#king cleo

Cleo stardew sprites anyone?

"Announcing the King and Queen-"

Cleo glared at the herald. "King, if you don't mind."

The herald bowed. "Yes, of course, your majesty. I'm so sorry."

"You're just lucky I didn't kill you for your insolence, but you're not my herald so you get to live for now. Continue," Cleo said.

The herald gathered himself. "Announcing the Kings of Hermitcraftia! King Rentheking, and King ZombieCleo!"

"Better," Cleo muttered as they took Ren's arm and headed into the throne room.

Deepfrost Citadel was a cold kingdom in the north ruled over by Queen Pearlescent Moon, who challenged anyone to tackle her dungeon, which was said to be filled with dangerous creatures, but also rich rewards for anyone who got out. It wasn't a kingdom the Kings of Hermitcraftia travelled to often, but when needs must, well. Here they were.

Queen Pearl sat on a throne made out of blackstone and warped wood. Magnificent stained glass sat behind her, depicting her wearing her crown as she traversed a part of the dungeon. Two ravagers sat at her side, which she reached over to pet every now and then. Before the throne, three knights in netherite: the middle bore gold trim, the one to their left wore iron, and the third wore copper. Sharp icicles lined the throne room, and crowned the throne itself, causing the temperature in there to feel rather colder. Ren brought his fur-lined cloak tighter around him, hoping to be home soon.

King Ren and King Cleo got no further than the knights, their spears barring them from continuing.

"Well, well, what brings you two to the Citadel?" Pearl said, eyeing them with a smug interest.

Ren went to charge forward, but Cleo stopped him, holding him back. "My dear King Ren is, shall we say, Concerned about the number of our citizens who have come here and have since gone missing. We'd like to know if you know anything about that, Your Majesty."

Pearl sat back and waved off the guards, who retreated to the base of the throne, still eyeing them with caution. "What, do your own citizens not have their own free will to come challenge my dungeon? If they fail, that's not my fault. Though they have been feeding my ravagers well, haven't they, Nugget?"

The ravager on Pearl's left made what sounded like a noise of contentment as she stroked its head gently.

"I think you just need to train your citizens better so they can withstand the dangers of the dungeon. Then maybe you wouldn't be so mad at them losing all the time," Pearl said.

Ren growled. "You give us back our-"

Cleo clamped a hand over his mouth. "Stop making it worse!" she hissed. She turned back to Pearl. "Of course, our citizens are free to do whatever they please, though if this is simply an act to wittle down our forces before invasion, well-"

Pearl laughed. "Oh, no, this is just for fun! Everyone comes to try their hand at the dungeon! But what of you both? Would you dare to run it? Or would you sacrifice your own before daring to put yourselves in danger?"

Cleo had to grab Ren and shove him back. "Alright, I see what's going on. We're leaving, okay? Just- try to send them back if they fail. We have families here who need to grieve."

"Well, I can't make any promises, but I'll try. I really will. Maybe one day you'll brave the dungeon for yourselves, hmm? But maybe not. You'd never beat me in there. So perhaps it's wise you return to Hermitcraftia. These games are not for you. Champions, see them out."