5 Chapter 4: The Infuriating Truth

Hundreds upon hundreds miles away from the Ever Kingdom. Following the tranquil waters of the continental river from the Ever Kingdom and pass the Adam Kingdom to Adam Kingdom's neighbor the Verdant Kingdom. Within the dark of the forests the day seemed to be shrouded in a never-ending night, the tall trees resembling giants towered over the whole Kingdom of Verdant, making the kingdom seem like it was enveloped within nature's embrace.

Plunging into the depth of the forest, far from the Verdant Kingdom's green Capital, lies another capital whose secret location can never be traced or discovered. It was a big threat. A big threat to not just the Verdant Kingdom but also the other kingdoms. However, even though the Verdant Kingdom knew of its existence, they never tried to drive them out. One reason was the cowardly king who didn't dare to offend the ones within that secret capital for fear of a vigorous retaliation. While the second reason was already mentioned.

The Capital of the Underworld. Otherwise known as the secret capital.

It's not known as the secret capital because no one besides its citizens and rulers know of its existence, no, it's because of the fact that it is known to exist but cannot be found---that's why it is called the secret capital. The way to this capital is enigmatic and covered in thick fog. Sometimes even its citizens don't know how they found their way in. It was to the point that people started pointing out this phenomenon as witchery, or magic.

Some of the Kingdoms' people even started making up stories of how a fairy was protecting them, or how the devil made his kingdom there but left and the Underworld's people found it and made it their capital, or how the Underworld's people are the devil's vassals. Most of which the stories and rumors are not nice.

But nothing could be proven in the end so people eventually forgot about it after losing interest. So the mystery of the fog and confusion spell was never solved.

This day, within the secret capital, a meeting was currently being held in the new "king's" emergency meeting room opened for any urgent meetings.

Slam! A fist was banged onto the long meeting table made of iron, shattering the original tense silence present.

"Lyle! Answer me!" An angry and frustrated voice roared in the silent room, seemingly unable to bear the strained silence any further. The man had stood up abruptly, knocking his chair to the ground with overexerted force. He had sat at the right side of the long-rectangular table, in the middle, and was surrounded by his good friends to the right, left, and front.

His words were widely supported and agreed with by his friends if the frowns on their faces had anything to say about it. Some even nodded their heads. They were clearly not satisfied with what "Lyle" was doing, nor did they support it.

The person whose name was called was calm as he sat in his designated seat at the head of the table, completely unfazed by his friend's rude and barbaric behavior. This man in his middle thirties was the new "king" of the Underworld. His blonde hair was shiny and shimmering under the chandelier's light, his deep-green eyes held a deep unreadable darkness within, and his lips were quirked up in a smirk as he watched. This man was Lyle, one of Abner's close subordinates when he was still alive and whom he gave his trust to even after he gained a new life---which might be the worst mistake he had ever committed.

"Whatever can you mean, Ash? Answer you what?" Lyle said in a friendly tone ignoring his flaming friend and even rolling his eyes playfully at him like he really did not understand what Ash was asking of him.

Ash, who was the identity of the person who knocked his chair over, gritted his teeth so hard that squeaking sounds can be heard as he spat out the following words, "You know fully well what I mean! You truly think yourself to be so great after becoming the 'king' that you can hide your evil doings from your friends!"

Now at this, the friend at Ash's side tried to mediate the situation knowing how often his friend Ash tends to jump to conclusions with his hot temper. He had a gentle smile on his face---not befitting at all with the nickname "Inhumane Silenter" given to him by the people---as he spoke, "Now now, Ash, that's not how we speak to a friend. Besides, these are only our suspicions, we have no concrete evidence to prove him guilty. That's the whole reason why we are having this meeting in the first place."

But Ash wouldn't have it, he ruthlessly uttered, "What evidence must be given! I am not blind! Neither are any of you! You're just too reluctant to admit that a loyal friend has betrayed us! That he was blinded by greed and power and strayed from the right path!" And that was the truth.

Abner was a right-minded and trusting man, once he gives a person his trust, he won't ever doubt them without concrete evidence, and like otherwise, if a person doesn't have his trust he will always take the other's words as half-true and half-false, never fully believing in the other. Birds of a feather flock together is a saying very matching to the current situation. Since Abner's personality and mindset is like that, then his friends must be similar to him in a way as well. Even if they weren't in the beginning, they will be affected and changed gradually while staying by his side.

This is why the "Inhumane Silenter", Riley, and the rest of his friends wanted to get the truth out of Lyle himself---of course they know that there's a possibility that he would lie to them but at least they will get some assurance. Moreover, they are not half-baked either. Living in such dark and immoral places where lies and truths are often misplaced and lies are more often heard than not, it is important to know when someone is lying. They are basically trained human lie-detectors.

In truth, they already had hunches and even faint evidences that led them to think the other way.

However, no matter how bad of a person they are usually, it doesn't lessen the fact that they treat their own people better. So they were rather reluctant to accuse one of their own a traitor pulled away because of the temptation of wealth and power---a trait that was influenced by Abner.

However, it seemed like Ash was not as influenced in this area as he bellowed out once again, "Lyle! We know that you've been massacring small villages, capturing innocent citizens and making them slaves, kidnapping and selling children...!" It was like a lump was stuck in his throat but even the usually bash Ash couldn't continue speaking of all the atrocious audacities Lyle had done after he had gotten into power.

In actuality, Ash also did not want to call out a friend, but what he couldn't stand more than that was the betrayal to their beliefs and ideals. Which is tantamount to a betrayal to Abner. And as one of Abner's most loyal and faithful friend, Ash can't tolerant any betrayals aimed at him.

Similarly, all of Ash's friends with him also tacitly agreed in their hearts. Their expressions were firm and stiff.

The atmosphere quickly turned awkward, and again filled with tension.

Finally Lyle seemed to react as he sighed before looking up at his friends, all of whom were readily observing every one of his words and actions. Instead of feeling pressurized by all the intense stares, Lyle broke out into a wide smile that looked pure but his next words vicious, "If you already know, why keep on asking?" Then he looked thoughtful for a moment, "Oh I know! It's because you are imbeciles whose heart is too weak to ouster a 'friend' you KNOW has outwitted you!!" His crazed laughter resounded throughout the conference room in bouts, progressively growing louder.

The faces of the people around the table were darkened and shrouded in shadows as boiling rage filled up their hearts and minds. Their suspicions were true. Instead of beaming with happiness at being right, they were enraged, but most of all, disappointed that they had trusted in the wrong person. And known the truth too late. They know that they can't stop Lyle's plans anymore.

Ash's face was burning red from anger, but he held his temper in this time and set his chair upright and sat down forcefully, putting one leg on top of the other.

This time, a silent man on the left side of the table spoke up, "Sigh. Abner would be so disappointed and saddened if he knew. His soul definitely will not rest in peace knowing this." All the people around the table agreed with Lei's sentiments and nodded their heads in unison.

All except for Lyle. He did agree with his friends. However, it's all on the basis that Abner would be angered to death again if he knew---that was just the kind of person Abner was---and the person Lyle knew Abner to be.

And although their suspicions were confirmed and Lyle even admitted to his wrongdoings, the friends were still not willing to give up on their long-time friend. Though of course there were some that were angered by Lyle calling them 'weak', they still held it in as they too chose to tacitly give their friend a second chance to amend his wrongs.

However, all their reason and decision were pulverized into oblivion the moment they heard Lyle's following revelation.

"Rest in peace? Of course he wouldn't if he knows that his killer has taken over the position he would've had if he was still alive." The looks on the people's faces morphed into bewilderment and confusion, before realization finally set in and lividness replaced their previous feelings.

Ash again abruptly stood up, his chair sent flying backwards and thumping against the wall, however no one cared. His fierce eyes glared at Lyle with immense hatred and disgust, "You---!"

"Hahaha!!" Lyle again burst into another round of frenzied laughter, cutting off Ash's words. His face twisted dementedly with a sinister smug smirk. His deep-green eyes brimmed with madness as he watched the reactions of the people before him---the ones he previously called his "friends".

Even the steady Riley and Lei had vicious expressions on their faces, their body trembling with the need to pummel Lyle's face in---the need to avenge Abner's undeserving death. All of the people around the table were on a tight line ready to snap at any time to cut off Lyle's head to present to Abner's grave on a silver platter.

Ash's voice boomed, "You killed---!" Again he was cut off.

"No. I can't say that I killed him," Lyle mulled over his previous words and shaking his head as if he misspoke, but then continued as if he was trying to incite even worse wrath from them, "I ORDERED his death! That pious bast**d who wants to bring 'light' into this wretched and dark place died by my subordinate's hands, not even by my OWN hands! Hahaha! How ridiculous is that? He died under the hand of an UNDERLING! Truly deserving of his status! Truly deserving of his---and your---pathetic ideals ahhahah!!"

Ash exploded, "I'll kill you!" He launched at Lyle like a wild beast starved for many days and nights unleashed and out for blood and won't be satisfied until he saw it. Every single one of Abner's loyal friends and subordinates hurled themselves at Lyle. They were out for blood---Lyle's blood.

Sadly, bipolar fate intervened as before they could do anything, swarms of guards in black clothes flooded in from outside of the meeting room, taking all of Abner's highly skilled friends down. Triumphing by quantity over quality.

A painstaking long time had passed before the bruised and bloody faces of Abner's friends were all lifted up for Lyle to see, their arms twisted behind their backs, their strength failing them. But compared to the conditions of most of the guards that had come in---some of whom were dead---their condition can be described as quite light.

Lyle walked at a leisurely pace towards one of the apprehended men. Standing in front of him whose eyes were spitting out balls of fire, Lyle smiled gently like how he used to when he pretended to be all friendly and close with these dunces, "Ash, try not to be too rash. I get how your inherit temperament is, that's why I'll forgive you this one time, so don't think I'll be so nice next time."

To this, all Ash did was one thing. One insulting thing that Slums people and Underworld people alike does to show their hatred and detestation. Something very affrontive to them.

Ash spit on Lyle's face and grinned. An ugly grin flashed on his face as if to show how much, how deeply, he felt about what Lyle just said.

Utter bull****!

Sighing, Lyle closed his eyes as if in defeat of an unteachable child. He gracefully wiped away the spit on his face with his sleeve and opened his eyes to reveal hardened and emotionless deep-green pupils.

"I was a fool for a second. There's no way idiots like you will ever learn."

Pat! Slap! Punch!

Lyle punched Ash in the eyes and slapped him. He beat him over and over again his face turned into one of a pig's.

It wasn't until minutes later, when Lyle's anger finally lessened, that Lyle stayed his hand. Looking at the masterpiece he had created, Lyle seemed satisfied as he let out a genuine smile that disgusted and arose repulsion within the immobilized people.

After a few seconds of admiring his work, Lyle nodded his head and indicated that they should be taken away.

"Bring them 'down'."

Like a tide receding, the guards that originally swarmed in gradually backed out of the meeting room with captives in their hands.

Before the meeting room completely shut itself off, Ash, with his pig-like face, yelled, "You wretch! You ungrateful two-faced scoundrel! The heavens will never let you off! Never let you have the glory you desire deep in your heart!"

Then taking in a deep breath, he screamed, "I curse you!"

Then as if to deepen the curse's effect, voices echoed within the hall and through the gap of the door and into the meeting room.

"I curse you to an abhorrent life!" Riley's riled up voice was heard.

"I curse you to die of a thousand cuts!" Lei's voice was also heard.

"I curse you!"

"I curse you!"

"I curse...!"

"I...!"

"..."