Book 1 | Agent 34 and the Desert of Beasts

Chapter 16 | The Fall of the Old King

"Agent 34, I am glad you decided to talk to me about this! I know practically everything about the Fall of the Old King, because I was there when it happened! Tell this to no one, but," Fáolar leaned in closer towards Agent 34 and Ismara. "I had to change my name, my heritage, and practically everything about myself so Braunick wouldn't find me."

Fáolar walked towards the wall of the dimly lit throne room, and suddenly, the lights turned on and revealed pictures depicted on the walls of the throne room, each different from the last.

"These pictures tell the events of The Fall. I try not to show most people, just in case they are one of Braunick's spies they can't go back and report to him that I have the retellings of the events. Braunick banned anyone in Renya from ever talking about The Fall, and will behead you if he catches you doing so. Tell no one I told you this."

Agent 34 and Ismara nodded in agreement although Ismara already knew the story.

"It all started when Braunick was born. He was born as a slave to the Old King, but honestly, his slaves were treated better than peasants. Anyways, Braunick hated the Old King for this," Fáolar motioned to a picture that showed a piece of paper with a crown on it, and several knives had been thrown into the paper, causing the paper to get torn and wrinkled.

"Braunick went mad due to his hatred for the Old King. He made a secret organization of slaves who were all skilled in swordsmanship. They were all dedicated to overthrowing their master," Fáolar motioned to the next picture, which was Braunick and a few other men with swords. "They stormed his throne room, and the Old King fled. Together, Braunick and his fellow slaves ended up slaying all of the Old King's men. And, by that time, most of Braunick's men were dead. Only a few remained,"

Fáolar showed them the next picture, which was a bloody Braunick with his sword in hand, surrounded by dozens of dead soldiers and a few other men standing behind him, covered in blood.

"This is where I come into play. I was the Old King's general, and I was the last of the Old King's men alive. I worked like a ninja, and slayed most of Braunick's men. The others got away and fled. Then it was up to me and Braunick to battle," Fáolar motioned to the next picture, which showed a young Fáolar and Braunick only a few paces apart, and both were ready to strike the other.

"I battled Braunick, and held him off long enough for the Old King to flee. Braunick took over the castle after that and imprisoned me as a slave. He gained dominance over Renya, and the Old King went into hiding. He still had the crown, which gave him extra abilities due to the gems that were on it. Eventually, the Old King returned to his former castle to regain dominance over Renya once and for all."

The next picture showed the Old King standing outside Braunick's castle with the same green sword that Agent 34 had now.

"He stormed the castle, killing everyone in sight. He slayed all the soldiers and slaves, but luckily let me escape. Instead of escaping, I watched Braunick and the Old King battle from a distance. The Old King found Braunick in his throne room, and the Old King charged him."

The next picture depicted the Old King running towards Braunick with his sword extended in front of him.

"The Old King defeated Braunick, but Braunick worked dirty. He quickly cast a spell that rendered the Old King's body useless, and then beheaded him." Fáolar pointed to the next picture on the wall, which was of Braunick beheading a defenseless Old King. "It left Braunick weak with his energy sapped from him. That's when I made my move."

"I quickly mustered all my strength, and ran to the crown. If Braunick ever got that crown, he would rule Renya for eternity. Luckily, I reached the crown before him, and grabbed it and ran. He sent all the men he had left after me, and I ran to the Desert of Beasts as fast as I could." Fáolar explained. The next picture showed a young Fáolar running from an entire army with a crown in hand.

"As I ran, when the army was resting, I buried the crown somewhere in the sand. I do not know the exact location, all I know is that someone found it. But, instead of taking its energy, they scattered the gems all around the Desert of Beasts. Where? I do not know. Now he entire nation is torn apart trying to find them, even Braunick."

The last picture showed Braunick sitting upon a throne with soldiers surrounding him. "Braunick has ruled Renya ever since. I took hiding here and changed my name to Fáolar and became Sir of Ilrenia. No one knows this story." Fáolar finished his tale and looked down in silence.

"Fáolar, you're a hero!" Agent 34 exclaimed, and Fáolar quickly shushed him. "Do not say that out loud! I wouldn't have told you if I knew you would've yelled to the entire castle!"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to. Why don't you go work for the Zena?" Agent 34 suggested. "And why do you call him The Old King? Can't you call him by his name?"

"Because if Braunick ever finds out, he would send an army there right now just to capture me. He's an insane man. I will help if I am ever needed, but I doubt I will be. And, Braunick set out a spell that will alert him if anyone says the Old King's name. So I prefer to call him Old King." Fáolar started to walk to his bedroom, meaning Agent 34 and Ismara should probably do the same.

Agent 34 whispered to Ismara as they walked to her bedroom. "Your father could be a huge help to the Zena."

"He is helping the Zena," she whispered back as they entered her room. "He is giving them me to use."

"True, but the Zena could still use him. I mean Fáolar himself. In the flesh," Agent 34 said as she closed the door. "It's late, and I'm going to go to bed." Agent 34 said, and as he started to open the door again to exit, he felt a pair of cold arms wrap around him.

"Goodnight," Ismara warmly said as she stopped hugging him.

"Goodnight," Agent 34 said to her, and he exited her room and shut the door behind him.

He had made up his mind.

Agent 34 chose Ismara over Arenia.

A forever friendship was better than a temporary love.

He chose Ismara.