Calerian's Betrayal. (v.1)

The Theoretical Lies

Mist laid off to the side unconscious, her breathing faint but recognizable. Rosa kneeled next to Mist clutching Leona with a bent barrel, unable to shoot anymore, watching the scene in front of her unfold. Kismet was restrained by vines erupting from the ground; the vines tightening their grasp as he struggled. Umbra appeared to be in a similar situation as Kismet, restrained by vines wrapping around him keeping his arms pinned to his sides. The room was filled with a bright magical light preventing Umbra from using his shadow abilities to get away from the vines. Hadjak attempted to lunge forward in a desperate last ditch effort attack with their great sword but felt their feet couldn't lift off the ground to move. When they looked down their eyes widened upon seeing the vines wrapped around their ankles; their attention shooting forward as they felt the vines erupt from the ground and wrap around their wrists and tightening before being pulled back to the ground. As Hadjak fell to their knees the room became filled with a hollow yet cruel chuckle. The sound of boot heels clicking on the ground echoing in the stillness of the room as Calerian walked closer to Hadjak. He crouched down as he rested his hand beneath Hadjak's chin to force them to make eye contact, an almost sadistic grin on his face as he spoke.

"How absolutely hilarious... The head of the Navy and his valiant pirate friends defeated and rendered helpless by a single triton, how in the seas did you think you would dethrone the king? You didn't think something through yet again Hadjak, good thing you've had me to think things through for you. However, I knew this time you wouldn't listen to me, so stubborn." Calerian taunted as he continued chuckling at the situation he has caused.

"Calerian." Hadjak stated attempting for it to sound like an order just like they had done so many times previously when Calerian had started acting out of line, however this time was different. When Calerian acted out before it was never malicious, never a threat to Hadjak or those they cared for. There was something else that was different about this time; Hadjak's voice broke and it sounded less like a command and more like a plea.

"Aww... how adorable. You think I'll still listen to you? You gave up your position as head of the Navy... you have no power or rank, you're useless to me now. Quite disappointing in all honesty though," Calerian mocked before suddenly letting his hand that was under Hadjak's chin fall to his side as he stood up, "part of me actually did fall for you; just not a large enough part" The sadistic grin on Calerian's face fell slightly as he spoke the last words of his sentence, almost as if he truly was disappointed by how this was turning out despite him very clearly being the victor

Kismet suddenly yelled out, his words laced with venom as he struggled against the vines restraining him. "Why the fuck are you doing this Cal?! I thought we were friends!"

Calerian, upon hearing Kismet yell, turned his attention to him. The cruel grin returning in full as he threw his arms out to either side of him dramatically.

"Isn't it obvious, young prince?" Calerian said loud enough for his voice to echo amongst the room. "Power! There's no one with more power in this world than the ruler of the Navy! And you, my dearest friends, have given me the perfect opportunity to become just that! With Kismet as the runaway disgrace and Hadjak proving they don't deserve the throne by planning an attack to overthrow Mojin, he'll be looking for a new heir since Aknoa has had no teaching and is considered unfit to rule due to her passive demeanor!"

Hadjak looked at Calerian with wide eyes, searching his expression and actions for any sign that this is just some sort of cruel joke. "...you were using me..?" Hadjak softly asked barely above a whisper as they let their shoulders slump and they turned their attention from Calerian to the ground beneath them.

"No no no, I didn't 'use you', I just bided my time and waited for you to act without thinking. I couldn't use you if you were already doing what I wanted you to do by your own volition, my love" Calerian said as he looked back at Hadjak with a saddened yet malicious smile. "You didn't do anything you didn't want to do, I simply just stopped holding you back."

"Calerian you fucking bastard!" Umbra yelled as he attempted to break out of the vine restraining him only for the vines to become tighter. "You said we were your family! You don't fucking do this shit to your family!"

Calerian let out a short laugh before turning away from Umbra, Hadjak, and everyone as he began to walk out of the room. "You're right Umbra, you don't do this to family... Good thing you're all too gullible to realize it was a lie~"