Retribution Of The Strongest Mage

The clanking sounds of the chains echoed in the silent hall. Adrian stood there in the middle, his hands and feet bound, but his face held no emotion.

At least not anymore.

He had fought for this kingdom so many times that even he had lost count. He had faced the most powerful beasts, countless armies, and even individuals who could level this whole city with a thought. And yet, the king he had served, the kingdom he had put his life on the line for, would treat him this way.

In front of him sat the King of Teridomm, and the five elders. Behind him were as many citizens of Teridomm as the seating space could contain.

The looks on their faces showed how much they relished this moment. They could not wait to see him executed.

The reason why? Because they feared his power.

Despite the fact that years ago when this issue was brought to his notice, about how the people feared his strength, he had chosen to take a sacred oath that would reap his life the moment he tried to harm the people he was supposed to protect, it was still not enough.

”You disappoint me, Adrian. I never would have thought that you of all people would let your power go to your head, ” the king said with irritation evident in his voice.

”Like I told you when you confronted me, your highness, I am not responsible, ” Adrian responded calmly.

”YOU STILL DARE LIE TO MY FACE?! ” the king erupted in anger.

”I speak nothing but the truth, ” Adrian said.

”The truth? Did you say you speak the truth? Then please explain how the village and its occupants were still being burnt in blue flames when I got there, or do my eyes deceive me? ” The king asked.

”Your eyes tell you what they see, but those flames were not mine my king, ” Adrian answered.

”Your lies will do you no good, you are the only mage who uses that advanced form of the fire element. You get on my nerves as you fail to acknowledge your wrongdoings, ” the king frowned.

”My king, I have fought for you, I would die for you, ” Adrian said in a serious tone and the king scoffed.

”And yet, you so easily believe that I who was named Teridomms grand protector and is currently under oath, would harm my own people? Its impossible. I would be dead if I did. ”

”You
e powerful enough to break that oath, ” the king commented, ”don use it to try to vindicate yourself. ”

”But I didn my lord, ” Adrian informed.

”I wouldn expect you to say anything else, ” the king shrugged.

Adrian understood now that there was no way to vindicate himself. The king already believed what he wanted to believe.

He moved his gaze across the five elders and although they tried to hide it, he could already tell that this was their doing.

These old men had always been jealous and afraid of him, but he would never have believed that they would frame him in such a way.

The peoples fear, he could understand. They only know him as a murderer on the battlefield. They respected him out of fear even though he fought on their side. But these men, these elders, were people he had stood side by side with.

They more than anyone, should have been on his side after everything he had done for them, but here he was, chained like a slave because of their scheming.

It looked like this was what being at the top gets you.

Even though Adrian could easily break through these chains and massacre everyone in this room, his heart was too heavy from the betrayal to care anymore.

If the people he loved and served wanted him dead, then so be it.

It doesn matter anymore.

”For the evil you have done Adrian, I, King Frestal Heriol, sentence you to death! ” the kings voice thundered in the hall and it was met with cheering from the crowd.

They could finally get rid of their number one source of fear. If a stranger was to walk into this hall, they would think that Adrian was an enemy of the kingdom, but he was nothing more than an unappreciated hero.

A man dressed in silver armor walked towards Adrian from behind. In his grasp was a golden spear which he brandished and lifted when he reached him.

The next thing Adrian heard was a squelching sound as the spear went right through his heart.

He looked down at it and began to feel a turmoil of emotions, but the one that took control in the end, was sadness.

This is what I get for being the good guy.

That was the last thought that went through Adrians mind before he was thrown into darkness.

It felt peaceful, calm, warm… he felt at home.

This feeling lasted for so long and he enjoyed every second of it. It was beyond ecstatic to finally be in a place where no one looked at him with hate in their eyes even though it was just complete darkness.

He could get used to this.

”You must be enjoying yourself, ” Adrian suddenly heard a voice say.

His eyes shot open and what he saw in front of him made him take an unconscious step back.

He was in a place where the ground reflected the cloudy sky and there was a throne made of stone that was so big, it looked like the tallest mountain.

Atop it sat a man even bigger than the throne. He wore white robes and had long flowing white hair.

Adrian could not see his face completely since half of it was above the cloudy sky, but the mans demeanor sent fear through his body.

”It seems you
e afraid. Must be a strange feeling considering that you were the one who was usually at the giving end of this emotion, ” the man said again.

Despite the mans size, his voice sounded at the normal volume. It was soft and gentle, but it was still commanding.

Adrian took in a deep shaky breath as he tried to regain his composure.

”Where am I? ” Adrian asked with feigned confidence in his tone.

The man laughed softly before answering, ”you, my child, are dead, and unlike the others, youve been given an opportunity. ”