The Kingdom of Dulciena

  It was a long sleepless night for Maxwell. Kalilo’s words still echoed in his head as if she were still there, whispering in his ear.

  While he wanted nothing more than to silence those whispers, he needed to search her words for any clues as to how she could be killed.

  “She mentioned having her true form sealed away” thought Maxwell. “What if I were to destroy this true form or perhaps I could destroy those four keys so that her true form could never be released thus trapping her in a state that was neither alive nor dead?”

  He’d thought of nothing else since the goddess's visit. Once she was out of the picture this world would be ripe for the taking. 

  He’d dispose of those so called heroes she’d spoken of. He’d dealt with their types before on earth and he doubt this world’s heroes would be any different.

  At least he’d have an assistant this time, even if she was an unwilling accomplice. He’d deal with her in time, but for now, Rei should prove to be of some use.

  After eating the breakfast that Elizabeth had prepared, the three set out to finish the journey to Dulciena. 

  Just as Kalilo had said, Elizabeth awoke the next morning having no memory of their late night meeting.

  “Or perhaps she just doesn’t want me to know that she knows” thought Maxwell. “I’ll have to keep an eye on her.”

  Rei didn’t seem too convinced with Maxwell’s explanation of how he’d slain the ogre after she had apparently “weakened it.” Regardless, she didn’t ask anymore questions. 

  Elizabeth proved useful once again as she was familiar with almost every inch of the forest. 

  After leading them through a few short cuts they arrived at a tall iron gate with a single guard on patrol.

  “I’m afraid this is where I must leave you. Just give your names to the guard and he will let you in.”

  Maxwell was confused. “I thought you said you’d accompany us to Dulciena?”

  “And so I have, Dulciena is just through those gates. I must apologize but I can’t go any further. I wish you well on whatever it is you seek in Dulciena and may the gods watch over you.”

  “I can’t say I understand but thank you for everything you’ve done for us.”

  Rei bowed her head. “You have my thanks.”

  Elizabeth nodded before turning back to begin her journey home.

  Maxwell and Rei approached the front gate where the guard order them to halt and identify themselves.

  Just as Elizabeth had instructed, the two were just about to give their names when the guard stopped them.

  “Can it be?! The great hero, Maximus! I can’t believe it! The gods have answered our prayers. please come in, come in.”

  The iron gate seemed to fly open as dozens of guards ran out to shake Maxwell’s hand and thank him for coming.

  “Thank the gods you have come, move aside all of you! The king will want to greet you personally.”

  An escort of guards surrounded Maxwell and Rei.

  Rei was staring at something on the wall that surrounded the kingdom. “What made those?”

  Maxwell looked to where Rei was staring. He could see scratch marks running up the wall as if some kind of creature had scaled it.

  “Those be the work of goblins miss.”

  “Goblins?! Are you seriously expecting me to believe that goblins made those huge scratches?! What kind of joke are you playing at?”

  “It’s no joke miss, I’ll let his majesty explain further. Please come this way.”

  Dulciena’s streets were littered with debris and rubble. It looked as if a tornado had swept through them, leaving houses and shops in ruins. The smell of death hung in the air as carts carried away the dead to their final resting place.

  The living seemed just as lifeless. Their faces scarred by grief and despair. 

  A woman lay lifeless under a makeshift tent as ash covered children began stripping her of any valuables. Having found nothing of value they began stripping the women of her clothes.

  Just as they were removing her shoes a man, mostly likely her husband or brother came running at them shouting for them to leave her be. The children fled but not before grabbing the woman’s shoes.

  Despite the horrific state of the kingdom, the royal palace seemed to be completely unaffected by whatever had caused all the death and destruction.

  “Right this way Maximus, we’ve already alerted the king of your arrival and he’s agreed to grant you an audience with him and the rest of the royal family. It is quite the honor.”

  “The honor is all mine.”

  The palace seemed to emanate wealth with portraits covering every inch of the walls. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling with golden statues of women lining the hallways. 

  It wasn’t until Maxwell looked closer that he realize the gold statues weren’t statues at all but actual women covered in gold and standing completely still.

  Rei must have also noticed because she began waving a hand in front of one of the golden women’s faces to see if she would react. The golden woman remained unmoving with her eyes shut as if she were an actual statue.

  “What’s with the statues?”

  “Please don’t touch those, they are the king’s personal works of art.”

  “Art?”

  “Yes, his majesty wanted to capture the beauty of these women so that he’d always be able to look upon them.”

  “Are they dead?”

  “Of course not, they volunteered to receive the king’s sacred touch.”

  A king who turns whatever he touches to gold.

  “What was your king’s name again?”

  The guard gave a confused look. “Are you feeling alright Maximus? Surely you haven’t forgotten our great King Midas the Third.”