Welcome to Chapter 1!
Almost every chapter will be in a different POV, and almost always in the female perspective unless I see a need for the King's POV's :) Enjoy.
Levy.
She hadn't thought that her life would change so drastically, so quickly. One moment she was in the middle of her studies within the confinements of the Temple of the Purities. Reading a large book in the library, oil lamp burning beside her, finding fascinating truths about Herbology. She remembered her other hand frantically writing down notes beside her on some parchment. The ink was running down her fingers. She remembered because when she itched her cheek, ink was smudged there.
It was roughly midnight when she heard yelling, she looked up from the book quick enough to see the library door get kicked open. She widened her eyes, she didn't know who the person was or who they thought they were, but she felt infuriated knowing someone kicked down the door of such a sacred place. And in the Temple of the Purities for that matter! She remembered thinking. She stood slowly, her eyes were still adjusting to the new light around her. They were holding large lanterns, their faces shadowed by the hoods that covered them.
She worryingly looked around, "Who are you, may I ask?"
"Levy," she spoke silently from the door. Lead Purity, Porlyusica said behind the men. Her red eyes looked full of sorrow as she silently swayed between the men in front of Levy. "I wish I could've come to you earlier my dear. But… I couldn't." She sighed, "They're going to take you to their Kingdom. You have to go with them Levy, and do not ask them any questions whilst you ride. Do you understand child?"
"Porlyusica…" Levy whispered, "I don't understand."
"Hurry, woman." A man grumbled, "The King wants her in the Kingdom's territory by midday tomorrow. We have to get moving."
Porlyusica put her hand to her mouth and nodded slowly, "Stay well, child." She held Levy's hand and put something in her palm. Giving her a stern gaze before the man beside her gathered up all of her books from the desk and threw it in Levy's arms hurriedly. Levy widened her eyes as one of them shoved a cloak in her arms too, her cloak.
She was frozen in thought as she was dragged down the long halls of the temple. She didn't struggle until she passed Asuka peeping around the door that led to the chambers. Asuka ran from the door, colliding into Levy. Levy was shocked when one of the guards grabbed her, she moved quickly. Slapping his hand away and holding Asuka in her arms. "If you hurt her then I will not come with you at all. Can't you see she's worried?" She rolled her eyes, she juggled the books and notes in her arms as she held Asuka close. "Asuka is my student, and I am going to say goodbye to her, understand?"
They all grumbled, but one smiled semi-kindly and mumbled, "Just don't take forever, Purity."
Levy nodded, as she kneeled in front of Asuka she put on her cloak, and rolled up parchment. "I have no idea why I am leaving, quite honestly I am still getting used to the idea. But you have to continue studying, Asuka, promise me?"
"But Miss Levy! We were going to read the story of Hercules and the Lion together tomorrow." Asuka whimpered.
Levy felt a pang of guilt, she had indeed promised such a thing. She sighed and smiled sadly, trying not to cry. "You know where it is in my room, you can keep it. A goodbye gift from me." She stroked the child's cheek, "You're the most promising student I have ever had the pleasure to teach, Asuka." Kissing the little girl's cheek, Levy stood again. "Be brave, everything will be fine." Levy knew she was trying to be brave for the child, but she was almost to the point of tears. She could feel them threatening to spill over.
Asuka cried in the hallway as Levy was dragged out of the stable door of the Temple of the Purities. One of them pulled her hood up, telling her to keep it up. She nodded, and suddenly she was told to sit in an old cart full of hay and bags. Her bags. They have been in her room.
"We left a few books, the kid might find that book you were talking about." The same man from earlier said quickly, pushing her on their ride. They connected the cart to the horse and all got on. For the first time, she had time to count them. Four. There were four of them.
They took twenty minutes to get out of the grounds of the Purities. Leaving through the front gate without a batter of their eyelids. Levy sighed deeply, clutching her notes to her chest. She was told to not ask anything. But the questions sure enough burned in her mind and throat. She looked at the four men, two were in the cart with her. One drinking from a hip-flask and the other was carving something with a small knife. She looked over her shoulder to the two in the front, one looked a lot smaller than the other. Young, though she couldn't fully judge how from his position and the light that was given from the moon.
She looked up to the shining orb in the sky, it had been three years since she had it outside the walls of the Temple. It had always been beautiful to her, completely intriguing. If not nostalgic. Its silver shine was stunning, it gave her goosebumps just thinking about how it gave the world light, how it stayed in the sky and the energy it gave to this wondrous world. She found herself smiling, although in a way she knew she shouldn't have been. Most would be crying, screaming for help. But for some reason, she didn't. She didn't feel frightened. She may be in a state of shock, and soon will start doing just that. But for that moment, she lapped up the light of the moon for as long as she could. For as long as she was outside.
She might not be able to see it for a while.
She did not ask questions, still. She kept her mouth shut, not speaking to the men at all. They seemed surprised that she had followed the hurried orders of Porlyusica and not ran her mouth. Possibly, they were just looking for a chance to fight her. Smack her in the face, maybe even pin her down and try and authorities themselves with her body. She wouldn't allow them the privilege. She won't allow anyone the privilege.
She remembered, however, falling asleep at some point. Her day of studying and straining her eyes behind an oil lamp in the dark, had finally caught up too her. She found a soft spot on the hay, resting her head on it just for a moment she easily fell into unconsciousness.
Unfortunately, her sleep did not last too long. Or at least, that is what it felt like. In reality, she had been asleep for hours. She was shaken awake by the nicer man of the four, who told her to get moving because they were about to horse ride the rest of the way to the Kingdom. She groggily got up from the cart and was helped down by another mask man who practically threw her onto a horse. She wondered whilst still being half asleep, where on earth they got these horses from. She still didn't fully understand, even now.
Whilst being in an exhausted state, she broke the one rule she promised not to break. She asked a question in a low mumbling voice, her voice being as tired as her body. "Where did the horses come from?"
The tallest man was the one who slapped her. His hand was covered with a leather glove, accessorised with large metal rings. The studded rings pierced through her lip and cheek. Causing both to become cut and raw. She whimpered quietly, waking up completely from the solid slap. She bowed her head and mumbled, "Apologies, I didn't mean to seem rude."
The same man was about to slap her again, but the man who was nicer than the others stopped him. "Too many bruises on her face will make his Majesty angered, Jose. We haven't long until we are supposed to be back in The Kingdom of Metal, and I do not plan or wish too be late. Do you?"
The man who was named Jose grumbled under his breath, she didn't need to see his face to know that he was glaring both at the other hooded man and herself. He jabbed a finger into her direction, "Another peep from you, and I will make you so sore in ye' arse that you won't be able to sing 'amazing grace' quick enough. You understand, you pint sized bitch?"
This time the other hooded man did not stop him. She nodded and sighed, clenching her hands around the rope that was tied around the horses neck. She suddenly realised what the nicer man had said… The Kingdom of Metal…
Oh dear gods help me.
She had heard many stories about The Kingdom of Metal. The Kingdom was nestled in the large forest of Eden, miles away from the Temple of the Purities, all the other Kingdoms were a few days ride away. It held the reputation for being the most dangerous Kingdom of its kind. The King himself was one for the story books. He was the eldest son of King Metalicana Redfox, who had died a few years prior after fighting to the death against the King of Lightning, Ivan Dreyar who had also died due to the battle. The current King had bestowed the throne after proving he had his father's powers. To be able to control and make his body into metal. A magic that was known to be selective in their users.
So of course to know the eldest son had this gift the Kingdom thought him to be the new messiah.
Levy never thought to learn his name, she never thought she would ever face him. She was against the very idea of meeting him, in fact, even three years prior whilst on the run, she made sure she never went through the forest. Even once. To go to the Kingdom of Metal, was to put a death mark on your forehead. Unless the King wanted you out of the Kingdom, you were never to leave. Which worried her the most.
The current King of the Kingdom of Metal, was the man responsible for her village being burned to the ground. For her parents deaths. His men slaughtered them all, raping the woman and taking the children. It was magical how she even managed to escape from there. No food, no water. How did she survive? She questioned herself.
Oh yes… the red haired warrior who saved her, fed her, watered her. They met only briefly for one night, but she survived because of that rain filled clouded night. They talked about their destinations. The red haired warrior showed her the map that would lead her straight to the Temple of the Purities. Saying to her that it was the safest place for someone like her. "Someone who could help people with the power of knowledge," were her words.
The rest was ironically history. She had arrived at the Temple of the Purities a day later. They welcomed her exhausted self with soup and bread, letting her stay for as long as she wanted. And to make herself useful, Levy taught some of the Purities to read and write. Telling them stories from Greek Mythology and Norse Mythology. Soon, Asuka arrived from a woman on the run, just like Levy had been. Bisca had been separated from her husband whilst heavily pregnant, she came to the temple in labour. Several hours later, Asuka had arrived peacefully. Still asleep, cuddled up in her mother's arm.
They both stayed at the temple, Levy soon started to teach Asuka to read and write, whilst also teaching Bisca how to count and write.
Her life for once, was good. She had a purpose. And now, as far as she knew, she didn't have one anymore.
After several hours on horseback, they reached a wall and gate that towered high in the air. Levy had to strain her neck to see the top, and even then she could barely make it out. She surveyed the structure whilst still sitting on her horse, concluding that it was made entirely of metal and brick. Metal spikes stuck out of the wall, as if warning its passerby that if they touched this wall, they were welcoming death itself.
Jose pulled her off the horse, tying her hands together with brute force. He brought up right up to his face, only then did she see him for the first time. Glaring eyes, scars and a large nose. He was an ugly person. He stank like an ugly person, the stench filling her nose like acid. When he smiled, she could see several teeth missing from his mouth. His gums were pale and slimy. The teeth he did have in there, were yellow and rotting.
Levy had never met such a disgusting man. It repelled her to even be in his presence, and she could feel bile rise to the back of her throat.
"The point still stands, if you say anything, I will make you suffer, got that?" His breath was rotten, just like his soul. Levy nodded in understanding, he chuckled. "You scared, little bitch?"
She shook her head no. He laughed loudly, looking straight into her eyes. "You better, because that King in there doesn't take a no for an answer. You do what he says, or he will make your life a lot more hellish than I have the allowance too." He dropped her, she found her feet and glared up at him.
When I get the chance, you'll be the one I'll hurt first.
The nicer hooded member, pushed her towards the gate gently as it opened up. "Welcome, to the Kingdom of Metal, Lady McGarden." He said softly.
She felt a gasp escape her throat as the first sight of the city surprised her. Everything was shining. The metal on the floor that acted as a cobbled path extended through the entirety of the city. Switching its direction into smaller paths, but the detail was still the same. The houses were half metal and half brick, gleaming from the rooftops as the new day sun bared down onto it.
And what addled her the most, was the sight of flowers.
The colours red, white and purples bore into her eyes. They surrounded the paths as they all led to the middle of the town, where Levy spotted a statue of a man and a woman. Both beautiful in their own way. The woman was dainty in comparison to the man. She had waving hair and a kind smile. The man also had waving hair, longer than the woman's, even. He had a grin on him that looked cocky and strong.
The former King and Queen of the Kingdom of Metal, Levy guessed. Metalicana and Morgana Redfox.
She was pushed through the Kingdom, she meanwhile tried to absorb everything she was seeing. The most deadliest Kingdom in Fiore was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. Everyone looked surprised to see her walking through the Kingdom, they bowed to Jose as he passed them. They all look frightened, though they did not look like she had thought. She had imagined dirty people with snide looks in their eyes. She was insanely wrong, it seemed.
They reached the even larger walls of the Palace known as 'The palace of Hades.' Her legs shook as another large gate opened to her. Inside, the flowers were darker. But there were flowers all the same. Most were dark purples and some were black. Though there were a few rogue blue ones occasionally. Trees towered high, almost as tall as the Palace itself. Levy had never known a place to have so many large things within it. She felt like an ant. And to the King, she probably was.
They were met by several Knights. Their armor being black and gleaming, they were also sporting red cloaks that hit the floor. And beside them; a beautiful young woman. The same age as Levy herself. Her hair was like gold in the sun light, and her eyes reminded Levy of the one time she had eaten chocolate. They shined at her, friendly and cosy, was how she would describe this woman at first glance. She wore a dark purple dress that pushed up her lavish cleavage and frayed out on the floor. Her hair was tied in a loose bun, with one of the purple flowers form the garden fed through it. She smiled warmly towards Levy, and bowed.
"Good morning, Lady McGarden." Her voice was sweet and kind, "It is wondrous to finally meet you." She stood straight. "My name is Lucy Heartfilia, ma'am, and I will be looking after you from now on."
I have a handmaiden?
The Knights behind Lucy bowed too. One of them, who Levy had to admit was a very attractive man who sported spiked out orange hair and had the most memorable hazel eyes, spoke first. "We shall be taking you to the Great Hall for your audience with the King, M'Lady." He looked to his fellow Knights, "Scorpio, Taurus, you also can come with me. The rest of you are dismissed."
Lucy reached out for Levy's hand, Levy shakily took it. Lucy gave her a worried look, Levy realised how suddenly dizzy she felt. Lucy gave a look to the orange haired Knight. "Leo, she doesn't look well." She heard Lucy mumble as they walked through the slightly hated hallways.
The one named Leo looked worried as well and bit his lip. "There isn't a thing we can do about it, Lady Lucy. The King is already impatient."
"If she faints, then she will be called weak but the King." Lucy snapped back.
He closed his eyes, and sighed. "I'm sorry, Lady Lucy. Orders are orders."
"You Knights!" Lucy grumbled, stopping to look Levy in the eyes. "They're always so to the rules!" Lucy managed to smile, Leo blushed a little. "Never a time in the world to treat people properly, I tell you." She winked. "Please, whatever you do Lady McGarden, do not faint in front of the King." She dabbed Levy's forehead with a cloth from her pocket. She looked worryingly to Leo again, "She has cuts on her lip and cheek, the King will be furious." Leo all but stared at Lucy.
"Why am I here?" Levy whispered faintly.
Lucy looked at her and shook her head slowly, "I'm afraid you will have to wait a little longer for your answers, Lady McGarden."
Leo put his hand to the small of Levy's back, he mumbled into her ear. "The King doesn't like his scars being mentioned. Do not look at them either. Stay silent unless he asks you a direct question, and never raise your voice." He smiled a lopsided smile, "Understand, M'Lady?"
Levy nodded slowly, she tried not to faint. That seemed to be her number one goal in that situation.
They walked for a few minutes before they reached another set of large doors. They were grand in their design, their silver glow shocked Levy as she stared upon them. Leo reached for the door, knocking lightly. Someone called for him to reveal his name, rank and intentions. He replied swiftly, "Leo Lionhart, Captain of the Zodiac regiment. Here to introduce Lady McGarden to the King."
"Enter." A gruff low voice replied, his voice seemingly bellowed through the doors. Which Levy knew meant he had to practically snap it through his vocal cords. He was a high authoritative individual. Was that man the King?
The doors did not squeak as they opened, to Levy's amazement, they seemed smoothed as they pulled away. They must've been kept brilliantly over the years. The opened doors revealed a grand looking hall, the walls were metal and brick. The silver was swirled artistically on each wall. Making a beautiful abstract piece, that unfortunately Levy had no time to look at properly before she was gently pushed lightly inside by Leo.
She walked, but her legs felt like she was walking on top of thin ice. Wobbling as she took each individual step. Her knees felt like they were going to break away, but she survived not falling to the ground embarrassingly thanks to Lucy holding her hand slyly, hiding the generous act behind her shawl.
The floors gleamed under them, it almost blinded the blue haired maiden. Her hazel eyes looked to it briefly, recognising the historic marble and metal combination. Sturdy, it could last centuries, if not more. This palace was built to last. It was built to survive anything life threw at it. Probably even an apocalypse.
They reached the point where they stopped walking, enough space baring between them and the pedestal where the King's chair sat. She did not look up at the King, instead she looked around her. People, so many people were in this room. Possibly fifty. All dressed in dark purples and blues; respectable colours that Levy understood. They looked at her, all their eyes were stern and unmoving. As if her presence hadn't been made to them yet, as if she was nothing but a ghost.
"My King, I bring to you Lady Levy McGarden. Lecturer based in the Temple of the Purities." Lucy bowed to the King in front of Levy, whom she had still not glanced at.
Levy knew her courtesies though, as much as she was petrified with fear, she managed to bow as well. Her stomach begging for her to release the little food it had left inside of it. Her hair fell past her face, it was then she realised that through her scuffle with the masked men her bandanna had been misplaced. Her long fridge almost reaching to her eyes. She felt like a commoner. She practically looked like a barbarian! Oh how embarrassing! She thought in a shrill tone, almost making herself wince.
"My King." She managed before straightening her back, looking hesitantly up towards the throne.
She desperately begged her face not to make a surprised expression. But she was indeed, nothing but surprised. She did not know why. But she imagined the King to be overhyped in a sense of his size and stature. His looks were also different. Drastically so.
The King wore dark clothes, his briefs were a dark sand colour, baggy and comfortable looking. Though torn in some places. His boots were spiked and made of leather. His tunic was leather also, the blue haired maiden guessed it to be a crocodile of sorts, since the beasts lived in swamps that were located in forests. His arms were bare, they were beautifully toned with several metallic looking studs travelling symmetrically down the forearm. His skin was toned also, like a pale copper and honey. He had also taken to a few tattoos, one looking like a phantom of sorts.
His face was the last thing Levy saw, apart from the long lengths of hair that was braided and pulled back on the forehead by a thick tribal-like bandana. He was a handsome man, in his own way. He wasn't the King you would write about in femininely written story books. They would be blonde, tall and handsome - gentlemen who wouldn't kidnap a Purity in the middle of the night without any explanation… surely. Instead, the King's face was slightly scarred. Though otherwise, his skin was silky looking. His eyebrows were replaced with the same metallic like studs from his arms. His features were strong, resembling the man from the Statue in the town square perfectly.
All apart from his eyes.
Former Queen, Morgana Redfox, was known to be a part of the Indian barbaric tribes from the lower mountains. Their skin was copper, and their eyes were a notable red. The same crimson red that the King now bestowed.
Levy however, could not help but notice the sympathetic look the King held in those eyes that day. As if he for a moment felt sorry for what he had done. Maybe he knew of her origins. Of what he did to her family - her entire village. Maybe, he was hiding the apologetic side of him from the people he ruled in the hall that day.
And then the second past. Levy bowed her head again. She stood straight, blushing slightly under her head of hair. In that moment she stood straight, she saw those eyes shift and change. Narrow and become frightening. The King slumped in his chair slightly, crossing a leg over the other and put a cocky grin on his lips.
"So, this is the well known lecturer I was told so much about." He grumbled, it was indeed the same voice that had bellowed through the doors minutes before. He snorted, "A little short-stout if you ask me. Weak looking too." He chuckled, "Why on earth did you pick her Lily? She could hardly teach a swarm of five year olds, let alone a Prince."
A man behind the King, whom Levy had not noticed before stepped out from his previous place. His skin and eyes were as dark as night, but when he smiled, the whole room brightened a shade. He wore bright silver armor, even more brilliant than Leo's. His cape was golden, showing authority. It seemed that this man was the Hand of the King. But by the looks of his sword, he also led the Kingdom of Metal's army from time to time as well. Levy was astonished by the sight of him. And when he spoke, she felt at ease once more.
"I assure you, my King. Lady McGarden is commended by the Temple of the Purities as one of their most brightest individuals. She has taught at least seventy percent of them to read and write. The men who brought her here even mentioned that she was teaching a girl no older than three about Greek Mythology. She is intelligent." He glanced down to the King in reassurance, "She is what you need, I promise you."
The King stroked the braided beard that he spotted on his chin, it was though however hardly as big as the other men's in the room. However, it showed a lot more character to the face than anyone else's. "Bring Rogue," he suddenly barked at a handmaiden who stood beside the man he called Lily. She blushed and strutted off the pedestal to another room.
The King rested in his chair and sighed, "Fine, she'll probably do. If she's a load of shite Lily, it shows that your judgement has faltered heavily in the past six years."
The door opened again, this time a young boy of twelve slowly ventured through the doors. He wore similar clothes to the King, though with a golden hemmed cloak that brought a sense of youth to him. Levy watched him stand next to the King with a nervous look in his eyes. The King smirked to him, "Rogue, this is Lady Levy McGarden. She's a Purity." When Rogue did nothing but look surprised, the King rolled his eyes. "Geez kid, show some manners for crying out loud."
Rogue nodded quickly, turning towards Levy and bowing in a matter of seconds. His long hair covering the blush that rose to his cheeks. He mumbled an apology and greeted her with a small but charming voice. Levy slowly bowed back, the Prince shocked her more than the King. Quite possibly it was due to the young man in front of her being so polite and kind.
It was then she decided to speak up, at that point, she knew she should've said nothing, like Lucy and Leo had suggested prior. But the urge became too great.
"My King, I have to be frank. I haven't a clue what you have brought me here for. And quite honestly, I don't think I can continue this meeting with you unless you tell me at this moment." She breathed, her voice sounded just as flushed as her skin.
The King's eyes bore down on her, his eyes flashing a satanic red. There was an aura about him that made Levy quake in her stance. She wanted to hold herself and cry, this man was the demon itself. She couldn't stay here much longer.
"A rude little Purity, aren't you?" The King growled.
Leo cleared his throat, "My King, the Purity is tired and weary. Surely her words can be cleared? After all, she is telling a soft truth of this matter."
Lily sighed, "My King, I believe that Sir Leo is right. The girl hasn't been told an utter of the situation. I pray you give her a bereavement."
The King chuckled, "You guys are way too soft." He leaned forward, his aura following him. Levy could almost feel the black clouds around her, she did her best to not allow her fear to reach her expression. Weakness at that moment would only make the situation worsen.
"So little Purity, you want to know what you're here for? If you'd waited a moment more, I would've told you. But you jumped the spear and snapped." He grinned a side grin, his teeth were pointed slightly. As if they were an animals. "You're going to be a teacher here. You'll teach whatever you want to my youthful brother, numbers, words or even stories. But the catch is, you have no choice in the matter. You're here till I say otherwise, and at this rate you'll never see that hell pit of a Temple again." He chuckled his eyes reflecting in hers, "I can see your eyes, you would like nothing more than to scratch at my eyes. Gouge them out like chestnuts. You're a feisty little Purity, I'll give you that… you're definitely interesting." He leaned back in his throne and sighed. "Put her in the cells for a few days, one meal a day and only one pitcher of water to last her. See if that breaks her in a little." His eyes were dark, as if the black aura had taken a full tole on him. He was a devil. A complete an utter black entity.
Levy did not struggle as Leo took her arm, a little more forced than beforehand, and led her to another door. Leading to the cells, most likely. But Levy did not stop staring at the King till the door shut, her eyes like acid behind her blue vale of hair.
Now you're on my list of people I will hurt when I am free, King.
A.N: I hope you all enjoyed the first chapter of The Four Kingdoms. Levy is going to go through some rough patches before she sees some positives in her new life in the Kingdom of Metal.
I will need some time to write each chapter of this fan fiction, as I aim for 5,000 words for each chapter to make this as detailed as possible. So I am going to say that I will update every two weeks, maybe more. Sorry. Until then! Review and I'll see you all next time.