Hey you guys! Long time since I updated this story! Reason for that is that I send this story to BETA but he did not answer so I decided to post it without editing it. So if there are any grammar errors or anything: Sorry in advance.
The dungeon.
A massive mysterious structure that started appearing suddenly without warning 7 years ago, and after it was conquered by one young man other dungeons have started appearing all around the world in various locations, but not here in the Britanian Empire.
The whole royal court was in shock at the information that was brought by the Holy Mage, Merlin. The immortal, highest magician, one loved by magic, the closest presence in the world to that of a Magi, served kingdom since it's foundation and has yet to finish his service. That who he was to others but to Michael he was like a grandfather. A wise, good, loving old man that always got angry at both him and Denis for running in throne room or braking something inside the palace.
Right now the only way to express Michael's feelings would be excitement. He heard story's, tales of ones who entered the dungeon and have conquered them, gaining riches beyond wildest dreams and power that could rival that of God.
While he was thinking how it appeared, all the whispers were stopped when the emperor stood up.
"This dungeon is an unknown, a piece that could give our country great profit or bring about a catastrophe. Which is why I have decided to send a team to enter, search this dungeon and bring whatever is inside it back to the capital for it will serve empire to further its glory and might," he announced which earned him a round of applause.
"To do that I have chosen one of our greatest knights. Knight of Six, George D'arc!" his next announcement brought an only further wave of whispers, and to George who was standing next to other Rounds he was surprised, to say the least, but still, it was the decision of his Lord whom he swore an oath.
So he stepped forward, kneeled in front of the throne and spoke; "Your majesty! This Georg D'arc with a blessing of Empire will gladly take this holy mission!" announced.
His dedication and bravery earned him applause from the Knight of One which brought out other to start the same activity as the strongest knight of their realm.
"Very well then! With this, the meeting is-!"
"Please wait a moment your majesty!"
A shout was heard when Charles turned to see who it was he saw his third son Arthur coming up next to George and kneeling to show 'respect'.
"What is it that you have interrupted this meeting?" he asked in an amused tone.
"I would like to accompany sir George in this expedition." he announced proudly which earned him a wave of surprises from everyone even George and Merlin, only for Dennis to stay calm knowing that his friend would do such thing as for Charles he simply smirked and add; "Hoo..."
POV Arthur
I'm still kneeling in front of my father, awaiting his answer for my 'selfishness'.
"For what reason would you like to go to this dungeon?" he finally answered with a question of his own, but I have known him long enough to knew he would first ask for my reasons behind this favor.
"I would wish to see this dungeon for myself, I have heard many stories of that place and wish to confirm them."
I answered him truly, I wanted to see that building which brought upon a new stage in human history, but there were other motives as well...
"Is that all you want?" he asked with a bored tone. I should have to know that it would not go that easy with him.
"There is another reason but... It's a bit childish..."
"I will decide if it is or not."
With a moment of hesitation, I took a deep breath and stood up which seemed to surprise my father and everyone else.
"... I want to do something exciting father." there that was my true motive, and it has ended me once more a wave of tension and surprise from the royalty of my nation.
"Exciting?" he asked with a tone of utter disbelief that his son would say something like that to him.
"Yes, I have been inside this palace for my entire life, not allowed to go out or in a rear occasion that I exit I was accompanied by either George or a squad of guards. I want to see a little of our country and witness the dungeon myself. And besides..." I place my hand on hip and continue with a sad smile;"it wouldn't really matter if a son of a commoner like my mother died during this mission."
""!""
At those words everyone held their breath in astonishment of what I said, father, Merlin, Knights of Round, nobles even my half-brothers, the only not surprised were Denis and George.
Yes, my mother, previously member of Rounds with a title of Six was a commoner by blood, given the status of nobility upon being knighted, then becoming an empress when marrying my father, the emperor. I was a prince with commoners blood, an expendable tool. I understood that and even accepted it but if I could decide how to die I would choose death in an adventure that only a few take rather then death while being a pawn in political game of chess.
"... Is that how you feel?" asked father with a stoic expression.
"Yes, not to add that if this expedition is successful we would gain resources for our countrymen to expand their business and the empire grows even stronger," I answer truffle while my previous answer still hangs around the room as a guillotine awaiting to meat neck of its target.
"... Very well. That favor shall be granted. George you will take 3rd prince to accompany you on this journey."
"As you wish your majesty." George said.
"And you Arthur, do not do anything to embarrass the crown." he shifted his words to me.
"Of course father, but then If I die you don't need to worry about having that embarrassment for long." I shoot him back, shift back and make my way out of the hall not waiting for his response.
During my way Denis moves to the walk bows to my father and fallows me, after him, it was George that made his way to use.
I don't know what kinda of face father made but his shout of dismissing sounded pretty angry to me.
Later on in Arthur study.
"Your Highness with all due respect I think that your actions are a tad of too reckless." says George as soon as the door to my private study closed behind him.
"What do you mean?" I question him as I did not understand his worry.
"Then, highness let me be frank. ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?!" he shouted very, VERY loudly. I would not be surprised if some of the glasses in the castle broke because of his volume of voice.
"You don't need to be so loud about it Sir George!" said Denis as he was holding onto his ears throbbing from the pain of his sensitive ears.
"Sire! You are a prince! Can you not put yourself in such danger? It is very-!"
"Rush? Please George both of us knew that this would happen. Especially if it would concern a dungeon."
"But...!"
"No buts! It has already been decided. I'm going because I want to see it form myself and nothing, not even you will stop me." I answer him sternly and at that he could only slump and accept that no matter what he did he would not change my mind.
"'There's no point in crying over spilled milk' huh? Then what is the plan?" Denis joins our conversation with an obvious question.
"We will go to this dungeon, explore it, retrieve anything that we may find, and get back alive." I answer the obvious with a stern voice; "Go back to your station and prepare yourselves for this mission."
""Yes your highness!""
Later that night
Denis room/ POV
"'... prepare yourself' he said, huh."
Even thou I knew something like this would happen, I'm still not so sure about it.
Most of the time - no ever since I met Arthur I knew that I would one day do something stupid if I were to follow this guy but... I guess going into the dungeon was one of the least things that we would do.
Ever since we first heard of 'dungeon' he was well interested in it and would start bubbling about what he thinks it is and where it came from.
Not that I don't understand him but still going into a place that only a few survive... VERY reckless, but ... ever since that day as children I decided to follow him, trust and believe in him, so in the name of the family, this Denis will honor the wish of his Lord.
George POV
D'Arc resident
"Maybe you should stop swinging that blade of yours and rest before you depart."
I halt my swing in middle to determine the owner of the voice only to see a young petti women with brown chocolate hair that descended to end of her back, with piercing golden eyes, dressed in a simple one-piece green dress that looked perfect on her.
Her name was Jean, my fiancee as well as my fist love. We have met at a party when I was still a squaier to then Knight of Six - mother of prince Arthur.
It was a chance meeting that developed into friendship and after I ascended into knighthood i told her my feelings and it seemed like we both felt the same.
"I'm just trying to prepare myself mentally *HUF* for the mission ahead. *HUF*." I answer her and from corner of my, eye I see her face is a little troubled. I put down my sword and take a towel to swipe of my sweat; "What's wrong?" I ask.
"... This mission was suggested by my uncle. To have you be a spearhead in this operation..." she answers sadly.
Her uncle, a member of higher circle of nobility and one of the opposing persons of our relationship, as a former commoner and a doughter of noble.
"... I see. But it doesn't matter." I say while picking her chin up for our eyes to meet each other.
"?"
"It was about dungeon, his highness would try to put himself into it even if I was not the leader and still I would go to assist and protect him."
"Do you need to put yourself in danger for his sake?"
"As long as I breath I have to protect him, that's what I swore lady Tess and wich I will honer with a chest held high."
"I still worry about you."
"Don't I will be fine and return to you. I have yet to official marry you, and we will do it as soon as I return."
For the next 5 minutes they just stood their together and then decided to devour their feelings of love in the mansion bedroom.
Michael POV
"... and because of that the dragon was sled and peace returned to kingdom. The end." It was a late night and I was not in my own room but in a child room with two beds besides me which belonged to my beloved younger sisters - Fey and Ley.
Both were 10 years old, identical twins that had long dirty blond fluffy hair which was most of the time but in one ponytail at day time, With the same purplish eyes as me.
"Big brother thank you for reading use this bed time story." said Ley, the more serious of the two who wanted to show all the others that even a child of commoner can be a proper princes.
"Yes thank you very much brother." Fey the younger one and kind, caring as well as more innocent of two who acted her own age.
"Well I wanted to spend a little time with you before I depart."
"... Do you really need to go, on this journey?" asked Fey.
"I don't but I want to. It's always been my dream to see this mysterious object myself."
"Still... for a prince such as yourself to go on such dreadful journey..." said Ley.
"Don't worry, besides even if I'm gone, our 'older' brothers are there to take the throne."
At those words both of them became silent and looked down, and to my surprise it was Ley that said a thing out of her character.
"Why... Why are you always acting like your life is not important?! We are still here because of your support, don't act like you don't matter to any one!"
""!"" Both me and Fey were surprised by her sudden outburst of emotions that she keeps dormant most of the time.
"... I don't really matter in this. Third to the crown and son of commoner. Nobles take as a weakens of his majesty in a rare moment of humanity." I answered.
"But don't worry I won't die and leave you both to those sharks. Just promise me that you will stay close to Jean and Merlin, listen on his lessons and try to act like everything's fine."
The look at each other and moment later they turn to me and proclaim; ""Yes big brother.""
I smile at their determination, stand up, kiss them on their foreheads, say goodbye and return to my quarters to prepare for travel.
Next morning at sun rise
I look and see 20 brave men with me. To my left George and to right Denis.
"I will not lie, this IS a very dangerous task. Probably most of you will not come back but I want to say that we are not doing this for ourselves not for King - we are doing this for our county and our families. So rise up just like the sun and let use take off for the dungeon! In the name of King! HAIL BRITANIA!"
""ALL HAIL BRITANIA!"" all of them answere and we head of in direction of dungeon.
There you go a bit small but i thing good chapter next will be longer and will incould meeting with Michael bicon on his journey to becoming an Emperor, as well as entering the doungen.