Following the tragedy that was Queen Apalla's death, the king would make an announcement. The news had appeared fresh to the Eukaryonites who were all impacted by her death.
Sifline, devastated by her best friend's death did her best to stay composed. Afterall, she wanted to enjoy her life everyday she can so that she will carry on what her friend would have wanted. Her husband and kids accompanied her on the flight to the town's center.
General Sifline: You kids alright?
Anthron and Freline: Yes mother, how about you and Dad?
General Sifline (Sad): We are fine, I miss your Aunt Apalla is all, I wish I could have saved her.
General Thorren (Catching up to his family): Sifline, I understand you are still mourning your loss, but you cannot blame yourself for what happened.
General Thorren kept up with his family, he was teaching Asgaarth how to fly and control his flight. He noticed his wife was still blaming herself for what had transpired, however none of this was her fault.
General Sifline: Why should I not! You tell me why Thorren. Some stupid creature killed her like she was nothing. What is worse the king was with her and had witnessed her death right in front of him.
General Thorren: I understand, and you have your right to mourn what happened. That bastard took away someone who meant a lot to everyone in this kingdom. Just understand that you are not at fault for what had happened, let us see what the king wants to make an announcement of today.
General Sifline: Very well.
The family had arrived at the kingdom's center it was a small village with a small fountain, stage, and homes across the fountains. There they were greeted by the other knights all of whom began to become concerned about the future of their kingdom.
Suddenly King Cerveras walked to the stage, he was holding a bag with him. The king had a sinister look toward him; he was bitter, he snarled and did a loud roar. Unlike his previous roars where he did it with excitement, it was rage. He unveiled the bag, which was the beheaded remains of Disphos, the kingdom became shocked when he unveiled the very fiend that took away their queen.
King Cerveras: Any of you who disobey me will follow this serpent's path, death!
This grew a worried response from the kingdom, they were horrified by the response of the king, they would dare not speak up.
King Cerveras: Their will be major changes toward this kingdom going forward, it all starts with Punishment. He then glanced at the audience in attendance, glancing at the one he wanted to punish.
King Cerveras: Dolly!
Dolly was shocked, she did not expect the king to call her name.
Dolly: Me?
King Cerveras: You were suppose to be on duty, where were you on the night the Queen died!?
Dolly: I….I was on duty…I had been ill and I musta fallen asleep during my shift. I awoke to my duty…but….
King Cerveras (interrupting Dolly): You dare make excuses for your responsibilities, you will be sentenced for a week in the dungeon. After that you will be put on trial and maybe you will get your rights back.
Tigra: your majesty please there has to be something else she should do, she should not be sentenced to the dungeon.
King Cerveras: This is your only warning Tigra, you and your brother escort Dolly to the dungeon otherwise if you refuse, you will lose your knighthood and be punished as well.
Tigra and Tyrone looked at each other nervously, they did not want face their king, not to mention their parents might be punished for their actions.
Tigra: I'm sorry Dolly, I wish I could help you.
Tyrone: my humble apologies Dolly, I cannot allow my sister to be punished for something she did not do.
Fortis: your majesty, may it be agreeable if Dolly sees her family before she goes to the dungeon.
King Cerveras: Make it quick then, I will grant her that in the very least.
Dolly hugged angel and her son Jonas.
Dolly: Jonas, I need to serve my punishment, I have made a terrible mistake and may have ruined this kingdom for the worse.
Jonas: Mother, please be careful (Hugging his mom), I don't want you to go, I know I will be well taken care of, but I don't want you to go.
Dolly (Comforts her son): Jonas, I want you to be strong for Mommy and Angel, I want you to be brave for us. Be the strong minded Dove I know you can be and always remember that I will always watch over you. I will be home before you know it and we will have the family together again soon.
Jonas: (Hugging his guardians): Thank you Mom, I will be strong and when you get back, we will be strongest together.
Dolly then said her goodbyes to Angel
Angel: It's not fair honey, why you are getting punished, you have helped protect this kingdom for as long as you could.
Dolly: No, I did not, I failed the queen now I must atone for my mistakes and face the consequences (kissing Angel). Take care of Jonas no matter what happens.
Angel and Jonas cried as Tigra, Tyrone, and Fortis escorted Dolly away.
King Cerveras: Now my next topic, I am sending some of the knights beyond the kingdom to investigate more like this serpent. General Thorren, Tigra, Titian, and Tian will be absent for one week, I want no traces of any serpent like this creature I encountered.
Sifline was understandably angry at this revelation, not only did her sister figure pass away, but now her husband was going to be absent for the week.
Thorren stopped her from talking, hoping she would not anger the king, or she too would face punishment.
General Thorren: please my love, the kids need their mom to look after them. (Wiping his wife's tears) I will be back my love. (Looking at Zebrak) please Zebrak look after my family until I get back.
Zebrak: don't worry dude, I will take care of your family, you have helped Zebron, I will return the favor.
Tian and Titian had bid their farewells to their families as they joined Tigra and the four gathered supplies as they traveled away from their civilized kingdom of Eukaryona.
King Cerveras: the rest of my knights…..(points at Taos) Taos, you are being promoted to work in the labs just like the queen use to work on. I take it you will not have a problem with this change.
Taos: No your majesty, I will not fail you.
King Cerveras: Good…Fortis, you will be crafting me a suit of armor and weapons for the kingdom. We are expanding the knights once the four return from their mission.
Fortis: yes, my lord.
King Cerveras: Good, now the remaining knights will resume their normal patrols, now everyone returns to your normal routines.
Sifline noticed the change in atmosphere immediately following the meeting's conclusion, Sifline's oldest children joined the other children as they attended school.
Sifline told Tyrone and Zebrak that she would take patrol for the day shortly after dropping off Asgaarth with Taos' wife Pava. Sifline would notice the many workers in the area becoming stressed if they angered their king.
This became more evident as he forced many builders of the area to shut down the entertainment areas that surround the kingdom. Instead, they will be used to sell weapons and training centers instead. This caused some discontent with Zebron since he enjoyed performing his magic.
Zebrak: Zebron, I understand you enjoy putting on magic shows, but this is a different kingdom now.
Zebron: I suppose you are right dad; I just want to make everyone happy, its how I honor mom, you know.
Zebrak: You remind me of your mother, how I wish she could help us now with her wisdom.
Zebron: Do you think things will ever go back to normal dad?
Zebrak: Things can never go back to normal, there is just a new normal. Maybe one day perhaps, we could have some form of our old life back to normal.
Zebron: Thank you dad! You know how to help me when I need help.
Zebrak: of course, son, you should go now, I need to keep watch so that the king does not think im not paying attention.
Zebron: very well dad, I see you later so we can eat.
Zebrak waved to his son as he kept watch over the kingdom, he hopes his home could be less stressful one day.
Each day the knights would take turns to oversee the protection of the kingdom, thankfully the king was slightly nicer to the chosen three since they knew how to do their jobs. As for the four who were sent out in the wilderness, they had different shifts.
While Tigra was younger than the other knights that accompanied her, they all were concerned about how their loved ones were hoping they would be safe. As nightfall began, the group set up camp. Each knight made their tents and set up the watch. There was an abundance of insects for the group to eat. Tigra needed to adapt to this change since she is used to eating fish. Titian noticed the young tiger's disgust at eating the bugs, so he searched for the nearest water source. He had no luck unfortunately, not to mention he lacked the night vision Tigra had.
Titian: I'm sorry Tigra, I cannot see well at night, while I can swim well in water, I have trouble seeing in the night.
Tian: I can help you Titian, I can see excellent in the night.
Tigra: thank you both, I will accompany Titian to see where the water is. Both of you should keep watch, after all I will be quicker.
General Thorren: very well, here take this lantern Titian, it will help you see in the dark.
Titian: Thank you general Thorren, lead the way Tigra.
The two departed the campsite and this left General Thorren alone with Tian, that sat by the fire as they cooked the insects to eat them.
General Thorren (removing his helmet): I could go for your wife's cooking right now Tian.
Tian: So, can I General, I hope our families are alright.
General Thorren: yes, I did not expect the king to be this angry over what had happened. I wish Dolly could have told one of us to take her spot two days ago. I understand she enjoys serving but this was not it. Who knew there was a large serpent that was spying on us the whole time.
Tian: I agree, (checking the fire) I still don't understand that serpent killed the queen, I have no recollection of it living in the village.
General Thorren: (drinking water from his canteen): neither do I, I believe it may have lived in the wild before the ark arrived. Seeing those pictures in the exhibit and the organism book showed us what we originally use to look like.
Tian: it may have mutated as well or was on board and slithered away before becoming mutated as well.
General Thorren: Tian, what do you think of the king now?
Tian: before I had no doubt in serving him, now I fear what he is going to do, my daughter Nita was on the verge of crying when he did that roar. His shouting his anger, I have never seen it. Not to mention his eyes, they appeared different.
General Thorren (Pondering): How so?
Tian: His eyes turned yellow, and his pupils were dilated almost like the cats displayed in the book.
General Thorren: This cannot be good; he may be losing control of his morality and primal instincts.
Tian: what do we do, and should we tell the others?
General Thorren: our best bet is to not say anything for now, we should look after Titian and Tigra, right now I am not sure if they will report us to the king. I think we need to take our families and anyone who agrees with us and leave this kingdom if he executes Dolly.
Tian: where would we go.
General Thorren, beyond the waterfalls I have seen many islands, they have everything we need to build a new home or even a village. We should travel away from this kingdom and leave the king. If we are lucky we could find the Edenian kingdom and ask the monarchs to help us.
Tian: And you think they will help us outsiders.
General Thorren: I believe so, Fortis showed me the Edenian weapon book and it showed many of its monarchs the fighting styles and weapons. If we are lucky we could find that Edenian Alvaro and maybe he could convince his monarchs to help us.
Tian: that sounds great, except how do you know they are nice rulers.
General Thorren: Alvaro helped create the docks when the king of Edenia, Jerrod was coronated. He said thank you to Alvaro, perhaps they could be friends.
Tian: I will take it into consideration, you have my loyalty old friend, we keep this to ourselves, maybe we can convince the others to come with us.
General Thorren: Very well. Let us enjoy our meal, I will keep Titian's food warm.
Moments later Tigra and Titian returned with fish and joined their friends by the fireside.
Tigra: Hey guys, what are you up to?
Tian: We were just eating (handing Titian's dinner of cooked insects and plants).
Titian: Thank you.
General Thorren: so how was the search, any serpents?
Tigra: no serpents, the king is really taking this overboard if I am being honest.
Tian: I agree.
Tigra: I sure hope Tyrone and the others are doing fine, especially your wife general and your family.
General Thorren: Sifline is tough, if anyone can be brave in these situations it is her.
Tigra: she is indeed one of the bravest knights I have known, it's an honor to have trained under her.
Titian: We should probably get some rest.
Tigra: I'll keep watch tonight, you all get rest, it is going to be a long week.
The three: thank you.
Tigra watched as her allies fell asleep, in nights like this she enjoyed being alone. She stared at the starry night and listened to the sounds of the waterfalls. She was worried if the king was going to force her brother to partake in a search party next week.
This was concerning to her as her brother would gladly listen to the king. This would be a problem with how the king is acting, her thoughts pondered the possibilities her brother was going to do.
Tyrone had kept watch, he was ordered to by the king, he witnessed the king's growing intensity towards the kingdom. Before he would be very kind, now he spoke with hatred, this was evident with how he spoke with Dolly in her dungeon. He chastised her, barely giving her food, and not giving her medicine for her illness.
Tyrone kept watch, he would serve his king so that he would not risk any danger that may come toward his family. He took a swig of his water and kept watch.
Unfortunately, the kingdom went into chaos in the week, King Cerveras burned the boats to the ground, he wanted no one to leave the kingdom. He feared the kingdom would ask for outside help, an army to take him down. He burned them to prevent anyone from escaping. He forced the kingdom to work overnight and forge weapons, this caused many of the civilians to get hurt burning themselves or cutting themselves with the weapons.
King Cerveras cut back on medical supplies and the use of them, he wanted them to be saved in case he decides to start a war. He then forced all the children to not attend schools, instead he made Tyrone train them to be experienced warriors. He sought to find warriors and make them serve him.
The time had finally came for Dolly's trial, she went to the throne room, there she was joined by Taos and Fortis who were also called by the king.
King Cerveras: Tell me Fortis, how is the armor coming along?
Fortis (Trying to stay sharp): Almost done with the final touches, all I need to do is fix the edges.
King Cerveras: Excellent, what of the medical potion Taos?
Taos (Concerned): Should be ready in one hour, may I ask, why is this potion needed.
King Cerveras: just to help fix certain blood related diseases. Not to mention it will help with any recruits who have these issues.
This was all a lie however.
Four days ago….King Cerveras approached Taos and gave him a checklist of ingredients these were Edenian equivalents to cayenne peppers, Toxic berries, an Edenian equivalent of The Peyote Cactus Queen Apalla was studying, and the purpurea gloves from the Adam tree. Taos was on edge this week and did not want to make the king upset since his wife Pava already laid her egg and soon a child will be born. Taos was able to synthesize a potion, however Taos knew something was off especially with the ingrediants. He was able to read Apalla's plant book and was shocked to find out he had gathered ingredients to manipulate the minds of creatures. There were no sorcery books and had to create an antidote formula. The night before Dolly's release Taos came home, Pava hugged him and made an insect casserole for him, his favorite.
Taos: Pava, listen to me, the king has something terrible planned, I cannot say for certain what it is but I need you to hold onto this paper. It is important so make sure no one sees it.
Pava: What are we going to do we cannot leave this place; the king destroyed all the boats
Taos: We could use the Ark to gather as many and escape, Thorren met with me last knight in secret, he says that there are islands nearby. If the king is going to do something evil, we must escape.
Pava: I suppose, I don't want to risk our baby's life, whatever happens do be careful.
Taos: I will (Hugging Pava and their egg).
Meanwhile at King Cerveras' castle….
King Cerveras chanted an incantation that will allow his potion to brainwash citizens that are just like him, warm blooded mammals and predatory in nature. He held on to Dispho's fang from their encounter, using a mallet and smashed it to pieces. He then removed his canine tooth as well and smashed it to pieces also. He mixed both fragments into the potion as it turned purple.
King Cerveras: Soon no one will disobey my orders ever again.
King Cerveras turned his attention to Dolly, his calm demeanor turned to anger as he approached her.
King Cerveras: Do you realize why you were sentenced to one week in the dungeon.
Dolly: Yes, I was supposed to be on guard, and I messed up, I can never fix what I have done, but you are owed an apology, I'm terribly sorr…
King Cerveras: Enough! I may never forgive you for your actions, you have jeopardized not just this kingdom, but we have just lost its queen.
Dolly: Please I only wish to ato…
King Cerveras: REMAIN SILENT! I want to hear nothing more from you.
By this moment Dolly was fed up, she was trapped in the dungeon for one week, she was tired, she needed food, she was weak.
Dolly (Angry): Why don't you want to accept my apology! I was ill and still am, it's not my fault the other knights were not available, and I only accepted the patrol out of kindness.
King Cerveras: you dare backtalk to me bird!
Fortis and Taos were both shocked, they couldn't interfere as they were already scared.
Dolly: I just want to go home, what was it the Queen said about chivalry, you clearly do not have any now, and now you disappoint her in her grave.
King Cerveras (Hatred): Don't you DARE speak of her, her blood is on your wings!
Dolly: You make it seem like you were the only one she cared about, she cared about all of us, so stop acting like a dictator and allow me to go home.
King Cerveras grew angrier as he reached for sword and tackled Dolly to the ground.
King Cerveras: Any last words?
Dolly: Go to Hel…
Fortis and Taos were horrified by what King Cerveras did, he executed Dolly, she was beheaded in just one swift swing. Her head rolled to the other side of the room King Cerveras was covered in blood. huffing from the attack he showed no remorse this time unlike his last battle with Disphos.
Fortis:. You murdered her….
Taos…Please King Cerveras don't let your grief consume you…lets just
King Cerveras: Both of you have served me well, alas, this pains me to do this, but there needs to be no loose ends.
Taos (backing away): My lord please, I have a family and Fortis is your most loyal knight, I promise to serve you, please spare….
King Cerveras threw his sword at Taos, he made it quick, and Taos died as the sword pierced through his heart. His body collapsed to the ground, Fortis grabbed his axe, he was not going down without a fight.
King Cerveras: I'm sorry Taos, but there must no witnesses behind.
Fortis grew angered at the loss of two knights, he unsheathed his Axe and put on his armor.
Fortis: Two lives in one night… you are going to have to fight me to the death. I cannot allow you to live anymore.
King Cerveras sighed: So be it.
Fortis charged his king, on impact their weapons clashed, sparks flew across the room, Fortis had incredible strength and pounded the ground, this caused the king to be briefly taken aback. Fortis tried to use this opportunity to strike but he has a disadvantage, his speed. Fortis was slower than his king, even more so when wielding his axe.
King Cerveras quickly recovered and slashed Fortis' arm, leaving a gash.
King Cerveras: Give up now and I will make your death a quick one.
Fortis (Holding his arm): Lives are at stake, I'm not giving up.
King Cerveras: I'm sorry master, thank you for your training, alas you are threat to my rule.
King Cerveras would lash out a barrage of sword slashes, aiming for his abdomen to give him a quick death. Fortis anticipated this and used his axe to block as many sword attacks coming from all directions. This would have been easier if he wielded his weapon with two arms, but he was in pain from his injury. Fortis was able to stomp the ground again pausing Cerveras' parry attacks and headbutted the king, the king went flying across the throne room. Fortis would rush to the king, axe in hand as he rushed to hopefully finish off the king for good.
King Cerveras recovered not before narrowly avoiding an attack from Fortis' axe. Fortis' axe was caught in the rubble, he desperately tried to free it but to no avail. King Cerveras made his move and sliced of Fortis' arm, Fortis cried in agony from the pain leaving him vulnerable as another arm was cut off. Fortis gave up begging Cervas to end it.
King Cerveras: All you had to do was ask.
King Cerveras ended Fortis' suffering once and for all, Cerveras needed to test his potion, and no better test subjects than the two knights Tigra and Tyrone. At the time the knights that were sent on their quest to find serpents had returned.
Tyrone had waited by the castle to greet his friends.
Tyrone: (hugging Tigra): welcome back everyone!
General Thorren: Hi Tyrone, how was everything when we were gone?
Tyrone: The king has gotten worse, I just finished my shift and Zebrak is going to fill in my shift. The king requested to see me and my sister. He said you three are free to go home.
General Thorren: thank you Tyrone, you two be careful now. Goodnight!
Tiger twins: goodnight.
King Cerveras: You have returned, welcome back, Tigra I understand you have been away, so I have prepared a meal for both of you. Same for you Tyrone, you have had a long shift.
Tyrone: Thank you your majesty.
The trio went to the dining hall where they had their meals ready, Vula was sitting at table where she greeted the twins.
Tigra wasn't sure of what to think she felt something was off, even more so the king's attitude this past week. She needed to eat something first, she was starving. As the twins sat at the table, they took a bite.
King Cerveras: Tell me, how was your quest?
Tigra: it was fruitless it felt…
Tyrone: Tigra, what is wrong are you…..
The tiger twins and Vula's minds were warped, they have lost control of their minds and were corrupted.
King Cerveras: it worked, now I shall impose order to this kingdom, come twins we have much to do. Vula, prepare more of the potion, it is time to take control of this kingdom!