Chapter 48
Axe's anguish reverberated through the castle, the severance of his bond with Velvet leaving him in excruciating pain. The sheer intensity of his roar sent shockwaves through the halls, causing servants to tremble and seek shelter. Beliard, alerted by the tumult, hurried to Axe's study, bursting through the door without hesitation.
"What has happened?" Beliard's voice was laced with concern as he took in Axe's anguished state.
"She's gone. I can no longer feel her!" Axe's eyes blazed with a deep purple hue, a manifestation of his immense grief. His entire being trembled with a mix of sorrow and rage. "Beliard, we must find her immediately. No one will be safe, not even you. Fetch Ingrid at once. She will know what to do."
Beliard wasted no time, his resolve unwavering. He swiftly turned and raced out the door, his hope resting on divine intervention. The fate of the kingdom hung in the balance without Velvet by Axe's side. As he sprinted through the streets, he caught sight of Ingrid's distinctive flame-colored hair charging towards him with unyielding determination.
Ingrid didn't pause for a moment, running past Beliard, her urgency palpable. "Come on! We must reach him swiftly." Beliard pivoted, keeping pace with her.
"How did you know?" he asked between breaths, struggling to match her speed.
"The entire kingdom heard his roar! We must calm him down. I have a special concoction, one I prepared long ago for this very purpose."
Their hearts pounding with trepidation, they raced back to the castle, their minds filled with the weight of the task ahead. Upon their return, the devastation within Axe's study met their eyes. Ingrid raised an eyebrow, admiring Axe's choice to preserve his people over his possessions.
"I see," she murmured, her voice laced with respect. "He would rather destroy his study than endanger his people. We must act swiftly."
Ingrid quickly prepared the sedative mixture, a carefully concocted blend of herbs and magic. They approached Axe cautiously, their intentions clear. With great care, they administered the sedative, hoping to ease his pain and quell the storm of emotions raging within him.
As the mixture took effect, Axe's trembling form gradually stilled. The once-fiery glow in his eyes faded, replaced by a weariness that spoke volumes of his heartbreak. Ingrid and Beliard exchanged a solemn glance, knowing that their true challenge had only just begun. The kingdom would need their strength, resilience, and unwavering determination to weather the storm that had befallen them.
With Axe temporarily calmed, Ingrid turned to Beliard, her voice firm yet tinged with sorrow. "We must rally the kingdom, gather our allies, and uncover the truth. Axe cannot bear this burden alone. We will find Velvet, and together, we will restore balance to the realm."
Beliard nodded, his resolve fortified. "I will summon the council, rally our forces, and ensure that Axe has the support he needs. We will not rest until we bring justice and reunite our king with his queen."
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Deep within the hidden chambers of his dark fortress, Polar meticulously devised his plan to overthrow King Axe and seize control over the kingdom. The acquisition of the orb had granted him unparalleled power, making the execution of his malevolent goals seemingly effortless. The orb, a relic of immense potency, possessed the ability to manipulate minds and twist loyalties—a formidable weapon at his disposal.
Summoning his loyal followers, a cadre of dark mages, Polar set the stage for the imminent subversion. Their eyes gleamed with anticipation and malice as they gathered around him, eager to carry out his every command.
"Polar, reveal your plan to us," one of the mages implored, his voice tinged with a mix of excitement and reverence.
A sinister smile crept across Polar's face as he addressed his devoted minions. "We shall turn the Lords against their beloved King Axe," he declared, venom dripping from his words. Raising the orb high, he allowed the dim light to cast eerie shadows across the room. Murmurs of intrigue and trepidation spread like wildfire among the mages.
"While Axe is consumed with his futile search for Velvet, we shall seize the opportunity to execute our move," Polar continued, his voice resonating with dark authority. "I will summon the Lords for an emergency meeting, luring them into a trap. Once they are gathered, I will employ the orb's power to manipulate their minds, binding them within the chamber. No one shall leave until I give the signal, and any who dare to defy my orders will meet a swift and dire fate."
Silence enveloped the room, broken only by the soft echoes of Polar's proclamation. One of the mages bowed low, his voice trembling with subservience. "We shall carry out your commands without question, my lord."
Rising from his throne-like seat, Polar surveyed his followers with an air of self-assuredness. "Let us depart now," he commanded, leading the way out of the hidden chambers. The lesser mages, their loyalty unwavering, trailed behind him like ominous shadows. As they reached the castle, Polar summoned the palace servants with an air of authority.
"You and you," he pointed, his voice laced with both demand and menace. "Bring every lord in this town to the castle immediately. This is a royal decree, and any who dare to refuse shall face severe consequences." A ripple of unease coursed through the servants, their eyes darting nervously.
A brave servant finally found the courage to speak up, his voice quivering. "Is this a royal decree from King Axe himself?" The question hung heavily in the air, challenging Polar's authority.
In an instant, Polar closed the distance between them, his grip tightening around the servant's collar. "No, it is not. As the prince of our people, I issue this order. Unless you prefer to face the consequences yourself?" The servant's eyes widened, fear evident in his trembling voice. "No, my prince. I will see to it immediately." With a dismissive wave, Polar released his hold, watching as the servant scrambled away in terror.
As the lords began to fill the grand chamber, their expressions ranging from curiosity to disapproval, Polar took his place on the throne, eyes gleaming with malevolence. Each lord found their seat, their gazes fixated on Polar, awaiting an explanation for the abrupt summoning.
Rising from the imposing throne, Polar paced around the room, his voice carrying with an air of authority. "I have called you all here because I have grave news. Your beloved King Axe has committed an unspeakable act—a horrific crime that shattered the trust we once placed in him."
Outrage and confusion filled the chamber as the lords erupted in a cacophony of voices. One older lord, his hair graying and his stature imposing, spoke out amidst the chaos. "This is madness! King Axe is a just and noble ruler. What evidence do you have to support such a claim?"
Polar turned his attention back to the assembled lords, his eyes glinting with wickedness. From within his robes, he produced the orb, holding it aloft for all to see. Whispers of trepidation swept through the room. "I have here the power to reveal the truth," Polar hissed, his fingers curling around the orb's smooth surface.
With a low and chilling whisper, Polar began to weave insidious incantations, intertwining his dark magic with the enchantments held within the orb. The pulsating glow emanating from the artifact captivated the lords, ensnaring their minds and bending their wills to his desire.
"From this day forward," Polar intoned, his voice resonating with an unnatural authority, "you will pledge your allegiance to me. Axe is no longer fit to rule. His instability and his supposed act of violence against Velvet have tainted his reign. It is in the kingdom's best interest that he be removed from the throne."
As heads nodded in unison, eyes empty and minds corrupted, the power of the orb solidified Polar's hold over the lords. Content with his success, he returned the orb to its resting place, the lords emerging from their stupefied state.
One of mages stepped forward bowing low "Your highest, what do we do now?"
As the mages waited in anticipation, Polar's gaze fixated on the door. A malicious grin crept across his face, a twisted manifestation of his triumph. "We simply wait," he declared, his voice dripping with satisfaction. He settled himself comfortably upon the throne, relishing in the realization that no one would discover Velvet's lifeless body, forever hidden within the depths of the water.
Eyes gleaming with a mix of reverence and fear, one of the mages stepped forward, his voice laced with deference. "Your highest, what shall we do now? How shall we proceed?"
Polar's grin widened as he considered their next move. "You!" he commanded, pointing to one of the mages with a cruel twist of his finger. "Bring Axe to me. The final act of our dark play is about to unfold."
The summoned mage bowed deeply before quickly departing to fulfill his master's command. Polar's heart raced with excitement, his mind focused on the imminent confrontation. He reveled in the thought of unveiling the depths of Axe's despair and crushing the remnants of hope that clung to his brother's heart.