Revelation

I am the Invisible King

Hey, guys! I hope you enjoy this chapter! Happy reading!

Jack, his siblings, and the rest of the army stood outside the door to the throne room, conversing in low voices. They had no wish to disturb whatever was inside, at least for right now. Ever since they came across the Hndan siblings' parents, crossing weapons with King Emmanouil was proving more difficult of an idea to swallow. The thought of the battle before them was enough to make Jack's teeth clench. "We need to get inside now."

"You're right. Beyond this door is the throne room... At last, we've made it." Even Elsa's usually inscrutable face betrayed her worry as she spoke. This was an enemy that would test them to their limits.

Jack surveyed his comrades, seeing the telltale signs of worry: the shifting  of their eyes, rigid shoulders, an almost panicked gaze. This is it. He turned to all of them, giving the others a smile. "Don't worry. We've made it this far together and we'll end this together."

It was a mark of the army's complete trust in him that their response were all enthusiastic hums, grins, and nods of agreements.

Jack squared his shoulders and turned to face the door. ...So. The Invisible King is likely in here...

"Everyone, I'll go in first."

Eugene gave a grunt, frowning. "What?" The brunette paladin paused, collecting his thoughts. After a few moments, he took a deep breath and spoke again. "The enemy is the Invisible King. Don't tell me that you're thinking of fighting him alone?"

"No, I know that I'll need all of your help..." Jack said. "But the Rainbow Sage said that the Seal of Flames was critical to defeating Emmanouil. If I don't open with a blow from it, the rest of you may not even be able to hurt him."

"I see...all right. We'll go behind you."

"Thanks," Jack gave a grateful nod, turning to the door again. "Well then... Let's go!"

They pushed open the doors and all of them charged inside, Jack leading them.

"Emmanouil! Your time has-" Jack stopped suddenly, a sharp gasp escaping from him. "What?!"

"Jack, are you all right?" Elsa asked, coming up beside him.

Despite that the room was reminiscent of a vast basement, it was still dimly-lit: all that was in the room was a lone throne and a huge rock behind it that was sculpted to look like the face of Emmanouil, both old and cracked. Jack heard the doors close behind him and squinted against the gloom, managing to pick out - "...There's no one in the throne room. No one..."

"What?" Elsa said incredulously. "Then where-"

Screams and shouts sounded from behind them and Jack and Elsa turned to see the others getting assailed with fire magic.

"Everyone!!"

In the same manner that it came, the magic stopped abruptly, leaving the army surprised and shaken.

"Gods! What...what's the meaning of this?" said Eugene, a tinge of anger in his voice.

"Strange..." said Galaxy. "Only Jack and Elsa... Weren't attacked..."

"...It can't be... Jack...Elsa..." The hurt in the prince's tone was apparent.

Merida stepped closer. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she saw Jack and Elsa standing there unscathed. No, Merida, not you too. Jack tried to marshal his thoughts but Merida spoke up. "It can't be... It can't happen to be..."

"I'm afraid it's true, Lady Merida," grunted North, and the accusation laced in his tone took Jack aback. "Those two are of the Invisible Kingdom's lineage." His voice dropped into a grotesque parody of his habitual politeness. "Lord Jack and Lady Elsa... You have deceived us..."