The King's Remorse

It's Just a Sham

"Brook," Clap whimpers, turning around. "Why did th-they do that t-to her?"

"Because they're monsters." My voice is icy as I stand up.

You're going to regret this, the snake hisses.

Yeah? Well, should've when you could've, and I don't think so.

"Are you ok, Luke?" Freedom takes a step toward Clap.

"Fine. Bryant's just gonna have hell to pay."

"Very well. I do not have any complaints with that."

"Luke, c-can you make Brook disappear? I don't want h-her t-t-to be a-alone out here." I stiffen at Clap's request. The only time I'd turned anyone to dust was to kill them, and I'd always felt terrible afterward. It's your fault she's dead. It's the least you could do, the snake says.

"Sure." I glance over at Freedom, and she nods.

Really? You think this is nice? It's the same as the Guard and Soldiers you've killed.

No. No, it's not. I'm following Clap's request.

I curl the tips of my fingers, and the dust circles around me as the ebony veins fall from my eyes and the horns sprout from my head. My right hand tightens into a fist before I reach out and spread my fingers, sending the dust toward Brook's body. At first, it's just the feathers on her hooves that shimmer and dissolve, but the rest of Brook's body soon follows and she crumbles. All that's left is a bit of dust that soon blows away in the breeze.

Nice job, Luke. Another 1 down.

I hate you, snake. You really have no conscience.

Everything I do, I do for the King. You're just helping me.

Not anymore.

We'll see.

Clap stares at the spot where Brook had laid. Then she turns around. "Can we kill the King?"

"That's the plan." A faint smile tugs at the corner of my mouth.

"He send-sent th-the guys who killed Brook." Her tail rests against the ground and her ears droop.

"He'll pay. I promise."

"Wh-why did they kill her?" Tears water in her eyes.

"They're monsters." Freedom echoes my words.

"Sh-sh-sh... sh-she didn't-. She... why?" Clap's voice cracks.

"I wish I could say."

Nice, trying to comfort Clap when you got Brook killed. How nice of you.

You're despicable, snake.

At least I'm not trying to comfort the stepdaughter of the being you got killed. Aren't you something special.

I didn't get Brook killed. The Guard and Soldiers killed her, not me. I'm not responsible.

Keep telling yourself that, Luke.

Shut it, snake. It goes quiet, curling up and watching from the back of my mind with glittering amethyst eyes. If it could smile, I'm sure it would be right now.

"Freedom, keep Clap safe. Get out of here, and stay away. Bryant won't get away with anything."

"You're really gonna k-kill him?"

"He's done enough. He'll pay."

"Ph-Phoenix said he was g-going to."

"If Phoenix does, great. But he will be held responsible for what he's done." The ground begins to rumble beneath my feet, but I silence it.