Swords ready, tightened grip, and ice in the veins. The soldiers edge deeper into the humid cave that conceals their prey. The moss-covered walls writhe and whisper into their ears. Only death and misery await them further down the pit. This is it, the first hunt of the year.
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But not everyone is as prepared to meet their enteral foe. Arthur drags his feet as he trudges the muck of the cave. His sword arm slacks and doubt sinks into his mind. The light of the soldier's torches illuminates the pity the man has for the women they are about to slaughter.
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“Pick up the pace half-blood.”
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The old warrior with a rough white beard and hair glares back towards Arthur. His eyes full of retrained hate and a hint of fear.
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“Sorry sir, I’ll catch up.”
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Arthur grips his sword’s grip and follows the command while ignoring the slur. There’s nothing he can do about it. Deep down, he knows he’s a monster. Just like the witches in this cave.
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But still…my blood boils just thinking about what we’re going to do. They haven’t done anything yet.
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The order has been sent down from King Boethius himself. These witches need to die before the tragedy 100 years ago repeats itself.
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So the men march. They march down into the abyss of the cave, searching for those that practice the ancient art.
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“Hold.”
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The old man halts the 35 soldiers and sniffs the air.
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“There are here.”
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“What do you smell sir.”
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One of the rookies covers it up well but his eyes frantically look around the narrow cave hall. Every shadow a possible demon ready to rip out his throat.
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“I smell nothing. I hear nothing. The cave has gone silent and frigid.”
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Everyone breathes and notices that they can see the air escape their mouths.
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“Draw your weapons.”
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Everyone obeys and a cacophony of swords being released from their sheathes echo throughout the cave. There is no going back now, the sudden sensation of being hunted confirms this fact. Hell has opened up and they must press into it.
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“Still feeling pity half-blood?”
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Before Arthur can saying anything to the provocation, the captain spoke.
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“Enough, focus. Move forward and be ready for anything. Protect the men near you, keep your amulets on and we’ll all come out of here alive.”
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The men move cautiously further into the cave until they encounter a wide room. Three paths lay in front of them, taunting them to pick their poison.
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“Sir, which way?”
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“Whichever one we pick, we’ll need to stick together.”
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“How about we send in the half-blood to scout.”
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“Good idea Baal. What do you think sir?”
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“I think you two need to stop picking on it. As much as I hate the decision, it’s still a part of the empire’s army. Besides, it might just join its kin if left alone.”
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“Right, right. Can’t have that right half-blood?”
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The soldier named Baal punches Arthur’s shoulder playfully. But the pain in his shoulder suggests otherwise.
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Just bare it Arthur, remember the paycheck. Remember father and brother, they need me to survive this.
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“H-Help me…”
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Everyone instantly turned towards the path on the right to see a young girl in rags inch her way toward them. But her strength quickly fades and she collapses onto the ground.
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Arthur goes to check on the wounded but was stopped by the captain's blade pointed toward his chest.
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“Whoa, where you going?”
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“To help the citizen. That is what the empire professes to do with pride. Protecting the lives of their loyal citizens, right?”
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“That thing is not a citizen.”
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“You can’t mean-”
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“We can’t take the chance. Charlie, gut her. Claim your first blood.”
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“Y-Yes, sir.”
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With some hesitation, the rookie steps forward ready to piece the girl’s heart.
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“You can’t do this!”
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Arthur tries to move forward but the sword threatens to pierce his armor.
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“Calm yourself half-blood. A female in this cave is already suspicious but a young girl escaping the monsters within? The chances of that being a witch or her pawn are too high.”
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“She might be an unwilling pawn!”
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“All the more reason to put her out of her misery.”
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Arthur takes a glance at the girl. She can’t be any more than 12 years of age. Her blond hair is bathed by soot, blood, and filth. Her breathing is ragged and weak. Arthur’s blood rages at that this sight and demands him to protect the innocent. To not let what happened to his late sister happen to this girl.
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“O-Out of my way sir, I…won’t let you kill her.”
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“Oh, looks like the half-blood is finally showing his true colors.”
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“Repeat that creature, I don’t think I heard you.”
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Arthur grips his sword and stares into the eyes of his superior officer. His eyes quickly flash black and his hair slightly flairs up.
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“I said-”
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“Ahhh!!”
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Instantly everyone re-focused on where the rookie was.
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“They’re gone!”
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“This is your fault!”
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Baal pulls Arthur to him and screams into his face. Anger and pain paint his face while his sword grows hungry for his death.
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“You think I did something!?”
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“You distracted us long enough for that girl to kill Charlie.”
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“Or maybe the witch who did this stole them both.”
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“Enough!”
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The captain’s thunderous roar instantly calmed the two.
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“We don’t have time for in-fighting. We need to hurry after them, now. But know this, another stunt like that and I’ll run you through half-blood.”
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“…Fine.”
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The soldiers pick up the pace and follow the distinct smell of blood. It rushes through their noses and warns them that whatever they’ll see will be their fate as well. But they go on anyway, they must.
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But that strength falters when the cave gives way to something alien. All of sudden the group was inside a dark foggy forest. The trees tower over them oppressively, blocking out even the sun.
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“The hell is this?”
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“Illusionary space, be on your guard. The witch here is powerful. But by the grace of the gods, we will slay her.”
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“Charlie!”
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The group looked up to see the rookie hanging from the tree branches. Many vomited at the mere sight of his disfigured body. His body was stringed across the canopy like festival decor. The centerpiece is his head, staring eyeless at the party. His face, eternally frozen in fear and pain no mortal man should have to go through.
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“Happy now bastard? I should gut you now half-blood.”
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“I didn’t want this idiot, point your sword at the one you did this.”
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“The half-blood is right, focus on the witch. We’ll deal with him later.”
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“Tch, fine.”
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Arthur ignores the tears welling in Baal’s eyes. He couldn’t bare to see any sort of humanity in these men. Especially considering they likely won’t survive past the night.
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The group delves deeper into the forest. Each man looking out for anything that could end them. All the more tragic that their number had gone down from 34 to 15 within 10 minutes. Silently, the forests claims victim after victim. It was only a matter of time before someone broke.
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“Fuck this, I’m getting out of here!”
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The soldier ran back the way the group came. But he didn’t even take 10 steps before a creature black than the night erupted out of the fog to tear him in half.
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“There you are!”
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The old man grips his amulet while chanting strange words. Within moments, his sword explodes with holy flames. Instinctively, Arthur took a step back from it.
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“Die you devil!”
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The captain swung his sword in an arc that loosed a crescent blast of holy fire. It cleaved through multiple trees before finally cutting the concealed beast in twine.
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In that instant, the fog turned blood red and the screams of beasts reverberate through the forest.
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“Remember your training! In the god's names!”
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The remaining group, excluding Arthur, echoed the statement and steeled themselves. The witch’s beasts disregarded stealth in favor of vengeful offenses. Arthur also prepared for his first fight against the fabled demon familiars. He gripped his sword tight enough to draw blood that flashed between red and black.
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Faster than humanly possible, Arthur cut the space in front of one of the soldiers. At first, the soldier didn’t see it but after a second, he saw the dead beast on the ground.
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“How-”
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“Don’t thank me, just fight.”
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“Charge!!”
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The captain screamed and the battle officially started. 15 vs an unknown number of demonic creatures. The pained cries of death and the roar of holy flames against demonic howls echo across the battlefield. But that didn’t matter to Arthur, he needed to focus on his own battles.
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No, I can’t let myself get out of control. Calm yourself like father-
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Before he could regain his self-control, a hairless black creature lunged at Arthur. Instinctively, he dodged the claw swipe but it did draw some blood.
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“Bastard.”
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The beast lunged again and he barely blocked the attack. It forced him to his knees and would have broken the guard if it wasn’t for Arthur rolling out of the way.
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“I…have no choice. I need to make it back alive!”
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He focused his senses beyond what was normal, something he promised he wouldn’t do but clearly, that wasn’t an option. His eyes flash black and his hair flairs. He closed his eyes and focused. The beast wildly attacks again but this time, Arthur gracefully dodged and beheaded the creature.
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Black blood gushed from the body and covered his face. But it didn’t bother Arthur. He only licked the blood away and smiled wickedly.
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“One time…won’t hurt. Father isn’t here to see me. I can…let loose a bit.”
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Arthur searched for the next kill and quickly found more beasts coming for him.
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“Good.”
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For 10 minutes straight, all of his frustration and anger were unleashed onto their bodies. Free license to kill was a blessing that he freely took advantage of. He was free and it felt great. He tore through the ranks of demons like a whirlwind sent by the gods.
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Deep down, he hopes no one looks this way. The cruel smile on his face wouldn’t help his situation. But on the surface, he was too excited.
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“Arthur!”
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“?!”
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Did someone just-
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Arthur blinked and his eyes returned to normal. He looks around to see the carnage. Yes, the soliders killed many of the beasts. Some were even on fire. But that paled in comparison to what he did. The bodies were torn apart almost as badly as Charlie's. Their limbs were ripped apart and thrown across the area like leaves. And the number…no human could kill this many demons.
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All at once, everything he just did came flooding back.
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“What…have I done…”
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The old man aims his flaming sword at Arthur. He was ready to kill this thing once and for all. No more risking his men’s lives. Orders be damned.
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“You…really are one of them aren’t you?”
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“Yes, and that’s why he’s excellent.”
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A clapping sound echoed across the void and the scenery instantly changed. The remaining 7 men were now in a large throne room. What was around them froze their blood.
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On the second store balcony, on all sides, were hundreds of witches. Their faces covered by a veil but they could feel their eyes piercing their souls.
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“No…is this really-
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“A true coven? Yes, yes it is human.”
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They turned to the front to see 3 females standing next to an empty black throne. Two were beyond beautiful and the 3rd was the little girl from before. But this time, she wore clothes befitting royalty.
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As for the throne, it was a strange thing. It was as if it existed but didn’t. It phased in and out of reality.
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One of the women, the one with golden hair and a red velvet dress stepped forward.
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“We have finally come together once again to fulfill our dearest wish. Your hunts have not succeeded. We still number in the hundreds.”
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“You bitches, you won’t get away with this. Humanity still outnumbers you 1000 to 1.”
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“Maybe, but our powers are growing. As you can clearly see. This is no mere illusionary space but a true pocket dimension. And it’s all thanks to the return of our destined lord.”
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“Lord?”
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“Yes, he’s in fact right in this room.”
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The soldiers turn to the bloodied Arthur who’s still shocked by what he did.
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“You can’t mean that mon-”
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Instantly, the sound of bones breaking can be heard. Arthur turned to see Baal being twisted in ways no human body should be.
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“No!”
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The old man fired another blast of holy flame but the other beautiful woman blocked it with her hands. It burned her hand but little else.
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“Impossible…”
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“C-Captain!”
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“Baal!”
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There was nothing anyone could do. Baal was crushed into oblivion and the rest of the soldiers broke down mentally. They were going to die here and it wasn’t going to be painless.
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“Monsters!”
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“You fit that descriptor more than us.”
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“How can you say that after what you just did to Baal?”
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“Forgive the little one, she’s not used to holding back her spells.”
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The child grins after flexing her fingers. Arthur couldn’t help but feel responsible. They were right, the little girl was a witch. The way she kills is…too brutal.
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“She’s such an artist. I can’t help but let her play with her food every once in a while.”
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“You’re sick.”
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“We are what your people made us. If you all didn’t commit that sin 200 years ago-”
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“It wasn’t us who commit the sin!”
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“Just because you were the victors doesn’t mean you should lie!”
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Her voice forces everyone to fall to the group, held down by a powerful force. Only Arthur was spared.
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The old man strained against the weight and grabbed his amulet. He began to say strange words that made his body glow golden. The weight began to lessen but it was all for naught. The woman who blocked his attack before stepped forward.
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Her chilling blue eyes bore into the old man before whispering the final blow.
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“Silence.”
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To Arthur’s horror, the old man’s mouth vanished into thin air. The golden glow quickly dissipated and with it his strength.
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“Now where was I? Oh yes!”
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The weight on the soldiers slowly increased.
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“I’m going to crush you all slowly and painfully. You’ll feel all of your organs slowly flatten. Then at the end, they’ll pop like cherries.”
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“No!”
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Arthur snapped out of their shock and stood against the madness of the area. He glared at the woman who only smiled.
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“What would you have me do, my lord? What should we do with these humans that prosecute you and our sisters?”
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Arthur looked at the struggling men. He didn’t like them. They prosecuted him, suppressed his father as a traitor, bullied his brother and…his sister…and mother.
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He was no friend to the empire but…this? No one deserves to die like this. More than that, these witches seem even worse in comparison.
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“Spare them.”
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The men looked at Arthur with shock and relief. While the woman’s smile grew wider before giving her answer.
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“Alright.”
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“Thank-”
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Before he could finish, the soldiers were instantly flatted into red paste. The only thing remaining were the amulets they wore.
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“Why?!”
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“What? I spared them the torture, did you mean something else master?”
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Arthur was going to protest but swallowed the words. The stares and whispers of the witches above are a sign. He can’t express any mercy or humanity. If he did…maybe they’ll do the same to him.
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“Nothing, y-you did well.”
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The woman gracefully bowed.
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“Thank you for the praise my lord. Now all you need to do is sit on your rightful throne.”
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Arthur looked around at the multitude and could only think of one thing to ask.
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“Why me? I’m only a half-blood.”
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The two main women looked at each other before giving the answer.
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“Truthfully, most actually wanted your sister but…”
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“…I know.”
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“All the more reason you should join us, to prevent those monsters from taking anything else from us. We may not have the destined queen but you’ll have to do.”
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“Destined?”
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“An old prophecy about the first union of a witch and human becoming our master that will lead us into a bright future. The daughter would be queen and her brother the knight that protects her. Ironic that one man’s lust for our famed beauty will lead to the downfall of humanity.”
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Arthur bites his lip. He wanted to defend his father. It wasn’t lust that drew him to mother but love. However, these people don’t seem to believe in such a concept.
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“The destined knight becoming the master instead. Fate is a funny and fickle thing.”
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For the first time, the other woman opens her mouth to speak.
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“Or it could be the human’s meddling. Considering what they did to the true master and her mother.”
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“Now now Shia, we don’t know if Alison is dead. The mother of the queen and king wouldn’t die that easily.”
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“Then where-”
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“Not here.”
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“…Forgive me.”
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King? Please, who would want to rule this den of snakes. But…what choice do I have? But maybe I can get one thing out of it.
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“And what of my father and little brother?”
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“…They can come here. We’ll…take care of them.”
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“Really?”
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“Yes, we’ll show them hospitality befitting of royalty. You have my word my lord.”
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Arthur weighed his options and came to the only real choice. He walked towards the throne.
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The women on the second floor begin to chat in reverence while the main three got out of the way and bowed.
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Arthur grips the throne and instantly feels power flow into him. His body hungrily consumes the energy within. But more than anything it felt-
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“Familiar.”
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“As it should, this is your throne now. Now sit my lord, we have much to do.”
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At last, Arthur sits down on the throne. As soon as he did, the throne at last fully materialized into reality.
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The full power of the throne enveloped Arthur and exploded in glorious fashion. Right on time for the chanting to reach it’s climax. Arthur’s eyes are now fully black and his hair spikes up. He looks at his subjects and accepts his fate. He’ll just have to make the most of it.
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“Where do we begin?”
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