The King's Slayer: Prologue

[Kasage]

The King’s Slayer: Prologue
Original Story by: Kasage​

“Dad i’m scared.”
Those were the last words I said to him, he looked down to me, and smiled.
“The only thing to fear is yourself, if you overcome that fear, you will come to discover your true self and real strength”
He ruffled my hair like he always did, except this time was his last. I being the foolish boy I was back then just stood there speechless. I gazed to his other hand, where he held his sword, and watched him walk away.
“Whatever happens don't come out, not until I come back for you, ok Levi?”
I nodded, and kept hiding in the crates of the storeroom. An hour passed, he didn't come back, I grew weary till I heard footsteps coming closer, and rushed out from behind the crates to be met with a man holding my father's head in his hands. I froze, my insides began to grow cold, and fell to my knees. The man holding my father's head tossed it across the room, and let it roll to me. I watched it, but no tears came from my eyes, I wanted to cry, but I was so scared to die myself I couldn't. The man began to walk toward me, and I ran, running up the stairs of the storeroom to the kitchen, and hid there, the man followed me, walking closer and closer, though he didn't know exactly where I was, I saw a knife on the rack near me, so when I saw the man turn his back I snuck to the rack and grabbed the knife. I picked up an apple and threw the other side of the kitchen to lure the man away from me, he took the bait. After I saw he turned his back again I ran as fast as I could, and plunged the knife deep into his back.
“AHHH!”
He screamed in pain, but I kept pressing harder and harder matching him as the man struggled and cried out in pain. He soon fell over and looked up at me, cursing me, I felt nothing though, having killed another man, I stood and watched the life leave his eyes as he slowly died in his own pool of blood.
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“You have been spared by my father King Vincent of Laputa, be grateful to the kindness you are being shown.”
The boy froze, not knowing how to answer,
“Why me?”
The girl looked down at him.
“Your father served my family well, and my father wishes to repay that debt by taking you in, and raising you, now choose, do you wish to rot away here, or will you take this second chance that lies before you.”
The boy looked up at the girl noticing the golden blonde hair, then look around to the men that surrounded him, it wasn't like he had much of a choice.
“Alright then”
He would nod to the girl and get onto the carriage.
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I didn't think about it then, but later I found out why I was chosen, me of all the people in this Kingdom the King could have chosen to save. It was because of my Gate. The Gate forms a weapon that draws power from another realm, and reshapes it into magical energy into our world. My father had shown it to me before, previously he was only able to wield a sword, unable to control the arcane, but when he used The Gate, he was able to summon a weapon, far more intense than ones he used to create with my mother. The two forged the world's greatest weapons together, with the craftsmanship of my father and the magical skill of my mother, their skills unmatched in the Kingdom of Laputa. Until that day my mother grew ill, and passed away. My father then turned to his work, teaching me the secrets of the Gate, and tuning The Gate to my affinity, so that others will not be able to wield it. My father completed the task when I was the age of nine, in three years he completed my Gate perfecting it, I believed he was done with his work and, at least that was what I had thought, he continued his research hoping to find a way to revive my mother with the Gate, unfortunately, it was discovered what my father had been working at, and my father had been requested by the king to continue his work under his name, my father of course refused at first but was later convinced otherwise. The next year our house was raided by bandits and my father was killed, and I was was left, The son of a madman, the child with the perfect Gate.
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There Levi sat across from the Princess, he stared outside the window of the carriage, looking back over to the his ransacked home. Now burning as it was set on fire by the royal guards to prevent any enemies of the kingdom from acquiring knowledge of the Gate. The Princess kept staring at him, as if he was something she had never seen before, curious about this mythical creature that was before her. Before she exerted so much power, authority, and seemed otherworldly to him, now she just looked like another curious child.
“My father told me you're special, but don't see anything special, you seem like every other middle class boy”
Levi would look back, catching her eyes then looking back out, keeping silent.
“Do you not know how to speak?”
The girl would keep staring at him.
“Ok, I suppose the proper introduction is needed, I am Lilith, Princess of Laputa”
She would wait for Levi’s response, then grow furious as he ignored her,
“I am the Princess! Commoners such as you should be graced to even have a chance to speak to someone from the Royal Family like myself!”
The boy would gaze over at her, he had lost everything and yet why was this girl yelling at him as if he was wrong.
“By Royal Order I hereby Declare you my slave, you are no never disobey me, your master!”
The older man sitting beside her would chuckle for a moment, though the princess wouldn't notice during her fit.
“Princess Lilith, you have yet to receive authority to execute a Royal Order.”
The girl would look over at the man, her brow furrowed.
“I know that, but this boy, he is beyond rude, and needs to be taught a lesson, he should respect people who are far above him.”
The man would look over at the boy, knowing what he had been though.
“This child has been taken in by your father, he could very well become a prince, and he is a year older than you. If that was to become, his rank would rise above yours Princess…”
The boy would still be unphased, and grey, staring out the window as he were lifeless.
“If anything at all, he is the son of the man who saved this kingdom, noble blood or not, this boy is not just some commoner, and is one of the most valued assets to the King as of currently.”
Her eyes would widen, looking back at him, and thinking, ‘who was he, and why was he so valuable.’
Levi would have caught up to the conversation as the site of his burning home would fade to smoke rise from behind a hill.
“Levi” he would reply. “Your father wishes to utilize my Gate.”
For a child he seemed more mature than most kids his age.
“What's your Gate? Is it some sort of magic?” The princess would reply.
“I don't know much about it myself” he relied telling a lie.
“though I know it draws energy to create weapons based on the wielders natural affinity.”
The girl’s eyes would glow, it being something she had never heard of before,
“what does your weapon look like?”
The boy would look away, feeling ashamed
“I don't know… i've yet to be able to summon it myself”
The girl would pout.
“well once you can summon it, I want you to show it to me”
the man beside the girl was also interested in the boy's Gate.
“yes yes, I too wish to see your weapon, and also I think I should properly introduce myself, I am a man of many skills, one of many names and faces, and much knowledge, though you may call me Leon, from today, the King has entrusted me with your care, and to supervise your training.”
Levi would examine the man, he was well build, and carried numerous weapons, though most were hidden under his cape. He bore the Golden Feather, which was rewarded only to those whose skills were acknowledged in the recent war. He was definitely someone of high rank and value to the King, like my father was.
“I hope we can get along Levi”
He would smile and reach out his hand to him.
The boy would take the man's hand and shake it.
“Seems you still have much to learn child” Leon would say.
A white cloud began to fill Levi’s eyes, his mind would begin to clear, and a shroud of haze fall over him as he fell unconscious on the bench in the carriage.
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The ride to the capital would remain quiet, not much exchange would take place over the sleeping boy. The would wake after most of the day and fell to night,
“you slept as a newborn.” Leon would say.
“didn't have much of a choice” the boy replied.
He would look over to the princess who was fast asleep. Levi would think to himself, she looked innocent, as a bird would look when it lived its whole life in a cage.
“You know, this is the first time the princess has ever left the capital and the second time she has ever left the castle grounds”
Levi would look over to the man.
“She said the King wished to take me in, does this mean I'm to live in castle?”
Leon would nod, “yes, but no, the two of us will go on many travels together, I will train you just as I've been trained, we will only stay at the castle for minimal amounts of time. While you're at the castle expect to be treated as a prince, but while you're with me, you are nothing more, or nothing less than what you truly are.”
The boy would wonder what he meant by Leon meant by what he just said, but nod.
“The King has given me the task to train you and give you the same skills I posses, I'm free to go about it however I like, so until you become a Slayer worthy of Gate you posses, me and you will be spending much time together.”
Levi would nod
“how is it that you know about the Gate?”
The man would smile, and pull two daggers from under his cloak, the boy could could spot the natural poison that secreted from the daggers.
“Beautiful aren't they?”
Levi would eye the man,
“How is that poss--?”
The man would look into Levi’s eyes
“The King knew about your father's research for a while, he even ordered the Kingdom's finest minds to work on copying the Gate, I'm one of the six successful candidates that survived the experiments, making you the seventh”
Levi would grow more curious, a person who could teach him how to use his Gate existed.
“When will we begin my training?” He would ask.
“Eager one aren’t you?”
Leon laughed silently,
“Im serious.”
“We will be staying in the castle for a month, in that time you're free to roam the castle grounds and such, after that, we will begin our travels. I estimate six years time to reshape you into a Slayer, and after you successfully complete all your training, you will return to the capital and serve the King.”
“I suppose I have no say in this”
Leon would look at Levi who seemed uninterested expect for learning how to use his Gate,
“I assure you, it is no easy task to learn how to use your Gate, we will need to condition your body to handle all your Gate’s energy, then you must summon your weapon, and learn combat skills accordingly.”
Levi would nod “I'm prepared to do so”
“I hope you are boy, I knew people who died because they couldn't handle their Gate, and yours if far more stressing than theirs”
The rest of the ride to the capital return to a dead silent, as the moon began to fall from the sky, and the sun rise again to its place among the clouds.
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I remember looking outside the window of the carriage, the walls to the capital were so tall, guard were seen mounted at every spot on top. An escort met with our carriage after we entered the city, and helped us make our way to the castle. Even as we just entered the city walls I could look up and see the castle sitting above all. As we made our way through the markets I could see the people looking over any the carriage and waving, the economy of the capital was far more prosperous than the town we had lived near, and the people more lively. It was almost nice to see everything like that, after having spent two years scavenging for food and living in his run down home. I think I almost smiled that day too, it's was nearing my twelfth birthday, though I didn't tell anyone of it, I was happy to be able to see such happiness after such a long time in the darkness.
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A month had passed in the capital, and it was time for Levi to leave for his journey.
“I hope you packed everything you needed” Leon said to the young boy who was rushing out of his bedroom.
“Yes!”
“Good, I've prepared the horses, were leaving before the sun rises, I've let the King know of our plans, and that we will not be returning until your training has been completed”
Levi had been waiting for this day since he heard he will be learning how to use his Gate.
“All I have left is to give this scroll to the King before we depart, I want you to meet me at the stables in ten minutes.”
Levi would nod, “Ok”
He would begin to walk toward the princess’ room to say goodbye, as the two had grown fond of each other in the past month. He would stop in front of her door, looking down at his feet then back up, raising a hand to knock on the door, but hesitate.
“She's probably asleep.” he would whisper to himself.
And begin to leave for the stables until he heard the door open being him. He turned around and saw the princess rubbing her eyes and holding her blanket around herself.
“Are you planning on leaving without saying goodbye?” She would say to him.
“I… I didn't want to wake you…”
She would run over to Levi and give him a hug,
“Don't do anything stupid and get hurt.” She would say.
Levi would stand their flustered, unsure of what to do.
“Ok…”
“Oh and I have something for you!”
She would run back into her bedroom and back out quickly,
“Close your eyes and hold out your hand.”
Levi would nod and do so quietly. Princess Lilith would then tie a band with a black jade around his wrist.
“Open your eyes now.”
Levi would look at his new trinket.
“It's a stone I found by the river once, it's a protective charm I made that will protect you during your travels.”
Levi would once again be flustered.
“I Wa--”
“LEVI!” Leon’s shout, and could be heard across the castle.
“I suppose you have to go now…” She said looking at him.
“Ah… yes, goodbye princess” He replied smiling.
The young princess would smile back.
“goodbye Levi, I'll be waiting to see your summoned weapon when you return! And don't keep me waiting too long!”
Levi would nod, then turn and run to the stables not looking back. His journey had just begun.
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“Five years…”
The young man looked up into the sky, as he approached the capital city. His black horse trotted along the dirt path springing it up. The sun's light shone down upon the young man's face.
“The sun was never this warm anywhere else.”
“You seem excited”
There another man followed closely on his horse behind the young man.
“Though I must say, I never expected to return a whole year early”
“Your Welcome”
The young man would flash a smirk over to the older man.
“Ya!”
The young man would whip his horse's reins to break it into a sprint to the capital’s main gates.
“Like always you have no patience…”
The older man would follow the lead of the younger man as they rushed to the capital.
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The two arrived at the gates, where the guards would approached them and check them.
“State your business!”
The older of the two would hand over documents of his business. The guard’s eyes would widen.
“Commander Leon! We didn't expect you to return so early.”
The older man would smile.
“Everything took less time than I expected.”
The guard would return the papers to Leon.
“So this is the boy we have heard rumors about.”
The guard would gaze over to the young man. Examining him, he was a lot smaller then he was made out to be, and didn't seem as intimidating as the rumors has stated.
“Well I suppose rumors are rumors.”
Leon would look into the guards.
“I assure you, the rumors do no justice to what this young lad is capable of.”
The guard would nod, taking in the words of his superior.
“Well I welcome you back to the capital Commander.”
The guard would offer a stiff salute, then head back to open the gates. A young guard would ask the guard that just returned a question.
“Are they good? Their faces didn't match any of the ones that had bounties on them.”
“Fool! That is Commander Leon and his apprentice!”
The young guard’s eyes would widen.
“He's the one who slayed the Black Elder Dragon?”
The guard would nod, as he reached for the lever to open the gates to the capital.
“If that's true then as a Slayer he surpassed the Commander.”
The two guards would watch the two on the horse enter the capital and raise the gates again, closing off the wall.
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“Seems like you're already popular among the people”
“I could care less”
“Oh well, but I must say, the ladies threw themselves at me once I accomplished my Slayer.”
The two trotted on their horses to the castle that stood above the capital. Its tower reached the sky, and the sun shown down on it as if the gods had blessed the castle itself. As the two approaches the castle, a royal guard would approach, recognizing the Commander on his horse.
“Commander!”
“Yes that is me.”
“You've arrived earlier than expected, we haven't the preparations for your return”
“Oh don't mind that, it's just me and the boy, we don't require such welcome, a simple welcome home should be more than enough”
As the guard and Leon spoke with each other Levi gazed around the castle, it had been five years since he had last been here. He would look around then spot a beautiful girl wandering in the gardens, her long silver hair danced as she skipped through the green grass.
“Levi!” Leon yelled at him.
“Ah, yes?”
“Stop daydreaming, we have to meet with the King at once, your Slayer position is to be decided once you returned, I believe you would be nominated captain in the army at least.”
“Alright.”
“And don't say anything that would hurt my or your reputation in front of the King.”
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Levi would nod getting off his horse, and then follow his teacher into the castle halls. Inside there was a long red carpet, leading up to the throne. Large pillars supported the roof of the room, with guards posted at every pillar. The two would approach the throne, and then kneel before the man sitting in it.
“We've returned your majesty, and I've successfully accomplished the tasks you set before me to train this boy as a Slayer.”
The King would grin, Levi would be looking down, only able to see the King's feet. He would see that he stood up, and started walking toward them. The King would grab Levi by the shoulder and help him up.
“Get up boy.”
He would look over Levi, examining his body.
“By the gods, it's hard to believe that you've grown this much boy.”
Levi would smile.
“It's all thanks to you your majesty that I was able to grow this much, if you hadn’t saved me from poverty that day, I most likely wouldn't be here today, Thank you.”
The King would smile, then look over to Leon.
“Commander, get off your knees, I told you, you're like a brother to me, there's no need for you to be so formal with me.”
Leon would smile, then get up.
“As always my King, you're too kind.”
The King would walk over and give Leon a hug.
“Welcome home Leon.”
Levi would watch the two, he didn't know they were this close. The King and Leon would speak amongst each other for a small moment. Then the King would then motion over a servant, and send him to fetch some things for him. Then approach Levi.
“I've heard much about you my boy. Is it true that you single handedly slayed the Black Elder Dragon?”
Levi would nod “I admit the means of how I killed the dragon may have been rudimentary, but I did kill the Black Elder Dragon alone.”
“Please elaborate, I wish to hear exactly how you managed such a feat, as anyone would wonder how a boy managed to slay a dragon, and on top of that one of the Elder Dragons.”
“Your majesty, the first issue with killing large dragons is their impenetrable skin, as both magic and even physical weapons have problems piercing their skin. So I decided that I had to kill the dragon from the inside. I had to find a way for the dragon to swallow me whole, so when the dragon stopped to drink water, I snuck into its body and from the inside with the help of the weapon I summoned, I unleashed my most powerful strike from the inside, and slayed the dragon.”
The King would raise a brow.
“That is a very basic method but efficient, well done my boy.”
The servant to would return with some golden pins.
“Ah, yes finally, now to name your positions.”
The King would take a golden pin, the royal signal was embedded on it, along with the crest of the Royal General.
“For you Leon, I reward you with the rank of General of the King's Army.”
He would pin the golden sword on Leon army.
Leon would salute “Your Majesty, I will forever serve your royal house, and lead the Kingdoms army to victory.”
The King would return and pick up another golden pin, which was less flashy, having a royal crest along with the crest of the Captain.
“And for you Levi.”
He would pin the golden rank on Levi’s armor.
“I hereby appoint you as Captain of the Royal Guard.”
Levi would be shocked he was hoping for a position in the from lines or rather a Wandering Slayer, but instead he found himself stuck in the castle walls.
“You are now the personal guard for my daughter Lilith, I hope you remember her from before you had left, though she's quite the woman now…”
Levi would salute to the King, “Your Majesty, it is an honor, and a privilege to be able to serve you in your Royal Guard, I hope to meet all your expectations of me, and then some.”
The King would laugh, “that is good to hear my boy.”
Leon would look over to Levi knowing he was rather disappointed with his new title.
“Now I know you must be tired from your long journey, you both have a week's leave before you’re to assume your roles, you're both dismissed.” The King would say to them.
Leon would stay to discuss with the King, but Levi would salute to the King then leave castle, heading toward the castle courtyard. The sky had become grey in the short time they were in the castle and seemed as though it was soon to rain. He would look into the gardens to see if the girl he had seen was still there, but he didn't see her. He would wander the gardens searching for her, but not find a single trace of her. Suddenly the cloud would burst, and rain would begin to heavily pour upon the lands of Laputa. Levi would run quickly to the rotunda that looked over the gardens. He would remove his wet leathers he wore, keeping his inner tights, pants and boots on and setting the rest of his cloths to dry on a bench. He would whip his wet hair back, and catch his breath, taking a view of the scenery around him, then he would spot her, the girl with silver hair. She was standing outside by some bellflowers, looking up into the rain, as if she was looking for something. Levi would walk out and over to approach her in the rain. As he did the closer he got the more mesmerizing she became, her silver hair shone bright as the water fell upon it and trickled down to her black dress.
“My lady, you should come inside, if you stay out in the rain for long, you may catch a cold.” Levi would say to her.
The girl's eyes were closed but she would then take a deep breath, still looking up at the sky.
“Who are you to say what I should and shouldn't do?”
Levi would look over to the girl it was as if she was something from a dream, something that seemed unreal, someone from a fairytale.
“If you wish to stay in the rain, then I won't stop you.”
He would walk back over to the rotunda, sitting in the bench beside his cloths he would watch the girl for a few minutes as she stood in the rain.
“Who is she?” He would think to himself.
He would then hear her begin to sing, her voice it was so soothing, the rain complemented her tone perfectly as it fell upon the ground. He slowly would begin to doze off, falling asleep to the girl's lullaby.
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“Give it back… GIVE IT BACK!”
Levi would slowly open his eyes looking at the the roof of the rotunda, it was still raining, though it was lighter than earlier. He had another one of his nightmares.
“Damn…”
He would sit up, and see the silver haired girl sitting across from him on the other bench. She would notice him get up.
“You didn't seem to be having a pleasant dream.”
He would look up at her.
“Nothing out of the ordinary.” Levi replied.
These dreams began after he slayed the Black Elder Dragon. As for the Gate weapon to be given power, you must slay a being of equivalent strength to open the gate after summoning the weapon, this then activates the Gate.
The girl would raise her brow. Looking a bit curious reminding him of someone, though he didn't remember who? He would grab his wrist, holding on the bracelet tried to his wrist.
“Really? Oh well it's not my problem.”
He would lock eyes with her, again he was hypnotized.
“And who are you? I've never seen you in the castle before, and I wasn't notified of any guests arriving today.”
Levi would tap the badge on his leathers.
“The new Captain of the Royal Guard, the king had just appointed me this morning.”
“Oh really?”
“I'm also tasked with guarding the princess”
The girl's eyes would widen, then turn to a devilish squint, seeming to be plotting something.
“Now that is something very interesting, what is your name Captain?”
“Levi.” He replied looking out to the rain.
The girl would jump from her bench and rush toward Levi, putting both hands on his shoulders.
“LEVI?!”
She brought her face close to his. Levi would become flustered and not know what to do.
“Uhh… Yes…”
She would then take her hands and put them on his cheeks.
“Levi!”
“... yes?”
“It's me! Lilith!”
“Who?”
“Lilith!”
Levi would move her hands away from his face, and look up to her.
“I'm sorry, but do I know you?”
“Princess Lilith? Don't you remember me?”
Levi would ponder on the subject. Trying to think back and see if he could remember her.
“It's only been like five years how could you forget me?”
“I'm sorry, but this isn't the first time this has happened”
She would look at him confused.
“Bu--”
“Wait! Are you the princess I'm charged with protecting?”
The girl would nod.
“But that's not the only thing, between me and you, well, You had promised yourself to me.”
“WHAT!”
“Yes, five years ago, the day before you left, you had promised once you returned you would give yourself to me”
Lilith’s cheeks were flushed pink, and Levi would be confused.
“I'm sorry but I don't remember making such a rash decision, but I'm sure I would never had made such a decision, no matter the reason.”
The girl would look out to the rain.
“I suppose your fate was sealed already, as since you are my personal guardian, you are mine to command”
Levi would think for a moment, she was right, he does belong to her now.
“I suppose I am your personal guard, but that is it, nothing more.”
The girl would pout, keeping her emotions to herself, she would walk to the outer edge of the rotunda, and lean over the railing, lighting would strike down in the distance. After a short moment she would shout something.”
“--!”
But as she yelled it out loud, thunder would drown her words, and nothing was heard aside from the noise of the thunder and rain.
“I've waited five years, and this is what I've been returned with…”
Levi would look at her as if she was some loon.
“What have I gotten myself into?”
The rain would let way to a slow sprinkle, Levi would pick his things up and begin to head toward the castle.
“WAIT!”
Levi would turn around and look at the princess.
“Yes?”
She would run toward him.
“You had also promised me that once you returned you would show me your Gate Weapon”
Levi would roll his eyes, then reach under his cloak, and remove a long leather cover. He would then remove a long wrapped sword. He would remove the wrapping on it. As he did a dark aura would hover over the sheathed sword. Lilith’s eyes would widen in amazement having seen such a weapon that have only been seen in fairytales. Levi would look at Lilith, she was so innocent, pure to the world that had existed outside the walls of the castle.
“It's beautiful…”
Levi would remain quiet, and whisper something to himself.
“You wouldn't think so if saw what it does.”
“What?”
“Nothing…”
Lilith would think back the color of the sheath was the same color as the black jade she had given him, she would look over at his wrist and not see the bracelet she had given him, and become upset but not show it.
“Thank you.”
“Yea… don't mention it.”
Levi would turn and begin to walk toward the castle to his room. He would think, who is this girl to me?, he would continue to walk toward the castle and take a look back there she stood, turned around look up into the sky as she was before.
“I'm sorry...” he would say.
He would open the doors and step inside the castle.
“Why?”
Lilith would be looking up toward the grey sky. Tears flowing from her eyes.
“Why don't you remember me?”
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~To Be Continued