“You DARE insinuate that my rule is WEAK?! I’ve ruled this land for generations! I’ve kept the peace for longer than you’ve been alive! And yet, you have the audacity to come to my hall, and insult me in such a manner?!”

A loud, booming voice echoed throughout the halls of a grand castle made entirely of stone, drowning out the pitter-patter of rain hitting the many glass windows which adorned it, as a great storm raged outside, as if it were the end of days. Yet, it was possible to pinpoint the voice to one room in particular: A throne room. It, like the rest of the structure, was built with dull, gray stone, with two sets of large, wooden doors serving as the main entrance, with other, smaller doors likely leading to other parts of the castle itself. A particularly beautiful wooden rug led up to the throne itself, where a hulking beast called a Minotaur sat, clad in simple fur clothing, made from the animals he’d hunted over the years, fur black in color, yet it was obviously beginning to gray. Two younger looking guards stood beside him, one of his left, and one on his right, with other such guards stationed at different points in the room.

“Exactly! You’ve grown old, the gray in your fur is beginning to show, father! It’s time you stepped down, and let ME become ruler, so I may continue leading the tribes to glory!” Another Minotaur said aloud, this one with similar clothing, though his fur was brown in color, and he generally appeared much younger looking, such as no gray fur, nor any sort of wrinkles, though he was shorter. That didn’t stop him from being just as intimidating. His muscles were just as capable of breaking a few bones and lifting their fair share of weight.

“Never. As long as I live, you, nor your brother, shall receive the throne, and I don’t plan on dying anytime soon.” The elderly Minotaur replied, his tone absolute, and firm. Yet, it didn’t seem to make the younger Minotaur-his son-any happier.

“...This isn’t fair... THIS ISN’T FAIR! The throne is rightfully mine! You instilled that into me the day I was born, but now you-” The young Minotaur wasn’t able to get another word in, as his father’s voice suddenly echoed throughout the halls of the castle once more, a fire in his eyes that would make most people cower in fear...

“THIS DISCUSSION IS OVER! Unless you want to be put in your place, I’d suggest you leave, right now!”

“...Fine. But I’ll be waiting for the moment you kneel over and die, clutching your heart as old age finally catches up to you. And I won’t shed any tears, I’ll just take that crown off your cold corpse, and take what is rightfully mine...” Was all his son had to say in response, as he turned around, a stoic expression on his face, and began to stomp away, such stomps nearly enough to shake the entire room, yet all it managed to do was cause a vase to fall over from a nearby table, shattering upon impacting the floor.

The Elder sighed, leaning back in his throne as his son passed the threshold of the main doors and slammed them shut behind him, only causing more vases to fall over and shatter, something that caused him to groan in annoyance. Honestly, those vases were priceless. How was he supposed to replace them?

“...Somebody clean that up.” The Elder eventually said, eliciting a nod from one of his guards, who immediately began to march off, likely to find a lowly servant to do such a job. The other guards, meanwhile, stood where they were, eyes forward, unmoving, spears held firmly in their hands, always on guard for any threats to their Elders life, who’s gaze had fallen upon them. Only the strongest of the tribes were allowed to become part of this elite force, and the training they endured was brutal. Some even died, yet it was necessary, for the job put on their shoulders was one they simply couldn’t afford to fail at. And so far? They’d far exceeded the Elders expectations, and for that, he was grateful...

“He’s trouble, you know. He’ll do anything to gain the throne.” Came a voice from just behind the Elder, who was quickly knocked out of his thoughts, as he turned around to come face to face with his own personal adviser, Hessen, a long time friend of his, and probably one of the few Minotaurs who can match him in height. He immediately gave a small smile to in greeting, before his expression became serious once again.

“Yes, I know. But he is still my son. I won’t simply throw him into prison, or have him executed because of a few, veiled threats.” The Elder replied, groaning as he rubbed the bridge of his nose with his fingers. “Unless he does something extremely stupid, he’ll remain free.”

“...Be that as it may, I do advise you watch your back, old friend. I’d hate to one day find you’ve kicked the bucket.” Hessen replied, before sighing, his expression becoming solemn. It was true, he cared quite a bit about his long time friend. They’d known each other for so long, it’d be like losing his own sibling, at this point. “At the very least, go get some rest. I can tell already you’re exhausted.”

“...I suppose that’d be best. Do not fret, though. I won’t be going anywhere, anytime soon.” The Elder replied in a weary voice, placing a hand on Hessen’s shoulder, and giving it a firm squeeze. “Consider that a promise.”

“I... Yes. Apologies, I do tend to worry a lot.” Hessen rubbed the back of his neck as he replied, giving a sheepish smile, which the Elder simply returned with a smile of his own, letting go of his shoulder and taking a few steps back.

"It's quite alright. Now, I suppose I'll be off. Don't forget to get some rest yourself, you look like you just crawled out of Tartarus." The Elder jested, giving a hearty laugh as he turned to the left, and began to walk toward a door that led further into his castle, and thus, to his bedroom. Hessen simply shook his head, chuckling as he headed in the opposite direction, towards a door which led into the courtyard. Yes, he could go onto bed, but right now? He needed to think, clear his head and the like. He'd been more than a bit stressed lately, as he usually was, considering the job he had. Yet, he couldn't get the idea that something... Terrible, was about to transpire. Only time would tell if this idea would be to fruition... Or not...

The Elder stumbled down the hall, exhaustion already beginning to take hold in only a matter of a few minutes or so. He could only theorize the fight from earlier got enough adrenaline pumping through him to keep him awake. But that was just a theory. Either way, he couldn't wait to climb into his warm, soft bed. Such a thought motivated him to press on, and not simply pass out in the middle of the hallway.

After some time, he made it to his room, gently opening the door to it as to not wake up anyone else in the castle. The centerpiece of the room was, of course, his bed, sheets a shiny green in color, made from only the finest silk, imported from the Eastern Coast of Equestria. On each side of the bed were dark, wooden nightstands made from oak, with a candle on each one, along with a few miscellaneous items, such as books, and the like. Some bookshelves lined the walls, with one wall being home to a particularly large window, allowing moonlight to shine brightly into the room... Brightly enough to allow him to see someone, crouched in the corner of the room, wearing a black cloak. He couldn't see their face, though, so he couldn't identify who, or what they exactly were.

"Wha-" The Elder couldn't get even word out, before he felt something immediately poke him in the neck. His vision quickly began to blur, as he fell down onto one knee, an overwhelming sense of dread, and nausea taking quick hold of him. A poison dart... How did he not see the blowpipe in the intruders hand? It didn't matter. His breathing was already beginning to slow, his heartbeat slowing down, just like it felt time itself was doing. He could hear the intruder saying... Something, but it sounded like he was underwater, suffocating, it was torture... He couldn't support himself anymore, he was forced to fall onto his back as every muscle in his body relaxed, weakened...

The last thing he saw, before death finally claimed him, was the blurred outline of the intruder, looking down at him, their features revealed to him just enough to see the cruel smile that adorned their face...

Author's Note

And that's the first chapter of this fic! Hope you all enjoyed it, though, being honest, I know for a fact I'm not a good writer. I'm a beginner and have a lot to learn. So! That's why I want you to criticize this to your hearts content. I welcome any and all constructive criticism, as it'll help me improve in the long run, as long as it's not mean spirited, of course.

Peace out y'all. Captain Jinx, singing off for now.