Dark Acquaintances Part 2

Sun Set

Kotobuki Village. Zanthax home. Tsurugi and Shito’s room.

Tsurugi looks expectantly at his sibling who peers over a book with serpentine eyes. Shito closes the book as well as his eyes and gives a smirk.

Shito: A royal assassination? May I ask you, dear brother, are you mad? This has to be one of the most ludicrous schemes you’ve ever come up with.

Tsurugi: I’m serious.

Shito: That’s precisely what I find so amusing. Why do you think that I would join you on such an obvious suicide mission?

Tsurugi: The BlackWynd elves attacked Landria to try to take the SilverMoon kingdom.

Shito: And now you wish to return the favor with a futile attempt at conquering them. How diplomatic.

Tsurugi: It’s not like that. The BlackWynd prince is in SilverMoon. We’re going to depose his cruel father to liberate the oppressed people.

Shito: Yes, yes. With this little mentality you’ve assumed your actions go beyond just to the point of heroic. I still see no reason that I should join you on your little ego quest.

Tsurugi: Do you have anything better to do?

Shito: As a matter of fact I was reading-

Tsurugi: A book you’ve read five times.

Shito: Ahem. I was reading before you were so rude as to interrupt me.

Tsurugi: What if I said that I needed you?

Shito: I would say that you are quite honest.

Tsurugi: You’ll be helping Landria.

Shito: Joy. I get to aid your companion. Well, that’s certainly reason enough to risk my life.

Tsurugi: You’ll get some first hand experience.

Shito: That was all that you needed to say.

Tsurugi: You’ll go then.

Shito: To be honest, I was prepared to go from your first utterance, but it is the duty of the younger sibling to trouble the elder.

Tsurugi, annoyed: You do it so well, too.

Shito, amused: Indeed.

SilverMoon. Palace. Queen’s Quarters.

Landria is in the bath chamber while Yesod sits nervously on a large and ornate bed. His upper area is still bare from Landria’s taking of his shirt to cover her own top. His gaze is set in the opposite direction of the thin curtain between the two rooms. The sounds of cleansing and changing can be heard from the bath chamber.

Yesod: So, what’s it like to be queen?

Landria: Huh? [Her head peeks through the curtain.] I’m sorry, did you say something?

Yesod: What’s it like to be ruler?

Landria: Well, I’m not officially queen yet. When I turn 200 I’ll have my coronation. Until then everything unofficial. [Landria’s head vanishes back within the confines of the bath chamber.] How do things work in your kingdom?

Yesod: As soon as my father dies I become Tifereth.

Landria: Huh?

Yesod: Our rulership and religion are based on some old manuscript. Nobody knows where it came from, but on it is depicted a sort of tree. At the top is Kether. When a king dies he joins the other kings in a sort of spiritual collective that is our god. Below that is Tifireth, and so that is traditionally the name assigned the current king. Yesod is below Tifireth and thus the prince; below me would be Malkhuth, princess, but I don’t have a sister.

Landria: So you’re named by your class? That’s kind of sad, when you think about it-sorry.

Yesod: It’s alright; I’ve never really believed in the religion of liked the system. I suppose I’ll abolish it when I’m king. Besides, I rather like the name Yesod.

Landria: That might be best. It doesn’t sound like the best of systems.

Yesod: You haven’t heard all of it yet. What I’ve told you is the center of the tree. To the left of the center are Binah, Din, and Hod. Binah is taken as our god of war. Hod and Din are-

Landria: You said they were the best, right?

Yesod: They are Darklings. The protectors of Tifireth. When a Tifireth marries, a Yesod is all but inevitable. Therefore ten maidens are given to specially bred half-demon to be impregnated. The resulting fourth-demon elves are the Darklings. They are raised to be the greatest at magic and fighting in the kingdom. They start by training in both of these fields, but at soon as they seem more proficient in one or the other all training is shifted to that field to specialize. After all of the Darkling children have reached age 150 they are made to fight each other, and only the best fighter and the best mage are permitted to live beyond the ordeal. When the Yesod they were bred for becomes Tifireth they become his Hod and Din.

Voice: Demonic crossbreeds, how interesting.

Yesod turns with alarm to look toward the wall just next to the curtain between the chambers. His gaze finds Shito standing perfectly still with his reptilian sight pointed toward Yesod as if to bore through his soul. Tsurugi leans against the wall between the opening and his half-brother. His eyes are half closed, and he looks bored and quite tired, but he is not.

Landria, peeking through the curtain again: When did you get here?

Tsurugi: "That is traditionally assigned the name of the current king." Yesod, Shito. Shito, Yesod.

Yesod: Your eyes are like-

Shito: Hod’s and Din’s I’d assume. I, too, have a decently sized allowance of demonic blood within me.

Yesod: What are you here for?

Tsurugi: To help.

Yesod: Help what-you’re not going to-

Tsurugi: Depose your father.

Landria: You hadn’t figured it out Yesod? Then again, you don’t know Tsurugi.

[Landria steps from the bath chamber to reveal herself garbed in a earth tone traveling outfit with a thin set of leather guards on her arms and over her chest area.]

Tsurugi: Landria-sama… Why are you dressed like that?

Landria: To go to BlackWynd, of course.

Shito: The journey will be dangerous. It may well be one from which we will be unable to return.

Tsurugi: He’s right. I can’t allow you to go.

Landria: You can’t stop me. Besides, you’ll need all the help you can get. Isn’t that right, Yesod?

Yesod: You all are insane! Hod and Din are-

Tsurugi: Living, and that which lives will die. Landria.

Landria: I’m going.

Tsurugi: As you like. I just hope that none of us regret it.

Yesod: You’d have to live to regret it.

Shito: That is a common misconception.

Yesod: What’s that supposed to mean?

Tsurugi: It doesn’t matter. Yesod, will there be an easy way to get to your father?

Yesod: There are storage areas and dungeons beneath the castle. We could maybe enter in the back where supplies do and work our way up.

Landria: Well, good thing I’m coming. My illusion magic will help us get inside.

Tsurugi: You do have a point. Shall we go?

Yesod: Shouldn’t we formulate a more detailed plan?

Shito: My brother feels that planning too much in advance leads to nothing more than annoyance and disappointment ultimately. His methods have worked thus far…

Tsurugi: Right. When can the dragons be ready?

Yesod: Any time.

Tsurugi: Good. The way I see it, if we leave now we’ll reach the outer fringes of BlackWynd a few hours before nightfall.

Yesod: That sounds about right. If you all want to commit suicide then… I guess there’s little I can do but help you any way I can. That was the price of my asylum, was it not? Well then, there’s one more thing to settle.

Tsurugi: Which is?

Yesod: I need my shirt back, Landria.

Landria: You can’t have it back you pervert! It’s touched my breasts.

Yesod: So did he!

Yesod indicated Tsurugi who begins to blush nervously along with Landria. Landria, however, does not have the added glow of an ardent mark of destiny.

Shito, smirking: My… this is quite interesting.

Tsurugi: Ahem. Anyway, there should be something that will fit you in the guard’s quarters. I’ll take you there. We’ll meet you two at the dragons.

SilverMoon. Palace. Royal Audience Chamber.

[Landria and Shito enter the vast room in unison from her chamber through a passage located to the left of the throne. The bodies of Tathark and Ginjusk still lie in their individual pools of blood. Landria hurries past cadavers to the main entry to the chamber. A hate filled gaze does pass over Tathark for a split second as she moves, but that is all. Shito, on the other hand, stops near the bodies. He lowers himself to one knee and moves a fingers through the still somewhat warm crimson liquid. His blue flame is bright in the enter of his chest and his mouth is twisted in a smirk. Landria fails to notice that he has stopped and exits the chamber without him.]

Shito: Interesting. A soul dark enough to become a demon upon death. You’re mine.

[Shito’s flame flares ever more ardent. His finger traces strange patterns in the blood. Just as his flame returns to its normal resting state Landria, having realized the child had trailed behind, appears in the double doored entryway to the hall. She views what Shito is doing and does quite well to conceal her slight disgust.]

Landria: Shito, this is no time to be finger painting.

Shito: Indeed.

[The child rises from his knee and turns toward the elf. As he begins to walk toward her she turns away and resumes her path toward the open area where the dragons await. Shito follows.]

BlackWynd. Castle. Dungeons.

[Natherinth has been striped of his robes and is chained to a moss covered stone wall. His back holds numerous bleeding welts from the lash of a whip. A cat-o’-nine-tails held by a dark elf of great physical beauty swipes across Natherinth’s exposed chest. The mage does not cry out. It is ready to fly again when comes an interruption.]

Messenger, timidly: S-sire…?

Tifereth, turning: I gave orders that I was not to be disturbed while playing with my toys, so this had better be worth my attention or you’ll take a place on this wall as well.

Messenger: I’m dreadfully sorry to interrupt you, Majesty, but the scouts have reported that four dwarf dragons are flying over the forest toward the castle. It was thought, Highness, that you would like to know.

Tifereth: I think you for this information. I await my son’s triumphant return. I would like you to personally see to it that the dragons are well fed for their transportation services. [Tifireth glances swiftly to a robed figure all but concealed by the shadows of a corner. The hood rustles slightly in a nod] That will be all.

Messenger: Yes, sire. Thank you, sire. [bows while shuffling backward to depart.]

Tifireth: Well, mage, it seems that you were wrong. Whatever demon you thought you saw, Tathark and Ginjusk were still more than able to overcome it without your aid. The fact that you fled from an enemy those two idiots could conquer makes your cowardice all the more unforgivable. You should be killed for it, but the fact of the matter is that you are irreplaceable. So since my son and the others are returning, you need only to learn a lesson.

Natherinth: [regards Tifireth with a gaze free of all emotion. The elf-king can see his visage reflected to him by cold, reptilian eyes.] It would seem that milord was correct.

Tifireth: I grow tired of you. [slaps the whip across Natherinth’s chest once more. The mage does not flinch. Tifireth turns and walks from the dungeon. The cloaked figure trails behind him.]

BlackWynd. Castle. Dungeon entrance.

Yesod: But what if somebody saw the dragons?

Shito: How could anyone not see the dragons? The will assume that your little attack was victorious.

Yesod: Natherinth…

Tsurugi: Left before matters were settled. Suspicions may rise when it’s noticed that the dragons didn’t return to their stable.

Landria: So I think we should hurry…

Shito: Indeed. Your spell?

Landria: Right. Stand together. [Landria begins a chant that sounds almost as a song. She makes gestures before the three males gathered and lastly her self. When the ritual is completed they all appear as BlackWynd servants.] Finished.

Shito, looking himself over: Not the visage I would have selected, but this shall do. Rather fine job actually.

Tsurugi: Let’s go then. There’re no guards… Yesod?

Yesod: The dungeon is never guarded to my knowledge. My father believes guards besides Hod and Din to be incompetent anyway, and they are all he needs. Besides, it’s a bit of a labyrinth inside,actually.

Landria: Good thing we have you to lead the way.

Yesod: I’ve never really gone to the dungeon myself, to tell you the truth. This will be my first visit.

Tsurugi: Wonderful. So long as there’s not a minotaur wondering around we should be fine.

Yesod: A mino-what?

Tsurugi: Nothing. Just a creature in a book left by Kotobuki.

Yesod: Who?

Tsurugi: I’ll tell you later. For now, let’s just go in and overthrow your father, okay?

[Shito smiles. The group enters the dungeon with no resistance. A torch is pulled from a wall and lit. A light spell would be too conspicuous for a group of servants. They walk for a only a short while before the path forks.]

Tsurugi, glancing toward Yesod: Well?

Yesod: Well what?

Tsurugi: This is your castle.

Yesod: It’s my father’s castle.

Shito: It will be yours by sunset if all goes well.

Yesod: I still don’t know which way to go.

Tsurugi: Here we split then.

Landria: What? Are you sure that’s wise?

Tsurugi: It will be faster. Shito and I can communicate our findings to each other. You three go right, I’ll take left. I can go faster on my own.

Shito: Agreed. Be careful, brother.

Tsurugi: You too. [Tsurugi takes a torch from the wall and lights in with the flame of the other torch. The group separates.]

BlackWynd. Castle. Dungeons. East Corridor.

Landria: This has to be the wrong way. We’ve been walking forever and all we’ve seen is empty cells.

Shito: We have been walking for no more than ten moments, and the cells are far from empty. Darkness fills them, and I did see a skeleton a few hundred feet back.

Yesod: You’re such a pleasant child, you know that?

Shito: Indeed.

Landria: If we don’t come to something soon we’re turning back. [They come to a large chamber. The light is unable to illuminate very far into the vast darkness.]

Yesod: Hmm. If I don’t have a roast chicken right now I’m turning back. Nothing. Well, see you all. Have a nice raid.

Voice from the darkness: But, my prince, you have just arrived. Ah, but it is so dark; let there be light.

[Torches around the chamber flare brighter than fire possibly can. In the center of the chamber is the robed figure that had followed Tifireth.]

Yesod: The Evil One…

Robed figure: Tsk tsk tsk. [Casts back his hood to reveal young, strong, and beautiful dark elven features.] I prefer the name Din, as you quite well know, my prince. M’lady, you may drop your spell. Though I admit that you are skilled, you have no where near power enough to fool my vision. Ah, much better. You are quite beautiful. The princess, I’d assume? Yes, of course you are.

Shito: You are powerful.

Din: And you have nice eyes. We are related, it seems. It’s always nice to meet family. [smiles pleasantly] I have very little contact with my family, you see… When the time came for the Darkling Trials my brother and I were both proficient mages. So I was forced to slit his throat the night before. It was rather messy, but it was preferable to facing him in battle. Oh, I’ve been rude. Thank you for putting up with my rant, and thank you for the compliment. You are reasonably strong yourself, for one your age. It would be a waste to kill you. I really wish that I didn’t have to, really, but orders are orders. I can’t very well let you try to kill the one I’m sworn to protect, now can I? What’s that blue light? Ah! You’re one of them! This shall be most interesting indeed!

Shito: [Flame flares brighter than the torches about the room] Indeed.

BlackWynd. Castle. Dungeon. West Corridor.

Tsurugi: [looks himself over] I’m me again. I hope nothing’s happened to them. I should probably try to contact Shito.

Voice: If I were you I would be worried about my own welfare first.

[Tsurugi’s destiny mark flares as he runs over a light spell in his mind. A chamber almost identical to the one the others occupy comes to view. In the middle stands a tall and handsome dark elf in a set of loose clothing. On both of his sides a dagger hangs from a belt.]

Tsurugi: And you are? Hod or Din?

Dark Elf: Hod. Din’s the mage. Your companions should be occupied with his right now, I believe. You’re from the Kotobuki village, are you not?

Tsurugi: I am. You know of my village?

Hod: Yes. It is planned to be one of the first we wipe out once we have the SilverMoon army. Enough of that talk. Your garb allows for easy motion, but defense is nonexistent. Am I wrong to assume that you are warrior and not magi?

Tsurugi: I’m both.

Hod: Interesting. That would probably mean that you have only average skill in both. I have hoping for a bit of a work out, but this shouldn’t take long. [draws his daggers. They seem to cast a glow of their own which adds to the magical light.]

Tsurugi: Your clothing doesn’t defend well either. [brandishes his sword in his flaming left hand.]

Hod: I don’t need defense. Would you like to dance?

Tsurugi: No thank you.

[With a flick of Tsurugi’s right wrist a shito is sent flying toward Hod’s heart. The warrior makes no effort to dodge or deflect. Rather he stands calmly and allows the knife to enter his front and pass out his back to travel until it glances off the stone wall far behind him and clatters to the ground. Tsurugi stands dumbfounded.]

Hod: Valid attempt. Would you care to try your sword? I promise I’ll give you one free hit. [lowers his arms to his sides and stands perfectly still.]

Tsurugi: What are you?

Hod: Dark elf and darkness all rolled into one. Now, will you take up my free hit offer, or shall I just kill you now?

[Tsurugi rushes toward Hod. Just short of reading him Tsurugi teleports himself behind the dark elf to thrust his blade upward through his back. No blood runs down the blade. Tsurugi pulls his weapon from the elf sideways and looks at it as if it had betrayed him.]

Hod, turning: Nice trick, but useless. You mix magic and steel well. If you ask I shall end it without pain. I do have a shred of mercy within me. Your eyes have gone black, and your flame’s larger. That means you don’t give up, I take it?

Tsurugi: It means that I’m angry, and more powerful.

Hod: It won’t make any difference. You’ll die. We’ll have our dance now. [moves with his knives faster than the eye can follow, yet Tsurugi is still able to block the first set of blows.] It seems I’ve underestimated your ability. If all of your race has your skill, we may have to change our planning to allow for more than fifteen minutes to wipe you all out.

[Hod shrugs and reinitiates his attack with renewed fury. Tsurugi blocks the majority of the blows, but not all. Small cuts come to his flesh. At first he tries to attack when there is an opening, but he soon realizes the total futility. In time both combatants separate to draw in breath.]

Hod: You’re less winded than I am. I’m afraid that the time for play has ended. Make whatever arrangements for death that you must within the next ten seconds.

Tsurugi, thinking: I can’t touch him! "If you have silver, use it. If not, farewell." That voice? Why should I trust you? "If you don’t, then you die. If you do and I’m lying, you still die. Simple choice, is it not?"

Hod: Are you ready? [Tsurugi fumbles around in a pouch for his one silver shito.] I hope that you are. [Tsurugi finds the knife, grasps it, and holds it ready.] Another throwing knife? Haven’t you learned yet? [The blade flies.] That’s usele--[The shito buries itself to its hilt into Hod’s chest. He pulls it from him and feels his warm blood gush onto his fingers. The knife falls from a loose grip and clatters to the floor, as do Hod’s own daggers.] How…? [The Darkling falls as well.]

Voice in Tsurugi’s head: You were wise to trust me.

Tsurugi: How did you know?

Voice in Tsurugi’s head: The technique he was using is called Shadowless. It is among the Shadow Tactics which my sister developed. Now, release me.

Tsurugi: My companions…

Voice in Tsurugi’s head: Will be taken care of. I am through the corridor opposite of the one you entered this chamber from. First turn on the right.

Tsurugi: I’m coming.

BlackWynd. Castle. Dungeon. East Chamber.

Yesod: We aren’t doing so well.

Shito: We are still alive, are we not?

Din: Indeed you are. I must ask, that shielding spell you’re using, is that of the magic of your village? It’s simply wonderful! Is there any chance you could teach it to me before I kill you?

Shito: The magic you use to counter mine is rather strong as well. Every demon I summon you banish, every monster is sent screaming back to the depths of hell. I do think that you are better than me.

Din: Of course I am, child, but don’t feel sad. Were you my age you would be well above me, I think. I can’t tell you how amazing it was to find that you can control even Shadowed Souls at your age, much less the other creatures you’ve called. Skilled summoners are rare these days in any race…

Shito: Indeed. Too many fools don’t appreciate the power they are commanding. They go too far and loose control. The beings that had been allies become extra foes. I am not so stupid, and no demon can harm me.

Din: Such a boast. Someone with that arrogance can never amount to much. I’ve overestimated you. A pity. I was beginning to like you too.

Shito: Ah, but it is the truth. They do not harm those they recognize as their own. "Calm."

[The word of command is spoken in English. Black wings sprout from Shito’s back and rip through his shirt. A single blue teardrop shaped stone emerges just above his destiny mark. Ivory horns come from the child’s head. Black marks adorn his flesh.]

Din: Impressive! You are just full of surprises, you know that? The jump in your power is amazing. Natherinth did see a demon, it seems. No matter. The time for games has come to a close. I have so enjoyed playing. I wish that we could do it again sometime, but alas, you will no longer be around. Minor spells have proved too weak for you, now I guess I’ll just have to put a little effort into things.

Landria: Those spells before were minor!?

Yesod: We’re dead.

Shito: Your confidence is so inspiring.

Din: I’m going to have to chant for this one. I’m sorry, but it’s too complex for even me to do it in my mind. I’ll try to keep it quite though, so that you can commune with whatever being you call god.

Yesod: Blessed Hokhmah, God of Wisdom, please accept your subject into your arms. Blessed Hokhmah…

Shito: [Annoyed sigh] Hmm? [smirks] How interesting. He’s so absorbed in his spell that he doesn’t even notice…

[The thing that the child-demon finds so interesting is the form of a female emerging behind Din from the mage’s own shadow. The chant turns into a scream as a dagger is shoved non-too-lightly into his back. Din turns in rage.]

Din: You? How could you!? No matter! You missed all that is vital. I’ll kill you as you stand and then destroy that pitiful brother of yours. [Din never get the chance. His back arches quite far after the clawed hand of Shito rips rather deeply into said back. He collapses, not quite dead yet.]

Female Elf: Fool. Did you really think that I’d shown you all my skills? The Shadow Tactics go far beyond Shadowless. Bye now. Die now. [kicks Din hard in the chest, shattering his ribs and killing him.]

Yesod: It’s about time you showed up, Katrinth. I was getting worried.

Katrinth: I was watching the kid. He’s good. Now that we’re done here, let’s get my bother and finish this.

Natherinth’s Voice: That shall not be necessary, sister. I am here. [The dark elven mage is coming from the passage opposite Shito and the others. Due to the beatings he has received he is forced to accept support from Tsurugi.]

Shito: You’re late, dear brother, please don’t make a habit of it.

Tsurugi: I was held up with my own problem.

Katrinth: Hod?

Natherinth: Dead. It seems, milord, that the operation is going better than we could have dreamed, if not as planed. [he looks at Yesod.]

Landria: Operation, what does he mean? He’s one of the ones who attacked me!

Natherinth: So. You have not told them? I find this interesting.

Landria: Told us what? What’s he talking about?

Natherinth: If they are not trustworthy-

Yesod: Of course they’re trustworthy. I was given the opportunity to handle things quickly and to save you some pain and trouble. I didn’t want to tell them everything. I was afraid they would back out from this proposal.

Landria: I demand to know what’s going on!

Yesod: Natherinth, would you…?

Natherinth: Of course, milord. If you have not guessed yet, Katrinth and I are twins, and if our reptilian eyes have not given us away yes, we are also Darklings. Yesod’s Darklings to be precise, and therefore his Hod and Din when he becomes Tifireth. We are loyal to him far before that king. The plan was that I kill Tathark and Ginjusk and then return saying that we had been defeated by vastly superior SilverMoon forces, and that Yesod had been taken prisoner. So long as he lives they cannot kill me, and so I would be tortured for a while to "teach me a lesson," as it were. Then my sister and I would act as spies to aid in the gradual fall of Tifireth, but this boy burst through the doors just as I was preparing the killing spell. Figuring it best to leave then and allow Yesod to handle matters I left the killings of the warriors in quite capable hands. Since then matters have progressed amazingly well.

Yesod: I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you all earlier, I just didn’t think you’d still do all this if you knew the alternative.

Tsurugi: We still would have.

Shito, has reverted to normal form: Yes, we’re stupid that way.

Tsurugi: Ahem. Think nothing of it.

Landria: So what now?

Yesod: We confront my father. Natherinth, Katrinth, could you lead us please?

Katrinth: I told you to learn your way around down here! [sigh] Alright, let’s go.

Shito: Wait. There is something odd about you. You two are different from Din.

Katrinth: Perceptive.

Natherinth: Annoying.

Tsurugi: I feel it too. You’re not normal Darklings.

Natherinth: We all get to go into our life stories now? No, we are not normal Darklings. There was a bit of a mix up.

Katrinth: Our father was a full demon, not half. We are as much darkness as we are elf.

Yesod: What? Why didn’t you ever tell me?

Natherinth: Does it really matter? A Darkling is a Darkling, regardless of the darkness.

Katrinth: Can we go now? I really hate this place. It brings back too many memories…

Yesod: This is where the Darklings fight. We should go.

[The group starts walking with Katrinth is the lead. Tsurugi comes behind her, aiding Natherinth. Shito next, and the royalty side-by-side after him.]

Tsurugi: Those techniques, the Shadow Tactics, what are they?

Katrinth: As the name implies they use shadow when fighting. By harmonizing with the shade one can utilize it.

Tsurugi: And silver?

Katrinth: Is pure, and therefore it can somehow bypass shadow effects, but that makes it useful as well as deadly.

Tsurugi: Would you teach me…?

[Natherinth scoffs.]

Katrinth: Only one with the darkness within them can use the Tactics.

Tsurugi: If you mean demonic blood then I can. I have it, as does my brother.

Shito: Yes, though I have no interest in learning your little tricks. And I do not approve of the calling of demons ‘darkness.’ Demons are varied and so are their forms.

Katrinth: This is true, but here, when talking about Darklings, we call it darkness. So I’ll call it darkness. Okay with you?

Shito: I suppose that I shall accept that answer if you are so adamant about it.

Katrinth: You’re a cute kid. I like you. You remind me a bit of Nath when he was young.

Natherinth: I fail to see much resemblance, sister.

Shito: And if I grow into him I shall feed myself to my own minions.

BlackWynd. Castle. Throne Room.

Tifireth: By now Hod and Din have dispatched of those intruders, and oh, my poor son slain in the melee. The people will be outraged. Blame it on SilverMoon and we have that nice war I’ve always wanted.

Yesod’s Voice: I’m afraid not, father.

[The double doors to the chamber swing open. Yesod strides in. Flanking him are Katrinth and Shito to the right, Natherinth and Tsurugi left. Due to rapid demonic healing and a few spells Natherinth is walking on his own. Landria comes behind with an illusionary dress fit for one of her position.]

Tifireth: What is the meaning of this?

Yesod: You’ve made our people live with your cruelty long enough…

Tifireth: Hod!

Tsurugi: Dead.

Tifireth: Din…

Shito: No longer present in this world.

Tifireth: Son, you wouldn’t kill your own father, would you?

Yesod: No I would not.

Natherinth: Milord?

Yesod: That would make me no better than him.

Shito: I despise that idiotic mentality. How does killing one cruel dictator make you as evil as own who has done so much in evil’s name?

Yesod: It is the first step toward becoming him, and I do not want to grow into my father.

[Shito rolls his eyes]

Yesod: I hereby depose Tifireth, King of BlackWynd. He may keep his life on the condition that he is banished from the elven forests, all the elven forests, from this day forward. Natherinth.

Natherinth: Of course, milord. [stares intently at Tifireth for a single second. His royal garb vanishes to be replaces by peasant clothing.] Where shall I send him?

Tifireth: Son, consider what you are doing.

Yesod: I have considered it. Send him far away, beyond the forest of SilverMoon and far into the unexplored wilds beyond. He has no magical skill, so he will be unable to return.

Natherinth: I have never traveled the wilds. The magic will place him rather randomly, but still distant from either kingdom.

Yesod: Do it.

Natherinth: As you wish. [Begins a chant.]

Tifireth, glaring at his son: Don’t get too comfortable in this throne, child. I am not beaten. [And with that he vanishes]

Katrinth: Idle threats.

Shito: How amusing.

Landria: So that’s it? [drops her illusion.]

Tsurugi: It certainly seems so.

Natherinth: Tifireth is gone. The Yesod shall rise to Tifireth.

Katrinth: And I am Hod and you are Din. I rather liked Kat.

Yesod: You’re still Katrinth, and you’re sill Nath, and I’m still Yesod. The old system is dead and gone. Landria, I would like to discuss the unification of our kingdoms.

Landria: Done. I would like to announce a holiday. "Unification Day." Well?

Yesod: I’ll go for that.

Natherinth: The title’s a little bland, I think. A happy ending… Is anyone else feeling nauseous?

Shito: Here.

[Outside the castle the sun is just the disappearing. The sky is a myriad array of colors. The moon phases into visibility just as the sun sets.]