“Lies, Lies, Lies!” The Ruler screams.

“Why am I surrounded by so many lies…..”

“I don’t know my lord.” His adviser states.

The Ruler laughs, a high cold sound, “Even mine own adviser lies to me. I think it was high time I changed that….”

Introductions are in order I presume. I am Xavier. At least that’s my real name. To many I’m known as Myth. Or most commonly, Protector. I am a killer; for good reason. Honor binds me. In my line of work, honesty is a key thing, not getting caught is crucial.

Some. Time. Later.

I prowl the roofs of the buildings of my vast kingdom. No one comes out anymore. They are too afraid that the Liewards will catch them. But even if they lie it’ll still affect them. Doesn’t matter what I do. I’m on my last one. I was a child then, foolish enough to do it twice. So I learned. In more ways than one. I leap roof by roof, feeling the thick smoky air of the night sky. Trying to reach the room where my enemy lies.

Don’t fail now

That’s what happened to your predecessor

And it’s dark in the cellar…

A voice calls in my brain. I have many voices in my mind. They all talk to me. But I know that it gets worse if I respond. Some sort of illness about me.

“I don’t care about the city’s population, move the plan forward!” I can hear a man scream. I jump to a window and to my delight it’s the man I’ve been waiting for.

I run in and roam the halls, thinking about the way to end his tyranny. Footsteps echo from around the corner. Is it him? No, it’s his closest adviser.

My hands are trembling as I step forward, my heart beating far faster than my thoughts ever could. I force a smile, keeping the truth I so badly want to scream down below.

“I’ve brought a message for the Ruler, it’s about his navy battalion.” I whisper instead, my voice laced with desperation. It’s partially the truth, I just need to make him believe that.

“Why did you instead of Captain Lara?” He asks.

I swallow, “Captain Lara is dead.”

Shock flickers on his face but suspicion quickly replaces it. He stalked closer, studying me. Within reach now, he pulls out a dagger that I had not previously seen, pressing it to my ribs.

“Tell me something only she would know.” He grunts.

I rack my mind for anything that would help. I spout off an old joke she used to say while in the navy, hoping it would stall him long enough. But his eyes only narrowed more.

“That….”joke” was in Lara’s journal. Which she gave to me last winter in case anything happened to her.” A drip of sweat runs down my temple as he presses more. I try to think of another memory. His dagger grazes my skin and blood blooms as he snarls, “I think you’re lying.” Panic jolts through me as a servant comes from around the corner, eyes wide at the grim scene.

She’s frozen holding a platter of drinks.

“Move along! Or you’ll be next!” He screams.

She hurriedly runs back where she came from.

“Let me tell you something. Boy. There’s no one here to save you. And if you’re here to kill the Ruler, well it’s too late for you.”

Two Liewards come stalking. Out of desperation, I twist his hand. Forcing him to drop the dagger. I snatch it, spin the adviser and put it to his throat.

“One step closer and I’ll gut him.” I yell to them. A dreaded smile grows on the advisers lips.

“You and I both know you wouldn’t do that. I think that counts….as a lie.”

“Lie, lie, lie, lie…..” It echoes down the hall. Through the Liewards helms their eyes glow a vibrant green.

They appear right in front of me. Grabbing both me and the adviser. They search both of us. A screech cuts through the din from the one holding the adviser.

“Ruler Akpox. You lied to the boy of your real identity. Due to your commands. You will suffer consequence.” It says in a ghastly tone.

“The Ruler!” I think urgently. I run through my head everything I know. But I can’t make a connection.

The Rulers eyes begin to burn. They burn and the rest of him starts to catch. He screams and groans with agony. And he dies. As soon as he does the Liewards clunk to the ground. The spell is over. We’re free. A new light forms as a man splits into existence. It’s the real adviser.

He gives me a pitiful look. “I’m only here as a messenger. I will rule righteously.”

I return him a confused look.

“You have been chosen.

Welcome to the

Contest.”

He flicks his fingers and I am sent flying into the rift in reality.

Contestant added. Three down, a billion more to go.