8. Zarek

I'm going to kill Obl'ick and Kla'zar.

Even if it means ripping them apart with my bare hands, I will make both of them suffer for their crimes. For trying to take my kingdom, my bride, and for attempting to destroy my people. I can feel my Cunning licking through my veins now that I'm not encased in a gundrian metal net, my magic healing some of my wounds. Ready to take back what's mine.

Their betrayal still stings, the bitterness lingering on my tongue like a poison. But as I storm through the palace, Sabrina at my side, a deep sense of pride tempers my fury. My little human is a force to be reckoned with, her courage and determination inspiring even to my jaded heart. She doesn't flinch at the sight of my scarred, injured body, her gaze steady as she matches my pace. She's already proven her bravery, but there's something else about her that gives me hope she will make the greatest queen this empire has ever seen.

We encounter the first wave of resistance at the royal chambers. A group of my guards are locked in battle with a unit of Obl'ick and Kla'zar's supporters, the corridor littered with corpses. The clash of metal on metal is deafening, the smell of blood and smoke fills the air.

Sabrina tenses beside me, her eyes wide with fear, but I squeeze her hand in reassurance. "Stay behind me," I command.

I charge into the fray, my battle cry echoing off the stone walls. I claw down goblin after goblin, my bloodlust rising with each kill. They may have been my subjects once, but now they are nothing but traitors.

The great doors to my throne room slam open from the force of my kick, the heavy wood splintering with a resounding bang. I stride in, Sabrina at my side, my presence radiating power and authority despite my earlier wounds marring my body.

The stench of betrayal pollutes my throne room as I survey the traitorous councillors who dared to defy me. These arrogant fools, grown fat and complacent on the success of my leadership, had the audacity to attempt an overthrow. Rage boils in my veins, my voice a thunderous roar as I bark at them, "Kneel now, or die where you stand!"

Only two lone councillors have the sense to drop to their knees, their heads bowed in submission. The others remain standing, defiance etched into their grotesque features. Kla'zar and Obl'ick, the ringleaders of this treachery, sneer at me from the center of the room.

"You have grown weak, Zarek," Kla'zar hisses, his eyes gleaming with malice. "A true goblin king would never allow a human to live, let alone bring her into our sacred halls." His grotesque face twists with a mixture of fear and rage.

Obl'ick nods in agreement, his voice dripping with disdain. "You have lost your way, Zarek. It is time for a new king to lead our people to glory."

As I unleash my Cunning power, the air around me shimmers and pulses with raw energy, and I know my eyes are blazing with an unearthly green light. The very foundations of the throne room tremble under the force of my rage and magic. I could use my Cunning to kill them in an instant, but their punishment deserves a more personal touch.

"ENOUGH!" The word echoes like a thunderclap, and even Obl'ick takes a step back. "I am your king, chosen by the gods themselves. And you will obey me or suffer the consequences. I will not tolerate any more of your insolence. NOW GET ON YOUR KNEES AND KNEEL BEFORE YOUR KING OR FACE THE CONSEQUENCES OF YOUR TREACHERY!"

I sweep my gaze over the assembled councillors, and I know my emerald eyes are blazing with my fury. One brandishes ceremonial swords with their jeweled hilts glittering in the firelight. I recognize them as some of my own weapons, taken from the very walls of this chamber. A surge of outrage courses through me.

The room is silent for a moment, the tension thick enough to cut with a blade. Then, with a snarl of defiance, Kla'zar and Obl'ick draw their weapons, the other councillors following suit.

I smile, a cruel twist of my lips. "So be it."

With a wave of my hand, the doors to the throne room slam shut, trapping us all inside. Sabrina's eyes widen with shock as my Cunning surges through me, a crackle of green energy dancing across my skin. I take the crystal orbs from Sabrina and whisper the Cunning words. With a flash of green light, she is now protected from the battle in a shimmering dome. Her eyes meet mine, a spark of admiration shining through her fear. I turn back to my enemies, my grin bordering on maniacal.

I sweep my gaze over the assembled councillors, my lips curling into a vicious grin. "You all stand stunted, lacking my Cunning. I was ordained king by our gods eons ago. Now you will face me to gain the throne."

The councillors exchange nervous glances, their bravado faltering in the face of my challenge. I can see the realization dawning in their eyes—they've underestimated me, and now they're trapped.

But I'm done with words. With a roar that shakes the very foundations of the palace, I launch myself at the nearest traitor, my claws extended and my eyes blazing with fury. The time for talk is over. Now there will be only blood and vengeance.

The councillors scramble for cover, but there is no escape. With a snarl, I lunge forward, my claws raking across Kla'zar's face. He staggers back, green blood trickling down his cheek, but I'm not finished.

The battle erupts in a frenzy of clashing claws, blades, and snarling teeth. I lunge at Kla'zar, my claws raking across his throat in a spray of jade. He falls with a gurgling cry, but there's no time to savor the kill. They're coming at me from all sides, a pack of rabid bog beasts seeking to bring down their noble alpha.

I let the rage consume me, fueling the magic that courses through my veins. It crackles along my skin and itches to lash out at my enemies with whips of searing green light. But I hold it back, channeling the energy into my body instead. It surges through me, heightening my senses, sharpening my reflexes.

I become a blur of motion, evading and striking with deadly precision. I lose myself in the rhythm of the battle, and my body moves on instinct as I strike and parry and strike again. Another councillor—I forget his name—falls beneath my claws, his face frozen in a rictus of terror as I tear out his throat. Obl'ick screams as I drive my claws through his gut, twisting it savagely as I watch the life drain from his eyes.

The councillors are no match for my savage grace, their movements clumsy and slow in comparison. I dance through their ranks, a whirlwind of death and destruction, leaving a trail of broken bodies in my wake.

Despite the wounds that mar my flesh, I feel no pain. The Cunning sustains me, knitting bone and sinew back together even as I continue to fight. I am a demon unleashed, unstoppable in my vengeance. I rip and tear at the traitorous councillors, my movements powered by their betrayal.

Amid the chaos, I catch sight of the two councillors who had the sense to kneel. They cower in the corner, trembling in fear as they watch their traitorous brethren fall. I spare them a brief glance, a cruel smile twisting my lips. "You chose wisely," I growl, my voice dripping with menace. "Pray that you continue to do so."

But I don't stop until every one of the other treacherous, lifeless bodies lie at my feet, their green blood soaking into the stone floor. I take a deep breath, the earthy tang of gore heavy in the air. The silence is deafening, the only sound is my ragged breathing.

Sabrina's gaze darts around the throne room, taking in the carnage with a mixture of shock and admiration. When her eyes finally meet mine, I see a glimmer of something close to awe in their depths. A feeling of satisfaction rises within me, my Cunning singing with the victory. The Goblin Credo demands blood for treason. And I have delivered.

I turn to Sabrina, my expression softening as I open the shimmering dome with a wave of my hand and offer her my hand. I search her face, expecting to see fear or disgust, but instead, I find a quiet understanding in her steady gaze.

"Well, my dear Sabrina," I say, grinning at her through the blood and gore that covers me. "I must say, I've never had a woman watch me in battle quite like that. You looked... captivated."

She raises an eyebrow at me. "Captivated? More like horrified. I've never seen anything like that. But... I can't deny it was impressive."

I laugh. "Ah, there's that fire I've come to admire. Don't worry, my little human, it was necessary. They betrayed me, betrayed our people. The Goblin Credo demands blood for treason, and I simply obliged."

"You make it sound so simple," she says, crossing her arms. "But I saw the pain in your eyes, Zarek. This wasn't easy for you."

I look away for a moment, then meet her gaze again. "It wasn't. But it was necessary. I am the king, Sabrina. I have a duty to protect my people, even if it means getting a little... bloody."

She nods. "I understand. But what now? What happens after this?"

I smile. "Now, my dear, we rebuild. We reunite our people, and we make this kingdom stronger than ever before. And you... you will be by my side, as my queen."

"Oh, I'm upgraded from a bride to the queen now. That was fast!" she asks, a hint of amusement in her voice.

"I suppose we can have a coronation soon—once we get all this ghastly blood cleaned up."

She laughs. Her smile softens. "That would be nice," she says. "Yeah, let's go clean up. You're a mess. I don't aspire to be Queen of the Bog Monsters. I think I'd prefer to be known as Queen of the Goblins."

I smirk, my gaze sweeping over her. Even covered in dust and blood, she is radiant. I know in that moment that I will love her forever, my fierce little queen.