Here we go another chapter!
I did some updates to the story, I put several chapters together therefore they're longer so this way we're only up to chapter 9.
I know I've been mega slow with the updates, I have been writing a paragraph every other day but I'll be trying my best to go faster from now on. I finally know what direction I'm going in with this story, which feels like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders so it's given me inspiration to write more.
The King's Love by Increbresco
Chapter 9
*The Palace*
"I don't care what you have to do, I want her found now Jadeite!" roared Endymion slamming his fists against the table.
Endymion was very agitated; it was now three days since Andrew and Reika's wedding. The Crugis had infiltrated the Palace that night and launched a massive attack seriously injuring dozens of soldiers and even some unlucky guests at the wedding. Parts of the Palace were destroyed and in shambles. He had to be moved to the other half of the Palace until the repairs were over and it was restored to its former glory.
The worst of that night was the damage that had been done to the two people who were very close to him. His best friend was on the brink of death. Andrew had saved the King's life by throwing himself in front of Endymion when a Crugi soldier had flung the immortality stealing serum at him. Andrew was hit with the serum and stabbed with a poisonous Crugi blade. He was no longer immortal. Andrew's condition was worsening everyday, poor Reika was obediently at her new husbands side. Endymion had done his best to reassure the Furhuata's that he would move heaven and hell to make sure Andrew recovered.
Then there was Serena, the Crugis had kidnapped Serena. No one could understand why they would take her, such an innocent girl. Endymion was devastated when he returned to his chambers that night after fighting off the Crugis to discover that Serena had been taken. The Crugis left Endymion a taunting note saying that they had taken something precious from him and the only way to get her back would be to travel to Largos and exchange himself for her.
"Calm down your majesty," said Jadeite sighing, "We're all doing our best!"
"That's not good enough! Serena was taken because of me," said Endymion sadly, "I left her alone in my room. They must have thought she was important to me and now they have her. I only hope she's not hurt."
"It's not your fault Endy, no one could have predicted any of this to happen, " replied Kunzite. The last couple of days had been a hectic blur, all of the generals felt like Endymion was running around like a chicken with his head cut off.
"The good news is that you weren't killed which we all know was their objective," said Nephrite firmly, "Put your feelings aside Endymion, you have a duty to Earth, you must remain unharmed. Do not jeopardize you safety by leaving that Palace to go find Serena or exacting any revenge you think the Crugis deserve for what they did to Andrew."
Endymion rolled his eyes at Nephrite and buried his head in his hands. He knew his duty; he certainly didn't need to be lectured like a child. Ever since he was a boy he was taught to put his feelings aside and do what was best for Earth. He never questioned that but how could he live with himself if he didn't go out there and help search for Serena.
He had been sequestered to this god-forsaken Palace for his protection. The Palace had been reinforced with dozens of protective spells to keep the Crugis out; hell he wasn't sure he could leave the palace if he wanted. He sat at his desk for the last three days trying to control this war from his office. Meanwhile Andrew was on the brink of death and Serena was in enemy hands.
Things were bad; he was at a lost of what his next move might be. Zoisite and a group of the best scientists were on Mercury trying to come with a new Anima Elixir. Endymion tried giving Andrew the Anima Elixir again but his body wouldn't accept it. It was evident that the elixir would have to be redefined to make it unsusceptible to the Crugis immortality stealing serum.
Endymion was seriously considering awakening his father earlier. King Elysion would no doubt know of a way to change the elixir since he was the one that invented it. However Endymion knew that doing that would make his people question whether he was a suitable King or a child who had to run to his father for help when things got tough.
"You have to awaken you father Endymion, Andrew will die if you don't," whispered Zoisite grimly, "I have spoken to Dr. Nakamura, he guarantees me that Andrew will not make it another 48 hours."
"No one will think less of you for awakening your father Endy," said Kunzite, "We all need a little help sometimes, and besides you're still very young, it's only been less than half a millennium since you became King."
"I'll think about it," replied Endymion frowning, "Leave me be and get back to your posts."
"Yes your majesty" chorused the Generals as their projections disappeared from Endymion's office.
Endymion sighed deeply and continued to stare out the window at the gloomy sky above no doubt a reflection of his mood. 'What should I do?'
*Meanwhile in Largos*
"Serenity! Serenity! I wonder where my little bunny has run off to," chanted a male voice cheerfully.
A soft childish giggle erupted from under a nearby table. Little Serena slapped her hand against her mouth trying to muffle the giggles trying to force themselves out of her. She tucked her feet under the table carefully so that her daddy wouldn't be able to see her little pink sandals sticking out. They were playing hide and seek and it was her turn to hide from daddy.
"Hmmn…That sounded like a bunny to me! I wonder where that giggle came from!" teased the male voice. A tall dark haired young man with round glasses sauntered around the room pretending to check behind the curtains and even under the dinner plates for his little girl. Eventually after following the trail of her giggles he bent down in front of the dining room table and grinned when he saw his baby girl staring back at him large innocent blue eyes.
"Serenity!" laughed the man his green eyes glinting with amusement.
"Daddy" squealed little Serena happily as she wrapped her chubby little arms around his neck.
"Daddy!" groaned Serena desperately as she awoke from another fitful slumber. She tossed her head to the side and shivered when it came in contact with the cold stone ground. She was still wearing Endymion's shirt lying half naked on the ground. It was freezing; it had been three days since she woke up in this darkened cell.
She could hardly see anything around her; there was only the dim moonlight outside seeping in through the tiny window with iron bars way up high. There were no other prisoners around not even any guards. She had inspected the bars of the cell and found no way to escape. She also tried screaming for help and had given up since it seemed to be a waste of time. There was no way out of here.
Her kidnappers hadn't returned since the night they teleported her into this prison and that was one thing she was thankful for. The face she had seen on her attackers had been terrifying. They were some sort of strange half human half reptilian creatures. She couldn't remember their names but she remembered Luna and Artemis talking about them when the war had been declared. They were the ones stealing people's immortalities. She figured they were trying to bait Endymion by taking her and she hoped desperately that he wouldn't try to be heroic and put himself in danger for her sake.
*Elsewhere in Largos*
"Kill that Bitch! She's of no use to us!" shrieked an angry red haired woman as she paced in front of the King of Largos.
The King's name was Zirconium and he was tall with a powerful build, broad shoulders and remarkable strength. He had dark hair and intense green eyes that often looked like it could bore a hole into people's souls. His hair color and eyes were the only traits that Zirconium possessed that made him recognizable as a Crugi, he did not inherit any reptilian like features but he did have strength and power. Zirconium was only half Crugi; it was widely known that his father Prince Sapphire who was born in Largos to King Topaz and Queen Esmeraude had run away from home and into the arms of a human woman.
Some time after that, his father had returned to Largos in the night and given baby Zirconium to a palace guard with a note to bring to his parents the King and Queen. After that he was never seen again, rumors spread that he passed away but no one knew for certain. The King and Queen never spoke of him again and everyone pretended that he didn't exist. Zirconium often wondered about his father, he pretended to hate him in the presence of others but he couldn't deny that he was curious about the man.
People often said he looked exactly like his father but Zirconium had no way of knowing if he did because there were no pictures of his father anywhere. Prince Sapphire's room had been stripped and every single one of his possessions and pictures burned by King Topaz after he ran away.
Zirconium took the throne at just fifteen years old when his grandfather King Topaz perished from disease. Now many years later King Zirconium's power, strength and intellect far exceeded that of a twenty five year old, which he was as of yesterday. King Zirconium lived his life like everyday was the last, he vowed to make each day matter, he wasn't like those foolish humans who had their precious Anima Elixir, he wasn't scared of death in fact he challenged it.
"Calm down Princess Beryl. She is essential to our plan now, she is obviously important to the King!" shouted King Zirconium. He was frustrated with this ignorant demanding woman, he prayed for her to leave his kingdom soon however he knew he needed her.
Her mother Queen Metallia was powerful, and King Zirconium wanted desperately to obtain more power so that his people could reproduce faster, destroy the useless humans and take over Earth. The Crugis would make Earth theirs and combined with Queen Metallia's power they would take over the Galaxy.
Princess Beryl huffed and stomped her feet indignantly, "My mother provided you with that Serum, without it you and your people would be crawling around completely useless. We gave you power and purpose don't forget that!"
"We appreciate all you and your mother have done for us Princess but killing that girl will only keep us further from our goal", said King Zirconium rubbing his aching temples, " We will continue with my plan. We will lure Endymion here by using her as bait, when he comes for her and I hope he does, we will steal his immortality, torture him for the location of his father's chamber and kill him. Once we find and kill King Elysion, I will take over as King of this planet. Together with your planet our power will be unbeatable, we will take over the galaxy and no one will stand in our way."
"Do what you must but remember I want to be the one to kill Endymion, that useless fool! He should have married me decades ago and made me Queen but instead he warms his bed with some worthless girl," muttered Princess Beryl angrily.
"You will get your revenge Princess Beryl, we will all get what we've been dreaming of," whispered King Zirconium confidently.
Princess Beryl nodded her head laughing evilly.
"I will retire to my chambers then and wait. In the meantime bring that girl to me, I want to see what's captured Endymion's attention."
King Zirconium sighed, "As you wish but remember do not harm her yet, she's useless to us dead."
Beryl frowned moodily and walked out of the throne room without another word.
"Keep an eye on her at all times, I don't trust her," ordered King Zirconium to the guard beside him.
*Back at the Palace*
Endymion stared at Andrew's unconscious form, his breathing seemed slow and unsteady. His blonde hair was matted to his forehead and his skin deathly pale. Reika sat on Andrew's right side in an armchair, her pretty face radiated exhaustion and worry.
"King Endymion, I love Andrew with all my heart. He's my soul mate," whispered Reika her eyes closed, hot salty tears streaming down her face, "please save my husband! Do whatever you have to, I'm begging you!"
Endymion took a deep breath and whispered, "I know Reika, Don't worry I won't let him die."
*Later at the Chambers of King Elysion*
Endymion stood beside a very large golden sarcophagus. It had an egg like shape and the surface was made of shimmering gold adorned with thousands of flawless rubies. On the sides scrawled in red were various blessings written in the ancient language. There was no latch to open it for only the person on the inside could let himself out.
Endymion laid his palm on the upper part of the sarcophagus where his father's name was spelled out and whispered very softly, "Please Father, I need your guidance."
After a few moments nothing happened causing Endymion to peek through one eye, the sarcophagus was completely still with no signs of movement. Endymion closed his eyes again and whispered the same plead again. He concentrated hard and waited for something to happen. Again nothing happened.
Endymion cursed loudly and kicked the side of the sarcophagus with his leg. Nothing happened. Endymion continued kicking the sarcophagus getting more and more frustrated with each blow.
"Wake the hell up old man!" screamed Endymion loudly as he continuously kicking the sarcophagus.
Suddenly a loud rumbling erupted from the sarcophagus and the front of it started opening. There was a cloud of red smoke in the room and when it cleared lying inside the sarcophagus was a very ticked off King Elysion.
"That's how you wake me up after three hundred years!" he boomed at Endymion his blue eyes glinting with anger.
"Father…"started Endymion rolling his eyes.
"Don't you father me! You should be ashamed of yourself, kicking my precious sarcophagus like a little child. A man can't even sleep in peace without enduring all this damn racket" muttered King Elysion lifting himself out of the sarcophagus. He stretched his back and was rewarded with numerous cracking sounds, which made him groan in pain.
"Dad I-…" started Endymion again.
"Has it really been three hundred years already, seems like just yesterday that I went to sleep" said King Elysion cutting his son off again.
"Would you shut the hell up and listen to me already!" yelled Endymion irritated.
King Elysion stopped dusting off his pants and regarded his son with a disapproving look; he marched up to Endymion and towered over him.
"Did I raise you to talk to me like that Endy? I ought to give you a good spanking…" retorted King Elysion his hands resting on his hip a pout on his lips.
"Ughh…"muttered Endymion looking away, he hated being scolded by his father. 'This is why I didn't want to wake him up, he treats me like I'm still a damn child.'
"Well?" asked King Elysion tapping his feet impatiently.
"Well what? Geez you always treat me like such a baby!"
"That's because you act like a baby all the time!"
"No I don't!"
Yes you do!"
"No I DON'T!"
"YES YOU DO!"
"I DON'T!"
"YES YOU DO INFINITY!"
A loud cough interrupted the two bickering royals.
"Excuse me your majesties, I don't mean to interrupt but perhaps we should return to the Palace now" said Kunzite amused as he bowed to Endymion and his father.
"Oh! Kunzite my boy! How have you been?!" asked King Elysion pushing past Endymion and engulfing Kunzite in a bear hug.
Kunzite laughed nervously patting King Elysion on the shoulder, "I'm fine your majesty, it's nice having you back."
"Let go of him father, you're going to squish him to death!" yelled Endymion tugging his father away from Kunzite. 'Sometimes I wonder how he became King of Earth' thought Endymion pouting.
"Endy don't be so jealous, I still love you even though you woke me up so rudely. Come here and give daddy a hug!" said King Elysion cheerfully while trying to wrap his arms around his son's shoulders.
Endymion twisted out of his arms and went to stand near an amused Kunzite trying to look tough and said "We don't have time for all this father. We have important matters to discuss."
"Fine but I'm hugging you later when Kunzite isn't around since you're so embarrassed." teased King Elysion, "I remember when you were little, you should have seen him when he was a boy Kunzite! He was so cute! He used to follow me everywhere and demanded at least ten hugs a day from me but now he wants nothing to do with me. Being a parent is so hard you know…"
Endymion sighed as his father went on and on with his rant as they left the chambers and proceeded to the Palace. 'This is a nightmare!'
*Princess Beryl's chambers in Largos*
Serena twisted around uncomfortably in the arms of the guard dragging her along with him. She had pleaded with him for mercy when he came into her cell and blindfolded her. He provided no answers just ignored her and continued with his task. She didn't know where he was taking her and the thought made her feel completely helpless.
Finally they came to a stop and he tugged the blindfold off and pushed her into a room. The door slammed shut behind her, she tried to open it but was unsuccessful. She whirled around and inspected her surroundings; it seemed to be a woman's room.
Serena staggered as she walked around the room, her long legs were weak and pale from days of exposure to the chilling coldness of the prison she was kept in. She was too tired to even try to escape through any of the windows; she figured that she probably wouldn't get too far anyway. Her mouth was dry and lips chapped from lack of water, the only nourishment that she was treated to daily that appeared out of nowhere in her prison cell had been a stale loaf of bread.
The doors suddenly burst open causing Serena to jump back in fear. A young woman with long silky red hair sauntered in, she wore an emerald green skin-tight gown, which hugged her curves in all the right places, this woman was disturbingly beautiful. Her eyes were as dark as night and her luscious lips were blood red. She oozed seduction and power. Serena gulped when she noticed the look of hate sprawled across her face.
"Well well what do we have here…sit down little girl," gestured the woman to Serena directing her to sit on the cushioned sofa nearby.
Serena sat down quickly and folder her hands on her lap scared. She had a bad feeling about this.
"Where am I?" croaked Serena quietly as the woman took a seat on the bed crossing her legs and staring intently at her.
"Don't worry about that. I just had to take a look at the girl Endymion ditched me for to attend that stupid wedding with," replied the woman coldly.
Serena gasped as she realized that this was the Princess Beryl she had heard about from Andrew and Luna. This incredibly evil looking but beautiful woman was Endymion's ex-girlfriend. 'Why is she here? And with these creatures!' thought Serena puzzled.
Beryl said nothing and continued to stare at Serena, her expression seemingly darkening with each passing moment.
Serena suddenly felt very self conscious dressed only in Endymion's shirt, which had become tattered and stained with dirt from the floor of the cell that she spent the last couple of days lying on. She tugged the sides of the shirt down trying in vain to cover herself.
Beryl stood up and walked over to her; she grabbed her chin harshly and examined her face for a few moments.
"How old are you?" she barked at Serena, her cold fingers digging into her skin.
"Si…sixteen…" stuttered Serena weakly meeting her gaze.
Beryl burst out laughing, the shrillness of her voice echoing around the room, "Endymion must be getting pretty desperate lately, surely a girl like you couldn't even please him in bed."
Serena lowered her head, anger seething through her, she clenched her jaw tightly and avoided Beryl's gaze. 'I will not let this bitch get to me'
Beryl let go of her face and went over to the vanity for a brush. She then began brushing her long red hair ignoring Serena's presence.
Finally after an eternity, Beryl addressed her again, "So tell me, how did you meet Endymion? Or wait I know, perhaps he must have bought you somewhere right?"
Serena glared at Beryl and answered stiffly, "Just shut up you don't know anything about me!"
Beryl stopped brushing her hair and went over to where Serena was sitting. She sat down beside her on the sofa and gave her a mocking look.
"I'm not trying to upset you. Trust me I understand what's going on more than you think," said Beryl smiling wickedly, "You're a virgin right? I can tell by the way you fidget nervously. Let me tell you what's going to happen to you little girl, Endymion is going to pretend that he cares about you and then when he's had you and trust me he will take you, after that he will throw you away like the worthless little whore you are."
Serena turned to face Beryl and slapped her hard in the face causing her to fall off the sofa.
Beryl started screaming and charged at Serena dragging her by the hair to the ground. Serena let her arms fly trying to hit Beryl as much as she could. The two wrestled around for a good couple of minutes before the guards charged in and pulled Serena off her.
"I want that slut killed! Do you hear me?! Kill her now!" screamed Beryl angrily at the guards.
"What the hell is going on here?!" asked a voice behind the soldiers. It was King Zirconium; he had been going to his chambers when he heard the commotion.
Beryl stomped up to him and pointed at Serena, "That bitch hit me! She tried to kill me! I don't care what our agreement was before I want you to kill her now!"
King Zirconium glanced at the prisoner, all he could see was a tiny girl with a mass of blonde hair wearing hardly anything.
"I told you we need her!" yelled King Zirconium at Beryl.
"FINE! I'm going back to Acerbus immediately, wait until my mother hears about this!" screamed Beryl storming out of the room.
King Zirconium sighed heavily, 'This is going to cost me dearly!' He turned to the prisoner who had kept herself unusually quiet for someone who was just brawling with Princess Beryl.
"Bring her over here!" demanded King Zirconium at his guards.
The two guards dragged Serena in front of the King. Her head was lowered and her hair hung limply around her.
"Do you know how much trouble you've just cost me? Look at me when I'm talking to you damnit!" shouted King Zirconium at her.
Serena groaned, she felt very weak; the spat with Beryl had taken the last shred of energy she had left. The last thing she needed was to be yelled at or killed by this King. She slowly raised her head to face him. He was tall with dark hair and green eyes, he looked very familiar to her especially those eyes. It took her a moment to collect her thoughts and then she realized who he was.
"Daddy!" whispered Serena going deathly still.
King Zirconium looked at her astonished, "What did you just say?"
"Daddy" whispered Serena faintly once more before going passing out completely in the arms of the guards.
Hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Your feedbacks are greatly appreciated!