Chapter Text
Light beams pierced the tinted castle windows, leaves crunching underfoot as an unstoppable force surged through. Footsteps echoed on the floors, rhythmic and deliberate in their measured pace before halting as they were faced with their final destination. A low hum coming from the towering figure ahead marked the end of their journey. They paused in place, the sweat of their palm sticking around the handle of their blade. The hilt twisted and turned in their hand, teeth clenching as their jaw locked tight. Ashy umber strands shrouded their vision, bangs messily cut to mask their expression in a mess of stray hair. Their lips had been pursed in, several rips at the cotton sleeves of their sweater sending chills down their spine as a cold breeze passed through.
"Such a shame." The figure would barely move, the cape lining his shoulders hanging like a testimony to his unrighteous judgement. Tension clawed at the child's throat and bound them in their limbs, the brumming of the King's commanding voice leaving them in a state close to paralysis. Golden and white fur mixed together to outline the outgrowth of horns upon him like a heavy crown. "I was going to water the flowers, but they seem to have wilted away, among many other things."
Loose, lifeless flax petals fell out of the monster's hands as he lifted the small, crinkled bouquet of daffodils in his fluffy, gentle paws, inhaling what easily could've been the last of the sweet-scented live ones. Pollen wafted through the air and painted the scene in a golden dusted haze, the flowers swaying in the softest yet strongest of hands. The King's shoulders dropped as a downcast sigh slipped out, his guard waning as he cupped the sage-green stems between his paw pads and guided them into a singular vase standing at the side of the throne by itself. In contrast to the dying weeds and flora of the throne room, the ones painted upon the vase consisted of bursts of bright yellow color that had the King reminiscing of a better time.
"I was going to invite you for a cup of tea, but brewing it would take quite some time, wouldn't it?" The King gingerly explored the blossoms, taking a few additional moments before ultimately coming to a halt before his throne. With a swift motion, he pivoted around and settled into the ornate seat with an eerie quiet. His posture was slightly stooped, his head bowed as he contemplated the view of his trembling hands below. "No birdsong to be serenaded with. Only the dullness of the leaves against your feet. Will this be the finale for all of us?"
"...."
"... No matter. We all know what awaits us. Come meet me in the room ahead once you are ready."