Word count: 1600 words
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Mahito's group with the princess reached the meeting room after killing any rebellious solider. The door was already open, so when they came inside they saw tens of dead soldiers, their blood painting the marble floors in dark, glistening streaks.
The king stood at the center of the room, his face pale but resolute. Gazef stood nearby, his armor dented, his body coated in sweat and blood. He had been holding the line against endless waves of Barbro's soldiers. His exhaustion was evident, yet his grip on his sword remained strong.
When the king's eyes landed on Renner, a flicker of desperate relief crossed his worn features.
"Renner!" He gasped, rushing forward and pulling her into a crushing embrace. His hands trembled against her back, his voice thick with emotion. "Thank the gods you're alive—I thought—"
Renner, for the first time in what felt like an eternity, allowed herself to shed tears. "Father… Zanac… he's…" She choked on her words, her delicate frame trembling in his arms. Even the princess herself was shocked by her own performance.
The king stiffened. His grip on her shoulders tightened before he pulled back slightly, looking into her tear-streaked face. He knew the answer before she could even say it, but the confirmation still struck like a dagger to his chest.
"Zanac… is dead." Her voice was barely above a whisper, yet its weight echoed through the chamber.
The king stiffened, his breath hitching. For a moment, it seemed as if the weight of the world had crashed onto his shoulders. His jaw clenched, his fingers tightening around Renner's arms before he forced himself to straighten, his grief buried beneath the mask of a ruler. "I see..."
Gazef, standing nearby, wiped the sweat from his brow, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His sword was slick with blood, his muscles burning from relentless combat. "Your Majesty, we must act quickly and go to the throne room. There are still more soldiers, but with Brain here—"
"No need~" Mahito's voice cut in. He reached his pocket and a dozen twisted figures that once were soldiers lurched forward. "My little friends will handle the rest."
The transfigurated humans moved quickly, their limbs tore through Barbro's soldier's flesh like hungry beasts, limbs were severed mid-charge, throats ripped open by clawed fingers, and spines snapped like dry twigs.
Those who tried to flee were cut down by Brain and Gazef with brutal efficiency.
Mahito, however, was the true horror.
He danced through the slaughter, his laughter ringing like a mad chorus.
A soldier lunged at him, Mahito sidestepped, his hand pressing against the man's chest. The flesh beneath his palm writhed, bubbling like molten wax before the soldier's torso exploded outward, his organs dripping from the hall walls.
Another swung his sword but Mahito caught the blade with his teeth, bit down, and shattered it like glass before driving his fingers into the man's eye sockets. With a sickening squelch, he pulled, and the soldier's face came apart like wet parchment.
This continued until the group reached the throne room, Mahito simply burst inside, dropping the double door gate with a huge fist, everyone following behind.
Barbro, seated upon the stolen throne, watched in mounting fury and disbelief. His hands gripped the armrests so tightly the wood groaned. "Impossible...! You were supposed to be dead! All of you!"
The king stepped forward, his voice heavy with sorrow. "Barbro... my son... stop this madness. You've already taken your brother's life, must you take everything else?"
Barbro's face twisted into a snarl. "Madness?! You call me mad?! You allowed her" He jabbed a finger at Renner standing behind her father, "to gather power right under your nose! You elevated common filth like Gazef and Brain to positions of honor while I, your firstborn, was sidelined! You were never a father, only a king who played favorites!"
The king's shoulders sagged. "You're right... I failed you. I failed all of you. But this... this is not the way."
Barbro's lips peeled back in a sneer. "Spare me your regrets." He raised his hand, his voice a whip-crack of command. "Kill them! NOW!"
The remaining soldiers hesitated, some out of fear, others out of doubt. They had seen what these monsters could do. But still they had to follow orders.
They attacked. And it was a massacre.
Mahito's puppets ripped through them like paper. Brain moved like a shadow, his blade finding throats and hearts with chilling precision. Gazef fought like a man possessed, his sword a blur of steel and death. And Mahito?
Mahito played with his food.
The silence that followed the slaughter was deafening.
The king stood frozen, his breath shallow, his eyes locked onto the grotesque aftermath of Mahito's massacre. Bodies twisted and broken, completely unrecognizable now. His hands trembled. His mind screamed.
'This was necessary. This was the only way.' But the rationalization did nothing to quell the sickness churning in his gut.
Climb, standing protectively beside Renner, felt his own pulse hammering in his throat. His fingers tightened around his sword. He had seen death before, had fought, bled, nearly died himself... but this? This was something else. This was monstrous. And yet...
'I need to be stronger. Strong enough to protect her without relying on monsters like these. They are unstable... All of them!'
Barbro stood alone now. His once-proud features twisted into an expression of disbelief. His men, his army, were all gone. Slaughtered. He staggered backward, his breath coming in ragged gasps.
"How… how is this possible?" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
King Ramposa, his face weary and torn with sorrow, looked at his last remaining son with heavy eyes. Despite everything, he could not bring himself to deliver the ultimate punishment.
"Brain," the king commanded, his voice steady yet filled with grief. "Take him to the dungeons. We will speak of this later, Barbro… He will be sentenced to life in prison."
The order, despite its mercy, sent a chill through the room. Normally, such a betrayal would warrant execution. But Ramposa could not bring himself to end the life of his last son. It was the only kindness he could offer.
Yet Brain did not move. He received orders only from one person.
The silence grew suffocating.
Mahito chuckled, stepping forward, his expression a twisted mask of amusement. "Talk to him?" he mused, his voice playful, yet laced with malice. "Oh no, no one is talking. He will die here. He is not needed for Master's plan."
Before anyone could react, Mahito's arm stretched unnaturally, like rubber, piercing Barbro's chest. The prince gasped, blood spilling from his mouth, his eyes wide with horror.
Then, Mahito's arm grotesquely bulged, spikes forming from within, tearing Barbro apart from the inside. A sickening, wet crunch filled the air as the prince's body was utterly destroyed.
"BARBRO!!" The king's agonized cry echoed through the chamber as he collapsed to the ground, vomiting from the horror of what he saw. He reached out helplessly, his fingers trembling over the remains of his son, but there was nothing left to save.
Gazef stood frozen, his heart pounding in his chest. His loyalty to the king was absolute. For him, the king's word was law, and Mahito had just shattered that law without hesitation.
Gazef's sword was in his hand before he even realized he had drawn it. His veins burned with fury, his teeth bared in a snarl. "WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?! BRAIN WHAT IS THIS MAN DOING?!" he roared, his voice shaking the very air.
Mahito tilted his head, his grin never fading. "Ohhh? You're still here Gazef? Great." He licked Barbro's blood from his fingers, humming. " Brain, Meliodas-sama told you to kill Gazef yourself, this way you will prove that you indeed are growing stronger and deserve to stick around. Consider it a final test."
Brain sighed, rolling his shoulders before stepping forward. His blade gleamed under the flickering torchlight. As much as he respected Gazef and his strength, he also wanted to beat him.
"Gazef," Brain said softly. "I have to do this."
Gazef exhaled sharply. "So that's how it is." He studied Brain's face, then smirked. "You already lost to me before Brain."
Brain let out a small chuckle. "I'll remember your name after this, Gazef."
"I like your confidence." A smile couldn't help but spread across Gazef's face.
Then his expression turned serious. "Then please, I ask for one thing. If I lose… guarantee the king's safety."
Brain hesitated, then shook his head. "I can't promise that. Everyone's fate lies in our master's hands."
Gazef took a deep breath, then nodded. "Then I'll just have to win."
"Gazef..." The king's voice was nothing but a whisper, his most loyal man was going to fight for his life.
The two warriors locked eyes, each understanding the other's circumstances completely. There were no words left to say. Only battle remained.
The throne room fell into silence once more, only to be broken by the sound of swords clashing.
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!
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