The burning need to take a piss saved his life. He had been lying in a tangle of sheets and limbs, sweat beading his brow, the smell of sex strong in the room, when his bladder had decided now was a good time to demand relief. It took him a moment to free himself from the tangle, his sister giving a small groan as she rolled away from him and muttering about how rude it was to interrupt someone so soon after climax. I'll show you just how rude I can be when I come back... It's about time we explored that lovely bum of yours.

He grinned to himself at the thought and padded across the carpet that covered the cold stone of his chamber floor to push aside the curtain hiding the small privy. A cold draft whipped into the room as soon as he removed the wooden lid and he shivered, but he gave a small sigh of relief as his piss splattered away down the walls to patter across the moat like rain. He waited a moment or two longer, gave himself a shake and turned back to the curtain.

At that very moment, just as the church bell tolled midnight, his door burst open. Two men, clad entirely in black, rushed toward the bed. Ariana, still in bed, screamed as they rushed toward her and scrambled swiftly over the side of the bed, her bare buttocks causing the two men to pause for a moment. It was long enough.

No one could accuse Prince Rolf of being a coward and in that instant he burst from the privy roaring his battlecry. Swords, some basic armour, soldiers then. He wasted no further thought as he cannoned into the man nearest him. The Prince was a big man and his shoulder slammed into the soldiers face, causing the head to snap around and he heard the heavy clack of the mans jaw slamming shut. Rolf kept moving, driving the first attacker straight into the second man.

Yes, swing! He almost smiled as the second soldier lashed out in panic, hacking his blade into the first mans arm. The injured soldier gave a scream and dropped his own sword even as Rolf ripped a dagger from the mans belt and buried it in his throat. One down.

He heaved the dying man into his partner, the two of them crashing into a chair, over a table and onto the floor. Rolf stooped swiftly and took up the dying mans sword, noting the well made blade and dragons head pommel. Some of our own soldiers then. Why?

The second attacker managed to stagger to his feet, his eyes flashing between Ariana and Rolf, realization dawning on his face. The realization, right there, was going to get you killed if trying to murder me in my sleep wasn't already going to. Blood was staining the carpet at his feet and could feel the wet stickiness on his bare skin.

"Why?" Rolf asked simply as he stepped toward the soldier who was now looking panicked.

"Your brother, he paid us. He paid us." The man repeated the last phrase as if it might save him.

"But why me?" Rolf knew his younger brother wasn't his biggest fan. But murder? By guards? That was a strange step for him.

"Not just you, the whole family."

Now that makes more sense. Rolf finished the thought as he stepped over the dead man, deftly knocked aside the other mans blade and drove his sword into the open mouth. He was dimly aware of shouting elsewhere in the castle and the sound of the church bell now tolling widely in alarm. He dropped the attackers sword and hurried toward his wardrobe.

"Stay here." He ordered Ariana as he hastily pulled on his light armour and drew his sword. "I must go see to the others. Hide in here." He pushed her into the wardrobe and closed it behind her. Taking his shield from the stand nearby he hurried out onto the landing and began to descend the stairs as quickly as he could.

He feared he might already be to late.

The ringing of the midnight bell had signaled the start of a massacre that would forever haunt the Sevaris Royal Family. Within the fraction of a second, the clanking sound of armor filled the usually silent halls of the Royal Palace. Soldiers broke from their positions as they made their ways towards palace's many chambers. Within minutes, the commotion and racket had changed to faint screams and cries barely heard through the palace's thick walls. The high pitched sounds of clashing metals filled the palace as brotherly soldiers turned on one another without warning. Confused with the unfolding discord amongst them, many loyal soldiers unfortunately fell victim to those whom they've deemed as their trusted comrades.

"By orders of his new majesty, no one is to be left alive!" The order had originated from the mouth of a single soldier before it was passed down through echoes before undoubtably falling into the ears of Rolf.

The soldier had spoke the truth. The event that transpired in Rolf's chambers was undeniably being mimicked with all his kin. One by one, armored clad soldiers broke open the chamber doors to those who Rolf deemed as family. Their shouts and cries were silenced by a single swing of those men's swords. They left as fast as they had arrived, leaving behind a chamber of blood as they turned their attentions elsewhere.

Before long, the palace was filled with commotions of conflict as soldiers rushed to their King's defense. However, being aware of the code that the traitors had created, the loyal men of Almeria were unable to distinguish friend from foe. As a result, the "defense" had systematically turned into a grand massacre. Within minutes, the entire palace had fallen into chaos as soldiers loyal or bribed by Lyrren turned on the very king that they swore to protect. The floors and walls were painted red by blood as corpses soon piled on to the ground.

Despite the discord that now filled the royal palace, not a single whisper of what's transpiring had reached beyond its walls. Soldiers manning the palace walls simply closed their eyes to sights of armed soldiers rushing into the palace. They muted their eyes to fights commencing years from them and stood idle as if it was just a normal night of patrol.

All those bearing the Sevarian blood were targeted. The first to die were the king's eldest brother and sister, followed by their two sons and daughter. The next were Rolf's distant family, who had choose the worse of times to visit the capital. Their bloods stained the swords of the dishonored soldiers as they target the chambers of Ariana. To their surprise, they found the princess' bed to be uninhabited. Being informed of the rumors that circulated regarding the less than appropriate relations between the elder prince and princess, the soldiers turned their attention to Rolf's chambers next.

Unfortunately for King Erwin and Queen Claira, lady luck had not graced them with the same fortune. The king and queen awoke to cries of "What are you doing?!" followed by sounds of blades clashing. It ended with silence as the two stared anxiously at the door, unaware of what to expect.

As the wooden chamber door was pushed ajar, the two bodies of the king's guards fell into the room. What they witnessed next had rendered them speechless. There, standing before the entrance, was their youngest son. Clad in iron armor, the prince bore a deviant smirk on his face as he stepped over the stacked bodies before him.

"Lyrren...what in the gods name are you doing?" The king shouted in anger and distraught.

"What I should've done a long time ago, father." The prince replied back as three men entered behind them. They were guards of the palace, well armored, skilled, and capable of besting most men in combat.

"My son, why are you doing this? We're your parents!" The queen exclaimed in disbelief as her eyes begin to water behind her shocked expression.

"Don't blame me, dearest mother. Blame father and his years of favoritism towards Rolf." Lyrren exclaimed back, his hazel orbs directing back at Erwin. "Why, father? Why him? I'm the one with the better qualifications. The nobles support and listen to me. I stabilized our court and went on more diplomatic missions than I could count. All to prove myself to you. So why did you pick that dimwitted sister fucking brute?" Lyrren added, his voice clearly growing in anger and frustration.

"Do I really have to explain it to you, Lyrren? Is what you're doing now not enough support for my decision? You may have the support of the nobles, but you are not like your brother. You do not care for the people because all you desire is the throne and profits. If I give Almeria to you, then it's bound to be doomed."

Lyrren stood as he listened to his father's explanation. His words were lies. Almeria would not be doomed under his rule, it would prosper. Support of the nobles mean everything. The commonfolk exist only to work on farms and die in battle when war comes. Their wellbeing means nothing.

"So you rather hand this kingdom over to Rolf? Under his rule, Almeria will fall within years. I'm the best choice amongst us to." He exclaimed, trying one last time to persuade his father.

"You aren't acting alone are you? Did the nobles encourage you to do this?" Erwin replied, ignoring Lyrren's previous statement.

In response to his father's accusation, the prince simply smirked as he placed his hand on to the hilt of his sword.

"No one encouraged me. I've been wanting to do this for quite a while now. The nobles simply support my endeavor." He paused before continuing.

"I'll give you one last chance, father. Vacate the throne and proclaim me as the true and rightful heir. If you do that, I will allow you and mother to live the rest of your days in the palace."

In response to his son's offer, the king simply stared at Lyrren. Even in the face of death, Erwin still demonstrated the calmness and powerful presence of a king. With an unbroken gaze, he finally responded.

"You are no son of my..."

Lyrren's lips fell to a frown upon his father's response. That was for only a second as the young prince quickly restored his prideful facade with a returning grin.

"A truly honorable king you are, father. It's a shame that you were killed in an attempted usurpation by Rolf. But I promise you that I'll avenge you and mother's death." With that, Lyrren turned around as he made his way to the door.

"Make it quick." He said silently to one of the soldiers before departing.

Even down in the hall, he could still hear his mother crying out his name. The cries lasted for several more seconds before all fell quiet again. Despite having just ordered for the execution of his parents, the prince's spirit was unwavering as his steps remained steady and confident. There was no sense of guilt nor sympathy for all those who died or will die tonight. All losses are necessary if it means that he will obtain what he seeks.

With the murder of his whole money (or so he thought), Lyrren triumphantly made his way to the Throne Room. He was accompanied by legions of his men consisting of both those who swore their allegiances out of loyalty or gold. On the way, he passed by areas that had visibly been cleansed of any resistance. Crimson puddles and rivers carpeted the ground as corpses of the dead were laid to the side.

As he arrived before the Throne Room, his men opened the doors as Lyrren entered. With carefully and emotionally paced steps, Lyrren made his way on to the throne that his father had occupied for nearly three decades. The very throne that Lyrren had worked his entire life and now, through iron and blood, he now sat upon it.

----------------------------------------------------
"It's the prince! He's alive!" One voice could be heard yelling at followed by another. "Kill him!"

Rolf had been discovered by three soldiers nearly identical to those who had just assaulted them. Their swords were already drawn and fresh blood could still be seen dripping off the edges.

They eyed the elder prince intensely, their gazes filled with malice and murderous intent.

"Inform the his highness that his brother is still alive" One of the soldiers could be heard saying to another. With a nod, one of the men departed to carry out what he was told.

The remaining two, with their blades held firm, proceeded to charge against Rolf. The one to the right went for a direct frontal assault. He lifted up his sword as he went for a diagonal slash on to the side of the shoulder where Rolf was holding his blade with. The second would hope to use the diversion to flank around Rolf as he attempted a strike against Rolf's right calf muscle.

Hey, just checking up on you