Chapter 5
"So… we're going to war again!?" Bad demanded.
Garou told him about the vampire challenge invoked by the elders, ragnarok. It is to ensure the health and also the power of the elders and their legions. It is a cheep way of taking out competition and yet also your enemies at the same time. "They do this every so often to ensure that their power is absolute, as well, it prevents constant vampire wars if one elder has an issue with another. And what not, sometimes they do this to blow off steam to say the least. But this time… they are all gunning for you and me…"
Bad sneered. "You really know how to fuck up my life, you do know that?"
Garou smirked. "One of my better abilities." But he paused. "I don't know when they are going to challenge us, but I need a way to hide your presence. Your aura alone will given way the fact that we got this, however, I want to be sure they don't know that."
A nod came from Bad as he appeared to have paused. He turned to the darkness as Jima appeared. Garou jumped, despite his vampire senses, shadows as nearly impossible to hear! "Jima, you heard all that?" Bad asked.
"Yes, my King, and I have a solution, but you must speak with Snek. There is an elixir that can be made to hide your presence among the creature with great perception. However this elixir will prevent you from calling upon us to assist you. It will last 24 hours." He explained.
"We don't know when these assholes are coming to challenge us huh?" Bad asked.
"No, they could call it a year from now or tomorrow for all I know."
"Shit…" Bad growled. He sighed aloud. "Don't got much choice then. Where is Snek?"
Jima paused as his head lowered. "This is part of the reason why I came to you my King, I have a selfish request to ask of you. Snek has returned to his homeland, you see, his is an heir to the throne of his people. But… there is a problem."
Bad suddenly stood up. "Go on, I'm listening…"
#
The journey took Snek a mere day or so. After all, he knows all the secret passages, portals and methods of returning to his homeland of the Nagas. He never really told anyone this but he could say he is a prince to his people. He had a few siblings, yet many perished in combat over the years. It has come down to him and his older brother Hydrin. Snek has wanted to tell his father for a while now that he was not interested in taking the throne or becoming king, he wanted to travel the world and learn. He nearly considered just skipping the whole thing together, but it would look bad on his part. So he made certain the Heroes Association was good before leaving for home. The creatures of myth and legends live on the other side of the super continent, rarely have humans dared to go to the other side of the world, yet creatures like Snek are more than willing to travel and see what the humans have to offer and learn.
He was given a hero's welcome when he came back. But was instantly instructed to go to see the King.
His father lives in a castle at the top of a rather large hill that over looked the land. If anything it was as if someone cut a mountain in half and placed the castle on top of it. For all he knew, it had happened! He slithered into the pristine palace, the court as already gathered as was his older brother. Hydrin stood rather tall and proud, he was easily double Snek's size. The years he has battled were not in vein, yet his body was covered in large scars. "Brother…" Hydrin stated in a rather brash tone.
"Hi, long time no see."
"Tch, you look as weak as ever brother, have you no honor in combat?" he demanded.
"I fight more often than you think." Snek scolded.
The two fell silent as the royal court began to fill the room. Their father slinked in, he wasn't as large as Hydrin, but he was bigger than Snek. He strolled pass them as he went up a rather strange flight of stairs to a throne that awaited him at the top. There he coiled and looked down upon the court. "The time has come," he said. "That we decide who shall be king to the Nagas of this land. My sons, there is something you have not been told until now, and this is tradition." His father stated.
"Tradition?" Snek asked. "Father if we have to complete a task to prove ourselves, let me save you the trouble. I have no interest in the throne"
The court fell into whispers. Hydrin said he would not argue Snek's decision on the matter. "If brother wishes to advocate for me to be King, I will not argue."
The king sighed. "It is not that simple, Snek, for one day you may change your mind and wish to challenge your brother. For that this rule was put into place to eliminate such troubles. For what if you have loyal legions Snek who wish to see you on the throne and would harm your brother to do so? Vise versa to you Hydrin. The tradition is this; we decide which one of you is better suited to be King of your people. Those who show the most dedication on the matter depending on actions, knowledge and even alliances, will help us decided. But know this… the one who is not chose, must be devoured by the winner."
"Wait what?!" Snek demanded. "Father! This isn't right! Even I know Hydrin is better suited to be king, and yet I am to be killed for it!" he demanded. Snek turned to his brother. "Please, we cannot do this. I will NEVER seek the throne, banish me if you have to!"
His brother showed no such willingness. "I will do as father says," he said coldly. "As I always have."
They ran down the list of accomplishments of Hydrin, he has led the army for well over 200 years, he has failed only a handful of times and yet he has ensured the safety of not just his men, but that of his people. His hunting and tracking skills are the sharpest in the land, he has made enemies beg for mercy and has shown his strength to those who may threaten the land. He is the strongest among the Nagas, his skills are second to none, and he is the most sought after male among their people.
Snek…
His father turned to Snek. "Your accomplishments are not to be ignored. Thanks to you, we have learned of other nagas, we have been made away of the other creatures and mythical beings and the development of weapons and facilities to make life here far greater. However, my son, is there nothing else you can say in your defense that would show you are a greater asset than your brother?"
He hung his head. "No father." He said.
"What of alliances? Do you have any who could benefit the people in a time of need? Allies? We are aware of your connection to the son of the crimson plague, but is there no other?"
He shook his head. Snek wasn't going to mention Bad at all to his father, if he did and was told to prove it, Bad could very well refuse him. He couldn't drag a kid like that into this.
He turned and saw his brother preparing to do the deed. Snek tried to plead once more, until the throne room door burst open!
The guards stood at the ready, yet all that entered was black smoke.
"What… is this…" his father asked.
He then emerged from the dark fog, as if he had practiced this entrance to make it appear as cool as possible.
Bad!
Snek and the whole court fell forward, bowing to him. His father even came down from his throne to do the same. "King of the Shadows! Even Death welcomes you with open arms!" they called.
"Shit we got to get a new greeting, that isn't exactly cheery to say the least."
They slowly rose again, Bad however went to Snek and picked him up off the floor. "What the hell are you doing down there! Get your ass up!"
Snek slowly rose as his brother began to tremble. "Snek… you know the King of Shadows?"
"Yeah, of course he does!" Bad snapped back. "Snek here is a friend of mine!"
The room fell into dead silence. Even the king was unable to speak.
"Is… this true? You are FRIENDS with him?"
"Of course he is!" Bad said as he spoke on Snek's behalf. "You ain't gonna hurt my friend are you?"
He was more embarrassed than anything, yet before he could speak. Hydrin began to strip off his armor. He tossed it to the floor as he approached Snek and lowered his head. "I am willing to accept my fate brother… Please, do what must be done…"
"No… no I am not going to do it! Father I refuse to eat my own brother for the sake of this!" Snek yelled.
"It is tradition…"
"Tradition?" Bad demanded. "Nah, this is cornering the market on the throne. Look, I'll settle this…" Bad came between the two, his hand kept on Snek's shoulder and he turned to the King. "He's with me, from this moment on. My advisor, so, being that, he cannot possibly take the throne here, that true right?" he asked.
The king stuttered with his words. "I… suppose so, I am in no position to deny you…"
"Excellent. Snek's bro right? What's your name?"
"Hydrin… sir…"
"Yeah, yeah, Hydrin. You take the throne, yet if something happens to ya and you don't got a kid to replace you, I'll let you have your brother back, for now…" Snek was about to speak until he was taken into Bad's shadow!
