Volume I: A New World
Chapter IX: An Imperial Decision
Location: 13th Floor, Goldenia
*As the time flew by, Feldia remained outside on the thirteenth floor, walking around occasionally, but the man was mostly standing still in just one spot. He looked up suddenly as he heard footsteps, and could see Percival walking towards him.*
"Yo. Feldia." He called out.
"What is it Percival?" Feldia asked as he walked to meet the man halfway.
"Well, two things actually. Firstly, I went on ahead alone and, surprise or not, I managed to successfully put our request through."
"You mean that you've gotten us an open audience?"
"Exactly. His Highness didn't seem to have any problems with it. If you ask me, I'd say he was actually interested to hear what the two of us, Vane, and Lancelot have to say."
"Excellent. Then all that's left is to wait for the two of them to show up."'
"That leads to my second announcement. I noticed Vane's airship heading into the docks on my way over here. He's probably there right now as we speak."
"Looks like everything's going the way we planned it out to be. Come on. Let's meet up with them."
*Percival nodded in agreement.*
-x-
Location: Airship Dock, 16th Floor
*as they planned, Feldia and Percival had arrived on the 16th Floor of Goldenia. Once there the two had made their way towards the Airship Docks to greet Vane and the others. Once there, they arrived in time to see Vane's Airship finally dock. The yellow Dragon Knight hadn't even gotten off yet.*
"Oh, looks like we made it just in time." Percival said.
*The two walked over towards the docked airship as Vane started walking out.*
"Hey! Vane!" Percival called out.
"Percival! Feldia!" Vane responded. "I was just about to come looking for you guys!"
"I saw your airship on my way here. It only makes sense for us to come up and meet you halfway."
"You certainly saved us a lot of trouble!"
"Pardon my intrusion." Feldia butted in. "But... What's she doing here?"
*Feldia pointed to behind Vane, where Katalina and the medic, who was still holding the vial in hand, stepped off the airship, and stood behind Vane.*
"Feldia... Percival..." Katalina said politely.
"Katalina? What are you doing here?" Percival asked. "Where's Lancelot?"
"She's... She is here in the commander's place." The medic responded.
"What do you mean?"
"It appears that we have struck a great finding in our current predicament you two." Vane spoke up.
"What's the matter?" Feldia asked.
"Did something happen to Lancelot?" Percival asked as well.
"Perhaps it would be better for all of us to sit down." The medic said to everyone. "That way we can take the time to explain our current situation in one sitting."
*On that note, everyone agreed as they all gathered outside of the airship docks. Soon, the group found themselves around a small guard post on the sixteenth floor, close to the exit down towards the fifteenth or up to the seventeenth. As the group had finished getting themselves together and situated, Katalina, Vane and the medic began telling the two soldiers their side of the story, as well as their next plans for dealing with this. The news really came as a shock to both Feldia and Percival, but after the first few seconds, the two couldn't really say that they were surprised by it.*
"That's what happened..." Katalina finished explaining. "Now, Lancelot's still at the dungeon resting, and being treated for injuries. Although fatal, they're positive that the commander will pull through."
"Great, just great..." Feldia groaned. "Now the commander's down, and we're short of a member for our meeting with the king."
"Oh, you've managed to already secure an audience with His Highness?" Vane asked.
"Thankfully, yeah." Percival answered.
"Then that is excellent! This can all go according to our plan!"
Feldia raised a brow. "The three of you have a plan?" He asked.
"Indeed we do." the medic spoke up. "We were planning to request an audience as well when we arrived. But with that out of the way, we can easily head up to Castle Vallera and present ourselves, along with our evidence, to His Highness."
"Evidence?" Percival questioned. "What evidence?"
*The medic holds up the small vial to Feldia and Percival.*
"Hey, Feldia..." Katalina began to say. "Does this look anything similar to what you found from the two dead bandits that day? Any at all?"
*Feldia slowly observed what was inside the vial before gasping, realizing the similarity between the two.*
"It is." He said. "It's exactly alike."
"Well then... It looks like we've found ourselves this 'monster' you've been searching for."
"Where'd you last see it?" Percival asked her.
"Him, actually... If this is the demon that you've been after then this is him. He's the one that attacked those bandits back then, and fought Lancelot. But... the match was a fair loss on his part unfortunately in a duel."
"He maybe be an unknown demon, but he still respects the traditions of the three realms." Feldia said.
"On top of that, from what I've heard from Katalina, this man had every chance to kill Lancelot, but let the two of them go." Vane added. "I thank him for the compassion, but nearly losing our friend is not an act that I am going to forgive."
"So then, what are we supposed to do with this then?" Percival asked. "I don't think Freesia, His Highness, or any of the other members are going to just go for a full vial of who the hell knows what."
"The only logical option would be to let out whatever's in here." The medic answered. "But..."
"But?"
"But in the state we found it in, its power is currently uncontrollable and will most likely try and attack on sight. We could be deemed as traitors or assassins for doing so."
"Dammit, I never even thought of that..." Vane sighed.
"We'll have to take that chance obviously." Feldia commented.
*The group looked at Feldia in surprise.*
"You can't be serious right?" Percival asked.
"We can't do that!" the medic exclaimed.
"It's too risky. We shouldn't attempt it." Katalina added on.
"Although I'd hate to just agree... We have little options now with our evidence." Vane said. "We'll just have to be on our guard when we do so, as to prevent any casualties."
"Captain Vane you can't be seriously agreeing with this!" the medic protested. "It's too risky of a risk. Only the Gods themselves would know what could happen if we go through with this! I don't like those odds."
"It's not a matter if we like the idea or not." Feldia replied. "We have to do this. We don't have much of a choice anymore."
*The remainder of the group looked worried and astonished of Vane's agreement to Feldia's suggestion. However, the only thing that they could do was sigh, seeing as how the two of them were both right, and that they had no other options to plead their case towards the king or the imperial court.*
"He's right." Katalina spoke up first. 'We have no other options. We'll have to risk it for Lancelot."
"I suppose so..." Percival sighed. "But before we do that, there's something else I wanted to clear up."
"What is it?"
"It's about Monika's and Feena's situation. Since they never reported back, I can only assume that the two of them are somewhere alongside this man, correct?"
"That is true."
"Are they turning against Goldenia?" Feldia asked.
". . . Originally... I had said yes... But I may have made assumptions too early."
"Perhaps we shouldn't bring up the two of them then." the medic butted in. "If Katalina isn't sure if they are still with us or not, then let's not bring confusion. We'll just work around the two of them if they come up in conversation."
"That would be the wise thing for us to do." Percival said in agreement.
"Very well." Feldia replied. "Then I suppose our story is together. We've gotten the beginning to the end. We have living evidence in the medical officer's hand. And then we have an injured Commander Lancelot as more proof to show just how much of a threat this is."
"Heh. I'd like to see Freesia dismiss us now."
"I take it the two of you have tried already?" the medic asked.
"We have." Feldia answered.
"Prime Minister Freesia turned us down when we tried to present what the two of us had to her." Percival said. "That's the reason we requested an audience. As to avoid going through her in all this."
"Thankfully, it seems that you were able to get through with your request, my friend." Vane commented. "Now then, is everything settled between all of us?"
"It would seems so." the medic answered.
"As far as I'm aware of." Katalina responded.
"No further comments needed." Feldia replied.
"If everyone else is ready, then I say that we are good to go." Percival answered.
"That's all I needed to hear from the four of you!" Vane exclaimed. "If the meeting's scheduled for today, then let's make our way to the eighteenth floor immediately and present ourselves before His Highness and the Imperial Court!"
*The group all nodded in agreement and promptly got up from their seats and left the guard post. As they were walking Percival noticed that Katalina was currently lagging behind the group, only now just getting out of her chair, and slowly walking out.*
"Katalina?" He asked. "What's the matter?"
". . . It's nothing." She answered. "Don't worry, I'll catch up."
*Percival looked back at the female knight for a moment, but then smiled and turned around, running to catch up with Vane and the others. As he did so, Katalina dragged on behind the group, looking down at the ground and sighed.*
"Why am I feeling this way...?" She thought quietly to herself. "I want to do this... I want to do this to do right by Commander Lancelot... But... Do I really want to...? This man, Ragna... Could this man actually be a demon...? No, it has to be. You saw the fight, Katalina... You saw what happened to Lancelot... You saw... You... You saw that he also spared the two of us even though he could've easily killed the two of us right then and there..." Katalina sighed to herself and began walking a bit faster to catch up with the group of four ahead of her. "I don't really have much of a choice anymore... I just have to go along with this for now... And wait to see how things play out for all of us."
"Katalina!"
*The girl looked up upon hearing Feldia call out to her.*
"Come on! Hurry up!" He called out once more.
"Oh, right! Coming!" She responded as she ran to catch up with them.
*Vane, Feldia, the medic, and Percival had all stopped up ahead, turning back as Katalina was running up to them. The girl stopped as she reached the group.*
"What's taking you so long?" Feldia asked. "We don't need this to take up the whole day."
"Sorry." She apologized. "I didn't mean to take so long."
"You were acting like something's bothering you." Percival commented. "What's wrong?"
"I'm fine... Nothing's bothering me..."
"I can tell that something's wrong with you, Katalina." Feldia protested.
". . ."
"Ah, don't pressure the girl, Feldia." Vane spoke up. "She's probably just concerning herself over the condition of Lancelot, that's all. She's been like that ever since I arrived at the underground dungeon."
*Percival looks over towards the medic.*
"You determined that his injuries can be treated, right?" He asked, "That our medical officers can keep him alive?"
"That is correct." The medic answered.
"Then it's settled, Katalina. You don't need to worry."
"...I suppose so." Katalina responded.
"If that's all then let's keep moving." Feldia said. "Lancelot will be fine according to our medical officers. All that's left is to make sure that the injuries he sustained weren't in vain."
"We're right behind you on this." Percival commented.
*The group resumed their walking, following after Feldia as he headed towards the lifts for the upper floors. Katalina merely sighed and followed after them, staying with the group instead of slowly walking behind them. Soon the groups reached lifts, with Feldia standing by the outside as everyone else went in first. Upon him entering as well, the doors behind them closed as the lift began moving upward.*
-x-
Location: Castle Vallera, 18th Floor
*the lift with the group all on it continued upward at a moderate speed until it arriving at the end of its vertical ascent; The eighteenth floor of Goldenia, its castle.*
"Looks like this is it." Percival said as everyone stepped off of the lift. "Castle Vallera is right up there."
"Are we sure about this?" Katalina asked once more. "If we don't have everything together we'll never get through.
"We have enough." Vane answered. "That I am sure of. All that's left is for the five of us to present our case to His Highness."
"Hm. I should've known that it would be you people on the lift."
*The group turned their heads as they saw Prime Minister Freesia walking up to them, with her armed guards following closely behind and in front of her as well.*
"Prime Minister." Feldia responded.
"Pardon me for asking," Katalina begun to ask. "But what are you doing out here?"
"I was merely alerted to someone using the lifts for the eighteenth floor is all." Freesia responded. "I do not remember having anything scheduled for anyone coming up today, therefore I took it upon myself to risk my life and check it out. And yet I was not surprised when I found this group coming from the lift. Do you honestly think that numbers will change my mind about our-"
"We aren't here for you, Prime Minister." Percival cuts her off.
"Excuse me?"
"We have an audience with His Highness ourselves. We merely let ourselves up to come and meet with the Imperial Court instead of having someone come all the way down towards the sixteenth floor where we were."
*Freesia seemed surprised, not knowing anything of this.*
"You five all have an audience with His Highness, the king himself?" She asked as the group nods. "Why the devil was I kept in the dark about this?" Freesia turned around to face her soldiers. "Did any of you know about this?! Any of you?! And were keeping it from me?!"
"N-No ma'am." One of the soldiers replied. "We did not."
"This is the first that I'm hearing of it." Another soldier answered.
"Hmph... I see..." Freesia sighed. "If there's no one around here that can confirm what you are saying is true, then I have no reason to believe any of you."
"But Prime Minister, you must see at least some truth through your eyes." Vane spoke up. "Why would all of us come up here like this if we did not have any valid reason?"
"We're here as honorable Goldenians." Katalina commented. "That I am positive on."
*Freesia thought for a minute, knowing that she currently didn't have any good reasons to deny them entry this time. She eventually sighed in defeat and merely stepped out of the way, along with the guards.*
"I'll merely escort you to Castle Vallera myself." She said in response. "I can't turn you around just yet, so I'll just have to see the proof of your claims for myself."
"Thank you, Prime Minister." Feldia responded.
"Excellent." Percival smiled. "Then I suppose we should get going."
*Freesia, along with her guards, all began walking off towards Castle Vallera, with Feldia, Percival and the rest of the group all in tow behind her. She merely looked back at them slightly and sighed, knowing that the reason behind all this is still because of Feldia's theory that he tried presenting to her. Following behind the woman, they all had arrived at the front gate with no problems at all.*
"Men!"
*Freesia snaps her fingers, in which two of the soldiers guarding her went over and opened the front gate. Freesia then steps out of the way of the front gate as well.*
"After you." She said to the group.
"Now, now." Percival joked. "Ladies first."
*Freesia merely glared at the dragon knight, and stood there waiting. Seeing she wasn't budging, Percival sighed and proceeded to follow the others inside of the castle. As he entered, Freesia entered in after them followed by her armed guards. Two of them closed the door behind them and then continued to follow after Freesia and the others. As the group walked they conversed among themselves.*
"You think that she trusts us yet?" The medic asked.
"It's highly unlikely." Feldia answered with an annoyed tone. "I can tell she'll be suspicious about us until she hears about this from His Highness."
"If that's the case, we might now even reach the meeting." Percival commented.
"I don't think that she would do all of that." Katalina replied. "If Prime Minster Von Bismarck truly wanted to keep us away, she would've turned us around back at the lift instead of bringing us this far. I'm sure she sees that there's some truth to the things that you've said Feldia."
"Hmph. That would surprise me." Feldia grunted.
"Don't let her get to you, my friend." Vane said. "Surely everything will go just as we hoped it would."
"We've reached the castle already." The medic added. "We've made it this far in. All that's left is for us to reach His Highness."
"I suppose you're right." Percival said. "Guess we'll just have to keep positive, huh?"
"If that helps." Katalina sighed.
*Soon, Feldia and the others found themselves at the end of the hallway. In front of them stood a large door, guarded by several soldiers, armed with large halberds and tower shields. As the group stopped in front of said door, Freesia pushed her way into the front of the group, leaving her guards behind them.*
"I want the rest of you to wait here." Freesia commanded them. "I have to verify a few things myself with His Highness and the Imperial Court myself."
"Shouldn't we go with you?" Katalina asked. "We are here for our meeting after all."
"I'll let you in. Once I trust you."
"Very well, I suppose..." Vane responded.
*Feldia didn't utter a word back to them as she walked to the door. There, the elite guards opened the door a tiny bit, just enough for Freesia to enter the room.*
"Hopefully His Highness will clear up her confusion." The medic said as the door closed.
"If not then damn, this was all for nothing." Percival said.
"Don't worry. We'll get into the audience chamber." Vane said. "I'm confident in that."
-x-
Location: Hallway Outside of Audience Chamber, Castle Vallera
"What the hell is this mess?!"
*Freesia ranted softly to herself as she made her way to the audience chamber.*
"If all of them are telling the truth about their reasons for being in the eighteenth floor, then why am I unaware?!" She continued rant as she walked. "I'm one His Highness' retainers, next to that redhead little bitch, Alexiel. This is probably her doing, isn't it?! It would make sense for that daughter of a bastard to want to embarrass me!" Freesia growled slightly. "Dammit! I'm gonna look like a damn fool going into the chamber thanks to her!"
*Feldia sighed and stopped walking for a moment to fix her hair before heading towards the door in front of her.*
"And on top of that, my hair's all messed up..." She continues ranting once more as she fixes her hair.
-x-
Location: Audience Chamber, Castle Vallera
"Rrgh! Where are they? It's almost time!"
*Currently siting around, the four others were currently all seated in select spots across the audience chamber, all gathered around as they wait for Feldia, Percival, and the others to arrive in the chamber.*
"We set a select time for these things, and I don't like sitting here all day! My butt already hurts!"
*The one that spoke up was a young and fair maiden, with a mixture of blonde and light gold hair, wearing a two pieced outfit; red on the top as a shirt, as well as her long overcoat, and a white skirt. The woman was tapping her foot rapidly on the floor, growing impatient by every minute as the group awaited for the others to arrive.*
"Our meeting time is in like, a literal minute!" she complained. "They should've been here should they not?" The woman sighed. "May I be allowed to leave if they aren't here within the next 5 minutes?
"Impatient brat. It's not even time."
*The woman turned to see she was responded by a man with long flowing, blonde hair, wearing sapphire blue armor with a golden outline, as well as a large cape attached to the back of his armor. The man didn't seemed to pleased with her attitude.*
"Can't you just sit quietly for once during these meetings?" He sighed. "I envy Alexiel. Lucky for her, she has other this to take care of and doesn't have to be here for this."
"That damned redhead always gets a mission at the best possible times!" The woman responded. "I would love it if I could have just swapped places with her for just this one day!"
"Vira, you're already quite aware of the dangers that Alexiel's tasks are. And therefore you shouldn't be making statements such as the one you just made. You should instead be thankful that you're here, attending this upcoming meeting. Besides, the battlefield isn't really made for one such as yourself, now is it?"
"How dare you! I'll have you know that before I became a Prime Minister and member of the Imperial Court, I was a very well-rounded field soldier. I can handle myself out there on a battlefield just as much as any knight."
"Whether or not, that does not matter right now. All that matters, is this meeting."
"Which, I might add, isn't really that much of a meeting right now is it? Our 'guests of honor' aren't even here yet, and we only have two Prime Ministers attending. Which brings up the better question; Where in the hell is Von Bismarck?!"
"Were you not the one in charge of informing Freesia of today's meeting?"
"I. . ." The woman, known as Vira, merely kept quiet after that statement, thinking about the fact that she forgot to mention the meeting to Freesia. "Oh shut up!"
"Now, now you two. There's no need to fight."
*The two Prime Ministers looked up at the center of the Prime Minister's area, as someone spoke up. The person in question was a handsome man with short, brown hair. He wore a white buttoned shirt, that was opened at the top, and blackish pants, with a red sash tied around his waist. His outer wear was a light green coat, that was lightly armored. He carried a long katana that was never sheathed. The man sat with his feet crossed and propped up in front of him.*
"Aglovale, Vira, we're on the same team here." He said with a smile. "And we're all here for the same reason."
*The man known as Aglovale and the woman named Vira both looked back at each other, then back to the man.*
"Very well..." Vira nodded in agreement.
"My apologies, Your Highness." Aglovale responded.
"Excellent." The King replied. "Though I will admit, it has been some time now. But I'm sure that Feldia and Percival are on their way."
"This leaves me to wonder if what they want to discuss could really be that important." Vira said.
"I'm sure that they have their reasons for being late."
"Perhaps something else is keeping them." Aglovale suggests.
"I suppose that could be a thing." Vira replies. "But what could that be?"
*The King and the Prime Minister all turned their attention to the door to the audience chamber as it began to open. As it opened the three saw that it was simply Prime Minister Freesia entering the room.*
"Oh. Freesia." The King said.
"Your Highness." Freesia bowed in respect as she spake. "Aglovale."
"Glad to see you've joined us." Aglovale said.
"Vira."
"Thankfully you've made it." Vira replied.
"Where's Alexiel?"
"Currently on another assignment. Because of this she gets to miss out on today's meeting."
"Meeting? So they were telling the truth after all..."
"They?" The King asked.
"Your Highness, this meeting Vira mentioned. By any chance does this involve any of the Dragon Knights, Feldia, and Katalina?"
"I don't recall them mentioning her being here." Aglovale pointed out.
"Must have tagged along with one of the knights, I suppose." Vira answered. "Probably that Lancelot fellow."
"I'm assuming that all answers will be answered whenever they arrive." The King said. "By any chance Freesia, are they close by the audience chamber?'
"Um, yes, they're right outside the first door." Freesia answered. "Shall I fetch them?"
"That would be swell, yes." Vira said.
*Freesia nodded, and made her way back out to the castle's main hallways towards Feldia and the others.*
"Why on earth would they just be waiting outside?" Aglovale asked. "They know that they could have just came straight in once they arrived. The elite guards have all been informed of the meeting, and about who would be attending it."
"The chances are Katalina may have gotten them suspicious." Vira replied." She wasn't mentioned by Percival."
"Perhaps Freesia's inconvenience may have a factor. Considering that you forgot to bring this meeting up to her."
"I swear, I don't know how that could have possibly slipped my mind..."
-x-
Moments Later...
*The sound of the main door to the audience chamber could be heard opening as Freesia, along with the others, had walked into the audience chamber, gathering the attention of the The King, as well as Aglovale and Vira, as they all looked up.*
"We apologize for the delay, Your Highness." Percival stated, bowing in respect.
"My apologies as well." Freesia sighed. "I was uninformed."
"No no. I shall take blame for this delay unfortunately." Vira admitted.
"it's alright, all of you." The King said to them all. "All that matters is that we were able to clear up any unnecessary confusion beforehand. Now then. If you are all ready, I suppose that we can begin."
"Very well." Percival replied.
"If I may..." Vira began asking, pointing towards Katalina. "What is she doing here? And where's your commander, Lancelot?"
"Forgive me for the inconvenience to His Highness, as well as the Prime Ministers." Katalina began answering. "But, I am here to substitute for Commander Lancelot. Why is it that he cannot intend will be explained during this meeting as well."
"I suppose that whatever this meeting is about must be severe then." Aglovale responded. "Knowing him, Lancelot wouldn't have sent anyone in his place if everything was okay."
"That would be correct, unfortunately." Percival replied.
"However," Vane butted in. "This would lead into our initial topic."
"Alright then..." The King said. "Now, I'm quite intrigued. Let's hear what you have to say."
*With His Highness' permission, the true conversation of the meeting began. The group of five began their explanation of the current events that happened between all of them. Starting all the way from Feldia's discovery, all the way up to everything Katalina would be willing to give away regarding Lancelot's condition, though of course Katalina and the others took care as to omit Monika and Feena from the story entirely. The Imperial Court took this as a shock of what the small group had brought up to them. Freesia, however, merely looked away the entire time, still holding a bit of disbelief.*
"With as much as just the few of you managed to learn, I'm surprised you didn't bring this to us sooner..." Aglovale responded.
"Could there really be such a thing in Riverbrandt...?" Vira said in shock.
"Maybe... Maybe not..." The King replied. "However. I'm not one to quickly decide one's realm. I'm just a mortal man after all. Who knows. While I won't deny that this is a possible threat, I don't want to apply this label as "monster" just yet. Who knows? This man may be just
Man after all."
"You're awfully calm about this, Your Highness." Freesia spoke out.
"Yes, I must agree with Von Bismarck." Vira said as well. "Your Highness, shouldn't you be a little more concerned about these types of things? Especially when more than just your life is at possible threat here?"
"Don't be mistaken you two." The King answered them. "I'm concerned about my safety, as well as the safety of all of Goldenia. However, at the same time, I'm a just man. I don't wish to wrongly accuse anyone like this. Or at least, not without anything to show that this "monster" or demon is actually a Demon. I know that this person has caused extreme injuries to Commander Lancelot, and I agree, that's not forgivable. However, that doesn't mean that I'm willing to condone him to such titles so soon."
"That is what we all expected, Your Highness." Vane spoke out to the Imperial Court. "If we may, I believe we have one thing that may be able to show you our claims are worth our accusations."
"Oh?" Vira questioned.
"You've actually brought something else that will help your argument?" Aglovale also asked.
"...Hmph. Alright, I'll bite." Freesia sighed. "What on earth could that be?"
*On cue, the medic stepped up, prepared to present what they have to the Imperial Court.*
". . . Wait." The king stopped them. "Perhaps it would be better if we move this meeting to outside of the castle."
"Is there something the matter, Your Highness?" Aglovale asked.
"I don't know. But something's giving off a real threatening like feeling to me. If there's any chance of that, I'd like to avoid doing any damage to the castle as much as possible."
"I suppose that would be wise..." Freesia said.
*Within moments, the group all made their way to the outside of Castle Vallera, all with weapons in hand, ready for anything that can or will happen with what Feldia and the other's present.*
"I suppose this is a far enough distance." The King stated. "This way we can keep all the damage at the minimum. To the castle and anyone else inside."
"As long as you're sure, Your Highness." Vira said. "Now then. If you five may.'
"Certainly." Katalina answered.
*The medic then proceeds to undo the spell over the vial, letting it rumble violently without protection. Everyone took a step back as the medic took deep breath and placed it on the ground. Almost immediately before they could get back, the vial exploded, as the contents morphed into a blackish flying beast. Everyone quickly drew their weapons and were all on the defensive.*
"What the hell is that?!" Vira shrieked.
"I'm not sure myself!" Vane exclaimed. "All we know is that this is what was found from the commander!"
"Commander Lancelot was attacked by something with this kind of power?!" Freesia questioned.
*The beast dived down and rushed towards the group quickly, in which they all quickly jumped out of the way.*
"It's similar to the same power that he used against the Commander!" Katalina exclaimed.
*The beast swooped in once again, as it headed straight for Katalina, nearly catching her off guard. The King stomped his foot on the ground, causing a wall of rock to extend upward in front of Katalina, which the beast collided with. Upon collision, the creature bursted into a dark essence. However, the beast immediately reforged itself into it's previous shape on the other side of the rock, attempting to attack Katalina, who quickly jumped out of the way in response.*
"The hell was that?!" The King shouted out.
*Katalina continued moving backwards, keeping away from the creature as much as possible. As the beast continued chasing her, it stopped as Vira fired a beam of darkness from her sword, damaging it indicated by its loud screech. Immediately, the creature turned it's attention for Vira, who fired another shot only for it to roll under it and rush towards her. Vane and Percival quickly moved in front of Vira, colliding with the beast head on to try and push it back. As they did so Freesia took several shots at it with her gun, to no effect. Vira dove out of the way as the two Dragon Knights, who tried their best, were sent flying by the beast that pushed through them, chasing down Vira as well. The King quickly dove in, grabbing Vira and pull her out of the way of the beast, causing it to miss. Aglovale attempted to freeze the creature in place after its missed capture, though it easily managed to move awake and smack the Prime Minister with its tail.*
*Freesia fired another shot towards the beast, unable to damage it but getting its attention as it swooped down for her. The woman quickly rolled out of the way, causing it to crash into the ground. While stunned Katalina and Vane took to the offensive, and slashed the beast horizontally across the sides. Meanwhile the medic attempted to use this opportunity to try and seal up the beast once more using magic. The beast flapped its wings heavily, knocking back Katalina and Vane before rising up and looking at the medic. As it dove straight down, the beast was suddenly knocked back by Feldia's spear as Vira grabbed the medic and moved out of the way. Immediately the rest quickly recovered and held out their weapons.*
"For Commander Lancelot to survive against something that can produce this kind of power..." Aglovale said. "I'm impressed."
"Still in doubt, Your Highness?" Freesia asked.
"Well..." The King began to say reluctantly. "I'm weighing my options, that's for sure."
*Just as The King finished that sentence, the beast charged once again, swooping down to strike at the group. The King swings his foot, causing a large chunk of rock to come out of the ground and head straight to the beast, pinning it to a wall before it bursted into dark essence once again, and reformed itself as it got free. While it was distracted, Aglovale formed several icicles above the creature, and rained them down upon it, only for it to dodge them all, followed by battering one of the icicles towards the Prime Minister. Percival, using his flames quickly melted the icicle, but both were caught off guard as the beast headbutted them. Going from behind, Vira and Katalina slashed at the beast's tail, causing it to shriek. The two quickly jumped back as it swung it's tail around like a madman trying to slap the both of them.*
*Freesia aimed her gun at the beast's face, and fired away, wasting 8 shots on the beast, keeping it distracted as Vane came down upon it from above, driving his axe into one of the wings of the creature. However, it quickly responded after Vane impaled it by shaking him off and knocking him to Freesia. The beast then ascended into the air and dived straight down towards the two, causing a small eruption upon crashing into the ground, knocking them back no matter how far they managed to get away. The beast flew low to the ground, chasing after the two, but was met with resistance upon Feldia's spear jabbed into it from below. Immediately it flew upward, unfortunately for Feldia, he was dragged along for the flight. The beast dove straight down afterwards, managing to shake Feldia's spear loose, and Feldia in the process. As the creature swoops in once more, another rock wall ascended perfectly, causing the creature to crash once more, burst once more, and reform itself once more as well.*
"Doesn't this thing know when to quit?!" Feldia groaned, picking himself off of the ground.
*The beast changed targets and flew after The King, who baited for the beast to attack him. Immediately, the man coated himself in hard rock, allowing him to withstand the blow of colliding with the beast's head, and push it back with his hands. Helping him out, Vane rams into its head with his shoulder, knocking it back. As it attempted to charge, Percival and Vira fired a blast of fire and darkness from their swords respectively. Yet no matter how much they hit it, this winged creature would not stay down and slowly became airborne almost immediately.*
"I think the answer you're looking for is no!" Katalina replied, answering Feldia.
*Katalina sent a barrage of water blasts straight at the creature, only for it to dodge them like they were nothing and dive downward towards the girl. It's head reached the female knight faster than she could move and collided into her chest, sending her straight into the castle's courtyard, and followed after her. Before it could get too far, a powerful blast of water collided with it, knocking it back. Katalina then hopped off the water blast, impaling the beast at the top of its head. However, the creature quickly shook its head, knocking Katalina off of it, and causing her to lose her sword. It attempts to dive down towards her once more, But was stopped as an icicle crashed into its side. Katalina picked herself up very quickly and ran out of range of the beast.*
*As the beast slid across the ground, Aglovale summoned more icicles, throwing them and pinning down the creature once again. Vane attempts to use this as an opportunity to strike it once more and leaped into the air to attack from above. However, the creature bursted into essence once again (and dropping Katalina's sword as it did so), causing Vane to collide into one of the icicles and hit the ground. Not seeing the creature reappear immediately, everyone looked around, only for it to reform right behind Vira, and knock the Prime Minister across the area with its wing. As the woman picked herself off of the ground, she growled angrily and fired several blasts of darkness at the beast until smoke covered the area completely.*
*As the smoke died down, the beast could still not be seen, causing Vira to smirk, thinking she bested it. However, her confidence quickly faded away as the beast's claw lunged at her. Katalina made it just in time and pushed her out of the way, allowing them both to dodge the claw that was heading straight to them. The creature up on the ground once again, and began taking off into the air, floating just above everybody.*
"Are you alright, Lady Vira?" Katalina asked, picking herself and the Prime Minister in question up off of the ground.
"Oh, I'm fine." Vira sighed. "Just a little vexed, that's all."
"Think we're at least wearing this thing down? Just a little?" Vane asked, leaning on his axe.
"I don't think we are..." The King answered, breathing heavily. "If anything, it's just wearing us out.
"To think that one Demon has the power to produce such a powerful creature." Freesia panted. "This winged black beast seems to be besting us, in mind and body."
"We can't let it end here." Percival replied, getting back to his feet. "We've just got to try harder.
*Everyone managed to pick themselves off the ground for at least one more shot at the beast. Freesia reloaded her gun, and opened fire upon the beast within seconds. Though no damage, it took the bait, and flew straight towards her, and was met with one of Percival's fireballs. The beasts crashed into the ground and bursted into dark essence once again. It reforms itself in the air, and dives at the group, its large claw extended outward. The King flung upward a giant chunk of rock towards the beast, causing it to collide with its claw. The beast was stopped momentarily in midair as Vira and Aglovale fired several blasts of darkness and ice respectively at the beast. As it recover, it began to dodge each blast and fly around in a circle around the group.*
*Everyone formed up close together, keeping an eye out all around for the beast's movements, with Vira still attempting to hit it via blasts of darkness. Suddenly the beast dove in, slamming its claw against the ground and separating everyone, knocking them all into different directions.*
"Your Highness! Look out!"
*The King looked up after being sent flying to hear everyone calling out to him. Upon looking he saw the beast was heading straight for him. Unable to respond in time he cover his face with one hand. However, just in time, a blast of wind came from the east, knocking the creature into the ground, followed by several mirror-like blade shards appearing, and shredding its wings to pieces as the shards went past.*
"What in the..." Feldia said.
"She's back?" Aglovale questioned. "Her mission shouldn't have been over that quickly..."
*The creature was no longer airborne and turned its attention towards the direction of the wind and mirror-like blade shards. However, upon contact with the person that sent these things out, it couldn't get a good look in as the person glared at it, causing the beast to suddenly burst into blue flames. The beast yelled out loudly as it collapsed onto the ground, in pain from the flames as the person, who was apparently female, walked up to it. Wielding a large, red, white and gold Zanbato and thrusting it straight through the center of the beast. As the flames died out, any remnants of the beasts had disappeared as well.*
"I never thought I'd be so happy to see her..." Freesia groaned.
"That's..." The medic started to say, staring up at the woman. "Prime Minister... Alexiel...?"
*The woman, supposedly Prime Minister Alexiel, turned around and walked over to the King, taking a knee as she offered her hand to help him up.*
"Are you alright, my liege?"
*The King took her hand, and smiled as he stood up alongside her.*
"Well. . . You know me. . . I've been through worse."
To Be Continued. . .
