The Override: The Override, #1

0: King Kaiden

The stars shined brightly in the night sky above Skyline. Tonight’s special conditions caused the usual cool blue moons to appear crimson as they hung in the sky above the kingdom. The night district, located in the lower middle section of the kingdom, was as lively as ever. In complete contrast was the kingdom’s castle on this late night, however king Kaiden was unable to get a wink of rest in.

There was a faint feeling of bloodlust that he’d been feeling for the past few days throughout the kingdom. He could sense it, but couldn’t pin down specifically where it was coming from. Although faint it felt as if his entire kingdom was blanketed in it. There had been many attempts on his life in the past, but none gave off this feeling. That was more than enough to keep him from having a peaceful rest. With nothing else to do on his restless night, he began pondering ways to smoke out the culprit or culprits behind this feeling. Alas, nothing came to mind that wouldn’t endanger his family or his kingdom.

Stuck at the roadblock in his head, he gazed upon the sleeping beauty that was his wife. Her peaceful looking face was surrounded by her messy crimson hair, made her seem much more innocent than she really was. This scene was all that was needed to keep Kaiden’s nerves from going bad. Kaiden swept his hand across her face, clearing off some of her hair revealing her face unhindered. She moved a bit as if irritated by the action. Kaiden sat back in his chair with a wide smile on his face.

She truly is a beauty, he thought to himself, playing with the idea of waking her with the thoughts of flesh in mind. The idea won and he lean in to press his lips on hers.

Before his lips could wake his wife, the sound of metal clashing was picked up by Kaiden’s ears, interrupting what he had envisioned to be another wonderous time.

It was clear the sound came from within the the castle, just not near the chambers. Maybe some of the guards are fighting each other again. It wouldn’t have been the first time. If that’s the case then maybe, just maybe.

The clashing continued, this time mixed with grunting. Kaiden inhaled deeply, slowly letting out the exhale, irritated at the disturbance. He rose and headed to the door and in an instant, the bloodlust became much thicker. Kaiden reacted by tapping into his stream and shot a golden blade of magic through the door. The bloodlust went back to being a faint blanket. Now sure that the sounds of metal clanging wasn’t some simple disagreement, Kaiden readied his stream as he cracked the door to see what was happening. On the other side of the door was a person wrapped in grey garb impaled to the wall. The blade shot by the king sat inside of the chest of the would-be assassin. Damn it, Kaiden said to himself.

Mmmm the queen moaned. Huh? the noise had woke her. She was still groggy but could see Kaiden grab his long sword and make his way toward the door. Although his long black hair covered half of his face, she could see the seriousness of it. What’s going on? she asked gaining her senses.

Another attempt, Kaiden responded. I’m going to need you to stay here I’ll send the kids here with you while I check the situation. Prepare the escape passage in case the worst happens."

O.k. she said getting a grasp on what was happening around her. She was going to Prepare for that just in case situation, but she had absolutely no doubt that the worst would not happen.

There had been countless attempts on Kaiden’s life ever since he dared to take on the deities and forced them to halt their war, at least within his domain. The only fear that she had in this type of situation was Kaiden returning injured. This is the man that became known and the God Slaying king after all, what could a few assassins do to him?

Kaiden’s first stop was to his youngest daughter’s chambers, which located around the hall leading to his.

Alanko, a trusted guard to the king, was watching over the young princess. He wore combat boots similar to the rest of the holy guard, but his were black, not the traditional white with gold accents. His greyish black pants that had several pockets. His torso was covered by a well fitting greyish black vest, inlaid with a red material. On his back was a sheathed long sword.

Ever since she had hit the age of fourteen, Beatrix began to show signs of being a rebellious little princess, which could have problematic consequences. Therefore, she had to have a shadow with her to ensure her safety. The King had Alanko on this task due to his skill and his ability to allow the princess to have her choices done, but never having her endangered, all while not even knowing he was there most of the time.

Alanko Kaiden called out in a hushed whisper.

Kaiden, Alanko replied. He was one of the few people with the privilege to address the king so casually. The air is filling with some intent, you should be wary, he warned.

Assassins, the king responded. Get Beatrix to her mother, protect them for me

And if worst comes to worst we escape Alanko said finishing off the king’s thoughts. Kaiden smiled and Alanko entered the young princess’ room to wake her. Understood

With Beatrix safe in trusted hands, Kaiden continued towards his eldest daughter’s chambers to find her door slightly ajar and no one around. I really hope that she’s taking one of her late-night strolls through the castle’s gardens, Kaiden thought. Some flowers shined better under the moonlight, given tonight’s the night of the red moons, it would make sense to want to see them with the red hue. That’s all he could hope for, because should anything happen to his loved ones, he didn’t know what he’d do. The prince’s chambers were closer than the gardens so he made his way there.

Upon his arrival, the door to the prince’s chambers burst open and a man in grey garbs came flying out, gushing blood from his torso. As the man hit the ground a long sword pierced his neck. Raul Kaiden called out to his son.

Raul took his eyes off the assassin he’d just ended and looked to his father. Another contract on your life? The prince’s tone was a smug one. After so many contracts were taken out on his father’s life he quickly understood that he would have to gain the ability to defend himself, not only keep himself alive, but also his siblings and of course his father. He was getting older and Raul couldn’t have his father take on the world alone.

Kaiden nodded and continued, Go to your mother, Alanko is there with Trix, I have to find your other sister.

Alanko is with them, they are more than safe! Raul responded. Of all the men in the castle, Alanko was the best of them. Though he is young, Alanko could probably take on his father, the man known as the ‘God Slaying King’, and have a fair chance at winning. So, with that said I’m coming with you to get her. She would more than likely be in the castle garden, taking in the sight of the lunar lotus. That was his guess anyway, due to her affinity for the place. He was hoping that he was wrong, because if the assassins managed to sneak into his chambers, they would have no problem picking off a lone princess outside in the gardens.

Raul, the assassins want us all dead. Kaiden growled out in a stern tone. a little agitated that his son didn’t follow his direction.

All the more reason I need to find my sister, Raul responded while already heading in the direction of the gardens. He didn’t want to argue, he wanted his family safe, and if it caused temporary anger from his father, then so be it.

The king sighed, he knew that once Raul made up his mind he could be just as stubborn as him. This seemed to be a common occurrence in the new generation. Where’d they gain such a bad trait? The king thought to himself. Fine Kaiden responded following his son’s lead. The king didn’t have to many objections due to his trust in Raul’s ability. After all, Kaiden trained him himself and the boy’s talent with the sword was amazing. But the moment things turn sour, you know what to do.

Of course.

Men in gray garbs were scattered around along with men in blood soaked white and gold uniform at the entrance of the castle’s garden. Raul’s heart began to race as he made his way towards the lake, where the lunar lotus bloomed. they passed body after body, feeling both relieved that with every body they had passed it wasn’t the princess, and much more nervous that they hadn’t gotten to her yet.

The father son duo paused in disbelief, the princess was found, but she was, completely bare for all to see, covered in blood and pinned to a tree. The person that seemed to be responsible was making weird animalistic noises as he licked the blood from her face. Along with that, his hands had a death grip on her breast.

Raul’s eyes narrowed at the scene before him, and the rage began to take over. Despite their petty bickering, the two of them were extremely close and he couldn’t accept what he was seeing, some degenerate that had harmed his sister was now taking liberties?! Raul made a mad dash towards the assassin in an attempt to skewer him, but the assailant felt the bloodlust and spun to barely dodge the blade. Raul’s blade pierced the tree, barely missing his sister. The spin used to dodge became a counter attack. A knife came from his grey sleeve a was meant for Raul’s kidney. Sensing the danger, the prince quickly let go of the sword and sprawled.

Kaiden came down with a slash of his own. The assassin simply smiled as he blocked the attack with a dagger in his other hand, however he soon learned that the block was a fatal mistake. The king injected magic into his blade causing his sword to emit a golden aura, that pulsed with pure rage from the sight of his bloodied daughter. The golden blade broke through the dagger and continued through the assassin’s body. The smug smile disappeared from his face as he felt that holy aura tear his flesh.

Raul popped back to his feet and disarmed the other hand while breaking his arm. With the dagger in hand, Raul finished the assassin off by jabbing it in the back of his neck. As the assassin fell Raul went to his sister.

An arrow flew from the dark and pierced the pinned princess through her skull. If she wasn’t dead before, she was dead now. Raul’s eyes widened as his pupils narrowed. The father son duo looked at where the arrow came from and saw nothing but darkness. Another arrow was loosed, this one catching Raul in the leg

Show yourself! Kaiden commanded. Or are you just a coward too afraid to take on a weakened old man and an injured child! he added hoping the archer would take the bait.

If yer majesty wishes it, then I shall comply, it was a gravelly voice as another man in grey garb appeared. His face was covered completely and the aura that he leaked showed that he was different from the others they had faced. This guy is definitely the leader. Besides I think it’ll be much more poetic to have the royal family all slain here in the gardens under such delightful moons. Noticing the prince paid no attention to him, the garbed man added. Oh, don’t worry she wasn’t sullied, we just happened to catch her taking a dip in the lake.

With those words reaching his ear he had just realized that he and his sister had been shot, and the man that did it was right in front of him. Raul yanked the arrow from his leg and retrieved his blade. With the thoughts of this man firing the arrow that just ended his sister’s life, he rushed in.

Despite the new wound, his movements were fluid and smooth as he thrust his blade. The garbed man was just as smooth as he dodged Raul’s attacks. Raul continued to thrust and slash his blade. He even added some punches and