Relana and Diaglo entered Xanther’s bedroom. It had been four days since his union with Talveran. The room was dimly lit, with heavy drapes drawn over the windows, casting long shadows across the ornate furniture. The air was thick with the scent of incense, mingling with the faint aroma of medicinal herbs. They pulled up chairs and sat next to Angelo, who had not left his king’s bedside.
“He should be waking soon,” Angelo said, his voice a mix of hope and exhaustion. He looked up at the two who entered the king’s bed chambers, his eyes red-rimmed from lack of sleep.
Xanther groaned softly and then sat up, his movements slow and deliberate. His eyes, now a strange golden hue, flickered with an otherworldly light. He put his hand on his forehead and sighed, feeling the weight of the union.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” Angelo snickered, trying to lighten the mood despite his worry.
“Angelo? Do you have any food? Damn, I am starving,” Xanther said, his voice hoarse but steady.
Angelo smiled, relief washing over him. “I will go get something. I will be back.”
Relana and Diaglo watched Angelo leave before turning back to Xanther. The tension in the room was palpable, a silent battle of wills.
“We need your assistance. We need to prevent Lumina from taking control of everything,” Diaglo said, his voice low and urgent.
“She wouldn’t do that, Diaglo,” Xanther replied, his tone firm but weary.
Relana snarled, her eyes flashing with anger. “She will, and she is, Xanther. Do you not see that your blind faith gets you nowhere?”
Xanther rolled his eyes, frustration evident in his expression. “You do not know what you speak of. She is my creator, and she would never attack anyone in Nexus.”
Diaglo shook his head, a mix of pity and frustration in his gaze. “Xanther, you will find out if not today, soon.”
“Diaglo, LEAVE. I will not listen to your lies!” Xanther’s voice rose, echoing off the stone walls.
Diaglo growled, turning to Relana. “You must convince him.”
Relana simply frowned, her silence speaking volumes.
Diaglo stormed out in frustration. He passed Angelo in the hallway and paused. “Angelo? Is that food for the king?”
“Yes,” Angelo replied, looking at him with suspicion. “Why?”
Diaglo smiled softly, a hint of malice in his eyes. “Nothing, just curious.” He backed up and stood in front of Angelo, eye to eye. “You are going to need to prove to your king that Nexus does not belong to Lumina or her control.”
Angelo’s eyes were fixed in frustration on Diaglo’s. “We stand with Lumina, Diaglo. You cannot change our mind.”
While Angelo’s eyes were fixed upon Diaglo, the chaos god subtly sprinkled an unknown substance over Xanther’s food.
“We will see about that,” Diaglo muttered under his breath as he turned and left, leaving Angelo to ponder his cryptic words.
Xanther took the food from Angelo. “Thank you.” He ate in silence, savoring each bite as if it were his first meal in days. When he finished, he rested his fork on the empty plate and looked at Angelo with a contemplative expression.
“Diaglo thinks that Lumina is going to turn on us. What do you think?” Xanther’s voice was calm, but there was an underlying tension.
Angelo paused, considering his words carefully. “I do not think so. I mean, why would she? She has no reason to take control. We follow all of her rules.”
Xanther nodded, a hint of relief in his eyes. “Exactly. I do not think she will turn on us because we do all she asks us to do.”
Angelo smiled reassuringly. “We have always been loyal to her. There’s no reason for her to betray us.”
Xanther leaned back, feeling a bit more at ease. “You’re right. We just need to stay true to our path.”
As they spoke, the room seemed to grow a little brighter, the shadows retreating slightly. But the unease lingered, a silent reminder of the uncertainty that lay ahead.
“Well now that you are better we can go have our dinner with the nobles correct?” Angelo smiled.
“That we can.” Xanther stood and quickly laid back down. “Maybe not.”
Xanther shakes his head and Angelo looks concerned. “You do not look well Sire, I am going to go get the medic.”
READER NOTE:
There will be roughly a hundred year gap here, there is a reason for it. We will come back to the things that happen in this time period in a fun and creative way. Hang with us for this crazy ride.
For roughly a hundred Nexus years, there was peace throughout the lands. That all changed when Lumina made her preparations for war known.
Diaglo and Relana’s heels clicked against the hard marble walkway. To Xanther’s throne they were headed.
“Relana, how do you think he is going to take this?” Diaglo inquired, his voice echoing through the grand hall adorned with ancient tapestries and glowing runes.
“I do not know, he has become attached to his two sons,” Relana responded, her eyes narrowing as she thought of the potential conflict ahead.
“How long have you two been married now?” Diaglo asked, glancing at her with a smirk.
She shrugged, “Long enough to have two adult children.”
He laughed, a sound that was both warm and mocking. “You really are more cold-hearted than me.”
She laughed too, a rare sound that softened her usually stern demeanor. “That’s ironic coming from someone with no heart.”
Diaglo, in mock wounded actions, grabbed his chest. “You hurt me…”
“Haha, after what you did the other day, I highly doubt that.”
He shrugged, his expression turning serious. “Lumina’s warriors had it coming. They dared to attack my children out of spite.”
“Well, I do not know what she was trying to gain by that stupid move anyway. She needs Nexus to win this war, which we must ensure she never gets.”
“I mean, does she not realize my children are Ventari?”
“Aww, maybe you do still have a heart.”
“Only for my children. Let us get this over with.”
They pushed the massive, ornate doors to the throne room open together. The room was vast, with high ceilings and walls lined with intricate carvings depicting the history of Xanther’s reign. Xanther was misbehaving. There were two women in his throne room with him, their presence a stark contrast to the solemnity of the place.
Diaglo growled, “This is going to be easier than I thought.” He ran up to both women and, with swift, precise movements, ran his blade through them.
Xanther scowled, “What was that for?”
“For being irresponsible. You do not deserve Talveran.” Diaglo pulled his blade from the woman’s chest as blood spilled onto the pristine marble floor. He used Xanther’s cape to clean his blade. “I have brought you a weapon, my king,” he smirked.
Xanther raised a brow. “Guards, come clean up this mess.”
Five guards entered the throne room and took the bodies away, their faces expressionless as they carried out their grim task.
“Now, Diaglo, I think I liked you better with a conscience.”
“I still have one, Xanther. It just doesn’t haunt me. Now, follow me.”
The three of them walked out onto the balcony of the castle. The view was breathtaking, with the sprawling kingdom below and the distant mountains shrouded in mist. They looked out and saw Lumina’s army marching up, a dark and formidable force that seemed to stretch to the horizon.
Xanther growled. “She wouldn’t dare march on Nexus.”
Diaglo laughs, I have been trying to tell you. She has been taking all of your outline cities. Only nexus is free from her control. Well nexus and Farendale.
Xanther cocked his head to the side.
My children live there, we will just say she learned the might of the Ventari….
Xanther scowled. So the rumors are true?
Diaglos expression grim, “you have forsaken your lands and all had fallen except your immediate kingdom.”
“Your advisor has been lying to you for years telling you that everything is ok and the rumors are not true.”
