Chapter 12

Back in the present

"It won't be long before Lorsan's contract wears off completely! Do something!!" Aine begged. "It's easier said than done you know!! Don't just say things as if it's a snap away!" Darius yelled. Novius was lost in thought about what was going on.. "Tell me where you guys are now, I'll try to get to you" Veda said sternly. "We are on the way to the highest point! Meet us at the stairs!" Darius said, grabbing Novius and turning a sharp corner.

The two continued to swim through the halls, searching for the stairs.

With Veda

Veda swam out of the secret passage with the unconscious king in her grip. She left through the library with a few vile's she stole from that unknown lab.. The hybrids were assisted by the captured Aexetan's, creating a bubble to help the hybrids breathe underwater. Veda helped them find an exit and helped them communicate with the other Aexetan's outside of the castle. Veda turned her communications off before turning to face the stairs, quickly starting to swim up the stairs.

She fought off the guards trying to stop her, using the king as a human shield. Using the viles she stole from the lab, she suffocated the guards with toxic potions thrown into their faces. She quickly swum away from the guards. Then, the king started speaking.. "You are quite the talented warrior... if you become and Aexetan, I could help you make the nine realms tremble at your feet.." The King spoke. Veda was stunned.. She stopped swimming and looked down at him. He should still be unconscious.. why was he up already?.. "Huh.. how are you up already?.. I should hit you harder." Veda raised her fist, ready to punch him again. "Oh dear.. You have no idea who you are dealing with. It's best if you just join me.." The King spoke again.. Veda froze and looked at The king.. His body remained motionless.. yet his face was the only thing moving..

"What in gods name is this.." Veda asked, checking The kings pulse. His pulse was weak, yet enough to help him survive.. "Would you like me to tell you who you are dealing with?.." The King spoke, smirking. Veda was unsure.. "No. Save your games for someone else." Veda said sternly before continuing to swim up the stairs. "You are quite the unique one.. but I wonder what your dear ally's would think if they found out the truth about you.. They would be quite devastated, yes?" The King teased. "Be quiet" Veda scowled, giving the king another hard punch. The king fell back..

Back with Novius and Darius

They continued to swim in circles, trying to shake the king off their tails. Darius noticed something off.. "He's just mindlessly following us.." Darius pointed out. Novius looked back and noticed it aswell.. "I wonder what would happen if I.." Darius then closed his eyes, reciting a spell.. And suddenly, they both vanished into thin air.. The king and his guards froze, looking around.. "Find them!!" The king ordered as the guards rushed the other way. The king suddenly felt someone grab him by the neck.. He looked around but didn't see anyone. Darius and Novius reappeared in front of The kings eyes.. "That quick training back in the cells payed off!" Darius said, releasing some runes from his clutched hand. "I didn't even know you could do an invisibility spell underwater" Novius said, chuckling slightly to himself.

The king struggled in Novius's grip. "Get straight to the point buddy, how do we end all the contracts and set this kingdom free. Or else.." Novius threatened. The king froze in fear.. "I- I don't know! I swear!" The king begged. "This guy really is testing my patience." Novius pointed out. "I- I mean it! I'm not the real king, I'm just a stuck tourist! The real King made me do this! He said he'd kill me if I refused!" The fake king begged. Novius and Darius looked at eachother before letting him go. "We believe you, but you need to be useful and show us where his room is." Darius said. The fake king nodded before starting to swim in a direction.

Suddenly, The fake king looked down and froze.. "Hey, you okay?" Novius asked. "Keep moving" Darius said sternly. The fake king looked back up and turned back to face them. This time, he had a smirk on his face.. "It is such a pleasure to meet the two of you.. Novius the human archery prodigy, Darius the apprentice of Great wizard Yules" The King spoke.. "And you must be the real King" Darius said. "Indeed you are correct" The King said. "Listen, we don't want any trouble.. We just want to set these people free" Novius said. "I'm afraid I can't let you do that." The King pointed out. "And why not?" Darius asked. "Because they are my people now. And I need them for my master plan" The King replied.

"So, you are using innocent people as puppets to communicate with your citizens?" Novius asked in disbelief.. "I must do what I must to execute my master plan perfectly. But you brats are making this ten times harder than it's supposed to be. These citizens aren't even your people." The King said sternly. "There's a little something called sympathy and kindness, which obviously you need to learn." Novius replied sternly. "I'm doing all this for my people! I'm bringing them to paradise! I just need more citizens than the amount Aexetan had to offer." The King pointed out.

"You are crazy aren't you... You're hurting them instead of bringing them paradise!" Novius said furiously. "It's all part of the process! Their suffering will be rewarded with paradise.. You both can join us.. it's not too late.." The King said. He then summoned two empty contracts along with the special quills.. Both Novius and Darius looked at eachother, unsure... They thought about the idea of paradise together.. They picked up the quills and signed the contract.. The King grinned maliciously.. "You both will enjoy paradise to the fullest.." The King said.