Two Wards, Zatus And Rook

"Sire, Luton forces have breached the gates, our men are being slaughtered!" A soldier exclaimed while barrelling into the throne room of King Vikis, leader of The Kingdom of Berin. The man stood tall, thick grey hair just at neck length with a silver beard to match. He adjusted himself in the royal blue armor he wore, the pieces all to foreign to him, having not worn this beyond special events for the public.

The elderly man let out a low exhale while tightening the straps on his chest piece, "Then we truly are at the end," He muttered before his blue eyes shifted over and locked on his ward, Zatus. The young man stood at medium height, his long flowing brown hair was kept out of his green eyes with a blue headband, and he stood prepared with his longsword drawn. Vikis had looked after the boy for years, since he was only a small child, training him to be a competent swordsman as well as a man of good conscience."Where is Rook?" Vikis asked while taking a few steps towards Zatus,

The twenty-two-year-old thought for a moment before replying, "I believe...he was looking for a thief inside the palace, I haven't seen him since the invaders reached our walls,"

"Then you need to go and find him immediately," Vikis firmly replied while turning and motioning Zatus to follow him, "Men bar the main doors, do whatever it takes to hold them out from entering this room!" Vikis ordered his men while he walked,

"How am I supposed to find Rook if you are barring the doors?" Zatus asked,

Vikis was silent as he led Zatus behind the throne, the elderly king took a moment to remember things before swiftly going to the wall and pressing in three stones, "Take this path, it will lead out of the throne room and into the main hall, the soldiers will only be interested in coming here so as long as you move fast and quiet you should slip by any Luton soldiers. Now you look for Rook, but if you can't find him or if it's too dangerous, then you head into the kitchens and down into the wine cellar, there will be a crate in the far corner move that and you'll find access to the sewer system of our hold, follow that out of the city and head to Yalen, immediately-"

"What? No, I'm not leaving you Vikis, come with me, help me find Rook, and let's get the hell out of here!" Zatus exclaimed,

"No, I am there King, Zatus, I can't abandon them...even if it means ****." Vikis wholeheartedly replied, "I'll stand with my men and buy you boys time to escape,"

"No..." Zatus softly replied, "No, I'll stay with you, I'll...I'll die by your side!"

"You won't, you have a greater purpose," Vikis replied with a small proud smile,

"What do you mean?" Zatus asked back in confusion,

Just then the pair heard the doors starting to be slammed against. Vikis pursed his lips and shook his head, "There is no time, go, now! That's an order," Zatus starred at King Vikis and quickly pulled him into a hug before rushing into the escape tunnel. Vikis wasted no time and pressed a fourth stone that then sealed the passage behind him.

The elderly king returned to his place with his men and waited, each thud against the door caused the wood to splinter and the hinges to creak. Minutes passed as each man stood ready to face certain ****, "It's been an honor, my lord," A soldier proudly stated,

"The honor was mine to lead such fine men as yourselves," Vikis replied with a smile.

Another few moments passed before the doors finally burst open. A horde of men charged in and clashed with the Berin soldiers. The Luton soldiers easily overmatched the Berin forces and began to pick them off one by one, King Vikis, however, stood firm. His sword slashed ferociously at the incoming forces, taking down many in single strokes. The ones able to get close enough to finally attempt to swing were shocked to see the man deflect them with ease. However, despite his abilities, he soon found himself alone and surrounded.

"Vikis!" A voice boomed out causing the king to look back to the doors only to see King of Luton, Octavious "The Bear". The man was a terrifying presence, taller than most men could dream to be, he earned his nickname by being built like a bear and had one's strength, Ironically Octavious had no hair to speak off, his head being completely bald but his eyes a deep brown. Before Vikis could react, Octavious lifted his hand and a deep purple haze surrounded Vikis. As Octavius closed his hand into a fist, the purple haze grew thicker while surrounding Vikis before finally going black and trapping him. The man yelled out in pain as he was lifted off the ground and pulled to Octavious, "Where are they?"

"O-Otto," Vikis coughed out, "You'll have to excuse the mess, I really m-meant clean up," Octavious growled and tightened his fist making the black magic crush Vikis's chest tighter. The man let out a short yell before panting hard, "Y-you won't find them, I sent them away, far from here..."

"We'll see about that, won't we?" Octavious replied in a deep, cold tone before yelling and pushing his arm directly out. Vikis went flying forward, colliding into his own metal throne at **** speed, killing the king in an instant. "Spread out, search the palace, kill anyone you find!" Octavious ordered while turning and marching out of the throne room without a second glance back.