The king, with a profound tenderness that tore at Xerxez's heart, kissed her on the face, a silent promise, a final farewell etched in sorrow. Then, he leaned down and kissed Xerxez's forehead, a lingering touch that felt both like a blessing and a shattering goodbye. The scent of his father's armor, of leather and steel and the faintest hint of pine, filled Xerxez's senses, a memory he knew he would carry forever.
"Listen to me, my queen...I must grab the attention of Moonatorian, so that, you and my son, and my relatives and can escape silently." The king said, hoping all the Moonatorians will not notice them. But, his worries was still lingering. "What if, there are still Ursa warrior beasts there, waiting to ambush them?"
"No, dad!" The boy shrieked; then, with a deep breath, the king moved, forcing out to the grip of his son. The doorway framed him, a silhouette against the harsh dawn, a figure of tragic nobility stepping into legend. As he stepped out, a lone, chilling voice cut through the morning air.
Indeed, he walked in front of the Ursa beasts, frontier soldier, they are circling at him, and then he saw king Hedromus, waiting at him arrogantly. King Hedromus eyes staring at him like a predator acting like a lamb. His bearded belly must be elastic, the king of Thallerion don't think his sword will be able to cut it or either his pistol will burst him down.
"Finally, the king of Thallerion appeared. He is no longer hiding in his own cave!"
The vanguard sneered, his words dripping with contempt, and with those words, the king was gone, swallowed by the ominous promise of battle. Xerxez gripped the knife, its hilt warm from his father's touch, a burning ember of defiance in the face of an uncertain dawn.
Many soldiers had died, even the soldiers murdered in the scorched forest. It had been a second day of continuous Moonatorian attacks, a relentless tide of destruction. How long would Thallerion's bleeding endure?
***
"Your majesty, we have to go now, we have to escape now, while the king will grab all their attention, all Moonatorians are all present in the field."
"Mother...we will leave father alone here?"
"Xerxez, my boy... You don't understand, but...go with him." She then looked at the relative.
"Okay..... but I think, you better go first, bring my son with you....just don't ask. Just keep my son safe."
The man nodded with a hint of heavy understanding of her decision.
"Mother, where are you going to?" The boy was worried, his eyes no glimpse of joy.
"My son, remember, we are always with you, me and your father will always love you... Don't forget that." The queen said, kissing her son on the forehead. "Don't worry, I'll be back soon, me and your father, will both return."
"Mother....?"
His hand feel the cold, loving, hug of her mother. Then, his mother walked in the other doorway.
"Let's go, prince Xerxez." The relative said, grabbing him into the secret door way.
***
The duel between King Hedromus and the father of Xerxez became incredibly matched, an epic clash. The strength of Thallerion's king's sword against the brutal bear claws, his agility against the razor fangs of Hedromus—it was a great showdown, astonishing all who witnessed how the king was capable of gliding through and evading every ferocious attack of the beastly king.
"I can't believe I can do this." The King's body was now already exhausted. "But it is okay...if it all means—For the reputation of Thallerion, for my family, and for me." His mind said. "I will never let you win! I know, If you caught me on your claws, my flesh will tear apart like clay jar once cracked, it wont be fixed. Your fangs like embers, a chili bite will be a ravine'edge, I won't let my fate will be destroyed by your claws and fangs."
"Hah, accept the reality...you are no match with me!" The king of Moonatoria said, chuckled insanely. " But, clearly, what could a normal king like you endure for a long duration of such duel, like this huh?"
The king of Thallerion strength waned with each passing moment, his speed reached its limit, the human body unable to match the beast's unending fury. "Wait ....wait, who is that running?"
The queen ran desperately, a blur of defiance, using her bow to attack the beast as swiftly as she could like a peregrine's flick, a true huntress defending her king. She was no longer wearing a queenly robe, but she proved, she could fight as a woman of Thallerion.
Thunk!!!! Thunk!!!!!
"HAAAAAAAAAHH!!!!!!! We will not allow you to infest our land!!!!!! GET OUT HERE!!!!!" the queen angrily burst forth, her voice echoing with righteous fury, helping her husband to stand, a beacon of unwavering support.
"Hahaha, the Queen of Thallerion...what a surprise!" King Hedromus laughed mockingly, his voice a rumbling growl of amusement, reveling in their desperation.
"Why are you here?" The king's heart pounded harder, a mix of fear and renewed resolve. His eyes can't blink upon her returned. He really thought she would escape along with his relatives, but look at her, she was here, holding his hand, her grip was full of courage, she is holding the strongest bow. He didn't expected her defiant and her assertive support as queen of Thallerion. "I know you're brave, but how about our son, who would care after him?" He was worried.
"Together, we can defeat that king Hedromus!" The queen My body feels like , my strength replenish quickly upon her return." Remember, I am your wife, I am here to help you kill that infested soul!" the queen declared, her eyes blazing with a fierce resolved. "We will protect this land for the better future of our son!"
Meanwhile, the king of Moonatoria, a four legged beast was exhausted, waiting for them to attack. "Stand ye still, like folk with no charge, watching as nithlings?" King Hedromus's brows furrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing his monstrous face as he watched Xerxez's parents conversed amongst themselves, defying his dominance.
"You infested, chubby-bellied beast, you really think Thallerion will be afraid of you, huh? In your dreams!"
The queen taunted the King of Moonatoria, her words sharp arrows designed to pierce his arrogance.
"Infested, am I? Speak on, O Queen of Thallerion—thy markswoman, fares no better than Crane's fluttering thrust...all flash, no wound!"
Hedromus's face reddened, and his nose snorted sarcastically, wounded pride fueling his fury.
"Oh, you really think, a markswoman cannot defeat tanks like you, hah?" The queen tightened her hair, a warrior preparing for battle, and grabbed an arrow from her hip. "You infested creature, a grizzly fat bear, we will not be afraid of you! For we are Thallerion, the people of Orion!"
"People of Orion?" He laughed, his voice catching in scornful mirth, a thunderous, mocking sound.
"Where now is Orion?" The king of Moonatoria stared seriously. " Thallerion lies forsaken—forgotten! 'Tis we, the Moonatorians, who now bear the burden of their kind!" He stepped forth, eyes gleaming like steel, a predator closing in for the kill. "If thou hast any shred of mercy left for thyself, yield! Bend the knee, and swear thy fealty unto me!"
The Moonatorians growled vigorously, a rising chorus of anticipation, tearing at their shields to create a crushing, rhythmic sound. They anticipated the coming showdown, their king, Hedromus, and the two monarchs radiating an outpouring of fighting spirit, a duel of destinies. Their intense pride swelled within Hedromus, his belly jiggling to the rhythmic growls, and clamor of the Moonatorians. And the normal soldiers of Moonatoria, cheered relentlessly, like they were betting on a cockfight, oblivious to the grandeur of the tragedy, unfolding before them.
After a few minutes of duel, the two monarch was exhausted, watching those Moonatorians soldiers shouting mockingly. King's wife, a huntress, his only love, now she's trembling and panting. His memory, fragmenting in a happy dinner, with my wife and my son...what are these all mean...? Is this called, the last recall of life?
Flashback
At the palace, where king Cerceux was at the dinner table with his family. Xerxez thought he would be scolded, but when the eggs he brought as gifts were served, a steaming bowl full of eggs was placed between them. His king and queen parents, who had initially frowned, suddenly brightened.
"Mmmm, these eggs... where did you get them? They're absolutely delicious!" The Queen didn't just fill her plate; she almost emptied the bowl, her eyes wide with pleasure, almost ecstasy. "Especially this blue one! I've never tasted anything like it!" Crack!
"Next time you escape your guards, perhaps, bring more eggs home, my son." The King's tone had a hint of teasing, but the boy just smiled, watching his parents eat their meal.
"My King, don't encourage him!" The Queen's face, however, was transformed by pure joy, her words barely audible due to her mouth full of food. "But Xerxez, my boy... don't try to escape without our permission. It's dangerous out there."
"That only proves my son is brave. He inherited it from me," the King laughed, rubbing his side where the Queen had elbowed him. "But perhaps his gift-bringing and intelligence he inherited from you, my dear Queen."
"Speaking of daring, do you remember your Father's stories, my King?" The Queen said, picking up a red egg the size of a quail's.
"hehee," the boy joyfully listening, he know his grandpa storytelling is very interesting, he can dub a character voice to make it real.
"He always said the forest had eyes watching over the forest when he was young. Different eyes than the birds Xerxez sees now." Crack!
The King nodded, a thoughtful look crossing his face. "Indeed. He swore he once saw the shadow of a terrifying giant Corvus birds, though those haven't been seen for generations. He said their feathers were as black as the deepest abyss." He glanced at Xerxez, who was still smiling at the praise for his eggs. "Even for a young prince, a robin's nest is enough adventure."
"Remember, Xerxez, our world is dangerous, even with the palace walls," the Queen added, a slightly serious look returning to her eyes as she finished her red egg. "There are stories... and not all of them are just stories for children."
The boy realize the reason why he didn't know that grandpa story about that giant bird in the forest. Nevertheless, birds are not actually scary on his side. He said on his mind. "Hehe, If they hide their nest, I will find it."
"Or next time you hunt, bring Matheros with you." The king said, drying his lips using the white handkerchief. The boy just nodded and smiled.
END OF FLASHBACK
I wish, whoever god listening above and seen us, please have mercy to my son, let him survive, let him escape!
Yet, the grizzly bear still stood infront of us. A predatory smile etched on his fur-feathered cheek. And he smelling, snorting on us, like... like a fresh fish served on him.