The red flare hung in the sky like a drop of fresh blood against the twilight. Outside the solar, the distant sounds of shouting and the rhythmic clashing of steel began to rise. The Lannisters were not waiting for a trial. They were launching a decapitation strike.
[Status Alert: Siege of the Red Keep. Initiated.]
[Health: 12 percent. Fever setting in.]
[Warning: The System cannot guarantee a stable Reload in this state.]
Robert, get back, Ned Stark shouted while drawing his longsword. Jory, to the door.
Jory Cassel and three Stark guards slammed their shoulders against the heavy oak doors, but they were a second too late. The wood groaned as a massive force struck it from the other side. A moment later, the center of the door exploded inward.
Jaime Lannister stepped through the wreckage. He was not wearing his white cloak of the Kingsguard. He wore the crimson and gold of his House. His blonde hair was tousled and his eyes were burning with a manic and protective rage. Behind him stood a dozen Lannister men at arms. Their blades were already wet with the blood of the men in the hallway.
Release my sister, Jaime said. His voice was terrifyingly calm. This was a sharp contrast to the carnage behind him. Now, or I will turn this room into a slaughterhouse.
Robert was fueled by a mixture of wine and adrenaline. He reached for his heavy warhammer leaning against the hearth. You have come to join the treason, Kingslayer? I should have taken your head the day I found you over Aerys.
Robert, do not, Ned warned. He is the finest blade in the city. Let the guards handle him.
The guards? Jaime laughed while stepping over a piece of the shattered door. The Gold Cloaks have already declared for the Queen. Janos Slynt is currently hanging your loyal Northmen from the battlements, Stark.
Link looked at the System map in his mind. The blue dots representing Stark or King loyalists were being winked out by a sea of red dots. This was not a fight they could win with steel.
[Mental Fatigue: 98 percent. DANGER.]
[Calculated Success Rate of Direct Combat: 0.04 percent.]
Link ignored the pain in his ribs and stood up. He did not draw his sword. Instead, he grabbed a heavy iron candle holder and stepped toward Cersei. She was still on the floor. He pulled her up. His arm locked around her throat. He pressed the jagged edge of his blackened short sword against her jugular.
One more step, Ser Jaime, Link rasped. His voice was cracking from the internal bleeding. One more step and the Queen dies before she can see you win.
Jaime stopped dead. The arrogance vanished from his face. It was replaced by a raw and primal fear. He did not care about the King or the throne. He only cared about the woman in the grip of the guard.
Let her go, boy, Jaime hissed. His sword hand was trembling slightly. You will not make it to the door.
I do not need to make it to the door, Link replied. He looked at Ned. My Lord, the secret passage. It is behind the hearth. Take the King. Go to the city. If Robert lives, the Lannisters are still rebels. If he dies here, they are the law.
I will not hide in a hole like a rat, Robert roared.
You are not hiding, Robert, Ned shouted while grabbing the arm of the King. You are regrouping. Stannis is at Dragonstone. Renly is in the Reach. If we fall here, the kingdom falls with us.
[Quest Updated: The Escape of the Stag.]
[Objective: Hold the Kingslayer while the Hand and the King escape.]
Cersei struggled in the grip of Link. Her nails were digging into his arms. Jaime, kill him. Kill them all.
Shut up, Link growled. He pressed the blade harder until a thin line of red appeared on her neck. Jaime, drop the sword. Or we both go to the Seven together.
The solar became a pressure cooker of tension. Jaime looked at Cersei. Then he looked at the King who was being shoved toward the hidden door by Ned and Jory. He was the greatest warrior of his age, but he was a slave to his heart.
[Status: Extreme Pressure. Time Dilation Triggered.]
The vision of Link slowed down. He saw the muscles of Jaime tensing. The Kingslayer was going to gamble. He was going to lunge. Link had milliseconds to react.
The wine, Jaime, Link shouted. This broke the focus of the Kingslayer. The alchemist told us everything. Is she worth the destruction of your entire House? Because once the bells ring for the death of Robert, Tywin is a dead man walking.
Jaime hesitated. In that half second of doubt, Ned and Robert vanished into the darkness of the secret tunnel. The stone slab slid shut with a heavy thud.
Link was alone in a room with a furious Kingslayer, twelve guards, and a Queen who wanted his eyes on a platter.
[Status: Mission Accomplished. The King has Escaped.]
[Status: You are trapped.]
...
Author Note
Hi guys! Thank you for reading my fanfiction. I'll be realising 4 Chapters a day.
Also I'll be still releasing bonus chapters for Power Stones. Here are the goals:
50 Power Stones: 1 Bonus Chapters
75 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
100 Power Stones: 2 Bonus Chapters
Thanks for the support!