The King's Gilded Warrior || Wattys 2023

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"Your majesty, how is that possible?" Lyra questioned, her voice filled with genuine curiosity and a touch of disbelief. They had returned from the secret passageway and now found themselves seated in the main room of the palace.

Rhadmanthus, the king, paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on the world beyond the window. The weight of his past, the secrets he carried, and the burden of his lineage were etched upon his face. With a sigh, he turned to face Lyra, a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes.

"You may call me Rhadmanthus," he began, his voice softened, "there is no longer any need for you to be so formal towards me, Lyra." His words held a hint of reassurance and a desire to bridge the gap between them.

Taking a few steps closer, Rhadmanthus continued, his voice carrying the weight of truth. "The story of Azael, my uncle, is a complex one. He was my fathers older brother and his only sibling, and despite his birthright as the eldest, our grandfather deemed him unfit to rule due to his lack of strong magical abilities. This decision filled Azael's heart with resentment and fueled his secret hatred towards my father."

Rhadmanthus paused, his eyes meeting Lyra's, as if searching for understanding. "In his desperation for power, Azael delved into dark magic, seeking forbidden knowledge and ancient rituals. He believed that by harnessing the darkest forces, he could prove his worth and claim the throne that he believed was rightfully his."

"But dark magic can only come from one place, and it is forbidden for all. No one would dare to draw magic directly from the Zalra," Rhadmanthus said, frustration evident in his voice as he rummaged through his desk, searching for something of importance.

Lyra's curiosity was piqued by the mention of the Zalra. "Zalra?" she inquired, her eyes fixed on Rhadamanthus, awaiting his explanation.

"The Zalra is a place so ancient that it predates Valorian itself, and I would assume your world as well," Rhadmanthus began, his voice tinged with reverence and caution. "In Valorian, we pay respect to the goddess called 'Helaou.' She is a powerful deity, the bringer of life and the source of all magic. It is from her essence that our world thrives, and her blessings grant us the ability to wield magic."

Lyra listened intently, her mind grappling with the notion of a divine being responsible for the existence of magic and the origins of their worlds. It was a concept both wondrous and humbling, opening her eyes to the vastness of the unknown.

"But alongside Helaou, there is another deity, Vatuo, who is the embodiment of destruction and death," Rhadmanthus continued, his expression grave. "His power, once unleashed, is nearly unstoppable, and drawing magic directly from Vatuo's realm is considered an abomination, forbidden and condemned."

As he spoke, Rhadmanthus retrieved a small, aged parchment from within the depths of his desk and handed it to Lyra. The parchment bore intricate symbols and writings in an ancient language, its contents shrouded in mystery.

"This is a fragment of an ancient text," Rhadmanthus explained. "It speaks of the dark arts, the forbidden knowledge that Azael sought. Once I banished Azael from the kingdom, he must have delved into the depths of the ancient scrolls, seeking forbidden knowledge to aid his escape to another plane. In that realm, he has left only devastation and chaos in his wake. However, as you have pointed out, his eyes are blood-red, a clear sign that Vatuo's essence resides within his body, using Azael as a vessel to increase his own strength. Vatuo's seeks to harness enough power to rupture the barriers separating our worlds, opening the way for his malevolent influence to spread once more.

Lyra's eyes widened with a mix of realization and concern. The stakes had risen even higher, and the threat they faced was more formidable than they had anticipated. She knew that if Vatuo's succeeded in his nefarious plan, the consequences would be catastrophic, affecting not only Valorian but her own world as well.

"We cannot allow Vatuo's to achieve his goal," Lyra stated firmly, her voice filled with determination. "We must find a way to stop him and restore the balance before the borders between worlds are shattered." Lyra said while standing up in slight panic.

"I must get back home as soon as possible. My people were barely surviving as it was and now you're telling me that some demon wants to consume my home." Lyra's voice resonated with anger and frustration, her words echoing in the room. The weight of her responsibility to her people bore down upon her, fueling her determination.

"You're right," Rhadmanthus replied, his voice calm but tinged with urgency. "The threat to your home is grave, and I must act swiftly to protect it. But understand that the path to returning to your realm is fraught with challenges and dangers. We cannot rush headlong into it without careful planning and the gathering of necessary resources."

Lyra's fists clenched, her knuckles turning white as she fought to contain her emotions. She understood the need for caution and strategy, but her heart longed to be by her people's side, fighting to preserve what remained of their existence.

"I will not sit idly by while my world suffers," Lyra declared, her voice resolute. "I will do whatever it takes to protect my people, even if it means confronting Vatuo directly."

Rhadmanthus regarded his Kilora with guarded eyes and knew that he couldn't allow her to place herself in any more danger. But his mind swirled with the fact that she was a Chief, which was a position of power he didn't understand why a woman would be given such a high title, especially in war. He needed to tread carefully in his next moves if he planned to still keep her while getting rid of the threat of his uncle.

Rhadmanthus nodded solemnly, his eyes filled with determination and a newfound sense of purpose. He reached out and gently clasped Lyra's hands in his own, his grip firm and reassuring.

"Kilora, I give you my word. We will join forces to protect your realm and put an end to the havoc caused by my uncle's actions. No longer will he be allowed to threaten your people or any other world. I swear upon my name and the honor of Valorian that I will lead my army with unwavering resolve."

Lyra met his gaze, her eyes reflecting a mixture of gratitude and hope. She could sense the sincerity in his voice and the determination in his words. In that moment, she felt a glimmer of trust and a shared commitment to the mission ahead.

"Thank you, Rhadmanthus," she said, her voice steady and filled with resolve.