[color=darkgray][Center][img]https://fontmeme.com/permalink/230610/526e8eb3350599e0784f947716c585a8.png[/img][/center] [Color=darkgoldenrod][b]Time:[/b][/color] Morning [Color=darkgoldenrod][b]Location:[/b][/color]Throne Room, Malthemoor[hr] On the magical continent of Avalia existed a cold and unforgiving island. On this island was a deep cavern contained within solid walls of stone. Within the cavern was the grand city of Malthemoor, teeming with the life of those that were banished so long ago. Towering over this city was a castle of crude metal and stone. And within this very castle, sat the most powerful king in Avalia’s history. His heart, though dark, was also kindling. Like a furnace, it produced warmth for his kin and a blistering scorch to his enemies. He sat firmly on his obsidian throne staring stoically at his subjects entering his dimly lit throne room. It was seemingly a normal preceding that occurred; a daily intelligence update brief of the goings within his kingdom. The briefers were adorned in long dark colored fabrics, kneeling several feet away. Besides the king who sat silently, their audience included his siblings, his eldest children, the worshiped demigoddess, Deyanira, Doctor Zalthraxis Morthelvaan, head scientist over the Dusk Project, and the wardens who were being projected through the transmission stand at the center of the spacious room. Those who were physically present stood on either of the throne room’s walls… waiting for their crowned king to speak. [color=6161B6]“Stand. Share with us. Tell us of my kingdom, of our wards, of our people.”[/color] King Kyros Zanithel finally and deliberately broke the silence. He was always the first to speak, not because he was born to be king but because he had snatched the position and held it tightly within his grasp. In Malthemoor, heirs were not chosen through birthright, but through their actions and standout potential. He was conscious of every single word he spoke as his word was law. His word was true! Deyanira was an imposing figure that stood at the side of the throne, her fingers tracing the details of the obsidian, her gaze fixed on the king seated below her. Her flowing white hair cascaded down her back, its ethereal beauty enhanced by its gentle, flowing movement, as though it were caught in an underwater current. Her cold eyes, which were a deep shade of purple, seem to pierce through any who dare to look directly at her. Though an ethereal beauty, the lavender-skinned being possessed a foreboding aura. As her King had addressed his wardens, she had shifted her eyes onto each of them with cool detachment. Zalthraxis, a formidable figure stood among the royalty of the dark elves, he exuded an aura of ominous elegance. His ebony scales radiated a mysterious sheen, capturing the essence of the shadows themselves. Adorned in regal, intricately designed robes that cascaded over his scaley form, he stood with an air of undeniable authority. With hands interwoven, his grip firmly clasping the pommel of his sword, he observed the scene before him. His keen intellect tirelessly dissected every detail of his surroundings, meticulously calculating his next move. Like a predator in the night, his reptilian eyes darted with cold intensity, leaving no facet of the room unnoticed. [color=Cornflowerblue]“My grace!”[/color] One of the cloaked dark elves announced as he and his peers rose up to address their king. [color=Cornflowerblue]“Every ward remains stable thanks to the governance of our wardens. Ironhold, Roshmi, and Myriamor continue to increase their revenue through trade and goods. Our standardized identification system remains in the works but the existence of disguise rings is still an obstacle we must continue to contend with. As you are aware from prior briefings, there are citizens who have used these maskings for decades or more at a time. We recommend a stop in production and to ban them from the markets, however, this will also decrease the morale of the people who use them for cosmetic vanity. I-”[/color] [color=6161B6]“Our people. We are all Avalians and Avalia is [i]my[/i] kingdom.”[/color] King Zanithel interrupted without a change in his demeanor, though his powerful words were felt in the bones of the dark elf that briefed. [color=cornflowerblue]“Apologies, my king! Our people. There are reports of an influx in the purchase of these rings lately, which coincides with our next update.”[/color] [color=6161B6]“Proceed.”[/color] [color=cornflowerblue]“Rebel forces have begun to swell throughout the kingdom. With one faction managing to raid and burn down one of our middle forts between Myriamor and Illuminata. Reports indicate this is the same faction that includes a light-elven woman, and a dragonborn male. Unfortunately, we have failed to deliver their heads to you. But by the grace of Halastra, we will capture and kill them.”[/color] He assured before gulping as he prepared the next set of information from his sources. [color=6161B6][i]Make it swift. I will tolerate that [b]cist[/b].[/i][/color] [color=cornflowerblue]“My king, there has also been a rumor of the summoning of humans by the rebel faction, New Dawn.”[/color] [color=6161B6]“Humans?”[/color] The word would have been completely foreign to him if not for the existence of demihumans. Despite this, he knew some of the alien race from his knowledge of Avalian history. A race of beings from another realm capable of using magic beyond the level of even the oldest and wisest of elves and fairies. They were nearly forgotten but still acknowledged through the annals of history. [color=cornflowerblue]“Yes, my grace. Our sources say The New Dawn is rumored to have summoned humans.”[/color] the dark elf repeated, though adamantly. [color=6161B6]“A rumor? In my court?”[/color] King Zanithel’s eyes pierced through the briefer, shaking him at the knees. [color=6161B6]“Though I appreciate this information but without evidence, how do you intend for me to act? I will not move our forces on the basis of rumors.”[/color] Deyanira's voice cut through the tense atmosphere like a sharp blade as she chimed in suddenly, [color=9B3BBB]“If humans are truly among us, then this is the ideal time to step on them. They are unwelcome pests in our world…”[/color] She watched an ant crawl up onto the top of the throne, and with deliberate and ominous slowness, she delicately pressed her finger into it, crushing it into oblivion. Her lips then curled into a cruel smile. [color=9B3BBB]“The pathetic creatures will possess very little knowledge of the world they stand on.”[/color] The demigoddess leaned forward to look down at the King, her eyes locked onto him with an unyielding intensity. [color=9B3BBB]“The humans pose a small threat if any in the long-run, which is more than what could be said for the rest of them. Investigating the rumor will provide no loss to us and ensure they never gain their foothold.”[/color] [color=6161B6]“An investigation,”[/color] He spoke as if contemplating the idea. His eyes were upon Deyanira for a moment before he focused on the subject who had reported the said rumor of humans to him. [Color=6161B6]“Do we have locations?”[/color] [Color=cornflowerblue]“No, my grace.”[/color] [Color=6161B6]“Do we know many were summoned?”[/color] [Color=cornflowerblue]“No, my grace.”[/color] This answer came out weaker as he mentally felt the weight of the King's ire. [Color=6161B6]“Their abilities?”[/color] [Color=cornflowerblue]“We know nothing more, my grace.”[/color] The sound of King Zanithel's tense exhale nearly shook the reporting dark elf from his skin. He regretted even reporting the matter as it only put him in the crosshairs of his king's exploitation of the lack of information in it. [Color=6161B6]“Then do as the darkness calls for, my kin. Do your duty and give us our answers… And if you do find them, all of them, I don't think I have to tell you the next course of action. Do I?”[/color] [Color=cornflowerblue]“No, my grace. Their light shall be extinguished from Avalia. From your kingdom.”[/color] King Zanithel finally broke a smile of pride before looking upon Zalthraxis across the dimly lit room. [Color=6161B6]“Precisely. Zalthraxis, can you produce a scout or two suitable to aid my soldiers in this task? I think your blessed fae could find some use… [I]other than getting lost.[/I]”[/color] His eyes pierced through the dragonborn as he exposed the knowledge of a failure from the esteemed doctor. Zalthraxis felt acid begin to bubble in his throat as he was called out in public. If it were anyone else he would have killed them. [color=38D476]“My King, the one that escaped was a failure. Would you prefer I… terminated the subject? As for the humans, I shall send my most trusted two.”[/color] He said, bowing to the king who hadn’t faltered his expression. [Color=6161B6]“With such an esteemed reputation and a sharp mind, explaining what I want to be done to one of [i]your[/i] failures would be a waste of breath… Instead, I look forward to hearing of the prospect your successes will bring to the Kingdom of Avalia. The creation of dark fairies is one of our greatest triumphs and the first of many stepping stones to the future I envision. Continue to keep me updated on their progress. No more secrets, doctor.”[/color] Zanithel’s expression eased as he turned his attention to the reporting subordinates. [Color=6161B6]“If there is nothing else, you are all dismissed. Mistress Deyanira, remain. I require your counsel. I wish to learn as much as I can about these… humans.”[/color] [Center]. . . . . [url=https://youtu.be/j-p2rsSo_xY]“ALL HAIL KING ZANITHEL!”[/url][/center] [/Color]