The king was sitting on his throne with two powerful looking people at his feet. To his left was the head of the Rose Clan, to his right was the head of the Katra Clan.
The head of the Rose Clan was an elegant woman with humble proportions. Her body was refined like a seasoned fighter. Her legs looked like they could kick an entire stone wall down effortlessly. Her skin was tan and covered with dry dirt like she just got done harvesting an entire field by herself. Her eyes reminded the king of fall leaves with their brown hue. Her light brown hair stood in a ponytail on the back of her head.
The leader of the Katra Clan was a thinner-looking man. He didn't seem like he posed a threat but there was an aura around him that would frighten even the bravest of people. His hair was short and blonde with light curls. His eyes sparkled with a royal blue color. His chin was sharp and held a faint beard upon it. He donned himself in onyx-black armor with his helmet at his side.
The armor itself added to the man's already intimidating features, but the most frightening feature about him, was that through all his countless battles, he didn't have a single scar appear on his body. Without a doubt, this was the king's strongest soldier and his personal right-hand man. Who better to keep the peace in the kingdom than him?
The head of the Katra Clan spoke first.
"Why do you summon us my lord?"
"I've called you both here today to get an idea of the state of my kingdom. What is our crime rate looking like Katra?"
"Sir, the crime rate is looking lower than it ever has. A few small scuffles are to be reported, but I took care of those matters myself with no issue. To be honest sir, the city feels really quiet. I don't like it one bit."
"I predicted such to happen. It seems like this is just the 'calm before the storm' as they say. However, peace is never a bad thing. Let's enjoy it while it lasts."
The king looked over to the woman who was still bowing.
"How is our food situation looking? Will we have enough to meet our demands?"
The woman hesitated a bit before answering.
"The harvest has been great this year, but I am afraid we won't have enough to meet your demands, my lord."
The king glared down at the woman. He then slowly sat up from his throne and walked toward her. His ominous presence loomed over her before using his hand to move her face to meet his gaze.
The woman started to shiver and grunt when all of a sudden, blood started leaking from her eyes and nostrils. Her face slowly grew more pale.
"Then you find a way to make it work... You must meet this demand at all costs. Understand?"
The woman still held a fearless expression with rivers of blood flowing down her body.
"I understand my lord. I'll find a way."
When the king let go, she went back to her kneeling pose as if nothing had ever happened. She kept looking down at the floor, breathing heavy for a few moments before the color returned to her face.
"Good."
The leader of the Katra family still held his gaze forward, waiting to see what the king was going to do. The king slowly walked over to him.
"I have a special assignment for you, Katra."
"Anything for you, my king."
"Excellent. I need you to do a scouting mission for me, to search for my brother-in-law. Actually, it's less of a scouting mission and more of a request to confirm a suspicion I have."
"Where do you need me to go, my lord?"
"For starters, I am fairly certain that he isn't hiding in the kingdom. I am sure we would have found him by now. He could be by his lake house, but I know that area far too well for him to be at any advantage, even with the lake increasing his power. That leaves only one option I can think of, and the most dangerous of the three."
"And what would that be, my lord?"
"The dark forest to the west of this kingdoms gates."
Katra was a bit shocked hearing this information.
"The one that was deemed too dangerous for exploration because of the monsters that dwell there?"
The king shook his head.
"That isn't the real reason why we stopped exploring the forest. The real reason, is because of the man that made that place his home."
"One man? That's it? Why not just let me fight him if he really is such a threat? What kind of ability does the man possess?"
"There's no need to ask. Even if you knew what it was, you stand zero chance of defeating him."
Katra was left in utter disbelief.
"What? That can't be possible! I'm the strongest there is, only second to yourself, my lord."
"I know I said the forest was populated by this one person, but that one person is capable of multiplying himself dozens of times over. There seems to be no limit on the number of clones he can create. I once lost an entire cohort from simply trying to scout the place."
Katra came to a startling realization.
"Wait... you don't think your brother..."
"I do. If those two work together, it would be quite troublesome to deal with."
"But sir, why am I just being sent to scout? Surely, I can at least try to take one out."
"The issue is you may not be able to kill one of them and you are far too valuable to the kingdom to lose your life. You are also the only one that I know who is capable of escaping that place alive if they are both there."
"I understand, my lord. It will be done."
"Thank you. You are both dismissed. Katra, leave immediately and report your findings to me at once."