"Lilly, get under the table now, and be as silent as you can."
"w-what's happening grandpa? i'm scared"
"get under plea-"
the old man's words were cut off by an explosion, the vibration knocking the duo down to the floor, having no time to recover they both are bathed in sunlight that shines through their now open door.
"oh? what do we have here?"
the old man froze, he could feel his old heart start pumping overtime while his brain dusted off the cogs and started turning, he had only one thing to ponder, how to get his granddaughter out, not even having time to turn around he was roughly grabbed and turned around, standing before him was a young man, he stood taller than normal with a build that made him look like an ogre, his honey skin revealed only from the neck of his slate grey plate armor, his face hidden behind a blank mask, a newly lit cigarette hanging from a small hand carved hole in his mask.
the young man grabbed the old man by his shirt collar and put a sword to his neck, but before he could drag the blade across the old mans neck, the old man in a meek quivering voice said.
"wait... Please"
the young man raised an eyebrow, not that anyone knew but himself.
"what, old man"
the old man spoke in the same meek voice
"My grandaughter... please.... leave her.."
The young man looked at the old man then at the young girl who was on her knees, tears flowing down her cheeks, she looked like a statue, hand on her chest, no movement.
the young man looked back at the old man and made a noise that wasn't quite recognizable. and then he let the man go. the old man fell to the ground with a thund and gasped.
"you girl, come here"
the old man looked at the man with worry and fear etched to his face.
"quit looking at me like that, i'm simply fulfilling your request."
"Bu-"
the old man was cut off by the tip of the young man's sword being pressed to his neck.
"come here girl, or you will see your old man die"
the girl trembled like a wet puppy, but with the life of her grand father on the line she managed the strength to stand
"now come here."
the girl looked at the young man, he stood twice the height of her it was like walking toward a mountain, she made the first step toward him her legs trembled and they wouldn't stop.
the young man watched the girl take slow, uneven steps toward him, once she got to him the young man grabbed her by the shoulder facing her toward her grand father
"what's your name girl?"
the young man asked in a deceivingly warm tone.
"Lilly-"
her words died at the end of her answer.
"what a lovely name, Lilly, my name is Heath."
The tension in the old mans shoulders grew with each second the man had his hands on his grand daughter.
"now Lilly, how old are you?"
Lilly tried to answer but before she could her world went black.
"NO, NO, NOO!"
in the middle of her answer the young man decapitated the little girl.
"WHY, Y-YOU SAID YOU WOULD LET HER GO!"
the young man crossed his arms
"I did fulfil your request, i'm leaving her, I never said I would leave her alive."
a sick grin slowly growing on his hidden face.
"a shame, to be born in this traitorous kingdom is truly a curse"
The old ma, too shocked by the death of his granddaughter didn't notice the hand flying toward his face until it was too late.
"may the gods have mercy on your soul"
the old man tried screaming but the hand covering his mouth started releasing a powder into his mouth and he could feel it forcing itself down into his lungs, thrown to the ground the man grabbed his throat and coughed, black powder leaving his lungs with each cough.
Heath looked down at the coughing old man and grabbed the cigarette from his mask, with one look at the embers he flicked the lit cigarette down at the pile of powder the old man had coughed up, watching the black powder light he turned and walked out, a wet explosion coming from behind him.
"What a shame."
Heath looked around at the chaos, the walls of this once prosperous kingdom now nothing but rubble, houses being demolished and screams of the villagers coming from every direction.
"Cardinal Heath."
Heath looked down the street towards a group of young soldiers, spotting the one who had called for him he nodded in acknowledgement
"Is there news for me?"
"Yes sir, we have the entire royal palace in custody sir"
Heath felt an ear splitting grin appear on his face.
"Lead me to them"
"Yes sir, this way sir."
------------------------------
Heath never felt any particular way to leveling capitals or killing. If his lord ordered it he would do it. Nothing changed and nothing would change for him. Those were his thoughts while walking the streets and seeing burned, mangled and crushed corpses, he had grew up around them, he was trained to be loyal to one man only. So he would complete this task his lord had sent him on, and do it with a grin on his face.
"They are right ahead of us now sir."
That made Heath abandon his thoughts and look at the traitors ahead of him. Walking infront of the king and his family he stared at them. Then finally asked
"Why have you planned a coup against the capital?"
He asked no particular person hoping to get anyone to answer, but no one did.
"Fine then, Mac, answer me, what is with your betrayal?"
He looked at the man in lavish clothing now stained with blood and dust. But the man never answered just stared back at Heath with a glare so full of venom it could topple an army. Heath sighed
"Alright, you made me do it"
He grabbed the young boy that sat next to the former king, and put his sword to the kids throat.
"Oh Mac, don't make me use this kid against you"
Suddenly Mac's glare intensified ten fold.
"Unhand my son."
"No can do, I gave you a chance to answer, and you felt like your little lips could stay sealed"
"I will speak."
The kings glare was unwavering.
"Good, why plan the coup?"
"Why? Heath, have you not seen what our icon has been doin to this nation?"
Heath raised an eyebrow, not that anyone could see.
"And what has he been doing?"
"He has been draining every kingdom outside of his capital of all their funds, all their
food. And wipes any kingdom who defies him. Just as you are doing now."
Heath stared at the king for a long moment. Then he laughed.
"He only punishes those who betray him, he has never once taken more than he needed and has repayed everything he has taken."
The king looked at him with a hard look
"Your blind loyalty has brought nothing but suffering to this nation."
Heath rolled his eyes. Heath looked down at the boy he held then back at the crowd
"You will alll be tried and executed infront of our great icon."
It was completely silent amongst the crowd.
"Get up"
No one moved
"I said get up, all of you"
Again no one moved, he glared at the king from behind his mask,
"order them to move."
The king said nothing
Heath let out a long sigh then looked at the boy and plunged his sword into his stomach.
"NO!"
The woman next to the king screamed. Heath pulled the sword out of the boys abdomen and threw him to the ground.
"See king, im not trying to play games with you. Order everyone to move or the little princess is next."
The king looked at his child with a pained expression and seemed to contemplate.
"Everybody move"
With that all the prisoners got up and followed the soldiers toward an exit.
"What about the boy?"
A soldier asked.
"Leave him, he'll bleed out"
The soldier turned to leave, and Heath went to follow suit, glancing at the convulsing boy once more he turned away and headed I. The direction of the ruined kingdom gate.