Chapter 2: A Strange Captive
(Today was a morning like no other. The sky was still dark ever since the war began against the Haize Fortress, and all of my guards were on highest alert. Little did I know that today I would have a fateful encounter with a captive that changed my life.)
My royal guards entered the throne room. They were more organized than usual, and their ranks were kept. I wondered as to what would be so important?
"Majesty, we have found a trespasser on the royal grounds of the palace. He was carrying strange devices."
"Strange devices?" I replied.
"Yes sir. Have a look for yourself."
The guard tossed a mysterious driver on the ground in front of me, alongside some strangely shaped gems. I admired them in awe. Never before had I seen such a gem that shone with such an unrivaled gleam.
"What of the prisoner?" I asked.
"Here he is." The guard tossed him onto the ground before my feet. He was a young man, but he looked strong and confident. He showed no fear when he looked into my eyes, and I asked him who he was.
"The names Tatsuya, Tatsuya Hikari. Just where am I?".
"Leave us." I instructed my guards. The guards left the room and left Tatsuya free from his binds.
"I can tell you are not from here. Nor did you have the intention of ending up on castle grounds. You are not a Haize spy, yet I am very interested in you. Where you have landed is Castle Emerald within Emerald Kingdom. But I am afraid you come during a time of war. What brought you here?"
"I came from a portal that appeared on my world. What do you mean a time of war? Did I start something?"
"Not at all. Haize Fortress is an enemy. Ever since my father, the rightful king vanished, there have been attacks without end upon our kingdom. Which is why we must all be on high alert. For we never know when an enemy will strike us next."
"Wait. Oh no."
Suddenly, Siege jumps out of nowhere with his lance drawn and tries to thrust it at me. I avoid it, and the weapon hits my throne, and I kick the lance away, deflecting it. He charges at me again, and I spin around and kick his chest causing him to stumble backwards.
"Siege. Now is not the time to try and dethrone me. Not in the presence of a guest."
"Guest?"
"Indeed. Excuse Siege. Ever since his own kingdom was destroyed by the Haize, he is desperate to become king again. He has been trying to dethrone me ever since."
I looked upon Siege, and told him to stand his ground. Then I addressed Tatsuya once more. "Tell me, do you know something of the recent attacks of a specific monster?"
"Yes I do, infact I battle monsters on my world, but we might be talking about different monsters."
"This one is different. He looks… almost cybernetic."
"Sir! We have just gotten word of another Haize attack. It's not far off from the Eastern Province." My guard said, frantically.
"Tell me Tatsuya, can you fight?"
"Of course! I want to help, I can't just let this monster hurt innocent people!"
"Then your trial is on hold. Siege! I need you to survey the castle while I am gone. Tatsuya, I return to you your items. The Eastern Province is where… something very important is kept."
I marched outside the castle with my army behind me. I walked slowly towards a giant steel horse that was standing at the doorway. I drew out my Royale Driver and attached it to my waist. I took out Caste Knight, and stood looking at the steel horse.
"Knight, I request your power. Allow me to ride you once more."
I inserted the Caste Figure into the top of the driver and locked it in place. The driver shouted: "Summon! Caste Knight!" I turned the figure, "Henshin!" I pushed the center shield of the belt and the driver shouted: "The Crest of Knight! Tricks Are Unrivaled Might!" The steel horse shattered into thousands of metal shards. The shards attached to my body, and a horse helmet came over my head. My lower body turned into a horse, and Royale Centaur is formed!
"Tatsuya, I hope your transformation is impressive." I asked.
"I'll show you! Henshin!". Tatsuya attached a driver to him and put a blue stone into it, he flipped the pickaxe like switch, then beautiful blue crystal shards attached to him making him a blue crystallized warrior, a cobalt to be exact. "Break! Cobalt! Swift Attacker!". "Do you like it?"
"Tatsuya, I would never say this to any man, but given the situation, you need to mount me."
Tatsuya jumps on the horse back of Royale Centaur, and I gallop outside the main gates and across the drawbridge with amazing speed. The wind quickly picks up, and we dash towards the town. A giant building suddenly comes into view, but I am going to run straight at it!
"Wait! Were going to crash! Isn't there another way!"
"Don't worry. I got some tricks." Royale Centaur jumps and passes right through the walls of the building like a ghost. I continue to change direction, and run faster towards the Eastern Province at the far end of the Kingdom.
"You see, Crest Knight can pass through any barrier with ease. It makes entering enemy lines most effective."
We finally reach a cliff that overlooks the Province. The ground below is surrounded by Haize, and a strange cyborg-creature. They all surround the tower, and have sealed it off from the outside world.
"Tatsuya, you know what that thing is?" I point towards the cyborg.
"Wait, that looks like that guy I met. He is a rider too but not friendly."
"An enemy then. Allow me to switch into something more fight-comfortable."
I pull out Caste Knight and switch to Caste Royale. The driver shouts, "Summon! Caste Royale!" "Henshin!" I push the center symbol, and the steel horse shatters and reassembles into Royale's armor. "The Crest of The King! The Royalty Supreme!" I put my Caste Calibers into my back slots of my armor.
"Are you ready for this?" I ask. "There is no turning back. We must secure the tower, or die trying. We cannot allow them to find what's inside."
"I'll take Zer0, I have a score to settle with him."
"Then let's go."
(Back at Castle Emerald, Siege suddenly sees a giant blast of light coming from the back room. Siege is blinded, and stumbles back, but out walks Kamen Rider Crystal!)