The Earth After Rebirth

Ammon's heart slightly skipped a beat. Not because he was scared of the hound within the hall, but because of what was possibly coming. King Azazel didn't scare him, he may have been the face ruling the people, but he subtly pulled the strings from behind.

It was easier to manipulate someone who had grown up in the shadow of his brother. Though he was the first born, he had no chance to catch up to his late brother, Cerberus.

Cerberus had a very kind heart but he also excelled at everything he did. Be it gaining a following within the kingdom, or fighting. He'd always been number 1. He was charismatic, even when he his brother showed him animosity, he never stopped loving his only brother.

Azazel being the older brother, that birthed an envy engulfed in hatred within him that he couldn't hide or wipe away. He outwardly hated his younger brother, but because he couldn't beat him in a one on one he didn't even try to get things to escalate on a physical level.

Until Ammon came into his life. Ammon had always been an ambitious old hound, he could tell from the go that he and Cerberus wouldn't get along. He wouldn't have agreed with the way the kingdom was currently run, so he went and used Azazel's insecurities to drive the wedge against his brother that was already paper thin.

To the point of murder. Committing the highest form of treason known in the Underworld. He lead him think everything was his plan, he continued to. The other elders were meek, if they saw anything, they pretended they didn't.

The current king didn't frighten Ammon, to him he was just a pup with insecurities and possibly guilt ridden that his brother died by his hand.

Ammon's end goal has always been the throne, to pass it off to his own bloodline. So the re-appearance of the rightful heir could ruin his plans, he had worked so hard on for hundreds of years.

A smile formed on his face, as he realised he could use this situation. Let Cerberus' offspring take revenge, taking out the only obstacle was in his way to ascend the throne. Surely, nobody would question it if both hounds died in battle.

"Go to the city of Halo, and attempt an assassination on the hound that has graced our presents. I'll escalate their plans for them." A devilish smile appeared on his face,

"It's most likely an imposter though. I don't know who would dare impersonate royalty." He said to himself before opening the doors of the King's hall.

As if a shadow of his detached itself from him something dark jumped out of the ground, it was fast as it heeded the command given by its master.

He entered the dimly lit hall, it was cold and lonely but that's how the King liked it. He hadn't even taken a queen, he didn't have an offspring, which made things easier on Ammon's side.

"I feel restless, what's going on within my kingdom?" Azazel said, walking down a flight of white stairs.

"Your highness, nothing but the rebel army I've sent some hounds to ensure order is restored." He said sharply.

Azazel wasn't in the greatest of moods. It was as if he could feel that his nephew was home and he was coming for him, to make him pay for his sins.

He lunged for Ammon, landing his very large paw on his head. The target didn't blink or flinch. That's how important he felt he was in this Kingdom, without him, he was sure it would fall.

"Have I loaned you too much freedom? Why don't you greet your King properly, Ammon? It doesn't even seem like you're afraid of me." He growled in a murderous rage, looking at the enigma that was his subject.

He could tell that, this wasn't about some greeting. He hadn't bowed to him for years now, he could feel it in his bones. He could feel that, maybe, his time has come and he would die by his nephew's hand. That would make anyone grumpy and restless.

Though, as old as Ammon was, he couldn't quite forcibly make him bow to him. Ammon looked him straight in the eye, as if to mock him for how helpless he must've been feeling, but that happened for a split of a second. Even then, Azazel noticed the defiant look.

He hastened to bow down to his King, his maw touching the stone floor. He never quite liked the room, the temperature was too low for his liking, the Underground was almost always hot. A place where fire rained, so naturally, it's habitants would prefer heat over the cold.

"I'm sorry your highness, I've grown old and sinile. Forgive me, my lord. You can have this subject's head if you deem me worthy." He said in the most sincere voice.

He knew he wouldn't really behead him. He was just being his old self, enforcing his authority making sure he was still the King at the top.

"You have, and I don't like it. If you do that again I'll really have your head." He let go of his head and turned around to go stand by the wind.

Looking at the view, the grey clouds were covering up the sun. Which was a belief in the Underworld that, something big was to happen, an inevitable change was upon them. It was an omen. The sky was just like this when he fought his brother the second time.

"Ammon, give me the full report. I'm not the idiot you think I am."

Ammon quit playing dumb. He knew he'd been caught in a lie, it was useless to keep on the act. As much as he knew he was valued, he also knew how cruel their King can get and he was sure, that, right now, he couldn't take him in a fight.

So he spilled the beans. He told him almost everything he knew. But also told him he had already sent an assassin.

"Who ordered you to make such big decisions?"

"Your highness, I thought..."

"If you were thinking at all, you wouldn't have moved on your own. After the crisis has been averted, you'll no longer work so closely with me. You need to be reminded Ammon, you'll never be King."

These words didn't have the effect the King thought they would. He was sure he'd throw a fit, but he simply bowed and waited for him to dismiss him.

"You're dismissed." He said with a disgusted look on his face.

Ammon no longer looked him in the eye, he walked backwards to the door, still bowing.

"Oh and Ammon, prepare the army, we're attacking first."

"Yes, your highness."

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