Last One

"Wait! Don't you need to take a break or something?" Mago asks with concern. I smile and say, "Did you forget? I just slept for like two days. I think I've rested enough. We need to hurry. The longer we wait, the worst it'll be." Mago doesn't seem to agree but he doesn't argue.

I close my eyes, focusing on the last one and calling up my magic. The golden light flashes and once again, I'm teleported. I stumble a few feet when I land but when I look up, I find my entire body freezing.

Several people turn to look at me with wide eyes filled with shock and confusion. The most concerning thing was the man and woman sitting up on what looks like a throne! Several armed guards rush over, pulling their swords as they yell "Intruder!!"

"Protect his Majesty!" They yell swarming me. I purse my lips, irritated. Well, I didn't see this coming. Every single time we've done this, we've landed right outside the infected town but now I've somehow landed myself right in the middle of the palace!

That means the last piece is somewhere close.

"Wait!" Someone yells out causing everyone to pause. Weimin walks over yelling, "Drop your weapons! This is the Goddess! She must be here for a reason!" My eye twitches when I see the familiar man in white making his way over.

The guards hesitate, looking over to the king for direction. The king nods to another man and that man yells out, "Stand down!" I'm guessing the man was a general or something by the looks of it. Weimin walks up to me, reaching out for my hand.

I pull my hand away with a frown, looking around at everyone before saying, "It seems as if I interrupted something. I apologize. I'm only here looking for something. As soon as I find it, I will leave."

Weimin goes to speak but he's cut off by the king, "So you are the goddess I've heard so much about? Come closer." I think about declining but if I want to collect this last piece without any problems, I need to play nice.

Weimin steps to the side, slightly bowing and lifting his arm towards the king. I narrow my eyes a little at him before turning and walking straight towards the king and I'm assuming the queen, sitting on a solid gold throne. The man was in his middle to late thirties, still young but he held himself as if he were much older. The woman next to him seemed to be a bit younger, beautiful in her own right.

He looks me over as I come to a stop before him. The steps leading up to his throne weren't high, so I only needed to lift my head a little, but I still didn't like it. "Indeed, you are as beautiful as the rumors say. Tell me, you said that you were looking for something, what are you looking for within my palace?" He says with a slight smile.

Even though he was smiling, it didn't reach his eyes. I give him the same courtesy as I smile back and say, "I'm sure you're aware of what's happened to some of the surrounding villages and towns. I'm here trying to prevent the same thing from happening. I need to collect something before it becomes too late."

His cold eyes stare me down as the entire room remains silent. He then calls out, "Weimin, you said that this woman had saved my people, is that correct?" Weimin steps up beside me, bowing as he says, "Yes, that is correct your Majesty. She's been blessed by the heavens and slays evil without hesitation. She is a true hero that has blessed our lands. My King, the heavens must have known we would face such a calamity and because you're such a great King, they've sent her to serve as your blade of justice."

I do my best to keep a straight face as I turn to silently look at Weimin. What kind of bullshit is this crazy bastard spewing? Blade of justice? When I look back, I notice the Queen's lip twitching in amusement.

The King nods his head as his cold eyes remain calculative. He then lifts his hand and says, "Weimin, assist the Goddess in the search. After she has eliminated all the threats, I will bestow upon her a title of this land and give her a reward for serving this King and his kingdom."

It takes every ounce of my willpower not to roll my eyes and say something snarky as Weimin bows low and says, "I will obey your commands, your Majesty. We will slay all the evil and bring you good news." The King smiles, lifts his hand, and says, "You are dismissed."

I narrow my eyes, biting my tongue but when I see the Queen's eyes, I slightly nod at her before leaving. The king's eyes narrow, catching the gesture as I walk away. I have no idea where I'm going so, I head for the only doors I see.

Weimin easily catches up to me, and says, "Please follow me." Men by the doors open them when we approach, watching me silently as I step away. I use my magic, zeroing in on the shard. Weimin tries to lead me to the left, but I turn right and keep walking.

He quickly turns back, following after me as he softly but urgently says, "This isn't like out there. This is the Palace! There are rules and places that are off limits." I keep walking, ignoring him as I say, "It's all the same to me. I'm after the shard, the rest doesn't matter."

Weimin curses as he says, "I don't want to see you in trouble! If the King tries to punish you, I won't be able to save you!" I scoff as I say, "I'd like to see him try. Stop fretting. As long as he leaves me alone, I won't kill him."

Weimin's steps falter before quickly catching up to me and hissing out, "Don't ever repeat those words in here! If someone else were to hear you, they would kill you for treason!" I roll my eyes, ignoring him as I keep walking. It's like talking to a wall.

I step through different yards and different courtyards, but I keep going, ignoring all the strange looks and whispers. When I reach a rather large wall, I pause. I look both ways, but I don't see a door of any kind. Weimin says something to his men, they bow and take off leaving just the two of us.

Weimin steps up next to me and asks, "What? What's wrong?" I lift my hand, creating a hole made out of golden light as I say, "It's here." I step through, surprised to see Weimin following closely beside me. Was he not afraid? Trusting someone he doesn't even know?

When we step through to the other side, I'm surprised by what I see. Weimin curses under his breath and says, "This is the Royal burial grounds!" Black roots were everywhere as the stench of death coated the air like a thick blanket.

In the center of it all sat a corpse with strips of old fabric hanging from its decaying body. The black roots looked as if they were feeding it! The thing sat on the largest tombstone, much like a king on a throne. It slowly looks up and when a pair of shockingly human eyes lock on me, I find myself pausing.