The Wielder of Death Magic

“If it isn’t my less than amiable son-in-law,” refute he the king. A twirl later so as to face the guest, the difference in height and aura could have made these two as father and son. A disparity of which didn’t hold much thought. Staxius’s well-built and emotionless visage against one of charm and friendship. He oozed confidence, an excellent trait for a leader lest the confidence grows overbearing and clouds judgment.

“May I ask where the princess is?” the eyes darted left to right.

“Princess Lizzie is at thy feet,” returned Staxius with arms-crossed, “-dearest son-in-law, art thee not the jester.”

“Do excuse my behavior,” he leaned to give the princess a high-five. It made an adorable sound with the girl bursting into laughter.

“If it’s Eira thou wish to see, I presume she’s off to her bed-chambers. I did sort of runoff to meet my darling daughter.”

“Is that so,” paused the son-in-law admiring the man he would once call father, “-if you’ll excuse me, I’ve many things to discuss. See you around, father.”

.....

“Good day,” replied Staxius of which the Emperor shuffled over the hedge and into the marble path.

“What do you make of him?” turned the king to the Queen who stood awkwardly. Her eyes peered downwards onto her fidgety fingers. A nervous response for having been apart. “Xula?” a quick tap against her cheek had her jump.

“Yes, what I make of the boy,” her gaze listlessly rested upon the boy’s back. “The Emperor is a good man; I’ve read the thoughts many o’ time. There is but one thing, he views thee as a man higher than his own father.”

“I’ve told him to not do so,” a sigh later, Lizzie brought a flower plucked from the hedge.

“Father, father!” she called whilst skipping around, “-flower, flower.”

“Beautiful,” he smiled, “-here,” taking the flower, he placed it atop her ear. It turned into a beautiful accessory complimenting her clothes.

“Majesty,” arrived Serene who he had abandoned a few minutes ago, “-let’s head inside.”

“Lead the way,” he gestured, “-Xula, we need to talk later,” a whisper only she heard.

“Papa, papa,” spoke Lizzie with a face of woe.

“Come on, you’re coming with me too,” he offered to which she cheered up. Hand in hand, they walked down the path. Not that it was noticeable, the place sure was changed. Changed to suit the needs of war. Along the path, they walked to come against a familiar fountain. Paying no heed, Serene’s pace increased. Murmurs came abundantly obvious with each step, and each step was it noticeable for a sort of tension suspended the air. Thus, they arrived at the stairs leading inside the castle. Guards stood overlooking the entrance. A bow and salute were the formal ethic.

“Majesty,” on the third-step reaching up, a butler with wolf-ears and blue eyes, “-welcome back,” said he.

“Rile,” nodded the King, “-what of the mansion, is everything good?”

“Yes, we were called by the head-butler to come in haste. It has been long.”

“Very much so. What of the others, are they here?”

“Yes, they are inside the kitchen working per the head maid’s orders.”

“Goodness gracious, do take some time off once in a while.”

“Thank you for your generosity. We’d kindly accept the invitation if it was a hard task. You see, Head-maid Rosetta takes care of the mansion on her lonesome. We but stand around watching as the sun rises and sets.”

“Ha-ha,” he laughed, “-thou described her perfectly. A work-alcoholic, and one that is very efficient at her duties.” As they conversed, the steps seemed to climb themselves. Young Lizzie was but a wandering girl, the world was a new place. Her mind would go from one object to another, the bewilderment of each stare had captured the hearts of many.

Inside laid the same furniture, the same tiled floor, the same chandelier, and the same portraits. The only significant difference was the lack of precious items and collectibles. Before Arda reached what it is today, the King was faced with tremendous debt that occurred by the failing economy of Hidros. People were staved, child and babes abandoned for the sake of survival. A bad harvest, and more, the curse of misfortune. In hopes of quelling the hunger, “-the people must have food to work, and for work, they must need food. A never-ending cycle of labor and reward. Arda as is now can’t but face the uncertainty with distress. Hence, I’ve decided to relinquish unnecessary belonging and share the wealth to those who need it. A loan of which I hope the populous may live and breed.” An exact quote from the day the capital newspaper’s interview. Said statement alone sufficed, a breath of energy. The people could but grit and struggle. If their monarch was yet to give, what right did they have to stand and do naught.

“May I know to where we are headed?” a few twists and turns had him in confusion. Many o’ guests stood, those of which he knew not faces let alone names.

“To the backyard, isn’t it obvious?” smiled Serene.

‘The backyard,’ he thought with Lizzie’s chubby hand around his index. The Alchemic tower, one that was burnt with Intherna’s wrath. The once scorched ground had life reborn. The grass was maintained rather skillfully. A stone-path led to the back-entrance. The latter was handled by guards and a never-opening door. The tower was rebuilt and used for observation. A normally quiet backyard of which went for hundreds of meters bore a pond. A pond with Lilypad and a small outwatch in the middle. A place to have a sit and read or a quick meal. Surrounding said pond was a crowd of people. A crowd preoccupied with the smell of food coming out of out-door ovens. Maids and butlers ran around distributing foods and drinks. Young of age, they ran with big smiles.

“May I ask what this is?”

“A welcome party, isn’t it obvious?”

“Was that the reason you wished for me to come so soon?”

“Is that rhetorical?” ended Serene with a wink, “-we all but sent the invitation. Tis them who willingly came per their own arrangements.”

“Ladies and gentlemen,” voiced Rile loudly as he was on their trail. “May I have thy attention?” The murmurs came to a mute as they faced, he who had spoken. “Blood-King Staxius Haggard of Arda has returned home.” Applause echoed around, Intherna and Gophy stepped out his shadow. The former stood on his right with a formal dress while the latter was to his left. A black-dressed similar to the kind night-walkers adored. Her silvery hair, nonchalant expression, and perky lips stole many glances. “And now,” he added with the claps lowering, “-a few words from his majesty.”

“Greetings to all who took time out thy busy schedule to come for this gathering. I’m honestly surprised by the numbers. It truly pleases my heart that thee deem Arda an ally. On that, please enjoy whatever hospitality is made available.”

“Glory to the King,” echoed twice before it settled.

“Master,” spoke Gophy with an ominous tone, “-I’ll be gone for a few moments.”

“Likewise,” interjected Intherna, “-we’ve got business to attend to.” Not able to place a word in, the duo vanished into dust.

‘What was that about?’ a glance at the guests showed many influential people. Many that came in help during the war.

“Majesty,” four figures approached with a strong line-up of guards behind, “-welcome back,” nodded Haru with her ears lowered.

“Welcome back,” said the other representatives.

“I heard that Easel Run Gard was subject to a few problems,” added the ever-so curious Ryul.

“Yes, it was but mere remnants of a forgotten past. What of you,” he faced Haru, “-how are the traders doing?”

“Oh, that,” she paused, “-we’re doing rather good. The trading pact with The Alphia Empire and the Kingdom of Elendor is profitable.”

“Good to hear,” now facing Mieshre, “-what of the adventurers, are they ok?”

“I’m glad to say that our fighters are more competent. The magical-weapons based on the ranking has had the survival rate increase. No longer is it an issue of carelessly dying on the battlefield, the fighters know their limits.”

“It pleases me,” facing Ryul, “-what of the new leveling system. Have they been implemented?”

“Yes, the project is about 95% done, we all but need to install the interface at Whiteowl.” Project Leveling System, else known as PLS, was an idea birthed by the tiered system. Guild-cards used to tell a fighter’s attributes and fighting capabilities. However, the cards were replaced for a controversial method, a spell, one of an interface. It allowed for a fighter to understand the mind and body more accurately. No more guess work, it gave information on what task and experience a person needed to unlock new abilities. Efficient and non-harmful and non-inclusive to the being’s personal life, many adventurers welcomed the idea. Monsters evolved and so did the defenders.

“What of you, old chap, how goes it, Skokdrag?”

“Ay, majesty,” he said with a ruffled voice, “-it’s been alright. The business has been good thanks to lady Haru.”

“Splendid,” warmingly smiling at the representatives, “-do enjoy thyself. I shall go greet the other invitees, excuse me.” On that, he sprawled on the green pasture towards a flashily dressed lady. Her facial features, appearance, and how her hair was tied was reminiscent of the Dreqain’s style.

“Pardon me,” she excused herself from a tiresome conversation as told by her expression. “Blood-King Staxius,” an enormous smile portraited itself.

“I never expected the much loved Queen Elendor to make the trip to Arda. How is it, do thou enjoy Ardanian culture?”

“Depends,” she paused and eyed the ovens, “-I do enjoy the food. As for the culture; it’s very different. I see people co-exist as if nothing, I sure hope they do not take it for granted.”

“Art though referring to the conflicts between the Wracia Empire and Elendor?”

“You might say so,” she breathed a sigh that had a lock of hair sway to the left.

“What of you,” she asked, “-what do you make of the situation?”

“I’m afraid there’s nothing more I can say on the matter just yet. I’ve only but arrived from the peace talks. Let me say one thing, the Wracia empire is more hassle than due. Emperor Paradus is hiding his vindictive nature.”

“I’ve experienced it first hand,” she chuckled, “-well, he’ll be careful from now on,” the eyes leaped to a guest of importance, “-you’ve Emperor Sultria VI as a son-in-law. The leader of one of the biggest nations in the world. I hope you realize what this entails.”

“Yeah I know,” the chest filled with air, “Emperor Sultria VI is a good man. He’ll make Eira happy, that’s all I can hope for.”

“What do you mean hope for?”

“Nothing much, the rambling of a tired mind. How’s Elendor, are the dukes ok?”

“Yeah, they were adamant about coming. We want to see the famed Hero-King they said.”

“Surely they are exaggerating. In any case, it’s a pleasure to have you here, Queen of Elendor.”

“Call me Elina, how many times do I have to repeat myself.”

“Sure, majesty, have a good day,” he left to talk to those who helped in the war.