[Center][h1][color=lavender]Morteum[/color][/h1] Time: Sunset [B]Optional Read[/b][/center] The two demon servants that were Vessia and Zorrah walked with filled bowls and set them onto long empty tables in the dining hall of Morteum. Venison stew was the meal for the night to the dark elf royal guard standing in a tight formation just outside. [Color=goldenrod]"So Kol finally stopped crying from up on his mountain, huh?"[/color] Zorrah smirked as she set a bowl down. Vessia however only made brief eye contact with her kin. [Color=hotpink]"Crying?"[/color] Vessia commented as she continued setting the tables. [Color=goldenrod]"You know what I mean. Sulking about the gray bitch that came back from the dead… Or not dead. Either way he was crying about it. Then, no one could find him since he heard the news. But now he-"[/color] [Color=hotpink]"Has returned from his long meditation. With a much more powerful resolve than before…"[/color] Vessia set the last bowl in its place, the steam seemed to attempt to reach for the high ceiling. Her tone was even, and almost robotic. [Color=hotpink]"Even many of our kind are conflicted on Aklenroth defeating Lilith. Just imagine if it were done by way of deceit."[/color] Vessia was now facing Zorrah who shrugged. [Color=goldenrod]"I guess so…"[/color] Zorrah grimaced before turning to walk towards the doors leading outside as she needed to let the guard it was time to chow down. [Color=goldenrod]"Still not enough to cry about!"[/color] She called out obnoxiously as she stepped through the doors. [Color=hotpink]"Hmm… Waste of an existence."[/color] She said coldy with her soft monotonous voice. Zorrah found herself exiting the dining hall area and witnessing a small formation of few dozen dark elves standing out in the cold. They were equipped for Morteum's climate. Black fur cloaks and strong disciplined spirits kept them warm. Seven rows of seven is what Zorrah could see, with Kol pacing in front of the formation. It was all of the members of the guard, which meant only the undead were standing watch currently. His eyes met Zorrah who used her thumb to point towards the dining hall. [Color=goldenrod]"It's all ready for everyone to eat."[/color] [Color=lavender]"Hopefully. Hopefully that is the case this evening…"[/color] He spoke as if his words were heavy on his being. Zorrah simply sighed in response, finding him dramatic. Kol then faced his men, ready to finally address them all on what he had been seeking answers to. [Color=lavender]"The chosen few of our kind responsible for securing Morteum. I call you to attention this evening... To bear witness to my words and my decision. Firstly, I do apologize for my sudden absence, but I do not regret it as my short leave birthed clarity. Clarity for my path. For our path..."[/color] He took a quick breath before continuing. [Color=lavender]"You are all aware of Lady Siraye Vastai's return."[/color] The sound of low gasps and slight movement spread within the formation. Some were surprised to hear the dropping of Siraye's royal title. [Color=lavender]"And you should know where I currently stand in the matter. Despite my position, I would like to give an opportunity to those wish to resign, so I can make the necessary arrangements and remove you from these grounds as your path is different than mine… Remove yourselves from my ranks! If your heart is not with Aklenroth, you need to leave Morteum this instant. Now, while I will still show you mercy!"[/color] [Color=goldenrod][i]Wish you would have told us you were firing people before we made enough for everyone! More leftovers for me, I guess.[/i][/color] First it was one dark elf female that walked from her postion in the formation. Alone with her head down, she walked slowly away from her brothers in arms. But she was then followed by two more, and then several others. A total of 16 guards had left the formation. [Color=lavender]"Remove your cloaks and armor and walk your path… Away from here."[/color] The rest of his force stood still and strong before their leader as the others relieved themselves from duty. With their armor removed, they took the first steps on their new path. To eventually meet with who they thought to be their rightful ruler, Siraye Vastai. Unfortunately for them, they would never do so in life. Like them, she would also expire in due time. With a subtle hand wave, the shadows of the traitors and growing darkness of night bound them in place. Curling around their bodies and immediately toppling most of them to the ground. Like some kind black tar creature, it pulled them all down and muffled their screams. [Color=lavender]"Mercy… Yes, you shall all have mercy. A second chance at serving our king… In undeath."[/color] Kol unsheathed his sword and one by one, struck down his former subordinates. It was his duty and responsibility as their commander. Once he paced back in front of those left in the formation he addressed them. [Color=goldenrod]"Food is getting cold."[/color] Kol ignored the demoness. [Color=lavender]"If there is any doubt in your hearts, I shall remove it this instant! King Aklenroth is OUR King! He is the rightful ruler of Avalia. Not to just the children of Halastra, but all who are touched by her light in the night. In the centuries since our exile, it was HE who extended a hand when no one else would. It HE who sheltered our people and showed us how to take owenership of these lands we were exiled to! Azmor Galus is ours! Malthemoor is ours! The mines! The hunt! And more importantly, victory! Aklenroth saw what we were capable of, but he also saw our weakness. Our false prophet! He faked her death to allow us to use every fiber of darkness in our hearts to strike our enemies down… And we succeeded. Our people are now found across all of Avalia! We are their guard! We are their nobles! Their superior! How is this so if Halastra's prophet was missing?! How did we feel the goddess' presence when the fraud was absent?! Yes a fraud I call her, given pity by our king so she may see what fruit her absence has bore! Supremacy of our kind and blessing from both Halastra and our one true king, Lord Aklenroth!"[/color]