The King's Remorse

Here, Ice, Ice, Ice

My heart sinks through my toes, and I immediately start criticizing myself. Bryant asked you to do that. You can't be questioning him. That's what he wants, so that's what you're going to do. Bryant's desires come before your own, so you have to do it, even if you don't want to. Questioning the King of Ragdon, a title Bryant only has because he's the chosen King, is something punishable by death. You have to capture Ice and kill Wolf because that's what he wants.

"Consider it done," I say before ducking my head slightly and making my way back out through the double doors. Bryant's purple eyes follow me

I'm walking through the hallways of Bryant's palace when a thought crosses my mind: I've no idea how I'm going to capture Ice, much less make everyone forget about him. When the disease presses forward in my mind, I internally groan, knowing what is to come and questioning how I hadn't realized this when Bryant told me what was going to happen.

The light shining through the windows of the hallway reflects off a mirror, 1 of Bryant's favorite decorations, to my left. When I turn, I see my reflection. The horns and veins have appeared once more, due to the disease still holding onto my mind. It's me I'm seeing, but it's as if I don't recognize the person in the mirror at all. I shake my head before continuing on to track down Ice.

xxxx

The White Tent Sea isn't far from Bryant's castle, though it certainly isn't close. Dust swirls around my ankles despite the fact that the disease has retreated to the back of my mind and the snake is lazily sleeping. "Dust Devil!" People bow their heads in recognition, and I force myself to keep an even expression.

"Oh, there you are! We've been searching for you for forever! Please, Dust Devil, you really must be getting to work with the sectioned off portions of the White Tent Sea! People are waiting to see your performance!" A Guard races up to me, chest heaving in rapid breaths.

"Wh-what?"

"You know, the performance with your newly found powers? I-I'm sorry for asking too many questions, but were you not aware of your scheduled performances?"

"Sorry, it's been a bit of a long day so far. I'll be there in just a few moments."

"Of course, Dust Devil. I look forward to witnessing your performance. It's an honor to be able to experience it."

Dang it. I forgot to ask the Guard where I'm supposed to do this... performance. I can only imagine what it is I'll be doing.

"Who's ready to see the Dust Devil?" Cheers erupt from beneath the Earth Tree. Guess that's where it is. I jog over there before any other Guard come and tell me in the nicest way possible to hurry up.

"Dust Devil! Hi! Please, put this on. Quickly! People are waiting to witness your performance!" A cloak is thrust into my hands, and I shakily slip it on. The disease looms in the forefront of my mind, seeming an awful lot like a predator lying in wait. As soon as I've fastened the clasp on the cloak, I'm ushered toward the steps and told to join the Soldier up on the stage. I'm forced to the back of my mind, and I become the Dust Devil, horns, veins, and all.

"Come here, Luke. Test run." I frown internally at the Soldier's use of my name, not the one Bryant gave me. Bryant decided on Dust Devil. Luke's no longer my name. I don't know whose it is.

"Work your magic, Dust Devil," the Soldier says.

"Ok," I find myself saying. My hands reach out from beneath my cloak. Energy thrums from the ground, and I can almost feel it vibrating, just waiting for me, or rather the disease, to call upon it. When my fingers curl into my palms, the dust and sand covering the ground begins to rise into the air.