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[i][b]The Unspoken: Fact or Fiction?



Vol. 2, Book 1 - A Ruler Dethroned
Extract 2 [/b]
The first chronicles of the Inhuman civilisation arose early in the twentieth century, yet periods are seemingly lost from all record - specifically certain months in the 1980s. Legend tells of another descendant of King Agon and Queen Rynda besides King Maximus, an elder brother - though no there is no certifiable evidence to this rumour, as none of the purported family of this man have stated it to be true. 
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Karnak strode with an anger that was rare to behold, as his indifference regarding most others extended to their opinions of him and their ability to influence his emotions. Gorgon, however, was the physical embodiment of irritation - always trying to oust Karnak in every way, though the hulking Inhuman's only real talents were in his strength and military stratagems. Karnak had the upper hand with his intelligence and knowledge of many things, though the two always conflicted when fighting itself was brought up: Karnak with his skill and adroitness, and Gorgon with his power and size. Each believed their own style to be the superior of the other, yet Karnak had not entertained the suggestion of revealing the victor in a fight - partly because it would seem that the two Inhumans were tantamount, and if Gorgon won... Nobody would ever hear the end of it.

Karnak's fury beholden movements were aimed towards the majestic throne complex of King Maximus - ruler of the Great Refuge ever since Agon and Rynda had been incapacitated by the Kree forces, nearly a decade earlier. Maximus had ascended to regality with a prodigal flair, expanding the throne room and his own quarters and decorating them lavishly in the process. There were many opponents to Maximus' rule, which incorporated laconic hostilities with potential allies, and ferocious demonstrations of hostility with enemies. People were undoubtedly already blaming the rogue Inhuman's escape on the reckless King. Karnak suspected that Maximus would not care for their mumblings, anyway, as the combat expert had spent a good deal of time with the ruler as required his station. Though, it was true that Karnak had not successfully delivered much 'royal advisement' to the ignorant ears of Maximus. 

While it was still spoken that Maximus was not in Attilan, Karnak had heard otherwise from reliable sources. The King's own page and unofficial spy, a man-child named Ordible, had a loose tongue - and his unrequited nervousness around Karnak made it easy for information to be passed between them. Fortunately, Maximus had not taken much notice or else Ordible would have been dispatched from royal service a time ago - him assuredly hearing all within the palace due to his ability.
Karnak entered the throne house and quickly moved to Ordible's small chamber near the entrance. Karnak did not want to deal with all the formalities required when speaking to royal Inhumans around the palace, though he was a noble himself. He had decided to consult Ordible on whether Maximus had truly returned and was available before entering the throne complex. Thankfully, the door to Ordible's chamber was slightly ajar and Karnak slipped straight into the confined space. The man-child sat in the far corner of the room, partially obscured by the wooden partition in the middle of the floor. 

"Ordible, have you knowledge of Maximus' return yet?" 

"I... I-," Ordible whimpered with ostensibly his natural hesitation, "[i]Help[/i]." The man-child turned slowly to Karnak, revealing a stream of tears rushing down his face, and the first emergences of blood coming from the unnatural large holes replacing his ears due to Terrigenesis.

"By the Unspoken! Ordible, what is it? Where is this happening?" Karnak blurted, surprise overwhelming his monotone normality. 

Ordible pointed slowly and with obvious difficulty towards the wall, and murmured '[i]throne[/i]' as he faded into unconsciousness. The strain, whatever it was that was afflicting Ordible, was clearly too intense for the poor man. Hopefully Karnak could stop it before it started affecting the populace with less sensitive hearing. The combat master spun and rapidly darted out of the room towards the ornate stairs. He could now feel the regular vibrations in the stone around him now he was at the same elevation of the throne room. The royal Inhumans, too, were beginning to panic and flee; none seemed willing to venture towards the throne room. Karnak brushed past the throng of departing royals and their attendees, noticing in the midst of them the young Crystal - the younger sister of Lady Medusa. Three men were carrying her out, probably under orders from Medusa herself, yet she was fighting to escape their grips and head towards the throne room. Karnak knew not why it was always only the Royal Family who intentionally engaged in dangerous situations, perhaps it ran in the blood they all had in their veins, or perhaps it was the ubiquitous attention seeking of most of Karnak's relatives, with the exception of he himself. She was quickly manoeuvred out of the entrance square, however, leaving Karnak with no apparent allies in his progress towards the throne room. 
Eventually, he reached the huge oak doors that everyone was avoiding, and he pushed vehemently through to one of the side corridors that led to the throne room. The clattering of conflict just ahead was now rising in a crescendo of violence, and he could just about make out the shouting voices within the room. He easily recognised the prominent grunts and yells of Gorgon, and just behind them the angered ranting of King Maximus. 

All the sound died away, however, as a third voice whispered only one word - yet nevertheless it penetrated his skull, mind, and everything around Karnak. It was the only thing he knew as the word '[i]STOP[/i]' filled all he could hear and think, and ripped the stone from the wall and the wood from the floor as the palace blew apart under the devastating power of the voice in the throne room.