Chapter 19
The assembly of the Archangels are ready, the generals of Heaven's Army now primed and its sights set on Runeterra. A gathering storm signifies what some had long craved for, while many feared. An Archangel from the Assembly quickly hurried down the halls of the Royal Palace, his expressions carrying a great mission. The King's room was not far as the lines of guards thickened the closer he was. The paranoiac atmosphere became apparent, the madness of Othrius slowly seeping throughout the palace. Yet on the grand side, he held his mask quite charismatically, he was the King who would reign forever.
The messenger's steps echoed redundantly down the perfect crystalline halls, his stance tall and worthy of an Archangel. The band of guards is cautious and their eyes hawked, ready to strike at any threat to their king. At the end of the great hall, a pair of massive diamond etched gates was slightly ajar. A dim, flickering light softly poured out from the cracks, casting a faint shadow of a seated robed figure.
As the Archangel approached the gates, the massively armoured guards whose décor were magnificent and golden, halted him. Their tall helms flourished with a chromatic plume, allowing them to menacingly tower over opposition.
"Halt, state your business," the guards demanded without any formal greetings.
The king's elite guards are often shrouded in mystic, they answered to no one but the Lord himself. They are as feared as the Archangels themselves.
"I bring a simple message for His Majesty, nothing more," the angel replied.
The guards' vicious eyes scanned the messenger, their pupils were dilated black as though they were blind but those who knew better would avoid them. They were nigh-all seeing, able to unravel all secrets of your soul, be you a God or Angel, nothing can escape them.
After a few moments, the guards nodded and notion for him to enter the King's room. He lightly pushed open the grand doors as though not to disquiet the seemingly creeping, placid atmosphere. Upon entry he spotted Othrius, robed in his ceremonial drapes which consisted of indescribable luxurious tastes and his precious jewelled crown resting on his head. Underneath the robes had concealed his lifelessly black armor and his aura of corruption.
The messenger kneeled. "Sire, the crowd and the Assembly is awaiting you. They are ready for the speech."
Othrius sat motionlessly, as though in deep contemplation upon his massive throne. He sank into the overstuffed cushioning as his kingly aura drained away from him.
"Is it time already?" Othrius croaked voice rasped. He lifted his brows, his red eyes glaring at the angel. The bloodied veins eerily breathed with each pulse as though he was but a lifeless corpse.
"Yes, sire."
Othrius wearily lifted himself from the embracing throne and heaved to his feet. His metallic boots echoed and scrapped the flawless marble flooring. His tall form casted an overwhelming shadow all over the dimly lit room. It was as though the candles which breathed light had been snuffed out and flickered no more.
The messenger could feel an unease and darkness emanating from the king, his thick robes however masking whatever evil lurks underneath. Othrius straightened himself and staggered from the top of the descending stairs, his shadows trailing his steps. What little light left in the room had died out as he climbed down.
At the bottom, he came to a stop and glared at the messenger for a quick second, his reddened eyes and pale face furthering enhancing a deathly image of him.
"My Lord, are you feeling well?" the messenger asked as he got up to his feet.
Othrius hunched and his eyes twitched slightly before opening his cracked lips and rasped out.
"Tell me… am I a good King?" he breathed.
The messenger, slightly taken aback, stuttered. "Of- Of course my Lord, why else would you think otherwise?"
Then, a sudden expression of anger flushed Othrius' face as he grabbed the angel's shoulders.
"Do not lie to me! I know what you think, I know what you all think!" Othrius hollered.
The messenger was speechless as he attempted feebly to wiggle out of the King's mighty grasp. Othrius then released him and pushed him away before turning to face the lustrous marble stairs. He saw his own reflection, the dark veins, the bloody eyes, and the pale skin, all of the imperfections that haunted his face.
"What is a good King? I know that answer, I must!" Othrius then stumbled to a nearby table and then held onto the glass surface.
"My Lord, you are not well, perhaps I should go get the healer."
Othrius' bloodshot eyes turned to glance at the angel before returning to his hunched form. "You think me weak do you now, you think me a fool, unworthy King underserving of this crown. They all do!"
Othrius then hollered in pure rage and shattered the table in one blow.
"He… He still knows, he is still awake. Do not think I cannot hear your words, your treachery, brother. You are King no longer, I am! Am I not a good King, I will succeed you! Your words mean nothing to these ears, ha! And you think your son, the hopeless boy who lost himself, will save you…"
The guards outside peered over the cracks of the open door and glanced at a crashed room with shattered objects in every direction. Knowing best not to interrupt the King's wrath, they returned to their posts.
"My Lord, the people are waiting for you-"
"GET OUT!" Othrius bellowed.
The messenger, attempting to maintain his professional stance, cleared his throat. "Then I shall tell them your lordship will be delayed."
He then hurried out of the room, not wanting to be in the King's presence much longer.
Othrius paced around the room, and then the ever present Throne caught his eyes as he stared aimlessly at it.
"Why am I not a good King? I've done so much more than you ever will, I've progressed Heaven, created an iron rule, all of the cosmos fear us. Tell me brother, why do you torment me so?"
A reflection of the former King manifested upon the infallible Throne, much to Othrius' shock.
"Look at yourself, what have you done in the name of power? Can you really be called King?" a voice echoed in his head.
"You… I've only done this for the sake of Heaven, for us all. You think I do not feel pain when our people are headed to the gallows?! I've made as much of a sacrifice as you have during your entire reign. Power, is only for the greater good, which I've given to. Look at how much we've progressed, the entire realm of existence knees before us."
"At what cost? What is there to rule in the end but death and destruction? Think again, brother…"
Othrius for a moment felt stunned, his eyes searched sightlessly. When he glimpsed back at the Throne, there was nobody there. That question repeated frantically in his mind as he attempted for an answer. Then, his senses returned and so did the aura of darkness.
"An illusion, a trick huh? It matters not, all of existence now lies within my grasp, and you have failed Artrix."
A sinister grin bared his face as he tidied himself up.
"Yes, yes, the speech. The cost is never too great."
The adoring crowd outside cheered and roared, their congregation could be heard from miles away. The sea of people gathered below the Royal Palace swarmed the streets as Amethus rested worriedly in his estate. Luthers entered his room with an anxious expression upon his face.
"Father, the King is ready to present his speech and the Archangels are gathered. Should you not be attending?" Luthers asked.
Amethus' wrinkled forehead had been enhanced from all of the stress.
"Attend what? The fact that they are ready to murder an entire planet? It is getting close son, we must be ready," Amethus replied.
The army of angels soared in a flawless formation above the radiant skies as the grandeur fireworks and displays thundered throughout Heaven. At the signal of the largest firework, the King stepped out onto his massive podium high above as the people cheered frantically. Lined up beside him were the highest ranking nobles and angels while the other Gods are absent in their homes, for they knew he truth.
Othrius stepped forward as Amethus peered from a distance. He could sense an overwhelming evil leaking from him, even more so then previously.
"Oh no…" the aged angel muttered under his breath.
At the sign of Othrius' raised hand, the entire crowd was silenced. He glanced left to right before beginning.
"My people… The old, the young, the strong, the weak, all of you have been witness to this glorious reign," Othrius' voice boomed all across the realm. Not one soul could miss this speech.
"You have witnessed, the greatest succession in all history of existence. My brother's rule has come to end, now it is time or a radical change, progress in the name of Heaven."
Othrius' voice slowly ascended, his tone becoming more and more aggressive as the speech went on.
"There will be no weakness left, only power and strength will rip through the old days. We shall progress, we shall advance, we shall climb unhindered! The old days will be, abolished!"
The crowd cheered and clapped loudly, it was truly fanatical. Othrius began to swing his arm charismatically at each point in his speech, his body motion aggressively slamming the desk and raising fists into the air.
"There will be a new height, from which we have never experienced before. The armies are ready, the Archangels stand by, now, all I ask of you, before we can begin this epic journey, is for your support, the people must come to my aid for that all of this can happen! Will you, follow your leader?"
Othrius was met with an overwhelming, thunderous rally of claps, cheers and approval. The atmosphere was hectic yet he had a way, a certain charm to contain the nearly exploded crowd.
"And so, we set our sights on our first goal, the planet of which the exiled, shamed traitor Artrix had fled. His poisonous words have unfortunately tainted the minds of the mortals which reside upon that once peaceful plane, now no longer. I had not wished to disturb their peace but it was all Artrix's doing. Now, I have no choice but to unleash Heaven upon them. Tell me, children, what do we do to evil?"
"FIRE! FIRE! FIRE! FIRE!" the crowd chanted in eerie unison towards the King.
"So be it, I shall wash that tainted planet with the righteousness flames of Heaven!"
The endless columns of angels above then flew and merged into one, massive formation before plunging into the clouds of Heaven towards their King's demands. The Army of Heaven has been mobilized and ready to be unleashed.
"However, there is one final problem which impedes our wishes for progress. A certain band of traitors has for so long curbed my every attempt to better Heaven. I have tolerated them long, but no longer, they will now pay in blood!"
A marching band of soldiers quickly encroached Amethus' estate at the very signal of this order. They had been disguised as parade marchers but in reality, they were all trained deadly assassins. Their only mission, to purge Amethus' family in secrecy for the popularity of the general prevents an open execution.
"They are anarchists, wishing total chaos and collapse of Heaven but I will protect you, shield you from their heretical harm! I will end their desire for death and doom. Heaven, it will not fall my children, Heaven SHALL PREVAIL!"
Amethus was immediately aware as the first, bloodcurdling scream of a servant filled the courtyard outside. He quickly rushed to a window and saw the assassins flooding into his home and slaughtering anyone in sight.
"Father! They have come!" Luthers said.
Amethus hurried to his door and opened it as a dying, bloodied servant attempted to crawl in. He tried to relay the message to him but his bloody throats stopped him.
"General… They're here..."
Blood then gurgled from his crimson lips before falling dead. An expression of hatred and anger flushed Amethus' face.
"Othrius… you disgusting bastard, I will swear revenge, in this life or the next!" Amethus hollered.
He then drew his gleaming blade as Luthers did the same.
"Father, I shall fight with you!" Luthers offered.
The sounds of murder and death outside continued to draw closer.
"No my son, you must be safe, if you are to fall then no one will be able to carry my name. You must live and end this madness with Artrix!" Amethus said.
"But-"
Amethus then reached into his cloak and took out an intricate, metallic dagger with a perfect gem embedded in the hilt of the blade. He handed to Luthers and made sure he took it with a sure grasp.
"The family dagger…" Luthers said in awe at such possession.
"This blade was gifted by the First King himself and has passed on for generations. It is now yours and do not treat it lightly for it has the power to end even a God. Swear this to me my son, you will plunge this through Othrius' black heart. Promise me!"
Luthers, speechless, took in the dagger with great caution. Amethus, needing a confirmation from him, took hold of his shoulders.
"Promise me!"
Then, sureness returned to Luthers as he proudly accepted the blade. "I will father, I will find him and end him for what he has done."
Amethus released him and nodded with what little satisfaction he could gain. "Good, good…"
Then, the footsteps of the assassins could be heard now just outside as they are merely a few feet from the room. Amethus, bearing a painful expression, turned to his son and bid his final farewell.
"Father… wait!"
But before Luthers could protest, Amethus summoned a white portal behind him and pushed Luthers through, causing him to vanish as the gateway closed. Amethus, certain that his son was now safe, turned around to face his assassins. He wielded his blade and readied himself. The door was then burst down as the wooden splinters showered the room yet the Archangel was unfazed.
"Come on! Draw your blades and I shall show you the power of an Archangel, then you will regret having even thought of killing me!" Amethus taunted boldly.
The first assassin to attempt a strike at him was instantly cut down with blinding speeds. Then, it was quickly followed by the next as Amethus cut down one after another, forcing his way to the courtyard. His steel, his armor and his flesh was soon covered in a thick crimson as he left behind a trail of his defeated foes. As he fought, he saw the mangled bodies of the servants and householders, all of whom were merely innocent bystanders. Amethus felt bitter and angry for Othrius having no contempt for anyone.
Soon, Amethus slashed and hacked his way to the courtyard, which natural beauty was now marred by the scenery of gore and death as bodies and blood splattered everywhere. The swarm of assassins were seemingly endless as they quickly formed themselves into a uniform circle around the general. Their masked faces made them impossible to tell which from which and at what precise moment will they strike.
"I see how this is, very well, each of you shall fall by my blade," Amethus breathed as he readied himself for another barrage of slaughter. Suddenly, the assassins relinquished their threatening poses, withdrew their swords and kneeled but not before Amethus.
"Ah, what lovely mess you have carved out here Amethus!" a voice all too familiar to him sounded.
The assassins spread and made a passage for the King to enter. Trailing the King were more assassins and the young angel Kayle standing by his side. Her face was both serious and austere.
"You… How good have you to come yourself, your Majesty," Amethus sneered, "Ready to finish what dirty work you have started?"
Othrius simply smiled without even a single notion of readying for combat. "Let us cut the pleasantries, you and I both know that you will have to die now."
"You may have killed everyone, but not me, I will end you and I swear it," Amethus said.
Then, without even a breath, he dashed at the King, his sword forward with every intention to pierce his heart. However, Othrius's smile and his stance did not flinch one bit. Just when his blade was merely inches from the King, a blade intercepted and counterattacked, forcing the general back.
"You will not lay hand upon our King," Kayle coldly announced as she stepped in front of Othrius. She fluttered her wings and readied her blade and her life to defend the King.
"Do not be foolish, you are young and unknowing, you do not know the monster which you defend," Amethus said.
"You dare call our King such insults? You are no more than a traitor and must be slain," Kayle said.
Amethus shook his head in disappointment. "So the poison of Othrius has reached not only the general population but even the ranks of the Angels. Then I am sorry, young angel, you must die if you defend him."
As quickly as light, Aemthus seemingly vanished and reappeared behind Kayle with the intention of one final blow. However, to his surprise, she was able to deflect the blow aimed for her neck but just. Amethus, unfazed, blinked again to her unprotected flanks and unleashed an even quicker strike. Not having enough time to parry it, Kayle was forced to duck away as the blade came deathly close to her head. A bit of her golden hair was sliced off as they slowly fell onto the ground.
Not allowing for one breath of rest, Amethus began a relentless barrage of lightning fast blows to Kayle, who struggled to block them. She tried to find even one opening for an attack but none appeared as she was forced onto constant defense. Then, Kayle's defense caved in as Amethus was able to sneak a strike through her, slicing her left arm. She flew back and held her wound in agony as the gush of blood trickled down. The crimson droplets had licked off her fingers and pooling onto the ground.
"Step aside now if you wish to keep your life. That was merely a warm-up for me," Amethus suggested.
"I cannot and will not, you must kill me first before you can reach the King," Kayle said with pain in her voice.
Amethus then resumed his offensive, this time at twice the speed. A normal observer could not even keep trace of him as he dashed from spot to spot. His aged form had allowed deceptive speed bursting from within. Kayle was now struggling to defend herself, she knew that one strike could come in at any moment and end her.
As the two battled, Othrius merely watched with sinister amusement, his grin not disappearing for one bit. Then, Kayle could defend herself no longer as Amethus found this and ended her with one, painless blow. A river of blood gashed out from the blade wound which crossed from her shoulder down as her lifeless body fell onto the ground.
"I'm sorry it had to be this way," Amethus muttered under his own breath. Then, he turned to Othrius, "You will pay for all this bloodshed."
Now, knowing that there was no turning back, Amethus poured all his hatred, anger and desperation in this strike. He dashed forth, not caring for his life and was fuelled by his sole intention of ending the madness and avenging the fallen. He thundered forward, expecting a block or some sort and at the very least taking Othrius down with him but to his surprise, he did not even flinch one bit. Unfazed, he casted aside any thoughts and allowed emotions to be his guide, one of the forbidden things of swordsmanship.
Then, just as his blade as a mere inch from Othrius' heart, Amethus felt a sharp felt tearing through his chest. His attack was immediately halted and his breath ripped through his pierced lungs. He tried to speak but only blood gurgled from his throat. He looked down and saw Kayle's blade protruding from his chest, its steel stained with his own blood.
The shocked Amethus turned his head to where Kayle's body had been and saw that it had shattered into specks of light.
"An… illusion," Amethus forced his words through.
He then fixated his eyes which were burning with absolute hatred and rage, now his entire wisdom collapsed into one world of pure malice. He had with every single wish in his mind, to end Othrius' tyranny and stop the beating of his black heart. Fuelled by this rage, Amethus forced the last bit of strength of his body and swung his arm back, knocking Kayle away. The gaping wound of his chest was now burning from her magic but this did not deter him one bit.
"A shame that Heaven's greatest general must fall like this, do not worry though, I shall ensure you a proper burial and ceremony," Othrius said.
Amethus choked with blood, spat the liquid out and bared his sanguine teeth.
"No matter how many you murder… How many you slaughter… How many you oppress, there will always be someone to stand against you…"
Then, with those last words, Amethus choked as the life escaped his body. His breath and heart stopped and he collapsed onto the ground like a cut tree. The pool of blood gathered under him, ensuring his death.
Othrius then wiped his face of the blood and turned to Kayle. "Excellent work Kayle, with the death of this traitor you shall be promoted to his title, of Archangel."
Kayle hearing, this knelt and bowed her head in acceptance of this great honour.
"Thank you my liege, this is the greatest I've ever received. I shall wield this title proudly in Heaven's name," she said.
"You shall then lead the 1st Vanguard Army unto Runeterra and ravage it of the evil which lies within."
Kayle accepted the promotion and returned to her feet as Othrius turned to his assassins.
"Inform the Assembly, the time is here. Unleash Heaven."
With that command, the assassins who vanished as the King left the courtyard, leaving Kayle to ponder at all this. She surveyed the area and now just noticed the mangled bodies of those innocent servants slaughtered.
Were they truly innocent? She asked herself, if so then why are they dead? Her thoughts contradicted with Othrius' will, she thought him absolute and just yet why were the innocent killed? No, they mustn't be treated as innocents then if they had aligned themselves with Amethus. It was their own undoing, their innocence had been washed away the moment they swore fealty to the traitorus general. Yet, even with this, Kayle felt unsure, unable. Suddenly for ages, she had wished for her sister.