Blood for the Blood Gods: A Skepnoblade Fanfic (ON HIATUS)

Chapter Fifteen

With nothing better to do, Dave heaved himself up and joined the crowd.

Apparently the 'refreshments' were towers of cake iced with baby-blue sugar paste. Red flowers dotted the sides, and the top was dominated by a large circular piece of chocolate. He heard an audible groan from somewhere, and turned to face Zak, who was hiding his face in his hands.

"God, I told them not to go too extravagant. Why was I born the 'prince of beauty and riches'?" He grumbled.

"Hey," Dave said, tapping Zak's shoulder. He gave a sympathetic smile. "It's okay. No one seems to mind." He gestured around, and many had already taken a piece and were mingling around with the other kings and queens.

Zak shrugged lightly, taking a piece for himself and pouring a red liquid into a glass.

"Fruit juice?" Zak offered, holding out the drink.

"What am I, 9?" Dave scoffed, but took the juice anyway and sipped on the bittersweet liquid.

Zak looked around, selecting another glass and pouring a fizzy clear drink inside of it. "That was easier than I thought," he noted. "I expected more people to decline."

"Same here," Dave replied. "Astelic's argument seemed to really help us out."

"Probably because everyone here wanted to get in her pants," Zak joked, coughing as he swallowed his drink wrong.

"You're not wrong," Dave said. But you're not right either.

Nodding, Zak took a plate with his cake on it, chewing the spongy chocolate bread thoughtfully. "Can't believe we've actually done it. We'll have to start building new stuff, like bridges, a whole new castle, it'll be great!" Zak threw his arms around him, ecstatic.

Chuckling, Dave returned the hug, setting down his own cake. "I'm happy too." He stood back, cupping Zak's cheek for a second. Letting go, embarrassed, he stuffed a piece of cake in his mouth to avoid talking.

The diamond boy frowned at his own cake, a mischievous smile playing on his face. He cut off a piece with his fork, flicking it onto Dave's cloak.

"Hey!" The pig exclaimed, tossing another piece towards Zak and making it stick in his hair.

"Hey!" Zak parroted, growling. He couldn't keep his anger, though, and they both collapsed into laughter.

"God," Dave wheezed between his chuckles. "God, I love you."

"What?" Zak said, his face straight. Fear blazed in his eyes.

"What?" Dave asked shakily. "Oh, god, I didn't mean that, I-"

A crash sounded from behind them, and someone screamed. He heard glass shatter, and three people burst through the windows and tackled the royalties.

Zak gasped, backing into Dave. Growling, the pig leapt away, grabbing Zak's hand and escaping the dining hall.

"Where's your barracks or weapons place?" Dave asked hurriedly.

"Down the hall, go right and down the stairs. First room," Zak panted as he was dragged away from the attack.

They burst into the barracks, finding it empty. Dave grabbed a sword, beckoning Zak to choose his own. "Have you trained with any weapon?" He asked, tapping his foot. He would never hear the end of it if one of the monarchs died here.

Zak grabbed a wooden axe, gripping the hilt. "Yeah. Come on!"

They raced back out, just in time to find one masked man towering over Squid. They wore a hand wrapped around their forehead, obscuring their eyes. They slashed at his arm with their sword, tearing away the expensive fabric but not breaking skin.

Hefting his sword, Dave hurtled at the man, jabbing at his side. Hissing, the male retreated, and he turned to find Zak helping up Kid, who was spitting curses.

"That bastard had a fucking Sword of Shadows!" He exclaimed, rubbing his arm. "A Finisver, no doubt. Do you think it could've been that kid you talked about?"

Dave frowned. "Maybe...I don't know-"

Zak shot up, stabbing behind Dave. He heard a curse. "Thanks."

Shrugging, Zak beckoned Squid up, pointing around him. "Go get help. We'll fight em off. There's not too many."

Giving a final curious look, Kid sprinted away to alert the guards.

"Ready?" Zak asked, grinning.

He hefted his sword. "Yep."

They split up, helping the other royalty and forcing the attackers away.

The two friends had finally stopped the invaders, and they met back up as the monarchs huddled together and spoke.

Zak motioned to a long slice in his arm. "You alright?"

Nodding, Dave replied, "Yeah. It was just a regular sword. How about you?"

"No one touched me. Does that mean I'm better at you than fighting?" Zak stuck out his tongue jokingly.

He rolled his eyes, socking the boy in the arm. "Alright, alright. I just worry, okay?"

Zak nodded. "I know."

Dave brushed away a hair obscuring Zak's face, mesmerized. They stood closer, faces inches apart.

Zak was yanked backwards suddenly, and he let out a scream. The pig stumbled backwards, grabbing his sword. But it was too late. The men were back. They put a cloth to Zak's mouth, and the diamond king slumped down.

And Dave could only watch, helpless, as his one true love was taken away, as fast as the attackers had appeared.