A Most Unlikely Hero Vol. 7 Read online

  A Most Unlikely Hero

  Volume 7

  Brandon Varnell

  Illustrated by

  XuaHanNin

  Kitsune Incorporated

  Copyright

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  A Most Unlikely Hero, Vol. 7

  Copyright © 2020 Brandon Varnell & Kitsune Incorporated

  Illustration Copyright © 2020 XuaHanNin

  All rights reserved.

  Brandon Varnell and Kitsune Incorporated supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce creative works that enrich our culture.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use the material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact the publisher. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  To see Brandon Varnell’s other works, or to ask for permission to use his works, visit him at www.varnell-brandon.com, facebook, twitter, Patreon, and instagram.

  If you’d like to know when I’m releasing a new book, you can sign up for my mailing list at https://www.varnell-brandon.com/mailing-list.

  ISBN: 978-0-9989942-7-7

  Dedication

  This page is made in dedication to my amazing patrons. Without them, my characters would never get lewded by so many wonderful artists:

  Aaron Harris

  Alarinnise

  C.L. Holgrahm

  Dominic Q Roddan

  Edward Lamar Stephenson

  Feitochan

  Jacob Flores

  James Leon-Moore

  Kevin

  Kevin Aligner

  Matthew Wallace

  Max A Kramer

  Michael Moneymaker

  Rafael Erikson

  Seismic Wolf

  Syed Hamdani

  William Crew

  Prologue

  Lancelot and Morrigan

  Lancelot was sitting behind his large desk as he poured over several documents. There was a steaming cup of specially brewed tea resting on a finely crafted plate with blue decorations. He would occasionally sip the tea as he read the reports that appeared on his tablet periodically.

  They still haven’t found Bedivere, huh? I suppose that’s understandable. That fool has always been good at hiding.

  It hadn’t even been two days since Lancelot had taken over Winchester, the planet that his half-brother Bedivere was in charge of ruling--well, had been in charge of ruling. It was his now. Of course, this planet was just a stepping stone. The true goal that he sought was not this tiny planet.

  Setting the tablet onto the desk, Lancelot’s eyes swept around the room. Meagerly decorated with only a few portraits and pieces of artwork, the room was more Spartan than he would have liked. The floor was made of limestone instead of marble. He supposed it was because this planet wasn’t as prosperous as his own.

  Bedivere did not have what it took to rule a planet. He wasn’t lazy, per say, but he never strived to create a more prosperous kingdom. His planet was a perfect example. Stuck in the status quo, the planet had not increased its revenue or expanded its trade in the last seven years since Bedivere had become the planet’s ruler. It’s worth hadn’t decreased at all, but it also hadn’t been increased.

  A true ruler, a true king, is someone who is always seeking to improve his life and the lives of his subjects. Bedivere has never once followed this basic principle. That’s why I’m wresting control of this planet from him, and why I won’t let Arthur have his way…

  As these thoughts darted through his mind, the door opened and three people walked in.

  “Darling brother,” the one in the lead greeted him with a smile. Soft hair darker than crow feathers framed a pale face that had enchanted many men. Dark eyes. Crimson lips. Soft features. Many people had often called this girl an angel, though he knew better. The black dress that she wore was very much a reflection of her twisted personality.

  “Morrigan,” he greeted, then addressed the other two individuals. “Tristan. Segwarides. I’m glad you two could make it.”

  “I called them here!” Morrigan said with a bubbly smile as she waltzed up to him. “Aren’t I great?”

  “Yes.” Lancelot smiled as he patted Morrigan on the head. “You’re an amazing little sister.”

  “Tee-hee!”

  “I hope you have a good explanation for all this, Brother,” said Tristan. “You might be Father’s eldest son, but not even that will stop him from berating you upon his return.”

  Taller than anyone else Lancelot knew, Tristan was a mountain of muscle and gave off an intimidating aura. Part of that was because of his armor. The dark crimson breastplate had the depiction of a fire-breathing dragon on the front. Shoulder pauldrons clinked together as he moved. The grieves on his feet were also crimson, and they came all the way up to his knees before ending in spikes. Finally, gripped fiercely in his hand was a dangerous-looking spear the color of freshly painted blood.

  “You mean ‘if’ Father returns,” Lancelot pointed out.

  Their father, Uther Pendragon, had been tasked with a quest by King Lucifer, the ruler of the galaxy. No one knew what their father had been tasked with, or even where he had gone. In his absence, his wives ruled over their solar system.

  However, Father’s eleven wives were very hands off in their approach. They believed it was important for their children to learn how to rule properly, and so they often sat back and let their children do as they pleased. Only Lancelot’s and Morrigan’s mother, Igraine, had taken a significant role in nurturing her children.

  It was she who taught Morrigan to control the elements, and it was she who suggested to Lancelot that now was the best time to keep Arthur from claiming the throne.

  When Arthur pulled Caliburn from the stone, it was announced that he would become king, and Lancelot had given up hope of ever becoming king himself. Why bother trying to become king when it was a foregone conclusion that Arthur would take the reins?

  His goal had shifted after that. He would make his planet the most prosperous in the solar system. Then, when Arthur became king, he would present his planet as an example of what he could do and become Arthur’s adviser. After which, he would rule from the shadows, advising his youngest brother on how best to rule this solar system. In doing so, he would create the prosperous kingdom that he had always dreamed of.

  Then his mother had come to him, told him that Arthur was unfit to rule, that he had gone off to some backwater solar system to find Princess Gabrielle, King Lucifer’s daughter, and take her hand in marriage. Arthur had neglected his duties for a woman. He was unfit to rule, to lead. Those had been his mother’s words. They had convinced Lancelot that his brother was unfit to rule.

  That was why Lancelot would take over. He had planned this coup with his sister. Together, they would wrest this solar system from their youngest brother.

  “Do not speak with such defeatism,” Segwarides said, frowning as he crossed his lean arms. “Father is a powerful and capable warrior. It would take someone of King Lucifer’s caliber to defeat him.”

  Lean and strong, with a graceful figure that was more beautiful than rugged, Segwarides was a contrast in appearance to all his other siblings. Unlike Tristan’s armor, Segwarides wore leather armor with a glossy sheen that caused light to flash off it. Further accentuating his attunement to nature, numerous leaf-shaped segments of armor studde
d his chest, shoulders, and kneecaps. A blaster bow was strapped across his back.

  “I do not wish to speak as though he’s never returning.” Lancelot leaned back and stared at his two younger half-siblings. Meanwhile, Morrigan stood right next to him. “However, it has been more than a year since Father disappeared. While I hope he is safe, and that he will return home, I cannot allow myself to bask in a false hope. Since it has been so long, I believe it’s better to act under the belief that he will not return.”

  His two half-siblings shuffled their feet, perhaps out of discomfort for the way he spoke. He did not blame them. Their father might be a bit impersonal, but all of them respected and admired him. Lancelot sincerely hoped his father was safe. At the same time, he would not turn a blind eye to the fact that it had been a year since Father set off on his quest with Gadreel, King Lucifer’s first wife and the Empress of Angelisia.

  “Brother. Brother.” Morrigan placed a hand on his shoulder. “Perhaps you should tell them why you wanted to speak with them?”

  “Yes, I suppose you are right,” Lancelot said, standing to his feet.

  “Considering what you’ve done, I believe we already know what this is about.” Tristan crossed his arms. “I do not believe I can help you in this matter.”

  “Do not be so hasty. There is a lot going on right now that you are unaware of. At least listen to what I have to say before you make a decision,” Lancelot rebutted.

  “I will listen,” Segwarides said. “Whether or not I will side with you is in the air, but I will at least listen to your side of the story before making a decision.”

  Tristan sighed. “If Segwarides is willing to listen, then I shall also hear you out.”

  “Thank you.” Lancelot walked in front of the desk, Morrigan trailing after him, and faced his two half-siblings from up close. “I know that neither of you approved of Arthur becoming crown prince merely because he pulled Caliburn from the stone.”

  The two before him stiffened. Lancelot withheld a smile. The reason he called these two individuals was because out of all his half-siblings, they were the ones who expressed the most distaste. They had argued against Arthur becoming crown prince. It had gotten so bad that Father had sent them to the farthest planets in their solar system, merely so he wouldn’t have to listen to them complain.

  “I will admit, while I was also displeased, I believed that it would be better to support Arthur to the best of my abilities.”

  “Then something has changed your mind?” asked Segwarides.

  “Indeed.” Lancelot nodded. He held out his hand, and Morrigan picked up the tablet from the desk and handed it to him. “I’m not sure if you know, but it has been made public that Gabrielle Angelise has selected her own marriage candidate.”

  “We are aware.” Tristan nodded.

  “Then you are also aware that King Lucifer has said that whoever can steal Princess Gabrielle from this Alexander Ryker will be given her hand in marriage and become Emperor of the Galaxy?” His half-siblings nodded. Lancelot continued. “As you know, our solar system has a powerful alliance with Angelisia. It is thanks in part to this alliance that we have prospered. Years ago, Arthur was originally going to marry Princess Gabrielle, but that changed when he pulled the Caliburn from the stone. The marriage was called off because if Arthur became the Emperor of the Galaxy, he would be required to put the galaxies interests before our own, which would conflict with his duties as our king.”

  Segwarides and Tristan nodded. They were as aware of all this as him.

  Lancelot leaned against the desk, which only squealed slightly as he put the full weight of his golden armor on it. He crossed his arms. Presenting the two with his most serious expression, he tried to put everything he felt into his eyes as he said the words that would undoubtedly bring these two to his side.

  “About two weeks ago, Arthur found out about what was happening with Princess Gabrielle and has left for a planet called Mars, the place where she is currently residing. Arthur has put his own interests before his solar systems.” He paused before making his final proclamation. “That is why Arthur is no longer fit to be our king, and why I would like you both to help me remove him from the position.”

  Chapter 1

  Departure

  There were a lot of things that Alex needed to do before he could depart with Prince Arthur and travel to Camelot. First and foremost was that he needed to clear the air with Karen Kanzaki, his former commander in the Mars Police Force, a friend of his father’s, and the person who helped look after him and Alice when his father died. Since he had no idea when he’d be back, Alex wanted to at least put the issues between them to rest.

  That was why he was at the Mars Police Station. It was early in the morning. At this time, Arthur should be about ready to launch his craft and was just waiting on him to finish.

  Stepping into the Mars Police station, Alex walked along the tiled waiting room, past several chairs where citizens were waiting, either to file a complaint or report a problem, and wandered up to the front desk. There, a young man with brown hair, brown eyes, and a bored face sat. He was leaning against his desk, absently poking his finger at a holographic screen. It looked like he was playing a game of some kind.

  “Excuse me,” Alex began, “I would like to see Commander Karen Kanzaki. Could you let her know that Alexander Ryker is here to see her?”

  The young man stiffened, though whether from his name or Karen’s name was unknown. Looking up at him, the man blinked rapidly several times before nodding.

  “Uh… yeah, sure. Just let me tell her that you are here,” he said before dismissing his holographic screen and pressing a button on his console. “Commander Karen? Alex Ryker says he’s here to speak with you. What should I do?”

  Alex almost snorted at the question that was tacked on the end. It was almost like this man thought he was a criminal or something equally stupid. Why was it that everybody had such a low opinion of him? Well, he did cause a lot of trouble, so he had gotten a reputation for damaging property and stuff, but that didn’t mean everyone should treat him like a pariah. That was just rude.

  There was a short period of silence before Karen’s voice came over the intercom. “Send him up.”

  “You heard her,” the young man said. “Go on up.”

  “Thanks.”

  Spacer boots tapping against white tiles, Alex walked to the elevator that was on the desk’s right side. He ignored the other people current inside. Pressing a button that would take him to Karen’s office, Alex leaned against the wall and waited.

  “Isn’t that Alexander Ryker?”

  His ears twitched.

  “It is. What do you suppose he’s doing here?”

  “Don’t know. Did you hear about what happened?”

  “You mean about how he was thrown in jail?”

  “Yeah, that. I heard he was obstructing justice.”

  “I heard her was wrongly accused.”

  “I can hear everything you two are saying,” Alex said, staring at the male and female who were currently talking about him.

  Mars Police uniforms were unisex. Everyone wore the same black and white unitard, which conformed to the body like a second skin. These two were not wearing any armor, marking them as cadets.

  The two stopped talking after that, and Alex had the pleasure of not being forced to listen to people speak about him. When the elevator opened on the last floor, Alex stepped out, walked down a narrow hallway, and ended up in front of a typical sliding door. There was a button on the left that he pressed.

  “Alexander?” a voice came from a speaker system.

  “It’s me.”

  “Come on in.”

  The doors slid open and Alex stepped inside.

  A Spartan room greeted him, though that was not to say that the room was completely bereft of decorations. Situated in the center of the room, immediately behind him, were two couches centered around a table. Sitting against the wall to his left, a booksh
elf was filled with numerous old-fashioned discs. Beside it, safely locked within a glass case, an ancient record of something called The Beatles hung like a prized possession. On the other side, hanging from frames and sitting on displays, were the various awards that his commander had won.

  Karen Kanzaki sat behind her desk, which was in front of a large glass panel that overlooked Mars City. Blonde hair descended from her head in drill-like curls, framing a gorgeous face that screamed “mess with me and you die.” She wore her Galactic Police Force uniform well. The white skirt wrapped around her athletic hips and revealed stunningly well-muscled legs covered in black stockings. Her white shirt with its long sleeves and black stripes gave her an air that was both professional and feminine, while the gun strapped to her side let everyone know not to screw with her.

  He and Karen had not spoken with each other in nearly two weeks. The last time he had seen her was when she’d had him arrested. Since then, she had not spoken to him. However, even before that, their relationship had become precarious.

  Around three weeks ago… or thereabouts, Alex had been attacked by Nyx, an assassin hired by King MacArt, who was--had been--one of Gabrielle’s marriage candidates.

  Anyway, Nyx had attacked and almost killed him. In response, Karen had mobilized the entire Mars Police Force and tried to have Nyx killed, but Alex had intervened. He’d moved in while the police were going after Nyx, wounded several officers, and saved Nyx’s life despite Karen forbidding him from doing so.

  This had resulted in the estrangement of their relationship; Karen had fined him heavily, marked this in his criminal record, and then cut off all contact with him. It had hurt, but he knew that Karen had been just as pained.

  “Karen,” Alex greeted as he stopped in front of her desk. He dithered for a moment, unsure of what to say.