The Exiled Prince and His Siren

The city is in chaos as people scrambled to get away from castle grounds as fast as they could. A usurpation was taking place against the royal family. Lead by the queen’s brother, backed by the nobles of the kingdom. Traitors lined in wait at the fall of the king, ready to feed their greed. Enemy guards surrounded the castle walls from all sides, keeping the main fight inside. The once clear sky was shadowed by the intimidating forms of two beasts at war: Mharne’s griffin king and Malhelm’s dragon king. The relations between the two kingdoms had been walking on a fine line since the marriage of Mharne’s king and Violet, Malhelm’s princess. The dragon king Claudus had been expecting to gain power with the union as the marriage was rumored to be the bridge that would unify the two kingdoms, but the griffin king made all stops to ensure that didn’t happen. After all, two kings can’t sit on one throne. No one wanted to give up their respective rights to the throne so the princess, now queen of Mharne, set out to create a treaty between the two kingdoms. An alliance that would benefit them both and would ensure none would have to give up their crown. The sensible king Darius, the griffin who ruled over Mharne, accepted his queen’s suggestion. He saw how the constant tension between his kingdom and Malhelm had been taking a toll on her, and he was more than willing to appease her. Both had presented the proposition to Claudus, who at first seemed reluctant to agree, but at his sister’s reasoning, eventually did. Peace between the two kingdoms had went on for ten years. The king and queen had conceived a son and heir in those years. Prince Maximillian was born on the day that marked the first year the treaty was signed. He was the spitting image of his father but he had his mother’s eyes. Born half-griffin and dragon, he was trained to hone both abilities at an early age by his parents who sought to oversee it personally. The ten years that went by provided a blissful time for the royal family, unbeknownst to the threat that’s been brewing for a long, long time. Claudus couldn’t merely let go of his goal of becoming king of one kingdom. It was a thorn on his side that he can’t pick out. He knew if he wanted to get what he wants he needed to be patient. He needed stealth and he needed supporters. He needed to make people see that it doesn’t make sense to have two kingdoms in one land. So he concocted a plan that would ensure his victory before the battle began. A plan that took ten years in the making before he saw his opening and took it. Queen violet couldn’t take her eyes off the warring beasts. She clutched her heart with every strike her husband took. She refused to acknowledge the truth waving in front of her and fought the fear that’s beginning to engulf her. She was at the early stages of denial as she already knows the outcome of this nightmare. A griffin is majestic and strong in his own right, but it is no match for a dragon as strong as her brother. Her heart stung painfully as she thought about her own brother’s betrayal. She had fought for so long to get him to see reason but she should have known there was no getting through to him. She was too caught up in the family she finally had, she failed to see the threat to it. Up in the skies, the fight was nearing its end as the dragon circled the griffin the way a predator would before devouring its prey. Both have taken a hit from one anotherYet, in one last act of defiance, the griffin charged at full speed towards the dragon and struck him in the midsection. He reeled back just enough to swing forward and swipe his talons across the dragon’s face, drawing blood. He could have ended it there, but he didn’t move fast enough to avoid the dragon breathe fire, effectively torching the griffin’s wings. Weak against fire, the griffin plummeted back down onto the ground. His wings were burning with the wound and so he had no choice but to go back to his human form. The king looked up to the very sky he just fell from. The calm blue a stark contrast to the mayhem on the ground. The castle was littered with bodies and swords. Horses were running with no riders and the walls of the castle crumbled from when he and the dragon would collide with during the fight. He could barely move. His breaths were coming out shallow and he knew he didn’t have much time left. He can smell the burning of his arms from the dragon’s fire, but he felt no pain. He thought about his queen and son, hoping they were far from the castle by now. Far from where Claudus could harm them. He felt the ground shake as the dragon came down as well. He shut his eyes momentarily and took in a sharp breath. His fight was coming to an end. So this was his fate as king. He felt the blade of a sword against his neck and he opened his eyes to see the dragon king Claudus standing above him. He had finally succeeded in gaining both kingdoms. Darius can see now how the dragon king slithered through the greed of the nobles of his kingdom, and gained their support by feeding it. He would be king for now, but as long as his son lives, Claudus will never be able to fully sit on his throne without looking over his shoulder. Claudus was basking in his nearing triumph. His blood pumped with excitement as Mharne’s throne is finally within reach. So unremorsefully, Claudus summoned his ability to heat up the blade of his sword. He pulled back and in one strike, plunged it into the heart of the griffin king. The act effectively severing his life. He then turned into his beast and flew towards the sky. He let out a thunderous roar, letting everyone know he had won the throne by right of conquest. It reached the forest outside the city proper where Queen Violet was waiting in hiding with her loyal commandant, lady in waiting, and the young prince. She clutched her chest as she fell to the ground. The pain of loss struck her hard it was debilitating. Her commandant was at her side at once, helping her to her feet. “We will grieve later Your Majesty, first we must survive.” He told her, determination in his eyes. The word struck a cord in her and she immediately thought of her son. His future and survival depends on her. She needs to get him to safety. She stood on wobbly feet and closed her eyes, taking a deep breath and releasing it slowly. She pushed back the pain and dug deep for any strength she has left. When she opened her eyes, they mirrored the same determination her commandant reflected in his. She gave a sharp nod and got back on her horse. She rode through the forest with her son in front of her. She was flanked by Callahan, her commandant, and Arissa, her lady in waiting. They are the ones she trusted the most aside from her husband. At the thought of him, tears streamed down her cheeks but her expression remained unfazed. They were nearing the border when she suddenly heard the sound of hooves coming from the distance. How far she's come from being the one they protected to the one being hunted. She motioned for her horse to run faster when an arrow was shot from the front, finding its target in her horse. She clutched her son to her chest as they went tumbling as the horse went down. Callahan and Arissa screamed for her and immediately circled them both. Violet acted quickly and passed her son to her lady in waiting. They were getting ambushed from both sides. If they all stay and fight none of them would make it out. “Portal!” She yelled to Arissa. The lady in waiting quickly understood but was reluctant to follow. Violet can hear the enemy getting near. There was still no portal, so she yelled out once more. “Arissa, portal now!” The lady in waiting instantly followed and summoned her own ability to conjure up the portal. Violet tuned to her son who was quietly looking at them the whole time, and hurriedly placed her necklace bearing the royal crest onto him. The young prince kept his eyes on his mother. “Go with Arissa. When the time is right, you will come back here and take back what is yours.” She says, looking him in the eyes. She didn’t wait for his reply and gave him a bone crushing hug. A hug that meant goodbye and placed him next to a concentrated Arissa. Not long, the portal had finally appeared. She gave Arissa a look and the lady in waiting nodded in understanding. She gave Violet one last bow of respect before turning around to step into the portal. They had quickly disappeared when the enemy reached them. On the forefront was Khane, her brother’s own commandant. Violet quickly unsheathed her sword as she stared down the men in front of her. “Where is the prince?” Khane asked loudly, directing the question to Callahan. Violet smirked at the thought that the commandant couldn’t even look at her. Any shred of guilt was meaningless to her. He failed to stop Darius from attacking her husband and kingdom. More so, he failed to stop Darius from betraying her. That is if he even tried to at all. Nevertheless, his king’s betrayal is his betrayal. “You won’t even look at me commandant? You’ve come this far, go ahead and finish it.” She taunted, taking a step forward. The commandant didn’t reply but he looked at her. He forced himself to look into her eyes and take in the pain and anger directed at him in place of the king. Then without his command, his men charged at their former princess. Violet’s blade met every sword swung at her. She released her pain in every strike, one more fatal after the next. She couldn’t see them as her people anymore, thus there was very little remorse as she fought them to their deaths. She glanced back at her commandant fighting bravely by her side. As she finished off her latest opponent, she called out his name and yelled for him to fulfill his greatest duty. Callahan didn’t turn but gave her his ear. Then much to his surprise, Violet appeared next to him and plunged her sword into his opponent’s chest. She then struck him in the chest and in the blink of an eye, conjured up her own portal. He could look at her wide eyed as the situation registered to him. The portal closed up quickly as soon as he was on the other side. “Callahan!” He heard Arissa’s familiar voice call out, but his eyes remained trained to where the portal once was. Violet was on the other side. The fight between her brother’s men and Violet continued on the other side. The commandant stayed put as he watched his men fall one after the other. He knew they were no match but orders were orders, and he had no power to say no. Violet fought the men bravely and expertly until there was no one left standing except the commandant. Her expression remained stoic. She was covered in dirt and blood but she paid it no mind. She wasn’t going down without a fight. “I never thought we would come to this.” The commandant couldn’t help but say. “Yet this is how it is.” Violet replied. “You’ve made your choice, now stand by it and face me.” She gritted out. Violet swung her sword first and their blades soon clashed. She pushed back the fatigue and she dodged and struck with great expertise. They had been in this situation before on an entirely different tone. They were once comrades training together, now they’re enemies out for each other’s throats. He once protected her with his life, now he’s forced to take hers. The commandant swung his sword making Violet duck. She slid on her knee to swing her body around the same time as she swung her sword, striking the commandant right behind the legs, making him fall to his knees. She swung once more and slashed his back, not deep enough to kill him, but deep enough to draw a deep wound. Immobilizing the enemy, she stood to her feet and pointed her blade at his neck, while she turned to stand directly in front of his kneeling form. The commandant looked back at her as though he understands her anger and as if he was forced to do something he didn’t want to. She was breathing heavily as she fought through the pain in her chest. Her eyes were that of her beast, a telltale sign who was in control right now. “What were you expecting if you managed to capture me?” She asked through heavy breaths. “To plead for your life.” The commandant answered instantly, his gaze unfaltering. Violet smirked despite her fatigue. “I am the queen. I do not plead for anything.” She said to him. Her voice proud and steady. In a different world, the commandant would welcome the pride that surged in his chest at her words, but now, he felt unworthy of it. “You will reap for the actions you sowed Khane. When that time comes, I hope you remember this moment and how you felt kneeling in front of the princess you once trained.” She said through gritted teeth. Her voice thick with heavy emotion. She pulled her sword back to strike when a roar rang above them. Fresh tears streamed down her face as she heard the familiar roar once more. It was closer this time. She knew he’d find her. He would never let her go. He landed a few feet from them, stalking slowly as if she were nothing but his prey, but Violet stood her ground. She gave him a sarcastic smile as she met his eyes, or the eyes of his dragon. This was her last fight. “Goodbye, brother.” She whispered. Slowly blue flames started to engulf her. One unique only to her. One not even the dragon king was immune to. It was usual of it to appear when she would turn into her beast, but this time it’s different, the commandant noticed. She didn’t turn. It seemed to have struck Claudus too as he turned into his human form at once. Violet stood in the blue flames, as the two men looked at her in shock. She stared down the eyes of the brother who betrayed her. He never knew she was capable of doing what she’s doing. The flames grew and soon Claudus could see the way it was chipping at her skin. Violet let the flames consume her until she was nothing but dust and blown by the wind. The commander looked at where she stood unblinkingly. Malhelm’s princess is gone. More so, Mharne’s queen is gone.   On the other side of the portal: The commandant gave out a frustrated scream as he felt something inside him break. At the same time Arissa, the queen’s lady in waiting recoiled as if she was shot by an arrow. She stumbled on her feet, taking the young prince, who was clutching his chest in pain, down with her. The broken connection could only mean both the king and queen were gone. He looked back to see the young prince unconscious in Arissa’s arms. She met his gaze with worried, tear-filled eyes. He was still on the ground, his knees damp with the wetness of the forest floor. He scanned the place they were in and saw there was nothing but trees for miles. Thick canopy trees that provided cool air. They were undoubtedly still in the mountains near the kingdom but far from enough to be safe. “Callahan, we need to move.” Arissa’s voice reached him. He looked at her momentarily then fixed his eyes on the young prince. The queen’s last words rang in his head. ‘His greatest duty.’ He shut his eyes and thought about what will happen next. The dragon king will stop at nothing to keep the throne, even betraying his own family. He sees the young prince as a threat and will no doubt do everything to find him. With the royal couple gone, only the young prince remains as Mharne’s rightful heir. There was no telling what abilities he possessed from both parents. Therefore, there was no guarantee he would be strong enough to face the dragon king. However, he is his mother’s son. She must have passed down some of her will down to him. Callahan saw how the queen fought for her son’s safety, even at the cost of her own life. Now it’s their turn to do the same. Like his mother, his safety will be their priority. He would be brought up away from the palace, but he will be brought up the way his parents would have deemed fit despite the lack of grandeur. Making up his mind, he opened his eyes and looked back at Arissa and the young prince. He nodded his head and said, “Let’s go.” He walked towards them and took the young prince in his arms. “Where?” Arissa asked, standing to her feet. “Nihiltra” Callahan answered simply. Arissa stilled at his answer but continued walking as well. It will only escalate from here and she hopes they’ll get the young prince ready enough to face everything.