The Coup

The Council is assembled before the sick King, who was in bed because of his sickness. The Prime Minister, Moskov Dragovich, can be seen arguing with another minister.

"I tell you, the threat of the other Kingdoms are growing with every passing time of the day." Moskov argues. "We have no choice! The Black Arts can save us all from the impending doom that we're all going to face!"

"The Black Arts have done enough." Minister Estes Moonlake tells him. "Do you want the Great War and the Dragon to happen all over again?"

"The Black Arts can be controlled if only fools like YOU would be brave enough to test it!" Moskov replies, pointing a finger at Estes. "The Kingdom of Light is different compared to the fallen Elven Kingdom!"

"How dare you!" Estes gritted his teeth, intending to strike him. However, the Royal Guards of the King held him back.

"What is going on?" The queen, Viola Eltheya, asked as she entered the room.

"See? You're not only unwise... also violent!" Moskov taunts him, smirking.

"You say I shouldn't act like this is my home... however you yourself are allowing vengeance to dwell in your heart." Estes says after the Royal Guards placed them in some distance. "Kublai is already dead... and yet you still cling on to that hatred that you feel is empowering you!"

"You're wrong!" Moskov shouts back at him.

"Moskov, stop..." The Queen ordered.

"Enough!" The King shouts at the two of them before coughing. "I WILL have order!"

The two of them looked at each other before bowing respectfully to the King, each saying their words of apology.

"My dear King... I have served your father before you... and have made wise decisions alongside him..." Estes says. "The only way we can attain security throughout the Kingdom is by destroying the last Orc stronghold somewhere in that forest of old."

"My King, if security is what you seek... there is no quicker way than to learn of the Black Arts..." Moskov tells him. "My friend, Vexana and I have tested it on some of the cattle you have provided for us... and with great success-"

"Blasphemy!" Estes says. "How dare you tamper with the forbidden arts?"

"This is not up to you, foolish elf!" Moskov shouts back.

"Order!" The King says. "Moskov, it is against the law of the Almighty to try and control the power of the Lord of the Abyss, lest we succumb to it. I think that it is indeed wiser to go with Estes' plan."

Moskov had enough of this.... this embarassment. He spat on the ground, to the crowds surprise, and revealed a spear that was concealed behind his royal garments.

"Moskov, what are you doing?" Viola says.

"My Queen, forgive me... but I have had enough of these foolish men..." Moskov says. "I shall put an end to you, once and for all!"

"Treason!" Estes shouted, trying to activate the Code of moonlight in order to attack Moskov, however one of the Royal Guards, Zerith Brightfall, moved away from his position and approached Estes, stabbing him at the back.

Moskov smiles as Zerith nods for him to continue his evil deed. Moskov aims toward the King and throws the spear, however this doesn't hit the target as Tigreal rushes in and throws Moskov to the ground.

"Imbecile!" Moskov shouts, getting another spear from his garments.

"Moskov, what is the meaning of this?" Tigreal says, unsheathing his sword.

Moskov shakes his head. "A pity, you couldn't join us, my comrade... you're loyalty to the King is too much. You shall die here along with the others.."

Just as he says that, soldiers bursted out from the entrance way, having killed the knights who were guarding the doorway. Soldiers who swore loyalty to Moskov.

Estes finally recovers and pushes Zerith out of the way, finally activating his divine code... to Zerith's surprise.

"I hit you on a fatal spot!" He shouts. "You should've died by now!"

"You seem to forget that we elves have better bodies than you humans..." Estes tells him.

Everyone from each side waited for the other to act... the first move.

That is... until...

"VIOLA!!"

Everybody looked over towards the King, holding in his arms the dying Queen, fatally wounded by Moskov's spear.

"M-my Queen..." Moskov says. "This wasn't supposed to happen-"

Tigreal shouts vigorously, and stabs Moskov in the chest, piercing all throughout the back.

Moskov kneels to the ground almost immediately and drops the weapon he had in hand... and after Tigreal retrieves his, Moskov drops to the floor.

And a battle ensued between the followers of Moskov and the Knights of King Samuel, which resulted in a loyalist victory.

Zerith and some others managed to flee, while the others weren't so lucky as each corpse was beheaded for committing treason.

The King, in tears, gently grasps the Queen's face.

She smiles, saying, "I'm... I'm sorry..."

"What?" The King asks before turning towards Tigreal and the others. "Don't just stand there! Get the priests! The healers! Anybody!"

Tigreal nods and exits the room. The King returns his gaze towards his love.

"I'm sorry for being so soft all the time." The Queen says. "Time and time again, you always save me... and now it's time to return the favor."

"Viola, don't say that-"

"I'm sorry for being so careless. If I had only pushed you out of the way instead of being a human shield, it wouldn't have come to this." She says. "Maybe I'm just selfish..."

"Viola.."

"I'm sorry I let our child die."

The King went silent, in a loss for words... to which she smiled and continues. "Our dear Jonathan would've been a good son to you..."

"..."

"I'm sorry we argued last night." The Queen says. "I was hoping to make up with you today by throwing you your birthday party myself. I know you have been busy for these things... but it was the only thing I could think of..."

"Viola... don't-"

"And I'm sorry for... for being me..." Viola smiles as she says that.

"Don't say those words!" Samuel tells her. "I'll do anything... just don't-"

The Queen places her fingers on his tear-filled face, and wiped it all off. She was tearing up herself.

"I had so many things to tell you... so many things I wanted to do..." she says as she coughs blood. "We were so busy... so busy..."

"..."

"I know that it has been a while since you last heard this but..." Viola says, only to cough up more blood. "I... I lo..."

The King went silent. His wife's cold hands drop from his face to her stomach. The King shakes his head and stands up... carrying his wife's cold and lifeless body towards the bed.

Estes snaps out of it and rushes over towards the queen, kneeling in front of her bed, crying. "My Queen, My Queen! I couldn't save you... I just..."

The King wiped off his own tears and faces Tigreal, who has just arrived with a group of priests.

The King points out towards the window and orders them. "Go... find those traitors... FIND THEM AND KILL THEM!"

Tigreal looks at the ground before giving him a salute.

Estes approaches the King, carrying Moskov's spear, the one who wounded the Queen.

The King examines it closely and saw a dark aura. "Black Magic..."

He then faces Tigreal again. "And find those devil worshippers! Place them in the same fate as those traitors! There will be no more freedom of worship!"

Tigreal looks at the King and nods, exiting the room again.

The King, in a fit of anger, kneels to the ground and strikes the floor with Moskov's spear until it finally breaks into pieces, releasing some kind of goo.

"May the Almighty have mercy on the unbelievers..." he says. "And may he have mercy on me..."