The Fallen Kingdom

The Fear Ambushed

"We are here."

The wind lay still in the land of the deserted Mind Kingdom, its precious borders consumed and overtaken by the very Fear disease that rot within. Hills of stone-like gel smashed through the aged walls as sickly luminous sludge corrupted the closest ponds. Bright fields of grass that had quickly mutated into a dull, grey sludge was being trodden underfoot by five men and two women. The small party of seven stood near the entrance that had so recently housed millions of human beings. Now, it lay barren and housed only the injured water soldiers, brave men and women that defended themselves against creatures known only as Fear elementals.

A majestic woman in robes of blue stepped closer to the man beside her, a look of uncertainty anxiety plain on her face as her hands fidgeted before her. Dressed in a regal uniform, the man hooked his arm with hers and lay a comforting hand over her own, causing her to look into his eyes, a brief respite amidst the bleak surroundings. "It's alright, Hailey. Dallus, scan the perimeter." he barked and the man beside him quickly stood to attention, nodded, and set off. The four remaining guards took the point, two in front of and two behind the royal couple as they passed under the archway. The oozing slime climbing the brickwork didn't help to calm the worried queen, but she persisted for those around her. Opening up to the kingdom itself, the air grew thicker and all grew uneasy. The air carried death, disease, and the unknown dangers that lie within kept them on their toes. Ahead of them and a bit to the right lay an old, gnarled tree stripped of life and foliage. "Oh, Avery, look.." Hailey stifled a cry, holding a hand to her mouth in horror. The young Avery held to Hailey's side, keeping her from the edge of a puddle of slime that..moved?

It ebbed and flowed much slower than water but that is what it appeared to do. It was cruel and sickening, the sound was disgusting and brought forth unpleasant images-mangled bodies, the ooze flowing from them into a ditch, a ditch that swelled and formed the very pond before them. Yet it was only a pond and after a few moments of uneasy silence, the group marched forward. The encampment was in a crumbling building far into the forgotten realm that even Avery was beginning to feel paranoid. Yet the soldiers were there, recuperating but in need of supplies. As they began to dispense what they had brought, a loud thundering noise brought immediate attention to the outside. Rushing outside, they saw no reason for the loud interruption before the screams began. Behind them, a large tidal wave of pink gel-the same one they found as a pond-had crashed into the building they were just in. The group backed up and both the guards and Queen gasped as the pond began to shake violently, a tremor that split it apart and the ooze formed creatures. Some smooth and faceless, others trembled and misshapen but all resembling humans.

Their attention gathered by the creatures, the two smaller humans who walked up to them were remnants of the Mind Kingdom, two young girls by the name of Ami and Meno. Meno smirked triumphantly at the group surrounded and looking to Ami with her vibrant magenta eyes, she launched herself at the King and Queen. Ami, standing back with Silver eyes wide, watched in anxiety before a familiar feeling crept up on her. She took her steps forward, one after the other in quick succession until she was running, her pout turned into a wide grin and once soft silver eyes now a violent pink. "Kill them!" they both cried in unison and the Fear creatures attacked.

Avery and two of the guards were first to react. The front guard launched themselves at the small cluster of monsters before them, yelling a fearsome battle cry. Avery cut in, the sword at his side finding its way quickly into a gelatinous monster and dividing its head from its body. Falling off with a squishing slickness, it thudded softly against the ground as it lost its shape and formed a small puddle of goo. The body continued to attack after its momentary pause, catching Avery off guard but not for long. Angling long, deep and frightfully fast cuts along the monster's body, he cut the monster down to size. The front guards that were first to react threw their spears into the monster's guts. One succeeded while the other's trajectory was off. The victor staggered the creature back, trying to pull it out-but the goo was stuck to the pole! The victim hit through the upper chest, a tilted jab at best, but the monster grew enraged and taking its meaty fist, slammed it into the knight's skull knocking him away.

Hailey was fearful, her husband and kinsmen were at war yet she could do no harm. Taking a few steps towards Avery and in front of a back soldier with a fresh gash on her face, she reached for him, knowing he would bring safety. Ami lept into the fray, landing where Hailey once stood, her brilliant pink eyes aflame with hunger. Hailey turned to see her old childhood friend. At first relieved, she grew frightened at the real sight before her and tried to intervene. Trying to intervene, Pink glared towards Hailey and grabbing onto her, froze her to the spot to keep her there. Hailey's beautiful eyes go wide and her body limp, falling to the floor with a terrified look on her face as Avery turns around-

--SNAP!--

Meno cuts through the crowd ahead of Ami, rushing at Hailey and Avery. Seeing this, Hailey puts herself in front of Avery as Meno's elongated nails dug their way through Hailey's heart in one fell swoop. Dropping like a stone, Avery turns around a few seconds too late. "NOOOOOO!" her rages, aiming his blade-

--SNAP!--

Both girls are moments too late as a large pink creature lifts Hailey as she tries to reach for Avery, picking her up and throwing her high against the stone wall. A sharp *CRACK* draws Avery's attention to the sight and the colour drains from his very soul. Painted like the angel she was, Hailey is embedded in the wall that protected the Mind from the other Kingdoms. Her eyes wide open and mouth agape, he pushes past the monsters, women, and soldiers as he lodges his sword into a creature trying to head his way. He runs, holding his arms out as her body falls-

--SNAP!--

-and Hailey is on the ground, and his head begins reeling. Looking from Hailey towards Pink, he launches himself at her in a fury of rage, anger, and betrayal. Shouting in a guttural language, he advances, never giving her much time to react before he is attacked from behind by Meno. A large wound of nails etched into his back caused him to turn, spitting furiously until Pink grabbed his throat from behind and shoved him into the ground, staining his face with the battle's victims. For a brief moment, he saw stars and lay there dazed until a searing pain etched itself into his brain, causing him to resist and struggle against the pain.

Pink glared hungrily into his backside, the power flowing from him to her feeding her never-ending flame. Meno launched at the remaining three soldiers along with the last two Fear monsters and soon she and a single monster were left, smirking pridefully down at Avery who lay weak and drained. Bending down closer, the crazed personality whispered into Avery's ear. "I will leave you with a gift to remember me by. You should be so lucky." Pink stood back from him, standing beside Meno with a malevolent smile. Avery tried to pull up, only managing to fall and feel the disgusting mix of blood and goo under his face. Meno pulled the sword he held from the former stomach of a Fear monster and tossed it to him, cackling as both women and remaining monster walked away. It took him several moments, his breath hitched and rough before he could look around. As he gazed towards Hailey and the entrance, he only had one thing on his mind: getting her to safety, healing her, not letting her die.

"Sire!" he heard a voice cry and Dallus, looking worse for wear with several wounds across his forehead, arms, and torso stumbled towards Avery. He tried to help him up but shooed him away towards Hailey. He desperately needed to get her out of here. Along the way out of the Kingdom and into his own, Avery hobbled as best he could, a sharp ringing sensation resonating in his ears. As they made their way out of the Mind Kingdom, Avery's stumbling grew worse and his head was almost on fire. He knew something was terribly wrong. Reaching the Water Kingdom was no easy feat, but it was done. Attendants, healers, and soldiers flocked to their king and queen as they were rushed into emergency care.

It wasn't until later that Avery would learn that Hailey had died shortly before they left the Mind Kingdom, her body growing colder by the minute. Dallus as well had consumed to his wounds and died, though the body was not found. Some began to say that Dallus was a figment of the King's mind, that he had carried her back on his own. Some say that Dallus had been a spy for one of the other Kingdoms-Fire, most said-and had fled to safety. Avery would hear none of it and chatter about him and Hailey ceased. When a short while later he was diagnosed with the Fear disease, he asked for the scientists. There was something that had to be done.