Unlikely Alliances (The Pack)

Eight - Poems of Death and Suffering... (Or Victory)

'King Latsky?'

'Oh.'

'Father?!'

The King stood tall before the group, nodding in acknowledgement to his son's startled screech as he stepped forwards. 'Hello, boys. I'm sure you're wondering why you're here, and I can promise you that it's for a good reason-'

'Let me guess,' Lachlan snorted, 'You found out which of us are prodigies, which are keepers, which are purebloods and who's the hybrid, and you want us all to line up and place our heads on the chopping block.'

'I can still do that, dragon, so stand down.' The King ordered, two of his guards lowering their spears towards the blond who scoffed and crossed his arms.

'Oh no, what're you gonna do - Stab me? Not like you haven't stabbed a Power before.'

Rob moved the stand between the two, raising a hand towards his friend while staring at his father uncertainly. 'This isn't the time for violence, guys. We're just here to find out what's happening.'

'Yeah, yeah, right.'

'I'd watch my tongue if I were you, Astralan. I could just imprison you again, and have you hanged for treason.' Sebastian Latsky warned as the young prodigy hissed quietly. 'As I was saying, before I was so rudely interrupted, you three are here because of a prophecy. You're not the only ones, clearly, and even then it's just a chance. You three were the group to fit the descriptions the most.'

Preston (who'd stayed silent this whole time) finally spoke up, half addressing his friends and half addressing the ruler of their current location. 'But why us? And another thing, your highness, how did you know where to find us?'

'Simple.I'd been tracking you since you were able to break out of the chambers, which you must tell me how you did it. Those are the most high-security cellblocks in the Sanguis.'

'You've been what?'

'Following you, getting my assassins to track you, having a sorcerer cast a spell on a mirror so that I could watch you. You can't honestly have thought that I would let you go unnoticed.'

'Father, that's rather... Bizarre. Also creepy.'

'The heir to the throne went missing, and you expected me to do nothing? Anyway, we have a greater trouble at hand. If you would kindly follow me, I'll lead you to the Seeing Saucer.'

So they followed Robert's father through the castle, four guards watching their every move. The prince took the lead a few feet back from the King, while Preston and Lachlan walked side-by-side at the rear of the party.

'This is so, so stupid...' The Astralan muttered to himself, hugging himself tightly while staring at the ground. Noting the behaviour, Preston nudged the taller male (fabric on fabric, otherwise he'd probably burn the guy) to get his attention.

'Hey, uh, are you okay?'

'Probably not. I shouldn't even be here - It's dangerous. It's dangerous for everyone here.'

'I dunno, it seems pretty well protected-'

'That;s not what I mean! It just- This place isn't meant for people like me.'

Before he could ask why, the King led the trio into a library-like area. In the centre of the room was; Damn, was that an enchantment table? These royals and their excessive amounts of money, honestly.

'If the prophecy does,indeed, include any of you,there's also three others that have been confirmed to fulfill it. They sort of had no choice, but it's for the good of the kingdom.' There were three figures positioned around the table, two leaning against a wall and chatting rapidly while the third sat further away, seeming awfully quiet while playing with the bandana over their eyes.

No way.
'Yo Vik, is that you?' The figure perked up at the sound of his name, looking around as the Astralan gave a lopsided grin. 'Hey, mate.'
'Uh, Lachlan, right?'
The blond walked over and tapped the boy's shoulder, who in turn gave a slight squeal in alarm before de-tensing. 'Bro, don't sneak up on me like that!'
'Heh, sorry. How're you?'
'I mean, I'm only here because I got kidnapped by then royal guard, as you do. Those guys have no sense of mercy.'
'Did they hurt you?' The shorter keeper just shrugged in response, standing up and tightening the bandana around his eyes.
'That's not important.'

But it is... Woah there brain, calm the heck down. Remember what happened last time you got attached to someone.

'Alright boys, now that you're gathered here I can tell you why. Recently, our Seer received a prophecy involving a group of six - And along with the prophecy, the Seer saw images that looked rather similar to your current persons.' King Sebastian started to explain, gesturing to the cloaked figure who'd appeared in the centre of the room mere seconds ago.

'Tell then what you saw.'
'Certainly, your highness. In the prophecy, I could see six figures; one of which with a crown, presumably Prince Robert,' The person in question straightened their stance, almost proud of his role.
'The next had the eyes of a dragon, and was surrounded by powerful bolts of lightning,' Lachlan could only smirk: Obviously me, then.
'The third was a creature of fire, and could withstand the highest temperatures known to man.' Preston grinned sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck while the Seer continued.
'There was a pair of fighters, one of ice and one of earth. One would weild a bow, and one an axe,' The two that had leant against the wall - A bacca hybrid, and who looked like a pureblood - glanced at each other and nodded.
'And finally, a figure of stone. The prophecy suggested that they would fall to their ability.' Vik tensed by Lachlan's side, and the blond resisted the urge to wrap an arm around him as the Seer paused.
'The prophecy stated that two would be taken by the dragon's claw, and that another pair would go missing. The final two would have to find a special item so that their others could be found.'

'Sounds fun, but I'm not into the whole "dying for a tyrant" thing.' Lachlan glowered at the king, who simply glared back before returning his attention to the group. He started going in about patriotism, and how the boys should he proud to undergo then followings of such a prophecy for the safety of the Kingdom.
His own kid is included in this, and he's just gonna let it happen?

'While training to fulfill the prophecy, you'll stay here at the castle-'
'Woah woah woah, I'm not staying here. You'll end up killing me in my sleep or something.'
'Lachlan, I'm fully aware of our differences-'
'That doesn't even scratch the surface of it! Why should I trust you, you killed the only person who ever cared!'

A deathly silence overtook the chambers, save for the prodigy's ragged breaths. Wild, almost frightened eyes were wide as he moved to hug himself. 'I-I'm sorry, I'm sorry.'
'Lachlan, c'mon, we should go and get some air.' The prince suggested quietly, guiding his (now shaking) friend towards the door and glancing back at the other four boys.
'Uh, Seto, can you show them where their rooms will be?'

'Certainly, young prince. Come along boys.'

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W e l l t h e n.

Theories about Lachlan's outburst?

QOTC - What did you listen to writing the most recent chapter?

AOTC - 1-800-273-8255 for the whole chapter, my dude.