One month writing challenge!

Castle Run (Day 31)

Feat. Beta Charles (he isn't as much of a jackass) and Sasha, non-canon, AU where Sasha never escaped jail, Charles met her first and Kyle doesn't exist

 The clock had only just chimed, signaling it was midnight, all in the castle was fast asleep, and it was Charles' time to escape. The thief was sitting in the royal treasury as he waited for that sound, imagining all that resided within it was his. He stood out against the bright hues of the jewels around him. He wore a green shirt atop of it being a pitch black vest, many surprises hiding up the sleeves. His trousers were held up by a tool belt carrying smoke and blades. What was most unusual about the dark-skinned elven man, was the wide grin on his face and the twinkle in his emerald eyes. When the clock struck midnight, the guards did one final check of the castle, Charles was about to be caught.

The giant vault door creaked open, revealing a young-looking man in light chainmail with a torch in hand. He looked around dumbly, until his eyes landed on Charles in the front and center, the color drained from his face. First day on the job. Charles assumed, as the man just stood there frozen, his figure trembling ever so slightly. The thief stood up, securing his satchel full of riches to his side, and walked towards the guard.

"I'm pretty sure this is when you're supposed to sound the alarm, my friend. Don't worry you can do it." He teased in a honey-smooth tone, the grin never leaving his face. Now Charles was right in front of him, one hand dangerously close to the dagger on his waist.

The guard stepped backwards, his dark brown eyes never leaving the thief's face. He pointed weakly at Charles, to his amusement "Th-The Serpent. You're the—!"

"You got it, I'm The Serpent! Congrats on solving that mystery, it must've been hard for you considering you haven't started running yet," Charles interrupted, his mischievous demeanor suddenly turning dangerous., his teasing smile became sadistic as he weaved his silver dagger between his slender fingers with ease. That's when the guard ran, though Charles didn't even bat an eye, that was exactly what he wanted.

One, two, three bells rang, the high-pitched shrill echoing off the corridor walls. Charles could almost feel the floor quaking as hundreds of guards came running to the treasury, their feet thumping against the crimson carpets and the chainmail clashing against chains. The vault door shot open with a loud bang, showing several men, some fully armored and some barely dressed, all bearing weapons pointed at the single thief.

"You've finally got here, I've been waiting for sooo long. Maybe you should ask his royal majesty, the light of the kingdom, the merciful and the— whatever the rest of his name is, to tighten up the security," He said dramatically. Even as the guards flooded in, surrounding him, not a pinch of fear ever crossed his mind.

"Silence, you vile snake! Do not resist your arrest, we'll attempt to do this peacefully but his majesty wants a body, he never specified it had to be alive," A guard hissed, his gravelly voice boomed in the confines of the vaults walls, though Charles could hear the slightest hint of fear in his voice.

"First of all, it's The Serpent not 'vile snake'" He said imitating the guards voice, causing him to scowl, his face turning an embarrassing shade of red. Charles then pulled down his collar, his voice husky and his gaze never faltering, "And if the king wants my body all he has to do is ask, not many can boast of stealing the Serpent's first night,"

"How dare you speak of the king in such a way! You'll be begging him for forgiveness when you're rotting in a cell!"

"I'd prefer if he was the one begging me, unlike him, I'm not merciful,"

"YOU!" The guard charged at him like a raging bull, all power and no grace. Charles stepped to the side and before he could stop himself he ran into the other guards. The rest of them, previously snickering among themselves at the thief's quips, seemed to remember this wasn't a comedy show and began to close in on Charles. He unsheathed his blades, getting ready to attack, only to salute with a wink.