Never Let Go [Hiatus]

Part II, Chapter 12- Regrettable Decisions

'WHAT'S THE MEANING OF THIS?!' the King of Cloud stormed into the conference, his eyes looking as if they could kill. 'I sent for help but no reinforcements came and look what happened to my kingdom!' he slammed the table with both hands.

'Our deepest apologies, but all of us are barely managing on our own sides.' the King of Rain offered, bowing his head in sincerity.

'YOUR DEEPEST APOLOGIES? THAT'S ALL YOU CAN SAY?! SURE, IT'S EASY TO JUST APOLOGIZE WHEN IT'S NOT YOUR KINGDOM THAT GOT INVADED!'

'Yuza, please calm do-'

'WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ALLIANCE FOR!'

'Yuza, we understand what you are going through but we promise we'll he-' the King of Light stopped short as the King Of Cloud stormed out of the conference for a breather.

'Say... I think it's time we give the Kingdom Of Ash what they want. They have shown us what they are capable of. They took Cloud in three days and Ice in five.' the King of Snow suggested. 'They're making an example out of them.' The remaining kings nodded their heads in defeat. Their people were tired of the war and they were fearful of losing their kingdoms.

'I agree. It is an extremely difficult thing to give, but for the sake of restoring peace and saving the people, I think that that it is only wise for us to pretend to fall for the bait.' the King of Rain added.

The other kings looked up abruptly. Pretend to?

'Our submission to them would only be temporary. Once we've gained their trust, we will take back what they took from us, and make them pay double for what they did.'

'How are we going to do that?'

'We'll know when the time comes. For now, it is best to feign an alliance with them. It would definitely buy us time to restore our lands, AND,' he paused. 'Time to know our enemy better.'

Hushed murmurs filled the room as the kings pondered and consulted their advisors.

'I agree.'

'I agree.'

'No objections.'

One by one, the kings expressed their willingness to adhere to the plan.

'I DO NOT!' King Daichii startled the rest with his outburst.

'Surely you must, Daichii. Please rethink it carefully. What the King Of Rain said made sense...'

'No! I will never hand my daughter over to such monsters!'

'It will only be temporary. We will get her back, together with our lands and power!' the King of Snow assured.

'Daichii.. we have all made sacrifices on our part and you should do the same for us too. Rain's plan would not work without the trust that only YOUR kingdom can foster! Please, reconsider.'

'No! It's easy to give and take back land and power. But what a woman gives a man can never be taken back! SHE IS NOT A COMMODITY!' It was King Daichii's turn to rage, causing the other knights to grow edgy and uneasy as they stood by their king.

'Daichii!!' the kings were at a loss of words.

'This meeting is over!' King Daichii bellowed, trampling out of the room in anger.

The rest of the kings looked at each other in distress.

Good job. The Kingdom Of Ash had broken down their Force so easily, choosing to touch on the most sensitive of issues of each kingdom. First Cloud and then now Light. Next, who?

The King Of Silver cleared his throat. 'What has to be done, has to be done.' The kings continued their discussion, albeit with uncertainty and loss now that their leader had left. As the sun set behind the mountains, her orange glow diminishing by the minute, the kings emerged from the conference, their solemn faces filled with regret at the decision they were forced to make.

In the Kingdom Of Ash...

King Alia sat upon his throne, sipping exquisite red wine as he relished in glory. His Queen fed him chocolate coated strawberries as she settled herself on his lap.

'Mmm...' he licked her finger, eliciting a soft laugh from her. The Queen knew that he was in good mood, for he never teased her otherwise. King Alia lifted her chin gently and gave her a soft kiss.

'I wonder how long they'll last. If they don't act quickly, they are going to watch their members fall one by one. It's not like I didn't give them a choice.' The Queen tilted her head in curiosity. So this was the reason behind his good spirits. King Alia noticed the blank expression on his wife's face.

'Oh-ho. Curious? But there's no need for woman like you to involve yourself in political affairs. You should just focus on being my Queen and nothing else.' he wrapped his arms around her. His new Queen. So young and beautiful. He didn't want her to end up like his former Queen- the one who started to know too much he had to get rid of her. He wanted his ignorant wife to stay that way. To just stay his prize doll.

A messenger arrived, bearing news from the Allied Force. King Alia received the scroll and scanned its contents.

Two weeks?

The Allied Force had requested for time to persuade their unwilling members into this cause, pleading for the King's understanding.

Very well. I'll wait. Afterall, the fun is not in the catch but the pursuit. It would be boring if they yield to my demands immediately.

King Alia smiled sadistically.

'Withdraw the troops.'