Ash looked ahead watching them carefully before steadying himself
His sword starting to burn as he locked eyes with Beatrice
She took a step back she knew she wasn't the physical type
The lights suddenly turned off and all Beatrice could hear was the deafening screams of agony as they heard weapons clash and flesh tear.
She turn and ran she needed to get better coverage, right now ash was the one in control of the situation she hid behind a corner as red eyes peered from the dark she felt her heart drop she slowly backed up
The red eyes kept moving a blazing blade in hand.
He turned around the corner his blade setting the carpet to flames,
His breath becoming steadier with each step.
Beatrice took a breath of fresh air.
She felt soft wind grasp around her neck."boo."
She jumped throwing out daggers from her pocket he dodged each throw he raised his blade "wait I'm not actually trying to kill you"
She raised her hand but he drove his blade down.
She jumped back but he dashed forward His knee collided with her chest.
Beatrice gasped as she stumbled backward.
Ash moved in again.
She quickly pulled another dagger and swung.
CLANG!
Ash blocked it with his burning sword.
Beatrice attacked again, but Ash stepped around the strike and knocked her dagger from her hand.
She reached for another.
Ash's blade stopped inches from her.
"Enough."
Beatrice froze.
Ash lowered his sword.
"I don't want to fight you."
"You've got a strange way of showing it."
"I needed you to listen."
Beatrice stared at him.
"And now?"
"Now I'm going to talk to the council."
She looked confused.
"The council?"
Ash nodded.
"They need to do something about the Queen."
Beatrice's expression changed.
"You don't know what you're asking."
"Then they can tell me."
Ash walked past her.
---
The council chamber was enormous.
Several members sat around a long table, speaking quietly amongst themselves.
The doors opened.
Everyone turned.
Ash stepped inside.
One of the council members immediately stood.
"You."
Ash stopped in the middle of the room.
"I need to talk to you."
"We have nothing to discuss."
"You do."
Ash looked around the chamber.
"People in this city are starving."
The room became silent.
"The Queen keeps taking food from them, and everyone just sits here and watches it happen."
One council member frowned.
"Be careful with your accusations."
"I'm not accusing anyone."
Ash stepped forward.
"I'm asking why you're letting her do this."
Nobody answered.
Ash looked from one council member to another.
"You have people depending on you."
"We know."
"Then fight back."
Several council members exchanged uneasy looks.
Ash noticed.
"What?"
One council member finally spoke.
"You don't understand what you're asking us to do."
"Then explain it."
"The Queen of the Mountain isn't someone you simply challenge."
Ash frowned.
"She controls the mountain. She doesn't control this entire city."
"You're wrong."
Ash's expression hardened.
"Then what are you going to do?"
Silence.
Ash looked toward the windows.
Outside, the city was barely holding itself together.
People were struggling.
Families were going without food.
The entire place felt like it was slowly losing hope.
Ash turned back toward the council.
"I came here because I thought you were supposed to protect these people."
His voice wasn't angry anymore.
It was disappointed.
"If you won't stand against her, who will?"
One council member lowered his eyes.
"We can't."
Ash stared at him.
"Can't?"
The council member shook his head.
"You don't know what she is capable of."
Ash's hands tightened.
"Then tell me."
Another council member finally spoke.
"You think removing the Queen will save this city."
Ash looked at him.
"Won't it?"
The council member didn't answer.
And for the first time, Ash realized something.
They weren't refusing because they didn't care.
They were afraid.
Ash slowly looked around the room.
"Then maybe you're not the ones who should be making this decision."
The council members stared at him.
Ash turned toward the doors.
"I'll find another way."
He walked out.
Behind him, the council remained completely silent.