The Masked King

A/N: My usual disclaimers: all copyrights go to those who rightfully own them.

I've had nothing but trouble with The Masked King. So I've revamped everything. The basic plotline is the same. Owl Johnson, desperate to save Cyma from the evil sorceress Nightshade, turns to the Masked King for help. In return, she must help him break the centuries old curse that has embittered and isolated him. I also took Prince Fire and Music's advice and am now telling this story all from Owl's perspective. Also, this is set in modern days and times and it's to contrast between the two worlds.

Over the Wrought Iron Fence

I stopped in the alley opposite the Forest. My heart was still pounding from the adrenaline. I leaned against the brick wall, breathing in the cold and foggy fall air.

All was silent and still, I thought as I readjusted the gray newspaper boy cap over my black hair. The only light appearing through the fog were the streetlights. Everyone was asleep, snug in their beds.

Everyone but me, that is. Who would've thought it? Owl Johnson, rightful Queen of Cyma, dressed in ragged jeans, a green tunic underneath a gray denim jacket and white Converse sneakers. At least nobody would suspect who I was and what I was really up to.

Now that I was so close to the dense and ancient wood, I felt uneasy. Those who entered were said to never return. I had to be completely out of my mind…but I had no other choice. My kingdom was in danger. Now that I had angered Nightshade, time was of the essence.

I had to do something to save Cyma. My people were depending on me. I might've been twenty-four and three months away from entering my majority. But I took my promise to look after my people seriously.

Here goes nothing. Taking a deep breath and trying to look as inconspicuous as possible, I made my way across the street. I hadn't gotten even close to halfway when I heard shouting. "Princess Johnson! Stop!" Footsteps clattered over the sidewalks, coming my way. Oh no…I began to run, scared. The Forest was my best option.

I'd rather risk the Forest than go back to Nightshade.

There was no opening to the Forest through the gate. I would have to jump the fence. Time seemed to stop as I climbed up and over. But a corner of my shoulder bag got caught on a spike. Hurry! Panicking, I began pulling on the bag. "Stun her!" HISS! A sharp pain hit my arm as I managed to get my bag loose. Crying in pain, I began to run deeper and deeper into the trees.

"Damn it! She's escaped!" I heard one of the police shouting behind me.

"Then what are you waiting for? Climb over that fence and go after her!" I recognized his voice. It was Henry Cooper, the corrupt Chief of Police under Nightshade's rule. Her right hand man.

"Why? She's as good as dead. Nobody survives the Forest." Another man responded.

"Her Ladyship wants her…alive…" Cooper's voice was fainter now. I kept running in case they were on my trail. But I was feeling a numbness beginning to spread throughout my body. Eventually, I had to stop. My arm was hurting. Looking down, I saw a small arrow-like dart sticking out, its fletching marked with yellow and black arrows. Oh no…I thought as the magic dart glowed and vanished. The tip had been dipped in Spinner Drops, a mild sedative. It was only a matter of time before I would fall into a trance-like state.

But I had to find the Masked King. I thought as I forced myself to keep going.

I just had to.

My heart and lungs burned and my arms and legs felt like I was trying to run through water. Oh God, I want to fall asleep…no, come on Owl, hang on! I tried forcing myself forward, trying to outrun the policemen who had followed me. Once I was away, then I could find a soft place to sleep.

But the Spinner Drops were taking effect. I collapsed to my knees, falling on the packed down earth and rocks. But I couldn't feel it. All I could feel was my mind slipping into unconsciousness.

You can't give up, Owl. Not now.

But I didn't care anymore, I realized as my face landed on the spongy earth. The fungal and leaf smell was soothing.

Footsteps came closer, crunching down nearby leaves. No…I can't give up…but I'm so tired…

I raised my head to see who it was. But all I could make out was a shadowy cloaked mass. It stopped before me. Warm gloved hands scooped me up, holding me against supple leather.

That was the last thing I remember before I passed out.

I felt like I was waking up, my vision was blurred. Where was I? I was lying in a bed, looking up at an unfamiliar room. Something warm was sitting on my feet and I heard something purring. What's going on? I blinked my eyes awake and slowly sat up.

The room was small, nearly organized and barely decorated. Cabinets lined the walls, a chest sat near the door, my shoulder bag was sitting on top of that. A table and chair sat near the bed, covered with maps and other charts. Magic oil burned in a lantern dangling from the ceiling, painting the room in a soft glow. I found the source of the heat on my feet and purring. It was a large cat with long silvery gray fur. The cat blinked its big green eyes at me.

I was and still am fond of cats. "Aren't you a pretty kitty?" I held out my hand so it could sniff it.

I would very much prefer to not be called kitty thank you very much. A male voice sounded in my head.

If I hadn't been sitting down, I probably would've fallen over. I looked at the cat, confused. "Did you...did you just...speak to me?" Part of me wondered if I was going insane.

So she can reason. Yes, I did just speak to you. The cat blinked at me. One might think you've never seen a Familiar before.

So that's what he was...I had heard legends of the magical creatures who possessed Human qualities and the ability to perform magic. "That's because I haven't. Magic creatures were banned from Cyma centuries ago."

Just as Humans are forbidden here. The door opened. She's awake, Sire. The Familiar looked at the doorway.

"I can see that, Archimedes." Another man answered from the doorway.

I studied the man who had entered the room. He was swathed in a long hooded brown leather cloak. Beneath that was a blue tunic, black trousers and mud caked boots. His gloves were worn, the brown leather squeaked. Underneath his hood, he wore a long and ratty black scarf over his nose and mouth like he was nursing a bad cold. A blue cloth mask covered the upper part of his face. The only thing I could see were his eyes...the piercing wintery blue. Just like Nightshade's scrying crystal...

The Masked King…I got to my feet and bowed. "Your Majesty..."

"What are you doing in my domain? Nobody enters or leaves without my permission."The Masked King stated more than asked. There was an edge to his voice. I could tell that this wasn't somebody I wanted to cross. Maybe I should run now.

No...I needed to stop Nightshade...

"Forgive me." I said, looking up at him. "But I need your help. I am Owl Johnson, Queen of Cyma."

"Granddaughter of Olaf Johnson." The edge in his voice took on a new sharpness. "The one who betrayed me and trapped us here."

"I know my grandfather made a grave mistake but a new danger has risen in Cyma. The Sorceress Nightshade has returned." He didn't react. Did he know of what was going on? Wouldn't have surprised me if he did. "She's slowly taking over everything. Her magic is slowly poisoning and destroying everything.."

"And what can I possibly do about it?" The Masked King's tone was neutral, but I wondered if anger was building behind the dual masks on his face.

"You defeated Nightshade once, years ago. Please," I knelt, desperate. "There must be some way to stop her before she destroys everything."

Silence passed, the tension hanging in the air was so thick it could be cut with a knife. The Masked King looked down on me. Yet, I didn't sense anger. I sensed...a curiosity. Like he was trying to determine my true motives for coming. Might as well tell him.

"When I was little, my father used to tell me stories of how you helped Cyma in days past. Father always ended his stories with the words 'if Cyma is in danger, go to the Masked King, my little Owl. He's a very powerful Sorcerer and he will help you.' I've tried standing up to Nightshade and it ended with me barely escaping the palace. That's when I realized that we needed more powerful help. Grandfather did you and your people a grave injustice and I'm sorry that we did. You're Cyma's last hope. If I didn't think you could help, would I have come here?"

The Masked King didn't react. He stood as still as a statue. I couldn't read him. My hopes were dashed. Cyma was doomed. Keeping my composure, I got to my feet. "Forgive me for intruding. I greatly appreciate the assistance you've given me and my people, both in the past and now. With your permission, I take my leave." I bowed. The Masked King gave a curt nod. Grabbing my shoulder bag, I backed out of the room.

Outside, it was cool and dark. The fog had sunk into a low mist. High above, the full moon glowed amidst the stars. Now what am I going to do? I felt completely helpless, just as I had after my parents passed away and Nightshade planted herself in Cyma like a squash plant, growing over everything. Keep your head, Owl Johnson. I scolded myself and took a deep breath. It's not the end of the world yet. You'll find some way to help Cyma. There has to be another way.

Now to get out of here. I didn't know how deep I was in the forest nor did I want to spend any more time in there than necessary. I had come over the eastern part of the fence. Hopefully Cooper and the other police officers had given me up for dead. Taking my compass out of my jacket pocket, I set my heading as my tutor, Dr. Yolanda, had taught me years ago.

I walked quickly, keeping my eyes opened for any upturned roots or rocks so I wouldn't trip. But my mind was still troubled by my meeting the Masked King. Why did he let me go so easily, even though I had trespassed into his forest? True, he wasn't happy about me being there. But he didn't attack me. If anything, he seemed...pensive...like he was trying to decide if I was worth helping or not.

My mind was still puzzled when I heard the footsteps. I ducked behind a large oak tree. These were quiet footsteps, like somebody was searching for something. Was it the Masked King?

"I don't see anybody, Paul." I heard a young man complain. The beams of their flashlights bounced off the trees. "Could she really have gotten this far after being injected with Spinner Drops?"

"I'm not returning to Cooper empty handed, Aaron." Another man answered back. I assumed he was Paul and the first man was Aaron. "He's promised to promote the first person to bring the princess to him alive."

It's the police...they had traveled deep in the forest, looking for me. My heart began pounding as they walked on the other side of the oak tree. How many were there? Were they keeping an eye on the eastern edge? What am I going to do? Taking shallow breaths, I kept still, praying that they wouldn't go around the tree and find me. I didn't know whose side they were on. Mine or Nightshade's.

"Let's keep looking for ten more minutes. She's got to be somewhere around here." Paul said.

I had to get away and fast. Once I couldn't hear them walking anymore, I began walking faster. There had to be somewhere dark and quiet I could hide until they left.

"Hey! There she is!" A beam of light hit me. Run Owl! I ran, desperate to lose them. But they always seemed to be right behind. Please, God, help me get away...I silently begged, panting. There's got to be somewhere I can hide...

My foot caught on an upended root and I fell down. My elbows and knees tingled as they hit the earth. I was trapped in a ditch, a rock wall blocked the way. Oh God...now what do I do?!

"We've got you now..." I turned around, blinded by the light of their flashlights. "...Thought you could escape from us, now did you?" Paul sneered.

"I'm sorry, Your Highness." Aaron sighed. I could hear the remorse in his voice. "Please make this easy on yourself and come quietly."

Before I could react, a hand roughly grabbed my hair and yanked me up. I yelped in pain. "You're going to get it now." Paul hissed in my ear. I could feel his hot and foul breath on the back of my neck.

"What are you doing?" A familiar voice sounded from on top of the rock wall. Looking up, I saw the familiar cloaked figure standing against the full moon. The Masked King...

"Police business, pal." Paul growled.

"Let her go or face my wrath." The Masked King's voice was low and dangerous. Oh no...

"Oh shit, that's the Masked King!" Aaron panicked. "Come on Paul, let her go and let's get out of here!"

"I'm not scared of the boogie-man." Paul said cockily.

"I think you should do as he says..." I warned. "Something tells me he only gives one warning."

"Shut up!" Paul's hand smacked my cheek. "You're not going to stop me!"

"Consider yourself warned." The Masked King held out one hand.

"Hey, what the..." The hand holding me up let me go. I scrambled away. There was a bright light from behind and I could feel hot flames. "Fire! I'm on fire! Help me Aaron! Help me!"

I looked back and saw a figure running, completely engulfed in flames. My stomach turned as I realized what had happened. The Masked King had cast a fire spell on Paul.

Horror crossed my face as Paul ran off, disappearing into the forest until it was dark. The other figure, Aaron, looked up. I could see the flashlight in his hand shaking. "Deliver this message to Nightshade." The Masked King ordered. "I will show no mercy to those who break my laws." Aaron nodded and began running. I had never seen anyone run so fast. "Are you all right?" A concerned voice came from behind. I turned around and saw the Masked King standing there. How did he get down from the rock wall so fast without making a sound?

"Yes, thank you...but...was that really necessary?" I was shaking.

"He won't die and the flames will extinguish themselves in a few minutes but will be scarred and in unbearable agony." The Masked King said in a neutral tone. "You said it yourself. I give one warning to those who displease me. Those who don't obey will pay the consequences."

I nodded, feeling the adrenaline pounding through me. "Why did you help me?"

"You passed my test."

"What test?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"You wondered why I let you go so readily? I sensed the presence of the two men in the woods. I needed to see if they were your compatriots or your pursuers. Since you ran away, I knew your pleas for help were sincere. I will help you but you must help me in return."

I should've known there was a catch. I wondered that by trusting him I had just made the biggest mistake of my life. If he's capable of setting men on fire, what else could he do? "What kind of help?"

The Masked King drew a blue line in the air with his finger. The line enlarged into a brightly lit portal and he offered his hand to me. "Come with me and I'll explain." What did I have to lose? I took his hand.

A/N: I want to give a big shout out to Prince Fire and Music for your imput. This definataly improved the chapter by leaps and bounds. And I'm finally satisfied, but it's all up to you, readers. I will only continue this story if people are interested in reading it.