Outlaw King

Qui-Gon had to renounce the Jedi Order to come live in Naboo and guide Anakin. This was naturally without their approval. So Kol had no reason to reveal the Sith's true identity, which only gave him more time to prepare and further his plans.

This was nobody's fault but Jedi's inaction, which was mostly caused due to their mistrust on Kol.

After Kol's warning, Darth Sidious completely gave up on retaining Darth Maul, but soon chose Count Dooku, a Jedi Master who had recently renounced the Order, as his new Sith apprentice.

Then not long after, Sidious and Dooku, who was now also known as Darth Tyranus, learned that a former member of the Jedi High Council, Master Sifo-Dyas, secretly commissioned the Kaminoans to build a clone army to protect the Republic.

To ensure Sifo-Dyas' silence, Dooku, as Tyranus, contacted a Syndicate and paid them to kill Sifo-Dyas.

Afterwards, of course they couldn't just throw away something as useful as a clone army when it was delivered to their doorstep, so Count Dooku hired the bounty hunter Jango Fett to be the clone template, and supplied the Kaminoan cloners with behavioral modification biochips for an extra measure of control.

These biochips would allow Sidious to use a secret protocol to force the clones to destroy the Jedi, whenever the Sith felt like it.

Naturally, Kol didn't stop any of it. He simply had no reason to, especially since the Sith knew not to provoke him in any way.

On the other hand, after celebrating weeks of reunion full of passion and emotions, Kol and Qetsiyah finally ended their session of debauchery and got up to something more productive.

Qetsiyah fixed Kol's M-watch and even upgraded it. As the inventor and the creator of the thing, it was easy for her.

Now the upgraded version was no longer a watch, but a wrist computer gauntlet, or a WCG, like what Predators had in that movie series.

[Images]

This WCG didn't only have many new functions, including a very powerful AI from Star Wars universe, but was also created to be indestructible. It even had nanites inside for extra measure, which could be used to repair.

After all, multiverse was a big place, you never know.

Plus nanites could be used in a variety of situations.

And just like that, two years passed.

Now Kol had nothing left to teach Anakin and Sabe about the Force, they had to walk the rest of the way themselves.

So Kol decided to depart and finally head back to his home-world after all these years.

On the other hand, Qetsiyah had to stay. There was much to be done in this world, it was simply too valuable, much more so than Marvel or DC worlds.

This world didn't only have easy to acquire extremely advance technology on a very large scale, but also countless biological samples for research, among other things.

Due to the presence of Force, sometimes, on some remote corners of the galaxy, life could grow even bigger than planets. This was nothing short of a miracle.

In early morning, Kol and Qetsiyah sat on the dining table with cutlery with half eaten food in front of them. They just had breakfast and were ready to start a new day.

Today, the atmosphere between them was a little awkward.

Looking at the droids cleaning up, Kol broke the silence, "So... I'm going back today.".

"Hmm.", she nodded, "What are you going to do? About Astrid I mean.".

Hearing this, Kol looked down, seemingly in deep thought, but soon broke the silence, "I... I don't know. What do you think?".

"You could start by apologising... I mean, you did threaten to smite her. She's your wife, your queen! Not some peasant.", Qetsiyah suggested with an accusing undertone.

And with that, a long uncomfortable silence once again resumed.

Qetsiyah slid her chair back and got up, ready to go upstairs and get ready to start the day.

But when she was passing by him, "Siya wait!", Kol grabbed her arm and pulled her to him, making her sit on his lap.

"What are you doing!", she protested.

"What are your plans today?", he asked.

So she calmed down and replied, "Going to that planet Dathomir... I wanna see how witches here are different, and maybe we can establish trade with them?".

"Hmm... well, I don't know about that. Witches should handle witches, whatever you feel like.", although he didn't want to get involved with this, but he always had such an intension. That was why he captured Darth Maul and kept him alive even to this day.

"Darth Maul is the son the Matriarch of the Nightsisters. He was kidnapped by Sidious when he was very young. You can take him there too.", Kol suggested.

"Hmm... that Sidious... remind me again, why we haven't dealt with him already?", Qetsiyah asked.

"He knows not to offend us. We simply have no reason. It's not like we are enemies.", Kol replied.

"He's a hidden danger to our trading partners.", Qetsiyah argued.

"If we go around dealing with every single so called 'hidden danger' out there, then war will never end. We'll probably have to spend eternity doing just that.", Kol replied.

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After years of getting tormented by the dead souls of Hunters she killed, Astrid finally left them to suffer for eternity in the Hell that Qetsiyah created.

That was quite an experience for Astrid, where the only thing that kept her going was the promise of revenge. That was the one force that was keeping her sane, and after that, when she finally got her revenge, Astrid felt empty inside.

So as Kol and Qetsiyah were busy looking for another adventure in the multiverse, Astrid left to explore their home-world.

Late-13th-century Scotland.

These times were those when humans still believed in all the supernatural and superstion, the fantasy unseen and the realty that did not exist. A little wonder of science, and next thing you know, they're all down on their knees, inventing another religion.

That's not what Kol wanted. There were already more than enough religions trying to destroy the world to add one more to the chaos.

It was one of many reasons why he always introduced himself as the 'king', or why Astrid or Qetsiyah introduced themselves as the 'queen' in their home-world where the times hadn't caught up for a more, 'scientific' way of thinking.

That was the main reason why Kol believed that it wasn't yet the time to expand his rule to over to the other continents of the world.

However, when Astrid arrived in Scotland, she met a young orphan girl whom she took a liking to, even taught her to read and write, and how to fight.

It was all fine and good until Astrid left to continue her adventure, leaving the girl behind, believing her to be more than capable enough to survive on her own.

She only came back five years later, and after asking around, Astrid found that girl had died.

Apparantly, she had fallen in love with a village boy. The two got married and were happy with their whole lives ahead of them, until English soldiers came to take her away for "jus primae noctis", or 'right of the first night'.

Naturally, the girl faught back, and managed to kill three of the bastards before going down herself. At least this way, she died with dignity.

But Astrid was furious. She knew with all logic and reason that she couldn't interfere, however anger still consumed her. That girl was just a regular human, and after she found peace, she couldn't be revived.

Naturally, Astrid, who always had a problem with anger, wasn't going to just let it go.

She slaughtered many English noblemen in her rage, together with their guards, even luring small armies sometimes, just to utterly massacre them and leaving no witnesses each time.

However, for Astrid, that was just a starter, not the main course. Just something that allowed her to breathe the fresh air of calmness and get the bigger perspective in focus.

Which was to destroy the English, but without affecting the developmen of humankind.

And she came up with an idea - To use a vessel estate to slowly conquer and educate the world.

It was what the English did, but without their greed, savagery, and inhumane acts of violence, like slaughtering, raping, and torturing the natives in the name of King, and God.

Himinnheim existed in American continent, so this vessel couldn't be from there.

Astrid chose the Scots. Not for any other reason, but just because that girl she knew was also Scottish.

She approached William Wallace, intending to use him at first, but soon gave up because Wallace envisioned a free Scotland, not for it to change owners.

On the other hand, Kol got word of Astrid's activities and sent a messenger to warn her not to interfere, that her plan was too risky and the times would progress by themselves. It would all have been worth it in the end.

But she didn't agree.

Scotland 1304.

The execution of William Wallace and the death of Andrew de Moray renewed the desire within Robert to cast off English rule. He gathered together his friends and allies and decided to call together the Scottish nobility to make his case for a second attempt at independence.

While some agreed with him, the others - namely John Comyn, who was his rival for the crown of Scotland, refused along with those who supported him.

So Robert confronted Comyn in a church. The two exchanged tense words, but when Comyn shared his intention of informing King Edward of his plans, Robert couldn't let him go anymore and killed him at the altar.

Afterwards, seeking absolution for his actions, Robert confessed the murder to the Scottish clergy.

That's when Astrid came in.

Letting the humankind develop by themselves didn't mean that Himinnheim completely did not interfere with the affairs of the world. It was the dark hand behind the scenes that controlled most of Mainstream Christianity.

Of course, it could no longer tbe called 'Christianity', as many of its practices that would be considered 'backwards', or 'radical' in the modern times were changed.

Religion influenced these times in mostly everything. A war had to be fought? Ask the priest for blessing. The prince had to be married? Ask priest. From little insignificant things to major decisions that would shape the course of history. Religion was in everything. And religion was completely controlled by the agents of Himinnheim.

So in a way, Kol already controlled the world, it was just that nobody knew anything about it.

Robert the Bruce waited on his knees outside the meeting room.

Lamberton, the head clergy spoke, "According to the law, he needs to be excommunicated. But I have recieved a letter from the Pope himself.".

"What does it say? Did the Pope have a vision?", one of the clergymen asked.

"No. There's nothing about the incident, but an Adjudicator has been sent.", Lamberton replied.

Adjudicators were executive officers from Himinnheim whom the regional clergy believed that worked directly under the Pope.

However, they were only deployed under extreme cases, like the Crusades, which in this case were only a front for spreading the influence of Himinnheim to the Eastern world, and not a war between Christianity and Islam.

And since Christianity in this world was very accepting and liberal, they did not have such a belief that anyone who wasn't Christian was an agent of Devil. So under the supervision of the Adjudicators, civilian deaths almost did not happen.

"An Adjudicator? I thought the Church did not interfere in such matters?", one of the clergymen asked.

"Apparently... it's a special case.", Lamberton answered.

Just then, the door behind Lamberton opened, "Yes! A special case indeed.", as a woman walked in.

The clergy got up in respect and bowed lightly, while the head clergy, Lamberton took two steps forward, blowed down, and gently recieved her offered hand. Feeling the smooth fabric of the glove, he kissed the ring on it that had an 'M' engraved in it.

"Welcome! welcome, your holiness, Adjudicator Astrid... hope you journey was a pleasant one?", Lamberton greeted.

Nobody even questioned how she came in, just stood on the side, waiting for her to take a seat.

But Astrid walked towards the door instead, "Oh, quite eventful.", she replied as the clergy followed behind her, "I've heard about the incident on the way and I'll be handling this matter personally.".

The clergymen followed behind her.

Astrid stopped in front of the still kneeling Robert, and commanded, "Get up!".

Robert hesitated and looked towards Lamberton who followed behind her.

"Robert, this is her holiness, Adjudicator Astrid, sent here by the Pope himself. You do as she asks.", Lamberton spoke.

Hearing that she'd been sent by the Pope, Robert's heart sank to the bottom. He knew what that implied, but he still did as told and got up.

Astrid spoke, "You've murdered someone inside the Church. That's against law and religion.".

Every sentence was like another stake at Robert's heart. He knew what his punishment was, and he was ready for it, but what saddened him was what would happen to Scotland without him. What would happen to the people with no one to lead them to freedom? Wouldn't they all become slaves to the English? His friends, family, and allies?

But Astrid continued, "But this is a special case, with the survival of the Scottish Church at stake. So you will not be excommunicated as per law. This will be an exception.".

This decision surprised everyone, including the clergymen who stared at each other with dumbfounded expression.

Astrid continued, "You will confess, and Lamberton will absolve you for the murder of John Comyn, and support your inauguration as the king of Scotland.".

"Lamberton?", asked the clergymen in surprised.

Even Lamberton himself, "Me! your holiness, you have the highest authority here, so...", but was interrupted.

"Yes! It has to be you. I will not be participating as an Adjudicator, but with my other identity.", Astrid replied.

"Another identity?", Lamberton asked.

In reply, Astrid made a declaration that would change the very course of history itself, from its otherwise destined path,"Yes, indeed! I am the Adjudicator Astrid, but I am also... the Queen Astrid of Himinnheim.".

Astrid offered Robert her help in return of an alliance with the free Scotland.

But what should be noted here is that she offered her help, and not the help of her country's army. Referring to the troops she commanded.

This was a small army of 99 men and women, and every one of them was a Dhampir of her Sireline. She chose them, trained them and commanded them.

This small army was further divided into three squadrons, each with 32 soldiers, and commanded by an Heretic each.

Of course, they could no longer be called 'Heretics', since they were Siphoners+Dhampirs, rather than Siphoners+Vampires, and as such, they were called 'Apostles'.

Two of the three commanders were Apostles, while one was a Heretic.

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Soon after in the village of Scone, at the break of dawn, Robert de Brus, 5th Lord of Annandale was crowned king of Scotland.

Around the same time, Edward I received word of Comyn's murder and Robert's crowning, and declared him an outlaw.

Then he charged Aymer de Valence, the commander of the garrison at Perth to deal with Robert and his forces, and ordered Prince Edward II to lead hundreds of knights to ride under the banner of dragon, ignoring the tenants of chivalry and showing no mercy to the enemy and/or their supporters. Even civilians were not to be spared.

When the two armies met, it was a Sunday. So it was agreed that they would battle the next day, and Robert and Valence would fight one-on-one to decide the victor. That way the casualties would be kept to a minimum.

It was evening and everyone was resting. They had set up camp in the forest near Perth and were preparing to get a good night's sleep before the battle tomorrow.

Bruce was in his tent with his family, and Astrid was in hers, reading some book about war strategies.

Suddenly, Astrid heard a voice from outside, "Your majesty! May I come in?".

"Hmm.", Astrid replied in a barely audible voice.

But it seemed that it was enough for someone with super hearing. The curtain of her tent opened and a lady in armour walked in.

"Sage, what is it?", Astrid asked.

Sage was the only person under her command who wasn't from her Sireline.

Sage was the lover of Finn Mikaelson, and the very first Vampire he ever turned. She approached Astrid seeking help for a particular matter, which she was promised in return of 700 years of service.

Even that was generous considering the growing tension between Astrid and Kol. As time passed, they were only growing more and more estranged, so Astrid was subconsciously avoiding matters relating to Mikaelson family.

Sage was an exceptional warrior and rose quickly in ranks. The merits she accumulated were enough for her to get the Siphon gene and become a Heretic. Currently, she was a General who commanded 32 loyal Dhampirs.

"Valence is assembling troops outside the forest, preparing to attack.", Sage reported calmly.

Astrid was not surprised at all. Empty talks of chivalry and religion might had Robert fool, but she'd seen too much to believe that nonsense. At the end of the day, these things were only for convenience. Not to mention their Prince had raised the Dragon banner. Astrid knew what that meant.

"Assemble, and prepare to counter them. Don't attack before the Scots understand the situation. Let the English attack this camp, then ambush them from the trees. I want absolute slaughter.", Astrid ordered as she got up, preparing to put on her armour.

As Sage left, Astrid picked up her beloved axe and walked towards Robert's tent, intending to share this intelligence. She was very interested in what Robert would choose to do now.