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The Curse of Royal Blood

By Giovanni Thompson

By [OTK] One True KahnPublished 3 years ago 22 min read
1

The Curse of Royal Blood

December 7th 1450

The stars began to show in the twilight as the Knight under the rule of the current king set up camp, the Knight’s were under the leadership of the King's son- Constantine. They set up camp in the woods, snow blanketing the ground and trees; a pure white made for a beautiful contrast to the purple night sky. An hour had passed and they were fully set up. Constantine started to write in his journal about the travels of today:

Constantine’s log, journal entry 12:

“We finally set up camp after a day's journey from the Castle. Father saw fit to put me in charge of this operation. I personally find it useless for me to be here. The bastard separates me from my love then throws me into a war he created. I swear that I will be on that throne by this year's end. I will do much better than that old bag. I-”

He was interrupted by a strange occurrence, the candle in his room began to fluctuate rapidly before swirling round and round forming a small hoff anoid. Constantine stands up and grabs a dagger from his table and points it out towards the small human.

“Who in the hell are you?!” Constantine exclaimed “Actually, what in the hell are you?”

The small human blinked startled by the dagger being pulled on him and took a step back jumping off the candle and used it to hide behind. Poking his head out he sheepishly looked at Constantine and stumbled over his words before talking.

“H-hey hey relax now im friendly bub and to answer your questions, I’m Gilbert your new guide, as for what I am -well- I’m an Pixie. Now please put the blade away, I mean it wouldn't do too much to me mortal weapons can’t harm spiritual beings such as myself. But- if you promise to be a good guy and not try to cut me in half, I will teach you how to harness your own power.”

Constantine slowly lowered his arm, narrowing his eyes before kneeling down and leaning in curious about the Pixies words.

“Well get on with it then, I've been riding all day. Sleep is really the only thing I want right now. .”

The Pixie would hop off the table and walk outside the tent and with a hum of light it'd grow in size matching the prince in height. In this form the pixies features were a lot more clear with spiked green hair that waved in the cool winter wind and skin akin to a pale banana. Constantine would've watched him transform raising a brow.

"So you're just going to morph into a man right outside my tent. At least you ain't got nothing down there or this would've been more uncomfortable that it already is."

The impish pixie chuckled and folded it's arms

"Well you're welcome then, now let's get down to business. First things first toss that sword away like I said before earthly weapons like that have no effect on mystical beings such as myself."

The prince nodded and tossed the sword back into the tent then folded his arms

"Guessing you're gonna give me a sword to fight you with or we doing this hand to hand? "

Gilbert shook his head and raised his hand to the sky and in another show of light would form the Hilt of a sword and slowly the blade of one. The swords blade had engravings etched into that glowed a mystic red light.

"This right here is a soul sword made up of my own essence, this ability isn't anything hard to learn or master. . . Well if you're smarter than a pig it isn't, but you're a prince I'm sure you got this in the bag. What you're going to do is close your eyes and clench your fist, then imagine a flow of water going through your body and direct from your heart into your arms and out your hands. Only thing left to do after that is make it take the shape and form you want it to be."

Constantine would've unfolded his arms slowly and closed his eye's taking in a deep breath, he let his mind go blank and then imagined that flow of water. It surrounded his heart before moving away in a slow pace, making its way to the arms now picking up speed it made its way to the hands. The prince opened his eyes and in his hand was a blade unlike he had ever seen before, one straight from his dreams. While he was listening to Gilbert's words he didn’t truly believe that he had these kind powers. Hell he still thought he was dreaming but at this point he couldn’t utter any other words besides.

“Holy Shit.”

Gilbert, now shrinking back down to his normal size, flew up and landed on Constantines shoulder and chuckled, “Holy shit indeed bub, look at that using it like a champ already! I gotta say you are a natural! With a little more practice you might even be able to raise the dead.”

The small pixie would wink and then raise a brow towards the sound of screaming coming from in the woods, Gilbert opened his mouth to talk but was promptly cut off by being flung off of Constantine's shoulder as he made his way towards the screams. Readying his sword Constantine was ready for whatever he was about to encounter, seeing a light coming from a torch he slowed his movement, crouching down and slinking behind a tree he spotted two of his Knights. One holding down a cook and the other providing light, it didn't take long for him to put 2 and 2 together and he jumped from behind the tree and drove his sword through the back of one of them and stared down the other who slowly let go of the girl and backed up.

Filler Character: "Hey it ain't what it looks like your Highness we were-"

Constantine narrowed his eyes and gripped the Hilt of his sword tighter and thruster it straight ahead catching the knight right in the gut, just as fast he pulled back his arm letting him fall on his face.

"Don't go lying to me now or I'll make your death much more painful! I think I may cut off your tongue and shove it down your throat, you utter swine!"

The knight panicked not able to find the words to even try and get himself out of this he closed his eyes for a few seconds and opened them.

"Shit-, shit you know what I ain't gonna die like that you half wit, I'm gonna kill ya before you can kill me. Y-you crazy bastard!"

*The knight lunged forward in an attempt to attack Constantine but couldn't do much anyway without a weapon he might as well have just ran into his sword. The prince showed no mercy stepping to the side to avoid the attack and gripped his other hand slashed at Knights gut lodging it inside his stomach. But something strange started to happen the blade of the sword started to glow an ominous red before the knight began to gaso as if the air from his lungs were getting sucked out of him, Constatine stood up straight widening his eyes as he watched the life get drained from the knights body and before he knew it there was nothing left just bone and clothes. He'd look at his sword which subsequently disappeared into a puff of light, confusion written on his face clear as day.

"What in the hell…"

The cook had fainted towards the end of the fight leaving the prince's power a secret, but it wasn't like no one saw- not his knights but the forest itself. The shadows whispered the souls of the damned and the doomed watched the act judging, laughing and goading him to do so again.

Gilbert flew over to Constantine and snapped his fingers causing many small fireflies to fill the area purging the darkness and the voices clouding the mind of the young prince.

Gilbert:"Fear my light ya roaches! Leave my boy alone! You alright Con? Actually- wait you big bully why the hell'd you flick me huh I oughta zap yer ass, but I being a generous and kind and thoughtful and-"

Gilbert would continue to go on about himself while Constantine was getting his grip back on reality shaking his head he'd look at the dusty clothes in front of his feet scowling before making his way over to the passed out woman, slinking down he'd rest what remained of his sword back into its hilt and secure his shield on his arm before lifting the woman up with both hands and carrying her back to the camp leaving her in his resting area he would sit outside on one of many logs surrounding a put out fire.

Gilbert, just now finishing complimenting himself, would turn his attention to Constantine and poke his cheek; the Prince was deep in thought, he felt different after what happened back there draining the soul of that knight it felt as if he had gained his knowledge.

At this point it'd been a long night. He slumped forward and closed his eyes getting what little sleep he was able to slip in.

(The Next Day)

People saw it as they slept.

Monsters beyond their wildest imaginations crawling out from the depths of the underworld. It rained death across the land, poisoning the minds of those caught in it and plunging the land into darkness like no other.

Only a warrior wielding the power of light can purge the darkness and the creature's along with it.

"Sire, sire! Wake up! It’s time to head out, we haven't got much longer until we reach the fort."

A Knight would be knelt down in front of the prince, young Constantine would blink slowly getting used to the light of the sun before fully opening his eyes and yawning.

"Christ...what time is it? The sun is taking a damn shit on me! How the hell is it so hot in the middle of December? Anyway hurry away now I'm up I'll be over there in a few."

The small pixie would moonwalk into Constantines line of sight and spin around striking a pose causing an audible laugh to come from the young Prince.

"What the hell are you laughing at huh? I looked amazing ya mook."

Constantine waved his hand, still laughing as he stood up and headed back to his tent.

"Sure mate you looked great, as great as a cow trying to dance. Anyway, Gil if you're gonna be following me around try and keep out of sight, I'm not exactly too keen to be seen talking to fairies."

Gilbert flicked him on the nose before folding his arms

"I'm an Pixie not a fairy, fairies ain't got the balls to do what we do."

Constantines face went from amused to interested. He didn't exactly see much of a difference between the two, granted he hadn't met one up until now.

"From what I gather, you’re both mischievous little runts who play nice when they wanna, anyway I gotta be on then we got a fort to capture."

The Pixie had furrowed it's brow and landed on his shoulder.

"All you humans do is take and capture and fight, you should try being more like us pixies. We only fight in games and even then it's all for fun."

Constantine snickered and tilted his head before sighing knowingly.

"Yeah, see the thing is; this is about living in a better world, one where the people are free from madmen like that guy hiding himself deep within a fort. Stealing women from their home's and killing innocent people all in a jealous rage, it's enough to make me vomit at the thought of it. You Fairies and Pixies got it easy you're existing in this world that we fight to keep normal and peaceful."

He talked to Gilbert as he made his way back to his tent and started to gear himself up. Gilbert would've hopped off his shoulder while he slid on his armor and rubbed his chin.

"I still feel you guys could solve a lot more of your issue's with words instead of all that killing."

Constantine had turned to Gilbert with a look of indifference on his face before putting his helmet on.

"These men are not ones that can be reasoned with, they respond to action so I chose to speak their language, simple as that . . . now let's go."

As he turned around to leave, the woman he saved before was at his tent entrance with a plate of food in hand

"I'm sorry to intrude your Highness but I wished to bring you something to eat before you battle, and that is thanks for saving me from . . . Those animal's."

He walked over to her, he towered over her by a foot and some inches.

"Thank you miss . . . uh actually, I never did catch your name."

She looked up at the prince and blinked just now getting the picture on how much bigger he was than her.

"Pardon me, my is Elizabeth your Highness."

He reached up and removed his helm and smiled.

"Please you can just call me Constantine, I hope you are in better health than you were last night."

she nodded and returned the smile.

"Yes, thank you for asking your Hi- Constantine. Would you please accept this meal as a better thanks for your heroism ?"

He'd tilt his head and take the plate from her hands and set it down on the table behind him before turning back to her.

"I shouldn't be too long, when I get back I'll have worked up an appetite. I'll then eat your meal alongside you."

He gave her no real time to respond as he put his helmet back on and headed out the tent, walking fast he whistled for his horse then mounted, his men were waiting for his mark as he rode in front of them he looked back and pointed forward.

"To victory!!!"

Everyone shouted as their horses had galloped forward, and began their journey to the fort.

A few meters away from the castle some of the knights in the back would shout out loud enough for everyone else to hear.

"Archers!!!"

it was too late. They rained down a hell storm of arrows, catching more than a dozen of the horses in the head or the leg knocking down the Knights, Constantine himself catching an arrow in the eye as it pierced through. He fell down hard, landing on his face- forcing the arrow deeper into his head, making his skin tear more. The other knights looked on in horror and the battle hadn't even fully begun and their leader and future king was dead before them, what other choice did they have but to charge forward? Nowhere to run away now, the castle’s gate opened as a flood of knights ran out and the two groups began to battle. Cutting back to Constantine, Gilbert would have flown out of his armor and blinked bewildered.

"Crap crap crap! Come on man you can't die yet there's so much more left of the story."

Constantine clung to whatever little bit of life was left inside of him, it was draining fast blood pouring out of his head, spilling onto the dirt trail. As he ran, his soldiers roared as they clashed with the opposition. An audible groan would come out of The Prince's mouth pained and laboured the last bit of life he had was about to escape him.

"Come on, think! . . . Ah-Ha!"

the small Pixie would float up, rub his hair fast, letting his dandruff fall and cover Constantines body and without warning a wind would emit from Constantines body strong enough to stagger anyone too close and blow back the snow around him, rising up to his feet he'd stumble to his feet and glare around reaching up and grabbing the arrow and pulling it out, his eye reforming along with his bone and muscle but leaving a permanent scar on his face. Walking over his dead horse he'd grab his sword and turn around quickly disemboweling the sneak attacker.

"Hm...I feel different, the hell'd you do to me Gil."

The pixie would land on his head and lay down looking at the sky.

"Well I healed you, couldn't let you die just yet could I?."

Constantine smirked at his statement as he ran towards the group, slicing through a few of them clearing himself a path, a few knights took notice- their commander had risen back up, but this wasn't the time for questions, they forced back the opposition slowly but surely. Eventually, Constantine would break off from the group during the skirmish. A fire was lit bringing flame to the inside, making his way through the castle he'd run into a few burly Guard's, pissed off at this point he gave them a slow death slipping their axes he sliced at their ankles leaving them there to bleed to death as he walked up the stairs and kicked the door in to the leader of this Castle. The room was plastered with pictures of himself, hell the sword the bastard held in his hand even had his name inscribed on it.

"You- How in God’s name did you make it here?! watched you die with my own eyes."

"Yeah . . . you did from the safety of your castle walls you watched like a coward, and what you saw was your mind playing tricks on you. You prayed you'd not have to face me in battle but you've made a terrible mistake, never underestimate those of noble blood, you heathen. Stand down!"

a grunt would be heard from the leader as gripped the sword with his other hand

"You dare tell me, Lord Elias, to stand down in my own home!? You Dare!? I shall mount your head on my wall and send your soul crawling back to whatever god you may serve."

Lord Elias had thrusted his blade forward in an attempt to end it all even when it was clear the battle was pretty much over, this was met by dodge, a blade to the gut cutting through the weak part of his armor and embedding itself into his gut.

"It's over, this fort belongs to the Clarke Family. And I will be taking that sword as a trophy."

Elias Coughed and grimaced at Constantine

"You...Just like them you stand over me it's not fair! I earned my right to my throne and you come here and trample over me, just like all the others!! Money, women, food, strength . . . you didn't deserve to win."

Walking over his foe's bleeding body, the Prince stepped towards the window and grabbed the gilded sword off of the armor display. Holding it to the light, it shined bright, emitting an aura that made Gilbert poke his head out. Constantine turned back to Elias- sheathing the golden sword in the scabbard on his back and walked past him.

"Victory was assured from the beginning as this was a mission from God, your jealousy towards the other kings led you on a dark path - murder and capture of innocents from other kingdoms’s is sickening. You're a monster on all accounts and with your death this land can breathe easier."

He grabbed his sword off the ground and left out the castle stepping into the light of the outside world. Standing there he watched as his Knights had taken down many of Elias soldiers, some even being tied up and held down for interrogation, with a voice like thunder he'd shout.

"The Leader of this Castle is Slain, Lord Elias is no more! All those who serve him comply and you will be spared to live better lives as subjects of the Clarke family. Those who want to remain loyal to a dead man may join him on his trip to Hell."

Looking amongst the crowd he'd smirk and remove his helmet, this was a sloppy victory but a victory nonetheless. His brown hair moved with the wind, as his deep blue eyes looked to the sky. Ordering a few hundred soldiers to remain behind to look over the captives he ordered they find the captured citizens and release them, his knights obliged and those who followed behind him had hopped on horseback, Constantine himself grabbing onto one of the enemies horses and headed back camp. As they got closer and closer there was a noticeable black smoke in the air, getting within full view of the camp they saw that it was up in flames the winter wind doing little to quell the large flames. Constantine had hopped off and darted to the tents, seeing burning bodies and decapitated ones; some evil bastard had shown up and started killing the women that came along on the journey, a loud scream would be heard and the Prince ran towards it.

"Stop yer screamin’! There ain't no one out here to save you anyway, your knights are at our castle getting slaughtered. Lucky for us they left us some prizes behind, hell we might even be able to get some good coin off you girl's, especially you- beautiful."

The man reached to caress her chin but the woman slashed at his face with her nails cutting his cheek and lip, he snarled and grabbed her hand as she went for another swing gripping tight on his wrist, with his free hand he raised it up to slap her but it was gripped quickly by a leather gloved hand that would force the man to let go of the woman's hand.

"Argh! Shit your breaking it damnit! Let go! LET GO!"

The man would turn around and widen his eyes, being face to face with Prince Constantine whose face is filled with unconcealable rage.

"You come to my encampment and kill innocents and you think you have a right to a functioning hand?"

the guy was damn near on his knees swinging his other fist at Constantine, it would hit his cheek but that didn't even phase him, in fact, it seemed to piss him off even more which led the prince to bring his head back and slam it against the bastards own, sending him down into the snow, turning his attention to the woman he was both shocked and happy to see that it was Elizabeth

"Are you alright M'lady, I'm glad I got back here when I did, but I think I'm far too late.” *Short pause* “Still . . . how many are there?”

Elizabeth broke down, she had felt onto his armor and held onto him.

"5 or 6 came, we thought they were your Royal Knights but before we had time to figure out our mistake they had set fire to multiple tents and started rounding up and tieing down the other women, they killed any unruly ones who fought back."

The guy on the ground groaned and caught the attention of them both, Constantine gently moved Elizabeth off of him and kneeled down grabbing The Villain by the throat lifting him off the ground and into the air.

"Where are there rest of your comrades, talk!, while you still have your tongue. . ."

The armored villain points to the four others that were approaching, with that Constantine tossed down the goon and kicked him, having him roll to their feet.

"You all did this, you'll pay with your blood and your lives."

They laughed at him and rushed in not wasting a second, they formed a small circle around him and slowly started to close in on him. Constatine looked around and slowly stepped back before dashing forward and clashing with the man on the left pushing him back and making space from the other two attackers. Not wanting to let him catch his footing he started swinging. The attacker blocked most of them but took a deep cut to the hand prompting him to drop his sword in pain.

"That's one of you down two more to go."

Turning around fast Constatine would Parry the other attackers attempt on a sneak attack putting him on the back foot. The prince dove forward and speared him slamming both their bodies onto the ground he'd push himself up and stabbed him in the neck. The other gritted his teeth and ran up and swung at Constantine, Elizabeth who'd been watching the scene unfold would've picked up the sword the first attacker dropped and swung at the guys leg cutting clean through it like butter.

Constatine turned around and saw his attack face first on the ground screaming in agony and Elizabeth standing there holding the sword before dropping it putting her hands in the air.

"You can put your hands down, you did good in helping me thank you. I got caught in the moment and almost lost my head.

He straightened up and looked around. He two of them are dead and one is injured, he made his way over to the injured knight who tried to run away but tripped over himself. Constatine sighed and when he caught up to him put his foot on his back and kneeled down.

" Listen to me and listen good, your king is dead. Your army is no more. We captured your castle. The best thing for you to do now would be to beg for medical attention for your hand from your townspeople and hope that they show mercy to you."

Moving his foot off the soldier he'd turn around and walk to the side of Elizabeth. The knights he rode in with were untying any hostages and getting those trapped in their flaming tents out.

"Let's go, Miss Elizabeth you'll be riding home with me. I'll see to it that you get back home safe personally."

She looked up at him and nodded

"I would appreciate that."

Constantine whistled as a horse galloped over to them and he hopped on, he extended his hand out to Elizabeth and she grabbed a hold and was pulled onto the back of the horse. They rode off from the small camp and made their way back to the castle town, Paradis.

[End of Chapter 1]

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