Whisper in the Dark

chapter 15

The armoured figure, which Never had now gathered was a knight, walked into the great hall, followed shortly by Never and then Viarrah, who was hanging a little further back, still with her head hung and refusing to talk. Never was concerned to see her friend like this, it was obvious that Viarrah knew something about what was going on, but Never couldn't figure out what, how or why. The room was made of deep, onyx black stone, with lava channels running through the floor and the obsidian pillars which stretched to the roof high above them. Never looked up at who she figured was probably the king. He sat high upon his throne at the end of the hall, wearing dark armour, similar to the knight's, yet more impressive. A cape flowed from his shoulders and a helmet covered his head, though it was damaged, and through the chunk missing she could see a single red eye that tore into her. She hated that feeling, it made her feel powerless, weak... it reminded her of the army.

"Never Empresson! I'm glad you could make it." The king said chuckling.

"How do you know my name!? And who are you!?" Never snapped back. The king laughed.

"I am King Archer of the greater Octarian empire. As for your name? Well, I've been watching you for a long time." His eyes flickered to Viarrah for a split second before fixing back onto Never. But Never still saw.

"But that's not the only reason I know your name," the king continued, "the other reason is because my name is Archer, King Archer Empresson III." The king took his helmet off to reveal is face. Never stood in shocked silence.

"I needed to see you Never, for you see, you're more than just family to me... no no no, you're a queen, you-"

"Hold on, you're assuming I want to identify as a queen?" Never interrupted. The king sat, silent.

"I'm sorry... what?" He eventually said, confused.

"You said I'm a queen. What if I don't want to be a queen? What if I'd rather be a king, or an empress?" She said. The king sat, thinking.

"Do you want to be either of those things?" He asked.

"I don't know, we might workshop that later if I'm still here. Anyway, you were saying?" She said grinning. The king grew slightly irritated.

"Right, as I was saying. You contain royal blood, I however do not, and you are the rightful heir to the throne." He finished. Never stood still processing this, despite her bravado and confidence, she was terrified.

"Cool... can I go now?" She asked, doing her best to hide her panic. The king sighed

"Fine," he said, "Viarrah, take her to her room." Viarrah nodded, starting to walk off, Never followed her. After a few minutes of walking Viarrah led Never into a more kindly looking room.

"H-here's your room." Said Viarrah with a slight jitter in her voice, "I should go now." She finished before starting to move for the door. Never stepped in front of her and slammed the door shut. Viarrah yelped in surprise.

"Viarrah stop. I have no idea what's going on here and you clearly know something, so please tell me, and for cod's sake fucking look at me! Please!" Viarrah fell backwards, she slowly looked up to face Never. With tears in her eyes she was barely able to see the fear on Never's face. Finally she decided to speak.

"I'm so sorry... I had to do it... good soldiers follow orders."

"Had to do what!? What did you do?" Never said, the fear rising in her throat.

"The king... he wanted to get you hear and so he tasked me with getting close to you and bringing you in... I'm so sorry." Never stood, listening. She was stunned. Not to mention the feeling of anger and betrayal.

"So... our friendship, or relationship, or... ugh! Whatever it was... it was all a lie?" She asked, her voice trembling.

"N-no! Not at all! I-I... after I got to know you I didn't want to do it... I... Never, I fell in love... please forgive me... I love you." Viarrah watched as Never paced back and forward, until eventually she stopped, facing the wall.

"But you still did it, even after that you still followed orders... because why? You wanted to be more important to that jerk face out there?" Never had gone quiet, this quiet side to her was... scary. Viarrah could feel a dark gloom stronger than anything she'd ever felt before. She slowly stood up and walked over to Never to try and comfort her. But when she got close, Never spun around and grabbed Viarrah by her top, lifting her off the ground. There was rage in those eyes. A raw anger unlike anything you could ever imagine. After a second, Never slammed Viarrah against the wall.

"Don't touch me... EVER, again! Do you understand?" Never said. Viarrah managed to nod despite the immense pain throbbing through from the back of her head. Never let go of her.

"Good... now get out." Never silently screamed. Viarrah got up as quick as she could and hurried through the door, closing it behind her. Never stood, silent and angry. She barely heard Viarrah speak through the door.

"I'm sorry."

Before she heard Viarrah's footsteps walking away.