The Mechanical Era

A blue ceramic mug with a yellow gold pattern filled with steaming hot chocolate and floating marshmallows was on the table of an wooden bed drawer. Beside the drawer was a bed which Danial lay awake with both his azure blue eyes open.

"I can't sleep." he complains to his blonde wife, who was wearing a nightgown herself.

"Did you drink you hot chocolate?" she asked.

"No I did not. I already told you that I don't want to rinse my teeth again." he said.

"Alright then, I might know another way." Malinda replied.

"You do?" he asked.

"Yes. First, close your eyes and relax all your muscles." Danial did as told.

"Next, you need to clear your mind. Don't think of anything." she said.

"What if can't?" Danial asked.

"Then just think 'don't think' over and over again." she replied.

"Alright then. What is next?"

"Keep that until you fall asleep."

"If you say so dear. Say how come you never told me about this?"

"You always sleep like a baby. I never thought you would ever need it." Malinda replied. Danial chucked a little to her comment.

"Well then, good night honey."

"Oh wait, do you still want the chocolate?'

"No... but keep it there. I might drink it if I still haven't fallen asleep."

"Alright then, good night dear." Malinda replied. She blew out the torches and left the room. Danial, closed his eyes once again, and tried to sleep once again.

...

A wooden door slowly opened. From the room, a hooded figure comes out, wearing a black robe that blended around with the dark environment. The person slowly closes the door. As it nearly shuts, the door creaks, jumping the figure.

After closing, the figure walks down the hallway making muffled footsteps along the way. Sneaking pass the knights holding spears and swords, he makes his way towards a room with a dark oak door.

Slowly opening the door, with only a little creak made, the figure spots the target. After taking a deep breath, step by step, the figure got closer. Using his left muscular hands, he grabs a mirror polished Kris knife.

He then takes out a little glass bottle with a black liquid inside. After putting his blade into it, making sure that it touched the liquid, he closes the lid and but puts it back into his robe. Taking a deep breath, he lifts the kris knife to the air, ready to strike.

The target suddenly opens his eyes and splashes him hot coffee at his face. The steaming temperature of the brown liquid burns his face, causing him to scream for everyone to hear.

The hooded figure throws the knife at the targets chest. The target barely manages to avoid it as it hits his arm instead. As the man started screaming in pain. the knights kick open the door open, bringing along them their lanterns.

Seeing the knights, the man tried to fight back, but was no match for magical power. They soon apprehended him. One decide to unveil the hood, revealing a black haired man with a small nose, covered with burning hot chocolate.

"Oh lord." a knight says after seeing the knife in Danial's right arm.

"Call in the healers! His highness is injured!" the knight says. The assassin is taken away with a big smirk on his face.

...

Through the bars of the dungeon cell, the sun shines it's rays on the assassin with chains all over him. was strapped to a chair with rope on his arms, legs and chest. Though the sun's rays didn't wake him up, the hard slap from the knight's hand did.

"Wake up maggot. His majesty is here." Corel wore what appeared to be a black suit with 16 white buttons on them. The king approached the assassin and glared into his eyes.

"What is your name?" he asks in a deep voice.

"Kavan." the assassin mutters.

"Kavan. You dare break into my home, attack and attempt to kill the king of Hoverdam, MY guest! and expect to get away with it?" he said. A tone of anger could be sensed from the mighty king's voice, and the assassin himself kept quiet.

"Tell me Kavan. Who sent you here?" Corel asked. The assassin simply chuckled at his question.

"Shouldn't it be obvious? The ones who sent me here sent me on a mission. A mission to purify this world of your magical filth!"

"My suspicion was right then. It was them after all." Corel said to himself.

"Who is your master?" Corel asked.

"My mouth shall remain shut." he replied. Corel lifted his hand and casted a spell. The assassin felt an excruciating burn on his neck, where it blackens a bit.

"Who is your master?!?" Corel asked. He increased the burning sensation to get the confession. Though the assassin screaming in pain, he never mutters a word. After what seemed like ages, Corel suddenly stops.

The knight goes through the leather bag next to him. He takes out and gives Corel a small glass bottle containing an aquamarine liquid that glowed in the cell. He drinks a little bit and proceeds further with the interrogation.

"I will give you one more chance of revealing your master. Who is he?" Corel asks again.

"My mouth shall remain silent." Corel clenched his fist in anger. Though he raised his hand and casted a spell once more, he decided to suddenly stop. The assassin looks back at him.

"What is the reason for targeting King Danial, out of everyone else?" he asked. The assassin smiled.

"I wanted to finish the job they started." A flash of anger comes to Corel as he casts another spell. This time he freezes his hand until he couldn't feel it anymore.

"You all dare poison a member of a royal family you filthy peasant! The lord may send you and our friends over to the deepest pits of hell for such heresy!"

"Who says so? The lord? God? The church you control? I know your true nature. You are all responsible for oppressing us all! Responsible for the corruption of the church!" Corel casted another spell to torture the man in anger. After a few minutes, Corel stops and remains silent. The assassin's head was now facing the ground.

"Kavan, I herby sentence you to life in prison for the attempted murder of King Danial Maybale." Corel finally says. The assassin, after hearing the news, started to laugh slowly. Eventually, the slow laughed turned hysterical.

"What is so funny you dirty peasant?" the assassin looked at him in the eye once more.

"Do you know what that black liquid is your majesty?"

"Yes, I have been informed. What does it matter?"

"It is a little known poison that had been given to me, to kill a beast like you." he said. Corel's eyes widen. Taking the knight with him, he exist the room. From the assassin's ear, he heard him talking to someone else. After a few minutes, the door opened once again.

The knight then cut off his ropes and escorted the assassin through the hallway. There, he was cheered on by the others behind bars, congratulating him for his accomplishment.

The knight took him to another room, just as gloomy and dark. There stood a large man, with a black pointy hat on his head, a black robe covering his chest and skin, and a large axe with a little blood on it.