The King (I)

The dead bodies, once again, rose back up from the dead. The pieces that were slashed away were quickly healed whole. Gasps of breath escaped their lips as they were resurrected back--though a bit confused. But, when they heard the swords' crashing sound, they scampered on their foot, grabbing their nearest weapons and attacked.

Angry yells, breaking pieces of gargoyles body were slashed, crashed, and even fired at with magic. Devastation laid in wakes.

Snow let out an exhausted sigh that ransacked her body after resurrecting a large number of Players. Resurrecting masses of people was always so tiresome that sometimes she forgot how draining it got. She tried her best to shake it off and head straight towards the final door that they were heading to this whole time.

Mike and Arachne didn't rush in to help like the rest, they circled around Snow like vultures, making sure that she was okay.

Arachne was impressed at her ability that her eyes glittered with interest. She didn't ask any questions but kept a close eye on Snow, wondering what other strange miracles she could do.

Pushing the door open, a loud squeak could be heard, followed by a rumble.

Taking a step in, she felt a shiver that ran up and down her spine. Confused at the strange feeling, she gazed around. Instead, she was welcomed with another long hallway with swords clashing off in the distance.

"Saintess!" Olgom shouted from behind. He was pounding against an invisible wall, confused at the sudden exemption from his entrance.

She turned around, realizing that Olgom couldn't enter. She noticed that only Arachne, Mike, Audrey, the three vampires, and herself were allowed to enter.

"You guys take care of the rest," Snow asked Olgom and Jose. "If we fail, you might have a chance to kill the monsters inside those doors."

"Saintess. Please don't say such scary words," Olgom called out towards her. He was upset that he couldn't follow behind.

"I'll be fine. Just stay alive!" Snow shouted. She turned around and headed straight into the dark hallways that seem to endlessly go deeper into darkness.

Rows upon rows of one man's portrait was placed neatly against the wall. He was a hawkish looking man with a sharp beaky nose that could poke out any unsuspecting eyes. An ugly scowl and a furrowed brow that was deeply ingrained with suspicion stared back. His brown hair was slicked back with gel, while half of its face had a decently kept beard.

The man back was straight, web, but the more one would look at the picture, the angelic features were ugly warped even further into a dark, sinister aura.

In his right hand was a purple scepter and a gold crown that was slightly crooked. If Snow didn't know any better, she would have thought he was some kind of crook.

"The king," Arachne hissed with malice. If voices could kill, Arachne won that award. "If I see him again, I'm going to destroy him slowly." She bawled her hand into a fist.

"You'll get your chance," said Snow.

The sound of swords clashing intensified. What welcomed them ahead were a large group dressed in medieval armors, fighting against a swarm of undead skeletons. Dairen was trying to push his way towards the lazy King that was sitting on his throne bored. Gilbert, the ex guild leader of RedVelvet, was present.

Gilbert's deadly spear, twirled around his head as water magic splashed outwards into small bullets, hitting the armors[ around. An angered grunt and a yell followed after, slashing a few armors in half. With a loud clang, the armor fell on its side--empty.

Wearing the same crown that was faceted with emeralds and diamonds, an old, tired face stared back downwards towards the group. Compared to the King's youthful appearance, he looked a lot scarier than the portrait that they have seen. His eyes were sunken and milky, with barely an iris in it and a hint of red color. The white and grey hair was dominant in his head, but the same regal attitude was still present.

A long purple cape was locked on its shoulder. The same clothing from the picture was worn, giving the King a slight clownish appearance.

"Who are you?" The King's voice was low and wispy, but the creepy voice brought unease to everyone who heard it. He lazily sat back, staring down at the new intruders condescending. The power in the room rose sharply in the air, causing everyone to falter for a moment.

Even Snow was caught up by the King's intense pressure that she felt her knees slightly buckle. Quickly, circulating the energy around her, she raised her vibration to meet his. Allowing her to become more comfortable to move around.

With surprise, the King glanced towards her with interest, but when he saw Arachne standing next to Snow, he scowled. "What are you doing out of your cage, Arachne," The King coldly stated.

Arachne turned up her nose, crossing her arm in front of her, "I don't listen to you anymore."

"What?!" The King smashed his wrinkly hand onto the chair. He leaned forward, evilly glaring down at both Arachne and Snow. "You are my property. My monster to order!"

"Right…" Arachne scoffed back. "Nowhere in our clause stated I am your pet. Get your facts straight, you imbecile of a king."

"This treacherous beast." The King stood up, his scepter in hand. The wooden part of the scepter became longer, turning into a staff. At the end of the staff, the purple crystal brilliantly glowed like a star. Purple and green magic swirled around it.

With a smash of his staff, the ground reverberated. A powerful influx of energy spat outwards, rattling the very room. The armor on the wall came to life, all stepping forward with swords, maces, and even a few spears in hand. They clattered and groaned as some of their weapons scratched the very ground, leaving behind a streak.

Dairen took a quick glance over his shoulder for a brief moment, realizing that Snow, Mike, and Arachne were present.

"Dairen!" Mike realized what was going on. "We came to save you!" He was the first to tackle down the oncoming waves of metal armor. With a shock of electricity, his power clashed against the King's disabling some close to him in place. A swing of his mighty sword smashed to the side, sending the helmet in the air.

"Took you long enough!" Dairen yelled back. He bounced between one armor to the next, trying to keep the monsters from overpowering his minions.

"I'm always on time," Mike joked. He was already next to Dairen as they both had their backs.

The King waved his staff again. This time, much more brilliantly than before, the magic circling around the staff. This time, the magic shot out like beams of energy that stabbed into Darien's skeletal minions. Most of them were instantly dissolved, leaving behind only a handful.

"Puny humans," The King scoffed at their attempt to try to harm him.

Arachne stepped forward, she rushed with her outstretched blackened claws. With a vicious slam, she hit a blue barrier. "A typical defense from you," he growled, pulling back.

With an arrogant snarl, he sent out a blast of energy that threw Arachne in the air. She flipped, landing on both feet with a light snap. She brushed her black hair back, showing off a bit of her collar bone.

"You won't ever be able to harm me."

"We shall see about that."

The energy around the King sharply rose to a dangerous level, causing Mike, Dairen, Audrey, and even Gilbert to hiccup from their attacks against the slew of minions. This caused them to be unexpectedly hurt, but they pulled back just enough to not get their heads chopped in half.

Even the three vampires that were trying to control the onslaught of the armor were getting pushed back.

With an angry yell, Arachne ran forward again. With both hands dyed entirely in black. With a vicious slash, the fingers smashed into the barrier again. This time she didn't put much power into her attack. She jumped to the side with her hand-drawn back.

Instead, Snow was right behind, following up on her attack. Her sword pointed forward in her lunge, hitting straight into the wall with a heated thud. The barrier crackled, spider cracking outwards into tiny pieces until it shattered.

The King parried the sword, throwing her backward. While Arachne took this chance to strike once again.

"You were saying?" Arachne replied, her hand swiveled in, grabbing the staff with one hand.

Their powers clashed, becoming stronger and stronger to the point where even Snow wasn't able to move much forward. She stood in place, trying to keep the surge of energy pushing her down to her knees.

The others were struggling as well, and if it wasn't for Darien's Minion protecting them, they would have all been injured worse than before.

With an ugly cracking sound, the staff shattered. A surge of powerful energy blasted outwards, throwing everyone back.

Snow felt her body cry out in pain, the rough throw had made her head dizzy, and her mind heavy. Even her magical energy that she typically had was out of alignment. Trying to also summon magic to heal was difficult.

The only two standing up against each other were the King and Arachne, who glared menacingly down each other's throat. They stood in place, waiting for the other's move.

"Well, it seems I broke your toy," Arachne chuckled, unphased at the King's heated glare.

The King rolled his shoulders and straightened up. He then rubbed his hand a few times before he finally spoke. "You will regret this."

Arachne replied back, "I think not."

"You have crossed the wrong person. I have kept you well-fed, gave you everything that you desired, and even played as the King. But no more, you won't be tolerated with such kindness ever again."