I'M FREE AT LAST [Nero]

[dacia]

Dacia waited until she couldn’t hear or see anyone coming down the hallway. She slipped out of her bedroom and darted down empty hall. All she had to do was make it to the servant courters and she would be fine. She would be clear to walk around freely around the city. Dacia could hear voices coming down the hallway towards where she was. She panicked and started running. She couldn’t be caught, not now. She had been stuck inside all day due to her father’s “orders”. She had to get outside. Even if it was going to be for a little bit, it would be long enough for one day. Dacia turned a corner and pressed her back against the wall. She tried not to make any noises from her breathing or moving around. She gripped the large hat in her hand tightly. And then the voices faded away. She peeked around the corner not seeing anyone. So she slowly slipped from around the corner and continued quickly down it. Once she reached the servants courters she ducked behind another corner, since she didn’t want anyone to see her. She gathered up her long blonde hair up into a bun and tied it off with a piece of fabric. She then placed the hat on her head; making sure she tucked all her hair up into it.


She was attempting to pass off for a boy. It would be safer to walk around as a boy. She didn’t want to look like an upper class boy but just a regular commoner boy. She had borrowed the clothing from one of the servant boys in the castle. She promised that she would buy some better clothing for him when she went out, in exchange for the one outfit. The one problem was that it was a bit large for her. But that did help to cover her up. She was only fifteen, yes, but she still showed off signs of a womanly figure. But the baggy pants and shirt helped to cover it up, or so she hoped. Plus the large hat that was holding her hair up was also helping with the whole boy look. But one thing might give her away. Her face. It still gave off her feminine features, nothing she could change. She just hoped that she would be passed off as a young boy. Some youngers boys have feminine features to them so perhaps she would just be mistaken as one of them.


Dacia walked back to the main hall for the servant courters. She looked around for the servant boy who gave her the clothing. He promised that he would show her a way out of the castle without people noticing. She normally took another route, but she always ran the risk of being caught. The boy told her that this was much safer and she wouldn’t risk getting caught by anyone. She searched for a couple minutes but finally found him amongst some other boys. Dacia smiled when she saw the servant boy. E was being more than helpful to her. She told him that she wouldn’t be long and thst she would be back with his new clothing for his help. Once he showed her the new way to get out of the castle she was home free. Dacia was just happy to be outside. She could careless what she was doing. People took going outside for granted. It was something that Dacia would miss when she was stuck in her room all day. She was glad the main market place was rather busy. Lots of people going about their business. But as the night went on the crowds started to thin out. She remembered that she had to buy the clothing. It was on the outer edge of the market place. So she hurried over to the store and purchased the clothes for the boy. Once she bought the clothing she began to wonder around a bit more until she noticed that not many people were around anymore. Which meant she probably should be heading home. So she started walking back. But she had a horrible feeling like something was watching her.

[nero]

"And you're sure she'll be there?" The ragged and powerful voice of Nero seemed to send a shock-wave through the air as he spoke. It was like a clap of thunder or the sound of a sword being drawn from it's sheath; it was a noise that emitted power and demanded respect. He sat at the edge of a rather dirty looking bed, his body nude and the dark tattoos that littered his frame seemed to swirl in move in the flickering candlelight. "She'll be there, darling." The Fairy almost seemed to purr the words as he lips pressed gently against Nero's shoulder. Her lips softly tasted his flesh before moving up his neck, nuzzling the skin there softly before nipping at his neck. Nero, however, ignored her advances and starred out the small window directly into the Grand Market. His eyes carried a look of determination, of meaning and purpose. It was by no accident that he was in Feras this night, it was by no struck of dumb-luck that he had made it this far without being recognized as the General of Panthea. It had taken planning, careful work and bribes along with a few murders.

"Where is she?" His voice carried a hint of a snarl to it as his gaze continued to stare out the window, ignoring the rather attractive brunette fairy who was quite naked herself. Climbing into his lap, the woman who was known as Tritzi, placed herself between the Swordsman and the window. Her large hazel eyes starred into his own, and it was there that he saw the smoldering embers of her lust for him, her desire for his body. Leaning in close, the Fairy pressed her lips ever so gently against his ear, her words barely above a whisper as she spoke. "She's coming, my dear. You need to relax." Trailing a line of kisses down the line of his jaw, the woman stopped as she came to his mouth. A single powerful hand gripped her head, taking a handful of hair with it, and savagely pulled her to his own lips. The kiss was furious, animalistic, and entirely one of craving and desire. It was the kind of kiss never shared between those that were in love, it was the kind of kiss that was as dangerous as it was delicious. It was the kind of kiss that occurred when turn between bringing pain or pleasure.

It was the kind of kiss Nero specialized in.

A groan found its way from between Tritzi's lips as her body slid tightly against Nero's own powerful frame. Hands slid down his tattooed chest, nails digging in hungrily as her lips fought for control against his. He was the kind of powerful, cruel, and black-hearted of a man she had always wanted. The kind of raw, tainted emotion that so few could find the will to embrace. The kind of complete and total evil that was so truly rare to find in their word. Shoving herself fully against him, she broke the kiss only for a moment to stare down into his pale blue eyes. However, as she did so she found a look of confusion spreading over her own face. His eyes were closed, a wicked smile playing it's way across his lips. You know what the problem is with finding the kind of man Nero was? They acted upon those soul-less, cruel, and sadistic tendencies she'd wanted to taste so badly. Before she could stop him, Nero had taken that handful of air and tugging her head back, had slashed a blade across her throat before she could even scream. Tossing the dying Fairy to the floor, Nero stood and looked upon his naked, blood-covered frame in the mirror before himself.

Looking upon his own reflection, the man couldn't help but tilt his head to the side slightly in confusion. He had been born a Human, a mortal man. He'd been flesh and blood, bone and hair; but he was something more. When others died, he lived on. When swords and arrows pierced his flesh the wounds would close before he could even cry out. Oh yes, he was something different; but the question was what? His thoughts were interrupted by a gentle knock upon his door. "What?" The husk voice called out, demanding to know who was bothering him and why. Slowly the door opened, a bearded and rough looking man entering the room. He glanced only a moment to the dead fairy upon the floor, his eyes refusing to look anywhere else after that except into the pale blue eyes of Nero. The man found a soft shiver run down his spine as he did so, however. In those eyes there was only isolation and pain, death and despair; he carried with him nothing of virtue, nothing good.

"Our scout reported that someone was seen slipping out the exit point we were alerted to. They have proceeded already to the Grand Market and they're making their way towards the back shops like planned." The words brought a smile to Nero's wicked lips. "Good. Send three men to watch her, she mustn't escape." As the bearded man turned to leave the room he was suddenly stopped by Nero's words, "And Krisling, if she does escape you will find yourself wishing for the fate of the dear and late, Tritzi. Understood?" His tone carried no hint of humor, only the simple promise of a gruesome death. The simplicity in which he talked of torture and murder was enough to ensure Krisling's utmost effort in the work at hand. Closing the door behind him the man immediately set off to spread the orders of his General. The lives and quite possibly souls of them all depended on what happened in the next few moments. No pressure, right?

Three men in hooded cloaks moved silently as they followed the one they had identified as Dacia. The clothing choice had thrown them for a moment, but upon talking to the scout who had followed her from the castle itself, the confusion had quickly died down. They'd watched her purchase the clothes, just as they known she would, and as she made her way down another street they began to move. The Princess lacked the knowledge to know which streets you shouldn't even think of going down, and in her naive inexperience with the city, she'd picked the wrong one. Slowly the people began to fade more and more until it was simply Dacia and the three hooded men standing there. The expressions they wore upon their faces were blank, eyes covered in the shadow of the drawn hoods. However, intent spoke volumes over words, and as the swords were drawn it couldn't help but become clear what was going to happen to the young Princess.


The three surged forward at once. They had thought the entire plot had been one of assassination, after all that's what they had been fired to do, that's what they were. The lie had been told by Nero to make sure even if they were caught the King would have no idea what the man was truly up to. As they drew closer to the Princess, the one in front drew his swordarm back, preparing a powerful slash aimed at her neck. His arm came hurling forward, the sword flashing in a deadly arc; only to be parried aside by Nero. The man had seemingly appeared from nowhere, though the famed longsword, Drevan, hummed in his hands. The blade itself was known for it' blood-lust and desire for dark deeds; much like it's master. Before words could be spoken or thoughts process Nero lashed out. Moving with the experience of a swordsman who had outlived a natural lifespan he struck; his advantage clear. Inhuman speed caused him to sway aside, dodging a sloppy thrust as his own sword snaked out to slash at the throat of one assassin. He fell to his knees, life-blood pumping from the wound to spill upon the ground.

Within a heartbeat on the first falling, so did the second suffer a similar fate. Charging Nero, the man swung wildly at his neck, the hack designed to decapitate. However, Nero spun to the side with such grace he looked as if he had been a dancer in that moment. Coming around in a full circle, Nero brought back his swordarm to bring Drevan around in a powerful arc that shaved the mans head cleanly from his neck. The third assassin didn't last much longer. A wild slash was easily batted aside by Nero, a moment later Drevan being stabbed deeply into the fools chest. Twisting the blade, Nero leaned in close enough to expose a sadistic little grin to the assassin. It was the same man he had threatened to kill earlier. Leaning closer, Nero pressed his lips to the dying mans ear. "I told you if you failed me I would kill you. You didn't bring her death like you swore you would....." twisting the blade barbarically, Nero then ripped it out and swung the blade to decapitate him as well.

Sliding the sword into it's sheath at his hip, Nero approached Dacia and pulled a medallion from within his clothing, a medallion that carried the royal seal and identified him as one of the Royal Guard. It hadn't been easy to acquire that particular piece of jewelry, but Tritzi had always had a way of getting whatever she wanted from men. She had played her part well and had been useful, he wouldn't mourn her death. Not that he ever mourned anyone's death. Grabbing Dacia by the arm, he quickly led her to a nearby building, and shoving her inside, quickly followed behind her. Slamming a heavy board down upon the latch, Nero effectively locked the small house from the inside, and whirling on his heel to look upon the Princess, let a wicked smile dance across his features. From the shadows and powerful and inhuman hand clapped over her mouth. The goblin stopped any hope she had of crying out as another grabbed her by the arms to lash her hands behind her back. Laughing cruelly, Nero sat down by the dimly burning fire, his eyes a lit with amusement.

"Hello, Your Majesty."

[dacia]

So Dacia didn't get to spend a lot of time outside but it would be enough for today. But she did wish that she had gotten a chance to go outside in the sun. But her mother and father were in one of their moods today. They had them at least once a week. She was put in a sort of lock down mode. She was a princess after all she needed to spend her time on certain skills and things. Things that would impress what ever suitor her parents thought would be a good catch for her. She wanted no part in that. She just wanted a normal life. A life away from the castles and the princes' and Pollux and the war. She just wanted to live with Will. Somewhere away from the giant city. Maybe in a small town. And she would just enjoy the comfortable life style with him. Dacia knew that he was busy tonight so she couldn't visit him. Most of the time when she snuck out, it was to see him. But since he was busy tonight she decided to just stroll around the city. Maybe find someone to talk to. But just enjoy being outside.


As she walked the feeling of being watched did not go away. Even if she went into a more crowded place. It followed her, and it was intensified now that she was basically alone out on the streets. She was just trying her best to get back to the castle as quick as she could. So she wasn't exactly thinking straight as she picked which streets to walk down. She was still unaware of what streets were the "dangerous one". The ones that she should avoid at all costs. She knew a couple streets that were labeled as bad but not all of them. If she did know which ones to avoid, she wouldn't have picked the one she was walking down right now. Dacia looked over her shoulder and could see three hooded figures. She looked forward again and picked up her speed. She couldn't help but to look back again at them, seeing them drawing their swords. She looked forwards acting like she hadn't seen anything. Then suddenly she darted down the closest street. Her hat flew off her head in the sudden burst of speed, her hair started to come undone from it's messy bun. Her heart sank when she reached a wall, it had been a dead end. She started shaking and turned around to see her three attackers. This was it. She was going to die. Her parents would find out about her gruesome death in some horrible way. They would be devastated to learn about the fate of their youngest child. Her oldest brother would be devastated along with her parents. Pollux she wasn't so sure about. She figured he would just miss his own personal punching bag. But Will, she couldn't even bare to think about. Their life that they had planned out together was now being taken away from them. She just wished she could see him one more time. To tell him how much she loved him and say goodbye to him. But she knew that wasn't going to happen. She closed her eyes tightly, as tears streamed down her face, and she waited for death to come.


She waited to feel the pain from the sword when it slashed her skin. But it never did come. Finally after a minute she opened her eyes only to see one of the men laying dead on the ground. And now there was another man standing in front of her. And he was...saving her? Did he know who she was? She backed up into the corner of the wall, wiping away tears in her eyes. And then as quick as he came, the other three man were dead. When the man turned around to face her she figured she would recognize her. So she was confused when she had never seen him in her life. And everything got even more confusing when he pulled out one of the royal guard's necklaces. She should recognize him. She knew basically all of them by face. It was a safety thing her father insisted on. But maybe he was new. She guessed he had seen her sneaking out and followed her. Dacia eyes wondered down to the dead men on the ground then back to the man who had saved her. "T-thank you" she told him. He had saved her life after all, even if she didn't know him.


Her confusion was escalated even more when he reached down and grabbed her arm. The royal guards hardly ever touched any of the royal family. Unless they absolutely had to. She would have followed him if he asked. She certainly did not like being grabbed like that. She stumbled a bit as she struggled to keep up with him. She was only fifteen year old girl and he was walking much faster than her small legs could keep up with. He led her to an old building. She didn't recognize this place either and then she was shoved inside. Something was definitely wrong. As she was shoved inside she lost her footing and landed on her hands and knees. She turned towards the man, so that she was sitting on her butt, and she narrowed her eyes. She didn't like the smile that was on his face. "What are you doing? I want to go back home" she told him. Her tone was strict, one that she might use to order someone around, not one she used often. She figured she needed to be forceful, plus she was not happy. She started to get up when she felt a hand clamp down over her mouth, pulling her back down. She let out a muffled scream. She tried screaming again but it was no use, it was too quiet for anyone to hear her. And then someone had gotten her hands and pulled them behind her back. She tried to struggle and fight back against whoever was tying her hands. But whoever it was overpowered her and her hands were tied tightly behind her back. She looked back over at the man as he spoke. Who was he? And what was he doing here? More importantly how did he know who she was and how did he get a royal guard necklace. She let out another muffled cry. She was in trouble and more trouble than she had ever been in her whole life. The wave of panic rushed over her again but she tried to keep herself calm. But she was at the mercy of whoever this man was

[nero]

Well, it looked like it was time for the games to begin. The thought of getting his hands onto the flesh of a Murkrule was something that sent a shiver of delight down his spine. His hatred for the Royal Bloodline was a well-known fact throughout the lands, his wish for their extermination common knowledge. The malice that ran through his black veins for the Royal Court was one that had lasted for nearly two-hundred years. It was the kind of hatred that didn't die, that didn't disappear; it was the kind that only grew stronger with time. The kind that made his blood boil and his dead heart cry out in rage. The thought alone was enough to bring every muscle within the body of the dead soldier to strain tightly; his mind fighting his body as his heart screamed out to rip the girls throat out in that very moment. However, Nero understood something that few psychopaths could. Why kill your prey when you could make them scream out in pain that never ended until a hate filled heart had its fill? Smiling gently to himself Nero glanced over to the Princess again. It was time for the fun to start.

Tossing two strange looking logs upon the fire, Nero watched behind amused eyes as the flames burst into a sudden and violent life. Turning his gaze back to the Princess, Nero smoothly rose from the chair as long strides brought him before the girl within seconds. Looking down upon her, seeing the fear in her eyes and tasting the terror upon the air, he couldn't help but let another sadistic laugh dance it's way from his throat. Then in a sudden and quite violent movement Nero struck the girl upon the face with enough force to bring even a seasoned soldier to his knees. It felt good. Really damn good. The taste of bringing some pain to the young girl was like a drug rushing through his veins, it was something he couldn't get enough of.

Turning away from Dacia, Nero closed his eyes gently and allowed a few deep breaths to soothe his pounding heart. Not yet, he couldn't beat her to death. One day. One day he would have her spread out before him, limbs bound and her body ready for whatever horrors he could throw upon it. One day he would sway to the sound of her screams and drink her blood as it fell from wounds, one day he would make her beg for death as his knife cut that pretty skin from her body. The thought of such things was enough to bring a rush of excitement to his body, his mouth practically watering at the thought. Today, however, his games had another aim. You couldn't kill the messenger, after all, could you?

"Tell me, Princess, does your family ever speak of me?" Swaying around to face her, Nero looked upon the girl with those pale blue eyes of his, wickedness and cruelty shining within the orbs. Leaning forward, close enough for his whisper to gently caress against her ear he spoke again. "Has your dear father ever told you the truth about me? Or do they even mention me? Do they even let you know who I am?" The thought that the King may have kept Nero a secret was delicious, almost too much for him to take. The General was known through most of the lands, his insatiable appetite for war and death legendary. His wish to bring about total annihilation was something that was feared by most Courts for the simple reason that Nero was a man that could bring it about. Leaning a bit closer, Nero allowed his wicked lips to softly press against her ear, he let her feel the vicious smile form against her flesh before he spoke. "Whatever may be, before tonight is over you'll never forget my name or my face." His tone was malicious and horrid. All that it carried was the promise of twisted and dark things. Smiling softly again, Nero softly kissed the girl upon her cheek before taking a step back.

Glancing past Dacia and the two goblins holding her, Nero boredly waved his hand forward, ushering the third and final Goblin forward. His name was Natz, and he was as sick and twisted as Nero himself. The creature moved slowly, clearly old by the standards of his kind. A gnarled and vicious face, clawed nails sitting atop bony fingers and viciously sharp teeth greeted the Princess as the goblin hobbled towards Nero. In his arms he carried a bag that appeared to be quite heavy, and as he slammed the thing down upon the wooden table the audible groan of the table proved the point further. Walk to the table, Nero watched as Natz pulled all sorts of nasty looking things out of the bag. Knives, clamps, vials and vials of liquid that Nero had no understanding of. However, it was the last things, something that Nero had requested of the Goblin to bring that really perked his interest. As the goblin laid the heavy iron down upon the table, a sadistic grin split Nero's face. Lifting it off the table Nero inspected it closely before turning to look upon Dacia.

In his hand he held a branding iron, the design upon the tip forming the Royal Seal of the Fifth Cohort. The army Nero had been the General of nearly one-hundred and fifty years ago. The army that had been disbanded after Nero's "death". The army that had been buried in secrets and erased from history. No one outside the Royal family even know of the long-dead army anymore. No one except for Nero. Resting the brand in the raging inferno, Nero turned to look upon the girl again, his eyes alight with excitement. Tonight Nero would make sure the King and the entire Murkrule bloodline remembered their dark sins committed so long ago. Tonight Nero would ensure that never again could the King hide his court from the fact that a monster they had in fact created themselves had returned to his birthplace. Tonight Nero would solidify inside everyone's mind that soon he would return.

And with his return he would bring death, pain, terror, and hell. Upon his back he would bring extinction for all of Feras, for every Murkrule that breathed. He was the Grim Reaper, he was the plague coming to the Humans; and his return was coming quicker and quicker with every passing day, with every waking moment.

[dacia]

Dacia tried to pull away from the goblin again when she heard the laugh echoing from Nero. She had to find a way out of this. Kick or scream more, anything she could do. In the pit of her stomach she knew something horrible was going to happen. Since Dacia was to preoccupied attempting to pull away from the goblin that she did not see Nero's hand about to strike her. It was quick but the force behind it was like nothing she had ever felt before. She had been hit by Pollux before but he never hit her that hard. The sheer force of the hit almost knocked her out. Her head was spinning, she shut her eyes tightly to try and regain herself. Making sure she didn't get knocked out was key in this situation. She didn't know what he was planning on doing and even if it was going to be more painful if she was conscious she had to stay awake. Plus she might be able to escape him, even if that chance was slim. Dacia could feel her nose starting to bleed from the violent hit to her face. She tried her best to keep herself from crying out or showing a lot of pain. She had seen the way he smiled when there was terror on her face earlier. She didn't want to give him the satisfaction of her fear or pain. But there was only so much she could hide from the man. She wasn't a warrior or a fighter or anything really. She was just a fifteen year old girl. Nothing magical, nothing all to special. And as much as she tried to hide her pain most of it still showed.


The man turned his back to her for a couple moments. She would have tried to continue her fight against the goblins that held her but her head was still spinning. She watched him as he turned back around to face her. She had never seen or heard of him in her whole life. She didn't even know his name since he never gave it to her. The small girl couldn't help but shiver as he got up close to her, whispering into her ear. Her father rarely told her about anything that he considered "bad". He saved those kind of things for Julian and Pollux. He was attempting to shelter her from the world. She didn't need to know about the burdens of war and politics. It seemed like that plan was backfiring. Maybe if she did know about what was happening she wouldn't have snuck out. Dacia figured that her brothers may know who this man was, but she wasn't sure at this point. Dacia unintentionally let out a small whimper when he pressed his lips up on her ear and as she could feel that horrible smile start to form. The tone of his voice was just as bad as that smile as he spoke to her, letting her know that she would never forget him. Before she could think about what he meant he kissed her cheek softly. But it was still enough to send a quick sharp pain through her, her cheek was still sensitive from the hit.


Dacia could then hear something moving behind her, walking towards them. Her eye's widened as she saw the horrid looking goblin carrying something in his arms. Whatever was in his arms was something bad, very bad. And then she saw the branding iron in his hands. She stopped moving, all she could do was just stare at it. And something finally snapped in her when she saw him placing it on the fire. There was no way she was going to let him touch her with that thing. She would fight and kick and do anything she could until he had to hold her down himself and even then she would fight back more. She was screaming now, though they were quiet and muffled screams. She continued to pull and struggle against the goblins. The roped that bonded her hands were now digging into her wrist. She ignored the pain as the thick rope scratched and cut her wrists. She could feel tears starting to form in her eyes. Her plan of not showing him how scared she was flew out the window. But she didn't have time to think about that. The iron placed in the fir was all she could think of. She wasn't going to sit there and let him touch her with the iron.