not believe the the love of her life was speaking so highly of her. "Your words are blinding my king. I do no deserve such praise for i am only doing the work of our lord. His blessing to me is the only reason i have done this much."

She was being humble outwardly because that was the role of a knight, but she knew the value of these efforts for sassan. She was currently the only one that made any sort of progress to their initial goal. "I appreciate your offer of helping build in the lands south of here. Our new people will greatly appreciate it if we can speed up creating the small nation under our guidance.

She would pause before looking up once more at her king "It is true that i came here for more than just a report. Soon a great religious conversion will begin in Magnostadtt and I see a need for assistance of Sassan. The ruler there hates non magicians and there is no chance of me talking to him and getting him to join us. I have recently fought a battle with him and while there is a chance of victory i would like to ask for support from your armies or perhaps you yourself. This could be the start of our true holy war. Showing the world the might of sassan as we convert a powerful nation to our beliefs, to our king and most importantly to our god. Already I have made great progress of swaying the people but it will be extremely difficult moving on. The battle has weakened the enemy but also strengthened the resolve of some while weakening others. Now is the perfect time for us which is why i think you should lead our forces their my love" she said letting the last word slip unintentionally.

"My only love is Sasan, and the one person to ever hold my love is gone. But your passion is not to be dismissed. I shall give you the might of Sasan, I shall bring the force of my own cold Iron. This man has false held truths of who is pure. It is not man or magician, but the drive of Sasan and our truth." he would say with a bit of fervor. As he waved his hand the knights came forth and with them was a shifting form of slime. It was Neda, the Major knight. When it came to weapons of the body, she knew best.

Xerxes would beckon her forth, she knew well of Gilles. When it came to knowing those she crafted for she was an expert. Word of her actions in Heliohapt had reached her. It was more so the stories rather than names, but It was clear the type of weapon she needed. "Tell me, child of flame, are you ready for something that will bring you closer to the fire than you ever expected. I have something deadlier than you can imagine, if you wish to eat the sun, to herald its flames and be God's blade?"

It was a painful path, her efforts had warranted something that could only increase her deadliness further. To someone as maddened it could be seen as a sign from god, a messenger who would be wreathed in flame that was hard to discern from holy or Wicked. Xerxes could only wait for her response, to see if she would accept this offer. It was customary to grant a unique weapon to knights when promoted, this was arguably something more. For she was already king, so what was the next step for a king but to conquer.

Something would break inside of Gilles as she heard these words. The Xerxes that she knew would never say such a thing. He would have accepted her love and taken the priestess as his queen. This must be an imposter! that was the only explanation why Xerxes would reject her love. Everytime he paraded through the city or addressed the nights he had looked and spoke directly to her. Or maybe this was just a test. Maybe she did not do enough to fully earn his love. Her mind could not accept the fact that the xerxes she knew was a figment of her mind, a legend that the actual king could neve live up to.

She would start to laugh wildly as her nails carve into her arms causing blood to run down her body. SHe must focus on something else or she would end up attacking the imposter right on the spot. The pain making her mind a bit clearer. Yes she would have to plan this man's death and torture him to find out where the real xerxes was. But for now she must pretend not to know the truth, that he was a lie!

Kekekekeke, Yes i appreciate all of your support. Together on the battlefield we will shine, The High Priestess and the'king'" she put emphasis on king before darting her eyes to neda, another woman close to this fake king. Perhaps she replaced xerxes with this double to keep him for herself.

She would kneel before SHeba and smile at her unblinkingly speaking in a sort of monotone voice towards the knight, cold and metalic. 'yes i will gladly accept this great gift from you and our King. I will make sure to set the heretics and fake gods aflame"

Xerxes would let him know, if this were to be a successful mission he needed some lieutenants. "I shall give you your own inquisitors. They are some of the most well-equipped knights, minor knight prospects taken from their masters and trained specifically by Knight-Heir Leon." They would lurk forth from the shadows, each was a different type of knight. The inquisitors were like hunters, but they found people, broke them, and changed them. "If all goes well, they will be but the start. A gift for helping you form your own order. I am sure you have built many strong in the faith, but you will need a group of most divine warriors to protect it."

That was the true goal, not to colonize anymore. If they could it was a plus, but to convert, to establish orders and official groups to integrate into the populace. One of his sons was already succeding in it, or from what he received showed such. He could only hope to see what the young lady would do with her influence. To establish a new base, a transplanted branch to help expand the garden of influence.

As Neda would come forth she presented Gilles with a pair of burning amber earrings, they had sharp hooks and strong latches. They wouldn't be comfortable to remove once they had been put on. They were a commitment, much like many of the gifts that Xerxes offered. Once she put them on, once she felt their power he was sure that she'd be pleased. Her two new friends would come forth intrigued. One in the armor of a hound, and the other with a bow so sharp it had to be a blade as well.

"I am Grimm Canterbury, The Hound Knight" The hound would bark towards his new captain. His role as an inquisitor was clear with his ghastly sword and ornate armor. These knights seemed to be more embellished, their armor was specially crafted. Gilles in her experience with magical items would notice the seal on their armor and weapons.

The man with the bow stood much taller than the man hound, he stood seven feet tall at the least. It wasn't much of a contest but the way he carried himself was with absolute power. He sheathed his bow, offering a polite bow to Gilles. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, I am the Bltiz Knight Galileo." his voice was strong but honorable. He seemed to be well-disciplined and could command a room with his presence. They would be useful in helping Gilles expand, all she had to do was educate them in the way of the flames.

The Hound:

The Blitz:

Spoiler:

The high priestess would bow to the king once more, this time not quite as low as before. She had grown to hat this man in front of her in a span of seconds. This was why Sassan was so weak now, it had a fake leading it. While Sassan was licking it's wounds gilles was busy swaying the masses to follow her and become part of their nation. While they were beginning their inquisition she had been doing it for years. She would have to restore the sassan of old.

SHe would accept the gift from Neda, taking the earings and unflinching at the pain. SHe was used to pain by this point. SHe would turn to the imposter king "Thank you for the gift sir. With this and the power of Sassan we will convert the masses of Magnostaddt to our will"

She would turn to walk away before addressing the two knights. "A pleasure to meet you two inquisitors. I am High Priestess of the Flames Gilles. Hurry and prepare to leave, Our Holy war in the land of magic starts soon"