Monarchy

Chapter 13: Picking Sides

Zero was still in his room pondering on what to do. He wants to look for his brother and see if he is dead, but he also wants to be in his father's good graces. He was torn. He felt his brother was nearby. He got up and went into town. Zero saw a crowd of people. He felt something telling him where his brother was.

Desperately searching his for brother in the crowd, he felt like his brother was close. His eyes quickly peer to a guy who looks like his brother. He chased after him. The man caught on and started running away. Zero was determined to capture this man.

The man into a dark alleyway and the man was cornered. Zero blocked the way out of the alley. They slowly turned around to reveal himself Zero. Zero's eyes grew big when he saw who it was.

"Hello Big Brother."

"Y-you are alive."

"Of course. We did battle each other in the underground."

Zero couldn't believe it. His brother was in front of him. He slowly walked closer to his brother. His brother took a step back.

"Why did you do that?"

"I don't need you hugging me."

"Why not?"

"You don't need my love."

"Brother, I do. I missed you."

"You let father throw me in the dungeon!"

"He is the King of this land. I had to obey." Zero pleaded

Mars rolled his eyes.

"You know right from wrong. What father was doing is wrong!"

"I know."

"But yet you are still following him."

"He is our father! I must follow him!"

Mars chuckled lightly.

"You do have a choice."

"And look at what your choice got you." Zero clapped back.

Mars turned around to collect himself for a moment.

"You know father is evil. You know the terrible things he has done."

"It was for the greater good of the kingdom."

"You are brainwashed."

"No, I'm not!"

"You are! You are ignoring what he has done and justifying it as good deeds."

Zero didn't respond.

"You need to know the truth!" Mars yelled at his brother.

"What truth?"

Mars took a breath.

"Father is not father."

"What?"

"The guy we are calling father is our uncle."

"What?"

"Yes."

"So where is our real father?"

"He is imprisoned on an island."

"What?"

"Yes."

"I want to see him."

"No." Mars rejected.

"Why not."

"You work for our uncle. I can't trust you."

Zero wanted to his father, and he is still loyal to the false king.

"I'll join you."

"You going to have to prove your loyalty."

"Fine. Where do I start?"

*****

The King smiled looking at his prey. He was enjoying this sight.

"Well brother, I'm enjoying you like this."

His brother didn't respond.

"I banished your firstborn, well second born...I had to alter history for that. Then I'm controlling your other child. I almost killed your wife. All because you don't know how to rule as a King."

He gloated at his brother.

"You wanted to rule this land with peace. Peace is for the weak."

His brother still didn't respond.

"Your firstborn is smart. You notice I'm not like you and went against my orders. Your second isn't that smart, but he's under my wing."

"Fuck You." His brother muttered.

"Oh, the dog has a tongue."

The false king crouched down.

"I'm going to capture your family and make you watch as I execute them. Then execute you. Finally, my children and I can rule."

His brother chuckled.

"What's funny?"

"This was already seen."

"What are you talking about."

His brother kept laughing. The False King grew irritated and left.

*****

"I see you made it to my homeland."

"I need information from you."

"Oh? What information?"

"I know where she is. I want to know."

The male chuckled.

"I don't."

"Bullshit."

"Okay I do know, but I can't tell you."

"Why not?"

"Because it will ruin what I have in store."

****

His brother's words echoed in his head as he walked back to the castle. Finding out the truth was hard. His brother also exposed other secrets. Zero was distraught. He entered the castle and went to his room. His father was waiting for him outside his room.

"I see you went out. Where did you go?"

"I needed fresh air."

"I see."

Zero felt something was up.

"Something wrong father?" Zero hated the words he just uttered.

"No. I just felt the link we had was cut. Did you cut it?"

His brother did cut the link between them.

"No. I don't know what happened."

"Interesting.... We must reestablish it."

"As you wish father."