“But Kareem, this technology may give us unprecedented power.” The man pleads, throwing his arm to the side flailing his cape.

“Must we do this again, brother?” Kareem cries dreadfully before adjusting his glasses. He licks his thumb before flipping a page in his book, he takes a pen and writes on a piece of paper not once looking up toward his brother.

“Kareem.” The man closes his eyes taking in a deep breath, “You don't understand what we can do with this power, the magic seeping from it, we can weaponize it, make the nation of Aisenhower the ultimate Superpower!”

“No Kafear!” he pushes his chair from beneath him and slams his book on the table. He removes his glasses shaking his head heavy in thought before stifling through a forest of bookshelves. His fingertips dance along the spines of dusty, old texts before landing on one. He slowly drags it from its pocket and rubs a thumb along the cover–its leather– a burgundy red with golden embroidered lettering, “The 200-Year Massacre.”

Kareem stares at the book before flipping through the pages like a deck of cards, “Do you know what this is brother?”

“Of course I do.” 

“Then you would understand why we can never release those… ‘THINGS’, onto this world. Too many people were killed, long before even you or I was ever a thought.”

 A vibrant flame bursts forth from Kafear’s sunset eyes consuming them whole. He slams his fists onto the King's table and roars with a breath of fire, “WE can protect Millions! 

With fire surrounding his crowned head, Kareem mirrors the action, “But we can kill billions in return!

“Nobody will ever have to fear the elves or dwarves. We won’t have to fear the Imperialization.” He freezes, the flame in his eyes dying out as he mutters, “I can save you.”

Kareem's eyes soften, and he rushes to Kafear, placing a hand on his shoulder “You have saved me plenty brother but, we were lucky to have survived when we did. I swore I would never subjugate Kara and Kata to experiences we went through.”

His anger returns with a royal intensity as he swipes Kareem's hand from his shoulder, “Then you’re a coward and a dead man! You're just like father and that's why he’s-” The king's energy cuts him off like a noose, and it quickly coils around his throat. It presses against him like a forceful nudge that whispers, hold your tongue.

“My word is the law and I say no to your request. Once we find the others we will destroy them– Okay?”

“... Yes my king.”

“Don't you dare go behind my back brother for this is your only and last warning.”

Kafear gives a deep bow before abruptly exiting the room.

 He passes the King’s maid who lowers her head to him before entering Kareem’s quarters.

The door slams behind her and silence follows. Slightly opening her eyes she softly speaks, “My king, all necessary preparations have been made for next week’s test.”

“Thank you, you’re dismissed.” Kareem pinches his nose, rubbing his eyes as he waves away the house servant. “Make sure you watch him.”

“Of course my lord.” She exits closing the door behind her with a small click* 

He strides to an open window and leans his head outside watching as kids play with wooden swords, typical hero vs villain games. A  deep laughter erupts from his core as it reminds him of his kids. The cool breeze drifts on by as an exhausted breath escapes his chest, something he's not done in a while. 

Is this what it feels like to be at peace?

 It had always felt to Kareem like the weight of the world was constantly suffocating him, especially since the death of his wife. He stares blankly at his desk before picking up a portrait of her. He holds Kara, Kata, and Lizen. He can’t help but caress the image with his calloused hands, a soft smile turns his heart warm as he gently places the image back to its previous memory. 

Now is not the time to rest. He tells himself.

“Something is happening now and I can't explain what it is,  the world of magic as we know it is going through some sort of–metamorphosis, But through it all, I swear Kara, Kata– and yes, even you Lizen, I will keep you three safe. Even if it’s the last thing I do.”

Kafear’s steps echo throughout the corridor as he glides seamlessly toward his chambers. His hand, heavy with the weight of today’s failure, pushes the door open with a low creak– until a voice interrupted from behind him.

“If it isn't my favorite cousin.” 

  oh Dalius in heaven, that voice, It can't be–not him, not today.

“How have you been recently, show me some love,” The voice boomed with laughter. It belonged to a man, massive and hulking; He was often compared to an ogre or golem.  He was especially known for his thick, unruly orange braids that connected to his beard. Though a magnificent beard it didn't share the same bright passion as Kareem or Kafear’s. He wore fully golden-plated armor and a mirroring battleaxe in his hand, the three were almost inseparable. He consumed Kafear in a bear hug, squeezing the life from him before dropping him onto his back.

“Why are you here Julius,” Kafear whined, “Shouldn't you be out at the Military trainee boot camp?”

“I had other plans, besides, Lucchen can handle that without me. I see you came from the king’s chamber, did he shut down the demon core proposal again?” 

“Pursue your own pursuits, Julius, it holds no concern to you.” Kafear returns to his senses juggling ways to gain his brother's authority until Julius’ voice once again breaks through his mind's veil.

“Ahh same old Kafear, so secretive but, on a more serious note, would you mind if I pick your brain for a bit?” He reaches for Kafear’s head but his hand is swatted away.

“Your curiosity isn’t welcome.” Kafear impatiently warns.

“You see, I believed that too until– you're going to find this hilarious– you spent 25-Million Ludens on a dungeon.” 

Kafear's blood runs cold and his body freezes in place. To say hundreds of thoughts ran through his mind would be an understatement, for the man was a genius gifted with the curse of overthinking. He closed his door before turning his head slightly, just enough to look into Julius’ Large mahogany eyes. 

“Yeah,” a smile etched across Julius’ face, “ I was curious as to why you picked a dungeon that far when there are many less than a mile from the school.” 

“How did you–”

“Find the transcripts? ” He laughs with his gut wholeheartedly, “It was easy, I went through your documents and saw them.”

Kafear is stunned into silence, a silence he has not recognized. His brain was screaming and couldn’t stop– rather, it wouldn’t stop. A storm continued to brew as he slowly turned to Julius.

“You found something, didn't you?” Julius asks with a voice oozing confidence.

“Those who test boundaries find cliffs, cousin.”

“Ah, another one-liner,” Julius clicks his tongue satisfied with the response he persists, “Tell me, what could be so important that you would go behind you’re brother’s back and jeopardize your position?”

“And what will you do with that information, kill me, or even better, tell my brother?”

Julius steps back raising his hands in an illustrated offense, “Kafear I would never, in fact, I support this wholeheartedly.” A slight crease in his lip forms like a dam for his laughter.

Kafears eyes fall in disbelief as scratches of discomfort are etched upon his face.

“I just came to tell you to hide your things better, instead of leaving breadcrumbs you left me the entire loaf.” His chest heaves with each laugh, it's loud and shakes the corridor. “How about we help one another?”

“You're ridiculous, there’s nothing of any concern in there, rather I only led with suspicion.” Kafear opened his door stepping foot into his room but, in the back of his mind he knew Julius. The head of the Royal Guard would never simply turn a blind eye to something so suspicious. “Wait, I can shed a little secret with you can't I?”

Julius, intrigued stepped closer to Kafear, offering him his ear. 

“I believe I have located a phoenix feather, it’s rather important for a spell I’m making.”

“Must be one hell of a spell.” 

“It is, I’ll need plenty of concentration so don’t annoy me.” Kafear enters his chambers his door slams and the lock clicks into action. Kafear leans against the thick wooden door as sweat beets down his forehead. His chest rises as he listens to Julius’ horrible cackle, which fades with each step. He marches to his desk. Everything is there, the cluttered folders filled with payment stubs, notes, and maps. How could I have been so careless?! Kafear can't help but rip at his hair before he slams his arms onto the desk and slides everything to the floor.  

Crash* a lamp falls to the floor shattering into dozens of little shiny pieces. It was a pretty lamp he used late at night when writing, he’s had it for about a year now, and staring at its broken parts reminded him of its uses. He bends down to clean his mess and with a heavy chest, he remains in a cold silence. He shuffles through papers stacking them neatly in small piles before stopping on one in particular. It details the information of two highly skilled mercenaries, Shelly and Mushuko. He reads through their past and a smile creeps upon his face, a confident satisfaction. He lays the papers on his desk and exits his room being sure to lock it in the process. 

He makes his way to the council room, a sacred area comprised of those only second to the King himself. The space echoes with the weight of history, its vaulted ceilings and towering stone walls adorned with ancient tapestries that bear witness to countless deliberations. A woman sits by her lonesome scrolling through texts and news outlets on her mana crystal. Her black hear is like a helmet to her head and her large thick frames accentuate her cool teal eyes. This is the cabinet’s communications expert, Mira.

She notices Kafear and waves a warm welcome. Her rosy cheeks flare as he takes a seat across from her. “Hello Mira, how is the dungeon coming along.”

“O-oh the dungeon, It’s coming along great, I advise you to check it out sometime.”

“I just might; However, before doing so, I require your assistance.”

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