The Scarlet Hawk and The Black Knights (Mina)✔️

6: The Hunt

Previously...

As Balmong was just about to move a step closer to his father, one guard managed to survive, and he struggled to stand up, picking up his sword that was on the floor. Balmong sensed his presence and scoffed annoyingly, turning to his back to see the remaining guard.

"Ah, still alive." he chuckled in amusement. "But not for long. I don't have time for useless speeches." Balmong groaned, throwing another dagger to the man, stabbing him on the neck as he fell to the floor lifeless at last. Seconds later, Balmong was now face to face with the king who was his abusive father, eye to eye. "Look at you now, old and helpless, only fit to be a dead man walking in the royal house. Honestly, I am not interested in inheriting this wealth." he looked up, eyeing around the decorative walls.

Balmong then looked at his father with evil eyes, before suddenly stabbing him on his belly with his dagger, causing it to bleed profusely. The king widened his eyes and stumbled back to his seat unpleasantly, looking at the dagger on his belly, the blood flowing down to the floor. He panted painfully and looked at his son in horror.

"T-this house....this wealth....they were never yours to inherit ever since you were born into this world. I...I should have ended you right there the moment I saw you." he managed to form some words as blood started escaping his mouth too. Balmong replied to his father's toxicity with a scoff, and patted on the king's head.

"I told you, I never wanted to inherit them anyway." he tilted his head menacingly. The king was no longer staring at his son. Instead, he was staring at a monster, a monster he himself created with his own cruelty and sins. The monster that would soon end his life.

"B-be done with it and end my wretched life. Besides....I have no more purpose to live in this old rusty world but to age and wither." the king groaned in pain.

"Oh, no, no, I'm not going to end you that fast, father. I am not that generous, after all, aren't I?" Balmong chuckled, moving back as he stood properly while looking at the old man in twisted enjoyment. "I would surely love to let you die slowly, let you feel the pain I bare all over the years. I will let the fire consume you entirely, father, I'm sure you'll like it. It's as warm as mother's hug." Balmong patted in the man's cheek before leaving the room, leaving the house. The servants began running in random directions, panicking endlessly while the king only sat there, thinking about his sins.

From the distance, Balmong stood on the ground while he watched the house burn in pure delight. He then looked at Haegolbul who was beside him, growling. He petted her and rubbed her chin while still looking at the beautiful view of the night.

"Haegolbul, my darling." he called on the dragon. "Please give the royal family some more warmth and burn the house as much as you like." he tapped on her cheek. The dragon purred at him and immediately flapped her wings, flying to the house as she ignited the flames coming out of her mouth, showering the area with her own warmth, literal warmth. Balmong only watched as his memories he had spent there started disintegrating one by one, incinerated by the flames his anger produced.

-

20 years later
625

Somewhere deep in the forest, it was quiet, so quiet that the leaves rustling and the birds flapping their wings could clearly be heard even by one with poor hearing. Branches creaked, the wind whistling, wild rabbits hopping around as if there were no predators to chase them around, foxes in the bushes awaiting their prey which happened to be some small flightless birds. It was just what anyone would expect the setting of a forest to be. The earthy smell and the pleasant green palette would surely relax anyone who happened to pass by, though.