We jump into this story at the execution of Bloody Iverson, a well known criminal who started a rebellion against the current king, Aris. He is considered to be the most notorious criminal in all the world. For some unknown reason he has turned himself in, and it has drawn all who had the ability to travel into the capital for the execution. It is to take place in the capital city of the Empire of Usair, Urich.

We join Blood as he walks down a cold stone road surrounded by onlookers. The crowd stood in vigilance. Some from hatred, some from pure and utter fear, and a very select few because of respect.

He marched onward towards the raised platform in the market square, under a sky full of clouds and saddened angels. Blood had his destination in site, finally he thought. A large black castle with a spiral tower on the leftmost and rightmost side. He could make out a balcony with a short bar fence. On it stood a few guards surrounding two regal looking figures, the king and queen of Usair. The white haired king sat in his royal throne. His stature about the same as Blood’s. This moment reminded Blood of the day before when the king so graciously visited his cell.

1 day ago…

The cell was harsh and cold. Dressed in tattered garbs of cloth Blood sat there with his shaggy black mess of a beard and hair looking as wild as ever. He had survived in far worse, but he couldn’t help wishing his last days could’ve been more comfortable. More games, women, and booze. Yet, the person outside the cell was keeping him company, if you could even call it that. The king stood with a scowl across his scarred face. His grey mane of hair hanging behind his head.

“Why did you come here?”, asked the king breaking the silence,”You walk into my hall, lay down your arms and give your vow of guilt and regret. It did quite a number on my court mind you. They all believed your gob mongering, and don’t get me wrong it was a convincing act. The truth is you know that I couldn’t face my people or my family again if I let this opportunity slide, even if it is a trap of yours.” the king stated.

Blood smiled,”You don’t seem to believe me! Don’t you feel the smallest twinge of satisfaction at having me here in front of you, cuffed and ready to be served on a silver platter to your empire.”

“I don’t know if anyone should feel anything after all you’ve done,” The king said a blue flame forming a top his brow.

“And what have I done Aris?” said the prisoner.

Aris could’ve said a number of things, but he decided against it. The amulet around his neck was burning with a great desire to make the execution more private. No he told himself, the execution has to be public. For the sake of the country, people have to see it.

Aris turns to leave the dungeon before he does something rash, but he feels icy tendrils close around himself as he is pulled back towards the cell and thrust against its iron bars.

Blood stood and slowly walked to the cell’s wall that separated the two. “My dear king you have no need to fear my plans for escape or espionage, for I do intend to die. In fact, I’m counting on it.”

He leaned in closer, and whispered a small but stout phrase, that only the king and he would understand the true meaning of.

“Reaguis Fornal”

With that he released the king from his magical grasp and sat back against the wall in his cell.

The king stood with a look of hard disdain and disapproval, it was something he had forgotten. Something that changed what the execution meant. Something, only they both could possibly know the meaning of.

Present Day

The disgruntled king could only watch now as the time for the criminals death had come and all his kingdom ,except himself, would feel relieved.

Blood knew this, and he almost couldn’t contain his dread. But then his soul was shifted again and he could only feel excitement, almost as if telling someone how gullible they were. His demeanor shifted from unsure to maniacal, as his laughter burst out loudly halfway down the town square. All the guards raised their weapons, and some of the people tripped up and fell in fright. Blood fights to regain control, and then the laughter seemed to stop very suddenly as a grim look overtook Blood’s face. As if he had just realised something, something crucial. How could he forget abou…

“Keep it moving Iverson!”, shouted a guard interrupting his thought. Blood realised that he didn’t have the time to think about it, he had already made his decision. His feet became heavier with every step he took. He could still hear the laughter from within as he walked to the gallows. He knew now that his work, all of it, had been for nothing.

He reaches the top of the platform in such a short time. It was seemingly instant. There were thousands of eyes on him at that moment. He knew he had no chance to explain himself or warn others without causing more trouble, more chaos. He could only die now, he thought as he sets his head on the chopping block, the executioner stands nearby and he marches forward to the prisoner, and raises his mighty axe. Blood then started thinking about his work again, namely his hopes being crushed half way up to the platform.

The axe began to fall, and Blood couldn’t believe he had forgotten about such a vital rule, such a crucial piece to this puzzle. The only blood he had left on this earth, and the only way this plan could go wrong or right. It all rested on the shoulders of that young innocent boy, Blood’s son. Please do better than I, Alex, find a way from this hell. That was the last thought that entered his mind, and then death overtook him with a resounding cheer from the crowd.