Fractured Reality

The Strength of the Three Queens

Unknown Location

The world beyond the majestic fields of Eagle land lay in utter ruins, once home to multiple different nations with their own cultures, creatures and wildlife. Now a land shrouded in darkness, leaving only the most ghastly creatures to roam. Amidst the darkness stood the remnants of an ancient temple, its massive spirals breaching into the clouds that loamed above, a massive crumbling stairway placed conveniently in the center of said temple, connected the ground floor to what appeared to be the ruins of a Shrine room.

Within this room a massive sphere of energy loamed above a wooden pedestal, casting an ominous shadow in the surrounding area, electricity cracking at its surface, which vibrated with each crack. Standing adjacent to this spectacle was a robed figure, who stood at a height of around 5'7 feet, long strands of green hair poking out of their hood as if to confront the floating mass of energy in front of its owner, it's tips sharp and seemingly posed to strike.

"Finally the time hath come, to end this madness," The figure said, their voice powerful yet was laced with feminine qualities, the figure raised their hand and electricity began to spark. "I call upon the storms to shower me with its lightening, so that I may rid this world of villainy," And just like that the sparks of electricity encompassing her hand intensified and she smirked cockily at the orb that floated there, it's surface constantly shifted with every spark from its dark surface. "Your days are numbered!" The figure exclaimed

They direct the electricity to her finger tips, and then she shoots out a high voltage attack at the orb. However, her attack never made contact, and instead it had somehow been redirect back at her. Getting little to no time to react she was pushed back by her very own attack, and sent flying into a crooked pillar. That's all it took for the pillar to come tumbling down, though thankfully not on her, she twitched as electricity sparked around her body. The hood that was concealing her head and face was no longer there exposing her identity to anyone in the area. She had long curly purple hair, that rested along her shoulder blade, dark, almost black, piercing brown eyes and a slightly darker than tan complexion. Her nose was slightly crooked and she had thick full lips, but was an amazing beautiful specimen. She holstered herself up, though with great difficulty, and stared with great confusion at the mass of energy.

"I don't understand," She gripes as she stood to her full height, despite the fact that her legs felt like pudding, and that she was buckling under the pressure of keeping herself up, her eyes shifted across to room looking for a sign.

"Well it's simple really," Her eyes latched onto the figure of a young boy who slowly made their descent towards the ground, landing right in front of her target. "I stopped your pathetic attack from touching the boss man."

The woman turned to send the new party a soul snapping glare, though he seemed to not be affected by it. She bit down on her lower lip but remained glaring at the boy. "How dare you interfere. You know not the powers you tamper with!" Se all but growled.

"How un lady-like!" The boy says in mock disgust "I suggest you leave now wench, thou be tampering with powers that are well above yours!" the boy said, clearly mocking her speech pattern.

"Have care for how you speak, boy, I am the sage Agitha!" She exclaimed "I know what it is that I am up against, it is you who possess ignorance," She bit out, she took two steps towards him but her legs buckled making her crumble onto the cracked marble flooring of the shrine room. She however pushed herself off the ground, passing her little mishap off. The boy simply smirks.

"You seem to not understand, I work for the man who wants to see you withering under his boot," The boy said cracking his knuckles "They call me Liam, and I'm here to kill you," His smirk grew as she saw her gaping at him.

"So you're apart of this madness?" She looked absolutely livid as she forced herself to her feet. Charging up electricity in her hand,

"Oh please, what could you possibly do against me in the state that you're in?" Liam crossed his arms, "You would need every fiber of energy in your body and even then you're still nothing compared to me," He examined her as her irritation rose to dangerous heights "Look on the bright side, I'll kill you quick, you won't feel a thing, I bet your sage buddies will agree with me," and that was all it took for her to launch at him.

"Silence you insolent miscreant!" She hollered, rushing at him with electricity cracking in her hand, she threw her fist at him only for the boy to suddenly vanish out of sight, her fist slamming into the marble floor, instantly splitting it open, strands of electricity rushing out of the cracks. Her dark eyes widened when the boy reappeared beside her and slammed his foot into her stomach causing her to skid against the hard flooring. She glared at him, strands of dark hair falling down in front of face. Growling and cursing his very existing, she launches a lightening attack against Liam. Her eyes widened however when Liam swatted away her attack as if it was nothing. Suddenly appearing before her faster than the blink of an eye, he leaned forward merely inches away from her face and smirked.

"Is that all you've got?" Agitha stepped back, visibly shaking, before sending a multiple beams of focused electrical energy straight at Liam, all of which Liam simply swatted away with his hand. "This is getting boring, are you ready to die yet?" Liam stared at her with a bored expression, Agitha snarled at him, and ceased fire, instead she got up close and personal. Throwing punches and kicks aiming at the boy, who simply either blocked or ducked under every attack, despite this Agitha continued her assault increasing the amount of force behind every punch.

"You bore me," Liam said, after blocking another attack. "I'm done with you," and he simply swatted her away with enough force that it felt as if she was being hit by a bus several times over. Agitha hit the ground. Hard. And did not get up, most likely unconscious.

Liam stared down at the sage with a look of disappointment; he had expected more from a sage, a'well. He slowly made his way towards her, ready to finish what he had started, only to stopped when he heard the sound of glass breaking., he eyed the sphere of energy as a humanoid appeared from a giant crack that formed from its surface. "Ah, looks like I didn't need to free you from that prison," Liam said "Welcome back Lance, time to show these Perilians whose boss," He stared down at the woman who lay unconscious on the floor, "Looks like it's your luck day, I'm not going to kill you," He paused for dramatic flair. "Yet anyway."

Kingdom of Eagle Land

Ness, Ninten and Lucas stared at the castle in slight awe. Between the jagged cliffs of what appeared to be a massive mountain stood a magnificent palace with skyscraper like towers with thick columns of ice and snow that surround the windows like silver garlands on a Christmas tree. The towers and walls climbed up the rock wall on both sides, and the roof covered with what appeared to be ice crystals. A wide stone staircase lead up to imposing door made of pure translucent crystals. At it sides stood two statues of winged Perilians that seemed to glare at them. The structures of Peril never ceased to amaze them. They boys didn't even seem to be bothered by the sudden shift in temperatures and climate, well except Flame whose teeth were chattering due to the cold.

"The Entrance is this way," Said the Lady Swift as she directed the three heroes towards the castle, Ness still was surprise by how similar she looked to his mother and often stared in awe at this fact. He had been feeling a little homesick which he often does. However, seeing a copy of Tracey in the last layer helped eased that feeling. But now he sees his mother which is greatly will be extremely distracting. Lady Swift was rather thrown to Ness rather abrupt shout of calling her mom. She was uncomfortable as well.

"So she really looks exactly like your mom?" Ninten questions. Ness nods in confirmation. Ninten looks at Lady Swift a moment to tilt his head. "Ya know, she kinda looks like my mom too, 'cept she'd have blonde hair duller then that, and different colored eyes."

"Sorry about that Lady Swift, my friends are from another world different from Peril. But many of the people they meet here look like friends and family back on their home world," Flame explains to Lady Swift. She nods understanding now.

"I see. I suppose seeing those close to you can mislead one to jump to conclusions," Lady Swift states. "You are a fine warrior Ness, your true mother must be honored."

"Uh, thanks Lady Swift," Ness says rubbing the back of his head. The group enters the castle to see it is covered with bright colors. The floor a sapphire blue, the walls a crimson red, and the ceiling a sky blue. No matter where they looked this color scheme remained constant. They all heard what sounds like a loud crash and the grunts of a fight.

"She hath better not," Lady Swift mutters as she quickly jogs down the hall. She takes them toward the middle corridor enter what appeared to be a throne room. The room was extremely large with the three thrones sitting next to each other on the other side of the room. Each throne had its own color scheme like the castle, blue, red, and light blue. What got their attention though was a woman battling what appeared to be black armored knights. The woman dressed just like Lady Swift minus the hood and traveling cloak combo. Her hair waves in the wind as she moves her curled ends and perfect complexion unaltered as she swings…a giant two handed sword! "Such trifle…" Lady Swift mutters.

The woman's sword is a large double bladed two handed long sword. The grey steel of the blade shines even as it cuts into her enemies. Her arms looked delicate though she clearly heaved that sword around like no one's business. Everyone stared at her watching her fight. However, Ninten rushes into the fight wielding his own bat alongside her suddenly. Even for Ninten, that is rather brash. The woman notices him and is about to cleave her sword in him until he smashes fist down onto a black knight turning it to dust. He moves to do the same to another right after. She is surprised but doesn't question the help as she continues her fight. The evil knights attempt to overpower them, but that was proven to be impossible. With a single swing they send multiple enemies flying. The other parties there felt they would only slow down the process if they tried to assist. The two powerhouses make short work of the black knights remaining. And once the enemy is taken care of the woman moves to put the sword on her back as if she had a scabbard on. The sword dematerializes as she does this.

She turns to Ninten, "Fine work young warrior, though your assistance was unnecessary. These fighters were hardly worth the effort of my blade."

"Lady Might!" Lady Swift barks as she approaches. "What were Black Knights doing in our throne room?"

"Clearly, they came to do us in," she responds evenly.

"Our castle defenses prevent such an attack from ever occurring. This space is the most guarded room in Peril, so how did Black Knights get in?"

"They found a way."

"Might!"

"Swift, do not presume you can just snap your fingers like I am one the subjects you rule."

"I suspect, through some misplaced arrogance, that you dropped the defenses just so you can throw around muscle. You know Lady Heart would not approve of this!"

"Geez they fuss just like you two do," Flame says looking at Ness and Ninten. Ninten rubs his arm awkwardly as he looks at Lady Might. "Wait, what's with you?"

"Um…she looks like my mom," Ninten states rather bashfully. The other boys blink in shock then look at Lady Might as she continues arguing with Lady Swift. The two women do look a lot alike. Lady Might's blonde hair was paler, and the ends of her hair are curled. Her dress is designed like Lady Swifts, only a sapphire blue color. Her eyes are also green instead of blue like Lady Swift. But other than those minor details exactly alike. "So Ness' mom is here, Ninten's mom is here, so does that mean…" Flame's eyes travel to Lucas who begins to start shaking. "Come on Lucas it'll be okay," Flame says patting Lucas on the head.

Ness and Ninten return their focus to the two warrior queens. "I felt you using your Old Power but a few moments ago. Why must I be left with my thirst for battle unquenched?" Lady Might demands seemingly somewhere amid the argument she admitted to letting the shields down.

"You know it takes all three of us to restore the protective barrier, and Lady Heart is not here yet!" Lady Swift then calms down tremendously. "Why is Lady Heart not here yet?"

"I was wondering the same. After sensing your Old Power, I was at ease, but Lady Heart still eludes my senses."

"Was this all simply to get Lady Heart's attention?" Lady Swift questions.

"I was concerned, she was gone for so long. If you made it back before she did, and you had went to a place much farther. Then I knew something was amiss," Lady Might says. It seemed that for this reason alone Lady Swift was no longer angry with Lady Might. "We must search out Lady Heart."

"Verily, but I must introduce you to our new allies," She gestures to the four boys.

"Younglings?" she questioned looking them over.

"Yes, their names are Ness, Lucas, Ninten, and Flame."

"Greetings young heroes, I am called Lady Might, wielder of the long sword of passion."

"It is nice to meet you," Lucas says with a slight bow. His friends don't exactly follow his lead with their extremely informal greets of, 'sup'.

"Actually, Ness, Ninten, and Lucas hail from a world far away from ours. On their world I am the mother of Ness." She spoke.

"You, a mother?" Lady Might gasps in shock before breaking into a fit of laughter. "I find that difficult to conceive."

"Well you look like my mom, Lady Might," Ninten speaks up rather respectfully. The three boys were dumb struck seeing Ninten actually behave. Lady Might sizes up Ninten with an unsure gaze.

"You appear to be strong, breaking apart a Black Knight with ones bare hands is impressive. But we should discuss alternate reality offspring at a later date, we must find Lady Heart," Lady Might says with authority in her voice. The two queens change out of their dresses to more appropriate clothing. Lady Swift wears red boots with a four inch heel that are shin high, with leggings, a stylish red coat along with her traveling cloak. Lady Might wears the same only in sapphire blue instead of red, and she chooses not to wear a traveling cloak. After the quick change they rush out of the castle on foot moving toward the outskirts of the town.

"Are we seriously running there?" Lucas yells from his position in the back. Ness looks back at Lucas to slow down to run alongside him. Lucas sees that's Ness' foot speed was rather fast too, and slightly annoyed that Ness made running alongside him look so easy.

"Lady Swift says that Lady Heart's destination was within walking distance, not too far just over the hill here," Ness notices that they are getting left behind. So he scoops Lucas up in his arms then shoots off in a burst of speed, not running, but propelling himself forward with PSI. That quick burst brought him to the top of the hill first before the others got there. "Lucas, will you be okay?"

"I was taken by surprise there, but I'm not that fragile Ness," Lucas says with a frown.

"No, not that. There are three queens and two of them happen to be my mom and Ninten's mom. Odds are this Lady Heart might be…well…your mom."

"I'll keep my emotions in check if that's what-."

"No," Ness said cutting off Lucas. "That is not at all what I'm asking. I'm asking if you're going to be okay. Seeing all these familiar faces of people who are dead … it's enough to break someone. I want you to be honest with me right now. Can you handle this?"

Lucas glances at the ring on his finger before looking at Ness. "I didn't cause the death of my mother, so she never suffered by my hands."

"She's the first person you've ever lost though," Ness counters. Lucas's eyes narrow. "Sorry, I just figured that out since she's the only one you don't talk about…"

"I'll be-," Lucas stops knowing that phrase never puts his friends at ease. As the rest of the group approaches Lucas looks at the ground. "Just … I always wondered what it would be like if I had saved her."

Ness stares at Lucas. He felt his heart twist in knots. But Ness doesn't say anything only nodding. Even if this wasn't really his mother, if she's in danger, it would probably fill him a satisfaction unmatchable. Ness turns to Lady Swift. "Where was it Lady Heart was going?"

"A cottage, a place she frequents often. It is there where she checks on the princess and the Sage. It should be-," Lady Swift is cut off by a burst of light shooting into the air followed by an explosion. "My father's beard, we must move!" Lady Swift dashed down the hill with the winds at her back.

"Geez, more running…" Flame whined as he brought up the rear of the charge as the rest of them rushed forward. They all could hear the cry of battle and the sound of rather intense fight. Upon the group arriving they see a woman with a sky blue traveling cloak, the hood over her head, metal gauntlets on her hands, shoulder guards, and jacket stylized like the other queens. She was currently facing down a large platoon of Black Knights. She flips in the air backwards then rushes forward dragging the tip of her sword along the dirt. Her sword is a Medieval Falchion, the handle being silver matching the color of the double blade, but also has a hand guard.

She swings her sword into the first knight easily slashing it to pieces. Suddenly, her blade began glowing as she quickly turns unleashing a sword beam decimating the Black Knight platoon. She jumps back unleashing a barrage of sword beams at once raining down on her enemies. She holds the sword up with the tip pointing straight out as she holds the sword with two hands. She slowly runs her hand along the side of the sword as her hand moves the sword begins glowing. It shines brightly as she twists the weapon in her hands for it to suddenly shoot out in an arch as if the sword was now elongated. She swings her sword similar in the fashion one would use a whip.

"Uh…and we came to rescue her…why?" Ninten questions seeing her decimate knight after knight. Lucas couldn't help but smile a little.

"She's amazing!" Flame exclaims.

"Yes, she wields much Old Power, far greater than the two of us," Lady Swift explains.

"However, she lacks the ability to pace herself in battle," Lady Might said as she rushes into the fray followed closely by Lady Swift. Just as they approach Lady Heart's sword returns to normal as she tries to catch her breath. More Black Knights spawn before her and behind her. She also sees that a particularly large Black Knight appears amidst the group.

"Persistent lot," Lady Heart mutters. Suddenly, large orbs of sky blue energy crash into the opposition in front of her. She gasps seeing they were taken out completely in one shot. She turns to see that her fellow Ladies had joined the battle knocking away the enemies that had her flanked. She notices that a new party has joined her fellow queens. Four boys, one of which is rushing toward her quickly.

"Are you okay?" the blonde asks. From beneath her hood Lady Heart smiles.

"Yes, thank you," She stares at him and she can sense this immense energy. "Am I right to assume you are the one who defeated those tyrants?"

"I just wanted to help."

"And help you have young one, what is thy name?"

"Lucas," He responds. She moves to remove her hood which reveals the brown hair she keeps in a bun and her warm eyes. She smiles at Lucas.

"I am Lady Heart, wielder of the falchion of vitality and one of the three queens," her smile drops slightly as she sees the way that Lucas looks at her. As if, he is in great pain seeing her, holding back some emotion. "Do not yield thy feelings, speak them freely, express yourself young one."

"Can … can I hug you?" Lucas asks feeling like a smile child. Lady Heart thought it odd to make such a request in the middle of a fight. Although looking at her comrades, she sees the battle is practically over already. She notices the boys glancing in Lucas' direction, clearly they were concerned. She smiles inwardly knowing those looks all too well. She focuses her attention on Lucas now.

"If it will quell the storm in your heart," She says opening her arms. She hardly had a chance to dispel her sword before Lucas rushes her wrapping his arms around her waist. She was startled with the strength of the grip. She gentle pats his head. Lady Heart could recognize the type of feelings Lucas was expressing, was one that a child expressed to a parent.

"There she goes, quelling hearts again," Lady Might says running her sword through a Black Knight on the ground before she dispels it.

"Am I to assume that Lady Heart reminds Lucas of his own mother on his world?" Lady Swift asks Ness.

"Yes," Ness responds.

Lady Swift looks on until a saddened expression crosses her features. "She is gone from his life is she not?" Ness looks up at Lady Swift surprised. "I can see it in the way he holds her. A tight grip, shaking, afraid if he lets go, he may not be able to take hold again."

"I don't know the details, but I know she died when he was young." He responds.

"You defend him, as we defend Lady Heart. She herself has lost those she loves, although she is unable to remember them. Being a person who thrives on feelings, the emptiness she feels from missing those loved ones claw at her insides. It can some days make her ill. Lady Might and I wonder if we may ever be able to fill the void." Ness looks at Lady Swift then back to see that Lucas released Lady Heart.

"Lady Heart, it is pleasant to see you in good spirits," Lady Might states approaching after Lucas separated from Lady Heart. "Surely a small platoon of Black Knights couldn't have slowed you thus?"

"No, I was searching for the missing Sage and princess," Lady Heart states gravely.

"Nay, both are missing?!" Lady Might exclaims shocked.

"How can that be, Agitha is a foe even I would not want to cross swords with," Lady Swift says.

"And Princess Meredith, she is still young. We mustn't allow her to be manipulated," Lady Heart adds.

"Whoa, ladies, please. We would really like to know what's going on here," Ninten says cutting in the middle of their chat.

"We should return to the castle, there we will be safe so we may explain all. Besides, we must cast a protection spell since misfortune has befallen the previous cast," Lady Heart says with a slight glare in Lady Might's direction. Lady Might responds with a bashful shrug of her shoulders.

"Then let us take our leave," Lady Swift says proceeding to lead the way back to the castle town. Flame couldn't help but smirk as Ness and Ninten walked alongside their counterfeit mothers. Flame did notice that Lady Heart gave a backwards glance to Lucas who for some reason kept his distance. Flame couldn't help but roll his eyes.

"Feels like looking at the same person," he says. He walks next to Lucas then grabs his hand. Lucas looks at Flame about to protest. Flame instead pulls Lucas arm till they both are next to Lady Heart. "I want you pretend even if it hurts a little. Pretend for just a little while. This is the closest you'll ever get," Lucas is unsure what he means. Flame reaches out to grab hold of Lady Heart's hand. She is rather startled but even more so when Flame places Lucas' hand in her hand. Flame releases them both then walks ahead of them with his hands behind his head. Neither Lucas nor Lady Heat says anything in response to Flame's rash action. But they never let the other's hand go.