Crown Of Chaos

Chapter 7

I waited about 15 minutes before clambering out of the wardrobe.
My legs felt wobbly, and I felt very dizzy.
There were too many things happening at once, and I couldn't comprehend it all.
I looked around the room.
Ma was gone.
And I didn't know where.
I took deep breaths to try and control my emotions.
I needed to find Pa. He would know what to do.
Slowly and quietly, I walked towards the door and laid my hand on its knob.
I then repeated what I needed to do in my mind.
Go to the third floor. Find Pa, and run.
I then reached one hand into my dress's belt and pulled out my dagger.
I hope I don't need to use this. I have never killed somebody before, and I don't plan on doing it soon.
Finally, I opened the door and peered outside.
The place was empty, a few bodies lay scattered here and there, but that was it. There were no enemy soldiers.
I then looked to my left and saw what I was looking for.
At the end of the corridor were the stairs that led to the third floor.
With a little bit of hope, I ran towards it. My braids bumping against my back as I hopped from step to step.
A loud voice ahead made me freeze.
"Your majesty, quickly get behind me!"
Pa.
I ran faster, my veins pumping with hope and fear. Hoping I wasn't too late.
Once I was atop the stairs, I looked around.
In the middle of the room stood two large marble pillars, and in between them stood a large oak door.
Although I had never seen the door before, I knew instantly what that room was.
The throne room.
"Gentlemen please." A voice, which I had never heard before, sneered.
"My men have already surrounded your city and your palace, with the help of my allies, of course."
I walked towards the door and pressed my ear into it.
"My men have even found your secret underground tunnel, which your slaves are hiding in right now" he implied.
"You're powerless, there's nothing you can do anymore, expect to give me the crown."
I bit my lip. If I walked in now, someone would easily see me and kill me.
It would be suicide.
I looked around. There must be some other way to get into the room without being noticed.
I then walked around the outer side of the throne room. Running my fingers along the old brick wall. The bricks felt brittle and hard as I pushed each one I touched with my fingertips, feeling for anything unusual.
Suddenly, my hand glided across a smooth brick.
I frowned and took a step back. As I quickly ran my eyes over the wall, I noticed that the smooth bricks made an outline of the shape of a door.
I raised a hand and gently knocked on it.
Hollow.
I then scratched a nail over the brick and inspected my nail.
Paint.
Someone had painted a door to make it look like a brick wall.
Smart.
I then gently pushed on the wall, grateful that it opened.
When I stepped inside, I was surprised to find it dark.
I then closed the door behind me as the darkness swallowed me whole.
Since I was inside the wall, I could hear the men more clearly now.
Just as I was about to press my ear to the wall, I felt a small knife being pressed to my throat and a soft breathing in my ear.
"What the hell are you doing here Rebel." A voice whispered.
At the sound of that nickname, I slowly relaxed.
Declan. So, he did survive after all.
"Will you get that knife off me" I sighed, annoyed.
"Say pretty, please. "He taunted
I opened my mouth, shocked that he would say such a thing in this situation.
"Declan, our parents are literally about to die and you're asking me to say pretty please?"
At that point, Declan finally released me.
I turned to face him. Wherever he was, It was so dark, I couldn't see a thing.
I raised my hands to try and feel my surroundings.
"Don't bother, there's nothing in here." Declan sighed annoyed.
I frowned "How do you know?"
"I literally live here, Dumbass," he mumbled.
"Is there anyway to get out there?" I asked as I turned to press my ear to the wall. They were still arguing.
"I need to help my Pa."
"There is a way, and I would gladly give it to you so you can get yourself killed." He replied.
I rolled my eyes at his lame joke.
"Whatever, just show me."
I stayed still as I heard Declan move towards me. He then grabbed my arm; my wounded one, and I gritted my teeth in pain.
Declan didn't seem to notice my wince as he led me through the darkness. He then placed my hands on a smooth surface. A door.
How the heck could he see?
I looked down and saw that there was a small hole in it too.
I bent down and stared through it. Gasping.
From there, I could see Pa and the king of Valoria.
Pa was in front of him, his sword brought out of its sheath and raised high in defense.
His curly red hair was messy, and sweat dripped down his face.
He wasn't prepared for a fight. If he was, he would have worn his amour and helmet.
I wanted nothing more than to run into Pa's arms and hug him tight. Never letting him go.
The King looked like a coward behind Pa, his dirty blonde hair was ruffled beneath his golden crown, and his eyes were wide in fear. He wasn't prepared for this either.
"W-why don't you and your men put down your swords so we can talk" the King said weakly.
He sounded frightened and afraid; he spoke like he was a poor commoner. Not a king.
The enemy laughed, and I turned my gaze to him.
The enemy was dressed in full silver armor from head to toe.
Instead of a black or silver mask, he wore a golden mask with a pattern of silver streaks and swirls. The mask looked mystical, beautiful. But why was his mask different to all the others?
He, too, carried a large silver sword. The same sword that the man who killed my ma, had.
I swallowed as I pushed the memory behind me. I needed to focus on Pa.
The throne room echoed with the men's loud voices. Behind the man in the gold mask stood other men who were wearing black masks. Some wore silver too.
In total, it looked like there were about 50 men behind the gold masked man.
Their swords were drawn out. Ready to defend their leader at whatever cost.
It was confusing. Why were these people wearing masks? Were they from another kingdom, or were they rebels?
The man then sighed, "I gave you two a chance, looks like I have to take matters into my own hands." I could feel Declan's body tense next to mine.
He was afraid.
The man then pointed his sword at Pa. "I'll fight you, alone."
I watched as Pa charged towards the man and held my breath.
As they fought, I watched the king run towards his throne and hide behind it. Leaving my Pa, his general, to fight for his life.
The sounds of Pa and the gold masked man's swords filled the air as they clashed together.
I could feel my heart beating loudly in my ears as they swiped their swords and danced around each other.
Suddenly, the man raised his sword and swung it down onto Pa's sword. The blow was so strong that it sent Pa's sword flying. Leaving him defenseless.
I watched in horror as the man then raised his sword and slashed it across Pa's chest. Pa grunted in pain as he fell backwards onto the floor.
The man then walked over to Pa and hovered the tip of his blade over his already bleeding chest.
"No!" I cried as I slammed the door open, but it was too late.
The man slammed his sword down, stabbing Pa right in the middle of his chest.
"Pa!" I cried as tears rolled down my cheeks. I felt so stupid so weak and useless. I wanted to rush at the man and rip him to shreds with my own two hands. But that was the problem. I couldn't
The man looked at me, then at Pa.
"Your daughter?" He asked as he raised his foot and placed it over Pa's chest.
"Don't you dare touch her" Pa croaked, blood spewing from his mouth and dripping onto the floor.
"Oh, I won't, I'll just let her watch you die" he smiled wickedly as he pushed his foot onto dad wounded chest, causing Pa to gasp in pain.
"Pa, No!" I cried. As the man began to make his way to the king.
I quickly rushed over to him. Falling on my knees besides his body.
A pool of blood began to circle around him. Drenching his clothes.
"Oh gods, please, I whispered as I cupped Pa's face with my hands.
I watched helplessly as life began to drain from my Pa's face. Leaving me with nothing but his deceased body.
Another cry rang out, and I turned to see the king doubled over. The Evil man's sword plunged out from behind his back.
The golden crown that was on his head fell off and dropped to the floor with a clang before rolling across the throne room and landing at Declan's feet.
The man sighed and rubbed his sword on his pants. As if killing two men was a piece of cake.
"Give me the crown, boy." he instructed as he held out his hand.
Declan remained still.
The man raised his eyebrows in surprise then laughed. "You don't want to?"
Declan only remained still as he bent to lift the crown of the floor. Holding it in his hands.
The man then stomped towards me and yanked me off Pa by my braid.
He pulled me close to him and pressed his sword against my throat.
"No!" I shrieked as tears poured down my cheeks. I didn't want to die.
"This your friend huh?" He said as he tugged hardly on my braid, leaving me with my neck fully exposed to his sharp blade.
"You want her to die?"
Declan tilted his head as if amused by his threat. "Do what you want with her, I don't care about her."
The man seemed shocked by Declan's boldness as he pressed the blade harder to my throat. " you sure you want to play this game, boy?" He snapped.
Suddenly, the throne room doors burst open and a man wearing a dark cloak pushed past the masked soldiers who were staring at him confused.
"Put the crown on your head, son!" He yelled as he pointed towards Declan.
The man was very old, his long white beard rested against his chest, and his head was covered by his hood.
He looked ancient and wise. His eyes were white. Blind.
"Who on earth are you?" The man shouted, he was annoyed now.
The old man ignored him "PUT . ON. THE. CROWN."
I watched as Declan's eyes slightly widened in confusion before raising the crown above his head.
"Wait!" the man yelled as he pushed me aside with such force, that I fell and knocked my head against the floor.
But the man was too late.
Declan placed the crown on his head, and I watched speechlessly as the ground began to shake.
It was shaking with such force that the paintings that were on the walls began to fall one by one.
The chandelier broke free from its chain and crashed onto the floor, pieces of glass flying everywhere.
There was a loud murmur from the masked soldiers near the door as a loud roar of thunder erupted from outside, It was as if a big storm was coming our way.
"Give me the crown, boy!" The man shouted as he charged towards him.
Declan just stood there as he looked over his hands, which were strangely turning black.
He looked almost as stunned as me as he turned to face that man who was charging towards him with his swords raised high, ready to slash him into pieces.
But Declan only raised one dark hand towards him, and the man went flying into the wall with such a strong force that he imprinted a hole in the bricks.
The man groaned in pain as he fell to the floor. Clutching his head, which was bleeding from a nasty cut.
"Guards!" He screamed.
And I watched as the old man jumped out of the way just in time before the enemy soldiers charged towards Declan. Ready to pounce on him.
But Declan raised his foot and stomped it onto the ground.
The ground began to shake violently as the masked soldier's men tripped onto the floor, shocked and speechless. They were afraid of Declan.
"Hybrid! Retreat!" Someone cried and I watched as all the soldiers picked themselves up and evacuated out of the throne room.
The evil man ran too. Clutching his leg as he limped away angrily,.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the man who killed my mother charge towards me.
"Leave me alone!" I screamed as he grabbed my arms and tore me away from Pa who was laying silently on the floor.
"Let me go!" I yelled. As he threw me over his shoulder and began to run.
I closed my mouth, and with all the strength I could muster in my voice, I screamed the only name that could help me, that could save me from this monster.
"Declan help!"
And I watched in horror as Declan looked towards me, his green eyes cold and still as he did nothing.
He just stood there and watched me go.
My head hit something as the man turned a sharp corner. And it all went black.