There are plenty of soldiers there to meet us, naturally, but we are not the only shuttle to land, and as such, they have quite a number of xenovorks to contend with already. It has been a long time since I heard, saw, and smelled battle. There is something about the screams of the wounded and the roars of furious anticipation. Battle is loud and terrible, it is where the worst of all things happens, and from it springs the best of all things.
In the midst of our invasion force, Astaria is like a dervish of revenge, her blades spinning in a deadly display which brings forth fountains of sanguine essence. The human guards, who were already debating whether or not they were planning on actually standing against her swiftly decide that they will not be pursuing that tactic any longer.
We charge through into the interior of the palace. I follow Astaria, not only because she is out-killing me three to one, but because she knows the way. There is no hesitation as she bursts into the heavily defended throne room as if there was nobody there to stop her at all. It is as if people actually melt out of existence when she cuts them, or at least, they turn into bloody meaty bits.
“Father!”
The king is sitting on his throne as if he knows it is the last time he’ll be able to do that. To his credit, he keeps up the arrogant pretense right up until the end.
Astaria
My father doesn’t bother to acknowledge me. It’s like I’m not even here. He has always considered me an inconvenience, but now it’s as though I’ve actually disappeared from existence, even though I’ve literally brought an alien army to depose him.
“Oh, you’ve brought her back. I can’t say it’s unexpected. Leave her by the door. I’ll have the guards sedate her and return her to her tower.”
“Which guards? These guards?” I hold up a couple of heads. One of them isn’t actually from a guard. I think it was just an unfortunate passerby. Then again, there are very few innocents here in the palace. Whoever it is was probably bad. Probably. Anyway.
“I am here for my vengeance, Father. Vengeance for me, and vengeance for my mother. You remember her. The one you ravaged and destroyed.”
Now he’s looking at me. He’s standing up too, leaving the throne for the last time.
“You’re going to kill me, is that it? Finally, the little bastard has her revenge?”
I have thought of killing him many times, but it has never been so tempting and so possible. The sword is in my hand, blazing with fiery vengeance. It would be so easy to run him through, but I can’t help but feeling that’s a bit obvious. I’m trying to turn over a new leaf. I’m trying…
“Silly little bitch.”
Fuck it. I dash forward and bring the sword down in a harsh arc. I close my eyes as I do it. I may be a twisted, evil little monster, but that does not mean I want to see my father cut in half.
“You missed,” he laughs at me. “Don’t have it in you, do you?”
“I didn’t miss.”
There is a hole beside him. One he hasn’t seen yet. There’s just a big sucking void next to my father, a portal to the other realm. I run forward, lift my knee, and kick him in the middle of the chest. He stumbles back in a comical manner, expecting the wall to stop him, but there is no wall. There’s just a dank clanging. Apparently, the other realm is just full of the wrecks of ships.
On the other side of whatever is real, my father no longer wears royal robes. He is suddenly dressed in decaying knitwear. I have no idea what causes this to happen, but I know he will loathe it.
“Astaria!” He reaches out for me, as if I might save him, as if I wasn't the one who just pushed him through, very much on purpose.
“Alright, bye now.”
The space wound is already closing itself up. He’ll never fit through. He’ll never come back.
“Astaria! No! Please! Mercy!”
He has the absolute nerve to beg for mercy. Mercy he will not receive. The space wound heals and he is forever cast into the other realm. The realm of poor construction, limited provisions, and terrible textiles. He’s going to hate every minute, of every hour, of every day. Forever.
Blackmane
The invasion has gone very well, as might be expected. If there’s something we do well, it is invasions. While Astaria went for the king, the rest of my soldiers did what was necessary in terms of subduing the palace guard, who barely put up a fight. We convene around the throne, more or less, with the faye leadership and Astaria. I am used to being in charge, but on this day, I let her take the lead.