A sharp guttural screech tore through the hall, and all covered their ears as it was so loud it threatened to rip their eardrums. Blood trickled down the ears of those who were late to cover them.
The knights turned their heads to look at the front, the source of the noise. Their captain, a man with a giant figure of 2.5 meters, a scar running through his red-skinned face, and white hair, stood at the helm.
Joseph's face darkened at the scene before him, his thoughts jumbled up. Looking around, his knights' faces had paled, and confusion was written on their faces about the entire situation.
He, too, was a victim; he was confused by the whole ordeal.
How did the traitor show up? When did a demon come?
'Now is not the time.'
Such thoughts were forming in his mind. But snapping out of it, he looked at the source of the scream.
His prince, once a benevolent and kind child, one day came from an expedition. His entire character had changed, as if he had been replaced or possessed by a ghost.
No longer was he the kind prince; his smile was gone, and he became indifferent and cold to everything. Yet, he was but a mere sword of his master; he didn't say anything.
He never questioned any command issued. He did everything like an exemplary knight. But…
'…I might have made a mistake.'
He wasn't a naïve person. Joseph climbed to his rank by his cunning, which is why he understood what had happened.
After the prince's change in demeanor, a lot of unfortunate events happened. With the death of their queen, the kings became frail and disinterested in everything, and the princess became a traitor.
All dots started to come together, coloring a painting in his mind.
This…
Looking at the prince who was transforming. His bones were morphing and breaking, readjusting themselves into a new position. His skin was turning darker and darker, wings protruding from his back.
It was a horrific scene that would churn people's stomachs.
Being closest to the source, Samantha swiftly acted. Wrapping her tentacles around Julie, she threw herself to a distance with the little strength that was left of her.
She gulped for air, and her head felt light. She watched as her brother—no… she thought he might be his brother. Even though he changed after that time, she never thought anything of it.
How could she? She was just a child back then, ignorant of her surroundings. Lost in her own world until everything came crashing down.
Regaining some of her bearing, she looked at the morphing figure of her once brother, and the emotions that she had hidden came out like a broken dam.
'Liar.'
Yes…
That's right.
He was a liar through and through. He lied to her about when he would come back from the expedition.
He lied.
He never came.
Instead…
He took everything.
She lifted her head and looked at the hideous monster. Black scales covered him from head to toe. Wings protruding from his back, his arms changing into scythes. Black slimy matter was coming out of his eyes as they turned white.
***
What the hell?
'Wha… what?'
Liam was in full panic mode as he watched Samantha's brother turn into what looked to be a hybrid of mutant and dragon.
A mutant mutant.
What am I seeing?
It doesn't make sense.
I just wanted to tell him that story because I wanted to help them resolve their family issue, not escalate it.
Looking around, his gaze settled on Samantha, who had a sad look on her face. While looking at her brother, Julie was still asleep, as if nothing could wake her up.
That…
'…I don't know what to say.
Shifting his gaze, Liam's expression turned grim as he watched the hybrid coming towards him at incredible speed.
'I need to stop him—'
Bang!
Sparks flew as Liam's tachi and the scythe clashed with each other. From there on, a series of clashes were exchanged between the two, their exchange so fast that it was hard to keep up with them.
Even Joseph, who prided himself on his agility when fighting, was struggling to keep up with their clash. Those who were not at his level were only able to see the two blurred figures and the sparks that flew with each clash.
Boom!
Bang!
They moved across the large hall, clashing with each other. Each time their weapons met, it didn't just throw sparks around.
No, far from that.
Every time their weapons met, a section of the hall would get destroyed, and the ground beneath would tremble, and a powerful gust of wind would falter their footing.
In the view of the onlooker, their prowess seemed evenly matched, but what they didn't know was that Liam was holding himself quite a lot. Barely exerting any force.
Scared that he might accidentally kill Samantha's brother. It wasn't quite taxing for him to play with him.
But sweeping his gaze around the hall…
'…it is worse than I thought.'
The hall was devastated by their exchange; wherever they moved, ruin would befall that space.
He knew that if it continued, it wouldn't be long before they came crashing down.
That is why…
'I am sorry, Samantha, but I need to do this.'
He looked at Samantha for a brief moment, and their eyes met. Misunderstanding his thoughts, Samantha bit her lips, blood slowly trickling down.
He wants me to…
Looking at them, then lowering her gaze, she put her hands. Her gaze shifted from her hands to her father, who still sat on his throne. His eyes were hollow, and he still looked disinterested.
Even though the hall lay in ruins, blood sloped down his ears as an aftermath of the scream. He remained calm, his emotions locked somewhere deep.
Yet…
He looked so frail as wrinkles layered his face and hands.
Hoff~
Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to calm her raging emotions and opened them with a new resolve.
She knew she had to.
Even before this, she had to kill her brother.
She knew…
Yet looking at her hands, they were trembling. Why? Why would they tremble? Her brother was… no more.
Looking at the hybrid. All she saw was a hideous monster that tried to act like her brother.
"…I, I need to do it."
She spoke those words, but her voice was hoarse as she said them.
Standing up, she mustered up all her strength to stand properly. The two were still fighting, but she knew it would end quickly.
Bang!
And as if her thoughts were being listened to. A figure crashed near her, dust rising from the place. She covered her eyes with her arms.
As the dust settled, she saw her brother.
His one arm is missing, blood gushing out. The black scales covering his body were covered in dust and blood, and there was a gaping hole in his wings.
He looked pathetic.
Standing in front of him was a small figure, much smaller compared to his opponent. Yet not a single cut was present. His clothes were just a bit dirty from all the fighting.
She started moving towards them.
Each step felt heavy as if she was being crushed under a load. Her heart was beating against her chest.
Liam watched as Samantha neared them. But he didn't say a word.
He knew it wasn't his place.
It was a family matter.
He watched as tears welled up in Samantha's eyes, glistening like a gem. They trickled down her cheeks. Hitting the ground beneath.
But what he didn't expect was what happened next.
Tears came down her face without her knowledge, and as she neared him, he lifted his head, looking at her with his white eyes.
He understood what was going to happen.
That's why he didn't say anything.
He just accepted it.
And…
Splash!
A tentacle tore through his scales and heart as blood splattered all over Samantha. His vision darkened, and what he heard at last was a hoarse voice telling his name and a farewell.
"Goodbye… Gerald."