Evoke the Past with Hope

"A tempting offer, but it's worth nothing to me." Said Darlos, his jaw under the fist and his elbow on the armrest of the throne.

"How long do you think staying in isolation will help you? If you didn't attack, then they will do it." Said Leon.

The man got up from the throne and walked forward, only to halt before Leon.

His height was massive and his eyes shimmering in crimson light. His expression was dejected by the appearance of the man who offered him a price worth nothing to him.

"I would die by the men of honour, not by those braveless people."

Darlos referred to the current kingdom; he knew everything about them, from bottomless chambers to the surface of the gleaming and holy palace.

Even then, he didn't want to fight them. Darlos only asked for a fair battle, even if it meant losing his life. 

But the kingdom currently running had no honesty whatsoever.

"I don't care if you die or live; what matters to me is the people under your command."

"Why would an outsider be worrying about people of a foe?"

Leon, with knowledge, was aware of what to say---someone who had seen the worst part once Darlos was defeated or, more accurately, sealed himself.

"When the holy palace invades this territory, they will make them slaves only to release them in a village. And that village is a precious place."

Darlos twirled and strolled towards his throne; he stood before it and stared at the shabby old seat of his. It had been used for too long, a companion staying by his side for more than several centuries.

He opened his mouth, his voice deep and dull.

"Not enough of a reason to fight against them. I can protect my people, and you can yours."

He knew his power would be enough to make them retrieve their forces. Only a century longer than a hundred passes, then the throne with him must perish, but that is in the hands of his successor.

Leon took a sigh; he had enough of the bullshit… He knew the real coward was this monster before him. He knew Darlos just didn't want to leave his castle.

Feared of leaving what he had piled up for years of his life.

"Darlos," he called him, Leon's voice icy and piercing.

"Your no king; you're a pathetic man who lost his way. Honour is your excuse. You couldn't even save 'her'."

The ground shook violently, and the pillars soared up slightly from the ground. An eerie aura exuded from Darlos; it was red as ever and powerful as the might of the dragon.

Darlos turned around, his face filled with fury. He was enraged and bared his teeth towards Leon.

"You insolent child, do you even know what you have said? Your mind must be a rock, thinking you can face the consequence."

Leon didn't flinch, his readied sword clutched in hand. In a place where wind was seldom seen. There was a gust of cold wind that was like icicles piercing into him.

Darlos saw Leon standing bravely; his display of power had not rattled the man. The armor Leon wore had reflected the wind, and the threat of Pillars pouncing at him was a measly thing to Leon.

"Darlos, she's alive…" Leon declared, "They had not killed her."

Everything paused where they were; the sound of the wind dissipated rapidly, and the pillar with a 'thud' fell on the ground.

"What? No, I saw her with my two own eyes taking her own life…"

"A fool like you, blinded by love, saw nothing but an illusion for more than 3 years. The woman who died that day was not Manali but someone who could shapeshift and take once's memory for own use."

"Impossible, impo…si..ble."

"Furthermore, the real Manali has been abducted and used as a source of magic summoner energy."

"No, No…"

"You had been fooled by the holy palace for a long time."

Darlos was dumbfounded and perplexed. Was this really the truth? But he had sensed the same energy from that woman who he spent his last three years with as Manali had.

But why… why was this so convincing to him?

Was it because he wanted to see her again?

He glared at Leon and dashed towards him. His fast and unmatching pace was far superior for Leon to notice. Not a second had passed; Darlos was before him.

Darlos threw a fist at Leon; however, it was blocked before it could reach his face.

The hand with which Leon blocked was shuddering. The strength placed in the fist was far weaker; if it wasn't, his armor would have been shattered into pieces like mirrors.

"Showing me angry won't solve anything; soothe your mind. Doesn't a king want his queen back? I will lead you to her if you want her back, but only if you help me out."

Darlos pulled his hand back and rubbed the wrist of his arm.

"Pardon me, it seems I have gone too far this time."

With just a snap of his finger, the whole place turned into a dining room. The table was decorated. Plates, forks, and spoons were strewed on the lengthy table in a fascinating manner.

On one side of the table was Leon, and on the other side was Darlos.

Content was present on the plates; the smell of delicacies wafted near the noses of the two men. Leon had no interest in taking part in this ridiculous dinner.

But he had to; this would be a good way to make progress.

Darlos chewed on the fragment of the meat, while Leon was gazing at it like it was a strange piece of something presented to him.

He had last seen cooked meat maybe when he started out as a 'Hero'.

"Since you knew of me, you should introduce yourself. Trust builds with introduction."

Leon looked at the Darlos. Dark brown beard and wrinkles enfold on the skin. The man was still handsome, more than the glorious king.

"Leon, once chained by bastards but now will bite them head on."

"I see." Darlos sliced another piece with a knife and, with the fork, placed the meat in his mouth.

"I can smell honesty in you." Darlos looked closely and examined Leon's face, "and ceaseless desire for revenge."

"A dog with enormous hunger never sees his own owner; he will gnaw him too and eat his flesh." Darlos said further.

 Darlos, while slicing meat once more, paused.

"How does a dog know of his owner's profound secrets? I heard the dogs deemed to be their forever loyal; only can they learn secrets when captured and despaired."

Leon had not responded most of the time; he knew the man before him was just saying to evoke his past pain and provoke his anger.

"Who knows, maybe someone will ask the same dog to gnaw him too until he dies," said Leon.

Darlos eyes quivered, and he looked strangely at Leon and then smirked, ignoring what Leon said.

But Leon was serious about what he had said.

The queen that Darlos wanted to save was outwardly dead. Only the soul was kept conscious to extract the magic. A dead human was still in use.

When Darlos tried to save her, he lost her soul. When wholly broken, the man sealed himself forever.

That is… what exactly Leon was thinking to do. He never cared about anything but what was necessary to accomplish his goal, even if it meant allowing others to suffer misery.