CHAPTER 29: ENTER CROWNSHEILD, THE MAD KING'S DECEPTION

The sun has risen for some time; it is late noon as we see the great plains of Crownsheild. Surrounding the backdrops is an array of mountains and in the distance lays The Dark Mountain, storm smoke never leaving its area.

But to the side of one of the distant mountains on the other side of the plains, lies a great fortress. A castle that is seems to glow with a hint of silver stone. Its main gate holds a draw bridge, two doors and a metal caged gate. On its side lay two watch towers, armed with catapults and a few archers. Lions made of gold stone guard the walls of the towers. Its defense walls kept armed with four more catapults and soldiers lined atop them. It is heavily guarded, hero's and traitors on both sides, but a fade of corruption haunts the great walls.

This is The Great Castle Of Crownsheild with its banners flying in the breeze.

Riding across the plains of plains after a long journey, Sedric, Thrandeer, Gamlink and Eldor, alongside InuYasha, Kagome, Sango, Miroku, Kirara and Shippo, stop to look at the silver castle that lies in the distance in front of them.

"Behold, the great castle of Crownsheild, the greatest in the Kingdom of the west, and the Gold Hall of the King." Sedric welcomes to the new group. "There dwells Denomier, steward of Crownsheild... whose mind is overthrown by corruption, hatred and greed. The Deceiver's hold over Denomier is now very strong."

"It once held a great king, a ruler that many in this world looked up to." Eldor proclaims. "But now, many have split, alliances are on the verge of a knife. The peace that now claims these lands have fallen into darkness."

InuYasha looks on impatient. "Ha! Doesn't look that guarded. And if they fly arrows at us, we'll just break it down brick by brick!"

"Don't be so sure InuYasha." Miroku warns. "I'm sensing a very strong demonic aura around the castle."

InuYasha strikes up. "What? You think it's Naraku?"

The monk nods. "Yes. Naraku's presence is very strong here."

"Be on your guard then." Eldor steps up. "He most likely knows we're here, and will plan a means of attacking us from the inside."

"Well then how the heck do we get in without being noticed?" Shippo shouts.

Eldor smiles. "Simple…we go through the main gate."

InuYasha turns back and barks. "Are you an idiot? They're most likely on Naraku's side. They'll try to kill us!"

"Yet knowing the King's brother, he always accepts a challenge." Eldor continues to smile.

Kagome looks on him with disbelief. "What? You're not planning on fighting him do you?"

"I don't know. But if it comes to that, I will most likely accept it." Eldor speaks with pride.

"I will admit." InuYasha replies. "You got some guts to fight for all this."

"Of course InuYasha." Eldor continues. "This is my home."

"Well then lad," Gamlink steps up. "If it's important to you, we're with ya to the end."

Eldor smiles, looking down on his dwarf friend. Suddenly, they turn to see Sedric, setting up one of the horses to leave. Miroku turns to him.

"Wait, Sedric." He interrupts. "You're not coming with us?"

The wizard turns to his friends. "I'm sorry, but I must take my leave and attend to other needs of the world. Eldor will lead you to reclaim the castle."

Eldor steps forward to the wizard as he jumps onto the saddle of the horse. "Why do you leave on the eve of reclaiming our homeland?"

"You will manage without an old wizard to achieve the impossible." Sedric says with ease. "But there are other forces at work here. Eldor, the enemy is on your doorstep. You must take back the castle and be ready to defend it. War is coming from the Dark Mountain, and I will send word to our allies to fight alongside you in the battle to come."

"Sedric," Kagome enters, her eyes worried for the old man. "We'll we ever see you again?'

Sedric smiles at her. "Fear not brave priestess, one day, I shall return."

His horse then gallops off riding towards the direction they came.

"Farewell friends, and good luck." His voice speaks from afar.

Eldor turns back to the castle in the distance, determined to take it back from the dark forces that creep from within. All saddle to they're rides.

"Be careful what you say. Do not look for welcome here." Eldor warns. He then turns to the demon slayer. "Sango, take to the mountains, away from the eyes of the castle. They do not take kind views to two tailed cats. We'll send you a signal when it's clear."

Sango nods saddling on Kirara. "No problem. Let's go Kirara."

The two fly off into the clouded skies as the others ride towards the castle.

"Let's go." InuYasha replies with determination. All ride to the castle gates.

CUT TOO…

In the interiors of this great castle lies a golden hall. While its walls are that of silver stone, the statues of the great kings of the past stand guarding its walls, but most have laid to the decay of rust and not of care. The air is thick with a glooming fog of poison; all is more of a purple color here.

At the end of the hall, is a pure solid gold chair, two to be exact. They are the throne of the King and Queen that once ruled years ago. The kings chair lays dormant with silver and rubied gems ingraved within, while the Queen's lay empty and covered in pink and sky blue diamonds.

But only one sits on the King's throne, quiet, pale, almost poisoned. His eyes filled with gloom and hate. A large wine bottle by his side, while two maids, almost nude, keep him occupied with a massage. Both seem in a miserable and fearful state. This ruler does not keep kindly to his subjects, but rather abuses and hurts around him.

He is guarded by 10 men, all seem cruel and corrupted, but wear fashionable armored uniforms fit for the noble of men. But lying in the shadows of the balconied upstairs are guards smaller and rusted, hiding their faces, but the sound of a snake like hiss can be heard from their presence. As well, a sense of bug like buzzing hovers overhead.

Upon the ruler's side, Gisborne is kneeling to him, in chatter of explanation of his recent actions with Eldor.

"So, the boy's returned?" the ruler says, his voice of a serpents tongue and very foppish. "And you didn't take him?"

"We were outmatched cousin." Gisborne explains. "With him were nine others. An elf, a dwarf, and that wizard fellow."

The ruler's face cannot be seen but hiding in the darkness is a sinister smile. "So that wizard lied to me about the warrior being dead." He smirks. "He's been too much trouble for my taste. I should have done him in long ago. Who else was with him?"

"A monk and two women as well as a dog eared man. All seemed more from the eastern worlds." Gisborne hisses. "Beggin you're pardon sire, but didn't the boss say to watch out for odd eastern folk?"

"The baboon did warn of the coming threat of these so called demons." The ruler replies. "No matter, I shall see them slayed as well. The two women on the other hand have me very intrigued. See that they live…and unspoiled."

"As your command sire. I will report back when I have them." Gisborne bows, then walking away to other affairs.

Then from the great golden doors enters the ruler's commander, shaped in armor and carries a battle axe by his side. His eyepatch is clearly visible and his age shows signs of great battles fought long ago.

The guards above hiss and growl with alert. But the throne ruler raises his hand in command. The guards above back off.

The ruler rises from the shadows. His black hair visible and scar upon his face is reviled, while his head wears an unearned crown. "What is it now, commander Gibbs?"

"Forgive my intrusion of your business my lord Denomeir," Gibbs announces. "But nine riders are approaching the fortress. Shall we give them a warning shot?"

The ruler, Denomier stares upon his cousin, giving a hissing look. He turns back to Gibbs. "Let them in with open arms." He grins. "See to it, they enter my great hall, weapons confiscated of course."

"Yes my lord." Gibbs bows. He then returns to his post.

As Denomier rises, an all familiar insect buzzes around him. A Symyosho, reporting to the rulers ears.

"Ahhh." Denomier smiles. "So cousin, it seems that you, one of my greatest warriors, along with my most valiant troops, we're beaten by your attempted arrests."

"Like I said my lord, we we're outmatched." Gisborne speaks fearfully. With open arms, Denomier embraces his cousin.

"Pity, my poor cousin." Denomier speaks softly. "It appears I must rely on much stronger warriors to do these simple tasks."

With no time at all, a sudden burst of blood, gushes from Gisbornes back! Denomier, his own cousin, has stabbed Gisborne through with his iron blade. Unsheathing it from his body, the blade is stained and dripping in blood.

The hisses and growls from above become louder, as Gisborne falls to his knees, coughing blood to the throne room ground. With a snap of his fingers, Denomier orders the above guards to enter the halls. (And out of focus) seem to feast away at Gisborne's body as his cries are heard in a gushing pain. The ladies that had served Denomier flee at the sight of this feasting of human flesh. Denomier returns to his throne, awaiting the guests of honor.

CUT TOO…

Our heroes have arrived to the massive gates. While all are clearly visible, Eldor is covered in his green cloak.

The wall is surrounded by a large moat; only a drawbridge to the gate is they're only way of entering the castle.

All the guards are focused on the riders below.

"State your business here!" The gatekeeper shouts from above.

"We seek audience with Lord Denomier!" Eldor shouts. "Let the lord of the land come forth! Allow justice to be done upon him in fair words!"

"Who demands it?" The Gatekeeper asks out loud.

"I do!" Eldor replies, but then, unveils himself to all who look down on them. All above, within the castle walls, stir up with murmurings and gasps.

The gatekeeper cannot believe his eyes. "Let the gods be praised." He whispers to himself, then shouting to the door men.

"It is Lord Eldor! Lower the draw bridge at once! Open the gate!"

With a loud lowering thud and clanking the drawbridge lands and the great gates of this once fare castle open at long last.

Eldor and the others ride into the castle, they are met with expressions of peasants and people alike, all have sense of hope in their eyes, but also a glowing fear, as if being watched by the more powerful.

As InuYasha reaches the outside gates, the citizens are all in awe of this man who has silver hair and dog like ears. The half demon seems annoyed by them, but Kagome reassures him.

"Keep it together InuYasha." She mutters to him.

One old present whisper to another. "I'd never thought in a thousand years that the tales of the Demon Lord of the West were true."

As they ride through Crownsheild, people continue to stare at them. Miroku looks up to see the maidens dressed in white and rags standing near what seems to be a building made for the "Whore Houses".

"I've never seen such misery in people." Shippo says as he hides upon Gamlinks shoulder.

"Aye." The dwarf replies. "You'd find more good looks from the dead."

Both Miroku and Kagome's sense are heavy. There's a sense of growing darkness around them, almost unbreathable. They all can hear the guards armor clanking for urgency, but also a clatter like that of cockroaches, crawling from inside the buildings.

"Keep your guard InuYasha." Miroku whispers quietly. "The demonic aura is much stronger inside as we thought. And I'm feeling were heading right to the heart of it."

"The guards are escorting us to the great hall of the kings." Eldor replies. "It's there we will find what we seek."

They then walk up the steps to the Hall, but are then approached by Commander Gibbs and his guards walking out of the Hall.

"Gibbs, my friend." Eldor opens with a welcome. "It has been quite some time."

But Gibb's face seems uninterested and discarded from Eldor's kind words.

"I'm afraid I cannot allow you before King Denomier so heavily armed. By order of the king himself."

Eldor smiles, thinking the commander is joking. "Gibbs…you can't be serious."

Gibbs gives no expression to Eldors reply. The warrior can see he's not joking. He turns and nods to the others. "You heard him lads, any blades in hands, cut em down. Turn them in." He orders.

Without question, all turn in their weapons. Eldor hands the guards his sword, bow and quiver. Thrandeer hands off his quiver too, along with his daggers, sword and shield. Gamlink seems displeased that he turns in his battle axe.

While Miroku hands off his staff and Shippo his bag of Fox magic tricks, as well as Kagome with her bow and arrow, InuYasha seems reluctant to hand over Tetsaigia. He grunts over this.

Gibbs gives the half demon a warning look. "You're sword, dog man."

Theirs is a sudden silence. The guards surrounding them slowly grip there sheathed blades. Eldor as well, gives InuYasha a warning look.

"Do it InuYasha." Miroku speaks up.

"Fine." The half demon grunts, then handing Tetsiegia to the guards.

Gibbs looks worried for a moment, then turns and leads them forward. Eldor nods to InuYasha for doing the right thing, and fallows the guards inside. The others follow him, with Kagome holding onto InuYasha's arm for close protection.

Gibbs pauses at the door and lets them pass, but slowly turns to his right man, whispering quietly to a command.

"dawnwithedamcron"

The guard nods, then they storm off quietly and urgent.

The group enters the great hall, with the strangers from other lands gaze in awe at the structure around them. Around them the sound of hissing and growling can be heard around them.

"Hail Denomier, the lord and steward of Crownsheild and defender of the realms of the west!" Eldor announces, bowing respectively. The others do the same. The only one again who refuses is InuYasha.

As they bow, a group of menacing looking guard's keeps eyes close on them, some stare at Kagome's presence with a sense of lust.

"My lord of gods…" Denomeir grins with menace and deceit. "Lord Eldor, our new celebrity and back from the dead. My, my, I am surprised to see you…alive."

"I come with guidance in these dark hours, and with council." Eldor replies.

"It was said you were killed by a large pack of Goborcs crossing to the seas towards the Eastern continent. No doubt wanting to return to the lovely women you told tales about." Denomier speaks, then turning to Kagome, who kneels before him, looking up at him with a sense of worry. Though InuYasha keeps close, but is disgusted by the lords words of who he knows he speaks about.

Denomier then leans to Kagome, a little too close for comfort. "Yet, here she is." He continues. "You we're not lying Eldor. She is indeed one of the most beautiful women I've laid eye on."

InuYasha's rage can be seen clear in his eyes. One step more from the creep and the demon retaliates.

"That is the priestess Kagome, my lord." Eldor interrupts. "Sadly, my lady has long since passed. I'm now training her in my studies."

Denomier then turns back to his throne. "And here you are, in the presence of me, with an elf, a dwarf and Eastern folk. Why should I welcome you when they themselves are not?"

Eldor rises. "My lord?"

"Late, is the hour you appear? You have been declared dead. And only I am the King, now." Denomier continues. "You must understand, Lord Eldor, the pressures of ruling the kingdom…"

"Are no longer yours." Eldor interrupts.

The menacing guards move closer to them. Miroku spots this.

"As the true wishes from the King before his passing, I am the true guardian to keep rule over the lands of Crownsheild, and the realm of the west. It's my command you step down, Lord Denomier." Eldor orders.

Denomier simply smiles with menace. "You see, Eldor, I would naturally. However, there's one little problem."

With a snap of his fingers, the menacing group, along with the balconied guards, now seen as Goborcs, scuttle and surround the group. Unarmed, they stay together.

"These loyal subjects have the opinion, that I am king." Denomier finishes.

"You call a group of critters and outlaws who disguise themselves as royal guards loyal?" InuYasha barks.

"How DARE you talk to me in that fashion boy!" Denomier shouts insulted. "Seize them!"

The menacing group move to attack the group. Thrandeer, Eldor and Gamlink fight them off. Kagome keeps behind InuYasha who smirks as a group of Goborcs move in slowly towards them.

"Now this is what I'm talking about! I've needed to get some stress off me!" InuYasha barks with excitement, knuckles crack, ready to go down on them.

Miroku walks forward towards Denomier, who looks at the monk in disgust.

"And what would a man of the cloth do with a king, striking me down would bring vengeance from the gods." Denomier hisses. "Would you want that, Miroku? To think that the deaths of many lay on your shoulders?"

Miroku is stunned. How does this man, never meeting him in his life, know of his name.

"Do you think the eyes of the West are blind? I have seen more than you know." Denomier continues, his voice now speaks in a spidery tongue. "I know who it is you peruse. Oh yes, word has reached my ears of this Naraku. He is a powerful ally, I will admit, but I will not bow to this Demon from the East! Nor to this, Eldor, warrior of Crownsheild. The rule of the kingdom is mine! AND NO OTHERS!"

Then bursting from out of the doors come Gibbs and twenty men, who have planned a surprise attack from outside on the castle walls. Leading them, is Perry, sword and shield in hand preparing to join the fight as more Goborcs enter the halls!

"Too long have you sat in the shadows demon." Miroku speaks. "I will now release you from the throne! SACRED SUTRAS!"

Appearing from the monks hand are three sutras that he throws at Denomier hitting his face, as smears of demonic mist rise from his forehead.

The resistance guards then return the weapons to the group, including Miroku's staff, in which he forwards towards Denomier, throwing him back to the chair. All stare back at the sight.

"I will draw you out, demon, as poison is drawn from a wound." Miroku shouts. "You will tell all what happened to the king long ago!"

The ruler struggles to stand, but laughs manically. "You are still foolish as ever monk." A famillier voice breaks through Denomier's lips. "If he dies, the truth dies with him!"

CUT TOO…

From outside the castle, in the skies above, Sango and Kirara stay hidden in the clouds, the dark smoke from the mountains evolve into the castle skies as a purple mist engulfs the air.

"This isn't right. Something's wrong." Sango says to herself.

CUT BACK TOO…

The Throne Room...as all the minions have been slain by the troops. The cut throated villains are held in account and backed by Gibbs and his men.

All gaze in awe at Miroku in what seems to be him pulling out the demon from within the slithering lord, who smiles with such a menacing grin.

"My brother was such a foolish man indeed." He explains now what has happened. "He believed in peace and harmony could return to the lands by a so called Chosen Warrior, when it was by law my noble right as his bloodline to carry on the throne. He cheated me my entitlement, and in doing so, I had to take drastic measures."

He turns to Eldor, who stares warningly at him.

FADE TOO…

FLASHBACK!

As we see the visuals of Denomier's story…

"It was only days after you left that I began to make my plans. None of the alliances would join my cause and thus burning our ties. But only a month ago, I came across a wounded man. He seemed to be quite powerful while in a damaged state. He said he would grant my wishes if I were to mend him to health. In which he kept his word. He helped me gain power and control over the King's command, without my brother even giving thought of his betrayal. And that is when he fell, to my trap of allied Goborcs."

FADE BACK…

Eldor and the others are shocked by the sickening words.

"Murderer! Traitor!" Eldor shouts.

"How cruel to do to his own people." Kagome speaks behind InuYasha.

"So you sold your soul to Naraku?" Miroku barks. "I cannot accept such treachery."

Suddenly Denomier jumps from his throne, lunging at Miroku. The monk thrusts him back with his staff and as he does, Denomier is seen thrown across the floor. He pulls himself up and his face is bleeding. But from within his back, it slits open, a burst of blood flies out and that of spiders legs spring forth. All back up, minus Miroku, who pulls out his right hand, the beads gripped in the other.

"You leave me no choice. Be gone! WIND TUNNEL!"

From the palm of the monks hand is a swirl of wind, sucking in like a massive black hole. It is that of the wind tunnel, wanting to bring the now reviled demon that possesses the ruler within it.

The others hold themselves to the ground, Eldor and his comrades cannot believe they're eyes.

*Such awesome power!* Eldor says in thought.

Before the ruler can be sucked into the void, a small swarm of Symyosho fly forward. Usually Miroku would see them coming, but only catches them as they suddenly enter the monk's palm. These bugs are filled with a deadly venom, that would kill a man in an instant with its stinger.

Miroku then seeps into a sharp pain and slumps forward to his knees. His friends rush to his side.

InuYasha hisses at Denomier. "You bastard!" He barks.

"What's wrong InuYasha." Denomeir's voice hiss with a fearing familiar sound. "Does it still fear you to see your friends die?"

"Don't push your luck!" InuYasha shouts, he pulls out Tetsaigia, its katana blade turns into the sharp fang, pulsing at the demonic aura that surrounds the corrupted ruler.

Suddenly, he grins. "I know you're in there…Naraku! Now come on out!"

SLASH! The Tetsaigia attacks with a red blade forming. It strikes the ruler from the throne, unleashing a purple gas. Its miasma! The others take cover. Eldor turns to the troops. "Get everyone out Gibbs!"

Gibbs nods and leads the men and women away from the throne room.

FROM OUTSIDE, all gaze at not only the dark energy lighting the throne room, but the dark clouds from above, as stands of magenta lightning flashes.

Above, Sango knows what to do, even without the signal and flies to the castle.

BACK TO THE THRONE ROOM…

As the light from Tetsaigia fades, groups of brown rooted tentacles spread through the halls from the possessed ruler. However, it is not the ruler we've seen before, but a man of such familiarity to our heroes, with long black hair with a human torso but a repulsive body.

Yes, it is Naraku, finally revealed

"So it was you who killed the King. DAMN YOU NARAKU!" Eldor shouts with rage.

"Both brothers were fools." Naraku laughs. "But you should be thanking me Eldor, I have given you the throne of the West. It is power you so wanted to keep the peace with the realms here."

"You think you know me Naraku. Your nothing more than a coward that hides behind those who are weak that you can toss out!" Eldor speaks in anger. He then pulls out his sword. "I'm gonna make you regret ever setting your filthy body on my grounds! This is war! You hear me!?"

Narakul glares at Eldor. "More than you know Eldor, I have been shown things, far greater than what I can do here. I am merely a messenger, to tell you that War is just the beginning."

Eldor grips the blade tight. "What are you talking about?"

"When retreating here to the West I met those that dwell in the Dark Mountains. They wanted nothing more than to see you destroyed as much as I did. In so, we formed an alliance with that of Gablorcs and Demons. You want a war Eldor? It's just what you will get."

With those words, InuYasha charges. "I've just about had enough of you!"

SLASH! Another light echoes from the Tetsaigia, hitting Naraku head on. It's the Wind Scar, the attack which could kill 100 demons in one swing. The energy is so strong, it causes a massive explosion, the firelight blinds all inside.

Outside, Sango enters the courtyard outside the throne room with Kirara. But all of the sudden from the distance of the Dark Mountains so far away, a large flash of red and purple light can be seen like that of a atomic bomb. Sango's fears have tipped a peak.

Inside the throne room, the dust and smoke dissipate, and the throne is still intact, but bricks and stone have been ruined on the sides, and laying on the debree is a wooden carving of a humanoid from.

"That was one of Naraku's puppets." Kagome says aloud, keeping Miroku over her.

"Wait, so that wasn't Naraku?" Thrandeer asks. Eldor was wanting to ask the same.

"Yeah, Naraku has the ability to create puppet duplicates of himself." Kagome explains. "We'd usually be able to pick up on the puppets. But this is different. I could have sworn that it was Naraku we were fighting here."

"InuYasha, you fool!" Gamlink barks. "Your could have killed us with that attack! Now the halls of the great kings have been spoiled!"

"Look imp, I was trying to kill Naraku, so shut up!" InuYasha barks.

"ENOUGH!" Eldor shouts. His focus lay on the debree surrounding the hall. From the rubble lies that of the black robes that Denomier wore, no sign of his corpse.

Sango, enters the throne room, seeing Miroku wounded and in pain. She rushes to her love's side, keeping him close. Shippo jumps to his fallen friend.

"This isn't good! The poison will kill him if we don't find the right medicine for him!" he shouts crying.

Thrandeer knees to them. "I know the castle has the right medicine for him. They come from my kin who make poisons for those who are near to death."

Sango is swept with tears, turning to the elf. " Thrandeer, Are you sure it will work?" She asks.

"I have dealt with Symyosho poison before. He'll be alright in a few hours if we get him to the healing room quickly." Thrandeer replies. Sango nods as he picks up Miroku and they head to the healing house.

Kagome walks to Eldor, who stands before the rubble.

"I'm sorry." She says. "He may have seemed despised, but I didn't think he would join with Naraku."

"He chose his death long ago." Eldor replies with a non-regretful manner. "It was the fate he wanted."

InuYasha seems disgusted at what has happened. "Damn that Naraku! He always finds those weak that he can prey upon!"

Eldor looks upon the throne. "Darkness has my dreams of late." He speaks softly. "Shall no more blood be spilt in these halls."

Exiting the halls, Eldor Kagome and InuYasha find themselves surrounded by men in the King's uniformed troops and pesents who stand gazed at the warrior.

From the crowded group comes Sir Perry, sword drawn he kneels before Eldor.

"Hail, Eldor, Protector of the West! King of the lands of Crownsheild.!"

The people in the courtyard kneel before Eldor, who seems quiet and unease. While a defender of all that is good and just, he is not one for the crown, nor the throne. He does not want the throne, and nor will he except a crown.