Hello everyone...okay...thisbis awkward. Sorry for not updating last week. But the thing is I didn't feel too good writing this last week...tell me, what would you guys do if the girl you fell in love with suddenly tells you that she is not important in the lives of others? Because of that, I kinda lost the mood to write for a while and with it I tried to cheer her up...
ANYWAYS! Enough with that! Thanks for the wonderful reviews! And Modern blade sorry but this WILL be a harem. Its already in the description.
Now I did kinda rush this a bit cuz tomorrow, I will be going to another place for a while...and the thing is. There's no internet there...sooooo...yep.
Enjoy!
I don't own anything except some stuff
Chapter 2-The Fall
Kaldir quickly travelled from his laboratory to the great castle of the Order Empire, Taldaris. As he neared the gate, an Archidon saw him and speed walked through the garrison to tell the Spearton in charge to raise the gates.
Kaldir saw the gates open and kicked the sides of his horse to hurry. After getting past the gates and giving his horse to a guard for safe keeping, he quickly ran through the streets, apologizing to those he bumped into. 'I must hurry! His majesty must hear of this!'
Inside the castle, King's throne
Red eyes stared at the throne longingly as she was accompanied by her handmaidens. She closed her eyes as she took a bite out of an apple hidden beneath her sleeves.
Suddenly, the doors opened causing her to flinch and almost drop her apple.
"Your majesty! Dire news!" Kaldir took a deep breathe as he leaned on his staff for support. Unfortunately, the one who answered wasn't the King, it was his sister, Princess Akame. "Kaldir? I am sorry, but my brother went on a skirmish with the Remnants of Chaos." Kaldir held his breathe as he paled. 'No…then that means…it has already begun!' He thought grimly as he walked through the halls and stopped at a window. There, he stared at what could possibly be their only hope for survival.
"Princess Akame…I have news. Bad news." Immediately, Akame gave her apple to one of her handmaidens and fixed her dress. Her eyes steeling itself as she walked towards Kaldir.
He must tell her to prepare.
'Three days…We must prepare immediately!'
Outside the Dark Cave, Night time
Adonis and his men marched away from the Dark Cave. A grim look on his face faced the roads forward as he began leading his forces back home. But he couldn't stop thinking about the deaths of some of his men…and the ritual as well. For some reason, nothing happened after the Marrowkais finished the ritual. Something that, until now makes Adonis uneasy.
Natalia looked at Adonis with a worried expression. The men knew that being a soldier for the Order Empire would mean eventual death. But Adonis is known to care for his men, that is why no one rebels, not anymore.
A couple of Speartons, Swordwraths, and Archidons push a wagon carrying the dead bodies of their comrades. Each body is wrapped around a thin but long white cloth. Blood stains on the cloth, but it is better than seeing the cause of their deaths. Some can't be recognized because half their face is bitten off.
To Adonis, this was a victory and a lost. He lost many good men that fought with him, bled with him, and shared with him the happy times ever since his coronation. He knew that soldiers eventually die…but to him, he must carry the burden. The burden of seeing his men die was hard to him. The burden of seeing families cry for the death of a loved one, the burden of facing the faces of a family, and the burden of seeing some sacrifice themselves for him.
Yes, he is the King and he knows that he is important. But to him, his people are more important, his family. 'Akame would make a good queen.' He thought as he imagined Akame ruling justly. Ever since the death of their parents, Adonis promised himself that he would be a great King. Power, wealth, and the crown. Three things that some of the former rulers used to be where they stand, a higher being in their cases. Some are arrogant, and some are greedy. But his father? He was kind, benevolent, and peaceful.
Like his father, Adonis also cared for his men, he even considered them as brothers in all but blood. Kaldir even mentioned that he was like his father.
He is angry and sad. His men knew that he would act like that. He lost many today. If there was someone that the people of the Empire who is the embodiment of compassion, then they will say its their King, Adonis. But to his enemies, he is the embodiment of a beast that shows no mercy when his people are threatened.
Adonis bit his lip until he drew blood. The blood tasted bitter but Adonis didn't care, he lost a lot of men damn it! He remembered the burning fire inside their eyes after his speech, and now, all that is left is dull lifeless eyes, the fire, extinguished just like their lives. All because of one thing that he overlooked. The Marrowkai, with enough dark magic can turn a Giant into a lifeless body that moves. It made sense since the dark magic that Adonis and Natalia felt was so strong. But the didn't consider the possibility. He only considered the fact that there would be many Undead waiting inside the cave. And because of that he paid the price with his men.
Natalia moved her horse faster until she was beside Adonis. "My King?" Adonis didn't move for a few seconds until he nodded his head, showing that he is listening. "I know that the lost of your men is still hurting you, but please remember, their sacrifice was not in vain. They died because they knew that you would bring forth a better Inamorta." Adonis gripped the reins stronger until his knuckles turns white.
"They are in a better place now, your majesty. And their families will understand, I am sure of it." Adonis pulled the reins as his hair shadowed his eyes. His body trembled as he tried to hold his tears. He looked at Natalia with tears slowly dripping from his eyes. "Natalia…what…who am I? Who am I to stay and live while those who follow me die?...I…I was suppose to protect them! It is my duty! My promise! My fa-!" Adonis gasped as Natalia hugged him softly, her horse now staying still beside Adonis's horse.
The small army stopped, some stared at Adonis, some prayed to the dead, and some hoped that Natalia can help their King.
"You are our King, you lead us to wherever you want…giving us a better future, and you did your best." Natalia said softly as she caressed Adonis's hair softly giving him comfort through words and actions. "And you did protect others you know? A village probably would have been destroyed with that many Undead. If we didn't act sooner, then who knows what those Undead could have done?" As Adonis held Natalia's body, he cried. He cried for those he lost, he cried to thank the others, he cried for everyone's help.
A loud boom sounded throughout the forest, showing that it has begun to rain
Natalia looked at the sky as a few tears dripped from her eyes. "Come now your majesty, we must go home. Princess Akame must be worried." Adonis nodded, his head still buried in Natalia's soft and comforting cleavage.
Natalia smiled as she looked at the small army. She nodded as everyone began marching again.
Taldaris, Midnight
The doors open as Adonis made his way to the meeting room. Earlier, he received a message to go to his sister, Akame's room. After ordering his men to prepare the burial of the dead and taking a short rest, he made his way to the room.
Upon arriving at the front of Akame's door, Adonis knocked and waited for a few seconds. Hearing a click, the door opened to reveal a worried Akame. Immediately, she hugged her dear brother tightly as Adonis returned the affection. He smiled as he took in Akame's scent. For some reason it smelt different, usually it would be the smell of meat, but now it smells like fruit…like 100% fruit, as if Akame didn't eat any meat for a while now.
(AN: Not that kind of meat ya pervs! And for those who thought of that…I'M PROUD OF YA!)
"Your majesty." An old voice greeted as Adonis released his sister, making her pout for a bit. "Kaldir. What is the problem?" Kaldir motioned Adonis to take a seat as he prepared himself.
Akame walked through her room and rested on her bed. All in all, her room is pretty simple with a few stuff toys here and there…which are a bunch of animals that she likes to eat. She took a worn pig doll, the first ever gift she received from her brother.
"So Kaldir, I ask again, what is the problem?" Kaldir sighed as he took an extra crystal ball from his robe. "Your majesty, your answer lies within this crystal ball. Earlier, I managed to predict the future." The crystal ball glowed until Adonis saw something.
It showed a couple of farmers that are working hard, their children running around with bright smiles on their faces, this brought a smile onto the young King's lips.
Then all of a sudden, the ground cracked and with it, a dark miasma began seeping through the crack. Everyone stared at the crack, until more and more cracks appeared. Suddenly, the miasma began spreading. Then another crack appeared, but unlike the others, this one glowed green and began releasing green smoke.
Curious, a man approached the glowing crack. He stayed there for a couple of seconds before looking confused. He looked at his family to say its fine…until all of a sudden, he couldn't feel his feet…no he couldn't feel his entire body.
Gasping, the man looked down and saw something that shocked him…his body…has turned into stone! He tried to force a cry but before he could say a word, his face quickly turned into stone, starting with the forehead and chin.
Everyone cried in surprise as they all scrambled in panic. A woman stared at the man with tears in her eyes as she kneeled on the ground, not noticing the green smoke spreading slowly towards her.
Then, the crystal ball glowed white and showed the other villages, forts, castles, and even the capital…it showed that no one survived all, turned into stone. But what caught Adonis's attention was a figure standing straight, looking down on the petrified bodies of what was once the proud people of Inamorta. The crystal ball, as if sensing Adonis's curiosity, slowly zoomed in on the figure.
Adonis widened his eyes as he saw himself looking sad, as if he had given up hope.
The crystal ball, once again glowed white, until it went back to normal. Adonis stared at the crystal ball in disbelief as he clenched and unclenched his fists. Everyone remained quiet as Adonis's hair covered his eyes. Then, Adonis exhaled quite heavily as he looked at Kaldir.
"Is…there any way?" Kaldir nodded solemnly as the crystal ball glowed and showed many lines of ships. "Yes, your majesty, I have tried…so many times to see any other option, but the only way to survive, is to leave." Immediately, Adonis glared at Kaldir. "Do you mean to abandon our land?! Our home?!" Akame flinched as she stayed quiet. Kaldir however, remained calm and stared at Adonis's eyes. After all, he was used to this. "Yes, your majesty. If we are to survive, we must leave everything that we have built." Adonis took a step back as he shook his head. "But this is our home! There has to be another way! I will no-!"
"Adonis!" He quickly shut up as he looked at Kaldir with wide eyes. Akame looked at Kaldir in disbelief,, after all, the siblings have never heard Kaldir shout like that.
"I know how you feel Adonis, but we must face the truth! As of now I am the best Magikill that Inamorta has to offer, but the only way to survive is to leave Inamorta! Right now we must evacuate the people!" Kaldir walked back and forth in front of the siblings, he suddenly faced Adonis and his face softened. "I know that you love Inamorta, but please do remember…" Adonis nodded slowly as a small smile slowly crept to his lips. "The people is what makes Inamorta, not the land itself." Kaldir gave a wide smile as he pat Adonis's shoulder. "Good." And with that, Kaldir left the room, knowing that he can leave the rest to the two siblings.
Adonis watched Kaldir's leaving form with a small smile. After the door closed with an audible click Adonis turned to Akame with a soft smile.
"I'm back…Akame." Akame smiled as she rushed towards Adonis and gave him a bone breaking hug. Adonis endured with a strained smile as he rubbed Akame's back. Adonis smiled as he kissed Akame in the forehead making her blush and smile.
"Now then, Akame, I may be tired, but let's work on warning the others." Akame nodded slowly as she and Adonis slowly and quietly walked towards the Ravens.
2 days later
Adonis watched as many people enter the gates with a sad smile. After sending the ravens towards other lords, they have barely gotten any sleep before many people come to the gates and ask permission to enter.
Right now, his men have begun patrolling harder than before, some even began helping others building small ships for others.
Adonis smiled proudly of his men. These men were the ones that help when in need. In fact, Adonis trained with them when he was still young to protect his people, especially his family, his gaze looked around for a bit until he looked at a grassy hill. He frowned. He could still remember the day he almost failed one of his family members.
10 years ago
A 9 year old Adonis led two girls on a grassy hill just near Taldaris. On his right is an 8 year old Akame happily snacking on an apple. On his left is someone who is just like Akame, except her eyes are black and her hair is shoulder length. She looked at Adonis and smiled widely making Adonis smile as he pat at her head. In front of them is a blanket with a basket filled with all sorts of foodstuffs.
Both Akame and the girl cheered and quickly ran towards the basket. Along the way, Adonis chuckled as he walked.
For the whole day, they ate and played until it was almost night time.
"Hey big brother, are we going home now?" Adonis smiled as he looked at the little girl. The girl pouted as she thought that her brother was teasing her. Adonis chuckled as he held his sisters closer. "Yeah, but don't worry, we'll have fun here another time. We'll leave, but just for today. So…don't give me that look Kurome!" Kurome glared cutely at Adonis, until she giggled and laughed along with Akame. Adonis looked at his sisters for a while but in the end, he joined his sisters.
After packing the blanket and the basket, Adonis wiped some sweat and began heading back to Taldaris, he already sent both Akame and Kurome back first, all that was left is him.
He walked with a happy smile on his face. Glad that the day went off without any problems.
"BIG BROTHEEEEEER!" Adonis quickly looked to his right, he dropped his basket as he saw his sisters cornered by a single Crawler. The Crawler snarled as it glared at the two sisters. It circled the two as Adonis quickly dropped the basket and took a knife hidden beneath his clothes. A look of panic set to his face as he quickly ran towards the Crawler.
The Crawler, hearing the approaching footsteps, quickly looked towards Adonis and growled at the boy. Adonis glared at the Crawler despite his shaking form. He put himself in a stance, his right hand clenched as his left held the knife.
He faced the knife forward causing the Crawler to back away slightly with a growl. Adonis bit his lower lip as he looked at the Crawler.
If Adonis were to guess the age of the Crawler, then its probably old, a couple of scars littered its body and Adonis can clearly tell that it is larger than normal. So an Alpha. Adonis quickly looked around without moving his face away from the Crawler. None. The Crawler is alone. Probably because it was exiled from a new Alpha that took over its pack
Adonis tried to calm his breathe and body. He needed to kill this Alpha to save his remaining family members. And to do that.
He must…
Attack!
Adonis quickly charged as the Crawler charged with a screech. The Crawler quickly used its hind legs to close the distance between the two, and as soon as it got close enough it pounced on the young prince. But Adonis was smart. He quickly rolled to the side to avoid the Crawler's claws.
Standing quickly, Adonis stabbed the knife through one of the Crawler's legs causing it to howl in pain. He backed away quickly, almost getting scratched by its claws.
The Crawler snarled at its stabber with anger evident in its eyes. Limping a bit due to the injury, it faced the two sisters. A dark smile crept through its lips as it prepared to use the last of the strength in its legs to pounce on the two.
Then…it leaped.
Adonis quickly saw this with widened eyes. His heartbeat quickly sped up, the adrenaline fueling his resolve to protect his sisters. Not caring if he will die, he quickly ran and jumped to try to tackle the Crawler. Fortunately, he was close enough to close the distance. Unfortunately, he dropped his knife.
Adonis clenched his teeth as he tackled the Crawler. His momentum caused the Crawler to lose sight of its prey. The Crawler only had a moment to look at its attacker only for it to howl in pain and anger. Pain because once they landed on the ground, a rock managed to struck its wounded leg. Anger because once again this brat managed to hurt it once again.
A mere boy! It managed to hurt it twice!
With a ferocious screech, it looked at Adonis and quickly raised its left claw. Adonis saw this and quickly backed away.
Unfortunately…
He fell on his butt, either it was because of fear or something else he didn't know. He grunted as he landed on his butt.
The Crawler took the opportunity and swung its claw down. Adonis barely had enough time to back his face away from the attack. Adonis thought that he could dodge it.
However, the middle finger of the Crawler says otherwise.
Blood quickly covered Adonis's right eye causing him to scream in pain. The Crawler stood straight, looking down on the boy that dared injure its body.
Yes, it will have a feast tonight! Fresh blood from the young is always its favorite! It will savor every single drop of blo-
"Leave big brother alone!"
For a moment, the Crawler was basking in hearing the pain from the young boy, now all it felt was an excruciating pain coming from its chest, just near the heart. A small figure crashed into the Crawler, pushing the beast away.
Her hands held the knife that Adonis dropped. Her short black hair waving with the winds. Her normally cheerful black eyes, now replaced with tears of sadness, fear, and a small hint of anger.
The Crawler howled in pain as Kurome raised the dagger "LEAVE MY BROTHER ALONE!" And quickly buried it to its left eye. The Crawler gave a small screech before lying down, dead.
Breathing quickly, Kurome suddenly puked her lunch. She may have had to kill the Crawler to save her brother, but she was still young. Too young to witness and kill someone or something.
Akame quickly ripped a small part of her dress and quickly rushed towards Adonis to cover his wound. Adonis's tears were already dry once he saw Kurome kill the Crawler. He forced himself to smile as soon as Akame hugged him and began covering his eye with the cloth from her dress.
Adonis thanked Akame and stood up and walked towards Kurome. She stopped her puking and turned to her brother and sister and smiled in relief. Adonis smiled as Kurome slowly walked. Akame stood beside Adonis with a small smile.
Kurome walked with a big smile, only for her to stop in confusion...
She tasted something foul in her mouth, and it was liquid. She quickly looked down and saw three small holes in her stomach, each hole seeping with a lot of blood.
Eyes widening and skin quickly paling. She looked at her siblings and said two words.
"Big brother…"
Then she collapsed.
Flashback end
Adonis shook his head. He needed to focus on the present. "Tomorrow…we leave." He muttered as he left the balcony to go to his room.
Adonis opened the door to his room as he gave a heavy sigh. "Hopefully, we will have enough time tomorrow to evacuate everyone." He muttered to himself as he saw a couple of servants moving his belongings.
"Everyone…please make it in time."
Next day
Adonis opened the door only to see a Spearton about to knock. The Spearton took a step back in surprise before clearing his throat.
"Good morning your majesty. Today we leave Inamorta." He said solemnly before shaking his head. "Right now we are preparing to leave. The smoke is now approaching slowly as we speak. And almost everyone has boarded the ships." Adonis nodded as he walked away from his room. "What news of the other ports?" Adonis needed to know that ALL of his people are fine. "They have already set sailed. They have finished boarding people yesterday and they should arrive to our location in a few hours." The other ports have less people to evacuate so that is why it took them two days to prepare.
The Spearton reported everything, even the minor details. But mostly the minor details.
Adonis looked at Taldaris. The green smoke slowly approaching the walls and homes. He clenched his fists. Is it because of him? Is it because he failed to kill the Marrowkais three days ago? Is it because he failed to stop the ritual?
So many questions that Adonis wants an answer. And to him…its yes. It is his fault that he lost the land his people love. Their homes. And even their families. The responsibilities are on his shoulders. It is his job to give them a new home and to help them overcome the lost of a loved one.
"Set sail!" He ordered with a heavy heart.
The wind was on their side today. That is why the ships managed to get away from land so quickly. The boats follow, although a bit slowly.
A small smile crept upon Adonis's face. They will live. His people will live!
Unfortunately…
Fate has other plans.
"HEY! PLEASE! STOP!"
It was faint. But years of training caused Adonis to hear it. Turning and quickly walking through the deck. He saw what he feared the most.
Refugees.
There are still others on the land! He must act quickly! He eyed the many boats lagging behind, until he saw a boat that is nearest to the shore. The boat was quickly approaching the shore thanks to the rows of the men.
After landing, the men led the refugees onboard. The refugees, seeing that there is almost not enough room quickly dumped all their belongings on the ground.
Adonis looked at the men who are carrying children quickly but safely put them on the boat. He looked with a sad smile…that is until it turned into a look of shock. Because on the land, it was one of the people that Adonis cares about. One that he considers family.
Kaldir.
With panic and desperation, he looked at his men who are staring at the scene in shock. One sailor shouted an alarm as he saw black miasma quickly swallowing the green smoke. Both of it merged and began to quickly swallow everything in its path.
Kaldir, sensing the dark magic and smoke quickly looked at the boat. All the refugees are onboard. However, he and the soldiers with him knew.
They knew the result when they turned back and saved the refugees.
With a sad smile, Kaldir lifted his staff as a man quickly let the sail free.
"Zi La Mash." Wind started to gather around him as he closed his eyes.
'I am sorry Adonis…please forgive this old man…and please…take care of her.'
With that final thought he opened his eyes.
"Wind!" He roared with all his might as he unleashed a strong gust of wind to quickly get the boat away from land.
"Good luck…your majesty." He said to himself as the men with him faced the ships and did their final salute.
"KALDIR!"
The smoke and miasma covered all of Inamorta.
Turning all life into stone.
The smoke and miasma kept on going until it reached the edge of the land.
And then, it slowly faded away.
But nothing…not even a single speck of land remained.
Adonis stared in shock. The land that he and his people called home.
Its gone…and so is the man he considered a family member.
Somewhere
A beautiful woman with golden hair and beautiful green eyes quickly opened her eyes with a gasp. Sweat dripped off her body as she calmed her breathing.
"Another vision." She said to herself as she looked at her window her hand holding her chest. She bit her lip lightly and looked at the bed sheet.
"Who is he?"
She tried to remember but the only thing she can remember are the red eyes of a man that protected her.
And cut! Thanks for reading! Now to those who wish to know WHY I added Kurome...well...I changed my mind okay?! And to those who wondered if Kurome is dead...well...its a secret! Also! Sorry that I rushed this. But I want to let this out okay? And if you guys are wondering where the Giants are...well...that's a secret too!
Anyways! Time to go! I still need to pack.
Ciao! Peace!