My King

Chapter 3 - In fear of phantom.

Chapter 3 - In fear of phantom.

King Luka Black

"What's our plan of action, your highness?" Alaska, my right hand, asks after a brief pause, interrupting the peace, I treasured. I let out a huff, before voicing my command.

"We need to end this killing spree, once and for all. Send out a bounty on its head – One million, dead or alive."

They all nod firmly, a grim expression darkening their features. We've been cooped up in my office, discussing what action to take against the monster creating havoc within the kingdom's walls. The monster my people refer to as, the northern beast, has made itself at home within our walls, and its presence is not thrilling to us. I've sent multiple warriors out to locate and hunt the beast, but they have always returned without a trace found. Those who did return, that is. Not all was that fortunate.

"We'll send out posters immediately, your highness."

I give Alaska a quick nod, acknowledging what he said, not feeling the need to answer verbally. I dismiss them, and they rise from their seated positions, and send me a quick bow, before scurrying out of my office.

I divert my gaze from the closing door to my father, who has made himself at home within the seat across my desk. "You wanted to talk?" I rub my forehead with my middle and index finger, exhaustion coming forward to claim my body.

"Yes, I wanted to make sure you were prepared for the death trial. You know it's nearing, and you have yet to give any indication about your strategies." His voice firm, not wavering even the slightest, posing himself as the respected and stoic King he used to be.

I quirk an eyebrow, confused about the situation he has brough up. A frown taking over my previously bored expression. "What do you mean strategies?"

"I mean exactly what I said, what are your strategy to obtain a bland mindset?" He elaborates with an annoyed eyeroll following.

"I don't need a strategy for that" I huff, my own annoyance coming forward. "I don't care about them or their deaths. If it wasn't one of my duties, I wouldn't even attend."

He hums lowly, sizing me up, looking for any sign of me not stating a truth. His fingers drum on top my desk, and the longer it continues, the more agitated I become.

"Fine, let's just pretend you're really feeling that way. I need to be sure you won't humiliate your mother and me with dumb emotions. I know you've killed before, but this is what you would call a mass murder. There is over thirty monsters in the underground, and they all need to lose their head, before the day comes to an end. Emotions has no place in the death trial. Just make sure, if it does create an uncomfortable ache or anything remotely similar, to not let it show. Am I making myself clear, boy?"

My lips are in a firm line at the clear warning and disrespect he put upon me.

Old fool thinks he's still running the show.

"Yes father" I reply through gritted teeth.

A smirk decorates his arrogant demeanor, his eyes gleaming with sadistic joy. I gesture towards the closed door, making it clear I barely tolerate his presence. He takes his leave, after sending me a warning glare, making me glare back. My wolf flare up at the challenge and my fists clench tightly, as he pushes against the barrier keeping him contained. I heavy a sigh and slump in my chair, the exhaustion creeping into every bone.

My mind wanders to the northern beast. It's really tempting my patience. The havoc and killing intent it brought with it, has made fear travel like a wildfire. We had all heard whispered rumors of its existence, and its residence along the outskirt of the North walls, but no one imagined it would be brave or stupid enough to cross the limit of our reluctant tolerance. It wasted no time in letting us know about its new living arrangement, and killing a whole family in clear daylight, did nothing to disguise itself.

The slaughter was gruesome. Their stomachs ripped open by large claw gashes, and their blood smearing the ground beneath them. They were hung upside down in the trees surrounding their home. Their loud screams were another show of power, and the rumors of its arrival was confirmed.

My father did what he could to ensure a sense of safety within the people's hearts, but the fear had already pierced them apart. Its victory roar told us about its true nature, and the fire was lit too high.

It travelled like a deadly disease and planted its roots so deep it was impossible to rip away. It was out for blood, and it sparked our bloodlust.

I wasn't warned enough to prepare for such a matter in my early stages as King. The peace I was promised another lie, I suffered from. Destroying everything my father build was my destiny, and I'd be damned if I allow it to be ripped from my hands.

My promise of safety and security will not be in vain.

The beast has shown us its colors, and painted a terrifying picture, with a bloodied frame. Collecting victims is a game for him, and I'm not playing along.

The tall walls surrounding the North show our strength and usually keeps the monsters at bay, but this particular monster chose to ignore every warning.

I'm not sure if I'd call it bravery or stupidity – Maybe a little of both.

In the end, someone has to pay the dept of mistakes and sacrifices there's been made with my people's blood.

The tricky thing about monsters is their disguise from two worlds. One human, one beast. Their human skin shows us a lie, their beast skin shows us the truth.

You can know one, without the other.

It's almost impossible to catch a monster in its beast skin – They're too powerful wearing that armor. You pull the layers one by one till you've reached the internal core and uncover the true face of the rotten fruit. The more power, the stronger exterior.

The northern beast' exterior is thick, almost inpossible to pierce. A powerful seer resides close to the North walls and is said to be an excellent monster hunter. I've debated with myself longer than necessary, and I still somehow come up with unresolved decisions.

Seers are tricky things, and rare these days.

They are known as cunning creatures and manipulative beings. Said to never be trusted. Selfishness is what drives a seer. Everything you get, you have to give. Nothing is free in their ways, and you pay heavily for the simplest requests. My father considers seers to be a nuisance that needs to be killed and deposed off. In his mind, they are worth less than the dirt collected on the bottom of his shoes.

That hostility is one of the reasons for my hesitation.

I would get an earful if I even attempted to seek help amongst those dirty beings.

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❝⃤ᴛʜᴀɴᴋs ғᴏʀ ʀᴇᴀᴅɪɴɢ - 𝑴𝒚 𝑲𝒊𝒏𝒈!❞⃤

ⅹℴⅹℴ 𝐀𝐯𝐞𝐫𝔂

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