Let's make something very clear. No one likes the King very much, not even other sorcerers. The problem is that no one can challenge him. Well, unless they have a death wish. One of his two sons died proving that theory. How long is the old bat going to keep ruling the continent? I hear the GoldenEye is getting worried that the immortal King will try to expand his territory, like the Zemrlt colony that used to be on GoldenEye. Everyone has noticed at this point that the King doesn't age. It's almost a given that it has something to do with that creepy shadow that's always following him. That thing does whatever the King says without hesitation. It killed his son for him. It kills anyone that threatens the King, actually. And no one knows why or what it is.

     As the King stands up to address the crowd, I swear on my Mamma that the shadow thing is staring right at me. I can't see it's features with that inky darkness, but I feel it's cold gaze on my skin. I refuse to react. Maybe everyone feels it, too. It's like the shadow has a disturbing feel to its presence. I really hope to never be on the receiving end of that wrath.

     "Hybrids and Sorcerers, welcome to the annual gathering of the species", the King speaks to the crowd. I almost growl at him skipping over the Zemrlt. Almost. We'e not quite Hybrids, but not human. Along with the creepy shadow, a few guards are along the walls. We're always being watched. "After the feast, I would like to meet with each representative group. Feel free to leave afterwards", the King continues. There's so reason for him to pretty up his speeches when no one else can challenge the throne. He doesn't have to be a good king. All these meetings do is a chance to discuss higher taxes with the different cities. It's not a law, but most of us stay in villages with others of the same species, like my Zemrlt village. It makes the continent seem like just a bunch of distantly allied tribes.

      My team captain turns to the rest of us, using sign language. "The King does not see us until last. I do not recommend eating any of the food. And stay close-", the captain is signing, but the four of us stop and look when we hear someone approaching. It's in our training to be constantly aware, warrior or not. I look up to be met with that void like blackness. It's standing right in front of me. But maybe more concerning is the King right beside it.

     My captain turns, a little startled, to address the King. All I can do is stare at the shadow. It's invisible eyes seem to bore into me. The shadow is at least a foot taller than me, and it annoys me that I have to look up to see its face. It's a fight to keep my expression from betraying my feelings. It's really quite creepy. "M-My King. I-I did not know y-you would see us so soo-soon", the captain says, his voice scratchy and unused like a Zemrlt voice should be. My own voice has lost the scratchy sound over the years. I manage to tear my gaze away from the shadow to see the the King is also watching me. "I haven't started the meetings yet, no", he slowly says, "It just seems that something over here has taken my Dark Angel's attention". A Dark Angle? That's what the shadow is? But in the King's voice is a warning. A warning to me.

     I know he wants an answer, but I don't know what to say to that. I definitely don't want this thing's attention! I bring up my hands to sign, mostly just waving them around. I'm not really good at signing. The other Zemrlt clearly can tell. I sign something along the lines of "Hello, old bat, flowers". That's all I can remember at the moment with the Dark Angle so near. It's just so uncomfortable to be around. The King's slightly confused face is worth the teasing I'll get later from the other Zemrlt. He doesn't understand the sign language. "She s-says that you m-must be very brave w-with the thing always at y-your back", my team captain covers, "It must be a very h-hard illusion". I see what he's doing. Everyone knows this thing isn't an illusion, but he's hoping the King will explain further than just a name. We could use all the information possible. The King was going to respond, but a he's interrupted.

The east side of the room is suddenly blown to pieces. The wall that I just happen to be standing closest to. My ears ring from hitting the floor, only half aware that I even fell. What's going on? An attack on the King!? I didn't think anyone would still attempt assassination. Even being partially covered in rubble as people run screaming and fighting around me, I still have enough sense to pull my spear off my back. I have to get up! My group will be meeting at the hall doors, like our training requires. They'll leave without me if they have too. It's too risky to anger the King. We won't defend him, either.

The dust is settling down by the time I get up, spear in hand and feet spread out in a battle stance. The sorcerers are fighting each other. I can clearly see the two groups, but I'm not sure what the sides are. The smaller force seems to be keeping the others from getting to this side of the room. The larger has most of the hybrids trying to get through. Who are they trying to get at? I back up with my spear when I bump into someone. My team should be at the door by now.

I whirl around to see the King scrabbling in the rubble, looking for something. I can't help but lunge back in fear. What is he looking for? He looks frantic and....... afraid. I've never heard of the immoral King being afraid. He doesn't even notice me when I back up towards the hole in the wall. It was just a distraction for the rebels, but now it can be my escape. I can catch up to my team later. While quickly moving back, I feel something underneath the light weight shoulder pad of my armor. I rip it out and dash through the hole. I can go around, meet up with my captain, and we can find a way out of the walls. We can do it together.

I'm still gripping the object from my armor when my feet leave the ground. There's no ground. The castle is built with one side on a fucking cliff. Just my luck, huh? I ran straight over the side with my spear still in my hand. A battle wages in the castle when I start to fall. My heartbeat instantly doubles from what it just was. Am I gonna die? The wind whistles past my ears, but nothing feels like it's in slow motion. No, it's seconds before I slam into the ice cold water. It's such a shock that I gasp and accidentally inhale some water.

I'm sorry Mamma. I won't be getting back home to my sister his time. Will she see me with her one white eye? My soaked armor and the current quickly drag me down into darkness.