THE QUEEN'S PORTRAIT -by ugonna ubani
Chapter One: The Beast's Curse
A blood-red moon loomed over England as the royal castle stood silent—except for the deep, labored breathing of a lone figure. Tristan, once a loyal knight, now bore a terrifying secret. When the cursed moon rose, his body twisted, bones cracked, and his flesh expanded into something monstrous. His duty? Protect the Queen's Portrait, an ancient relic sealed away in the royal vaults.
But tonight, something felt wrong. A whisper rode the wind. A presence lurked beyond the castle walls. An enemy beast had arrived.
Chapter Two: The Enemy's Shadow
Far across the battlefield, in the enemy kingdom of Varkath, a monstrous entity stood atop a burning tower. The creature, known only as Malakar, was no ordinary beast—it was destruction incarnate. Its eyes burned with an insatiable hunger for power, locked onto one prize: the Queen's Portrait.
Within the portrait, a secret lay hidden—one that could tip the balance of war. Malakar's king had unleashed a devastating plan: an army of ferocious beasts bred for one purpose—to storm England and claim the portrait.
Chapter Three: The First Attack
As Tristan prowled the castle halls in his monstrous form, the warning bells rang. The enemy was here. Dozens of shadowy figures raced through the fog, their beastly forms twisting and snarling as they stormed the gates.
Tristan leaped into battle. His claws slashed through the first wave of attackers, but these were no ordinary creatures. They were engineered for war—stronger, faster, merciless. And at their helm stood Malakar himself, watching, waiting.
The war had begun.
Chapter Four: The Hidden Treasure
Deep within the vaults of the castle, the Queen's Portrait remained untouched, locked behind layers of enchanted steel. Only the Queen and her most trusted knight knew the truth: within the painting lay a secret so powerful it could reshape kingdoms.
But the enemy was relentless. As the beasts tore through the city, Tristan fought harder, his cursed form barely holding the line. Then, in the chaos, he saw her—the Queen herself—standing at the highest tower, gripping a dagger. She knew what must be done if the portrait fell into enemy hands.
Would she destroy it before they could reach it?
Chapter Five: The Rise of the Gorillas
The battle seemed hopeless. Tristan was outnumbered. The beasts swarmed the castle. The portrait was moments away from being taken.
But then, the ground shook. From the hidden chambers beneath the kingdom, massive iron gates swung open. A deafening roar echoed through the battlefield. England had unleashed its own beasts—giant, armored gorillas, bred for war.
As they thundered forward, Tristan let out a beastly roar of his own. The war had only just begun.
Let's continue with the next five chapters!
Chapter Six: Clash of Titans
The battlefield trembled as the war beasts clashed. The enemy's monstrous horde met the full force of England's bred-for-war giant gorillas. Steel armor covered the gorillas' massive bodies, their fists strong enough to shatter stone.
Tristan fought alongside them, his beastly form tearing through enemies, but Malakar was waiting. With a single leap, the enemy warlord landed before him, his razor-sharp claws dripping with dark energy.
"You can't protect the portrait forever," Malakar growled. "You don't even know its true power."
Tristan lunged, their monstrous fight shaking the very earth beneath them.
Chapter Seven: The Queen's Gamble
Within the castle, the Queen stood before the portrait, gripping her dagger. She knew the hidden treasure within it was more dangerous than anyone realized.
The castle walls shook as enemy beasts breached the outer defenses. Time was running out. If Malakar's forces reached the vault, England's fate would be sealed.
With a determined gaze, the Queen summoned her royal mages. "Prepare the final defense. If they reach this room, we unleash the last resort."
Chapter Eight: The Tides of Blood
Outside, the battle raged. The enemy beasts outnumbered the gorillas, but England's warriors fought with unmatched fury.
Tristan and Malakar's battle was brutal. They tore through walls, crashed through towers, neither yielding. But Malakar was stronger. Faster. His dark power seemed limitless.
Just as Tristan fell to one knee, Malakar grinned. "This is where your kingdom dies."
But before he could strike the final blow, a deafening roar split the battlefield. The largest of the gorilla beasts, a towering alpha named Gorgoroth, had arrived.
The true war had just begun.
Chapter Nine: The Secret Unveiled
As the Queen's mages prepared their last line of defense, the Queen traced her fingers over the portrait. The hidden treasure was sealed beneath the layers of paint, an artifact of unimaginable power.
It was no ordinary painting—it was a prison.
Centuries ago, a godlike being had been sealed within, its power locked away to prevent total destruction. If Malakar claimed it, he would unleash an unstoppable force upon the world.
The Queen turned to her most trusted mage. "If Tristan falls, we break the seal. We release what's inside."
Chapter Ten: The Last Stand
Tristan, bloody but unbroken, rose once more. Gorgoroth, the gorilla king, stood beside him, ready to strike. Malakar laughed, but there was something different now—doubt in his eyes.
The tides were turning.
As the Queen's last defenses activated, the vault began to glow with an eerie light. Something ancient stirred within the portrait.
The war was far from over—but now, something even more powerful was about to awaken.
Let's continue the story with Chapters 11 to 15, including a tense conversation between Queen Seraphina and her cabinet.
Chapter Eleven: The War Council
Inside the royal chamber, Queen Seraphina stood at the head of a long, oak table. Around her sat the highest-ranking members of England's war council—Duke Aldric, General Rowan, Archmage Elaris, and Lord Commander Vaughn. The room was dimly lit by flickering torches, the scent of burning parchment filling the air as battle reports piled before them.
"The enemy pushes harder than we anticipated," General Rowan said, his scarred hands clenching the table. "The beasts of Varkath are not just soldiers—they are war machines. If not for our gorillas, we would already be overrun."
"Tristan holds the line," Lord Vaughn added. "But Malakar is unlike any foe we have faced. He knows something about the portrait… something we do not."
Queen Seraphina's gaze was sharp. "Then we must consider what we have long feared. If the enemy forces their way into the vault—"
"We unleash the entity within," Archmage Elaris finished, his voice grim. "But, Your Majesty, I must warn you. What we sealed in that painting centuries ago was not meant to walk this world again."
A heavy silence filled the room.
Duke Aldric leaned forward. "If Malakar claims the portrait, the world will burn. But if we release what lies within, we risk the same fate."
Queen Seraphina took a deep breath. "Then we fight until the last man stands. But should the vault fall… we make the choice no ruler should ever have to make."
Chapter Twelve: Tristan's Defiance
On the battlefield, Tristan struggled against Malakar. Each strike of the enemy's claws sent tremors through his monstrous frame. But as he staggered back, a massive fist crashed into Malakar—Gorgoroth had joined the fight.
The gorilla king's deep roar shook the battlefield. The tide of battle shifted.
"You think these beasts will save you?" Malakar snarled, wiping blood from his mouth. "I was born from the darkness. You are merely delaying the inevitable."
Tristan wiped the blood from his own fangs. "Then let's delay it a little longer."
Chapter Thirteen: The Portrait's Awakening
Deep in the castle, the Queen stood before the portrait once more, her fingers trembling over its surface. The vault's magic flickered—the seal was weakening.
"Your Majesty!" A knight stormed into the chamber, breathless. "The beasts are breaking through the lower walls. The gorillas are holding them back, but if we do not reinforce—"
BOOM.
A massive explosion rocked the castle. The vault doors quivered.
Archmage Elaris stepped forward. "The time is near. If Malakar reaches this room, we may not have a choice."
Queen Seraphina looked at the portrait, whispering, "What horrors will we unleash?"
Chapter Fourteen: The Fall of the Gates
The enemy beasts pushed forward, overwhelming the outer defenses. Even the mighty gorillas, despite their strength, struggled against sheer numbers.
Tristan fought with everything he had, but Malakar was relentless. With a brutal strike, Malakar sent him crashing through a ruined tower.
As Tristan groaned, barely able to rise, Malakar turned toward the castle. The vault was within reach.
"The portrait is mine," he growled.
Tristan tried to move—but for the first time, he feared he wouldn't make it in time.
Chapter Fifteen: The Queen's Final Order
Inside the chamber, Queen Seraphina's war council stood ready. The sounds of battle drew closer.
General Rowan gritted his teeth. "Malakar is coming. We have only minutes."
Queen Seraphina's expression was calm but resolute. "Then we stand together, until the last breath."
She turned to Archmage Elaris. "Prepare the final incantation. If Malakar sets foot in this room—break the seal."
The mage hesitated. "Your Majesty… if we do this, there is no turning back."
Queen Seraphina's eyes burned with unshakable determination. "Then we pray our kingdom survives the storm."
Outside, the castle doors burst open.
Malakar had arrived.
Let's continue with Chapters 16 to 20, keeping the war council's conversation alive as the story unfolds.
Chapter Sixteen: The Beast Enters the Castle
The great doors of the castle shattered as Malakar stormed inside. His massive form barely fit through the halls, his claws raking across stone as he moved toward the vault.
The Queen's war council stood their ground. Lord Vaughn unsheathed his sword, while General Rowan readied his axe. Archmage Elaris whispered incantations, summoning glowing runes across the chamber walls.
Queen Seraphina remained still, her gaze locked on the monster before her. "You will not take the portrait, Malakar."
Malakar grinned, his fangs gleaming. "You cannot stop me, Queen. You cling to a past you do not understand. That painting is not a relic—it is a prison. And I will free what is inside."
Duke Aldric slammed his fist on the table. "What madness do you speak of?"
Malakar's laughter echoed through the hall. "You think your ancestors were noble? They stole power they could not control. I intend to reclaim it."
Queen Seraphina's voice was cold as steel. "Then you must go through us."
Malakar's eyes gleamed. "So be it."
Chapter Seventeen: Tristan's Last Stand
Outside, the battlefield was drenched in blood and fire. England's giant gorillas fought valiantly, their fists crushing enemy beasts, but the tide was overwhelming.
Tristan, battered and broken, struggled to his feet. He could feel Malakar's presence inside the castle. If he failed now, the Queen was doomed.
"Not yet," he growled. His beastly form trembled as he forced himself to move. His claws dug into the dirt as he sprinted toward the castle, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.
Gorgoroth, the gorilla king, roared beside him, leading the charge. They would not let their kingdom fall.
Chapter Eighteen: Battle in the Vault
The castle walls trembled as Malakar lunged forward. General Rowan met him with a mighty swing of his axe, but Malakar caught it mid-air, snapping the weapon in half. With a powerful strike, he sent Rowan crashing into the stone wall.
Lord Vaughn and Duke Aldric rushed in, blades flashing. They were skilled warriors, but Malakar was a beast unlike any they had faced.
Queen Seraphina stepped back, her eyes on Archmage Elaris. "Is the spell ready?"
Elaris's hands glowed with arcane energy. "Almost… but once I unleash it, we cannot control what comes next."
The Queen took a deep breath. "Then we prepare for war on a scale we have never seen."
Malakar turned toward her, grinning. "You speak as if you have already lost."
Chapter Nineteen: The Hidden Power Awakens
Just as Malakar raised his claws to strike, a deafening roar shook the castle. The doors burst open—Tristan had arrived. His beastly form, larger than ever, lunged at Malakar with all his remaining strength.
The two titans clashed, shaking the foundation of the castle. Their battle was raw, brutal, a collision of claw and fang.
Queen Seraphina clenched her fists. "This cannot continue. Elaris, do it now."
The archmage raised his hands. The vault doors glowed, the seals breaking one by one. Magic crackled in the air.
Malakar's eyes widened. "No… you fool! You do not know what you are releasing!"
The Queen's voice was unwavering. "Then let the world remember this day."
The final seal shattered.
Chapter Twenty: The Shattering of Reality
A blinding light erupted from the portrait. The castle shook as a force beyond mortal comprehension tore through the vault.
Tristan and Malakar were thrown back, their monstrous forms barely holding together under the sheer power now released.
The war council shielded their eyes as an ancient voice echoed through the chamber.
"I have slept for centuries… and now I awaken."
The portrait crumbled, revealing a swirling vortex of darkness and fire. From within, a figure stepped forward—neither beast nor man, but something far worse.
Malakar, for the first time, loo
ked afraid. "No… this was not meant to happen."
Queen Seraphina, standing tall despite the chaos, whispered, "And so, the true war begins."