Chapter 5 - An offering for the Gods

The light stream of water flowed with an ethereal melody, Mio and Annik walked stealthy as they hid among the Gorse shrubs, they agreed on hiding there until the constellation of kara was almost over the east tower. 

The sound of the chirping crickets made the air around them eerie as they stayed hidden in dead silence. Soon the area was clear for a few minutes as the roving patrol changed their section. 

Taking the chance, Mio and Annik tapped the stonewall under Vaughn's window, with a swish! A thick rope dropped from his window. Soon they had entered his room, minor shenanigans like this were effortless for warriors like them. After All they have been trained in the art of war since childhood, soon after the title of Bellator and Keeper was granted upon their young bones. 

"Listen! I think we all should run away." Mio was the first one to begin. Vaughn raised his eyebrow at her suggestion. "Mio, that is not the plan. We will get out of here alive but not without our revenge"

"Revenge — Revenge —- Revenge! What revenge!! You were never like this before Elio! You have never let them get to your head. You always—" Mio stopped herself but Vaughn finished the sentence for her. "A chump? An accommodating doormat? A meek bed pisser? What else do you wanna add to the list Annik?" Vaughn looked to Annik, who stared at him open mouthed. "I-i…" 

"Forget it!" 

This was not the Elio they knew from childhood, the one so shy and weak, who could not even kill a fly without feeling bad for it. The one always in the tuck of his mother, who always started at anything with an endearing gaze. Was he ever capable of this much hate? Have they never known him? Never known what goes inside their dear friends mind? Mio and Annik's mind's toiled with despair at the thought. 

Vaughn continued. "Forget it! I never wanted to do this ever. I would have never thought about revenge ever. But they have now tied my hands. First, they tried to kill me, then they tried to kill you both. Now I can't stay silent. I must rebel. We must rebel!" 

His fists tightened by his sides as he silently screamed those words at them.

"I still don't understand why you even agreed to this?" 

"Did you think I had a choice? You know it! Yet you still try to blame me!"

"I—Elio.."

"If you guys don't want to do it, forget that you ever took vows to protect me, I can sliver my vows with you and make you free men again. Heck! You can take that Mul. Or his bloody father Stulo as your master for all I care!"

Mio was the one to speak now, "Elio you are not being rational… You are not behaving like yourself" 

"What do I have to give to get you on my plan? We can run, but then we are only delaying our sentences. We will get caught and trust me that man will make sure of that." Vaughn pointed his finger behind him, talking about the man he knows Mio and Annik hate the most. He couldn't care less about him, but now he had made an enemy out of him. Unfortunately for Stulo, he messed with the right person at the wrong time. That lousy prince would have meekly accepted his dumb fate!

"What do you want us to do?" Annik spoke as Mio looked at him surprised before turning to Vaughn. "I guess, I have no choice then but I do hope you have a plan…" 

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The Trio spent the entire night building an escape plan. Many looks of surprises were exchanged as they heard their prince talk. They have never seen him so dead bent on getting back at the people that hurt him. When the first ray of sun hit the east tower, both of them left Vaughn's room with their tasks. It was not going to be easy but the least they could do was give it a try.

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When the dawn broke, the young maidens from yesterday performed the same rituals and took Vaughn to the Golden Halls of the Palace. His keepers were dawned in the same clothes as yesterday as they were all welcomed by an Elmarian Priest clothed in a silken red robe with golden stole draped around his neck. He strutted forward with a Golden Mug in his hands as the trio stood in the middle of the hall, their swords resting on the ceremonial mount, facing the 3 enormous marbled statues of the Elmarian Gods. Everyone else in the hall, gazed in front of them, in silence. 

What is this now? Vaughn thought. 

Mio hugged Vaughn with his right elbow, raising an eyebrow. Vaughn just shrugged it off. 

"Silence!" Annik was the one to whisper now, as his eyes stayed trained forward. 

"My Prince, Please dip your fingers in this holy concoction. The Keeper and The Bellator will then follow." , the old priest spoke with his aging voice, slowly as he instructed the armoured trio in front of him.

Vaughn did as instructed, so did the other two. After the ritual was performed the priest whispered an incantation under his breath and turned to face the statue of the gods and slowly dripped the concoction onto the swords laying in front of him. 

Turning, he bowed to the statues and then the trio. 

"The Ritual is complete." 

Stating that, he turned on his heels and took leave, following him everyone slowly dispersed from the temple. 

"That's it?" All three of them whispered at the same time.

"Well, that gives more time to us." , Vaughn stated as he Slowly turned to face his soldiers, taking off the wooden mask off-his face. His eyes dark with hunger as an innocent smile blossomed on his beautiful face. "Let's get this started." 

"My Prince… I am sorry I wasn't able to join the event yesterday. Father had kept me busy with other tasks.", A voice called from behind. The trio recognized it immediately. Mul. Mul made his way to the trio. An apologetic smile marred his face. "You guys are lucky to become gods. I wish I could join." 

Mio and Annik's faces turned sour. 

"I have a way." Vaughn spoke, Mio and Annik faced him in surprise as the color on Mul's face faded to ash white. 

"I-mean , you cannot join us in ascension but you can join us for a drink. What do you say? For old times sake?" Vaughn wrapped his arm around Mul's shoulder and gave him a gentle pull. 

"I have other tasks to tend to, Father would be very mad if there is even one minor mistake" , he said as he slowly unwrapped his arm, giving his head a light shake.

"Oh! Com'on, I promise. I will let you off after just 2 drinks." Vaughn said as he crossed his fingers in front of Mul, giving him a cheeky smile. "I will be very sad, afterall we won't be seeing each other after today!"

"Okay! Okay! Just one drink though.." Mul gave in as he gestured for Vaughn to lead him. Vaughn turned towards his keepers as he gave them a wink. 

The Plan was in Motion.