Snake who Smiles: Finale. Head of the Hydra
Baron Victor Von Zemalocke looked over the crowd of rioters that had gathered. At long last, his destiny was at hand. The Dragmires would pay for their insolence and barbaric nature in tormenting him. All the frustration and humiliation, they'd pay ten fold.
He took a deep breath and addressed the crowd.
"Faithful people of Hyrule, your liberation is at hand!"
The crowd cheered at his voice, weapons and torches raised.
"How long has this beautiful land been under attack by foreign demons? For the longest time Ganondorf and his Gerudo pillaged our lands? Their greed tore us down and made us rebuild our civilization time and time again. NO MORE!!!"
The crowd roared and roared, a wave of hatred rising.
"And now the Gerudo have brought the Lordeidians! Witches of terrible magic. They too selfishly brought a war. A war of darkness and insanity! How many of your family and friends were killed on the wedding day of the Bastard King and Queen!? TOO MANY!!!"
Zemalocke took a sword out and raised it high.
"Are you ready for the Hylian race to take its rightful place?!"
"YES!"
"Then we must FIGHT to defeat our oppressors! I promise you that freedom! We will rise from the ashes and I will lead you as King! Now we will march through the castle, annihilate all the puppets of the Gerudo and Lorliedian scum, and I will bring you the heads of Zarazu and Covarog himself!!!"
The crowd of angry hylian supporters cheered, along with a band of monsters Zemalocke paid off for extra muscle. This lot would prove most effective as his pawns and knights.
Zemalocke waved his sword and the explosives set off. "CHARGE!!!!"
~
"Covarog! Our children!"
"Are with my mother, you can't defend them right now. She's hiding in the hidden tunnels with them and Impa."
"Why are you taking me to the tower?! I need to be with them!"
"We can't move your wheelchair in the tunnels if you need to move! No one even knows where the bloody door is for the tower, just stay up here, and be quiet while I settle this."
Zarazu didn’t like it one damned bit, but she nodded in reluctant acceptance. “Be safe Covarog.”
The King gave his wife a kiss. “Always.”
~
Zizi saw the mob approaching from afar. She just could not run fast enough on her two legs. The Zemlja had called several of the Lorleidians to help their queen, as well as some of the townspeople. The soldiers were waiting for most of the mob at the gate. She could only hope her sister was somewhere safe. Surely Covarog had taken her to a place that was well hidden in the castle. He would not risk Zarazu's life when she could barely defend herself.
"I really hate to bother you in the same week, but I need you again Ve'nusa!" Zizi said in-between breaths for air. "I hope you're hungry!"
~
Malik waited in the main hall. The sounds of yelling and light combat could be heard behind the bared door. The High Commander looked back at the soldiers behind him. He wore the Golden Hybrid Iron Knuckle Armour his wife had given him, a terrifying symbol of power. "Captain Tulilad, I want you and the men to stay behind me as second wave of defense. I shall stay here and take the brunt of the attack. Any stragglers that get past me I want to be taken down without any mercy or hesitation."
"Lord Malik, with all due respect, there's a ton of them and one of you." Captain Tulilad readied his sword. "You can't possibly hope to defeat them all."
Some soldiers inspected their weapons, praying to the gods to get through the day.
"We're at his side, we'll help him drive the mob back."
"I know, but some of these are civilians as well, we can't hurt them, can we?"
"They're on the edge of treason, of course we can use deadly force."
"Our first priority is to protect the king and queen, and the heirs."
Malik looked down at Tulilad through his visor. His stare was cold and final and his eyes still. "I might not be the undead monster that could tank blows and go head to head with the blows of demons anymore, but I am presently, more protected, more skilled, and more powerful than any man or woman here, even as I am now."
Malik's grip tightens on his battle axe. "And you will remember, Captain, who we face. The man responsible is the mastermind behind all the attacks on the Royal Family. Any those that follow him are traitors plain and simple. Any come through that door, man, woman or child, with their hatred and racist malice, you will kill . Now am I clear Captain?"
"... if you get hurt, then I'm not the one telling your wife. She scares me more than you do." Tulilad muttered under his breath as the troops opened the doors. There were so many in the mob. He could not comprehend how Zemalocke was able to get so many people on his side. Hyrule and its inhabitants thrived under Covarog's and Zarazu's rule. The economy was at its peak and poverty rates were lower than ever. There was no need to worry about hunger or sickness due to the new magic. New homes, buildings, ports, and roads were being built. Why was there still so much hate? Tulilad would never understand how such a simple thing such a race could result in such a primal aspect of fear. So he fought, slicing his way through any foe in his path.
Malik's eyes went cold and dead as he charged forward. With a wide swing of his axe, he removed several men from their torso's in a fountain of blood and carnage. Fighting against momentum and stress on his body he turned the direction of the weapon to cut down more men. He needed to change weapons. The axe was too bulky. Not suitable for so many opponents, and especially with a new body like this. With the snap of his finger in mid swing he changed from his axe to his great sword, cutting down a woman from her neck vertically through her torso. The next movements he found himself fighting more signal threats, cutting them down one by one. Many were uncoordinated, but few had skill. Many blows harmlessly grazed off his armour, until finally a mercenary got close and hit the more vulnerable chainmail on Malik's hip. He grunted and took a defensive position. It was then he realized he was cut off from the rest of the men.
The rioters charged at him, and Malik went to work, fighting back, cutting down as quickly as he could each person that came close one or two at a time. What he didn't expect were a few creatures outside the angry Hylians fighting for Zemalocke. A Dinoflos tried to attack him with a bladed tail and an armoured Areoflos flew about making a swift strike to take Malik's head off. Perhaps they were paid. Maybe they missed Ganondorf's more tyrannical reign and felt cheated. Or maybe they were just stupid.
Malik ducked and rolled to the left, and with a quick parry, stabbed the Dinoflos through the chest. As he pulled out he was shot by a fire ball from behind by the Areoflos. Before he could strike back more rioters attacked him. Malik was getting sluggish in fighting so many. How many had he killed now. Seventy, eighty? He hated to admit it, but he was getting tired. He had not fought in a large scale battle since the last war, and back then his undead strength gave him unlimited stamina. How much more could he take?....
~
Asakonigei was still on the mends from giving birth, but was doing much better in the past couple of weeks. Revan was growing as the days passed by and was a happy baby as long as his stomach was full. However, the case with Zemalocke was one that kept her up at night. The baron seemed hell bent on making Zarazu suffer to torment the Dragmire family. She worried for her friend's sake as well as her family's. There was no proof yet according to her husband, but if he believed he was the culprit, then she’d believe too. What if his final intention was to drive all the Lorleidians out of Hyrule? Or worse, kill them?
Her answers arrived when she saw the mob outside of the castle door. Somehow, Zemalocke had rallied a force large enough to attack the palace. After ensuring her baby her safe along with Zelda and the Dragmire grandchildren in the tunnels, Asakonigei went back to look upon the betrayers. There was her husband and the guard, trying to hold off the mob from the castle doors. Malik was getting tired, his steps were faltering and his swings were getting chaotic. How long until sloppy? As strong as he was, he was now human and could tire more easily. She had to do something to help him.
Hurrying to her forge, Asakonigei dashed to the very back where all the metals available were stored. There were five towering figures covered with drapes. The Kovina knew it was a long shot, but it would have to do for now. Pulling off the covers, there stood knights. Perhaps her newest creations could help turn the tide of the battle.
~
Malik kept fighting as well as he could. So many tried to cut him down, but he kept pushing them back. Taking in his surroundings he saw that Zemalocke, for all his talk of a pure race, had hired quite the number of other species. Maybe he and his followers thought of them as slaves.
The worst came when the halls shook. Turning around he saw a very large and very angry Hinox rampage through. The large Cyclops roared and through a punch at Malik. If he wasn't so tired he would have rolled. Instead he summoned a shield to protect him and for his troubles was sent flying into a wall. The concrete broke along with a rib. Malik spat some blood, covering the inside of his helmet and rose to his feet as the Hinox stomped over to clobber him more.
"Damn Beast...."
Before the Hinox could land another blow, a blur of gray stood in front of Malik. It blocked the attack and then slammed its own fist into the cyclops. Four thunderous thuds struck the ground, causing the earth to crack. Each knight was different from the other in size and shape, not to mention their weapons were various as well. A sword, a mace, an axe, a scythe, and a halberd were in their clawed hands. It was a rather eerie feeling, seeing no eyes behind those holes in the helmet. With one swoop, the knight with the mace knocked back the mob a good distance to give the guards some time to catch their breath.
Asakonigei stood on the bridge's archway, up high from all the fighting, standing on solid stone. Her hands were spread out with strings of magic attached to the knights. These knights were her puppets and she intended to use them to her best ability. However, the only problem was, it took an immense amount of magic to be able to work them all at once.
"Love..." Asakonigei spoke as she poised her knights for the next wave. "I can't do this for long. It's really..." She grunted, trying to focus her magical energy. She should have trained more with the knights, but she never had the time. With the baby and all the work in the forge, it was so limited. "I'll need you to hurry..."
Malik nodded with gratitude and understanding. With having some breathing time for just a moment of relaxation he took a few breaths to gain his composure, then ran forward towards the Hinox. Channeling his energy he concentrated his magic and launched an energy spear into the eye of the Hinox. The monster roared with pain and stumbled about holding its eye. Malik wasted no time rushing forward and climbed up the Hinox, reaching his head. Summoning his Battle Axe, Malik ground his feet in and threw his arms down with all his might, roaring in ancient Gerudo.
"SLUUR!"
The axe split the skull of the mighty Hinox and with a sad moan it slowly fell onto its back. Malik slid down onto the monster's stomach and gripped the handle with both his hands, shaking the axe above his head in a display of victory and defiance. Some of the rioters grew scared and ran, a few into the jaws of a very hungry plant.
Ve'nusa was hungry and elated at having all this food. The plant seemed to grow in size with each traitor it consumed. Blood dripped down the fanged mouth while the tentacles kept the mob backing into the knights. Zizi hated having to use violence, but when it was against her family members, she would use whatever was necessary.
Asakonigei, on the other hand, was slicing as many intruders as she could. The knights moved as a formation unit, each making sure that the other had another open target. It was getting difficult to keep up such a fast pace. Still, she refused to let anyone touch her husband or the guards. Zizi seemed to be protected by the meat-eating plant of hers and those incredibly thick vines.
Malik looked around. Where was he? Where was Baron Zemalocke? A terrible feeling of dread filled the Commander. The Baron was not foolish to the details of the castle. If that snake could be anywhere, it would be hunting Zarazu. “Asa, I’m going after the Queen!”
Before she could reply he was already running off.
~
Zemalocke went through the hall with his closest guards. The mob would do its job, and more would rise to his aid once Zarazu was dead. Nearing the library he looked around at the book cases on the wall. One of the guards looked around carefully. "Sir, you sure this is it?"
"Yes fool. My son was very clear on what area he played with the bitches offspring."
Carefully sliding a finger along the books he pulled a red one down. A click popped and the shelf slid open. "Ah. There we are."
Walking down the secret hallway Zemalocke smirked upon seeing his final challenge. "Covarog. Fancy meeting you here."
"You won't go another step." Covarog growled at Zemalocke as he held his sword ready. "Whatever you hope to achieve will not work, Zemalocke. Hyrule is united under my rule, my wife's rule." The young king was ready to face whatever the guards had ready for him. Nothing was going to harm his beloved wife as long as he was breathing.
Zemalocke laughed coldly at Covarog. "Your kind brought death upon us. I will FREE the people under my rule. And I think the first thing I'll do is make sure every single Gerudo is wiped out for good. Along with those witches. Honestly if it was your brother I'd stay, but alas, you are nothing to me. Men, if you please." Zemalocke snapped his finger and his guards rushed at Covarog with agility and grace. One had a chain and blade, flipping in the air and throwing it at his head while the second rushed to cut his stomach open with a short blade.
Covarog managed to avoid the blades, however, these guards were dangerously quick. The chain caught on his sword while he managed to stop the other with his arm brace. He would have to get these guys out of the way before he could handle Zemalocke. Yet, the soldiers gave Zemalocke just enough room to sneak by Covarog. The king lunged for Zemalocke's foot but had to block a sword aimed at his head. His wife! He had to protect his wife. Kicking one of the guards in the face, he tumbled backwards down the steps with a loud crack.
Zemalocke simply walked by Covarog without a care in the world. "Goodbye Covarog. May Hell embrace you with open arms."
As he walked away another guard threw a bladed ball and chain at Covarog's kneecap.
The blade nicked Covarog's leg but still he kept fighting. He would not let Zemalocke hurt his wife!
Meanwhile, Zarazu was once again in her wheelchair. She was really beginning to loathe this stupid thing. Once it had served its purpose, she was honestly thinking about asking someone to set it on fire. It would be nice to watch it burn. While her legs would move a little, she still stumbled around like a klutz on them. Hearing noise on the stairs, she perked up.
"Covarog?"
Zemalocke’s foots steps echoed as he walked in. He took his final step at the top of the stairs. He looked at her with a gleeful smile. "Ah, Zarazu. So good to see you. Seems fate has lead me to you one last time."
Zarazu nearly shuddered at that creepy smile. Somehow, Zemalocke had gotten past her husband and she suddenly feared for his sake.
"If you hurt Covarog, I'll freeze you inside out!"
"Then how about we just skip the pretence and correct the term. I 'killed' Covarog." He looks at her furiously. "I don't appreciate the lengths you made me go over the years trying to put and end to you and your barbaric family."
"You're the plague in this society!" Zarazu spat at him venomously, knowing there was no possible way Zemalocke could ever hope to defeat her husband. "My family has done nothing to you! You're so stuck in the past traditions you cannot see how bright the future already is!"
"The future has a dark one that only I can prepare us for. That only MY rule will lead us away from. Honestly I'm glad that the poison hit you instead of its intended target. Maybe I'll keep your youngest son alive just for the sheer entertainment of seeing him grow retarded due to you giving birth to a poisoned rat." Zemalocke laughed cruelly at Zarazu.
"You will never touch my babies." Zarazu hissed at him. "Zahirog is alive and getting better. My twins are already showing signs of being great users of magic. Even if I am no longer on this earth, they have people to look after them. If you even dare to get near them, I'll guarantee you'll be ripped to shreds."
"No. They will die. I will spill their blood. But not before showing them the head of their mother. Show them what vile blood they came from."
Zemalocke draws his rapier. "Time to bleed Zarazu. And die."
If there was ever a time that Zarazu really hated being in a wheelchair, now was that time. She needed a weapon, something to try to hit him or stab him. Kanisa sure left a lot of books in this tower, but where was a damn knife when she needed one? At least there was a glass telescope for her to enjoy the stars during her pregnancy. Wait, that could work. Grabbing the telescope by the hilt, she held it as if she was going to swing a sword.
"You'll have to get through me first, you vile, filthy, two-headed son of a damn Dodongo!"
Zemalocke looked at her dead pan, then laughed hysterically, his accent really breaking loose. "I must say, you are making this far more enjoyable then I thought you would. Was annoyed when your sister failed to be raped, and the tree hugger's farms weren't all destroyed, but at least you've been entertaining.” He brought his hand to his mouth and chukled. “Ho, ho, ho. But oh no, you clearly have the range advantage now, what ever will I do?" Zemalocke keeps chuckling as he pulls a revolver on her and fires a round into her leg. Perhaps some pleasure first. Get one scream in.
The bullet stung horribly, making her leg ache. Yet, that was all she felt for now. Maybe it was not so bad since she could not feel such pain. At least that would give the adrenaline coursing through her system a bit more purpose. Biting her lip, she held back a pained groan. She had to move. With a deep breath, Zarazu managed to stand out of her wheelchair, wobbly leaning on the desk there for leverage. Her feet moved awkwardly as she still held onto the telescope. Well, now it was time for projectiles. Grabbing books as fast as she could, Zarazu mentally told herself she'd get Kanisa another copy later. She hurled them at the baron, doing anything to distract him in hopes she could reach the stairs.
Zemalocke manoeuvred around the books and gave the Queen a swipe across her arm. "Pathetic! This is what the Queen of Hyrule is capable of?" As she ran to the stairs he grabbed her by the hair and threw her back to the centre of the tower.
A yelp escaped her lips as Zemalocke tossed her to the floor. She hit the ground and reacted by pulling the rug underneath his feet, hard. Covarog would come, someone would come, she was NOT going to die by the hands of this maniac! As Zemalocke lost his balance, Zarazu kicked him in the knee, hoping to do some damage and then swung the telescope at his midsection.
Zemalocke grunted in pain at the kick to his knee. Grabbing the telescope he snarled at her. "You DARE lay a fibre of your filth against me?!" He threw the telescope to the side and smacked her to the floor. "Enough of this. First you, then the children you have hidden in those underground tunnels."
"You won't get my children!" Zarazu shot her hand forth and grasped his bare ankle to... what?! The shock was apparent on her face. Her magic... wasn't working?!
Zemalocke smiled like a mad dog seeing her magic not work. The medallion around his neck worked!!! "Foolish witch. Your powers have no effect on me! Superior Hylian Intelligence prepared me." He drives his sword through her palm, and grinds it around. “HAHAHA YOU’VE LOST!!!”
~
Covarog paced himself as two of Zemalocke’s goons prepared to strike. The King parried a few strike then threw a fireball of dark magic at one of them. They kept dodging about with incredible flexibility.
The King was getting tired. One of them lit a fire arrow and prepared to strike, when Ralnor drove his sword through the man’s heart. “No one gets to rough my brothers dashing face.”
Malik came running through and slammed his fist across the last guards head, caving in a part of his skull. He didn’t even stop, gaining a clear lead on the brothers. “Come on!”
Ralnor nodded to his brother, and when they heard Zarazu’s scream of pain, they knew time was running out.
~
Zarazu screamed as the sword pierced her hand. She gritted her teeth and yanked her hand away, the middle and index finger ripped apart from her action. Magic or not, she still had to fight. Scuttling backwards, Zarazu yanked a sharp letter opener from the desk.
"Coward!" She snapped at him. "Using dirty tricks!"
"Alas. Words. Words are all you have." Zemalocke smiles gleefully and draws his gun at her head. "Any last of them?"
"Yeah... you should have never called Malik a filthy undead right to his face when he used to be that way. He really hates it when someone does that."
Zemalocke didn’t catch on right away until Malik threw an energy spear directly at Zemalocke's gun shattering it. Another immediately in range at his head. The magic broke apart when it got too close. The Darknut Commander immediately rammed his blade at Zemalocke.
They each spoke in union as they clashed. "You bastard! How DARE you!!!"
Zarazu made sure to get out of Malik's way. There was no much she could do in this state without magic. Seeing that Zemalocke had some kind of force blocking her use of it in close range, there was no much she could do. Eyes watering, the queen wrapped her bloodied hand in a strip from her dress, securing it tightly. There had to be a way to get out of this mess.
"Zarazu! I'm coming!" Covarog's voice rang from the stairs.
Zemalocke kept his footwork light, dancing around Malik. Malik had taken off his helmet for this one occasion. He wanted Zemalocke to see the man who killed him, to look into the eyes of his superior.
"You tried to wipe my family out!"
"They deserved to be with the devil!"
Malik made quick motions, parrying back and forth with Zemalocke. He had the power, but the Baron had the speed. Zemalocke spun and cut Malik's cheek. "Fool, you can't win!" Drawing a second rapier he charged Malik. The duel bladed style was a fighting technique Malik was uncustomed against. He had to take on more hits. If he dodged, Zemalocke could go after Zarazu.
The way Zemalocke moved allowed the necklace dangling around his neck to come into view. Gasping, Zarazu knew immediately where she had seen a description of such an item. That was what limited her magic. The queen shouted, "The medallion! Malik, crush the medallion!!!"
Zemalocke snarled and kept fighting. "You're kind is over!"
Malik held his blade locked with Zemalocke's. At the stairs he saw Ralnor with his brother. If anyone was skilled with a precise strike it would be the Prince. He nodded at him. One shot at this. Zemalocke might feel threatened by multiple opponents and kill himself if it meet killing Zarazu.
"Kings have tried. Demons have tried. You won't even get a start."
Malik spat in his face, and bashed against the Baron's blades, knocking him off balance.
Ralnor was quick to withdraw a dagger. He had heard Zarazu telling Malik to destroy the necklace around the baron's neck. With absolute precision, it pierced the medallion, causing the ancient token to crack. Shattering to pieces, the item restricting magical energy was no more. Covarog held up his blade to strike Zemalocke, but Zarazu's voice rang out clear.
"NO!" The queen told her husband as the ice traveled from her fingertips to the floor, restricting the baron's movements by his feet. "He's mine. He threatened my children and my family... an easy death is much too merciful."
Zemalocke growled and raised to throw a sword at her. "I WON'T ALLOW-"
Malik cut him off by severing his hand. The Baron screamed in pain. "You dare make me bleed you animals!!!"
"Help me up." Zarazu told her husband, Covarog carefully lifting his wife. Ralnor stood guard, keeping a watchful eye out for any other traitors that may come up the stairs. On shaky legs, the Lorleidian queen had to hold onto her lover to keep upright due to the bullet in her leg and the blood loss from her shredded hand. "I might have spared your life for your son's sake... but you threatened my babies." She stuck a finger into his severed hand, having the ice spread throughout his arm. It stopped at the shoulder and the queen nodded at Malik. "Crush it."
screamed as his arm was frozen up. Malik nodded and snapped his finger, summoning a mace. With one strong swing he shattered the arm. Zemalocke's yell echoed throughout. "Don't you know who you're dealing with?! I am BARON Victor Von Zemalocke! You're master!!!"
"A Lorleidian has no master, a Gerudo has no master, a Hylian has no master, and you, Victor, are master of none." Zarazu froze the other arm, the ice creeping up ever so slowly to the baron's shoulder. "You're just a sad and pathetic man. You use low tactics to manipulate those less fortunate than you and cowardly hide behind others to do your dirty work. You're lower than dragon shit." She didn't have to tell Malik what she intended to do. "The other one."
"Love, is this necessary? Lorleidians do not condone vio-" Covarog was interrupted by his wife.
"The worm threatened my babies, threatened to show them my severed head before killing them." Zarazu silenced him with a look. "You will not deny me this."
"Then we do things the Gerudo way. The Ancient way." Malik spoke to Covarog in their tongue. He shattered the other arm. Zemalocke screamed once more, then started to laugh again. "You still deny your barbarism?! How low you maggots are?!"
"Actually, I think a touch of barbarism is exactly what I need right now." Zarazu traveled lower, starting with a leg. "Lorleidians had a penalty for treason against the crown; death. No arguments or excuses made, just death. However, it had a twist. If found plotting, then the traitor was usually thrown to the dragons. Yet, a failed assassination attempt? The king or queen was able to select their own method of punishment." She narrowed her eyes at him, a crass smile caressing her lips. "Care to guess what mine is? Malik crossed me once and he learned his lesson. It seems to me, you're not learning fast enough." She pointed. "Now that leg."
Malik scowled at Zarazu for bringing that up, and gave Zemalocke a kick to knock him backwards, his legs snapping off and staying in place. The Baron hissed with wrath as he wiggles around. "You'll all BURN! ALL OF YOU!!!"
"Sorry dear, just making a point, at least you got a new arm." Zarazu apologize as she watched as the baron wriggled on his back like a flipped turtle. It was just pitiful. Still, she found a tint of enjoyment for watching him suffer. "You don't get it, do you?" The queen bent down far enough to hold a finger under his chin. "There's always going to be scum like you, not liking changes in the kingdom or others that are difference. The only problem is that you'll gain no loyalties for being a racist asshole. You only gain loyalty and trust when you are kind..." Her eyes glanced to Malik. "And understanding despite what disputes were in the past." As the Baron's head started to freeze, Zarazu told him with a grin, "Don't worry, Victor... I'll see to it that your son is raised properly."
"This isn't over....you....bi-" Zemalocke's face was frozen with fury. His heart stopped beating and all his organs shut down. Malik looked down at the rioters below the tower that were left. Grabbing the body, he took it and threw it down to the people below.
Zemalocke was conscious the whole way as he fell. How could he fail? He was supposed to be King. He was supposed to rule. Immense fear filled him as he neared the ground. Mercy. He wanted Mercy. In his last moment, he tried to scream, but nothing of such magnitude came, instead, a simple hiss as his lungs failed him. He shattered into pieces hitting the ground.
His followers, upon seeing the body of their would be savour, surrendered immediately. Malik sighed thinking over how much devastation that man had brought. “It’s over.”
"You need to get that hand looked at." Ralnor gently touched Zarazu's crudely wrapped palm and she grimaced. "The Dusas can heal such a thing, right?"
"Yes, though, I'll probably earn another scar." Zarazu held onto Covarog heavily before looking at him in the eyes. "Are you all right?"
"I'm fine, just a few scratches here and there." The king sighed as he held his wife close. "I'm just glad you're safe."
"You should go check on Asa." Ralnor told Malik with a slight frown. "She's been fighting this entire time. She's probably on her last legs using her latest... um... puppet knights."
Malik looked down at all the Hylian traitors silently as they were arrested and round up. At the remains of their leader. How much destruction these people caused. His fist squeezed at his hatred of those people. Would it ever leave him fully?
~
Tulilad was breathing heavily as he walked to see if any of the fallen traitors were still alive. Some were arrested and the others were put out of their misery. Even Kelly was exhausted from fighting off so many enemies. Asakonigei, though, she looked like she was having a fit. Her entire body trembled with effort to keep the knights upright. The metal puppets were shaking, a few on their knees and the others using their swords as a cane to keep upright.
"Is... is that all of them?" Asakonigei asked, sweat drenching her forehead.
"I think so." Tulilad replied. "I hope so."
Kelly wiped the blood from her sword, absolutely drained, physically and emotionally. "You two ok?"
"I will be after I sleep until the end of time." Tulilad chuckled dryly as wiped some dried blood off his cheek. "... but before that a shower."
"It sounds like... Tulilad has the right idea..." Asakonigei slumped to her knees, unable to keep upright as her chest heaved for air. The magic strings connecting to the knights vanished and the puppets were dead still. Her hands shook terribly as she tried to take a moment to gather her bearings.
"Good to hear." Kelly leaned down, and, clearing the blood off his other cheek then down to his lips, kissed him.
Malik slowly walked in, observing the carnage.
"Asa? Are you well?"
"Hrm... I could perhaps be persuaded to wash your back if you ask nicely enough." Tulilad flirted with Kelly. "What do you say to that?"
Kelly smiled and kissed him again. "I'd like that."
"You first." Tulilad teased as he followed Kelly back to the castle. "I'm not cleaning up this mess. We'll let the rookies do it."
Asakonigei looked up at her husband with a sheepish, but tired smile.
"I... I haven't used magic like that since giving birth and..." The Kovina still shivered from the lack of magic in her system. "Well... I'm a bit out of practice. I think I used too much too soon..."
Malik nodded and scooped Asakonigei up. "Let's go to bed. Zelda can return our son later."
"I'm a bit icky, Malik." Asakonigei pulled at the front of her sweaty shirt for emphasize. "Might need to wash up a bit before sleeping. I could sleep for ages... and making Zelda a babysitter for now, hrm?"
"She owes me whatever I want after killing me..." Malik carried her away. At least the battle was won.
~
Alexander meekly looked at the floor as he was brought before the Queen. He wore a black suit for mourning.
The threat to the kingdom was gone yet it still left damage. Little Alexander was now an orphan. His maidservants had been watching after him for the time being. Zarazu felt sorry for the poor boy, yet she knew in her heart that Zemalocke was a traitor. There was nothing she could do or say to comfort him about the terrible stories floating around the castle. The most she could do was offer a safe place to stay.
"Alexander?" Zarazu spoke softly, her hand still wrapped in bandages. It would return to normal within a few days, thanks to the healing from the Dusas. Her leg was healing nicely, the bullet passing clean through her flesh. "I know you must think poorly of my family after all this mess, I wouldn't blame you. However, you have a choice to make for now. You can either stay here and learn at Hyrule Castle under the same tutors that teach Luimaya and Turagor, learning the ways of the royal court. Or, you can seek out a distant family member to go and live with until of age to resume rule of your late father's castle."
Alexander didn't know what to think. "I'm smart enough to rule my father's business Queen Zarazu. I don't HAVE any family left, and I won't let anyone else take hold of my family's property, our.....legacy...."
"I know you are, dear, I know, and no one will take what belongs to you, I promise. Right now, you're just still too young to be on your own." Zarazu tried explaining to him very carefully. "Do you know of anyone would can take care of you? An aunt? An uncle? Someone?"
"House maids."
"I meant blood relation, Alexander." Zarazu told the boy with a small frown. "The laws of our land state that a youngling like you has to have someone to care for him."
"No. They're all dead. I'm an orphan in every sense. Father gave me an education higher then most. I am more then qualified. Hand maids are fine."
Alexander kept his emotions as tight as he could, a little scowl on his face.
"... let us compromise, Alexander." Zarazu hobbled toward the young boy with her sole crutch. Standing in front of him, she gently placed her bandaged hand on his shoulder. "I'll let you go back to you castle if you take one of my caretakers with you. Most of the women have children that are grown and gone, a few are widowed. It would be a good job for them and you'd get the care you needed. You can even pick which lady you like best." She smiled quietly at him. "Though you know, you are always welcome to stay here."
"I..." Alexander tried to stay tough, but then hugged her, snivelling. All that he had been through was too much for him. "O-ok."
"Shh, shh, it's okay to cry." Zarazu bent down on a knee to hug the boy. "I'm here if you need me, no matter what it is. For what it is worth, I'm sorry about your father... but I am glad you are a good soul." She stroked his hair gently. "You'll be a fantastic baron one day and your land will flourish. Just make sure you come and visit once in a while, yes? Knowing Luimaya and Turagor, you'll be missed on our afternoon picnics."
"O-ok. I will." Alexander dried his tears and, letting go, gave Zarazu a bow. "I should choice a caretaker. And for what it's worth, I hope I’m a good Baron too one day. Different then my father."
"You'll be wonderful, Alex." Zarazu gave his head a small pat, smiling at the boy. "We'll all be here for you, cheering you on no matter what. You be safe traveling home and never hesitate to call upon me if you need me."
Zarazu hoped that the boy could be a beacon of hope, and a proper link for her people and Hylians in the future.
(Glad to finally have finished my second larger collaboration with @ridersoftheapocalypse! Expect more stories from us to continue in the future!)