The warmer months passed and Northern icy pathways reformed, making way for a period of celebration despite harsh cold winds as Mondstille neared, the perfect time for a family reunion.  It had been a long time since Emperor Karl Franz last saw his family. Prior to the sacking of Altdorf by the orc Grimgor Ironhide, Karl sent his family away to the country to avoid the slaughter. At the time he thought it was a mere precaution, he never considered that he wouldn’t see them again for the next 3 years. Nevertheless the Changer of Fates cast its hand and Karl was forced to play its game. Whether it was fighting the Orcish Warboss, being carried away on Quicksilver with his amputated legs missing or fending off the advances of the Debauched God themselves, Karl knew he would never have come this far without his faith. Faith in Sigmar, faith in the Empire, faith that he would see his family again. Thus Karl approached Schloss Schliestein, one of his family’s ancestral homes built on the banks of the Weissbruck Canal connecting the Rivers Reik and Bogen, with a glimmer in his eye and an eager sense of anticipation.

“Father! Father!” his children Luitpold and Alia cried as they came running straight into his arms.

“My goodness Alia, haven’t you grown? You will be of age soon. And Luitpold is that a sword I see?”

“Viscount Leos has been teaching him fencing.” Maria-Luise, Karl’s lover and mother to his children, interjected as she entered the hallway. 

“Leos Von Liebwitz? A fine swordsman indeed. You’ll be slaying dragons in no time.” Karl jested before then turning and embracing his lover in a hug, receiving a peck on the cheek from her as he faintly whispered “I’ve missed you so much.” into her ear.

“Ahem.” 

Karl broke off his embrace as he saw his nephew and crown prince Wolfgang Holswig-Abenaur and Wolfgang’s sister Baroness Isabel approach. They informed Karl their mother couldn’t be here as she was away running errands with the household ogre Megg Roth but they chose to come here to help with dinner preparations nonetheless as Karl welcomed them in turn. The whole family huddled around Karl in exuberance for a moment before the Emperor had a thought. “Where’s Friedrich?”

“He’s upstairs… he can’t handle this much commotion all at once.”

“Nonsense.” Karl replied to Maria as he broke free from the embrace and took to the stairs, eager to see his other son.

“Isabel, Wolfgang, look after the kids for me.” Maria commanded as she undid her apron and ran after her partner.

In the meantime Karl had ascended the stairs and made his way across the bedrooms, moving along until he found the right one. He knocked on the door and entered.

“Friedrich?” Karl called.

A faint grunt replied as Karl crossed the room toward an armchair facing the window. As he moved around it, his son came into view. Friedrich sat in an armchair with a vacant expression, his lips barely parting as he tried to speak, his clubfeet knocking against the seat of his footrest as his small left hand containing only two fully formed fingers and a strip of five stubs reached out. “Fa-fuh.” 

“That’s right, it’s me, your father.” Karl smiled, pressing the shrivelled-hand against his palm before embracing the boy in a hug. Karl then pulled back, removing a minuscule dagger from his person and placing it on his son’s lap. “I brought a present for you. A gift from Uncle Balthasar, it has these loops for your fingers you see… so you can grasp it without straining. I’ve missed you so dearly.” Karl lamented as he placed a kiss on his son’s forehead.

Maria interrupted, entering the room and loudly shutting the door behind her as she looked toward the Emperor and his deformed son.

“Why wasn’t he downstairs?” Karl repeated.

“I tried to tell you, such pressure would be too great for him.”

“Don’t be absurd. He’s a Prince of the Reikland, not by title perhaps but by blood and seed, why should he concern himself with others’ gaze? You must stop always treating him like there’s something wrong with him. He should be out there learning to fence like other boys his age, like Luitpold.”

“But he’s not like Luitpold, Karl. You cannot bend and shape him into the son you want, he isn’t like you.”

“I never said he had to be. I only wish to afford him the chances any good father would offer. If we treat him as a cripple the world will never know him as anything more than a cripple.”

“Don’t worry, Karl. He’s my responsibility and I will raise him my way.”

“You speak as if I don’t love him just as much as you do. He’s my son too, you best remember that.” 

“If he is so much like you, does that mean I can expect him to abandon his family too, then?”

“What do you mean by this?” Karl turned his nose up.

“What do you think it means? You left us Karl. I didn’t know if I would ever see you again.”

“Oh Maria.” Karl sighed as he approached her for another hug only this time she rejected his advances. “I thought you died.”

“Did nobody tell you about my mission with Balthasar?”

“And I was supposed to believe that some mad fairytale about an alchemist taking you to the mountains to get your legs back was not just a cover story for your death was I? Every week I ventured into Court asking for news on your whereabouts and each time their responses drew shorter. I… I feared every day that your death could be announced and my children would have to live with the fact their father died having never said goodbye.” Maria cried.

“I lived, Maria. It is everyone else who died. Altdorf burned and it was under my direction… that is why I had to go. Legs be damned, I had to prove to myself that I could still be Emperor… just as you need to let Friedrich prove himself too. I have a lot to answer for that much is true but I will never have it said that I do not love my family.” Karl countered.

“Really? If you had died, what would that mean for all of us? We aren’t married. Wolfgang’s your heir, if he became Emperor, what would that mean for our children?”

“I would trust in the fact you raised them right and that they could fend for themselves.”

“Alia and Luitpold perhaps but let’s not act as fools. Despite your posturing, you know as well as I that the Church suspects the malformed among its hatred of mutants. Can you really promise me that if he were not your son, a Witch Hunter would not come to my door bearing accusations?”

Karl sighed and looked over toward his ailing son before turning back to his children’s mother with a sullen look. “You’re… you’re right. You are always right. I’m sorry, I didn’t think-“ 

“No, you didn’t. You had to play the hero by fighting that Orc, didn’t you? Did you even think about us once!?” Maria chastised.

“You didn’t seem this angry downstairs.”

“I’m not angry, I’m frightened. You were gone all that time, no indication of when or if you would ever return…“ 

“And your fear justifies shouting in front of our son does it? Or do you think he is less deserving of discretion than the others?” Karl admonished. “And to answer your question, yes I did think about you often and yes I am sorry for leaving but it doesn’t change the fact I have always loved you all.”

“Really?”

“Of course.” Karl Franz confirmed.

“Then why did you bed that strumpet!?” Maria cried.

Karl looked at his lover in bewilderment.

“That petite swine in Wissenland. Do you deny it?”

“Emmanuelle?” Karl shrugged, passing a breath ranging somewhere between a gasp and a chuckle. “You think we-“

“Why else would you go there before your own family?”

“Now listen. There was business of state to attend to and the Countess is a friend. A dear friend who helped keep the Empire whole in a time when I could not.”

“A friend?” Maria laughed as a tear rolled down her cheek. “She wasn’t always just a friend though, was she?”

“Maria, why must you indulge such ag-ed gossip? I was a young man then. There were countless… oh nevermind. Suffice it to say, those dalliances are long in the past.” Karl dismissed.

“Are they really? Or needst I remind you that on the night of Luitpold’s conception it wasn’t my name you cried?”

“How many more times must I apologise for that?”

“At least a hundred more.” she claimed.

“Then it is a hundred you will receive but before then I offer a greater plea. A promise because I have never stopped loving you and I never will. I promise you today by all laws of state and before the gods themselves that one day when the Empire is safe and the screams of the suffering and dying no longer haunt my waking moments, I promise to finally take you as my Empress. You will be loved, you will be cherished and our children will be endowed with the recognition and protection deserving of their birthrights.” Karl swore.

“That’s not enough. If you really love us, I need a more tangible vow than promise for a brighter future. Mondstille falls, Karl, it has been so long since daylight last lingered past lunch. How am I to believe such a bright and hopeful day as you describe will ever come?”

“So what would you suggest?”

“Swear before the Gods that you will never abandon your family again.”

“Alright.” Karl hushed, dropping to a knee and taking his lover’s hand. “I Karl Franz, Prince of the Reikland and Emperor of Men, promise to never abandon you or the children ever again lest I suffer a toll worse than death itself before the gods… Now let us fret no more of this. This was supposed to be a time of celebration. For the sake of the children, let us honour their youth while they still hold it. I say bring on the feast!” 

Maria smiled for a moment, brushing her hair back as she gazed into her lover’s deep blue eyes before turning back to her son. “There’s still Friedrich to consider. He cannot walk down there.”

“Not to fear. If the prince will not come to dine, dinner will come to him!”

_____________________________

An hour later the family were all sat at the dining table eating together, having transported the table and chairs upstairs to Friedrich’s room with help from the servants as well as Wolfgang chipping in. The meal was going well, everyone cheerily laughing and celebrating the Emperor’s return while Maria kept her fears to herself for the children’s sake. However, this couldn’t last as a surprise guest was soon to arrive.

A soldier came running up the stairs, one of the guards tasked with protecting the manor’s perimeter, and hurriedly asked the Emperor to follow him outside. Karl told everyone else to stay there at the table while he vacated the premises. Karl followed the guard and emerged outside whereupon their unannounced guests materialised. A trio of Norscan longboats were sailing up the Canal, clearly on their way to the Manor.

 Karl ran back inside to warn his family as down by the bank, the three longships made landfall, allowing at least a hundred Norscan huscarls to throw themselves off their vessels and run straight toward the waiting contingent of Reiksguards. However, one Norscan stood apart from all the others. A large brute clad in emerald green plate armour, wielding a pair of battle axes and with piercing red eyes emanating through his helmet’s sockets strode past the warriors, heading straight toward the manor. As he approached the house, a mounted Reiksguard charged toward the verdant champion, darting forward with his lance ready only for the emerald figure to begin charging in return, picking up pace as he ran headlong toward the knight’s horse and produced a horizontal swing of his axes, building up such momentum that the blow knocked the horse off its balance and turned the horse’s speed against itself, thereby forcing its rider to topple over. Before the reiksguard could even respond to his sudden dismounting, the Chaos Lord leapt over, grabbed him by the chainmail across his throat and choked him to death inside his armour. Seeing that the other Reiksguards were busy fighting the numerous Norscan Huscarls, the champion barged on past and headed straight for the manor.

“WHERE IS THE EMPEROR?”

__________________________________

Meanwhile, a couple of minutes earlier when Karl ran back inside.

“What’s happening?” Maria asked as Karl re-entered the home. 

“We’re under attack. Norscans.” 

“Here? How is that even possible? Surely, the Knights Griffon should have spotted their advance?” Wolfgang chided.

“Yes probably, but they’re on patrol in Ostland… it’s a long story.” Karl responded.

“Great! So we’re under attack and we have what? 15 maybe 20 guards out there to protect us? When were you going to tell us this?”

“I wasn’t.. . I didn’t wish to alarm you… but we can survive this if we act fast.” Karl interrupted. “Alright, Isabel I need you to take the side exit and run to the village. Tell them to alert the state guard. Maria and Wolfgang, I need you two to take Alia, Luitpold and Friedrich down to the basement and-… Isabel, what are you still doing here? Move!” Isabel turned and ran for the exit, fleeing through the side entrance and narrowly avoiding the Chaos Lord’s gaze by timing her escape when he was busy suffocating the Reiksguard knight outside. “Right as I was saying, Maria and Wolfgang, I need you both to take the kids to the basement. There you’ll await my signal that…wait, where’s Friedrich?” Karl asked as everyone remaining looked around themselves. The disabled third child was nowhere to be seen. Suddenly, Maria sighed and planted her hand on her forebrow. “He has crawled off after that toy.”

Karl gestured for her to go on.

“An exercise his chirurgeon told me to use with him. Whenever he’s scared or nervous, I bring him that toy to calm him. We hoped it would help him with others. Kids, do either of you know where your brother played with it last?” Both Alia and Luitpold shook their heads.

“Right, Wolfgang, I need you to go find your cousin. I’ll head to the trophy room to gather arms.”

“Wait, why can’t it be you who finds your son?” Maria interjected.

“Because I’m no use to him if I can’t defend him and only I have received training to carry a zweihander.” Karl responded, trying and failing to remain calm as he did so.

“A what?”

“Grandfather Mattheus’ hunting sword, our best chance of fending off whoever enters that door.”

“Why can’t you just use Ghal Maraz?” she responded.

“I gave it away.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“Long story. No time. Let’s move!” Karl suddenly shouted, clearly annoyed by having to answer so many questions with the knowledge his house would soon be under siege.

Maria scowled matter of factly as she turned and gathered her two younger children.

“Wait.” Karl claimed as he ran back over to her. “I’m sorry for shouting. You don’t deserve that but please, just stay safe.”

“Safe? There are killers at our children’s door, Karl.”

“You’re right. I’ve made many mistakes but believe me when I say this. None of our family die tonight. I swear it. Now please, protect Alia and Luitpold.”

Everyone ran off from their positions in the building’s central foyer. Maria took the two youngest children down to the basement. Wolfgang went searching for Friedrich and Karl headed off to the hunting room. All in the nick of time as the front door came crashing down and the Chaos Lord entered, slamming through its infrastructure. Slambo took in the manor’s hallway. He could hear rustling in every direction. He turned back to his minions fighting the Reiksguard and commanded the Huscarls to “CREATE A PERIMETER. NOBODY LEAVES OR ENTERS BUT ME!”

Slambo made his way through the manor, heading toward the central staircase and slowly ascending before a chandelier suddenly fell from its perch and landed on him. A man-servant from the household staff emerged brandishing an iron poker designed to tend the fireplaces. He began slashing at the Chaos Lord’s knocked over armoured body before Slambo suddenly wailed in anger, jumped up, grabbed the servant and threw him against a wall, shouting “ARE YOU THE EMPEROR?”  

“N-no sir, I am a por-ter.” the servant continued before receiving a sharp blow to his windpipe. Slambo continued patrolling through the manor, killing off several more foolish serfs on the way as his hunt ensued. With every step of his greaves the floorboards buckled and creaked beneath him. The Emperor would not evade him for long. 

Slambo circumvented the fallen chandelier and ascended the staircase, heading toward the master bedroom until he heard a whimper coming from the nearby library. He turned and headed down the adjoining landing before walking down a long hallway into the library. 

On the floor behind a desk sat Friedrich, rocking back and forth as he nervously cuddled a soft gryphon toy. Archaon placed his axes on the desk and reached down, picking the disabled boy up between his armoured gauntlets and raising him up until the boy’s eyeline matched the champion’s own.

“Do not fear me, little one. I will not be the instrument of your doom.” Archaon whispered before placing the child on top of the desk, picking up his axes and hiding behind the door as he heard approaching footsteps.

“Friedrich? Pssst- Friedrich?” Wolfgang was whispering. “Oh there you are… But… how did you get up here?” the heir wondered as he entered the study and thumbed the desk.

The door slammed behind him as Slambo raised his axes. “ARE YOU THE EMPEROR?” he roared.

“Yes… maybe… depends who’s asking… can’t you tell?”

“THE FASHIONS OF THIS NATION HAVE TRANSFORMED SINCE I LAST LAID FOOT IN THESE LANDS. IN MY DAY ANY ONE OF THE MEN COULD HAVE BEEN EMPEROR. ARE YOU THE EMPEROR?!” 

“So you have been here before… and a while ago at that. What brings you back, Norscan?” Wolfgang asked.

“I SEEK THE EMPEROR!”

“But what for?”

“ARE YOU THE EMPEROR?!!!” Archaon repeated, even louder than before.

“I’m not going to answer that until you tell me why you are after the emperor in the first place.” Wolfgang bargained.

Archaon lowered his axes and calmed down, considering his response for a moment before speaking in a normal tone. “There is not one atom of your Empire that still resembles mine. This world breeds the tyrant from whence only the snakes that dare gnaw at his heart may delight in his woe.” 

Wolfgang smirked in response. “Your cryptic sophistry begets the weight of years Chaos Warrior. Yet your armour bears little weathering or battle damage. Now, I would hazard a suggestion at two informed explanations. First, you are not as grave a threat as you first appear or second, that isn’t your armour.” Wolfgang pondered.

“I CARRY IT NOW!”

“But for how long have you, I wonder? That accent… oh I can tell you attempt to conceal it through all that bluster and shouting but just there in the subtleties of your inflections, I still detect anachronisms. You are of this nation. You slur your vowels with the disdain of one of the lesser counties. Am I right? Hoch, Nordish or Talabec I presume. Regardless, what matters is that you are no true Slave to Darkness.” 

“I AM EMPOWERED ENOUGH TO COMPLETE MY PURPOSE!” Archaon angrily commanded as he raised an axe in defiance.

“And what purpose is that?”

“TO DEFEAT THE EMPEROR. TO CLAIM WHAT HE HOLDS!” 

“And what does my uncle hold?”

Wolfgang’s visage dropped as Slambo raised his second axe-wielding arm, clearly the Champion noticed his slip-up. “Damn. … Alright listen, we can negotiate.”

“YOU ARE NOT THE EMPEROR!” Archaon bellowed at the top of his lungs as he went to strike Wolfgang’s head. 

“NO. I AM!!”

Archaon ceased his swing only inches from the Imperial heir as his eyes veered off toward the hallway leading to this study. There stood Karl Franz wielding his ancestor’s greatsword, ready to defend his family.

“YOU ARE THE EMPEROR.”

“YES.”

“AT LAST!” Archaon yelled as he charged headlong toward Karl. 

….

(Prelude to Wow and Laugh react)

“Boys, stand back!” Karl cried as he charged toward the Chaos Lord thrusting his grandfather’s greatsword in all manner of violent direction, entering and circling to get between his family and his foe. Archaon relented, hacking away with his axes only for one misplaced step to result in a quick slash to the back of Archaon’s calf, evading the armoured plate and cutting through the leather beneath. 

Archaon took no heed from this, emerging into a barbaric frenzy as he hurled one axe at the Emperor, narrowly missing Karl’s head and going flying through the study’s window. With one weapon down, Karl pressed his advantage, bringing his blade into an overhanging low sweep as he swung the Chaos Lord’s remaining weapon out of his hand by targeting his wrists. As Wolfgang and Friedrich made their way out of the study entirely, Karl used his blade to back Archaon toward the study window until finally, Slambo’s back was pressed right against its cracked glass furnishings. 

“This is the fate that will befall all who threaten my family.” Karl decreed as he proceeded to kick Archaon out the window, sending him hurtling down to the surface outside.

…

◙ Wow React: Karl descended down the manor’s stairs and headed outside whereupon he found the grievously wounded Chaos Lord lying on his back in the grass. Karl decided to put the invader out of his misery once and for all, bringing his sword down and killing Archaon for the second time.

…

◙ Laugh React: By the time Karl arrived downstairs to finish Slambo off, the Chaos Lord had vanished from sight having fled, leaving all his Norscans behind as they continued to fight with the Reiksguard. Karl headed off to join the guards in purging the invaders from his homestead.

….

….

….

◙ Angry React: The Emperor raised his sword and leapt into combat, parrying the tip of his blade against the first of Archaon’s strikes, before quickly following up with a second parry using the lower end of the blade to stop the second one. From there Karl pressed the advantage, going into his own strike as the greatsword clashed against the binding of Slambo’s greaves. The Chaos Lord went in for another attack, charging forward only for Karl to counter his advances, using the long reach of the blade and the narrow edges of the corridor to seal Archaon’s movements.

Thus, Archaon attempted a new strategy, Archaon hurled both his axes toward the Emperor which were thusly deflected and lodged into the floorboards around Karl. However, from there Archaon used his immense weight to his own advantage as he chucked himself onto the Emperor. The resultant force and weight of Slambo’s impact alongside the damage already caused by the axes made the floorboards around the two to buckle and break, sending both combatants falling downstairs onto the level beneath them.

As they fell, Archaon perched himself on top of Karl’s chest, delivering a punch to the Emperor’s face before the back of Karl’s head slammed against the floor below. The resultant concussion dazed the Emperor as Archaon kicked grandfather Matthias’ zweihander aside and walked off to retrieve his fallen axes from the broken bits of debris.

Moments later Wolfgang came running down the central staircase into the hall having jumped across the gap in the ceiling. He ran over to his uncle, proceeding to slap Karl’s face to try to restore him to full awareness. Karl’s concentration slowly returned, his eyes gaining clarity as he stared up toward his heir, cradling his uncle’s head. The Emperor smiled absently toward Wolfgang for a moment through his daze when suddenly, a burst of blood erupted and covered Karl’s face as Slambo beheaded Wofgang right before him. 

The dazed Emperor wailed in shock as Archaon picked him up, slung Karl over his shoulder and proceeded to carry him out of the manor. By the time the rest of the family left their hiding places to check what was happening, Karl was long gone, taken aboard Archaon’s longboat as prisoner, leaving the dead body of the Empire’s heir behind.     

….

….

….

(Prelude to Sad and Love React)

The duel between the Emperor and the fallen Everchosen went back and forth for some time until finally, the sheer supernatural strength and protective armour afforded to Slambo allowed him to persevere over Karl’s stalwart willpower to protect his family, resulting in Archaon disarming the Emperor and shoving him against a bedroom wall. 

“GIVE ME WHAT YOU OWN!”

“Give what?” Karl answered through strained breath. 

“GIVE IT!” Archaon demanded as he bashed Karl’s head with the pommel of his left axe.

“He doesn’t know what you mean!” Wolfgang countered.

“GHAL MARAZ! WHERE IS THE WARHAMMER?!” Slambo demanded.

“He doesn’t have it!”

“IT IS THE EMPEROR’S WEAPON!!!” 

“If it was his, why would he have fought you with a greatsword instead?” Wolfgang countered.

Slambo slowed for a moment, clearly facing doubts. “WHERE IS THE WARHAMMER?”

“Gone. Given to an adventurer. Please, have mercy on my uncle. He bears you no quarrell.” 

Archaon turned his eyes back toward the injured Karl, wondering if he should withdraw. “NO! IF I CANNOT BRING BACK THE EMPEROR’S HAMMER, I WILL TAKE THE EMPEROR’S HEAD!!!” 

Archaon raised his right axe, ready to cleave Karl’s forehead in two when Maria came sprinting into the run, rushing past him and standing between Archaon and his injured prey. “What is your name, sir?”

Archaon hesitated in sheer bewilderment for a moment, impressed by Maria’s brazen audacity.

“Or sirs?” Maria asked. “Is there just one man inside that armour or are you a combination of forms?” she wondered.

“I AM BEYOND MORTAL COMPREHENSION!”

“Yet I know you still harbour a soul.”

Slambo chuckled in a semi-exasperated, semi-daemonic tone. “What makes you think that, woman?” 

“You just let my son live.” she replied.

Slambo froze in place, releasing his grip on Karl’s throat and allowing the wounded Emperor to fall to the ground as the gaze of his helm’s eye slits pierced the would-be Empress’ being but she only continued to speak. 

“Do you… did you have a family?”

Archaon went silent, nodding his head up and down in seemingly only the second gesture he’d made today that didn’t involve screaming.

“You see? You weren’t destined for murder. Someone or something hurt you… but you could love once and I suspect you felt love in return. Please don’t kill Karl. We cannot survive without him.” Maria begged. “Please don’t repeat whatever horrid cycle you went through.” 

Slambo dropped both his axes, planting their heads deep into the oaken floorboards beneath them before running the tips of his gauntlets up her arms and lunging forward into a hug. The move startled Maria but she didn’t protest, for it was better than seeing the man she loved being throttled. Once Archaon’s faceplate was pressed firmly against the left side of her head, he whispered into her ear. 

“My name was Diederick Kastner. I did let your son live…” the hug tightened “but I only did so because he is a foetid, fatigued and feckless cripple meant for an early grave. WHY BOTHER TAKING HIS HEAD WHEN GRANDFATHER’S CROWS WILL SOON FEAST UPON IT FOR ME?!” Archaon began yelling in her ear. She attempted to push him away but his grip only tightened still. “And you were right. I did have a family… I MURDERED MY MOTHER ONCE I LEARNED OF HER PERVERSION!” 

Archaon grabbed her by the hair and pulled her onto the tips of her toes. “BY THE GRACE OF THE TRUE GODS I HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED! I HAVE EVOLVED! I HAVE ASCENDED BEYOND MORTAL RECKONING! ALL WILL LEARN TO FEAR MY POWER AND DESPAIR!”

Suddenly, Karl stood back up and ran toward Archaon with whatever little energy he could still muster, crying “Get away from my family!” as he wrapped his arms around the emerald warrior’s waist and tackled him to the ground, freeing Maria of Archaon’s hold.

Slambo was quick to respond, throwing Karl off of him but inadvertently allowing Karl to regain a position of advantage as Wolfgang passed the greatsword back to him. 

“Don’t let him claim his axes!” Karl commanded the others before charging toward Slambo, slashing at the Lord of Chaos’ armoured chestplate with his greatsword. The Emperor pressed his attack, slashing hither and there at Archaon’s lower and central body with such speed and ferocity that the Chaos Lord could not help but lose his bearings as he fell back.

This was further reinforced when Maria ran behind Archaon, pulled out the desk’s chair and suddenly thrust it against the back of Archaon’s legs, causing the Chaos Lord to topple over, trip and fall over the chair onto his back on the floor. Thus the Chaos Lord found himself in a spin, pinned to the ground as the Emperor continued to wail on him with this greatsword while Wolfgang and Maria hurled all manner of furniture and hard objects at him. Soon the children came up from downstairs to check on the commotion and so, Luitpold began poking the chaos lord’s armour with his fencing blade while Maria stuck sewing needles through the smallest gaps in his armour and Friedrich slapped Archaon’s greaves with his soft toy in his hands. The last three did little to no damage to Archaon of course but it was the point that mattered. Karl Franz would defend his family and in turn, they would give their all to protect him. Eventually, Isabel returned from the village with armed state troopers in tow, ready to arrest the now unconscious Chaos Lord and send him to the prison vaults beneath the College of Hysh’s white pyramid for interrogation. The Holswig-Schliesteins were victorious!

With evil vanquished the Emperor turned back to his family, embracing all his children in a moment of tenderness as Maria and Isabel looked on relieved. However, just as all finally seemed to be at ease a commotion was heard coming from the entrance as a squire came barging past the guards crying “Message for the Emperor!”

Karl held on to his children, cherishing this moment as the sound of the messenger’s boots neared until finally, they were in the same room together.

“Your Majesties, I carry a message for the Emperor.”

“Not now, squire.” Karl declared.

“But your grace-“

“Good heavens man can’t you see I am sharing a moment with my family?” Karl angrily spat as Luitpold looked toward his mother and asked if his father was leaving again. Maria looked back at Karl aghast but he reassured the kids that he wouldn’t go anywhere.

“My liege I really must speak to you.”

“Quiet knave or you will lose your tongue.”

“But my liege-“

“Oh by Ulric’s beard, what is it?”

“Marius Leitdorf is missing and believed to be dead.”

…..

◙ Sad React: A pin dropped as Karl released his children’s grasp and began to step away from them.

“Where are you going, father?” Alia cried as Friedrich held on to Karl’s left boot and was dragged along the floor a whole pace before letting go.

“You promised you wouldn’t leave them.” Maria intervened.

Karl looked back for a moment, looking toward all his children before fixing his attention back to his lover’s gaze. 

“I’m sorry but the Nation calls.”

Karl departed his home for the last time, unsure when he would see his family again. 

….

◙ Love React: Karl’s brow tensed in pain as he thought for a moment about what he should do.

Sensing his father’s distress, Alia spoke up. “You are leaving aren’t you?”

“We understand if you do.” Luitpold added.

“You’re right children, I made a promise I wouldn’t leave again but these are trying times. I must go… and so shall all of you.” Karl decided.

“To Wissenland?” Maria interjected.

“Squire, take a message ahead to Countess von Liebwitz in Nuln. Tell her an Elector Count is dead. Tell her the nation calls for leadership and that House Holswig-Schliestein will be there to answer that call!” 

__________