82 Need (1/2)
”If you take one step towards us, you'll be sweeping up your son's ashes!” Weinried yelled at the King.
King Ragnos put his hands up in a calm matter. ”Weinried, we have been friends for years.” He said calmly. ”We can get through this misunderstanding, just let my son go.”
Will saw Maya behind his father. If anyone were to pay attention to her, they would see that she was waiting patiently for something.
”Your son decided to pay me a visit today and showed me a rather unique power.” The Duke said with greed in his features. ”He can change his flame attribute. He can also take away and give power.” Weinried said as he pushed Will down the first step. ”A power like this shouldn't be exclusively for a king who has lost his power!” He shouted as he pushed Will down another step. ”If I keep him, our kingdom will definitely be strong enough to take Ebonhart! Take heart, he will live much longer than you. He will be our ever powerful source of energy!”
”Weinried! You re going to far!” King Ragnos bellowed, yet he didn't dare take a step.
”Father!” A voice rang out from behind the king. A young woman with golden hair ran up the stairs to join her father.
”Jeselle, did you have fun in the city?” He nudged Will down yet another step as he smiled at his daughter.
Jeselle smiled a huge grin as she stared at Will. ”I bet you wish that you cooperated with me now, huh?” She punched Will in the face. He didn't react as a trickle of blood streamed down his lip. During the entire situation, his eyes never once left his father's. He held a calm demeanor while waiting to see where things went.
”Oh, look father, I made the Crimson Prince live up to his name!” She laughed an innocent laugh and looked at the king. ”Don't worry, your majesty. You will be a grandfather yet, we need to keep the bloodline open so the next Ragnos can be of Bloomstar!” She licked her lips at the thought. ”You are looking at the soon to be queen of Ebonhart and her concubine, William Ragnos!” Their laughter rang out as they made their way down the stairs.
”Have you heard enough, father?” Will said quietly while they were half way down the stairs. ”Do you see why I have to deny you?”
Will felt the Duke's hand with the stone press up against his shoulder blades. ”Move kid, if not I'll just have to settle for killing you.” Weinried sneered and tried to push him down another step.
The Duke met resistance in the last push and tried again. ”I mean it kid, is this worth losing your life for?”
”That's what I was about to ask you.” A bone chilling voice sounded as Will turned to face Weinried. ”Your time for talking is over.”
A storm of turquoise flames erupted around Will, the Duke and his daughter creating a perfect circle, obscuring everyone's sight of the three.
”Will!” The king shouted. He knew his son had tipped the Duke in the wrong direction. By insulting him one last time, he finally ignited the stone.
”Weinried! I'll give you whatever you want, don't hurt my son!” The king begged as he saw the unforgiving flames engulf them. ”I'll step down! I'll find a way to get your powers back! Leave my son out of this!”
”This won't do.” A chilling voice whispered from the flames. Suddenly, the turquoise flames turned the royal crimson and gold. ”There, that's more my taste.”
A silhouette of a man could be seen through the flames. He walked down the stairs, still covered from head to foot with the royal colored inferno.
The man stopped just feet away from King Ragnos. His knights had already formed a protective circle around him. ”You are not worthy.” The man whispered through the flames.
The king knelt down, pale faced and wide eyed while staring into the flames. ”No.” He managed to force out through his fear. ”No I am not, just please. Let my son go.”
”You idiot.” The voice whispered once more. ”This is why I cannot be King of Ebonhart.” The flames slowly subsided starting at the head of the figure. ”I hope now you understand,” the fire diminished at the head and to the king's dismay, ”father.” Will's eyes pierced through his father and saw every flaw.
”No, Will! How is it you?” The king looked over to the steps in horror and noticed that the ring of royal flames still burned.
Slowly, it extinguished and a horrorstruck Duke and his daughter appeared. ”How?” Weinried stared at Will. ”My daughter saw you put all of your energy into a stone, this shouldn't be possible!” He squeezed the stone, intending to burn a path through the knights. ”Come Jeselle!” He pointed the stone towards Will. ”I don't know where all this power came from, but there has to be a limit!”
He walked down the stairs, but Will let him half way. ”Are you so blind by power that you haven't noticed yet?” Will smirked at the Duke. ”Why don't you try to use that stone.” He challenged with daggers shooting from his eyes.
The old man dawned a serious expression. ”You leave me no choice then.” He pointed the stone at Will. ”Farewell, prince.”
The Duke activated the Crystal, he knew that within seconds he would blow through the young prince and be on his way out the door. He let his consciousness meld with the stone, summoning its power. But nothing happened. ”What?” He tried again, but nothing happened. ”What's going on?”
Will laughed openly. ”Weinried, you said it yourself didn't you?” The laughter abruptly stopped and Will sprang forth and snatched the Crystal. ”I can give and take power.”