The next morning Thoren and Sifline awoke, they had witnessed a change in their once peaceful home following Queen Apalla's death and a shift in the king. they worried since their three kids, Freline, Antron, and Asgaarth could be at risk of getting in danger in this new surroundings. Asgaarth, Sifline and Freline embraced Thorren when he returned the previous night, missing him when he was away for one week. Anthron was sent to training as per required by the king.
General Thorren: How bad was it when I left, what happened while we were away.
General Sifline: My love, this is not the Eukaryona from before, the king has been violent as of late, he has shut down schools, he is forcing the children to undergo training, even the ones that do not want to become knights, and there is a limit on medical supplies.
General Thorren: This is terrible, the king should not have allowed this to happen.
General Sifline (worried): I do not feel safe living here, I think we should escape soon.
General Thorren: I agree, except…we should not leave the others here to suffer a fate worse than death, Zebrak and Zebron have gone through enough. Not to mention the others have families.
General Sifline: we will plan, we should use the Ark and leave at night, there has to be something we could use to put the king to sleep.
General Thorren: we should speak with Taos, he has made many remedies and was trained by the queen. He wants to leave; he does not want to leave his newborn son to live a life of fear.
General Sifline: That sounds great, and we could help the others escape, maybe we could free Dolly as well when the king is asleep.
General Thorren: very well, let's endure today so we can escape and find freedom tonight. A new home for us and our friends.
Sifline: Freline please look after Asgaarth, Anthron is on patrol and Pava is not available today.
Freline:Ok mom!
Normally Thorren and Sifline would race to the castle, however their focus was to make sure they would not upset the king so they too would not be punished. Undoubtedly, King Cerveras was forever changed after queen Apalla's passing that he would slowly lose his mind. He was once so boastful about his life, welcoming families and hosting parties.
This was the work of The One Being, through the despair of King Cerveras and the hint of poison in his brain, The One Being was able to manipulate it to change the monarch's mind altering his once peaceful personality. The nightmares included manipulations of darkness; it became stronger each day this past week. It was most evident since Edenia had no evil as of now, so he made do slowly corrupting the king. The kingdom of Eukaryona had no idea of their king's corruption mistaken for grief, little do they know their king may have brought this kingdom to a fate worse than death.
As Thorren and Sifline arrived at the castle and made their way through the corridors.
General Sifline: the castle is quite empty today.
General Thorren: keep your guard up (unsheathing his falchion.)
General Sifline Always (unsheathing her dual sickles).
Walking to the throne room, they were shocked to see a good number of their once loyal friends dead. Dolly laid beheaded, Fortis had missing arms, and Taos was pierced through his heart and suffered from a broken skull.
General Sifline: Oh, by the gods Thorren our friends they are.
General Thorren: Dead, no sign of Titian, Zebrak, Tian or the twins.
As they entered the throne they came face to face with their king.
King Cerveras: It would be wise not to fight, for I offer you a preposition!"
General Sifline: What good is that, when you have dead knights on the ground, these were your friends.
King Cerveras: I did warn those who betray me face death.
General Thorren: You Murdered them, have you lost your honor.
King Cerveras: I'm simply removing weaker threats, believe me when I say this, but it pained me to kill Taos and Fortis, Tyrone and Tigra, join us.
Just then the two tiger siblings appeared they seemed mind controlled.
Thorren: Tigra, Tyrone what is going on.
Tigra and Tyrone (Nonchantly): Serve our emperor or face the consequences.
King Cerveras: You two have always been so loyal, therefore I will ask again, either you join us and your family will be safe or die.
Thorren and Sifline: We serve to protect not for power but for freedom.
King Cerveras: How unfortunate, especially you Sifline, Queen Apalla spoke highly of you. Now you put her to shame even in death.
General Sifline (Angry): YOU BASTARD, she would not want this for the king she worked hard to build.
General Thorren: What has happened to you, you were like a brother to me your majesty, there is still good in you. I ask you to please surrender yourself, confess your crimes, and be honoarable again my lord.
King Cerveras: It is too late for that Thorren, both of you will now face your punishment, Death. Tigra and Tyrone, do the honors.
Tiger Twins: Without delay my lord.
Sifline and Thoren charged at the king, but he was too powerful, but it was in vain as he sent his brainwashed recruits to attack. His predatory allies attacked, and the eagles split into two to battle the tigers. Thorren was easily the most skilled against Tyrone.
Thorren unsheathes his falchion from his back as he grips the handle with both of his feathered hands. The Falchion's blade pointed at Tyrone who was holding his mace with both of his paws. Tyrone ran toward the Eagle as Thorren used his wings to fly away.
Using his wings to his advantage he was able to clash with Tyrone, giving the young tiger, a fight worth fighting for. The blade and mace collided with each hit making loud noises, sparks left and right.
Tyrone swung his mace at Thorren, Raoring as he charged to kill Thorren, thorren quickly moved out of the way with his wings. H parried each attack with his sword and use his flight abilities to fly around the throne room, Thorren then torpedoed towards Tyone in a missile fashion, knocking back Tyrone.
Tyrone had clawed Thorren in the face when that happened, in pain he clawed tyrone across his face, losing whiskers in the process. Tyrone's mane was torn as Thorren clawed most of it off. Blood formed on Tyrone's face as he dropped his mace from the attack, and he crashed to the wall of the castle. Tyrone could not get up as Thorren quickly knocked out Tyrone with the handle of his Falchion.
Thorren: Sorry old friend.
Meanwhile Sifline had her twin duel sickles as she and Tigra clashed, of the knights Tigra was the deadliest especially with her twin daggers at hand. Each blow they made attacked their weapons. Sifline flew as well, while she had incredible flight, unlike her brother, Tigra could easily keep up with Sifline slashing her left wing in the process.
Sifline screamed in pain and Tigra used this to her advantage and charged at Sifline quickly slashing her abdomen. Sifline was vulnerable, Sifline quickly grabbed her sickles and blocked more attacks, however she could not. This was due to King Cerveras, he impaled Sifline through her back.
Siflien gasped in pain, blood forming in her mouth as she collapsed to the ground shortly after King Cerveras removed his sword from her.
King Cerveras knew that if he wanted to attack one of the Eagles it would be Sifline, he wanted Thorren to feel his pain from Apalla's death by taking away his wife. Thorren and Sifline had the love, King Cerveras desperately wanted with Apalla, but could not since she died. He wanted Thorren to feel the consequences of wht happens when he disobeyed his queen.
Thorren attempted to save Sifline, but king Cerveras struck down Thorren with Tyrone's mace.
King Cerveras: I offered you both a choice, and you both chose poorly!
Tigra looked over at her brother, and kicked Thorren for retribution, she left the room waiting for her king who walked towards the weakened Thorren.
King Cerveras (taunting): How does it feel now Thorren, now we both have lost our loves.
King Cerveras spat on Thorren's face, leaving the room to prepare infecting ideal members to serve him.
Both predators left as Thorren recovered and approached his dying wife. In that moment Thorren lost all hope for redemption his king had, he would sever his ties as his general by removing his helmet.
Thorren(Crying): Sifline…. No, I'm so sorry…..
Sifline:…Don't worry...we live to serve…..(cradling Thorren's face) remember our vows…No matter the cost…(Coughing blood) We fight for freedom….Please…warn the kingdom….get some of them.. to safety…our.. kids…please..save them…I…Love…You.
Thorren: Sifline, I swear I will save as many as possible and our kids, I promise (kissing his love before she dies in his arms).
King Cerveras took advantage of the situation and approached Vula at the lab.
King Cerveras: Did you create more potions?
Vula: yes, crafting this potion is no harder than making preparing meals, (Dipping the potion on Tigra's daggers).
King Cervras ordered Tigra to manipulate the predatory members of Eukaryona through a potion he learned from The One Being's influence. He chanted a brainwashing command towards the potion turning it black. He then infused Tigra's daggers with it as she began her crusade slashing at each predatory member of his choosing.
Most of his desired targets were in charge of the markets that craft weapons, training the children to fight, and many on their practice. Tigra slashed wolves, jaguars, bears, Lions, Leopards, and others that had the canine tooth immediately fell to the brainwashing. Each slash to the chosen predator would revert them to their primal instincts as they would attack the weaker citizens in the name of their king.
One such predator went to attack Zebron when Zebrak saved him using his spear.
Zebrak: stay away from my son,
Zebron: (summoning a ball of fire) Never thought we would die like this
Zebrak: hang on Titian and Tian are on the way they are getting the ark on shore.
Zebron: Ready Dad?
Zebrak: Together we fight as one
Zebrak threw his shield at oncoming predators using his spear to attack them, he did his best not to kill any yet they were out for blood.
Zebron could only summon fire balls from his hooves, he left his magical equipment at home thanks to the King yet Zebron was not entirely defensless.
Shooting fire from his hooves he learned a few fighting techniques from his dad as he attacked and got into his moi fah technique bending his knees and extending his arms bending his elbows.
Both father and son were able to hold their own and soon enough Titian arrived tucking himself in as he rolled his shell to hit oncoming opponents.
Titian: we must help Tian evacute the Eukaryonites!
Tian, Titian, Zebrak, and Zebron all met up at the kingdom's center as they witnessed the commotion and began evacuating citizens.
Tian: Listen up everyone, we are all evacuating to the ark, we have it on shore. We must make haste.
Prior to this attack king Cerveras burned down all the boats except for one, the Ark, this may have been a memory of Queen Apalla King Cerveras refused to destroy. Many families were separated, houses burned, and the once beautiful kingdom of Eukaryona was in chaos.
Just then three corrupted individuals were chasing a group of children among them were Lola lamb, Zebrak quickly defended the group as he told the townsfolk to retreat.
Lola: Thank you Zebrak, I needed to rescue the children, all the teachers were killed or corrupted, and I could not allow any of them to die.
Zebrak: no worries, follow the civilians, we are leaving this hell.
Lola comforted the kids as she told them to escape.
Zebrak: Zebron leave with the group as well, I cannot allow you to get hurt if you are here.
Zebron: very well father, I need to get my magic if im going to stay safe!
Zebrak: be quick, you need to be careful!
The three knights continued to fight off the corrupted members of their kingdom, just then Thorren met up with his remaining knights fighting off more corrupted.
Thorren (Relieved): Good you guys are alive, I'm afraid Dolly, Fortis, and Taos are dead I wasn't sure where you all were. (Revealing Taos' and Dolly's weapons) I was unable to grab Fortis's weapon.
Zebrak: I kept watch last night and was about to return home when I felt a disturbance, I went to grab my weapons when I saw my son cornered by predators.
Tian: I couldn't fall asleep, the way the king talked, it felt very concerning so I told Mei to gather everything we need, if there is something wrong, take Nita and run to the shores. That was where I met up with Titian
Titian (Finishing up Tian's story): I went on patrol with Anthron, when we heard noises at the castle, I met up with Tian and agreed we needed to evacuate the kingdom. Told Zebrak our plan and he ran off to save his son, that was when we moved the Ark on shore, (Sighing)…I just wish we arrived before the corruption began.
Thorren: at least we got everyone to safety, where are Anthron and Zebron anyway.
Titian: We got them on the boat, Anthron is guiding everyone to the Ark, I believe we saw Freline running with the others holding Asgaarth, where is Sifline?
Thorren sighed; she just died, Cerveras killed her.
All three were sad by the news and gave their condolences. but their sadness was interrupted when they saw king Cerveras ordering his corrupted to burn down the houses.
King Cerveras: Find them, we are forcing them to labor!
Thorren: We need to move, lets go!
The four made it to the dock as they were greeted by Anthron
Tian and Titian sat with their families while Zebrak went to set sail and Thorren met up with Anthron.
Anthron: Dad! Are you ok?
they both hugged as they both cried telling talking about Sifline
Thorren: I wish we could have saved her, at least we are all safe, do you know where your siblings are?
Antron: I think they should be….oh no
Zebrak: Zebron? Zebron? where are you?
Thorren: we must go back.
Zebrak (panicking) Zebron is not here….
Thorren: Neither is Freline nor Asgaarth
Both panicked Titian and Tian told them they could help,
Thorren: It's too dangerous, you two need to evacuate the others, there is an island not too far from here it is well supplied and away from this kingdom look for a rock with green moss on it. (Looking at Pava and her egg) Please, tell Pava what happened, she deserves to know what happened to Taos. Give her this (Handing Taos weapon and Dolly's bow and arrow to Tian). Same with Angel, she is going to be devastated about Dolly.
Anthron (Approaching the group): I'm going to help; I'm not letting my siblings nor my best friend die.
Thorren: Very well, help Zebrak rescue Zebron after that you three leave I will find your siblings knowing Cerveras he may have captured them.
Zebrak: Tian and Titian take care of yourselves and look after everyone if we don't come back.
Tian: Be careful and good luck
The boat departed as the trio left.
The three flew to the dock and came up with a plan to split into two groups.
Anthron (protesting): Father, you can't do this alone!
Thorren: it's dangerous I need you to be strong, help Zebron, I love you son, know that if I don't come back ( hugging Anthron) and take this (giving him Sifline's dual Sickles) your mother wanted you to have them. Go save Zebron you two.
Thorren flew to his home flying as fast as he could little does he know it's a trap. Kicking down the door he came face to face with the king.
King Cerveras: Ah.. Thorren, glad you could join us, (gesturing to Thorren's children in captivity) you could have joined my empire, have an endless feast, your family could have stayed with us, but you decided not to.
Thorren:You have gone mad, you murdered innocents why would I join that.
King Cerveras: Survival of the fittest, you see, emotion is a limit to our survival, it weakens our strength. Losing Apalla taught me that, so now I'm going hunt down everyone here, force them into labor. Including your children.
Thorren: I see you have come alone.
King Cerveras: Yes, I want to see you fail, you have rejected my offer and I want to be the one that kills you.
Once distracted, Freline undid the ropes that kept her prisoner and bit King Cervaras' arm, distracted, she scared his eye as she scratched it with her claws.
King Cerveras: You will regret that child!
Freline:Leave my family alone!
Thorren: Freline NOO!
King Cerveras smirked as he punched Freline, and bit her neck, slowly losing her life.
As Thorren was powerless and witnessed his daughter's murder, Zebrak and Anthron hid in bushes as they hid from the corrupted citizens.
Tigra caught a scent but not from the duo.
Tigra: Zebra, fresh, weak yet young.
Zebrak was horrified since that was his son, Anthron was shocked as well, since he and Zebron were best friends and did patrols together. He was understandably worried since he knew Zebron wasn't as strong minded in stressful situations. Tigra and her forces left and followed the scent, allowing the duo to communicate.
Zebrak (whispering): We need a plan.
Anthron (whispering): What do you have in mind?
Zebrak: Ok, I have done this with your father here it goes, you do a loud shriek it should allow the attention to be focused on the noise while I cause dirt gusts to build up and blind that tiger, on my signal you do it.
They kept their distance while spying on Tigra, slowly following her.
While the duo have a plan of attack, Thorren was filled with rage comforting his dying daughter.
Thorren, enraged with anger attacked king Cerveras, but king Cerveras was stronger and faster as he took his sword both knight and king clashed. The situation was stressful for Thorren as he needed to save Asgaarth, his wife and daughter died urging Thorren to save their family.
King Cerveras attempted to slash at his opponent's lower body but Thorren used his agility and flight as his advantage he then ricocheted himself in a torpedo like motion hitting king Cerveras.
King Cerveras got onto his feet, keeping his balance charging with his sword attempting to aim for the head. Thorren parried the attack with swift motions to the left and right blades dancing to each other as both opponents were angry. Thorren played defense as he needed to avoid the strength of his king, occasionally clashing swords with the king hoping to cause king Cerveras to lose focus.
Moments of parrying swords togther, king Cerveras channeled his primal rage, he was not backing down. This is when Thorren used his wings and formed a tornado around himself launching sharp eagle feathers at his opponent, king Cerveras felt nothing.
King Cerveras: That attack was pathetic.
Thorren: Seems this is going to be challenging.
It wasn't long before king Cerveras broke the parry attacks kicking Thorren in the face making him lose balance as he fell to the ground. King Cerveras was upon Thorren attempting to bite Thorren in the face luckily his falchion was in hand and stabbed the king in the abdoman. Thorren took a breath and got himself back up. he made his way to get Asgaarth as he was about to grab his son…
Thorren: Asgaarth you are safe now, I did it, we need to….
King Cerveras stabbed the knight in the abdomen.
King Cerveras: What was it I said when becoming king and knighting you, never let your guard down.
Thorren fell to the ground confused yet bloodied on the floor. Asgaarth was mere inches away from his father. The baby was tied and began to cry seeing the king towering over his father. The sight of the king with a smile of pure evil laughing maniacally seeing Thorren groan in pain. all the while Anthron and Zebrak followed Tigra until
Tigra: Hmmm the scent is here.
Zebrak motioned for a hand signal, this allowed Anthron to fly away, Zebrak was about to do his plan until Tigra threw a dagger at Zebrak's hoof. The potion had no effect on Zebrak since he is not a predator however Tigra did not care.
Tigra (holding a dagger to Zebrak's neck): Fool did you forget I had a great sense of hearing, its why king Cerveras choose me
Zebrak was annoyed as he had to fight Tigra on his own, although Zebrak was a knight, Tigra was younger and faster than him. Anthron diverted the trail of hungry enemies away as he found Zebron.
Anthron: Zebron found you dude!
Zebron: Anthron!
Both hugged, as Anthron began to interrogate Zebron
Anthron: So, where the hell were you, your dad and I needed to find you, this place is becoming a crisis.
Zebron: Sorry man I did not want to feel useless, so I helped many people escape including Pava. That's when I realized I did not want to leave my father's special case, and my magic equipment (holding another case) he said it belongs to the family. I wanted to grab it because there is something important inside.
Anthron: You are not useless, Zebrak is lovingly concerned for your safety that's all. You could have been killed, I cannot replace a friend and you dad has been through enough.
Zebron: I'm sorry but it was from my mother before she passed away from a disease, I did not want to leave behind her memory.
Anthron: I understand but we need to.
Zebrak:AHHHHHH!
Zebron: Dad no!
Anthron: We need to save him!
Zebron grabbed Anthron's foot as they flew to Zebrak, they found Tigra torturing Zebrak,
Antron: Just like we did when we were younger
Anthron formed a tornado as Zebron summoned a fireball and spun inside it he performed a fiery dive kick landing on Tigra, making her unconscious.
Zebron: Dad, I'm here I…Dad?
Zebrak: Zebron…. Oh good you are safe….I see you grabbed your equipment and the case…..
Zebron: Yes, I did…
Zebron started sobbing.
Zebron: No no no… I caused this, Dad forgive me…. Not you too…
Zebrak: Son, open that case when you get to safety…your mother wanted to teach you… you saved lives…you made sure those monsters did not destroy the case….. We picked it out…we.. wanted you to have it….
Zebron: Dad I'm sorry…Don't go, this was all my fault and you paid for it….
Zebrak: No its not….you did not cause this to happen….you did not corrupt the knights that were once peaceful… I'm proud of you son, you fought with bravery (pointing to Tigra)….it's up to you now Zebron… and Anthron.
Anthron: Yes
Zebrak:… Take care of him Anthron…I love you Zebron, your mother and I will be reunited….You were…(Coughing)….our…purpose…
Zebrak died on his son's arms, drawing his last breath.
Zebron: NOOOOOOOO!
Anthron wanted to find his dad, but the predators were coming for them Anthron carried Zebron and the cases flying away.
Anthron: Goodbye family…Goodbye dad….
As Anthron flew out the waterfall, Thorren saw him fly with Zebron, he smiled and gathered his strength to fight King Cerveras. Rising up to stand, Falchion in hand.
King Cerveras: You don't know when to quit!
Thorren: It's why I was your first knight.
King Cerveras charged at Thorren and threw Tyrone's mace, luckily Thorren manuvered the mace with his wings to hit the king, this allowed him to grab Asgaarth and stab the king once more, rendering him unconscious.
Thorren: I will never forgive you King Cerveras! You had a great kingdom and surrounded by friends, you threw it all away for conquest! Made many suffer, now you suffer knowing that you lost!
Thorren placed his falchion on his back as he grabbed Asgaarth and his flight carrier and flew away to the nearest waterfall exit, it was the opposite from where the Ark sailed away to.
Already weak from his battle he could not make the trip to the island. Thorren parched on a rock as he pondered what to do. It broke his heart as he knew he would not have enough time left, he held Asgaarth in his hands comforting his son.
Thorren: I failed your mother, I couldn't save Freline, Anthron is safe, I'm sorry I wont be there to see you grow up my son.
Asgaarth cooed in response nestling his head to his chest, Thorren held his son and noticed the clouds move revealing a castle. he saw a big building as he left the waterfalls of Eukaryona, Thorren felt like he has seen that castle before, in the books in his visit to the Ark,
Thorren: It can't be…is that….
To the locals it was the royal Edenian palace home to the rulers King Jerrod and Queen Sindel, however Thorren was no local to Edenia. He was filled with joy as he flew to the Edenian Palace, maybe the rulers could take care of his son.
The flight was exhausting as his body gave out as he crash landed on the entrance to the Edenian castle. he landed on his back ensuring Asgaarth was not harmed.
Immediately the Edenian knights surrounded Thorren ready to defend the kingdom from threats. the knights would question the Eagle, until king Jerrod arrived.
King Jerrod: What in the name of Argus is going on, who are you!
Thorren: My…name ….Thorren…please I…need…
Suddenly Queen Sindel ran to the scene, Kwan Dao in hand as she caught up to the gathering. She immediately noticed the baby eagle, having recently given birth to princess Kitana 5 days ago.
Queen Sindel: Look Jerrod (pointing at the baby) it's a baby eagle. (Setting down her Kwan Dao).
Thorren: Please take care of my son…I lost everything…I beg of…you..my son… Asgarrth..I eliminated the threat
King Jerrod: What threat?
Thorren: A Panther…. Cerveras… he…killed…my family.
King Jerrod horrified by what happened, comforted the dying Thorren.
King Jerrod (holding Thorren's hand): We will take care of him you have nothing to worry about.
Queen Sindel: (Grabbing Asgaarth) He has his Father's eyes.
Thorren (smiling) Thank…you..when he gets older give….him..my…falchion.
King Jerrod grabbed the Falchion as Thorren took one last look at his son before going into eternal rest. He would rest knowing that his son would be safe.
King Jerrod and Queen Sindel looked at each other, sadden by Thorren's death they will make preparations to bury him and train his son.
This concludes the first Arc of my Story, I want to thank all who read this far, Asgaarth is a great character and deserves a story told about him. I am pleased to know NRS has not forgotten about him thanks to banter between Baraka and Kuai Liang. I will be doing a novel-est approach from here on out instead of role playing. It will greatly help the story out. Thanks so much for reading and hopefully a new chapter will be released soon.