In the tense silence of the hall, Asher pieced together the significance of the key as he once again thought about it. It wasn't just a defensive tool; it had to be something of much greater power and importance. Drakar's intense interest in it, despite his kingdom's immense strength and resources, hinted at a deeper purpose. He would have no reason to use the key for protecting his kingdom..
Asher then recalled Drakaris' warning that in the wrong hands, the key could spell disaster for the entire realm. This realization only solidified his resolve to protect it at all costs.
Raising his gaze to meet Drakar's, Asher's eyes were icy with determination, "My answer to your proposal is... Fuck you," he declared, his voice casual yet unwavering.
The hall fell into a deathly silence as even the dancers stopped when previously, they never stopped, even when Draco was being killed.
Everyone was taken aback by Asher's blunt refusal and insulting words, which shattered the facade of diplomacy, instantly shifting the atmosphere from tense respect to palpable hostility.
Oberon's expression stiffened as he realized this alien fiend had gone fucking mad! He just sealed all of their fates.
Rhygar, visibly shaken and incredulous, couldn't fathom this alien dog's audacity in addressing his father so disrespectfully, and that too on their soil. How could someone be this dumb?
Lysandra's brows raised, not expecting such boldness from him. Hearing those words allowed a flicker of satisfaction to cross her features before quickly scanning the room, aware of the dangerous turn the situation had taken.
Drakar, although his smile remained, adopted a colder, more menacing demeanor, "That's a shame. I was expecting you to be smart and do everything possible to protect your weak kingdom. But I forgot you are just a foolish brat who can't see how insignificant he is compared to the rest of the world."
As Drakar spoke, the sound of weapons being drawn filled the hall. The draconian nobles and guards, previously mere observers, now glared at Asher with overt hostility and murderous intent. The atmosphere became charged with the imminent threat of death.
Eradicator, who had remained standing throughout the banquet, reacted instantly. She unsheathed her heavy sword, the crimson slit of her helmet glowing ominously, ready to defend her king at a moment's notice.
The tense atmosphere in the hall escalated as Asher scanned the room, noting the dozens of draconians poised to attack. There were multiple Soul Devourers and so many peak Soul Purgers that even if Naida and the others fought them, it would only be a losing battle. And that was even without Drakar's intervention.
Drakar, still exuding a menacing calm, offered Asher a chilling ultimatum, "I don't like to spill blood in a special building like this. So, I am going to offer you two alternatives. One, you hand over the key, and your kingdom might be able to last another day. Two, I will just forcibly take it from you, and any attempt at a struggle from you would only make it harder for you."
Asher, undeterred, scoffed at Drakar's proposition. He slowly rose to his feet, followed by Naida, Leonidas, Caelum, and Oberon. Their expressions were of cold determination except for Oberon, whose face was filled with frustration and apprehension.
"If you really wanted to take it by force, you would have already done that," Asher retorted confidently, "But what makes you think I would keep the key with me when I know you might try something like this? If you kill me, you may never even know where I hid the key." Asher's statement was a calculated risk, hoping that Drakar was unaware of the key's inability to be stored in another space.
Drakar's eyes narrowed as he processed Asher's words, "Maybe you are not as foolish as I thought. But you would still be a fool to think that reason alone will protect you. That's why I am just going to capture all of you and torture you until you feel like handing over the key. I am sure even your wife, your queen, would do anything to save you, including coming all the way here to rescue you... only to die. Either way, I win, and you lose."
"Even if you had a hundred Soul Devourers in this hall, you wouldn't get the key," Asher declared defiantly without a hint of fear in his eyes.
He was prepared to endure any torture, but he was determined to not give away something that could destroy his kingdom. As for Rowena, he had faith she wouldn't do anything reckless. She was strong in that way.
Drakar's response was a cold smile, tinged with anticipation, "I was hoping you would say that since I would get to enjoy torturing some bloodburn dogs finally. It would be fulfilling my forefather's dreams," he sneered. His expression then twisted into one of malevolence as he bellowed, "Get them!"
Leonidas and Caelum, their hearts pounding with adrenaline and fear, readied themselves for the worst, their weapons drawn and faces set in determination. Silvan joined them, his expression focused, while Oberon, weapon in hand, scanned the room for any possible escape route amidst the chaos.
Naida and Eradicator swiftly positioned themselves protectively in front of Asher, bracing for the impending battle.
"His head is mine!" Suddenly, a deep growl reverberated through the hall, catching everyone off guard. In a shocking turn of events, several of the draconian guards transformed into frightening werewolves with crimson fur and dark green eyes while putting on thick black cloaks with hoods over their heads. It seemed heavy enough to slow them down, and yet all of them had it.
Drakar frowned as he saw that they numbered around twenty, while Rhygar was shocked and wondered how these mutts infiltrated his kingdom.
They began to ferociously claw their way through the ranks of the draconian nobles and guards, clearly trying to get to Asher.
At the forefront of the werewolves was the largest and most menacing of them all. His dark green eyes blazed with a deadly intent as he roared, "Rip apart these winged bastards for me!" Boragor roared as he tore apart a draconian guard who tried to swing their blade at him.
"The Rustblood Clan?" Asher murmured with a half-surprised look, their presence causing him surprise, though he didn't seem completely shocked like others.
And they, especially Boragor, seemed as if he wouldn't stop at anything until he got his head.
The hall erupted into a fierce battle, with draconians and werewolves clashing in a brutal dance of violence and blood.
Amidst the chaos and violence, Asher quickly assessed the situation. He need not care why or how Boragor was here. Instead, he should be glad they caused a distraction.
However, his relief was short-lived, as the doors were sealed and guarded by the werewolves after they assassinated the draconian guards. Asher noticed, with a sinking feeling, that a magical seal had been placed, blocking any communication from leaving the building.
He couldn't understand. All these werewolves were doomed to die here, including Boragor. None of them can overwhelm the draconians, especially with Drakar and Lysandra being here.
Drakar's expression turned even more ominous as he barked orders to the guards near his platform, "Leave the werewolves and capture the bloodburners!" he commanded, before launching himself at Boragor, who was in the midst of a frenzied killing spree, evidently under the influence of a power-enhancing substance.
Asher and his group found themselves encircled by a squadron of draconian guards. Naida, with a cold confident smile, remarked, "Courting death, are we?" Eradicator positioned herself alongside her, ready for battle. Leonidas, Caelum, and Silvan formed a defensive circle around their king, preparing for the impending assault.
The draconian guards grunted as they surged forward, launching an attack on the group. Meanwhile, Oberon, a few feet away, was desperately trying to reach the side doors to escape. Finally, the devils gave him a way out of this shitshow.
But his expression fell when he was intercepted by two werewolves and had no choice but to engage in a fierce struggle to fend them off.
Rhygar, his eyes alight with a sinister intent, focused on Asher, who appeared vulnerable amidst the turmoil, "Mother, I will get him for you," he said to Lysandra, his smile twisted with malice. His wings unfurled quickly as he charged towards Asher, intent on seizing the opportunity to strike.
But right after he left, Lysandra slowly got up from her chair, her eyes glinting with a steely light. And instead of focusing on the heart of the battle, her gaze shifted towards one of the werewolves guarding a door in a inconspicuous corner and shot towards him.
The werewolf had his eyes widened in shock and terror upon seeing the draconian queen heading straight for him as if he had personally offended her.
He couldn't even find the time to escape her as her fists rammed into his body, shattering every bone before getting shot out through the door, her figure disappearing behind the doors.
Eradicator, with her towering stature and immense strength, wielded her heavy sword with deadly precision. In one swift, powerful motion, she cleaved two draconian guards through their abdomens, bisecting them cleanly.
Meanwhile, Naida, with her exceptional illusory skills, made the guards' attacks miss as if they were striking at illusions of the ones standing before them, allowing Leonidas, Caelum, and Silvan to cut their opponents with relative ease.
As for Rhygar, he never even got close to Asher before some werewolves jumped on him, wanting to stop him before their chief could get Asher's head.
"Let's get you out of here, my king," Naida urged Asher, signaling him to follow her along with Eradicator.
Leonidas, Caelum, and Silvan shared a silent agreement, ready to hold the line and buy time for the three to escape, though they still had to get through the werewolves guarding the doors.
Drakar, confronting Boragor, spoke with venomous disdain, "You werewolves dared to infiltrate my lands? I wonder what gave you dogs the sudden courage to come all the way here and who helped you get inside."
Boragor, his expression one of frenzied excitement, grinned maniacally, "All of you winged rats are going to be in for a huge surprise, hehe. This is just the beginning, and I won't be leaving without that alien's head."
Drakar, scoffing at Boragor's bravado, asked contemptuously, "What makes you think you can even get past me alive? With such a useless heavy cloak, you won't even be faster than my guards."
Boragor's response was laced with malevolence, "You think I didn't come prepared? He always plans for everything," he said, revealing a steel mask that he then secured over his face, obscuring his features entirely.
As Drakar watched, puzzled by Boragor's actions, Boragor shouted, "Do it now!" At that moment, a subtle sound caught Drakar's attention. He looked up to see a glowing golden orb soaring through the air, landing in the center of the hall. The orb hummed louder, radiating an intense light that just continued to glow brighter and brighter.
Drakar squinted against the brilliance, raising his hand to shield his eyes, "That can't be..." he muttered in disbelief.
"Yes. That thing contains Golden Prince's blood," Boragor declared, his voice cold and triumphant, making Drakar's expression fall. *BOOM!*
