Word count: 1550 words
---------------------------------
The grand meeting room of Obsidian Chains was bathed in a soft, golden light. A long, obsidian table stretched across the room, its sleek surface reflecting the presence of those seated around it.
At the head of the table sat Meliodas, his posture relaxed but his expression serious as he looked over his subjects.
Makima, Yoriichi, Mahito, Shoko, Robin, and Rem were all seated around him, their expressions a mix of eagerness and restraint.
Meliodas leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Alright, we've got a job. Five elves, high-quality, for a Baharuth noble. We're heading to the Elven Kingdom. Usually, I would just send someone to do the task himself, but I'm kind of interested in how the elven kingdom looks."
Immediately, voices rose.
"I'll go," Yoriichi said calmly, his crimson eyes steady.
"No, me," Mahito countered, grinning. "I can convince them better."
"Master, I should accompany you," Rem insisted, her hands folded neatly in her lap. "You'll need proper care while traveling."
"And I can scout ahead," Robin added smoothly.
Makima, ever composed, smiled. "I could ensure negotiations go smoothly."
Meliodas sighed, breaking the silence, his voice steady yet filled with a hint of regret. "I know you all wish to accompany me to the Elven Kingdom, but it's not possible for everyone to join me. There are too many responsibilities here. The organization needs leadership, and many of you have your own tasks to attend to."
Makima's voice was the first to respond, calm yet laced with determination, and she respectfully bowed. "I understand, but I must admit I would have preferred to accompany you, Meliodas. I just can't rest assured about your safety unless I'm there with you."
Meliodas nodded, his eyes scanning the room. "I appreciate your loyalty, each of you. But this is the reality. Kurogiri will always be by my side, as he has always been. Yoriichi, you will accompany me as my bodyguard alongside Robin. And Rem, you will come as my maid, as always."
A wave of relief washed over Rem's face as she smiled brightly. "Thank you, Master!" she said with a soft, joyful tone.
Yoriichi gave a small nod, his usual stoicism not betraying the satisfaction he felt.
Robin smiled faintly. "It seems like our roles have been assigned. I am honored to serve as your protector as well."
"Someone's gotta keep things fun here," Meliodas shot back with a grin. "Makima, you're in charge while I'm gone. Mahito, Shoko, you two handle any unexpected problems."
Makima inclined her head. "As you wish."
Meliodas stood up, signaling the end of the meeting. "Let's get ready to leave. Kurogiri, teleport us to the location I showed you on the map."
With a swift motion, Kurogiri's figure shifted, a swirl of darkness enveloping them all. Meliodas, Yoriichi, Shoko, Rem, and Robin were all drawn into the shadow, disappearing from the obsidian chains and reappearing in a dense, quiet forest.
The air was crisp, and the distant sound of rustling leaves filled the space.
With the map Makima provided in hand, Meliodas' group began in their track through the forest, the sounds of their footsteps mingling with the natural ambiance.
"Let's move forward," Meliodas said, taking the lead. "We need to find an elven settlement first. Keep your senses sharp."
.
.
.
A few days after Meliodas had left for the Elven kingdom, the Re-Estize castle was in chaos.
Shouts echoed through the halls, the clash of steel rang from every corridor, and the scent of blood hung thick in the air. Barbro had abandoned all reason, turning his ambition into outright treason, his soldiers cutting down anyone who stood in their way, loyalists, servants, maids, and even nobles who hesitated to pledge themselves to his cause.
Yet, in the heart of the storm, Princess Renner sat calmly in her chambers, sipping tea as if the world outside wasn't tearing itself apart.
Climb's hands trembled around the hilt of his sword. His eyes darted between the door and the princess, his voice strained with urgency. "Your Highness, we have to leave! Now! If Barbro's men find you—!"
Brain, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, let out a sigh. "She can't. Not yet."
Climb whirled on him, teeth bared. "What do you mean she can't?! Are you insane?! They'll kill her!"
"Orders are orders," Brain said simply. "She doesn't move unless the Master allows it."
"Who the hell is this Master?!" Climb snapped, frustration boiling over. "I don't care about orders, I care about saving her life!"
Renner set down her teacup with a soft clink, her golden eyes meeting Climb's with serene patience.
"Climb," she said gently. "Trust me. Everything will be alright."
His chest tightened. 'How could she be so calm? How could she smile while death marched toward them?'
Before Climb could argue further, the sound of someone fumbling with the door handle interrupted them. All three tensed. The door was locked, but the noise outside grew more frantic, then aggressive. Someone was trying to force their way in.
Climb's sword was out instantly, his body tensed for battle. Brain straightened, his hand drifting toward his blade. Even Renner's fingers stilled, though her expression remained unreadable.
Another thud, harder this time. The wood groaned.
Then...
*CRACK!*
The door burst inward, splinters flying.
Climb lunged in front of Renner, sword raised, only for Brain to grab his wrist.
"Stand down," Brain muttered. "He's one of ours."
A figure stepped through the ruined doorway, his grin wide, his eyes gleaming with something inhuman.
Mahito.
"Sorry for the mess~" he sang, tilting his head. "Makima's orders. We're moving."
Climb's pulse pounded in his ears. "Who the hell are—?"
Mahito interrupted Climb, his grin widening and showing off far too many teeth. "Makima has ordered you all to join the king in the meeting room."
Renner stood, brushing off her dress. "I see. And why the urgency?"
Mahito gave a theatrical bow. "Well, dear Prince Zanac is no longer among the living."
Climb's eyes widened in horror, but before he could speak, Mahito continued. "And the only thing keeping the king alive right now is good old Gazef. So if we don't want your dear king to be missing his head, we'd better hurry."
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy. Climb was visibly struggling to process the news, while Brain remained expressionless. Renner simply smiled, as if she had expected this all along.
As they stepped out into the dimly lit corridor, it didn't take long for Barbro's soldiers to spot them. A group of heavily armed men turned the corner, and their eyes immediately locked onto the princess.
"There she is!" one of them shouted. "Kill her!"
A dozen blades turned their way.
Climb's grip on his sword turned white-knuckled. "Stay behind me—!"
Mahito laughed.
With a single fluid motion, Mahito extended his hand toward the nearest soldier. His fingers brushed against the man's arm, and instantly, grotesque changes spread across his body. His flesh bubbled and twisted, bones snapping into unnatural positions.
The soldier let out a bloodcurdling scream as his arm morphed into a mass of writhing flesh, his body contorting in horrific ways before collapsing into a lifeless heap.
The other soldiers hesitated for only a second before charging. Big mistake.
Mahito's form blurred as he dodged a downward strike from one soldier, his fingers grazing the man's neck. In an instant, the soldier's head swelled unnaturally before bursting like an overripe fruit, painting the walls with red colors.
Another swung at him, but Mahito twisted his body unnaturally, avoiding the blade by an inch before driving his palm into the man's chest. The soldier convulsed, his torso splitting open in jagged, unnatural ways before he collapsed, lifeless.
The remaining men were frozen in fear.
Mahito sighed, wiping a bloodstained hand on his robes. "You really should've run."
Before they could react, he lunged forward, slashing through one man's gut with his bare fingers, his innards spilling onto the stone floor. Another turned to flee, but Mahito flicked his wrist, sending a tendril into the man's back. His spine twisted unnaturally, contorting his body into an unrecognizable shape before he crumpled, lifeless.
The corridor was again silent.
Mahito smiled, turning back to Renner. "Shall we continue?"
Renner simply stepped over the corpses, completely unfazed. Climb, however, was trembling. He had seen death before, but never like this. 'This was… twisted. Sickening.'
As he was about to throw up, Brain placed a firm hand on Climb's shoulder, snapping him out of his daze. "Come on. We need to move."
But at the same time, he had realized something, turning his eyeballs on the two men with him...
Climb realized, with dawning terror, that the princess had never been in danger.
Not even once...
TO BE CONTINUED --->
Hey everyone! Author here.
If you've got an anime character you'd love to see summoned into the story, feel free to drop your suggestions, including which character you'd like to see and what rank you think they deserve. Your input might just shape the next events in the story!
Also, If you enjoyed the story (or even if you didn't), I'd love to hear your thoughts. Constructive criticism helps me grow as a writer, and your feedback means a lot. Plus, once this story hits 10 reviews, it gets an official rating, so dont forget to drop a review for the book!