"I refuse!" The kings voice echoed through the castle, my eyes widened as I wasn't expecting him to deny my request. I took a deep breath, glanced at Nora who was by my side, then at the guards by the side of the king and finally i stared into the kings eyes.
"But King Hans, this is necessary for me to-" I was cut off by him standing up and walking to the two Great Crystals he had stored in the throne room, as if they were an important treasure to him. His steps echoing through the room as he finally comes to a stop. He turned to face me, arms crossed as he spoke.
"That was the last time Michael! I... No WE are done with your nonsense! This urge of being a hero, the boredom of being the strongest, it's making you succumb to greed. Just stand down hero and accept as many slaves as you want in exchange for all your hard work. You, a hero, wouldn't want to ruin your reputation would you? This status of hero is all you have after all. Now go home and speak no more of these 'Great Crystals', they're too dangerous to be let out of my sight!" The king spoke harsh, his words felt cold. I gritted my teeth, feeling the anger rising in me.
"I don't want any of your damn slaves you bastard! You're nothing but a corrupt king who tortures his people in this corrupt system! I'm strong enough to ensure those crystals stay safe so give them to me already!" I yell, not being able to contain my anger. I breathe heavily as I stare down the king, feeling nothing but hate. King Hans sighs as he starts to get more and more frustrated.
"Don't push your luck Michael. If you don't manage to control yourself and if you keep getting engulfed by your greed... Then I might have to strip away your title of HERO. You're nothing but a danger to our world. Oh and some advice? Stop following the path of greed, it has no return." He turned his back to me, his footsteps loud as he approached his throne. I was broken, I felt the need of proving that I am still a hero but... was he right? Am I truly following a path of greed? Am I the true danger to the planet?
"Will you really let him get away with that?" A cold voice said straight into my ear. It was Nora. Without hesitation she carried on whispering.
"Are you really questioning your own truthfulness? Pa-the-tic~! C'mon hero, prove them wrong. Prove to them that they are the once covered in greed as they merely want to keep their precious gems. Go wild, hero!" Her words struck me like lightning and then... something snapped, something inside me was now different. I walked towards the kings throne as I stared with no readable emotion on my face. Blessed Ability: Total Speed. I reached the magical field the Great Crystals were stored in. Blessed Ability: Total Strength. With a single punch I broke the barrier, everyone gasped, I even heard the king yelling for his guards in the background but I was only focused on one thing. The Great Crystals. Just as I snatched the two Great Crystals, Nora transformed into her White Tiger state, biting off the limbs of several guards. I instantly grabbed her and blitzed out of the castle, running as fast as I could. I felt the change, it made me realize I was now different. I could do anything.
As we fled, King Hans watched from the castle gate. His expression one of disappointment.
"You're at the point of no return, Michael." He said before turning to his general.
"Strip away the rank of hero from the now ex-hero, Michael Forte. Declare Michael Forte a traitor and a threat to all nations. Contact all the other kingdoms and inform them of our situation. There's a high chance that... we're done for."
We suddenly stopped as my speed factor vanished. Shocked, Nora looked up at me.
"Why did you stop? It wouldn't have taken us long if you went at your fastest." She asked, confused as to why I would extend the time it would usually take us to get to the Kingdom of Miraal.
"As you might know, I am the holder of 13 Blessed Abilities, yet my powers are limited by a factor, or rather a curse called 'Jail Cell'. It restricts 2 of my Blessed Abilities and weakens one by 50%. The limited abilities change every 36 hours and even my Total Immunity cannot cancel out this curse which is in the natural cycle of every hero that has come to this world. " I explained to her in detail so that she would not misunderstand me. Nora nodded her head, understanding what I was talking about.
"So currently your Total Speed ability is limited? Unlucky!" She exclaimed while sounding a bit frustrated that it would take longer for us to get to our destination.
"Well suck it up, we WILL make it... I will prove to everyone I am a hero. No matter what we won't give up!" I said, my tone filled with pride and stubbornness. Nora jumped up in excitement.
"Yes my hero! We will do it together!" She yelled as we went on our way, our adventure officially starting now.
The kings steps loudly echoed through the halls as he entered the dungeon where he secretly kept a weapon who he didn't allow anyone other than a chosen few to know the existence of. The guard beside him opened the door and Hans entered alongside a scientist as they approached the wolf hybrid who was tied up, blinded and had his magic and attributes limited by a magical barrier. The king undid the barrier, watching the wolf fall down as he caught his breath.
"Nishioka The Assassin. One of the strongest warriors of the planet. We must make a contract." The king said coldly. Nishioka laughed, his voice raspy and rough.
"Old man wants to free the doggy? Whats the occasion? And why wouldn't I just kill ya right fuckin' now?" Nishioka asked as he slowly stopped laughing. The kings guard raised his weapon yet the king made him stand down.
"Well this matter concerns the ex-hero. Michael Forte..." King Hans said with a slight smirk. Nishioka's ears twitched as he crossed his arms then looked up at the king with a smile.
"Now you have my attention, geezer!" Nishioka yelled.
End Chapter.