BLOOD AND Lightening

Chapter 11

"I saw a bloodsucker, his eyes were glowing bright red, he moved with unexplainable speed and he wasn't like in the tales, I swear by the heavens your majesty," Nimai had explained to the Emperor the nights before, he managed to make her explain the death of her parent and exactly what she saw while Gildor listening keenly.

"I had always known they existed, Alaska had said they were the closest to immorality, just imagine what I can do if only I could see one," Gildor said to Nicholas with his eyes glinting like a menace.

"It's a dangerous course, they feed on blood to survive, and they would probably kill you," Nicholas replied quite unsure of where the Emperor was heading.

"Imagine being able to live and remain young forever, my rein would never end, the whole humanity will be under my feet, hahaha" he laughed weirdly while clapping his hands, Gildor's sudden change of his attitude was beginning to scare Nicholas but he dared not speak a word. He never knew Gildor would ever one day become this obsessed with power.

“It's time to awaken her power, am running out of patience, and the more I try to make friends with her, the more I feel her building a shield, the old method of friendship might be working but at the same time it's making her think too much,” The Emperor said pacing from a point to another

“But your majesty, rushing her like that might make her wary” Nicholas suggested causing Gildor to glare harshly at him

“There was once a time when you said nothing, you only did what you were told and kept quiet right?” The Emperor asked

“Yes your majesty, it was you who said I should treat you as a brother and speak my mind at all times” Nicholas replied with a shaky voice moving back in fear for the person in front of him, was turning scary with his eyes glowing.

“Yes I suggested you talk more but don't forget your place, you don't get to make decisions, I am beginning to prefer the other version of you”

“I apologize sincerely your majesty, am sorry for overstepping my boundaries,” Nicholas said kneeling before Gildor who only smiled and raised him up

“Come here,” The Emperor said dragging him closer to an uncomfortable position “you will never betray me right? Remember the oat you took right” he had his hands at the back of Nicholas caressing him.

“I pledge my loyalty once again your majesty, I would never betray the one who saved me at the point of death, I will serve you till the day I die,” Nicholas said kneeling down once again

“Hahaha” The Emperor laughed, he walked around his chamber and laughed again

“Can you look at me while saying that, don't hide your face from me, I thought you know me so well, I enjoy watching your sincerity, I thought you knew that, huh? You are disappointing me, my dear servant, Come here and say it more sincerely”

Nicholas did as he was told, regretting why he hadn't held back his tongue, the vows he once enjoyed pledging have now become what he feared the most, an oat he took with confident without questions has began to hunt him, wondering if really he made the right choice.

“You know you have nobody else in this wicked world but me, I am the only person who saw the good in you, Am your savior, and I will always be there for you, I won't allow anyone to hurt you, protect you if the needs arise, I made you my most trusted man, I equally have no one but you, so trust me like I trust you, you will do that for me right” Emperor Gildor said while coaxing Nicholas like a child, “Now listen to me attentively, go and escort the witch girl, bring her alongside you to the coven, she will follow without worry I trust that”

Nicholas only nodded and left immediately to carry out his task without further questions.

“I should do something about him, the spells are wearing out too early these days, and my spells are growing weak,” The Emperor voiced out looking at his rod, he sat in the middle of his chamber in a meditative position with his eyes closed, he tried channeling his energy into the rod but the more he tried the more it seemed fruitless, his power was supposed to be growing not decreasing, Alaska had assured him his power would only grow but his fears are beginning to manifest, he tried more till his nose began to ooze out blood...

“Greetings,” Nimai said with a smile while Nicholas struggled to avert his gaze from her enchanting brown eyes.

“I have come to seek you out,” Nicholas said

“Do I perhaps have a thing of yours, or has his majesty sent for me?” Nimai asked in a calculating manner, it is out of the ordinary to have the Emperor's shadow come to seek her out, it could only be because of the Emperor, “permit me to ask, have I done something wrong to be summoned” she asked

“I am in no place to speak for his majesty, follow me, please,” Nicholas said before leaving while Nimai followed behind, Nimai struggled to recognize the path they have ventured into.

“Sir Nicholas, am afraid this is the forbidden path of the palace,” Nimai said alarmed, she has heard tales of people who had gone missing after venturing into this path, at first she concluded it was a rumor but even Odede had warned her to never be curious enough to go close.

“I am no knight, Nimai,” Nicholas said turning around to face her, the look on her face gave out that she was confused

“Call me Nicholas or nothing, do not place a title on it,” he said before Continuing, Nimai nodded and chuckled while wondering what the problem with him was, never had a direct encounter with him but the energy from him has always been off, he either avoids looking at her, or she catches him sneaking a peak at her, she has never seen him smile and is beginning to fear him a little.

Nimai followed behind quietly till Nicholas stopped, she stood away looking at the strange door covered in branches, Nicholas looked at her wondering why she is not coming forward.

“Where is his majesty?” she asked with a hard voice, her whole being warning her against moving forward, first he had completely ignored her obvious fear and now leading her to a strange door.

“I am here” The Emperor answered from behind her, she immediately swiveled around to come face-to-face with the Emperor, it was definitely him but his aura felt different and she became wary with goosebumps making their way to her skin, her body began to move away from him, backward she moved till her legs failed her, she felt her body falling but was caught by the Emperor.

“Are you unwell?” he asked her with his voice laced with concern and his forehead forming a frown, the sense of familiarity she always had around him slowly returned, he held her in place making her to stand in firmly again.

“I am alright your majesty,” she said freeing herself from his hold

“You sent for me your majesty,” she said bowing her head, his patience was running out and so was his energy.

“Yes, I know you trust me Nimai,” he said with a smile, Nimai nodded unintentionally wondering why the sudden question, Emperor Gildor knew he was moving fast but at the same time it was working, he was giving her no time to process anything, she was just following along with confusion.

“Come with me and trust me,” he said moving towards Nicholas who stood by the door watching the mini drama the Emperor and Nimai we're playing out, The Emperor stood beside Nicholas and beckoned on her to approach, she inhaled slowing looking at the terrifying door before taking a step forward, as her foot touched the very ground where the door stands, cracks were heard, and the branches covering the coven began to separate surprising everybody especially Nimai, she stopped moving, her internal being freaking out.

“Come on forward” Gildor commanded with his eyes strained at the door, he couldn't believe what was happening, for every step Nimai took a branch of tree was detached, she reached and stood facing the door, a surge of energy she never felt before overpowered her, she placed her hand on the door for support only for the door to open completely reviewing a terrifying coven.

Both Nicholas and the Emperor stood with their mouth gapped watching the new development, The Emperor's initial shook turned into a chuckle before a bright smile.

“Do you know how powerful you are?” The Emperor asked her while leading her into the Coven, Nicholas took a final look at them, his heart going out to Nimai who doesn't know what's in store for herself, before facing away and the door slowly closed, locking The Emperor and Nimai inside

“I am scared your majesty,” she said shaking while sweating

“Breath dear, and do not be afraid for I am with you,” he said placing his hands on her shoulder, “Am about to show you how powerful you are Nimai, trust me,” The Emperor said while leading her into the crystal ball

“You will fall into a trance but everything will be alright,” he assured her and closed the door

Immediately she went in his eyes fell on the ancient picture wondering why Alaska wasn't saying anything, he moved closer to the painting, and unlike before not even a single sound came from it, he closed his eyes with his hands feeling the painting, strangely there was no energy, he closed his eyes chanting a spell to know if the soul was still trapped in only for blood to start spilling from the painting messing up everywhere