Hardlanding: Kingdom of Secrets

·20·

The lords and ladies roared their approval as Dawn was marched out at swordpoint, his arms and legs bound tightly by chains. Nightinggale and the others watched in horror as he was forced to kneel, Bryan grabbing a handful of the male's hair and forcibly fitting him into the execution device. 

"This, however, would not be a proper execution without one of our beloved generals serving their king."

All eyes turned to the small group. Nightinggale was impassive as usual, her arms crossed as she stared at the scene with an indescribable gleam in her eyes. UNi stood to her left, his now red eyes narrowed as glared at the sharp blade. Ashlie stood on the otherside of Nightinggale, the tip of her tail twitching in anticipation. Nick and Tommy stood behind the two girls, Tommy grinning wide as Nick looked on with a smirk. Cory and Kat stood next to Tommy, both with unreadable expressions. Don, although his face was blank, was furiously working to connect a telepathy spell to all of their allies. 

'Can you guys hear me?' He called out.

It took a second before he got an answer. 'Don? Thank god! They got-'

'Dawn. I know. Listen Red. You guys need to move in now.'

'He's right.' 

Don did not turn, but he couldn't help but glance at Nightinggale. 

'You guys go ahead. I'll volunteer and I need the rest of you to protest. Knowing Ddawn, he'll most likely choose me.' She continued. 'When I give the signal, you guys have to take down Bryan first, then go for Ddawn.'

"Which one of you would like the honor?" Ddawn asked.

Nightinggale uncrossed her arms. "It would be an honor, your highness, if I could be the one to end this traitor."

Almost immediately the others began arguing, all fighting for that chance. Nightinggale's voice rose above the others. 

"All of you, shut up!"

There was an awkward silence as Nightinggale turned to Ddawn. "I apologize for that."

Ddawn smirked. "No, it's alright. You've shown I can depend on you to lead the others. However, I would like that one to do it."

He pointed to UNi, who's amber eyes widened in surprise before he nodded. Nightinggale scowled but nodded, taking care not to look at Don or UNi.

'UNi go, we got this.'

UNi stepped forward pausing to bow at Ddawn before approaching the guillotine. Bryan stepped away from the lever with a disappointed huff, making room for UNi.

'Guys, I don't-'

'UNi, trust us. Pull it, you won't kill him'

Nightinggale's reassuring message gave him the courage to grab the wooden lever, and a small sigh escaped Dawn's lips as he looked down. 

'Now, pull it now!'

UNi yanked the lever down and the blade fell, the onlookers cheering with frenzy as it rushed closer. A loud cracking filled the air and the blade shattered, cheers changing to screams of terror. Lightning flashed across the once clear sky, followed by thunder so loud anyone with sensitive ears crouched to the gound, their hands covering their ears as they screamed with pain. 

Don grabbed Nightinggale and dragged her to her feet. Her hands were pressed tightly against her ears, and he looked around to see Solistic and Ashlie in the same state. 

'Do it, UNi, burn Dawn's chains!'

Nightinggale's connection was shaky and pain filled, but her message still reached the Sin. He grabbed the chain and it turned red hot before shattering. Dawn shoved himself away from the broken guillotine, lightning flaring across his skin before shooting outward, blinding everyone.