《PROJECT CYPHER》* V3 (CH 9) - Chapter 80 – Christmas Eve Ⅴ
Advertisement
Team’s Alpha, Bravo and Charlie, all burst through various points into the Conclave court, where the Queen Mother is to reside. The smoke clears from the bomb blasts to reveal the ivory throne, where an impossible beauty with glistening white hair and silver eyes resides. The beauty wears a crimson roman style robe. The robe the Queen Mother is wearing is rather modest when in comparison to her usual garb. Her pale shoulders are bare except for the left shoulder covering that goes over her shoulder and is pinned to the main dress. The item holding the clothing together is a robe clasp, (peronai,), in the shape of a golden clenched fist.
The Queen Mother smiles majestically at the soldiers who all train their sights on the ruling matriarch of the Conclave. “Greeting’s mortals. It would appear that you have forgotten your rightful place in the scheme of life, please allow me to enlighten you,” the Queen Mother graciously stated.
The men all fire in unison as a hail of fiery bullets darts at the Queen. The bullets suddenly all stop a mere foot away as if they had been stopped by an invisible wall. The bullets all fall to ground nosily as they clink against the granite floor.
The hardened men uneasily glance around as a young attractive woman steps out from behind the ivory throne. The young woman clutches to her chest, an adorable teddy bear in a military outfit with a stylish green beret on his fuzzy head. The Queen Mother turns her head to the side and says, “It would seem your words were true after all.” The Queen mother turns her head back to the uninvited guests in her presence and says, “For dishonoring the Conclave, thy crime is punishable by immediate death!”
The men instantly return fire, but shadow snake-like things surge from the floor with gaping maws open. The men shoot to no avail as the one shadow creature is destroyed for only two more to take its place. Men let out shrieks of terror as they are consumed alive. Two snakes clamp on to each side of a soldier’s legs and then tear. A bloody fountain splutters as the soldier shrikes in pain at having his legs ripped off his body. Similar scenes can be seen throughout the court until nothing is left behind but blood.
Advertisement
The young woman trots forward to face the Queen Mother as the teddy bear in her arms says, “Thank you for your courtesy, Queen Mother. We shall see ourselves out.” Mr. Wilkins motions for 56 to walk down the steps and onward.
The shadows collect at the base of the ivory throne, a bald, scarred man emerges from within. The shadows form into a dark hood as the hooded man kneels in dog-like fashion before the Queen. The Queen Mother fondly lowers her hand and pats the top of the head of the man as if he were merely a pet dog.
“You did well my hound,” the Queen Mother crooned, before turning her attention to the young woman carrying away the living teddy bear. “I must thank your master for the warning, we would have been found weak by our enemy having been betrayed by one of our own. There shall be a culling of the bloodlines and the Conclave will return to its former purity. I have your master to thank for that,” The Queen mother said. “Though I have to wonder what does your master have to gain by all of this?”
56 remains still and firm ignoring the Queen’s words as she carries Mr. Wilkins through the bloodied courtroom. “But please convey my sincere gratitude to your master. However, make no mistake, should your master appear before me, I will kill her. For the child must bear and pay for sins of the father,” the Queen Mother coolly said as she stroked the panting pet’s head.
Mr. Wilkins stiffens and grumbles, “Turn around, now!” 56 uneasily complies and turns to face the icy queen. Mr. Wilkins beady black eyes glisten as he says, “Queen Mother, you forget yourself. Do not forget whose child my master is and even with all of your might, you have never fared well against him. So, I ask, you this, do you believe my girl is any weaker than her father?”
The Queen Mother stiffens and narrows her eyes in anger. “You dare to speak to me in such a manner in my own court?” The Queen Mother roared.
“I dare and much more. Out of respect, Queen Mother, I will say this, touch my girl and I will see the entire Conclave burnt to the ground,” Mr. Wilkins growled back.
Advertisement
“You dare threaten me in the Conclave’s own court?” The Queen Mother said incredulously as her faithful hound at her side growls at the threats so boldly declared.
“It is not a threat Queen Mother, but a fact,” Mr. Wilkins declared.
The Queen Mother smiles thinly at the statement and gestures sharply for the beast to be silent. The pet stiffens and lowers its head to the ground in apology. “Very well, a truce then. Tell the devil’s child, that there shall be no war between us. But the day, that she intervenes is the day, I will kill her,” the Queen Mother said.
Mr. Wilkins doesn’t reply and says, “Let’s go.” 56 happily departs at full speed and leaves the same way they came.
The Queen Mother rises to her feet as her hound follows behind her on all fours. The Queen walks out into the gardens where countless families have been hastily gathered. The families fearfully cling together and fall to their feet at the sight of the ruling matriarch of the Sanguniem Vorpal's. Guards surround them as various other noble family leaders stand close together as witnesses to the horror that will soon occur.
The Queen majestically comes to a halt before them as a sad smile appears on her face. “It pains me, my children, to know there are traitors among us and I will not permit them continued to flourish and destroy everything that our ancestors have built. Please forgive me, my children, but weeds must be pulled up from their very roots to prevent their seeds from further spreading,” The Queen Mother steadily declared as the adult faces pale with understanding.
“Commence the cleansing of the bloodlines!” The Queen Mother proudly proclaimed as the adults begin to scream and fight for their very lives and that of their wives and children. Their desperate struggles would be to no avail as the seasoned soldiers of the Conclave mow down the struggling figures with their blades. That night was to be remembered as a red night, a true holy night. And in countless other households and homes throughout the world, treacherous bloodlines were eradicated from the face of the earth.
The Queen Mother smiles in pleasure as a guard returns with a still living traitor. The bloody sac bears no resemblance to that of a human figure. The eyes, nose, ears, and limbs have been cut off. All that remains is a bleeding sac with a mouth full of broken teeth.
The bloody sac moans in pain as the Queen Mother compassionately says, “Oh my, poor misguided child, how lowly you have fallen to be led astray so very far? But speak the truth, my child, and in my compassionate state, I shall end thy eternal suffering and grace thee with my blessed grace.”
The bloody sac croaks, “Queen Mother, I know not. I was merely given a phone to speak into. The guards have taken it away.”
“I believe you, my child,” The Queen Mother sympathetically said. At a glance from her, the guard raises his blade and slices the bloody sac’s head off. The limp corpse and head are dragged away by two guards as a guard kneels to present the tainted gift.
The Queen Mother leisurely taps the icon of the only icon as the line is swiftly answered by a young man, who harshly says, “Well, what is it?”
“Ah, so this is the fruit of the poisoned tree. Poisonous little apple, please convey this message in a timely fashion to your master. I am coming for him,” the Queen Mother matter-of-factly stated.
The phone call is terminated as the Queen mother smiles wolfishly and says, “Poor lamb.” Handing the phone back to the guards, the guards retreat as they carry on their massacre. The Queen Mother muses out loud, “As expected of the child of the devil’s incarnate, they have a nose for such things.” “My pet, go and fetch,” The Queen Mother said as a soft sound is made from her side.
The Queen Mother does not look away and continues to watch over the cleansing long into the night. The Queen mother smiles at seeing the time sound on the great clock tower. With a small smile, the Queen mother murmurs to herself, “Merry Christmas.” Despite not celebrating the mortal holiday, the Queen Mother concurred, that today was indeed a hallowed day. For, how better to celebrate the birth of a child born in a manager than by appreciating death itself?
Advertisement
- In Serial448 Chapters
Rise Of The Worm Sovereign
Lin Wu was a university student that died after having one too many energy drinks and then reincarnated into the body of a worm. He awakens to find out that he now has a system, but even it doesn't have a clear idea of where they are.
8 4832 - In Serial135 Chapters
Immovable Mage
What do you call a mage incapable of casting spells? In this story, we usually call him Terry. When the boy is accepted into Arcana Academy, his talent in the pillars of mana foundation awes everyone. All the bigger is the eventual disappointment when Terry turns out to be an utter failure at spellwork. Diagnosis? Major aspect impairment. No cure. Ever. Faced with expulsion, Terry is blessed with the unexpected kindness of others. Terry loses his spot in the Academy but in exchange, he finds a home with a family. Terry starts to train as a pure mana cultivator but never stops looking for his own path as a mage – day after day, season after season, always searching for compatible spellwork… Until finally, Terry’s perseverance earns him a single spell – the only spell he will ever be able to cast. Disclaimers: Chapter Frequency: I aim for one chapter a week. Chapter Length: I try to keep chapters between 3000 and 6000 words. Binge Preference: I plan for 30 chapters per arc. If you want to binge a complete arc, then that is the number to wait for. I will also add a line to chapters indicating the beginning and end of an arc. Advanced Access: I have created a patreon page with early access to four chapters for patrons. What to Expect: Progression fantasy with a western fantasy setting and with eastern fantasy elements. A main character that is forced to explore a very narrow path of magic due to a permanent condition. A main character that is a part of a larger cast. A main character that is growing but won't become the strongest around anytime soon. A story following a single main character but with introduction or theme setting scenes without the main character. What Not to Expect: Edgy grimdark characters – I will never write a sexual violence scene or gory descriptions of torture. I hate reading it and I would hate writing it even more. Romance – romantic relationships will never be the focus of the story and only appear in the background. The main character is preoccupied with other stuff. Other forms of relationships (family, friends, companions) play a bigger role. Cover: The cover art was commisioned from redditor Linh-Nguyen87. The font is alita brush by Inovatype Typefoundry. Overview: 001–030 Arc 1, Cultivating Perseverance: complete. 031–060 Arc 2, Undying Defiance: complete. 061–090 Arc 3, Unyielding Fury: scheduled for publishing. 091–120 Arc 4, Savage Hope: scheduled for publishing. 121–150 Arc 5, Self-Made Fate: first draft in progress. 151–180 Arc 6, Heretic Style: sketching in progress. Further Arcs are still in the sketching and idea collection phase.
8 234 - In Serial9 Chapters
Many Minded
Synopsis: Issa Pyxis, Spacer orphan and illegal heretic, graduated from living on the streets to running with a gang years ago, but now it looks like that’s all going to change. Her inheritance, more specifically who—or what—she is, is catching up with her, and on a planet with the Emperor’s inquisitors slinking around in every shadow, nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted. What will she do? A cyberpunk story about identity, loneliness, covert infiltration, evil dystopias, and much more! Features: - Cyborgs and cyberpunk galore - This is indented to be somewhat “rational” and “hard” Sci-Fi story - Original Fiction however parts of my worldbuilding are inspired by other Sci-Fi stories (duh) Rationale: The future is cool, AIs are kickass, and questions about consciousness are simultaneously existential and yet unanswered. To me, this story is a vehicle for exploring these topics, and also, I wanted to write a story where the protagonist was unafraid of themselves and where their self is more like a git-repo than a meat computer. Disclaimer: This story primarily takes place in what we’d describe as a “cyberpunk dystopia” with some extra technocracy, autocracy, and religious fervor thrown into the mix, so there will be some “grittiness” in this story. Caveat emptor. Also, [insert your favorite boilerplate “views expressed” disclaimer here]. I shouldn’t need to say this, but the main character and other characters in my story can be wrong on occasion (gasp!) and the way they view the world isn’t always objective truth (if such a thing even exists) nor do their views and opinions necessarily reflect the views of me, the author. Cover art by me! [participant in the Royal Road Writathon challenge]
8 87 - In Serial183 Chapters
Duality
John was a secret agent before he died while avenging his little brother. But death was not the end for John, as he had the chance to reincarnate in another world. Now watch him grow from a slave's son to a hero and a legend. PS: I write as a hobby, with my job and college coming first, so my release rate may be slow and random.
8 147 - In Serial15 Chapters
Seekers of The End
Luca Lawrence never, even in his wildest dreams, imagined dying at the age of 29. Not to mention being ruthlessly rejected by the Karmic Cycle of rebirth! On the brink of dissipation into nothingness, cursing at the faulty system, he could only grind his teeth and accept the challenge. Well, twenty-two, to be precise.Facing these ruthless survival games, Luca will have to rely on his knowledge, craftiness, luck, and perhaps a few faithful encounters in order to ultimately grasp the End. However, when it comes to Samsara, the End is just another Beginning. ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................Note! Release Schedule: 2/3 chapters/week. Note! Disclaimer: I do not own this cover. I found it here.
8 211 - In Serial45 Chapters
Insane
All it took to meet one of the world's craziest, most dangerous serial killers was being in the wrong place at the wrong time. This was all it took to send Alice into the world of a criminal. *FINISHED*
8 417

