A Song from the Divines

by TheSingingSword

The story of a boy named Yuri, who is taken from all that he knows and loves into a world where he must rule as High King and wield the God Cards to bring peace to the continent of Termnnia, torn apart by civil war and a cult of religious fanatics. But his task will not be an easy one, for he is surrounded by foes looking to take away his crown by any means necessary. [AU-Fantasy]

157. Part 2: A Song of Ebony

Dancer

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Part 1

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Behind the iron door in front of him, he could hear the blood thirsty cries of the audience cheering for another display of violence and gore tonight. He was not alone. All around Dancer, were participants of the sick games taking place. Many of them were prisoners of war captured by the Empire or the Covenant, and brought to the arena to fight for the pleasure of Elleria's young and violent ruler, Ethan.

Even now, after a year under his control, Dancer could not believe that the tyrant drinking goblet after goblet of wine and suckling the nipples of countless whores was the young boy he once considered his baby brother. There was once a time when Ethan was a shy and timid youth who always stuck by his friends at the sight of danger. A mediocre duelist, but a lad with a good heart. Dancer did not know what it was that caused the darkness to take over Ethan's heart, but he changed for the worst. He murdered his friends and the king and queen before he forced himself upon Evelyn as some sort of ritual to stamp his dominance over Elleria.

The men around Dancer began to sob. One man, a skinny recruit by the looks of his armor, urinated himself in front of Dancer. There was a loud thud, and the door slowly creaked open. Dancer's ears were blasted by heavy metal music and the loud cheering of the crowd. His eyes were bombarded by fluorescent paints that were smeared all over the walls. Pyrotechnics blasted from the top of the arena which was recently constructed by King Ethan. Slot machines jingled from the many floors above where the audience members helped themselves to wine, food, and women. The guests ranged from Covenant military officers, noblemen, and even priests from the Church. Nothing pleased them more than to see the sinful Termnnians fight to their doom in the bloody pits below.

Dancer found them all hypocrites. The Church often condemned the use of technology, but now that it gave them an edge in the war against Avi and the Alliance, they viewed it as a blessing from their false-god, Yeyu. The women above, both noble and otherwise, cheered and exposed themselves for Ser Dancer, the fairest knight in Elleria. Once upon a time, Dancer would have soaked up their admiration like a sponge with his ego. But now, he just eyed them all poisonously.

The heavy music died down, and then trumpets blared announcing the arrival of King Ethan. He entered his glass box, waving at the crowd like a conquering hero. The guests cheered for him, thanking him for the bloody games which he had created. Had High King Yuri still been in power, he would have arrested and executed Ethan for creating such a place. But now that High Kings were gone and being safe under the wing of the Covenant, Ethan felt like he could do whatever he wanted. Over the course of a year, the arena had bloated his vaults with gold. He added modern weapons to his armory, added many additions to the castle, and built a prison on an island to house the contestants for his games

"Friends!" he shouted, and the guests cheered wildly for him. "Welcome to another edition of the games. Tonight, I have a bit of a treat for you."

The audience cheered. Ethan held out his hands to pacify them. "A long time ago, my mother told me stories of brave knights travelling to far-away lands to rescue beautiful princesses from the clutches of evil dragons. Once such tale, was the story of Ser Herrington and the 200 Companions, who braved many dangers to rescue Princess Vanessa Stormsword from her imprisonment by the evil Red-Eyes Black Dragon, Gürandar. Their mission ended in failure, and poor Princess Vanessa was the dragon's slave until the end of her days. Tonight, our brave souls down below with reenact this tragedy with the handsome, the brave, the delicious, Ser Dancer Firewing acting as Ser Herrington!"

The men booed. Women cheered. "Dancer!" they cried out to the young knight. Ethan looked down at his former friend. He gave a dominant grin. "Can they be successful?" The crowd cheered. "We shall see!" said Ethan. "But who will be playing the role of the beautiful Princess Vanessa. Well, we found ourselves a very brave volunteer. Ladies and gentlemen! May I introduce my beautiful wife Queen Evelyn Alteria as Princess Vanessa Stormsword!"

Dancer pushed his way forward. He saw the walls on the other side of the arena flipping around to reveal a room. Evelyn was chained up to two posts wearing a red ballroom gown. The posts rolled towards the stage as pyrotechnics launched all around her. Evelyn had a red gag over her mouth. Tears poured down her face. Dancer saw her cheek was purple, a sign that Ethan had beaten her again.

Another large iron door opened on the other side of the arena. Ethan laughed. "And now, introducing the beast!"

Dance backed away when he saw that the monster he was going to be fighting was a Gravi-Crush Dragon. Ethan had the monster armored in black steel as a costume so he could look like the mighty Gürandar.

"Let's get ready to rumble!" shouted Ethan.

The heavy metal music began to blast again. The twenty gladiators cowered at the sight of the monster. Gravi-Crush Dragon saw Evelyn and roared. He approached her, ready for a snack. Dancer picked up a spear that was dropped by a cowardly gladiator and threw it at Gravi-Crush Dragon's fist. It was a perfect throw, for it pierced through armor and flesh. Gravi-Crush Dragon roared in anger. He snapped the spear in half, and turned to face the contestants. He grabbed one of the gladiators and brought the poor soul into his mouth, biting him in half with a loud crunch. He pulled the lower body away. A long trail of intestines came out, followed by a rain of blood.

The crowd loved it, and cheered. Evelyn sobbed at the gory sight. She pulled and pulled on the chains in vain attempt to get away. Gravi-Crush Dragon pounded a man who tried to run away, smashing him into the ground with his massive fist. Dancer ran for Evelyn as Gravi-Crush Dragon was focused on massacring the gladiators below.

"Boo!" shouted the crowd.

Dancer made it to Evelyn at last. He pulled the gag out of her mouth. "Dancer get away!" she shouted.

"No, I'm not leaving you!" Dancer cried, trying to break the chains. "We're getting out of here, if it's the last thing we do!"

"DANCER!" shouted Evelyn.

Gravi-Crush Dragon returned and swatted Dancer away, sending him crashing into a wall. "OH!" the crowd cringed at the loud impact. A few brave gladiators began to form squads which started doing damage to the dragon. Dancer recovered and led these brave warriors into a fierce battle against the dragon.

"Fight! Fight!" chanted the crowd.

Gravi-Crush Dragons feet caused the arena to quake. He was forty-feet tall and very muscular. He stomped a gladiator with his foot. They fought until all that remained was Dancer. He and the dragon battled for hours until Dancer struck the final blow in the dragon's jugular and smout his ruin on the arena.

"Dancer! Dancer! Dancer! Dancer!" the crowd cheered.

Dancer climbed back up the stage and to free Evelyn from her bindings. But then, an bolt of gold with a fletching of white protruded into his throat. The crowd let out a gasp of shock. Evelyn screamed. Dancer fell to the ground gurgling. But he wanted nothing more than to free his love from her captivity. He got up and snapped the bolt in half, wincing in pain. He hobbled towards Evelyn, raising his sword. Another bolt struck him under the arm.

He dropped his weapon. His sword clanging as it fell to the ground. Evelyn writhed in her chains, demanding that Dancer stop his struggle to free her. He still got up and threw himself onto her, trying to break the chains with his hands.

"Dancer, please!" Evelyn sobbed. "Please…"

"Evelyn," Dancer said, mouth and throat filling with blood. "Evelyn no matter what…no matter what…I l-l-love y-HURK!"

A bolt went into his eye. He was gone. "Dancer!" wept Evelyn. "Dancer!" He fell backward and landed on his back with a loud thud.

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Ethan

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Ethan put his crossbow away. He commanded the crowd to go home, for the games were over for tonight. He held out his goblet and drank from it, toasting another death. Each death in the arena was another bag of gold. He couldn't allow Dancer to live like this. The crowd was beginning to love him too much. That's how heroes are born. And heroes always spelled doom for men like Ethan. He snapped his fingers causing his Black Luster Soldier to disappear.

"I do suppose you're enjoying yourself." The cold, dark voice of Bakura sent a horrible chill up Ethan's spine.

Yami Marik was with him. An apple was impaled on his Millennium Rod. He bit into it and smiled. "Suffering and death," he said in his dark metallic voice. "What is there not to enjoy, eh?"

"I couldn't agree more, My Lord," Ethan bowed. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"

"We ask that you keep a guard in the plains outside the border of Eredas," said Bakura. "Denethon has confirmed another Ancient Beasts sleeps here in your kingdom. We have learned that a boy named Nemo is on his way to claim it."

"Small boy?" laughed Ethan. "What makes him so special that he can claim an Ancient Beast?" He brought his goblet to his lips to drink.

"He was chosen by Norman the Conqueror," said Marik.

Ethan spit out his wine. "You cannot be serious? I thought Master Marik's plan…"

"There has been a bit of a complication with the plan," said Marik. "One I could not foresee. If only we had the Millennium Necklace."

"Well you don't," Cecelia Pegasus said, coming out of the darkness to join in on the conversation. "We entrusted you to keep out borders safe, from Avi and her ilk, Ethan. Norman the Conqueror walks Termnnia, there are rumors of a girl who can Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragons."

"And here he stays enjoying wine, women, and song," sneered Bakura. "We are not pleased, Ethan."

"Wait, what happened to that Shadow Lady?" Ethan asked. He was getting nervous. The Council would never send members after him unless he really screwed up. "Didn't she have the Necklace."

"She did," said Cecelia. "However, it turns out my daughter is a crafty one. She swiped the Necklace for a fake one and took off into the wild with the real Millennium Necklace."

"So go find her!" Ethan commanded.

Cecelia summoned a dagger and tossed it at Ethan. It jabbed the wall, missing his manhood by mere inches.

"Never speak to me that way, young man," said Cecelia. "You're forgetting who's in charge here."

"Indeed," said Bakura. "We're warning you, Ethan. If Nemo gets his hands on the Ancient Beast, there will be hell to pay. Understand!"

"Yes, yes, sir," Ethan babbled. He suddenly mustered the courage (Or the stupidity) to talk back to them. "You can't treat me this way!" he said. "I am the KING!"

"King?" laughed Marik. "You are no king! If it wasn't for us, you never would have gotten all of this. We gave you Elleria, boy, and we can easily take it away. So unless you want to keep this petty kingdom and continue pretending to be king, you will do as we ask. Or else."

Cecelia opened a portal to darkness. She casually walked inside. Marik and Bakura followed. Bakura allowed Marik to go in first, and before Bakura stepped in, he looked at Ethan and said: "To ensure there are no foul-ups, we're going to be leaving you with a great warrior."

A dark monstrosity of a man came out of the portal. His armor was brilliant gold and crimson red with a cape of light blue. He had tan skin and a pointed black beard. Bakura laughed at Ethan's fear. "King Ethan, allow me to introduce you to DarkNite. One of the chief lieutenants in the Army of Anubis and creator of the Shadow Games."

Ethan went to his knees. Out of fear or out of respect, he did not know. What he did know was that he did not want to get on the bad side of this creature.

"Remember, one more foul-up and cccckkkk!" He slid his finger across his throat. "You enjoy the rest of your summer, Your Majesty!"

Bakura bowed and entered the portal.

DarkNite approached Ethan and held out his hand. Ethan took it. The skin was hard and cold like stone. DarkNite chuckled, looking down at the boy.

"I am sure we can be good partners you and I," he said to Ethan.

"We can?" Ethan asked.

"We shall see," DarkNite replied. "But know that my only task here is to destroy this Nemo, and make sure the Ancient Beast who sleeps in this country is to remain undisturbed. Just don't get in my way, and I can help forge you into a loyal fighter for the Lord of the Dead."

"It will be my honor," said Ethan.

"Good," said DarkNite. "I foresee a great duel in the future with you against Nemo. Use this card, and you will be unstoppable."

He slipped Ethan a powerful trap card. "A Duel?" Ethan asked.

"It must be done, for that is the custom of the ancients. Your technology is powerful, and dare I say, magnificent." He strolled to a bar, helping himself to a glass of vodka. "But it is the work of Men. The craft he makes is weak. No matter how advanced the technology, it will never defeat the ancient magics of Termnnia, do you understand?"

"We are able to take down dragons," said Ethan. "And we…"

"Dragons are just animals with dazzling powers," said DarkNite. "You can kill a dragon just as you would a helpless fawn."

"How?" asked Ethan. "Show me! There is this girl out there named Avi who is the Summoner of very powerful dragons. Every day she gets stronger, for she finds more and more dragons to use. If she were to come into this kingdom, she could annihilate us. I've seen firsthand what her dragons can do. She wiped out the Naralians in the Battle of Green Market, winning Evelyn the December War. For what good it did her. Now, she's my bitch."

DarkNite grinned. "Just follow my instructions, and this Summoner of Dragons will be the next bitch in your harem if you so desire to have one. All the beautiful women of the world will be yours. Ethan, Lord of the Earth!"

He gave Ethan another glass of vodka. Ethan took it, his hand, shaking. "Lord of the Earth?" Ethan asked. "Who gave me such a title?"

"Anubis," said DarkNite. "He is returning to this world very soon. His armies of orcs amass in the oceans, ready for him to come back and lead the charge to take Termnnia again. And you have been chosen to be his instrument of destruction against the self-righteous fools of this miserable world. All you have to do, is bow to him. Accept Anubis as your Lord and Master, and all your dreams will come true."

Ethan trembled with excitement. He smiled and said: "I will accept Anubis Lord of the Dead as the Master of this World." He went to his knees, and lurched forward, kissing DarkNite's feet.

DarkNite laughed. "So it begins."

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Part 2

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The halls of her father's throne room had grown awfully dark now that Ethan had partnered with that thing, DarkNite. He was a beastly creature who sucked every ounce of what little joy and warmth Evelyn had in her soul. The very air around him grew cold and forbidding like a pale spring morning over the mountains still embraced by winter's loving chill. The rats and insects came scurrying out of their hiding places to get away from him. Despite Ethan's cold heart and his newfound partnership with the Right Hand of Zorc, even he would steer clear of him.

Ethan's summon, Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning, the only radiant being in the room, stood with his arms crossed next to his master.

A loud and satisfied slurp woke Evelyn from her dillydally, memories to cling to of a much warmer time of her life to keep her somewhat happy in this foreboding hour.

Clad in a long black dress, she sat beside his throne like an obedient dog. A collar with flower tracings and a gold tag was fastened around her neck. Attached to it, a long black leather leash stretched into Ethan's greedy grasp. On the other hand, he held up a blackened skull with its dome carved off and the lower jaw was missing. A thick pool of wine splashed along the walls of the macabre chalice in Ethan's hand, glimmering with jewel encrusted rings.

"Alas poor Dancer, I knew him well," Ethan said looking into the sockets of the skull. "I knew him well indeed. He always thought he was better than me. The better Duelist. The better friend."

He looked at Evelyn and petted the top of her head. "The better lover." His menacing gaze returned to the skull. "And now, I drink from his skull." He slurped more wine. "Nothing to say to me, Dancer? No advice on how to Duel? How to be the better man? No? You're weak. You were always weak. You always thought you were better than me to make yourself feel good. Just look at yourself now. I'm rich. I have power. I have all the women I could ever want, including the greatest prize in the kingdom. Princess Evelyn. And you're dead. By my hand. Rest well, big brother."

"I hate you," Evelyn sobbed. The words just pried themselves from her lips. So drowned in sorrow, Evelyn could no longer control what she said or did anymore. Her heart began to thump wildly in her breast as she wondered what vile thing Ethan would do to her for this outburst.

He looked down at her, licking wine off his chops. "You look pretty tense, my Queen," he said.

Ethan handed her the skull. "Have some wine. It will make you feel better."

Evelyn pursed her lips shut. Ethan did all he could to force her to drink to no avail. He snapped his fingers and ordered Black Luster Soldier to hold her head and force her mouth open as he shoved the wine down her gullet. She spit it out and coughed causing Ethan much joy. With another snap of his fingers, a guard approached the royal pedestal and forced a funnel into her mouth while two more held her arms up to keep her from moving.

Ethan poured more wine into the skull and then poured it into the funnel. Evelyn squirmed and let out muffled screams of anguish as more and more torrents of wine mixed with the taste of Dancer's skull flowed down her throat. She sobbed in between each filling of the cup. When the pitcher was empty, Ethan called for another. And it came, quickly. Another pitcher of wine went down Evelyn's mouth before DarkNite entered the room.

"Ethan!" he shouted. "Let her go!"

Ethan shrugged. "She's learned her lesson. You guys can blow."

The guards and Black Luster Soldier let go of her. The funnel came out of Evelyn's mouth, and she vomited wine out of her stomach. She sobbed and wheezed for air. Her dress soaked and sticky with wine and bile.

"Why do you torment that poor creature so?" DarkNite asked.

"Because," said Ethan. "It's what I do."

"Remember, Ethan. Do unto others…"

"Before they do unto me," Ethan finished while thumping his chest. He snapped his fingers, and called for the servants. "Okay, someone get this thing out of my sight and bathe it!"

The maids came scurrying into the room to quickly get Evelyn and away from the presence of DarkNite. Once they were clear of the throne room, they all crowded around Evelyn and began to fuss for her well-being.

They took out handkerchiefs and dried her mouth and chest while pacifying her and calming her from the horrible ordeal she had just went through. She heaved and barfed more wine out of her body.

"There, there, there, My Lady," said a maid, holding onto her hand. Another maid held onto the other.

"It's okay," they both said.

"Good girl," said another, stroking the back of her head. "Let it all out."

Evelyn let out a pitiful moan and slammed her back against the wall. She slowly slid as she sobbed to let out her sorrow.

"He will pay for this," a maid said, getting on the floor to clean the mess Evelyn made.

"You must not utter such words here, dear," said the one holding Evelyn's left hand. "Ethan has contacts all over this place. Even the walls can betray us."

"There used to be much joy in these halls."

"Times have changed," said a plump maid, washing Evelyn's mouth. "I fear this is our lives now. Come, my dear, back on your feet. Let us take you to your room to clean you."

"I have never seen such evil in my entire life," said the maid cleaning the vomit on the floor. "To kill her one true love before her very eyes, and then force her to drink from his skull. I have seen vile creatures in my day, but never have I seen whatever it was I saw. How can the Goddesses allow such atrocities to happen?"

"It is not our place to say," said the maid cleaning Evelyn's face. She backed away and patted her back when she saw her heave. Evelyn groaned and spewed out more wine. "That's it, that's it," the maid said, gently patting her back repeatedly. "Good girl. Let all that filthy swill exit your beautiful body."

Evelyn dry heaved for a moment and released more of the wine until she was finally clean of it.

The maids then helped her to her room where they removed her sticky gown and cleaned her up. Evelyn sat on a stool looking at her mirror when they were done dressing her up. An Eldori maid fastened the collar around her neck again.

"I'm sorry, My Lady," she said sorrowfully. "I hate to put this on you."

"Say no more," said Evelyn. "Just…everyone leave me alone, please."

"As you wish."

The maids bowed and left Evelyn to be by herself to think and ponder a way to get out of this horrible place.

A sudden rasp on her window startled her. She gasped, grasping the edges of her seat to keep from falling.

There was silence. Evelyn looked around, cautiously as a deer would in the forest, looking for the slightest bit of danger. The window was assaulted again by another round of light knocks. Evelyn located the window and saw someone hooded and cloaked standing outside. She quickly dashed toward it, and grabbed a dagger from one of her drawers. She pulled the window open slightly while keeping the blade close.

"Who are you?" she demanded.

"Shh," said the hooded figure, a girl by the sound of her voice. She was clinging on the neck of one of the gargoyles outside. "My Lady, I am Alyssa (Yu-Gi-Oh: Duel Links). I am friend of Queen Alexis from Duelist Academy. She has sent me and two others to come rescue you from this place."

"How do I know this is not trickery?" Evelyn asked, opening the window just a tad more.

"Because she sends you this letter; it is written in her hand if that makes you feel better. Just dispose of it when you are finished. We can't give Ethan any hint that we are here."

The girl reached into her cloak, and handed Evelyn a vanilla envelope sealed with burgundy wax. Evelyn gasped with delight when she saw the royal sigil of House Rhodes stamped onto the wax.

"You will suffer no more after this night," said the girl. "Be here at this very window at midnight. I shall be back with a horse saddled up for you."

"Don't go!" sobbed Evelyn, finding all this too good to be true.

"I must, My Lady, but have no fear. I shall return at midnight."

"Andara bless you," said Evelyn. "You risk so much being here. If Ethan finds you, I fear being tortured will be the least of your worries."

"Do not worry about me," said the girl. "My friends and I knew the risks when we accepted this mission. Queen Alexis's heart aches every day knowing you are trapped here. We know how much you two love each other, My Lady. I will not stand idly by and watch my Queen suffer anymore. I must go now. remember; midnight!"

"I will," said Evelyn. "Thank you so much."

The girl nodded and with a mighty thrust of her arm, she was gone from sight.

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Hierarch Innocence III

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Yeyu's greatest warrior is what the people loyal to the faith called the Hierarch. He was the voice, the will, and at times, the sword of Yeyu. He elegantly and arrogantly waved at his follower, crowding around him just for the honor of getting a glimpse of him. The Hierarch was being carried on a golden palanquin with a shade to shield him from the sun. Templars, the Hierarch's special security force, marched all around him carrying banners with both the sigils of the Church and the flaming emerald eye of Yeyu. Their armor was colossal and extravagant, looking more like works of art than battle armor. White plating trimmed with gold and engraved with gold filigree in the form of flowers and leaves. A massive ocean of white and gold surrounded Hierarch Innocence, giving him a feeling of power. He almost went hard with it, even though the White-Gold Tome stated never to be drunk with pride, but those in the Church of Yeyu were nothing more than mere men, using the holy word to achieve power and bully the world for all its wealth. No one in the highest levels of the hierarchy of the Church followed the White-Gold Tome to a tee.

Confetti fell from the tall buildings like rain as the people of Elleria welcomed their leader into the city of King's Rock. The bells in the tower of Castle Alteria rang delightfully announcing to all in the city that the Hierarch had made it at last.

King Ethan, Evelyn, Black Luster Soldier, and DarkNite awaited the Hierarch from the steps outside the castle.

The Templars carrying the Hierarch lowered the palanquin. Lesser priests rushed in front of it to form a human stairway so that Innocence could make his way down. A woman in hooded white garbs handed him his golden scepter with a glowing crystal at the top that casted rainbows in the sunlight. Two special Templars in larger armor with banners hanging from their pauldrons and hooded in large cloaks made their way past the throng of other Templars and stood on both sides of the Hierarch.

Ethan and Evelyn bowed respectfully while Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning and DarkNite remained still, a move that did not surprise the Hierarch.

"Holy Father!" Ethan said, kneeling. "I welcome you to King's Rock and thank you for the honor of your visit."

"The honor is all mine, my son." The Hierarch held out his hand, decorated with jeweled rings.

Ethan kissed his hand.

He brought him into the castle to the dining hall that overlooked the ocean where a bountiful feast awaited them. The waves crashing against the cliff was like music to the ears of the Priest. The seagulls calling, and the buoy was ringing somewhere out at sea. It was a blessing he had not heard since he became the Hierarch of Balodrum. As a boy, he grew up in a boarding school learning the ways of Yeyu and reading the White-Gold Tome until he had it memorized. It was a life he fondly tried to forget. There were many beatings involved during his time there. He would get beaten by the monks for the slightest things. If he so much as recited the holy words wrong, he was beaten with a club until he was bruised and broken. The long nights in his room praying before he went to bed were his fondest memories; for the school was perched by the sea. Before going to sleep, Innocence would look out the window and stare out to sea and watch the ships sail away to Termnnia.

Now, he was here, at last, eating lunch in one of the most ancient cities in the continent. The hall was a hundred yards long with long black columns going down the left side of the hall and the ceiling was over fifty feet high. It was dark and cool underneath it. The bright blue sky could be seen between the long row of columns.

The air smelled of roast meat, sweet baked treats, and starchy fruits. An army of servants came in and out of the dining hall to refill cups and bring more plates.

"Holy Father," Ethan said again after an hour of silence. "I do hope you have enjoyed your lunch."

The priest gave a chuckle as he plopped a grape into his mouth. His gaze was stuck on Evelyn. She stirred her soup. The red broth was now cold thanks to the ocean breeze.

"I have enjoyed this great feast you have prepared for me, Ethan," Innocence said, wiping his mouth a red handkerchief. "And I thank you for bringing me out here in great style. However, I have a feeling you did not bring me all the way here in the middle of a war-torn continent to have lunch. No, you want something from me, don't you?"

Ethan gulped. He picked up his goblet of wine and drank from it. "Uh…well…there is no lying in you Father. Yes, I have invited you here, in good faith, to discuss an urgent matter regarding an Ancient Beast."

"Mmm," Innocence said before picking up his own jeweled goblet. The dining hall began to shake violently. The chandeliers swayed in circles above. The guards in the hall grunted as they tried to remain in balance.

The rumbling finally stopped.

"There," said Ethan. "Kaiser Rex, Lord of the Ancient Beasts, the mightiest of the three Ancient Beasts. He roars for a new master."

Innocence laughed. "And you feel that you're entitled to this Ancient Beast, Ethan."

"I do!" Ethan declared. "More than any person living. That is why I have called you down here, Your Holiness. I need your help acquiring the monster."

Again, Innocence let out a loud laugh. "That is no monster, Ethan. The Estiri are Gods like their brothers the Divine Beasts."

"Yes!" said Ethan. "And with Kaiser Rex at my command, I can lead the charge against the Alliance and the Empire."

DarkNite looked at Ethan disapprovingly. "You wish to challenge Emperor Hector?"

"If it comes to that, yes," said Ethan. "I will use Kaiser Rex to acquire his Ancient Beast. And I have Ancalagon, we can search for the third. After all three of them serve the Covenant, not even the God Cards can stand against us."

"It is a bold plan, Ethan," said Innocence. "And while it brings me joy that you bring your best interests to the Church, your plan is based off nothing more than speculation. You do know that in order to have total control of the Ancient Beast, you must have its card, yes. Even then, the Ancient Beast will prove far too difficult to control."

"I can do it!" Ethan slammed his fist on the table. "I can be the one to control them! I will be the one to control them!"

"Norman the Conqueror couldn't even control them!" DarkNite growled. "They almost killed both he and I during the final battle of the War of the Giants. These monsters are not to be trifled with, Ethan."

"You told me you knew where the card was!" Ethan yelled at DarkNite. "You said he was in Aquarius being held by some kid named Nemo. Thanks to Houses of Boislevesques and Fourneauxs, this Nemo isn't going anywhere. We've got them trapped."

Evelyn gasped. Innocence looked at her and gave a nod of his head; for he, too, knew where Ethan was getting at.

"Are you saying you wish to invade Aquarius, one of the biggest kingdoms in the Alliance, just to have this Kaiser Rex card?"

DarkNite gave a dark chuckle. "It seems to me this card is not the only prize Ethan wishes to acquire in Aquarius."

"Alexis!" Evelyn whispered.

Ethan didn't hear her, but he confirmed his intentions to the Hierarch. "Queen Alexis and I have some unfinished business," said he. "I will openly admit, I wish to add her to my harem."

"Harem?" laughed DarkNite. "I would highly advise against things like that Ethan. You are better than this."

Ethan looked at him happily and with great admiration. "I appreciate that you hold me in such high regard, My Lord, but lots of women flock to my castle every day to join my harem. I am the most devilishly handsome king this side of Termnnia (Evelyn rolled her eyes) Alexis and Evelyn are no doubt going to be the most beautiful flowers in my little garden."

DarkNite spat and Innocence let out a silent chuckle to let out his shock.

"Flock to join your harem?" DarkNite said, growling like an angry beast. "Any woman stupid enough to want to become part of such things is nothing more than a filthy concubine unfit for any man, let alone a king! Just as well, anyone who starts these things for the sake of pleasure is just as moronic. As your advisor, King Ethan, I command you to stop this behavior!"

Ethan refused to keep going on the matter. DarkNite was growing to be very angry. His tan skin was starting to turn the color of one's flesh when the sun burned them. And his long, pointy beard seemed to shudder as though it were a cobra. The eyes behind his mask were glowing red.

"Very well, DarkNite. I will take your advice. Nevertheless, the Queen has done me ill will. I only wish to return her the favor."

"LEAVE HER ALONE!" Evelyn shouted, again losing control of her body to emotion.

"What did you just say to me?" Ethan said, slamming his knuckles on the table, causing the plates and cups to jolt and tremble.

Evelyn shrank back into her seat. "Apologies, My Lord. I didn't mean…"

"I will punish you!" said Ethan. "You make a mockery of me in front of His Holiness and…"

"You've done that yourself," DarkNite said with a devious cackle.

Ethan ignored him and snapped his fingers, calling Black Luster Soldier to the table. "Slave," he said cockily. "Beat her for her insolence." Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning stood his ground. Ethan beheld his monster reproachfully. "Did you not hear what I said, soldier!? Teach her a lesson!"

Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning gave a bow, a quick one; not out of respect. He approached Evelyn who sobbed feeling the floor thunder with each step he made. The armor clanked with each powerful step he took. Evelyn felt smaller and smaller as the soldier approached her and stood over her.

"Please," Evelyn begged, shrinking into her chair. "Please, don't do this. You're a higher being than he is. You're a noble warrior. You don't have to obey what he says. You're better than this. Listen to your heart! You know this is wrong!"

Whack! Black Luster Soldier backhanded her across the cheek. She grunted and went head over heels as she fell to the floor.

DarkNite slammed a golden sword right next to Ethan. He had seen enough. He, too, was a creature of the Shadow Realm, but even he had his limits. Ethan shrieked and leaned so far to the left he almost fell out of his chair.

"Harm her anymore, Ethan, and you'll be fucking the whores of your harem with a wooden cock!"

Ethan shook with fright. "B-b-but, I'm your king. You're my advisor."

"That may be so, Ethan. I was given the task to teach you how to be a proper king. But let it be known that if you continue down this path of chaos, I can and will eliminate you."

Innocence stroked his beard with interest on the matter. "An authority with the power to kill even the king? Just who have you been dealing with, Ethan? And are they responsible for sending this creature to be by your side."

"I will not speak of them," said Ethan. "But if that's the way it's going to be, then I promise I won't harm Evelyn."

DarkNite nudged his blade out of the table and walked to Evelyn to help her to her feet. "You will keep your mouth shut if you know what's good for you, girl," snarled DarkNite. "This is going to be the last time I save you. Now go to your room!"

Evelyn nodded a hundred times, feeling her fear of DarkNite waning…just a bit.

For a moment, Evelyn couldn't help but feel relieved that DarkNite was sent here to "advise" Ethan. Ethan was a wild card, as well as stupid. Whoever it was who sent DarkNite here and put Ethan on her father's throne was a very careful foe. Evelyn smiled for the first time in years.

Well, it looks like the enemy of my enemy is my friend. She exited the dining hall, leaving Innocence and Ethan alone with DarkNite.

"Ahem," said Innocence. "Where were we?"

"The Ancient Beast that sleeps near our borders," DarkNite said at once. "And the potential invasion of Aquarius."

"Ah yes," Innocence took the last sip of his wine and wiped his mouth. "My son, while the thought of my church possessing one of the legendary Ancient Beasts is…a romantic notion; it's a foolhardy one at best."

"So you will do nothing?" said Ethan.

"I did not say that. If what you say is true, and this boy, this Nemo, is in proprietorship of the Kaiser Rex's Duel Monsters card, I will have a garrison of 50,000 men around the border where the monster is said to sleep to guard it."

"That is all?" Ethan groaned.

"I am sorry, Your Grace. I will not allow us to go to open war based on the assumption that the card is in Aquarius, or that the quaking in your border is an Ancient Beast."

"You're saying you don't believe me?"

"I do, but somewhat," said Innocence. "The Alliance is of no threat to us so long as we remain north in Naralia and keep to the rest of the territories we have claimed after the conquest two years ago. We may be in possession of the most powerful airship in the word, La Purga, but the Alliance is still in control of the most powerful beings in the universe. Seto Kaiba is in possession of Obelisk the Tormentor. And based on the reports I've read, Lady Avi is somewhere in the wilds looking for more dragons while in control of another Divine Beast. Slifer the Sky Dragon, who is responsible for the massacre of Master Dartz's Shadow Company. A bloodshed that will forever be known as the Night of a Thousand Screams. And the Winged Dragon of Ra is still missing."

Ethan was growing desperate. "The scientists in Paradius have assured me they have developed a weapon that can stop them."

"Ha!" Innocence said out loud. "Man's machine's stopping Gods? Be reasonable, Ethan. I will not put my armies at risk because you lust for power. Until I find a reason to enter a full-scale war against the Alliance, I will not be able to help you. I am sorry, Ethan."

Innocence clapped his hands. His Templar guards approached and helped him to his feet. "I thank you for the honor of bringing me here, Your Grace. Rest assured, my men at the border will intercept Nemo if he is fool enough to cross into Elleria."

A quick bow and he was gone.

Ethan let out a fierce roar and slammed both fists on the table. "I was a fool to think I could trust him."

"He has every reason to be worried," said DarkNite. "Going into open war with an enemy who controls Gods is an unwise decision. I know how badly you must want that Ancient Beast, Your Grace, but rest assured, charging into their territory will be a fatal mistake."

"There must be something we can do to convince His Holiness to go to war with The Alliance. He has more than five million strong in the church's private army alone and a vast fleet of airships. Even with this devastating weapon that Master Dartz has built, he still doesn't trust me. I need to get that card, DarkNite. Every second we wait, that Nemo kid gets closer to finding him. And if he does, all this manpower and technology the Covenant has will be all for naught. For Hector has Ancalagon and the Alliance wields two of each Divine and Ancient Beast. We will be nothing but a laughing stock I tell you! What the hell can we do?"

"Relax, Your Grace," DarkNite said, standing over Ethan. He rubbed his shoulders with his massive hands to calm him. "I know a way we can get the Church to vote for war."

"How?" Ethan asked, feeling creeped out by DarkNite's attempt to soothe him.

"Just wait till tonight," DarkNite said with a vile grin.

---

Ethan walked with Innocence to the courtyard on the west side of the castle. He noticed that the Covenant soldiers placed searchlights around the gardens and blinking beacons that were signaling something in the sky.

"What in the world is going on?" Ethan asked.

"Look up there," said Innocence. "See those lights in the sky?"

"What the..."

He heard a roar that sounded like dragons booming from the night sky. Upon closer inspection, Ethan saw that that the lights making difficult formations above were flying machines known as jets.

"Look at that!" shouted a young engineer who was working on a landing pad for the fighters. He took out his hi-tech binoculars and switched to night-vision. "Get a load of that. The Covenant has sent their best fighters down here. That's the Covenant Air Force's elite Bodark Squadron."

"No way," said another one. "Why would they come to this shithole of a continent?"

More engineers crowded around the landing pads to get a look at the seven sleek fighter jets. They were stealth black with red-tinted glass on their canopies. The flames coming out of their engines were bright blue. The sleek wings of the fighters were outlined with silver, for they flew in front of the moon.

"Haven't you heard?" asked the engineer with the binoculars. "Avi's wiped out the Paradias Corporation's private army: Shadow Company. She has herself quite the collection of dragons now. Even our best troops won't stand up against them. Things must be grim if King Borat is sending our air forces here."

"No doubt," said another engineer with a mustache. "Avi and her dragons won't stand a chance with them around!"

"But I thought Avi vanished. She disappeared into one of those portals like everyone else did."

"That's just a rumor," said another mechanic. "But it better be true for her sake. Our boys are top-notch dragon killers."

Grand Priest Innocence gave a grin of determination while he bobbed his head up and down. He tapped Ethan's shoulder and pointe to the West. Another formation of flying machines was fast approaching. Cuirass mechs, heavily customized by their pilots. There were ten of them."

"My Holy Knights of the Covenant have arrived at last," said Innocence. "I'm sure they're going to want revenge for the death of Ser Carlyle."

Ethan waited with great anticipation as the machines made a landing in the courtyard. One of the fighter jets brashly sped past the formation and flew circles over the knights before taking center stage in the middle landing pad. Its V-TOL engines allowed him to hover over the pad and make a soft landing. The canopy arose and the pilot pointed arrogantly at the sky.

"Termnnia get ready!" he shouted with an ego that would dwarf Seto Kaiba's. He removed his helmet, revealing a teenage Eldori with spiked red hair and a long ponytail protruding from the back. He had a lone sharp tooth that stuck from under his upper lip. His eyes were light orange in color and seemed to glow. "I am here at last! Lieutenant Commander Lenneth Kantor of the Covenant Air Forces 1st Special Tactics and Recon Air Squadron. The ace pilot of the legendary Bodark Squadron! I am here for blood and war!"

"What a big mouth," said Ethan.

"He has every reason to be arrogant," said Innocence. "He has 116 kills under his belt. He fought back the Akylian Resistance during the Belzan War at the age of fourteen. He became the official poster boy for our air force."

"With so much military might and technology, why didn't you use them earlier?" Ethan asked.

"We didn't think we needed them," said Innocence. "But now that Avi has acquired enough dragons to burn an army of thousands to the ground, we've come to the conclusion that The Alliance of the Dragon Queen is not a faction to be trifled with. And I have high faith that this weapon Lord Dartz is working is as potent as you say it is."

"I'm glad you see reason," said Ethan. "But I take it you still won't make the decision to go to war yet?"

"No," said Innocence. "Bodark Squadron and the Holy Knights of the Covenant are here to safeguard the area where you say Kaiser Rex sleeps. I cannot afford to take the chance that it's just a myth. For if what you say is true, we might have found our most powerful military asset to date. With Kaiser Rex, we can challenge both the Empire and The Alliance."

"The Diamond Throne is so close, I can taste it."

"The Diamond Throne?" laughed Innocence. "You certainly think highly of yourself don't you."

"I've decided to let you keep Kaiser Rex. Appoint me as the ruler of Termnnia, and I will see your faith and your interests are made a top priority to the people of the continent."

"If you say so," said Innocence. "It does sound like a very interesting compromise. If this Kaiser Rex is real, then you and I have a pact. You get the Diamond Throne, but the Church keeps the Ancient Beasts and the Divine Beasts if they survive the oncoming fight that's ahead. I have a feeling that when the sun rises tomorrow, a chain of events will begin to see who will claim the Diamond Throne. This is it, King Ethan. I feel the final battle for Termnnia is close."

"And the victor will be us!" said Ethan. "All of Termnnia's mightiest heroes have vanished without a trace. Now there's nothing that can stop us!"

"Hmm." Innocence smiled.

When the Cuirass mechs landed, the pilots jumped out and revealed themselves. Ethan was incredibly flabbergasted when he saw how young they were. They appeared to be in their late teens. The leader was the oldest at twenty and the youngest, a girl with fluffy blonde pigtails with bright blue dip, was eighteen years old. Ethan felt old being a twenty-one-years-old.

"Come, Your Grace," said Innocence. "Let us treat our guests to dinner. They have had a long journey and I'm sure they look forward to meeting the Church's greatest Termnnian ally."

"Yeah," Ethan said, eying the girl with the pigtails. "I'd like to get to know them better myself."

"Regan is not for you," said Innocence. "She is a Holy Knight serving under Yeyu. She is sworn to chastity, never to bear sons for anyone. Besides, don't you already have a wife in Lady Evelyn."

"I'm getting bored of her," grumbled Ethan. "Thankfully her usefulness is coming to an end."

---

Evelyn

---

The hour was of late. Evelyn had already packed everything she needed and hid them under her bed in case Ethan or DarkNite should return. She paced back and forth in her room nervously awaiting the arrival of the girl Alyssa who promised her that she would come and rescue her from the castle and take her to Aquarius to meet with her friends at last.

Evelyn could already smell the sweet aroma of freedom already. No longer would she have to sleep in fear. At long last she would be surrounded by those who loved her and cared for her. A tap on the window caused Evelyn to jump. Alyssa was outside the window. Evelyn laughed and grasped her beating heart. She quickly made for the window and opened it.

"You ready?" Alyssa asked.

"Yes," said Evelyn. "I have some stuff I wish to bring with me."

"Is it a lot?"

"No, just my Duel Monsters deck and some supplies."

"Okay, toss 'em to me and I'll hand them over to my friend Kylie (Yu-Gi-Oh: Duel Links) down below."

"Yoohoo!" the blue-haired Eldori girl called from horseback in the darkness of the courtyard. "Hurry up, we haven't got much time!"

"Will you shut up!?" Alyssa said in a loud whisper. "We'll have even lesser time if anyone hears you!"

"Sorry!" Kylie called out again.

"Shut up!" Alyssa hissed.

Evelyn came to the window with her bag. "I can't thank you enough for this," she said.

"Think nothing of it," said Alyssa. "Keep calm and focused, and we'll be outta here in no time." She took the bag from Evelyn's grasp and tossed it down below where Kylie caught it with ease.

"Nice reflexes," Alyssa said with a whisper. "Okay, Evelyn, if there's nothing else for you to get, it's time to go."

"All right," said Evelyn. Just as she was about to take Alyssa's hand, she remembered something. "Oh no! There is something else!"

"What? What is it?" Alyssa asked.

"My brother's card. His Gilford the Legend. I can't afford to let Ethan take it."

"Do you know where it is?" Alyssa asked.

"No," Evelyn said with a shake of her head. "But I have a pretty good idea where I left it."

"Well hurry up, we haven't got much time before Ethan comes up."

Evelyn scurried back into the room. "Don't worry, I'll find it." She began to tear her room apart. She searched in every drawer and under ever crevice, but she still couldn't find the card. In the courtyard below, Kylie made the sound of a swallow with her mouth and hands.

"Hurry up! I just saw a squad of guards heading upstairs."

Alyssa gulped. "You hear that, Evelyn. We have to go."

Evelyn ignored her and continued to search for the Gilford card. "Just a little more!" she cried. "It's here! I know it's here!"

"Evelyn we have to go!"

"Just five more minutes!"

"We don't have five more minutes!" Alyssa urged her. Thundering footsteps began to thump down the hall. "Princess, hurry!"

"Hold on!" Evelyn whimpered, tossing the cushions off the couch. "I know I left it here somewhere."

Alyssa could take it no more. "Evelyn, if you don't get your butt over here in the next five seconds, I'm leaving and you're on your own. I'm not putting my life at risk for a stupid card."

"It's not a stupid card," said Evelyn. "It's all I have left of my brother."

The footsteps were getting closer.

"It's not worth it!" begged Alyssa.

Kylie called back up. "Someone's coming my way, girls! What's the holdup? We have to go!"

Voices could now be heard with the footsteps. Alyssa felt like her stomach dropped when she saw the silhouette of two feet under the crack of the door.

"Here!" Evelyn said, finding the card hidden under a vase. The knob began to turn. Thankfully she kept it locked. Ethan was probably drunk as a lord right now, and was fumbling with his keys.

"Hurry!" whispered Alyssa.

Evelyn put the card into her sleeve and dashed for the door when suddenly she heard a loud crash behind her. The shock caused Evelyn to lose her footing and she tripped. When she turned around she saw Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning glaring at her from the doorway.

She would have rather it been Ethan or a castle guard. She could have at least taken on them. But not this legendary swordsman. He unsheathed his sword from his back and approached Evelyn slowly.

"RUN EVELYN" shouted Alyssa. "RUN!"

But she couldn't. Every part of her body was frozen in fear. She was so close. So close to freedom. And now it was all over. Her death was approaching clad in indigo-black armor and trimmed in gold. His sword glistened in the fire of the hearth. Evelyn could see her pathetic reflection in the Black Luster Soldier's massive, curved blade.

"RUN!" Alyssa cried out. "Evelyn!"

Evelyn's lips trembled and she shut her eyes expecting the worst.

"RUN!" Alyssa cried, but to no avail.

She could only watch in horror as Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning stood over Evelyn and brandished his blade ready to strike her down.

"Run you idiot!" shouted Alyssa.

But she couldn't move. Not while staring Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning in the face. His golden eyes pierced into her soul. It felt as though she were under a spell. A spell that froze her body solid. His armor was beautiful but deadly to behold. That made her feel good. At least a handsome, for lack of a better word, knight was going to end her life. Evelyn accepted her fate and bowed her head, ready for the final blow.

"Do it," she said. "Please just end me. Do yourself a great honor and put a stop to my suffering."

"Evelyn no!" cried Alyssa.

Black Luster Soldier raised his blade. The steel flashed with a lust for blood. A tear fell from Evelyn's cheek, but she smiled. Whether she went with Alyssa or was taken by the sword, she would find peace this night. At last, she would be reunited with her friends. She could already imagine them, welcoming her into the Gardens of the Goddesses with a grand feast. She couldn't wait to talk to Ezra again. Most of all, she could not wait to be with Dancer again.

They could be together for all eternity in peace without having to worry about war or politics keeping them apart. It would be just them and their love from now until the end of time, perhaps even longer than that. "Take me sweet death," Evelyn said. "I await thy loving embrace."

Alyssa shut her eyes to avoid the oncoming gore. "Princess!"

"Hurry, Black Luster Soldier," said Evelyn. "If there is any ounce of honor left in you, you would do me this favor and take me on the path to paradise."

The blade fell with a whoosh, but jabbed the floor right in front of Evelyn's face. Evelyn opened her eyes. She saw her reflection looking back at her on the blade. Evelyn slowly peered up at the Black Luster Soldier and peered into his golden eyes once again. There was something different about him. They just looked at each other for what felt like an eternity before the Black Luster Soldier said: "Go!"

Evelyn, shocked that he could talk, bent forward and began to kiss his feet. "Thank you! Thank you!"

"Stop groveling you stupid girl!" snapped Black Luster Soldier. "Get out of here before I change my mind. Go on! Beat it!"

"My Lord," Evelyn said, bowing. "I swear I will release you from him one day. I am in your debt."

"Then repay it by leaving!" said Black Luster Soldier. "My master is on his way up. You don't have much time."

Evelyn hugged him. Black Luster Soldier stood rooted to the spot and pushed her away. "Go!"

"I'll free you from him I promise!" Evelyn said going for the window.

Alyssa grabbed her fiercely by the arm and yanked her out. "You're so stupid!" she said, tying a harness around Evelyn's waist. "Damn it, Princess, you scared me half to death!"

"Forgive me," said Evelyn. She turned to look at Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning, still just standing there staring her down. "I'll be back for you, I promise!" Black Luster Soldier nodded his head. Evelyn smiled, knowing in her heart that Black Luster Soldier accepted her vow. She passionately blew him a kiss and was lowered to the courtyard. Her eyes were still glued to Black Luster Soldier until he was gone from sight.

"Well that was scary," the blue-haired Kylie said, helping Evelyn onto her white stallion.

"No kidding," Alyssa said, climbing down the side of the castle. "I need new underwear because of that ordeal!" She jumped onto her armored mustang.

Kylie let out a hearty laugh, muffled by her hand. Soon, the three of them were off. Once they left the city gates, they were met by another Eldori girl. She was a stern looking character with short spring green hair and pale skin. She was mounted atop a black stallion standing on a hill overlooking the city gates.

"You're late she said. This is Princess Evelyn, I presume?"

"She is," said Alyssa. "Princess, this is our friend Madison (Yu-Gi-Oh: Duel Links)."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," said Evelyn.

"It should be," said Madison. "You have no idea the sacrifice we made coming to this cesspool of a kingdom. You're royalty right? Good, the reward should be nice."

"I'm willing to pay anything as thanks for getting me out of there," said Evelyn.

"Good," said Madison. "Your pals in the Alliance took a hefty loan from the Big Five. I would like a good cut from that."

"I'm sure we can negotiate something," said Evelyn.

Madison formed a leer of greed. She pulled the reigns, turning her horse around and made her way towards the forest with a great gallop. The bells of Castle Alteria began to sound off in the night.

"Uh oh!" said Kylie. "They know you're gone."

"Quick, let's get out of here while we still can," said Alyssa. "By the time they find our tracks, we'll be long gone from King's Rock."

Evelyn nodded her head and looked back at the city that had been her home. Home? Her face crinkled at the thought. More like a prison, and she felt that way about King's Rock long before Ethan took over.

"I'm sorry for what you lost," Alyssa called from down the road.

"I didn't lose a thing," said Evelyn. "Come ladies. The sooner we get out of here, the better. Ya!"

She whipped the reigns and her stallion galloped away into the forest, leaving King's Rock forever.

---

Part 3

---

A bright, red sun began to slowly rise behind the flowing ridges of the Throdeas, one of the shortest formations in the Great White Mountains. Evelyn Alteria sniffed the fresh air for the first time as a free woman. It smelled sweet and crisp. The pines surrounding the road seemed to have the scent of peppermint. Evelyn felt the cool air zip down to her lungs and healed them of the musty smell of her prison back in the castle she called home. When her mind returned to the castle, she felt a sense of uneasiness grip her gut. Though they were miles away from King's Rock, they were still in Elleria, and no doubt Ethan would be sending a force of his best soldiers to go hunting for her. And with the allies from the Covenant now under his command, he had advanced technology to use in his search to reclaim her. He had airships, which could see for miles and detect Evelyn without effort. Though confident that her three rescuers knew what they were doing, Evelyn begged them to keep to the roads in the woods.

"It's going to take us longer to get out of here if we do, Princess," Madison rudely responded.

"But they'll find us if we ride out in the open," Evelyn protested fearfully. Her teeth chattered from the terror of being found and returned to Ethan. What would he do to her for escaping? She placed a hand on a flintlock rifle of gold and polished maple sheathed to her hip in an embroidered leather holster. The rifle was one of the many precious heirlooms Evelyn had brought with her when Alyssa aided her with the escape. If caught, Evelyn would take her life with it. The weapon belonged to her mother, who named it Ellenya, which meant Queen's Kiss in the language of the Arva, the ancient winged people who once ruled Elleria before they were slaughtered and erased from history by the Covenant during the Inquisition.

Madison rolled her eyes at Evelyn's cantankerous moaning. She gripped the reins of her mustang as hard she could to contain herself. Though a rather pathetic creature, Evelyn was still a Termnnian Princess, and if she snapped back at her, she would no doubt be punished by Alexis when they got back.

"Don't worry, Evelyn," said Kylie, she blew the zigzagged bang off her face. "We're nearing the border of Elleria. We'll be in Alliance territory soon. Ethan would have to be a fool to cross in there. Once we cross the border we'll treat you to a night in Gold Springs. Aquarius will be but a short ride from there."

"Gold Springs?" Evelyn asked. "You mean that giant city in the middle of Aedum Fields that doubles as a casino and an amusement park? Whatever for?"

"Queen Alexis's treat," Alyssa said with a wink. "We need some downtime before the ride to Aquarius. She also figured you could use a little fun after everything you've been through."

Evelyn shook her head disapprovingly. "Not that I don't appreciate the gesture, ladies, but I think we should continue our ride to Aquarius without delay."

"Well, we don't have much of a choice, Princess," said Madison. She took a long gulp of water from her canteen. "In order to cross into Aquarius, we have to ride through the Northern Fork in Mondé. That territory is being controlled by the Covenant at the moment."

"What?" said Evelyn. "Covenant influence so far into Alliance Territory?"

"The kingdom has been having some trouble with an heir to the throne, now that the Glass King has killed himself," said Alyssa. "With him gone, every Royal House began to fight each other for control of the crown. The Houses of the north have somehow been influenced by the Covenant, and they sought to rule Mondé and make it a Covenant province. It's up for grabs now that Stas has disappeared."

"Let's hope he is well," said Evelyn, taking Madison's generous info with a grain of salt. "Jon. Jaeyoung. Avi. Yuri. Now Stas. Where did they go?"

"Can we make a brief stop at an inn?" Kylie asked, massaging her growling belly. "I haven't eaten anything but that hard bread for days."

"Not while we're still in Elleria," said Evelyn. "Perhaps we can have ourselves a feast when we get to Gold Springs."

"I like that idea," said Alyssa. "A toast to celebrate your freedom from Ethan."

Madison couldn't help but form a grin. "You know, that doesn't sound half bad. I'm in so long as food is involved."

For the first time since the Covenant invaded Elleria, Evelyn Alteria smiled and let out a laugh. She was enjoying herself after two years stuck in the castle with Ethan and his minions.

"I thank you all so much for getting me out," she said. "I thought I was going to die in that awful place."

"That awful place was a pretty sweet castle," said Madison. "That was also your home, was it not?"

Evelyn sadly shook her head. "Not anymore it's not. Not so long as Ethan has his way and torments my people on my father's throne. I will make him pay dearly for all he's done to me. He will rue the day he crossed with House Alteria."

"What are you going to do now that the House is all but extinct?" Alyssa asked. "You're the last Alteria left in Termnnia if I remember correctly."

Evelyn bit her lower lip and squeezed the reins until they screeched in agony. Alyssa saw that her words were hurtful. Evelyn knew this, too, but she could not scorn Alyssa for speaking truth. She truly was the last living member of House Alteria. Ever since the death of her brother Talion, her family had been on a sharp decline. The end only came too quickly the day Ethan was given power by the associates of DarkNite and the Covenant forces who were somehow affiliated with them with a shaky and unstable alliance.

One way or another, Evelyn was going to find out who gave Ethan his power. And when she did, they were dead!

---

Part 4

---

"Ugh! Stop! Stop! As Princess of Elleria, I command you all to stop!"

"Oh what now?" groaned Madison, she pulled the reins, to make her stallion stop. It whinnied, as if agitated their journey had to be paused again. For the twentieth time.

"We've been riding for hours!" Evelyn whined. "I need to rest."

Alyssa gulped her water. "We can't stop now, Princess. We've come too far."

"Please," said Kylie, "we haven't even neared the border yet. It's still going to be a while before we get to Gold Springs. There's a hotel room already booked for us there. Room service and everything. You can rest there."

"I can't make it!" said Evelyn. "I can't make it! We've been riding since dawn. It's three hours past noon. We're miles and miles from any of Ethan's troops. Please, we have to stop! I'm dirty, I'm hungry. And my back, legs, and butt ache!"

"You really have been a pampered princess, haven't you?" Madison said with a disapproving shake of her head. "This is really getting on my nerves. Come on! My ten-year-old cousin is a courier and goes for days without stopping. And you know what? He doesn't have a horse to ride!"

"Good for him!" said Evelyn.

"How could a brave and noble knight such as Dancer Firewing ever fall for such a whiny little crybaby like you!?"

Evelyn's lips trembled.

"You gonna cry, princess?" Madison vexed. "You gonna cry! Is that it?"

"Madison shut up!" shouted Alyssa. "Dancer Firewing is dead! Have you not heard?"

"Huh?" said Madison.

Kylie rode next to Evelyn and put an arm around her. "Ethan killed him, no, slaughtered him right before Evelyn's eyes. Before Ser Dancer could even profess his love for her one last time, he took an arrow in the eye. And to add insult to injury, Ethan forced Evelyn to watch as he drank wine from his skull. He went so far as to force her to drink from it."

Madison bit her bottom lip with guilt. Her face began to glow red. "Is that true, Princess?"

Evelyn hiccupped and nodded her head. "It's just but the icing on the cake. Ethan's done many horrible things to me. He's fucked both my body and my mind. He took so many people away from me. My family. My friends. My one true love. Even my High King."

Madison sighed. She looked at the river beside the road, wondering how she could have been so inconsiderate and stupid.

"Look, Princess, I'm sorry. I-I didn't know. It's just that, I used to call Elleria my home before Ethan became king. My family and I weren't fans of your House. Your father taxed the shit out of us. Father was forced to pay his workers with mere hay pennies which could only afford them a crust of bread. I felt guilty having dinner at night in that lavish mansion overlooking the cottages where our workers lived. It was not fair. I was not looking forward to coming back here."

"You were wealthy?" said Evelyn. "What did your family do to have so much coin?"

Madison tilted her head down the road to signal they keep walking as she shared her story.

Evelyn bowed her head in compliance and they continued trotting down the dirt road.

"My father owned a silver mine before the war," said Madison, "before Ethan came to power. Boy, if my father thought King Helmsley was a handful, Ethan was something else entirely. After he took the crown, he wanted his share of the profits father made from the mines. And when I mean share, I mean he wanted all and left us with a measly 1% of our earnings. Father refused, and Ethan sent that Black Luster Soldier of his to slaughter everyone. My father. Even the workers…and their families."

"I understand," said Evelyn. "You have my condolences, Madison. You and that poor Duel Monster; the Black Luster Soldier, I mean, are both victims of Ethan's cruelty."

Madison's face twisted into a scowl. Her tone changed from repentant to fuming. "How can you feel sympathy for that creature?" she cried.

"He freed me from the castle last night," said Evelyn. "He doesn't have a choice. Ethan captured his soul in some strange device that captures the souls of Duel Monsters."

"And that's how he's able to summon the Black Luster Soldier?" Alyssa asked.

"Yes," said Evelyn. "Black Luster Soldier is forced to fight. If he doesn't, Ethan deletes his soul."

"That's impossible!" said Kylie.

"I've seen him do it!" Evelyn retorted. "I've seen him destroy a monster with my very own eyes. I promised the Black Luster Soldier I would free him when I came back here with the armies of the Alliance and ousted Ethan from the Ebony Throne."

"That's a big promise," said Madison. "If you do find him, do keep him away from me. Otherwise, I'll delete him myself."

"I understand," said Evelyn. She couldn't blame Madison for how she felt.

Madison suddenly stopped. "Do you guys hear that?"

"I sure do!" said Alyssa. "That sounds like a waterfall."

"Oooo!" hooted Kylie. "Any of you thinking what I'm thinking?"

"I sure am," said Alyssa.

Madison turned her horse to block their way. "Have you lost your minds? We may be far and away from King's Rock, but we're still in Covenant territory!"

"And there are many leagues for them to cover," said Alyssa. "Unless they have the eyes of the Divines, they'll never find us out here."

"I concur," said Evelyn. "There are still many miles to cover before we reach Gold Springs, and we're all very tired. We should sit down and unwind if we are to make the journey. And what if we run into enemies along the way?"

"She's right," said Alyssa. "There are highwaymen out there. We won't be able to summon our monsters if we're dead tired."

"You're Summoners?" Evelyn asked.

"You must be if you want to be a field agent in the Royal House of Intelligence," said Kylie. "And as you know, Summoning burns a lot of calories. We have none at the moment seeing as how we haven't eaten since we left the town of Lockwood for King's Rock. I don't know about you, but I don't want to run into Covenant forces or Ethan's men without having a Duel Monster by my side."

"You ladies are strong," said Evelyn. "How long has it been since you left?"

"Four, five weeks, give or take," said Madison. "Our rations to keep our calorie allotment have almost been depleted. The road here was not easy, mind you. We did a lot of Summoning along the way. That's why I insist we keep on going. Even though Gold Springs is close, it's still a long journey from here, despite all the ground we've covered. I implore all of you that we keep moving."

"Come on, Madison," said Kylie. "We're in Firestone Forest, no one is going to find us here. Look, it's been a long journey for all of us. And Evelyn here could use some cleaning up after everything she's been through. Have a heart."

"I have a heart," said Madison. "I just prefer to use my brain."

"Madison!" said Alyssa.

"I just know we're going to regret this," Madison groaned in defeat. "By the Goddesses, FINE! But just ten minutes."

"You're the best!" said Kylie. "We owe you one, Maddie!" She kicked her horse and it galloped into the forest toward the waterfall which was a thousand feet to the east of the road.

"You owe me a hundred!" Madison called out over the thundering clop, clop, clop of her companion's horses. She roared into the sky and followed them. After a short ride, they made it to the bottom of the waterfall that fell into a refreshing pool. The water was the coolest and clearest Evelyn had ever seen, and it was surrounded by flowers that were glowing in an eerie light blue, and they made a mysterious noise like silver bells on a sleigh.

"Oh, my!" said Evelyn. "Godhymn Flowers. I know an alchemist in King's Rock who would pay five gold Crowns for just one of those."

"Maybe we can take a few," said Alyssa, climbing off her horse.

Madison trotted behind them looking more displeased than usual. She climbed off her horse and slowly walked toward the top of a hill overlooking the pool. It did look rather inviting, nevertheless, she was still far from content being in such a beautiful spot.

"Okay," she said, sternly placing her hands on her hips. "We can have a swim but only five…"

Before she could finish, she saw a flash of fleshy pink darting by her, followed by squeals of content. A sweaty tank top smacked her in the face. "HEY!" she shouted, tossing the rag off. She gasped when she saw that Alyssa, Kylie, and Evelyn were stripping out of their clothes as they dashed for the water.

"We're doomed!" said Madison. "Oh, we're doomed! Don't you want to check if there are any serpents or something!"

"You listen to too many folk tales," Alyssa said, dropping her breeches. She gave a mighty dashed and jumped in with a splash.

Madison put a hand to her face, shaking her head, watching her companions giggle and screech infernally as they swam about and splashed each other playfully.

"Race you to the bottom of the falls!" Evelyn challenged and swam toward the finish line.

She was clearly having the most fun she ever had in years. She was finally free of Ethan and his damnable torment. Free of those cold halls, that small room, and from the gaze of DarkNite and Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the End.

"Hey!" laughed Kylie. "You got a head start!"

"Last one there's a rotten egg!" Alyssa said, zooming off after Evelyn.

"Five minutes!" Madison called. "Five minutes you hear me!"

Alyssa stopped. "Oh, Madison, if you're so worried, go stand watch!"

Madison, removed a scoped rifle from her saddle and then dashed into the forest.

"Well, that takes care of that," said Kylie.

"I don't mean to worry her," said Evelyn, dousing her raven hair under the gentle torrents of the falls. "Woo," she hooted, feeling the brisk water pour down her neck.

"She'll be fine," Alyssa said, rubbing her arm with a cloth. "Madison is so uptight that if you stuck a lump of coal up her ass, in two weeks you'd get a diamond."

Evelyn laughed at the joke.

Madison's five minutes soon turned into half and hour. Still the Princess and her new friends played in the water without a care in the world. But Madison had not returned. Another hour went by, and Evelyn began to grow worried.

"Perhaps we should go looking for her," she suggested.

"Aw, she's fine," said Kylie. "Her horse is still here. Madison hasn't gone anywhere."

"She's been gone an awful long time," said Evelyn.

"Oh no," said Alyssa, pointing at the edge of the forest. "There she is now. And she has…she has…a…pig?"

"That's no pig," said Kylie. "That's a wild boar!"

"Well, well," Evelyn said gleefully. The prospect of a refreshing swim and a dinner of a roasted wild boar was very enticing, and exciting. She felt as light as a feather. Joy flowed through her veins like sweet, hot, honey. Friends, food. And Ethan was leagues away from them. Why, it even felt like the Firestone Forest and the rough terrain that made it so infamous for travelers was doing it damnedest to help conceal Evelyn from her hunters.

So as she and her friends played in the refreshing waters of the pool, Madison was quick to work on field dressing the boar. She skinned it after removing the entrails and then cleaned the meat right after butchering the carcass. She piled sticks together over a pit she dug and opened her palm to conjure a fireball which she used to create a warm, crackling fire. The rich smell of burning pine and sap filled the air.

Madison returned to the saddle and unpacked a small, camping table. After setting it up, she began chopping up the vegetables that remained in their food sack. She poured molasses into a frying pan and added onions to make a sweet sauce that she covered the meat with. She put the meat over the fire and began to cook it.

"Oh man, that smells so good!" said Kylie.

"I thought your food rations ran short," Evelyn said, laying on a rock to warm herself under the light of the sun.

"Yeah, our calorie rations," said Alyssa. "We have food for an entire voyage, and she hasn't really brought them out until now. She hates making stops during missions. I guess things are going good if Madison feels it's okay to go hunting and cooking."

"Come and get it!" Madison called moments later.

They ate every morsel that Madison cooked. Their mouths danced with joy when tasting the sweet sauce that Madison had coated the meat with. When their bellies were full, and the table was clean, Alyssa and Kylie dressed back into their leather armor and aided Madison to pack their things and continue their journey.

"Must we go so soon?" Evelyn asked, wrapped in a towel.

"So soon?" Madison replied sternly. "We've already wasted two hours of precious time having your little rest stop. We were supposed to meet our contact at the Huckleberry Ferry more than thirty minutes ago. And his life as at stake now as well. Now if you wouldn't mind helping us clean camp?"

"Oh, you go on ahead," Evelyn said with wave of her hand. "I'm going back for a swim."

"Princess!" Madison cried sternly.

"Let her go, Madison," said Alyssa. "We've got a lot of stuff to do before we head out. Let her have her swim."

"You girls are going to get us all killed," said Madison. "I swear, I'm going to die soon with you two as company."

"You're such a worry wart," joked Kylie.

They heard a splash. Evelyn had jumped back into the water.

"Well, there she goes again!" Madison scowled at the pool. "Come on, let's go. It's going to get dark real soon."

As they secured their things on the saddles of their horses, Alyssa kept a watchful eye on Evelyn as she waded around in the pool. No doubt she was enjoying herself, and it pained her to have to spring her free of her bliss. But Madison was right, and when she told them how much time went by, she not only felt guilty but also worried. Two hours? That would have given Ethan and his forces good ground to cover before reaching them.

"Actually," Alyssa said once that thought came to mind, "I'm going to get Evelyn out. It's time to go."

"It's about time you started thinking logically," Madison said tightening the rope around her belongings. She climbed back on her horse. "I'm going to scout ahead and make sure the road is secure."

"You do that," said Kylie. "We'll keep an eye on the princess."

"You're going to need two eyes on her," said Madison. "YA!" She kicked her horse into a gallop.

She did not go far. Out of nowhere, a gold-black sword swung from the trees and cut the head off Madison's horse with one powerful swing. A mist of red blew into the air. The headless corpse of the horse keeled forward, launching Madison off the saddle with tremendous force. She flew more than a dozen feet and smashed her head on a large formation of boulders, killing her instantly.

Alyssa and Kylie were paralyzed in shock. The rocks were painted red with Madison's blood and bits of skull and brain matter dotted the rough surface.

A rustle of leaves announced the coming of the attacker. Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning stepped out from the trees, cloaked in black with gold trim to match his armor. He glared at the two girls and held up his sword over his face to signal he was ready for battle.

At once, Alyssa and Kylie summoned monsters of their own. Alyssa formed a blue ball of light in her left hand and slammed it on the ground, creating an arcane circle of neon cerulean. From it, emerged a lady warrior known as Cú Chulainn the Awakened. Kylie danced as she conjured two blue fiery balls in her hand. She summoned a mighty Leogai warrior known as King Landia the Goldfang.

The two monsters charged at Black Luster Soldier. He spun his blade in a fancy and intimidating manner as a warning to the two monsters to back off. They paid no heed and engaged Black Luster Soldier in combat.

Just as Kylie was about to suggest checking on Evelyn, an arrow flew out of the forest and struck her in the knee. She yelped in agony and fell.

"Kylie!" shouted Alyssa.

A great battle cry thundered from the forest. Dozens of armed men came storming out brandishing swords and spears.

"Kylie!" Alyssa cried, trying to help her friend.

"I'm fine," Kylie said, snapping the arrow in half. "Stop them,"

Alyssa drew her twin blades made of elvish design and lit them on fire. She charged at the men and slaughtered two fighters with little effort.

Kylie took a potion from her pouch and drank it. It burned her throat, but numbed the pain in her knee. The effect would only last a moment so she had to make this count. Her leg felt like it was stuck in an agonizing cramp and still required her to limp.

Though it was a valiant effort, they were no match for the overwhelming number of fighters that poured out of the forest. Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning made quick work of the two Duel Monsters that the two girls summoned. Seeing that they had no chance, Kylie and Alyssa dropped their weapons and surrendered.

A horn blew from the forest announcing the arrival of their leader. Kylie and Alyssa were forced on their knees as King Ethan came riding out of the forest atop a black stallion armored in layered black steel. DarkNite was walking right beside him, and he was then joined by Black Luster Soldier. His sword was dripping with blood.

"Well," Ethan said with his trademark smug look. "I must say it was a fun trip. I needed to get out of the castle and go for a stretch."

"You did not think we didn't know where you were, did you?" teased DarkNite.

"We followed your trail since you escaped the castle," Ethan said. "Thanks to the ever-so-smart engineers of the Covenant, I was able to plant a tracking device on Evelyn's dress. Not to mention, a little birdie told me you lovely Aquarian ladies sneaked into my castle last night and took Evelyn away. That birdie of course being my most loyal slave. Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning."

"I knew he couldn't be trusted," Alyssa whispered sadly.

"Now," said Ethan. "I'm going to require your assistance, ladies. And I won't take no for an answer. You will do as I ask otherwise, you're in for a very long night. Am I clear?"

They did not answer.

"Good," Ethan said anyway, for he was confident he was going to get what he wanted. "Now, tell me, where is my darling Evelyn; for I desire to speak with her."

"We don't know," said Alyssa.

Ethan snapped his fingers. An archer on horseback fired an arrow from his bow, striking Alyssa in the thigh. She yelped as the fiery pain surged through her leg and through her body. She sobbed, examining the arrow. The arrow was deeply wedged into her flesh. Getting it out was going to be a hassle. Not that Ethan and his men had any intent of healing her of her wound.

"Don't tell me you don't know," Ethan said, rubbing his thumb and index finger together out of boredom. "You were just here with her. I know you were. Remember, we can see everything."

He checked a computer mounted on his right vambrace. A holographic screen digitized over the vambrace showing the girls a map of the terrain and a red dot that was Evelyn's position. "My tracking device tells me she is right here. But where? I do not see her. She's hiding, isn't she?"

"My Lord!" an Ellerian soldier said approaching Ethan. He was holding a ragged dress in his hands. "Look what we found! It's the Evelyn's dress no doubt!"

Ethan signaled him to toss it over. The soldier crumpled the dress into a ball and threw it at Ethan, who caught it effortlessly. He sniffed it and smiled. "Oh, it's Evelyn's alright. That lovely scent is of amber musk; her favorite perfume.

"My Lord!" a soldier called from the edge of the pool. "We've discovered footprints leading from the pool into the forest. She's escaped!"

"All right boys!" Ethan called out joyfully. "Get your weapons ready. It's Princess hunting season, and Evelyn's fair game. She won't be hard to miss since most likely she's going to be naked."

Ethan's men cheered.

"You lot come with me!" Ethan said, pointing at a squadron of his best horsemen. "The rest of you, take these two to the ship. And see to it that they're unharmed. We're going to need them for our plan."

Alyssa and Kylie were shackled, wrapped in chains, and gagged before they were led away by Ethan's soldiers. As they were marched away from the forest, Ethan blew a horn to rally his hunting party and they charged into the forest after Evelyn.

She was ahead of them by many yards, but she could still hear their horses neighing not far behind her. The thundering of their charge shook the forest. Evelyn ran through the forest of Firestone as though she, too, were an animal of the woods. She hid under logs, waiting to see if the coast was clear as though she were a curious fox. When there was not a sound she continued her sprint across the forest. She heard a shout a nearby distance to the east and forced her legs to go even farther. She crossed her arms over her chest to keep her breasts from flapping which could give off her position. She felt her feet get poked and stabbed by sharp rocks and sticks. But she cared not for the pain.

Her desire to escape Ethan numbed her from all her senses, one of them being her sense of direction. She had no idea where she was running, and she didn't care. She just had to get away. But no matter how far she ran, she could still hear horses and men shouting and howling all around her. No doubt they knew where she was.

They were playing with her. Toying with her. Allowing her to be two steps ahead of them to make the hunt even more satisfying. She began to feel like a deer being chased by her father's knights when venison was to be served for supper.

She ran and ran across the forest. And just as she thought she was safe, she was surrounded by Ethan's men. Their horses whinnied and snorted. The reins jingled fiercely as they formed a circle around her.

Evelyn shrieked and covered herself from their gaze as best she could.

"Well, lookie here men!" said a bald soldier. "We caught ourselves a little fawn."

"I'll get Ethan!" said a fellow hunter. He blew a horn to signal Ethan he was coming.

"Aw, Clyde, why'd ya hafta spoil all da fun?" said a soldier in a dented kettle-hat helm. "We could'a had a little fun wit her. And King Ethan's still a long ways from our position. Look at those firm tits. And that plump little ass. There's no finer treasure in all Termnnia than a princess's ass, lads! Come on, what do you say?"

"Those things belong to the king," said the soldier with the horn. He drew a flintlock pistol and pointed it at Evelyn. "All right you, no sudden movements or…HEY!"

Evelyn took her chance and dashed past a gap between two of the riders. The rider with the gun fired. The bark of the tree in front of her burst and splintered into pieces all around. Evelyn knew there was no hope of escaping the riders, and they seemed intent on killing her. Death didn't matter anymore to her. If her only choices were to return to Elleria as Ethan's prisoner, or death, she chose death. She awaited her long and loving embrace for the past two years. No more would she be anguished under Ethan.

Whether she be given a miracle and escape the riders behind her, or if she were to die right here, right now, Evelyn swore she was going to be free from Ethan forever.

"Hold on, Dancer!" Evelyn said as she sprinted into an open field. "I'm coming, my love. I'm coming!"

Suddenly more horsemen rode out of the forest and began lassoing ropes, calling out to Evelyn as though she were an animal that needed to be wrangled.

I'm coming, Dancer! Hold on, my love! Wait for me! Wait for me!

She dashed for a lake, hoping to escape the riders by swimming away. But just as she reached the water's edge, a crossbow bolt shot out of the forest and struck Evelyn in the back. Then a horseman swung his iron ball and chain, whacking her hard in the chest and knocking the wind out of her. Evelyn felt like the world began to spin. She felt the ropes coil around her. The howling and jeering of the men echoed in her ears.

She writhed in her coils, sobbing for mercy. She felt someone step on her back and yank the bolt out of her back creating a fiery agony unlike any other. She couldn't even scream, for the pain knocked her out. The slumber lasted for a moment for water was splashed on her face. She opened her weary eyes and saw Ethan looking down at her, smiling. His golden crown glimmering in the sunlight.

No! No! Goddesses no! Why do you torment me so!

"There you are, dearheart," Ethan said, jabbing his sword on the ground. "You know, I was beginning to worry about you. You're special to me, you know that?"

"No!" Evelyn pleaded, weakly trying to back away from him. "Ethan, please. Kill me!"

"What was that?" Ethan said mockingly as he cupped a hand over his ear.

"Just kill me please!" Evelyn pleaded.

"You're going to have to speak louder than that, love."

"KILL ME!" Evelyn finally shouted, and she sobbed, hanging her head in shame.

"Kill you?" said Ethan. He looked around at his riders and laughed. They all laughed with him, thinking it was stupid of Evelyn to think her anguish would end now, and so easily.

"No, no, no, Evelyn. We need you. If I am to get what I want, you're going to have to stick around with us for just a little while longer. But, I will not approve of this behavior. Running away? After all that I've done to make you happy? This will not do you little bitch!"

He slapped her across the face thrice with his hand, still coated in the metal vambrace of his armor. He caused her nose to bleed. Blood even poured from the corner of her mouth. She sobbed again, spitting it out.

"DarkNite's not here to protect you, Evelyn. It's time you learned what happens when you run away from me. Take her to those rocks!"

Evelyn felt herself getting picked up. She was carried to a boulder and was slammed hard on her stomach. The horsemen formed a circle around her as Ethan came from behind and undid his belt. "Hold her!" he commanded. Two horsemen held Evelyn down to keep her from squirming and escaping her chastisement.

"I'm going to fuck you into the ground!" Ethan said.

"No!" Evelyn cried. "No, please! No, please! Mercy! Mercy! Mercy! My Lord, please!"

"Mercy?" laughed Ethan. "I'm not going to kill you, beloved. I'm just going to show you how much better I am than Dancer ever was."

"Dancer was twice the man you'll ever be!" Evelyn said, looking back at him. "You're no king! You're nothing but a puppet! DarkNite is the master, and you're nothing more than his bitch. In the end, Ethan; in the end, you're going to pay for your sins. And whether it's this life or the next, I will look down on you smiling as the Goddesses call upon fate to hew your head off with a golden axe! You will rue the day you messed with my family and friends! RUE THE DAY YOU HEAR ME!"

"Yeah, and I wish I didn't!" Ethan laughed.

Evelyn groaned in defeat and awaited her humiliation. She looked at the lake. It was so peaceful. The water was like glass, smooth and clear. The snowcapped mountains in the distance reflected to perfectly on its surface, as did the sky. She saw a mother duck leading her hatchlings across the water. What a peaceful sight.

Evelyn then noticed something was wrong with the water. It was receding. Was the lake drying up? Was a tsunami on the way?

No. It was something worse. Much worse.

"What in the Shadows is that!" Ethan cried.

The water formed into a water spout. It began to slither over the surface of the water until it took the form of a serpentine dragon made entirely of water.

"MONSTER!" cried one of Ethan's soldiers.

The terrifying aquatic creature was a Duel Monster known as Water Dragon (ATK/2800 DEF/2600 LV 8). Without warning, it lunged at the riders and swallowed six of them whole, even their horses. The sunlight refracted through Water Dragon's body creating watery shadows on the ground around Evelyn. The horsemen inside its body struggled to escape the beast, but the water surged through it like raging rapids, keeping them from escaping until they drowned.

Ethan commanded his riders to fight back. They fired rounds from their muskets and shot arrows, but they just went through the beast. Some of the projectiles hit their drowning comrades. The water on Water Dragon's body began to tinge the color of wine.

A horse neighed from the darkness of the forest at the edge of the fields. A rider came storming out with a LaRue hybrid OBR. And he knew how to use it well. He shot the soldiers crowding around Evelyn with precision accuracy. They were suddenly lit up with fire. Evelyn was motionless, shocked at the luck of such a daring rescue. Not only was this knight coming to her aid, but he was also a friend from school.

Bastion Misawa.

He was clad in a belted, leather surcoat with armor plating of brilliant mithril over his chest and shoulders. Layers of it covered his right arm in perfect rectangles. The filigree engravings glimmered in the sun. A row of tactical magazine pouches was attached underneath the mithril plate that guarded Bastion's chest. Three more pouches were strapped to his left arm for quick reloading. His rifle was had a fiery arcane circle slowly spinning over the barrel, showing that it was enchanted with fire damage. When the magical bullets hit their targets, they burst into flames.

No doubt he was the one who summoned the Water Dragon. It was his most treasured card at Duelist Academy. How he was able to summon it, Evelyn did not know, nor did she care. All that mattered was he was here. The beast he summoned was heavily active, slaughtering the riders who chauvinistically hunted Evelyn down like an animal.

Was this nothing more than a dream?

What were the odds?

How could one be so lucky? There was just no way!

At that moment, as she watched Bastion put the rifle away and draw a sword from his back, she swore she would always pray to the Goddesses. No doubt they were blessing her. A rescue such as this was only possible in books or in the movies she saw at the mall in Domino City with her friends when the handsome prince always came at just the right moment to save the fair maiden from the evil that had imprisoned her.

Bastion jumped off his horse and cut down the remaining riders who charged in battle to strike him down. Ethan was all that was left.

"Ethan!" Bastion shouted. "You traitor!"

"Bastion," said Ethan. "So it is true what they say about you. You left the academy and became a knight! It doesn't matter. You're always going to be Paps to me!"

"Your name-calling is a juvenile as it is pointless," said Bastion. "I've tolerated a lot out of you when we went to class together. But this. You murdered our friends. And tortured Evelyn. This will not suffice."

"Oh yeah?" said Ethan. "It looks like you're handy with a sword. Well, let's find out!"

"On guard!" shouted Bastion.

His sword glimmered in the sun, for it was made of silvery steel. Beautiful gems were inlaid into the blade, glowing in all the colors of the rainbow. The hilt and guard were of excellent design and craft. Ethan was no doubt dazzled by the weapon and Bastion's skills with it. The sword's looks were as deadly as the blade. Its beauty keeping Ethan's mind clouded with greed and lust.

He wanted that sword.

And he wanted it now.

But Bastion was proving rather difficult to kill. He was better than Ethan was. Far better. Ethan grew fearful for his life, for he knew this was no mere contest of skill. It was a matter of life and death. And Bastion was winning.

He resorted to cheating and kicked dirt in Bastion's face. Bastion grunted and felt Ethan give him a kick in the gut.

Bastion was knocked backward and fell hard on the ground. Ethan found his moment, but he felt less than honored for this victory. He himself felt cheated. He would never resort to fighting dirty. Only weaklings and losers fought that way.

It can't be! Ethan thought.

All that wine drinking. The constant nights of sex with Evelyn and the women of his ever-growing harem. The large feasts every night. It stunted his skills. Skills that his former friend and mentor, Dancer, worked for years to teach him. Was DarkNite right all along? Was living a life of comfort and desire as poisonous as he claimed it was.

It had to be true because Bastion slashed him across the chest. Ethan fell to the ground defeated.

And to make sure he would not fight back, Bastion cut off his sword hand.

It took a while for Ethan to figure out what had happened to him. His brain sent signals to his fingers to move. But there was nothing. He felt nothing. Because there was nothing there!

Blood squirted out the wound. Ethan shouted in despair. He rolled on the ground throwing a tantrum the way a child would if he didn't get the toy he wanted at the store. He sobbed and screamed, kicking his feet up and down wildly at the sight of the bloody stump where his hand had been.

Bastion was ready for the killing blow but was stopped by a grim warning from Evelyn.

"Watch out!" she cried. She pointed up the hill.

Black Luster Soldier was storming down to do battle. Not good.

Bastion was a well-trained knight, but against a legendary champion like the Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning, he stood no chance.

Instead, he opened his palm. His eyes started glowing blue as he gathered more clumps of water from the lake and smacked them against Water Dragon, forming the even more powerful monster: Water Dragon Cluster.

Another head suddenly grew from the Water Dragon's body and the rapids became even fiercer. Black Luster Soldier charged for Bastion but was blasted by a powerful pump of water from the Water Dragon Cluster.

"OMPH!" he shouted as he was knocked back and smacked into a tree with so much force that it was knocked down.

While he was busy with Water Dragon Cluster, Bastion swept Evelyn off her feet and mounted her on his stallion.

"Bastion!" Evelyn wept. "How…"

"You can thank me later," said Bastion. "We must ride."

Ethan could only watch helplessly as Bastion rode into the forest with his wife. In just a few short moments, Bastion had ruined him.

He lost Evelyn. His pride. And now his ability to use a sword. His good hand was gone.

Water Dragon Cluster saw no more reason to fight and then disappeared, melding with the surface of the water.

Bodies of soldiers and horses slowly floated to the surface. Ethan sat back up and cradled his ruined arm. "OH NOOO!" he wailed.

"Master!" Black Luster Soldier cried.

"YOU IMBECILE!" shouted Ethan. "YOU! YOU! YOU TOOK TOO LONG! WHERE THE BLOODY FUCK WHERE YOU!" Ethan shouted into the sky. "YOU TOOK YOUR SWEET TIME AND NOW LOOK AT ME!"

"Trouble?" DarkNite said coming down the hill.

"He got away!" Ethan sobbed. "He got away! And he took Evelyn!"

"Evelyn is of no importance now," said DarkNite. "We have what we need to begin our conquest of the Alliance."

"How can two girls be the key to challenging Queen Alexis and her military?" Ethan asked. "You're a fool DarkNite! We have nothing now!"

"SHUT UP YOU IMBECILE!" roared DarkNite. "Those girls aren't your ordinary do-gooders. They are agents of the Aquarian Royal House of Intelligence."

"So, what?" Ethan said with a sniff.

"So we can use this to our advantage, that's what," said Black Luster Soldier.

"He is right," said DarkNite. "You must rest now to heal from this wound you've sustained. Leave the rest to me. I promise you Master Ethan, when this is all over, you're going to be sitting on the Diamond Throne as Termnnia's new High King."

---

Part 5

---

The forest was suddenly clouded in a thick and forbidding mist. Crows called out from nowhere and eerie creatures started a chorus of uneasiness, making Evelyn feel cold and depressed. And in pain. With the excitement of the chase far behind her, the adrenaline wore off, and the pain on her back started to burn. Bastion was left with no other alternative but to stop and make camp. He found a small cave to the west and whipped the reins, signaling his horse to trot towards it. when they reached the mouth of the cave, Bastion gently got off and took his rifle. With the flashlight attached to the barrel, he searched the cave for any dangers. There was none, save for a poisonous snake which he shot on the head, blowing it off. He carried the carcass out of the cave and tossed it away.

"Easy now," he told Evelyn, helping her get off the horse.

But for Evelyn, every move meant she had to suffer through an unbearable agony. Though in horrible pain, her humility got the best of her. She blushed, trying to hide her nakedness from Bastion.

"Don't worry," said Bastion. "It's all right. That doesn't matter. I've got to get you cleaned up before that wound begins to fester."

Evelyn used every ounce of strength she had to climb off that saddle. Bastion carried her into the cave and sat her down on a small rock. He started a fire with a survival kit in his pack and returned to the horse where he drew a blanket to wrap Evelyn with. He also had a healing elixir in hand. And a dagger. He told Evelyn to bite into it.

"Evelyn," Bastion said, showing her the bottle. "This is elvish medicine. It will help heal your wound. But I won't lie, it's going to hurt. A lot."

"I've been through worse," said Evelyn.

"No, you haven't," Bastion said, handing her the dagger.

Evelyn was nervous, but she knew she had to overcome the incoming pain if she had any hope of getting better. She savagely bit into the hilt.

The pop of the cork sent a shiver down Evelyn's spine. A strong, chemical aroma filled the cave and caused her eyes to water.

"Here we go," Bastion said, pulling down the blanket to reveal her wound. "Ready?"
"Mmmph!" Evelyn sobbed shaking her head.

Bastion poured the elixir onto her back. It slithered down her flesh and hit her wound. At first, it felt more like a bee sting, and she thought nothing of it. But as the seconds went by, it began to feel as though someone lit her back on fire. She growled and screamed, biting down onto the dagger's hilt. Her body shivered, and tears ran down her cheeks. Her flesh bellowed steam as the magical elixir closed her wound, leaving behind nothing more than a pink scar which she would bear for life.

"All right, it's over!" cried Bastion.

Evelyn spit the dagger out and wailed in agony. She turned and hugged Bastion, sobbing into his mithril chest plate. "It's over," he said cradling her. "It's over."

After a quick snack, Bastion and Evelyn continued on their way to the ferry which would take them to the next town toward Gold Springs.

"What were you doing all the way out here?" Evelyn asked with a firm grip on the blanket.

"I was supposed to meet you, Alyssa, Madison, and Kylie a long time ago at the Huckleberry Ferry. You were supposed to meet me at three. But when the hours passed, I got worried. That's when I saw Covenant ships flying around. I knew it could only mean one thing, because even though we're still in their turf, we're pretty close to Alliance controlled lands."

"They're all gone because of me," Evelyn sobbed. "If I didn't force them to stop we would have…"

"You can't blame yourself for these things," said Bastion. "If what you tell me is true, then that stop you made was a blessing."

"How can you say that?" Evelyn said looking back at him.

"Well, you say Ethan put a tracking device on your dress. Had you and the girls found me with that thing still intact, Ethan would have killed me as well. And you would be on your way back to Elleria."

"But the others. Madison is dead. And Alyssa and Kylie they…."

"They knew what they were getting themselves into when they signed up for this mission," said Bastion. "The only reason I got the best of Ethan in our battle was because I had the element of surprise."

"They risked their lives for me," Evelyn wept into her blanket.

"There, there, princess, it's all right. You're safe now."

There was a moment of silence as Bastion left Evelyn to weep for the agents who gave their lives helping her escape Ethan. Deep down, she still blamed herself for what happened to them. There were so many possibilities to escape these lands with everyone still alive. Poor Evelyn. She was just starting to get to know them. Madison was correct in saying that her life as a pampered princess has spoiled her. She was weak, and her new friends were paying the ultimate price because of it. She vowed to be stronger from then on. She had some experience in combat when she aided her brother, Talion, in fighting back the armies of King Forrest, but the stress she suffered under Ethan's claw weakened her. She lost her ability to fight the night he raped her.

But a determination flickered in her heart. A determination to ruin Ethan once and for all. One way or another, she was going to get stronger. No more would she be played like a toy.

When they arrived at the dock leading the ferry, there was a score of people looking to take safe passage into Alliance territory. But their safety was met with greed, for this trip was not going to be a cheap one. Evelyn drew the blanket over her head, for she saw a lot of soldiers from King's Rock patrolling the very meager harbor town, perched in the forest and surrounding the river.

"But this is all we have," a poor woman said trying to take the boat with a mere ten copper pieces. Her three children crowded around her, frightened.

"This isn't a charity miss," said the guard. "You either pay with five gold Crowns, or you get nothing. Now move along, we've got a line behind you."

The woman shook her head sadly as she led her children away. Bastion rode toward the guard.

"How many?" asked the guard. "And what's the cargo?"

"Two passengers," said Bastion. "And my horse. And no questions asked." He tossed him a heavy sack of gold Star Chips.

"Of course, Ser Knight," said the guard. "Welcome aboard."

Before Bastion rode toward the ramp, he whistled to get the woman's attention. The poor woman turned, and Bastion tossed her a sack of Crowns for her to use get on board, and little extra to feed her children along the voyage.

The woman gasped when she checked the amount of money in the bag. "A miracle!" she sobbed as her children jumped up and down and cheered.

"That generosity's gonna get you killed one day, Ser Knight."

"Then I shall rest knowing I have a place in the Gardens," Bastion said confidently. He rode over the ramp and tied his horse in the stables of the ferry. He then led Evelyn into a room on the third floor. It was a comfy abode, with a large bed, a couch, and a small bathroom.

"Here," Bastion said, giving Evelyn bottles of dye.

"What is this?" she asked.

"You're going to need it," Bastion assured her. "You are called the Jet-Black Princess for a reason."

Evelyn looked in the mirror in front of her, checking her long, wavy, raven-colored hair. Her hair had something to do with how she achieved that nickname, but it was mostly because she chose to wear black dresses and be surrounded by Ebony Knights. Hell, her ace monster was a Buster Blader whose armor was in bluish-black.

"They're going to find you like that," said Bastion. "That is what you are most famous for. You're going to have to dye your hair, love."

"Oh," Evelyn groaned.

"And you're going to have to change your name as well until we reach Alliance territory. From hence forth, you are Tandy of the House Giffard. Your sigil is of a Honeybee flying about a flower with two swords crossed behind it. Your House is well known in our lands for making the richest honey in Termnnia, is that clear?"

"Y-yes," said Evelyn.

"What is your name?"

"Tandy Giffard," said Evelyn.

"Good girl." Bastion patted her head and raced for the door. "You get to work applying that dye. I'll be back later with some supper. Don't open for anyone okay? Lock the door."

And with a quick nod of her head, Bastion gave a bow and left her alone in the room.

---

Ethan

---

A scowl formed on Grand Priest Innocence's face when he saw the two Eldori girls brought before him. DarkNite pushed them forward and they fell before the feet of the Grand Priest. They were battered and bloody, no doubt tortured brutally. Alyssa sobbed, tears streaking away the blood on her face. Unknown to the Grand Priest, Ethan and DarkNite made a deal with them.

Earlier on Ethan's airship, as the two agents were being whipped her came up to them and made a grim proposal. "Tell this statement to His Holiness, the Grand Priest, and I promise you will feel no more."

Aylssa and Kylie were strong and stubborn, but there was only so much they could take before breaking. Alyssa watched in horror as one of Ethan's men took a device called the Pear of Anguish which he threatened to put into Kylie's womanhood if they did not speak. Not wishing to subject her friend to such agony, Alyssa broke and declared that she would say anything to the Grand Priest.

"You see," said Ethan, his mutilated arm was kept in a cast after being treated in the medical bay. "Like I said, like any wild Termnnian beast, women can be trained to obey their master's whim. Sometimes, you just need to give them a good kick."

Ethan was driven mad by the loss of his hand. His cruelty had increased tenfold. His face was twisted in a permanent countenance of madness and anger. His eyes were red with weep and fury and his veins bulged on his flesh.

"You!" he said, pointing at Alyssa. "You will tell the Grand Priest that your mission was to assassinate him. You will tell him how I bravely foiled your plot to kill him, and that your Queen Alexis Rhodes was the mastermind behind this little flimflam. But thanks to my genius and cunning, your mission failed. However, I made a great sacrifice and my sword hand was lost, as was my wife. Rest assured, we will find her again. You will tell the Grand Priest this, or I swear your friend is going to suffer more pain than you can ever imagine. You know what the Pear of Anguish is used for?"

Alyssa shook her head.

"It's used as a gag to silence robbers or murderers, such as yourselves. You turn a screw at the top and the spoons bloom open. It will break jaws, rip flesh, shatter teeth from their roots. You can put it any orifice. The mouth for blasphemers or the up the ass for homosexuals, women too. I heard it does quite a bit of work on your womanhood. Would like to see what for yourself what it can do, love?"

He held the device in front of Alyssa's face. The metal was cruelly decorated in filigree engravings and shined in the florescent lights on the ceiling of his ship.

"No!" cried Alyssa. "No! I swear, I'll tear the Grand Priest anything, you hear me? Anything!"

"That's a good girl."

---

And so Alyssa told the lies of Ethan's bravery and her attempt on the Grand Priest's life. She told of how bravely Ethan fought against an entire squad of agents from the Royal House of Intelligence, and that she and Kylie were all that remained. And that his bravery cost him his hand.

"As you can see, Your Holiness," said Ethan. "The battle that ensued has left me scarred," he held up his arm, and showed the people in court the spot where his hand would have been.

"Queen Alexis sends her minions to take the life of our beloved Grand Priest!" shouted a Gold Priest. "This is an act of war!"

"We cannot go to war with the Alliance!" called another lesser priest. "We are not ready! They have the Divine Beasts, and we have nothing!"

"We have La Purga!" shouted a monk. "La Purga will grant us victory against those beasts. Yeyu wills it!"

"YEYU WILLS IT!"

"YEYU WILLS IT!" shouted Ethan.

"La Purga alone cannot handle the Divine Beasts," said another priest. "Going to war against them is madness!"

"The weapon!" said DarkNite. "King Ethan has been informed by Lord Dartz of the Paradias Corporation that they are in the development of a weapon that can destroy them!"

"A weapon that can destroy Gods!" said the Gold Priest. "Bah! I have never heard such nonsense."

"Oh no, it is true!" Dartz called out as he stormed into the throne room, escorted by his soldiers.

"Lord Dartz!" Ethan cried. "What news?"

"Thanks to the cooperation of my friend, Dr. Jayce Grossfield, we were able to put the weapon into working condition. It is now battle-ready. All it needs is a God to test it with. We can have it attached to La Purga in no time. That is if the Grand Priest is willing to let the Termnnians get away with this outrage."

Everyone looked at the Grand Priest. Never had he felt so much pressure in his life to make a decision. But he knew Dartz was challenging him somehow. If he refused to go to war with the Alliance, he would no doubt be showing weakness. And right now, here in the lion's den, that was going to be a very unwise choice.

"You are sure this weapon will be enough to challenge the Gods?" he asked.

"There is but one way to find out," said Dartz. "Take action. Call the Balodrumian military!"

"He is right, Your Holiness," said a Platinum Priest. "The Termnnians cannot get away with this. SEND THE FLEET IN! We shall challenge them with a force unlike any other!"

Innocence stood up. There was a long pause, as he still fought within himself on what he should do.

"ASSEMBLE THE ARMY!" he commanded.

The throne room erupted with a thunderous applause. "The Termnnian people have made an attempt on my life! We shall first pass judgment on this girl, this Queen Alexis Rhodes who sent these cowards to take my life."

He kicked Alyssa in the face and spit at her. "Call the fleets! I want every ship in our mighty military in the air at once. And see to it that these two are punished for their crimes."

In one final act of cruelty, Alyssa and Kylie was dragged by their chains all the way out of the castle where they were taken to the town square and nailed onto wooden X's, hung upside down and were burned alive before a wild and savage crowd, cheering for their agony as though it was entertainment.

Grand Priest Innocence watched the spectacle from the balcony with Ethan and Dartz. "There will be no dawn for the Termnnians after this," he said, watching the two girls turn to ash. He looked at Ethan sternly.

"No," Ethan sneered. "There shall be..."

"And there will be none for you if this weapon of your fails us, Ethan."

Ethan looked at the Grand Priest with a defiant scowl. "We won't fail!"

"I hope so, Your Grace, for your sake. Otherwise, your fate will be worse than what those two agents have suffered. A lot worse."

Without a word, Ethan turned his gaze back to the bonfire below as Innocence walked away. "I'm coming for you, Alexis. And I'm going to make you pay for all the misery you caused me."

---

Part 6

---

Evelyn chose not to remain in hiding throughout the rest of the voyage. She ordered Bastion to have them eat at the tavern below deck. Not wanting to go against her wishes, he did just that.

When Bastion returned to the room for Evelyn, he almost missed her. She stood looking out the window. A woman almost strange to him. The girl with raven-black hair was gone, replaced by a shy little thing with wavy curls the color of honey blonde.

"Bastion?" she said.

"Evelyn…" Bastion said, glowing red. "I…wow…you look good."

That put a scowl on her face. "Are you saying I did not look good before!?"

"Why no, I mean…"

"Bastion, I'm only teasing." Evelyn smiled and looked back out the window, admiring the sunset on the river. She wrapped the blanket tightly over her shoulders.

"We're in luck," said Bastion. "This barge has everything anyone could want. There is a market below deck. They sell weapons, food, medicine, cards. I spotted a boutique for you to buy some clothes."

"What an impressive vessel," said Evelyn. "Shall you buy me a gown for dinner?"

"I shall," said Bastion. "Although, we might want to take it easy with the gold. It's still a long way back to Lorin."

"I understand," said Evelyn.

She followed Bastion below deck to the market. It smelled of spices, clean clothes, and freshly forged weapons. Bastion led Evelyn to a little cabin with a window displaying all sorts of dresses and gowns. A neon sign above read Le Chic Petit.

"Come," said Bastion. "Our reservation at the tavern won't hold for long."

He knocked on the door. A fat and very large Mondivian woman answered. "Bonjour my lovelies!" she sang out. "Come in, come in!"

Bastion let Evelyn in first.

"Oh, so gallant," said the woman.

After Bastion entered, the woman closed the door. "Welcome, welcome!" She said. She smelled heavily of roses. The store has a sickening scent of powder and cosmetics. "I am Madame Rouge. What can I do for you on this most glorious evening?"

"We desire some clothing for my friend here," said Bastion. "Please, she's had a very rough day."

Madame Rogue put her over-sized hands on her apple-colored cheeks in shock. "Oh, you poor thing! She must be naked under there! What happened?"

"I was attacked by highwaymen on the road," Evelyn said, fabricating her story. "They killed the mercenaries my father hired and then ripped my dress to…."

"Oh no!" cried Madame Rogue. Tears went down her chubby cheeks and her lips trembled. "Those horrible monsters. Did they?"

"Well, I don't want to talk about it," said Evelyn. "This brave knight luckily was passing by and sent them to their makers, and saved me."

Madame Rogue wailed and pulled a red handkerchief out of her enormous cleavage. She blew into it noisily.

"Goddesses bless you, Ser Knight!" sobbed Madame Rogue, wiping away her tears. "And they say chivalry has died in Termnnia. Come now, my dear. You're safe now. Come in, come in and rest yourself."

"Thank you, My Lady," Evelyn said, being led to a pink cushion decorated with lace and bows.

Madame Rogue made her a cup of strong sweet tea and served her a plate of cakes as she wheeled in an armoire filled with her best dresses.

"How about this one?" she said pulling out a blue gown. "You'll look ravishing in this!"

Evelyn pretended to wail and buried her face into her hands. Bastion saw through her ruse and patted her back.

"What's wrong dear?" asked Madame Rouge.

Bastion smiled and gave a wave of his hand. "That's what the bandits told her before they…"

"Oh, my apologies," said Madame Rouge. "I'm sorry, I could always add another discount to your dress. It's the least I can do to make up for upsetting you."

"Thank you, My Lady," wept Evelyn.

"Oh, you've run dry," said Madame Rogue. "I'll go make you some more tea."

She picked up the empty kettle and walked back into the kitchen, using a pump to fill the kettle with water.

"Discounts out of pity," Evelyn whispered into Bastion's ear. "If I play my cards right, we might end up getting a new dress for free."

She winked. Bastion grinned and sat back as Evelyn worked her magic.

---

Part 7

---

"Eggs and bacon?" the plump and kind waitress asked. She wore a bright smile that filled the hearts of her customers with warmth. She stood before a booth in the lonely corner of the ferry tavern known as the Dancing Trout.

Bastion Misawa held up his hand. "Right here, ma'am."

"There you go, Ser," the waitress said, sliding the plate in his direction.

"Pancakes?" the waitress said, holding her plate in front of Evelyn's face.

The fugitive princess was staring at the table with sorrowful eyes. There were so many troubles plaguing her mind that her eyes seemed to be glowing.

"Pancakes? Pancakes!" the waitress said raising her voice.

Evelyn snapped out of her thoughts and forced a smile on her lips. "Oh! Uh…right here. Thank you."

"Here you go, love," the waitress said, giving Evelyn her food. "Anything else, my dears?"

"I'll have a refill of coffee," said Bastion, even though there was a pitcher of ice-cold orange juice in the middle of their table.

"Some sweet tea for me," said Evelyn.

"Coming right up," said the waitress, turning to leave.

Bastion picked up a red handkerchief from the table and set it on his laps so as not to ruin his fine clothes. He licked his lips, ready to dig in. Before doing so, he curiously looked up to see if Evelyn had touched her food.

Nothing. She just stared at it.

The orange lamp, swaying above the table of their booth swayed back and forth as the ship was rocked by the current of the river. Laughter from the other patrons rang in the air with the music played by a band of Gnomes on a stage. A female Gnome pranced about in front of the stage for some gold coins which she generously received.

Evelyn finally found the will to eat. She gingerly held her fork in her fingers and just jabbed at her pancakes. She looked out the round window to see the calm of the morning on the river. The water had turned to gold in the light of the rising sun casting a million sparkles that reflected into their booth. The forest outside was a silhouette of purple and black-green adding a sense of mystery to the scenery outside. Evelyn sighed when she saw a flock of birds flying out of the trees toward the snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Again, Evelyn stood still, her breakfast growing cold.

"Those hotcakes cost me two Silver Swords," said Bastion. "You'd better eat up, Tandy."

Evelyn groaned with frustration, remembering that her name from hence force was Tandy Giffard, a House that was well-known for their honey. Her hair was even dyed honey blonde to hide her identity from her pursuers.

"You have to lighten up, you know," said Bastion.

"Huh?" Evelyn said, about to eat a fluffy chunk of her pancakes.

"You're the child of a noble on vacation," he said. "So please, act like your enjoying yourself."

"Enjoy myself?" said Evelyn. "Easier said than done. You didn't have to live in hell for the past couple of years, Bastion."

"I understand what you mean," said Bastion. He finished chewing his food before he spoke. "But, you cannot mope around like this forever. You have to move on."

"Ethan murdered my family," said Evelyn. "He took my kingdom from me. He killed my betrothed. He humiliated me. He's done things to me! That's not exactly something you just forget, Bastion. How dare you insist I just move on!"

"Will you keep it down!" Bastion said, holding up his palms.

"Now, I lose my identity," said Evelyn, holding up a lock of her dyed hair. "I want to die."

"Kill yourself, and those agents would have died for nothing!" said Bastion. "I know you've gone through some hardships, my friend. Believe me, I would have wanted nothing more than to kill Ethan myself. But his Black Luster Soldier was coming quickly. I promise, once we get you south, we'll have our revenge."

"And I want it to be slow and painful," said Evelyn. "I'm going to make the son of a bitch pay for everything he's done to me!"

"Use that anger to keep moving forward," said Bastion. "Avi and Alexis will know what to do to help us fight Ethan and reclaim your kingdom. And when we finally have Ethan in our grasp, take it all out on him."

"Hmm," Evelyn said smiling, and she gave a nod. She held up her glass of orange juice. "To revenge."

Bastion held up his mug of coffee. "To revenge."

Heavy footsteps approached their booth. A dashing Eldori knight, lean and lithe stopped and stood over them. His hair was raven black, just as Evelyn's once was before she dyed the color. It was long curled, falling to his collar. He bore a doublet of black and gold. Across the chest was an engrailed cross made of gold thread and inlaid with sparkling emeralds. Two Duel Monster cards showing off their rear design were on the first and second quarters. A harp and a fiddle emblazoned on the third and fourth. He held a rose for Evelyn, who gasped timidly at the gift.

"Pardon the intrusion, My Lady, but I just had to come by and present you with this rose. A token to brighten your day and bless your journey wherever it takes you."

"Oh, thank you," Evelyn said taking the knight's token.

"May I be so bold as to kiss your hand?" the knight asked.

Evelyn smiled and held it out much to Bastion's chagrin. The knight took her hand and placed it on his lips for a kiss. He smiled at her, kissing her hand a second time.

"You, my dear, are a dream in this beautiful morning. A face with the radiance of a thousand suns, yet I see great sorrow in your eyes. What ails you?"

"I appreciate the gesture, Ser Knight," said Evelyn, her face flushing red. It had been years since she was complimented on her beauty. She sniffed the rose coated in a sweet perfume.

"It is well received," Evelyn continued. "But I fear that it is our business, and our business is our own. Nevertheless, I thank you for both the gift and the honor of your visit."

"Perhaps, I can be of service to you," said the knight. "You look distressed, My Lady. If there's one thing I hate, it's seeing a beautiful maiden like yourself in distress."

Evelyn looked at Bastion who shot her a nasty look. The first thing he told her to do, and she blew it. Someone did notice her suffering and sorrow. By ill-fated chance, it had to be a brash, young knight. Kind, but very, very brash. He clearly could not take a hint. Bastion and Evelyn clearly wanted to be left alone.

"Again, you are very kind," said Evelyn. "But I already have a knight in my service."

"Oh?" said the knight, looking at Bastion as if he just noticed he was there. "And you are?"

"Ser Bastion the Water Dragon Knight."

The young knight puffed out his chest welcoming the introduction.

"Well met, Ser Bastion. Oh, how rude of me. I have not introduced myself yet. I am Ser Bartholomew Wilxes of Green Way."

"Ah!" said Evelyn. "You're the fabled Emerald Knight. I've heard so many tales of your battles, and your triumphs at every tournament when I was in Elleri…er…my home."

Ser Bartholomew's grin grew wider, for it felt good to know his exploits were known by a beautiful young girl.

"You honor me, My Lady," he said with a bow. 'That honeybee on your emblazoned on your doublet. You are of the House Giffard are you not?"

"I am," said Evelyn. "My name is Tandy."

"An honor, Lady Tandy. Please, allow me to join you on your journey."

"I'm afraid that's a no," said Bastion. "There is no place for you where we're going."

"And just where do you go that does not have a place for a champion knight such as myself, Ser Bastion?"

"We cannot say," said Bastion. "Our business is our own, as Lady Tandy just stated."

"Hmm," Bartholomew said, rubbing his clean-shaven chin. "That is a deck strapped to your arm is it not?"

"Are you suggesting a Duel" asked Bastion.

"Of course," said Bartholomew. "What better and civilized way for two honorable knights such as ourselves to settle this dispute?"

"You must really like Lady Tandy if you want to join us this badly," said Bastion. "Or is there something else on your mind?"

Bartholomew shook his head.

"Perish the thought, Ser Bastion. Women are the most precious of all the blessings gifted to this world. They are a treasure far more valuable than the purest gold and the most beautiful of diamonds. Therefore, I ensure that they are treated with the honor and respect they so rightfully deserve. I spit on any man who objectifies them, degrades them, or hurts them if they are stupid enough to do so. Ser Bastion, my desire to be by Lady Tandy's side is of the purest chivalry, I assure you."

Bastion bowed his head. "And you have my thanks. But you must ask Lady Tandy of how she feels about your inclusion to our journey," said Bastion.

The knight looked at Evelyn.

She blessed him with a smile and told him her decision.

"Ser Bartholomew, no disrespect, but you say you are here to put a smile on my face. You have done just that. Believe me, after everything I have been through, that is no easy task. I have endured so many hardships on the road, and I thought I would never be cheerful again. You have performed a great service by making me smile and making feel special for the first time in forever. For that, I thank you from the bottom of my heart…what's left of it anyway. But that is all I ask of you, my dear. I'm afraid we can't take you with us. Nevertheless, I do hope you're still up for the challenge of facing Ser Bastion in a Duel. It has been a while since I have seen a noble contest of Yu-Gi-Oh."

The knight gave a sorrowful smile. "I understand your decision, Lady Tandy. I respect it. Nevertheless, I feel my mission has been accomplished by making you smile. I shall continue with the Duel per your request."

"I wish there were more knights like you out there, Ser," said Evelyn. "Chivalry is still alive in this miserable continent thanks to men such as you two."

"Again, you honor me, Lady Tandy. Ser Bastion. I will let you and your companion finish your meal, and then you can meet me on the upper deck to begin our contest of cards."

"I look forward to a great match," said Bastion. "Cheerio."

"See you in a bit," said Bartholomew.

Evelyn waited for him to leave before she started speaking. "I hate to have denied him his services," said she. "He looks like a rather charming fellow."

"You are very beautiful," said Bastion. "Knights often tend to look for fair maidens to serve. It's cliché, but very traditional. And I won't lie to you, Tandy, but you look rather nice with blonde hair."

"You really think so?" Evelyn looked at a small round mirror hanging on the wall. "I must admit, I kind of like it, too."

"That knight certainly has done some good," said Bastion. "I haven't seen you smile since I found you."

"Hmm," said Evelyn. "I am happy, all the while I'm quite sad. Nobody but Dancer could ever make me smile when I was troubled. Ser Bartholomew certainly reminded me of him just now. Dancer."

"We'll get Ethan and make him pay!" said Bastion. "I promise."

"Right," Evelyn said softly. "Well, come now. Let us finish our meal and meet with Bartholomew so you can Duel."

They ate their breakfast, paid for their meal, and went to the top deck where the young knight was waiting for them, Duel Disk already mounted on his arm.

"I must say I envy you, Ser Bastion," Bartholomew said, cape waving in the wind. "I can only wish to be in the service of such a lovely maiden."

He looked at Evelyn, leaning against the rail next to the battlefield. The soft morning wind caused her hair to sway gracefully. When it caught the light of the sun, the color turned to molten gold and formed a sort of halo around Evelyn, giving her the appearance of an angel.

"Was your father a thief, Lady Tandy?" asked Bartholomew. "Because I see he stole the stars and put them in your eyes."

Evelyn blushed and looked down at the floor, hunching her shoulders.

"Well, I suppose beggars can't be choosers," said Bastion. "Let us Duel!"

"Yes, let's. Keep your eyes open, Tandy. This is going to be quite the match."

LP 4000

"I'll start things off," said Barth. "I set a monster face-down. Then set these two cards. Face-down. That's it. I'm ending my turn."

"Draw!" said Bastion. "I summon Hyrdrogeddon!"

He slapped his card onto the Duel Disk, calling forth a quadrupedal dinosaur made entirely of water with powerful currents surging through its body.

ATK/1600 DEF/1000 LV 4

Bastion dramatically held out his hand, commanding the attack. "Go, Hydrogeddon! Hydro Cannon!"

The dinosaur opened its mouth and shot a blast of hot water from its mouth, attacking the face-down monster Barth set up. What it was caused Bastion great shock.

"Oh no!" he shouted.

"Ooo," cringed Evelyn. "That's Cyber Jar. Tough break, Bastion."

"Indeed," said Barth. "Now, your Hyrdogeddon is destroyed. Then, we each pick up five cards from our decks. And if any of them are level 4 or lower monster, we can summon them in face-up ATK position or face-down DEF position."

"Very well," said Bastion. He picked up the cards and summoned two monsters in face-down defense position.

Next, it was Barth's turn to do the same. He summoned a Marauding Captain, X-Saber Pashul, and XX-Saber Emersblade.

"I set two cards face-down," said Bastion. "I end my turn."

"Draw!" said Barth.

"So," said Evelyn. "I see you run an X-Saber deck."

Barth seemed to beam from her compliment. "I see you approve, Lady Tandy. Many thanks."

"Show me how well you handle it, Ser Knight," Evelyn teased.

Barth approved of the challenge. "So, I shall, Lady Tandy. Watch this. Using my X-Saber Pashul, I shall Tune it with my Marauding Captain to Synchro Summon X-Saber Wayne!"

A familiar tune from the movie The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly whistled in the air as a heavily armored desperado wielding a revolver with a blade mounted underneath came walking out of a cloud of dust.

X-Saber Wayne

ATK/2100 DEF/400 LV 5

Evelyn clapped her hands. Synchro Summoning was her favorite form of summoning.

"Well, done," she said.

"Just whose side are you on!" cried Bastion.

"The winning side," boasted Barth. "And per Wayne's effect, I get to summon one level 4 or lower monster from my hand. Say hello to the beautiful X-Saber Anu Piranha (ATK/1800)!"

He attacked, keeping him down throughout the Duel. Every time Bastion had some hope of summoning something, Barth countered with a trap called Saber Hole, destroying them.

Bastion was sure he had changed the flow of the game when he summoned his rare and powerful Fire Dragon, a flaming serpentine beast made of flames. Evelyn could feel the heat radiating off its body, and fanned herself with her hand to cool herself. Bastion stood his ground as though nothing bothered him. Beads of sweat rolled down his face, but he was as cold as an iceberg.

"Must you summon such a monstrosity?" Barth said disapprovingly. "You're making Lady Tandy uncomfortable."

"Well, then," said Bastion. "Why don't I just end this Duel here and now. Go Fire Dragon!"

"I think not!" said Barth. "Activate Mirror Force!"

"NO!" shouted Bastion.

Fire Dragon's flames bounced off the force field and flew back at him, destroying him.

"Wow, what a comeback," said Evelyn. "Bastion, do me a favor and never summon that thing around me again. Look at me. I'm sweating all over. Oh, this was my new dress!"

"What a Nancy!" Bastion muttered.

"Not to worry, My Lady," said Barth. "I shall treat you to the finest bathhouse in town. And as you freshen up, I will buy you a new gown. One much more radiant and befitting of your beauty."

"You are too kind," said Evelyn. "But the bath will do just fine."

"If you insist, My Lady. Onward with the Duel. It's my turn. Draw!"

As the game progressed, it got so much worse for Bastion. Even though he rid the field of Wayne and Barth's other X-Saber monsters with a Dark Hole spell, the brash knight was not through yet. He smiled, preparing one final combo to end Bastion.

Bastion 1200

Barth-2700

"I Summon XX-Saber Boogart Knight. I use his ability to bring forth my XX-Saber Fulhelmknight. Next, I activate the Trap Card, Gottams' Emergency Call! This will only work so long as I have an X-Saber on the field. Which I do," he added cruelly. "And now I select two X-Saber monsters in my Graveyard and special summon them. Returning to the field is X-Saber Wayne and XX-Saber Emersblade."

"Damn!" Bastion cursed.

Hopefully his face-down cards would save him. If they did, he could end the match on his next turn. All he could do was pray as the X-Sabers kept coming to the field.

"Now," Barth continued, "I shall Tune my XX-Saber Fulhelmknight with XX-Saber Boggart Knight so I can Synchro Summon, X-Saber Urbellum!"

ATK/2200 DEF/1300 LV 7

"Next I activate another Gottam's Emergency Call and summon back my XX-Saber Pashu, XX-Saber Emersblade, and XX-Saber Boggart Knight. And I shall Tune them, so I can Synchro Summon, XX-Saber Gottams!"

This monster was no doubt, Ser Barth's best monster. It towered over the field, a warrior made of white-steel and lit with blue neon trim. A large red cape flowed down from his neck and swayed in the wind.

XX-Saber Gottams

ATK/3100 DEF/2600 LV 9

"How is that for impressive, Lady Tandy?" said Barth.

"Ooo, very impressive," said Evelyn, marveling at the impressive monster he summoned.

"Damn," Bastion thought. He suddenly grinned.

Looks like Evelyn's back to her normal self. She was always infatuated by knights, blushing at every compliment. I hate to admit it, but this Ser Barth character is truly a blessing in disguise. Evelyn seems so much more cheerful now. I only wish I could have done it.

"Now my monsters, attack and end this Duel!"

But having said all that, he's not going to win. "Reveal face-down card, Hallowed Life Barrier. Now I discard a card from my hand, and all damage I receive is changed to zero."

"Ah, so you've saved yourself, Ser Bastion. Well fought. I must admit, you have me on my toes. This has been one excellent Duel."

"Yes, but sadly, all things must come to an end," said Bastion, drawing his card.

"Indeed, they must, Ser Bastion. I do hope there are no hard feelings for me defeating you."

"You are a brash one, aren't you?" Bastion said with a laugh. "Now, it is I who will be ending the game. Watch and learn, young knight. Draw!"

Bastion dazzled with spell after spell until he summoned two new monsters called Duoterion, a tyrannosaurus made entirely of water. "Now, for my next card, Bonding D2O. With this, I tribute my two Duoterions on the field and an Oxygeddon from my hand. Now come forth my great beast. Emerge from the depths and flood the field with your rage. Water Dragon Cluster! Rise!"

Evelyn's eyed widened when the beast who helped save her from Ethan rose out of the ground in front of Bastion's feet. With its effect, he changed the ATK points of Barth's monsters to 0, and with one incredible blast of Water Dragon Cluster's hydro cannons, Bastion ended the Duel.

"Bravo!" Evelyn said, clapping her hands. "That was one exciting Duel."

"Oh no," said Barth, falling to his knees. "I lost? How could I lose? I was so close to winning."

"Have no worries, Ser Bartholomew," said Evelyn, approaching the defeated knight with the utmost of care. "It was a well-fought match. I appreciate all you're doing. And thank you."

She kissed his cheek.

Ser Barth's face went bright red. "Well, I…" he chuckled. "I…do what I can. And congratulations on winning the contest, Ser Bastion. Well played."

"You, too, Ser Barth," said Bastion. "You almost had me. But I fear, I've had superior training at Duelist Academy."

"Is that so?" said Barth in surprise. "An alumnus of the academy? Well, no wonder I lost."

A woman screamed from below deck. Evelyn turned around and saw the most dreadful sight. Covenant ships flew over the forest in a slow parade of dominance. The fighter ships zoomed by at supersonic speeds to intimidate the traditionalist folks below.

Then, La Purga came into view.

"Goddesses almighty!" breathed Ser Barth. "But…but why?"

Evelyn hugged Bastion, fearing for her life. She worried that somewhere in there, King Ethan was spying on her with a camera. Evelyn anticipated a boarding party to come down and take her away any second.

"Look," Bastion said pointing at the ships. "They're going past the Iron Mountains. They're headed south to Aquarius."

"Oh no!" said Evelyn. "Alexis!"

"Okay, there's been a change of plans," said Bastion. "We must take the ferry to White Harbor instead. I fear it's all over for Alexis."

"No! No, it's not!" cried Evelyn. "Bastion, please, it's me he wants! I don't want him to hurt Alexis, too."

"In time we will save her, I promise you."

"How do you two know the queen?" asked Barth, to which he was ignored.

"No, Bastion! Time is what's going to kill her. You have no idea what that…that CREATURE does to women! I will not have Alexis suffer the way I did, Bastion. I simply will not!"

"So, what are you saying then?" shouted Bastion. "You wish to follow them into Aquarius! Are you mad? Evelyn, you do realize Ethan is not going to let Alexis go. You cannot bargain with him. If you go back to him, he'll claim you both. Madison, Allyssa, and Kylie would have died for nothing!"

"I will not let him hurt any more of my friends, Bastion. Take me to Elleria, by order of the Princess!"

"The Princess?" gasped Barth. "House Giffard is not royalty. Who are you? What can I do to help?"

Bastion looked at Barth. The secret was out thanks to Evelyn's bravery. Or was Bastion being too kind? To him, her bravery was actually a mix of stupidity and stubbornness.

"You want to help? Then you have to keep your mouth shut! Ser Barth, this is highly confidential. This girl is not Tandy of the House Giffard. Her name is Princess Evelyn Alteria. Heir to the Ebony Throne and the Kingdom of Elleria."

"Princess!" Ser Barth said, kneeling in the blink of an eye. "Princess Evelyn, this is a great honor." He stood up. "I am a loyal citizen of Elleria myself. I heard about what happened in the coup. How? How did you escape?"

"That is a subject for another time," said Evelyn.

"Weren't you married to Ethan, My Lady? Does that not make you Queen?"

Evelyn frowned. "I was not bound to him by marriage, Ser Barth, I was bound to him by dominance and humiliation. I was no wife to him, just his pet. I refused to take the title of Queen until I've ousted Ethan from my father's throne."

"I am on the road to Aquarius myself," said Barth. "Please, allow me to join you."

"We're not going to Aquarius!" said Bastion. "We cannot!"

"Then rest assured, Bastion," Evelyn roared over the loud hum of the airship's engines, "your services to me are over. I will instead choose Ser Barth as my champion."

Bastion gritted his teeth and balled his fists as the last of the Covenant ships flew overhead.

"Fine!" he said. "But we're going on a suicide mission, you know this?"

"Who is we?" said Evelyn. "Once we reach Aquarius, I go to the Azure Palace alone."

"Evelyn," said Bastion. "I hope you know what you're doing."

---

Part 8

---

The Covenant armada finally made it to Aquarius. The citizens below; people dressed in tunics, coifs, trousers, and other traditional clothing looked up in fear as the ships flew over their farms, villages, and estates. Their massive sizes blocked out the sun. The town guard ran up to the bell towers and rung them fiercely declaring an emergency to the people.

They all ran and ducked for their homes as smaller fighter ships soared overhead bombing watchtowers and soldier barracks that were scattered about the country outside of the fountain city which was the biggest prize for the invaders. Smaller corvette-class cruisers made their decent and opened their multiple hatches to allow smaller personal carriers to drop off the foot soldiers and robot Duel Monsters.

Tanks and Overdrive (ATK/1600) were let loose outside the city where they began to shoot through brave cavalry charges led by knights who would fight to the death for their queen. The personnel carriers even landed in the woods to set up checkpoints and massacred the Lorin soldiers with their assault weapons. Their tanks and large terrain vehicles mowed down the ancient forests surrounding the vast countryside. The animals and Duel Monsters who made their homes there for thousands and thousands of years ran for their lives from the incoming machines.

This was not what Alexis was hoping to see when she woke up that morning. She quickly dashed out of bed and looked out the window of her chambers as the Covenant ships began to fly over her city. Outside she heard people screaming in fear and the distant thunder of the fighter ships and Cuirass mechs that soared in the skies. She stared at the invasion with an emotionless gaze on her face. She knew what was happening, but she was asking herself how? How could this be happening? Weren't the Covenant at least fearful of the God Cards that her allies controlled? Or Lady Avi who had a plethora of dragons to choose from in order to take down their ships?

All over Aquarius, knights were being rounded up and arrested by the Covenant's modern soldiers. Tanks sped down the hills of Queen's Field, trampling the blooming Sunbell Flowers of which were going to be used for a celebration honoring the end of summer and the beginning of the harvest which was fast approaching. By the looks of things, there was going to be no festival this year. Her chamber doors burst open. A few of the palace knights barged inside to tell her the news. They blushed when he saw the queen partially dressed, but she was too distraught over the invasion outside to care about modesty.

Alexis slipped the thin white curtains over her shoulders to cover herself as she watched the ships form a circle over her city. Then, the sun was completely blocked out, leaving everything in darkness. La Purga came into view over her window. A sleek black ship flew out of the docking bay and landed in the courtyard outside of Alexis' chambers. The hatch opened revealing an all too familiar figure.

Ethan Morris, dressed in custom black, steel-plated armor walked down the ramp, surrounded by his men including his Black Luster Soldier and the dreaded DarkNite.

Ethan wore a hood of black steel chainmail over his head. His escort fighter, flown by the brash Lieutenant Commander Lenneth, landed by a water fountain. His canopy opened up and he stood up, placing his foot on the dashboard like a conquering hero.

"Home sweet home!" he shouted arrogantly. "Man, that was too easy. These Termnnians talk a big game, but they're weak once you have the weapons to take them down."

"Thanks for your services, Lenneth," said Ethan.

"Don't mention it, Your Grace. Now, I've heard a lot of tales about this Alexis Rhodes. Tell me, is she a looker?"

"She's not for you, boy!" spat DarkNite.

"Uh, I just took down most of her army by myself out there. I think I can call dibs on the bitch if I wanted to."

"You intend to force yourself upon her?" Ethan asked with a chuckle.

"Hell yeah!" said Lenneth. "But I've gotta know, is she hot?"

"She is," said Ethan. "I grew up with her. At school, she was the most desired girl in the class. She was known as the Queen of Duelist Academy. Hell, even High King Yuri had a crush on her."

"Ah, look," said a soldier, pointing up at the window above the courtyard. They all gazed up at a tall white tower and saw Alexis peering down at them from her chambers.

Lenneth sneered, showing off his teeth. "Aw, hell yeah. Then her little twat is first on the menu!" He began licking his lips, drool oozed down the side of his tongue.

"I didn't need to see that," grumbled Ethan, not enjoying the expression on his face.

"How cute," said DarkNite. "I've seen brash and arrogant windbags in my years here on this earth, but you take things further. This invasion is not about you, boy! We're not here so you can rape the queen."

"I'm not gonna rape her ya big lummox!" said Lenneth. "I'm gonna make love to her."

"And you think Alexis Rhodes is just going to let you do that?" said DarkNite.

"You don't know me, man. I am quite the smooth talker." He jumped down from his fighter. "Besides, everyone knows that the biggest prize in the spoils of war is between a woman's legs. And my prize is between a queen's legs. And a young queen from what I see."

"We'll see," said Ethan. "If you do get your way, don't spoil her too much. We need her for our plan. And seeing as how Evelyn's gone, I need her as my queen."

"Aw, you always take the good ones," said one of Ethan's soldiers.

Ethan laughed manically. "Well, I am the king. When I become the High King, I will see to it that all the beautiful women of the world are mine. I'll even share them with you, men! Today is ours!"

They all cheered.

A messenger came running towards Ethan. "Your Grace. Queen Alexis has surrendered. Aquarius is now under our control."

"Ah," said Ethan. "Victory."

---

Part 10

---

She was forcefully brought into the throne room where she once proudly sat and ruled. Now, it had been completely taken over by the Covenant. The banners showing the sigil of her House were ripped down and replaced with that of King Ethan's and the Church. There were nobles from Naralia and Balodrum flooding the throne room, and when they saw Alexis being dragged in by two Covenant knights, they clapped their hands in applause. They marveled at the capture of the young queen and the effortless triumph of their conquest. A group of soldiers clad in gray armor trimmed in chrome held onto savage barking dogs with black iron chains. Alexis did her best to keep her composure and continued stepping toward the throne room where Ethan happily sat with a sinister grin on his face. Black Luster Soldier-Envoy of the Beginning stood by his side, as did DarkNite.

Alexis turned her gaze away from him. She searched for her Kaiser Sea Horse knights, but they were nowhere to be seen. Most likely they were rounded up and taken outside, possibly to be killed. In there was were Ethan's Special Security Force whom he dubbed The Grey Men because of the color armor they wore.

The applause continued all around Alexis as she was stopped at the foot of the throne to look at Ethan. A Grey Man slapped pushed her forward causing Alexis to fall on her knees.

"Alexis," Ethan sneered, wrapping the leash around his hand. "Long time no see."

Alexis looked up at him. She gathered mucus at the back of her throat and spit it out. The glob landing on one of Ethan's boots.

Ethan wagged his finger and tsked at her. "You know how much these boots cost? And that is no way for a lady of nobility such as yourself to be acting."

"Where is Evelyn?" Alexis demanded.

"She stepped out for a bit," Ethan said, wiping his boot clean on the carpet. "Don't worry, we'll find her and bring her back. Then, it will be one big happy reunion. Such a shame those agents you sent can't join us." He held up their ID cards, bloodied and burned. Alexis gasped in shock as Ethan threw them back at her. They landed before her knees with loud taps.

"Such a shame," Ethan said, drinking from the chalice he made from Dancer's skull. He dipped it in gold and added a polished wooden handle. "They were so cute. But, that's what happens when you send assassins to kill his Holiness."

"Is that what you told them?" said Alexis. "I only wanted my friend back."

"So, you admit you sent those assassins to Elleria!" shouted a nobleman. The crowd grew restless, shouting obscenities at Alexis.

"No!" cried Alexis. "It was not an assassination attempt! I swear, it was a rescue operation!"

"Liar!" shouted another nobleman.

Ethan loved the predicament Alexis was in. She grew timid and afraid because she knew she was all alone with no allies to come save her. The fact she was wearing all white made it the moment that much sweeter for the young, perverted king. Alexis looked like a lone little lamb stuck in a den of lions, wolves, and snakes. And he was a fierce, fire-breathing dragon who was going to have to have the frightened morsel all to himself.

"It's all lies, Alexis," said Ethan. "The agents told us of your intent to kill the Grand Priest in cold blood. That is an act of war, Alexis. And to top things off, my queen is lost."

Alexis could not move. Her heart was beating at an alarming rate. She couldn't even breathe from the shock she received when she heard Ethan say those words. No doubt in her mind, they must have forced Alyssa, Kylie, and Madison to tell lies in exchange for mercy. The torture must have been agonizing for them to betray their queen in such a way. To top things off, Alexis realized she had made a horrible mistake sending them to Elleria. With the mission being a failure, Alexis just gave Ethan a reason for the Covenant to brush off their fear of the Divine Beasts and march down here to conquer her kingdom.

"This can't be," she said in a sob.

"Oh, it is, Alexis," said Ethan. "Now you and this kingdom are mine."

Ethan slowly walked down the stairs of the Sapphire Throne. His cold eyes locked on Alexis. "Now, even if we do get Evelyn back, I fear her usefulness has ended. I will make her pay for what she did to me!"

He held up his mutilated right hand, now replaced by a bronze hook with a jeweled base. Alexis bared her teeth and growled when she saw the sight. She was no doubt pleased by the sight of Ethan's missing hand, but at the same time, she felt worry deep inside her. Ethan had lost his mind when he gained power in Elleria, but now that he lost his hand, he was far gone.

"Pretty, isn't it?" he said with his sinister grin. "I'm going to make an example of her and that Bastion when we find them!" He said pacing back and forth in front of Alexis. "That will be my message to all who come before me. Even you, my Queen."

"I will never be your Queen, Ethan!"

"You have no choice in the matter," said Ethan. "Because every day you go without being married to me means I order the execution of one-hundred random people in the square."

Alexis growled at his ultimatum, to which Ethan broke out laughing. "Yeah, you don't want to do that, do you, Alexis? So why don't you be a good girl and stop acting all tough? It's going to get you nothing but pain. So, you going to marry me?"

Alexis glared into his eyes and grunted shamefully. "Fine. I will do it."

"That's a good dog," he said patting her head. He dramatically held out his arms to show off for the nobles. "You see!" he cried out for all to hear. "Like any wild beast, Termnnian women can be tamed and learn to obey their masters!"

The nobles cheered and clapped causing Alexis's cheeks to blush red. She sobbed from the disgrace she felt in her heart, for it did feel like Ethan had just trained her as though she were some common household dog begging for a treat, in this case, it was for mercy towards her people and her friends.

She was on her knees by his side as though she were a common dog. Confetti fell from one of the smaller Covenant ships, and fireworks burst into the sky in puffs of colorful smoke. Ethan stood atop a podium like a conquering hero watching the crowd of thousands below the balcony of the Azure Palace. Soldiers, nobles, and senators from Naralia and Balodrum applauded their young hero for taking over one of the most powerful cities in Termnnia. Because the people of Aquarius were of more traditional culture, their shields, swords, and crossbows were no match for the advanced technology the Covenant army brought with them. Even from her demeaning position, Alexis saw pillars of smoke rising into the air all around her beautiful city.

In the distance, she saw ships firing into the forests and the mountains, no doubt fighting back pockets of resistance. The sight of this shattered what remained of her already broken heart. Even now, despite monstrous city-sized ships hovering above the city, her brave and noble knights and soldiers were fighting to the death for their country and the honor of their queen. She squeezed her eyes shut, shooting out tears, which gracefully flew into the air in glittery drops. Alexis watched as the Hierarch began to boast about the mighty of his army and the faith in the false god he called Yeyu.

"Avi!" Alexis whispered. "You bitch. While you go on your wild adventures, the Alliance you swore to protect crumbles. You said you'd be there for us if anything happened. But you're not. This is all your fault. This is all your fault!"

Alexis then heard it was time to place the crown on Ethan's head. No. This she could not bear to see. The noble crown of platinum, sapphire, and aquamarine which was worn by her mother, and her mother's mother, and her mother before her was an unholy and degrading sight. The Grand Priest held up the crown for all to see and placed it on Ethan's brow, still covered in the chainmail hood. He arrogantly looked back at Alexis and shot her a vexing smirk.

"A perfect fit," he said.

Ethan looked back at the crowd below and waved in triumph. When he was done bathing in their admiration he turned back to Alexis and grinned his nasty grin. "Now, Alexis, are you going to tell me where the Ancient Beast card is?"

Again, Alexis responded by shooting a wad of mucus at his feet.

Ethan still kept the grin on his face. Alexis didn't know it, but he loved it when people resisted him. It meant he had reason to induce pain upon them. And he wanted nothing more than to bring torment to the girl who constantly dishonored him at the academy.

"Five lashes!" he commanded. "Double them each time she refuses.

Alexis gasped at his command. He looked him in the eyes, shaking her head from left to right in disbelief that this monster standing before her used to be in her inner circle of best friends.

"Ethan…" she breathed.

Four Gray Men picked her up and tied her by her arms between two columns. She yelped helplessly when she felt the back of her gown get torn open, exposing her back to a jeering crowd. One of them pulled out his whip, but Ethan stopped him. He held out his hand, instructing the Gray Man to give it to him. He was going to hit Alexis himself.

"Ethan…" Alexis said in a sob. "Don't do this. I thought we were friends."

Ethan stopped moving. After a long pause, he sighed and looked at the ground. "I did too, Alexis. I only wanted to help. All I wanted to do was to help. And every time I did it was: 'No, Ethan, you're too weak!' 'You can't help the Princess, Ethan. You lack the skills to help anyone'. I know I made a mistake when I snapped at you at school and called you a Toon. I shouldn't have said that. It was a horrible thing to say, especially towards someone who I once called sister. But you have to understand, all my frustrations just let loose after my loss to Stas. I couldn't help myself. I tried to explain, but you all villainized me. One slip of the tongue and I was suddenly the evilest person in the world. One slip of the tongue. One mistake. And all those years of friendship we had no longer mattered. I thought friends were supposed to forgive each other for their mistakes. Isn't that what you and Evelyn always taught me, Alexis?"

"I know!" Alexis cried. "I know I reacted strongly. It was such a shock to hear that word come from your lips. We shouldn't have alienated you the way we did, Ethan. I'm sorry."

"I know you are," said Ethan. "But it's too late for that. Far too late for that. If it's any consolation, Alexis…" He flung the whip forward, striking her back. A mist of red erupted from the wound. Alexis roared in agony, writhing in her bonds.

"…I forgave you a long time ago. I'm sorry for all that I've done, I really am. But this is a mistake you must live with for the rest of your lives. You made me do this. You made me into the killer I am now. You, Dancer, Evelyn, Antoine, even Avi, and Yuri. You all forged me into this monster. I only wanted to help. I only wanted to mean something to you guys. I just wanted to be a part of your lives." Tears flowed down his cheeks, and he began to let out heavy sobs. He wiped them away with his gauntlet. "I didn't want to kill our friends. I didn't want to do all this. But you just had to treat me like garbage. For all that talk about my importance, you made sure to keep me scarce. You were ashamed of me. That's why you guys always left me behind. You always left me out. If I am the way I am it's because of YOU!"

He whipped her again. Alexis growled from the sting, fighting back the pain by biting down on her lower lip and breathing heavily. A trickle of blood oozed down her back.

"I am the monster I am because of you! Our friends are dead because of you! The High King is dead because of you! Termnnia is dying because of you! You all thought you were so high and mighty because you got to go to those fancy parties at school. You thought you were so special for hanging out with Prince Yuri! Well, I'm in power now! And you're just going to have to live with that mistake for the rest of your life!"

He whipped her a third time.

"Where is the Ancient Beast!"

Alexis looked back at him, doing everything in her power to remain strong and defiant. "You'll never find it."

Ethan hit her again. A slice of flesh was thrust into the air revealing the white of her spine. "We're going to find it, either way, Alexis. Sure, it's going to take a lot more work, but I'll live with the satisfaction of breaking you. You think I care if you talk or not? We are the Covenant. We have the power to get anything we want. Kaiser Rex is mine."

Ethan whipped her a fifth time.

"That's five," he said. "Now you've earned yourself ten more."

"My Lord!" shouted a Gray Man. "There's something coming from the ocean!"

"Huh?" Ethan said, wheeling about to see what the commotion was. He heard screaming from below and squadrons of Balodrum's best fighters soared over the palace towards the sea. He heard a familiar song thundering from the skies which turned gray and cold. Thunder rumbled, and the wind howled, carrying the song of the God Cards in the air. As he got near the balcony he saw the silhouette of an all-too-familiar beast looming in the distance standing 100 meters tall.

Ethan dropped the whip and shivered in his armor. "It's Obelisk the Tormentor!" he shouted.

Alexis formed a weak grin. "Kaiba," she whispered.

---

Mokuba

---

Mokuba Kaiba jeered from his seat in the Kaiba Corp Comanche helicopter. The aircraft was a safe distance from the blimp and Obelisk the Tormentor who was more than ready to liberate the city and destroy the Covenant.

"Look at him," said Mokuba. "He's all fired up!"

"That doesn't at all surprise me," said Kaiba from a holographic screen on Mokuba's wristwatch. "After all, the Covenant is semi-responsible for High King Yuri's death. No doubt Obelisk is looking for payback."

"Well, you sure you want me to broadcast this, Seto? It's going to get pretty violent out there."

"This is going to be one way to let the Covenant know what happens when they mess with us. As if the battle that liberated Domino City last year wasn't enough for them to get the picture. We're not conquerable, and Obelisk is going to show them why. Mokuba, make sure you get every ounce of destruction. I want all in Termnnia to see the final hours of the Covenant of Yeyu."

"You got it, bro," said Mokuba.

He turned on his camera. Roland slid the door open to allow Mokuba to get a clear shot of Obelisk looming towards Aquarius.

---

Evelyn

---

"There it is," said Bastion, standing on a hill overlooking the war-torn countryside. "Aquarius," he said, staring at the large ships hovering over the city. "I fear I cannot go any further, Evelyn. I'm pretty sure Ethan hasn't forgiven me for cutting off his hand."

"Then it seems I shall go," said Ser Barth.

"No," said Evelyn, tightening her grip on the reigns of her black mare. "I'm going in alone. You two, make for Riftgaard and find Lord Jon. I heard rumors on the ferry that he's gone there seeking an ancient vault." She handed Bastion a letter. "Give this to him, understand. He has to know what happened here. And do it before the Covenant fly over to his lands, too."

"Evelyn," said Bastion.

"I will say no more," said Evelyn. "Ser Barth, it was an honor to meet you."

"Likewise, Princess. May the Light of Entuli light your path."

Evelyn nodded and rode down the hill towards the city. Wasting no time, Bastion and Ser Barth turned their horses around and dashed into the forest.

---

Ethan

---

Ethan stood at the front of the balcony like a general overseeing his army. He watched as medium-sized airships flew towards Obelisk and fired their brand-new laser weaponry at him. Salvos of rockets hissed from both the land and the air. Over a hundred missiles hit Obelisk, none of them doing any damage to the God Card. Obelisk held out his fist until it was covered in a fiery blue aura. He punched one of the ships with all his might, reducing it to scrap in seconds. He smashed another airship with his Fist of Fury attack and sent it to the bottom of the sea.

Kaiba stood at the top of his blimp laughing like a madman at the carnage created by the monster he summoned. These beasts were meant for only the Pharaohs of the old kingdoms and the High Kings after them. He was neither of them, but yet this powerful beast was at his command. Why? Because he was Seto Kaiba, and the rules never applied to him.

"You really are powerful, aren't you," he said. "Maybe we've underestimated you."

Above Ethan, over-sized bay doors opened.

"Or is it you who underestimates us?" he said forming his nasty grin again.

A machine, unlike anything ever seen or built, was lowered from the dark depths of La Purga. It was some sort of super cannon.

"If Master Dartz was right, then this should prove to be quite the show."

The weapon charged, creating a loud mechanical hum. Tubing that ran along the length of the super cannon started glowing bright blue.

Alexis, freed from her bonds, was on the ground, watching as the cannon above her city began to flash. A large ball of energy formed in front of the cannon.

Obelisk the Tormentor still waded toward the city. He saw Alexis with his telescopic vision, recognizing her as Yuri's friend from school. He saw the blood on her back and the torn clothing on her person, barely keeping her covered. This brought him into a rage and he pounded his fist, accepting La Purga's challenge.

"FIRE ON MY COMMAND!" shouted Ethan.

He waited for Obelisk to get closer. Another large airship flew forward, being led by an arrogant commander who wanted to take the glory from the brash, King Ethan. But Obelisk punched his ship into oblivion with another display of power.

"FIRE!"

The super cannon erupted, sending out a powerful shockwave along the city. A powerful blue laser rocketed towards Obelisk. A cry rang out across the land unlike anything ever heard. Alexis started to feel fear for the creature when she realized Obelisk was bellowing in agony. Was the cannon truly that powerful?

The cannon stopped shooting and whirred as its systems cooled down.

Ethan slammed his fists on the railing of the balcony. Alexis saw this and thought the weapon he constantly boasted about was a failure. But then, she heard a round of applause as the nobles, soldiers, and priests saw the crack on the left bicep.

"No!" Alexis gasped.

Obelisk examined himself. He touched the burning wound with his fingertips and growled mournfully when he saw a neon blue liquid dousing his fingers. His blood. The blood of a God.

"That's not possible!" shouted Kaiba from the top of the blimp.

From his command station on La Purga, Admiral Moonridge watched the carnage from a holographic screen in front of his chair.

"It's beautiful," he said, watching a replay of the laser hitting Obelisk.

Ethan felt a joy unlike any other surge through him when he saw blood pouring from Obelisk's body. But the beast was still alive, so now was not the time to celebrate.

"FIRE ON MY COMMAND!" shouted Ethan. "MORE POWER!"

He laughed, watching as the Divine Beast still lumbered towards Aquarius. "So, you're still thirsty for more, huh?" Ethan sneered. "FIRE THE CANNON!"

"Ethan, don't!" Alexis pleaded.

The cannon fired its laser at Obelisk, hitting him on the arm with the force of a trillion suns exploding at once. Alexis heard a sickening plop and witnessed a geyser of glowing blue liquid. When the laser died down and whirred, she saw that her dreadful suspicion was justified. Obelisk the Tormentor's arm came off.

Obelisk roared into the sky as if calling to Horakhty, his mother, for help. The neon blue blood just poured out of his wound causing the sea to glow.

"FIRE ON MY COMMAND!"

"ETHAN STOP!" Alexis shouted. She waved to get Obelisk's attention. "GO BACK! GO BACK!"

"GET OUT OF HERE!" called Evelyn. "RUN! OBELISK! RUN!"

"MAXIMUM POWER!" shouted Ethan. "FIRE ON MY COMMAND!"

"Ethan, don't do this!" Evelyn shouted coming to the balcony.

"Evelyn!" cried Alexis. "How did…"

"Ethan stop this!" Evelyn cried.

Ethan turned to look at her. "Well, my little fawn has returned. Good, good. I am glad to see you witness this. This day, Evelyn, you will see the extent of my power."

"You don't know what you're doing!" shouted Evelyn. "That's a Child of Horakhty. If you go through with this, you'll have committed the greatest atrocity in the world since Odiva betrayed the High Power. Ethan, you can't do this! You mustn't do this!"

She stopped talking.

"EVELYN!" shouted Alexis when she saw Ethan's dagger dig into her gut.

Evelyn gasped, holding onto the wound with all her might. "There," said Ethan. "Hopefully that will make you shut up."

Evelyn hobbled and fell on her back. Alexis crawled towards her and held her in her arms.

"Evelyn!"

"Oh, Alexis," Evelyn sobbed.

"Why did you come back?" Alexis wept. She kissed Evelyn's forehead. "Why? How could you be so stupid?"

"I had to," she whimpered. "I couldn't bear the thought of you in his clutches. I thought I if I could surrender myself to him, he'd let you go."

"Then you're a fucking idiot!" said Alexis. "Brave, but an idiot nonetheless."

Evelyn smiled weakly. "Glad to know you haven't changed. Well, at least I got to see my best friend one last time."

"Don't talk like that!" Alexis pressed her cheek on the top of Evelyn's head. "We're going to get through this."

"How touching," said Ethan. "But I fear now it's time to end this. Obelisk! I had fun. It was a real blast. But now it's time for you to go."

"FIRE!"

The cannon fired its laser one last time. It was so powerful that it split over the ocean once it hit Obelisk. The Divine Beast bellowed in agony as the laser hit his entire body. One burst of energy trailed off and hit Kaiba's blimp.

"OBELISK!" Kaiba shouted in concern for his monster.

Another surge of excess energy flew from Obelisk's body and hit the blimp again.

"AAAGGGGHHH!" Kaiba shouted. His blimp erupted into a large fireball. He was nowhere to be seen. The flaming wreckage of the blimp fell into the ocean with a powerful splash.

"SETO!" Mokuba cried out in shock.

"We have to get out of here!" called the pilot.

"BUT WE CAN'T JUST LEAVE HIM!" wailed Mokuba.

Roland grabbed the boy by the arms, doing everything he could to keep him from jumping off the helicopter. He ordered the door closed and called for the pilot to get them out of harm's way.

The laser from La Purga then pierced through Obelisk's chest and surged into the horizon.

When the laser died down and could fire no more, Obelisk stood motionless in the ocean. The wind howled mournfully as if nature herself cried out in despair for the suffering of what was thought to be the most powerful monster in the world.

He slowly tilted backward and fell. His body smashed into the water, creating a large tidal wave that decimated the nearby towns at the coast leaving them in ruins and with no survivors.

Obelisk's burning red eyes went dim. He lay there, forever still as an empty, broken shell never to be summoned to again.

---

Ethan

---

The sound of steel clashing against steel followed by soft approving applause was music to the ears of Ethan Morris, now king of Aquarius and Elleria. He was shirtless, clad in only black trousers and leather vambraces. His body was in good form, a reward for his countless hours of training with the Ebony Knights when he ruled Elleria. He was surrounded by five of the ten knights of the Church were sparring with him. They were fully geared in leather with the Eye of Yeyu etched on the chest. Grand Priest Innocence and DarkNite watched from the balcony over the courtyard where Ethan and the Knights of the Church sparred against one another. Even with one hand taken away from him, Ethan was quick to develop skills with his remaining one. It took many days for him to get accustomed to using it; for it was not his good hand, save when it clutched Evelyn's hair when he mounted her every night.

The thought of her back in his clutches excited him, filling him with a burst of energy and determination. He used those feelings to his advantage and blocked every strike from the knights with incredible speed and showmanship. The golden sword in his hand was like a blur of yellow. He spun the blade dramatically, causing the knights to back away. It was odd seeing Ethan beat them the way he did. They were well trained in swordcraft since before he was born, and it took them years to achieve the skill they had today. But Ethan. He was a natural. The ladies no doubt loved the spectacle, and admired Ethan's well-deserved muscles, giving him the body of a divine, though his face was something to be desired.

While he and the Naralian nobles were celebrating their victory on the top level of the Azure Palace, the citizens of Aquarius were stuck in hell. The Crusaders were burning houses, destroying shops, and slaughtering anyone with ties to magic users. Witches, wizards, mages, healers, Duelists, anyone with magical abilities were gathered up and branded like cattle, then shoved into wagons to be taken to the Gray Hills and sent into the castle that was once the abode of Guy de la Tierra Sainte, the infamous Duelist Hunter, posthumously dubbed a Holy Knight by the Church of Yeyu. What their purpose was in that unholy fortress, no one knew.

The Temples of the Goddesses were destroyed after they were looted. Their statues that stood high in their places for thousands of years were pulled down and smashed with sledgehammers. Priestesses were immediately stripped of their titles and robes and shoved into cages to be sold as slaves while the priests were beheaded or burned in the town square.

A large band of soldiers lassoed the golden statue of Horakhty and sang a song of merriment as they pulled and pulled until the statue gave way and fell down. The diamonds that lined her crown were picked off with swords and the gold that made her body was collected to be melted down and turned into gold bars.

"Have you no honor!" a priest shouted at them. "Have you no honor!" He was silenced with a bullet to the head, shot by a sniper drinking wine on a balcony.

Back on the highest level of the palace, the V-TOL fighter, Lieutenant Commander Lenneth Kantor lay back in a red comfy chair sharing wine with a group of harlots who were using him to get close to King Ethan. He showed off his medals, ribbons, and other decorations for his valor in the skies. Lenneth then went on to boast of his connection to King Ethan.

Ethan paid him no mind; for he was speaking the truth in his own conceited way. He hated to admit it, but Lenneth had become somewhat of a friend over the past few days he'd known him. The closest he ever had since leaving Duelist Academy. They shared wine in the throne room, bedded the girls of his harem, and Dueled for hours in one-on-one matches. He parried more strikes from the knights, earning him another applause and a shot of flesh from the maidens who desired him.

He smiled.

Two years ago, Ethan was nothing more than the outcast of his group. Now, he was a king of two countries, commander of the most advanced army in the world, a slayer of Gods, killer of kings, and conqueror of queens. He licked his lips, thinking he had enough sparring for one day. He thought he would pay Alexis a visit in the dungeons below.

"The King is tired!" DarkNite announced. "That is all for today."

Another round of applause. The Knights of the Church bowed and sheathed their swords before dispersing. Ethan walked to a nearby bench where his things were neatly placed. He stood still as two men strapped his armor over him.

"Not bad, Ethan my man!" Lenneth said, coming to join him. "Impressive skills for a guy with one hand."

"It's no big deal," Ethan said, cringing with pain when his tight shirt of chainmail was slipped over him. The metal tugged his hair and pressed against his chest. "You look like you're enjoying yourself."

"Oh them?" Lenneth sniggered. "They're not who I came here for, brother. You know who I'm talking about. You won the city. You became king. You killed Obelisk the Tormentor, and now all of Lorin is your playground. As for me, I want my prize. I want Alexis."

"You'll get her," Ethan said, letting one of the men put the hood of chainmail over his head, followed by the crown. "But first we have to deal with a little bit of business concerning Nemo and my Ancient Beast."

"You and I both know she isn't going to talk," sneered Lenneth. "Alexis is a woman, but's she tough. She needs a little…persuasion. I can help you there."

"Forcing yourself on her isn't going to make her talk," said Ethan, tightening his vambrace over the chainmail covering his arm. "Nice try. But you're gonna have to wait your turn. There's plenty of harlots here to soothe your urges, Lenneth. And Goddesses know we've captured thousands of women in this city. They're all yours. But Alexis is off limits. We need her."

"Just don't keep me waiting," said Lenneth. "I'm only here for her."

"You hurt me, Lenneth," Ethan said feigning grief. "I thought you and I had something special."

"Naw, man. Don't get me wrong, you're one of the few people I can call a friend but I have my priorities."

"You'll get what's coming to you, my friend," Ethan replied one last time before leaving the courtyard and strolling deep into the lower levels of the palace that housed the dungeons.

He was stopped at the gate by two officers who reported the dowing of one of their airships.

"When did this happen?" Ethan said, looking at the report on his tablet. "Where? What could have done this?"

"True Dragons, My Lord," said an officer in a red coat.

Ethan looked up from his tablet. "You are certain?"

"We have the data from the ship's black box, My Lord," said the officer. "As well as footage from surveillance cams. It was those beasts all right."

"The True Dragons truly are returning," said Ethan. "The prophesy from the Church. The death of five kings. A hero born from the ashes and the dragons shall return and turn our beloved church to ash. If this is true, Avi is somewhere out there gaining more power."

"I'll go hunt down those dragons!" Lenneth boasted, stepping forward. "Our Cuirasses have more firepower and speed than those clunky airships."

"You will do no such thing," Ethan said, looking back at him. "You will remain here until we can figure out what it is we're dealing with here. These dragons are no ordinary cave-dwelling, horde-loving, beasts. These are True Dragons. Monsters so powerful, the Normans worshipped them as Gods. They have the power of the Dragon Goddess infused within their souls."

"There is no Dragon Goddess," Lenneth said in disapproval. He narrowed his eyes. "Only Yeyu."

"Whatever," said Ethan. "All I'm saying is, don't take them too lightly. Or you'll suffer the same fate as the crew of the Leviathan. Where did the dragons come from, sir?"

"We don't know," said the Officer. "They appeared from nowhere and just attacked our forces. Destroyed all the brave and noble fighters and even the Cracking Dragons from the other dimension. It was like they were outnumbered. None survived."

"I see," said Ethan. "Hmm. Perhaps, our little friends in the dungeons might know something about this."

---

Alexis

---

Five floors of endless hallways lined with cells. The walls of the dungeon were dark blue outlined in white limestone and from the ceilings hung oversized crystal chandeliers. Waterfalls fell from different places along the high walls into a deep, cold lake where a sea monster known as Spiral Serpent swam about looking for anyone foolish enough to try and escape the prison. The waterfalls were not there to make the dungeons look beautiful – even though they did – but to drown out the shouting and screaming of the countless prisoners that called the dungeons home. Those with the misfortune to be kept here were once practitioners of the faith of Yeyu.

They were now set free and given ranks within Ethan's army. Now the ones who were housed in the cells were mages arrested and taken from their homes to rot in the dank underground prison. Not just mages, but non-humans as well. Elves, Gnomes, Dwarves, beast-folk, Eldori. Many screamed for mercy and justice. Others wailed in agony within the halls of the newly formed Inquisition; for they were being tortured in ways unimaginable to be forced into the Faith.

At the center of the lake was a tall tower of gray stone which was used to house the most notorious enemies of the crown. Alexis Rhodes former queen of Lorin resided in the highest cell of the tower. She sat on her knees on the cold floor while cradling Evelyn who grew paler and paler every second. She grew colder than the stones. Her body soaked in perspiration and trembled from the agony coming from the wound on her gut where Ethan stabbed her earlier.

"Stay strong," Alexis said softly, opening a sack of water. "There's only a few drops left in it."

Evelyn opened her mouth and waited for Alexis to squeeze the final drops of water down her throat. It was so cool and refreshing. She felt like she could hold onto to her life for just a little longer. The makeshift bandages Alexis made from her dress were now soaked in blood. They were unable to hold the wound anymore. Alexis gently set Evelyn down on a pillow and ripped another piece of her dress off to press Evelyn's injury growing more and more fatal by the second.

Alexis began to panic. This was it. She was going to lose her very best friend in this cold, dark, and unforgiving abyss.

"Never thought it would end this way," Evelyn tried to say through her chattering teeth.

"Shhh," Alexis said, tearing another piece of her dress to use for wiping the sweat of Evelyn's brow. "Don't talk, okay? Save your strength."

"Alexis, I know what you're trying to do. But I can't hold on much longer. I have to go now."

"Don't do this to me, Evelyn!" shouted Alexis. "There's still so much you have to do."

"Not in this word," Evelyn muttered. "Not in this world. This horrible world where war, death, destruction, and madness run rampant. I no longer want to be part of it."

"That's not true!" said Alexis. "What about all the good times we had? Don't you remember? When we were little girls every summer my mother would take us to Rassay to celebrate the Strawberry Festival? In fact, this is the time of year when they should be starting. The farmers out in the vast green fields harvesting every last one for the parties. The bluebirds were nesting and singing songs in the trees. You would always peek out of the window of the carriage and wave hello to the farmers and the villagers. They would always wave back and throw flowers and treats your way. Remember? The sunshine on your face. You had all those ribbons in your hair."

Heaving with sadness, Alexis ran her fingers down Evelyn's scalp. "You were so beautiful."

Evelyn started to nod. She remembered. "The Strawberry Festival," she replied weakly.

"Right?" Alexis sobbed, her eyes bubbling with tears. "And when we finally reached the city we ran out the carriage and headed straight for the festivities. Josephine was trying to catch us, screaming at us to wait for her."

"But we never listened," Evelyn chuckled weakly. "Boy, we sure got a paddling for that."

"For those strawberries, it was worth it," said Alexis. "You and I would always get that cup full of chopped strawberries from Farmer Kellogg."

Evelyn smiled. "Farmer Kellogg's strawberries," she whispered. "They were so delicious. They were covered in thick layers of cream, and you and I would get covered in it because we raced to see who could finish them the fastest."

"I would always win of course,"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah," Evelyn tried to laugh, but it came off as a wince.

"Our world is beautiful, Evelyn. Yes, there are those would use it to do us harm, but it's up to people like us to see to it that they are stopped and taken down from power. You can't give up, Evelyn. I know things look hopeless, but we can make Termnnia a better place. I know we can. I trust our friends. They're out there fighting. Even with that monstrosity up there over my palace, they still fight. We can't make this place better without you, Evelyn."

"How touching," Ethan said, standing outside the door.

"Ethan," Evelyn whispered.

The iron door clinked and clanked as the keys jingled. Ethan pushed the doors open making the hinges creak obnoxiously.

"Ethan," Alexis said as well. "Please. Evelyn needs help. Can't you see?"

"I can," Ethan teased. "Considering I'm the one who caused that wound. Makes me wonder why she came back. Meh, I don't care. I still got you, Alexis."

Alexis grasped Evelyn tighter and held her close to her breast. "Ethan she's going to die. Please, get her to a doctor. Please, Ethan, please! I'll do anything!"

"Anything?" Ethan grinned rubbing his chin. "I like the sound of that."

"Yes, yes!" said Alexis. "Anything you ask. I will do. Just help poor Evelyn. For old time's sake, Ethan. Think of the good times we had together before all this."

"Yeah, back in the days when I thought I meant something to you guys. You think I wanted this to happen?"

"You sure as hell seem content in causing it, Ethan," coughed Evelyn. "All the blood you spilled. The lives you've ruined. Mine included. You forced yourself upon me as though I was a common whore."

"Evelyn," said Ethan, trying to keep his feelings in check.

He remained silent as he pondered everything he had done. While he was doing well in portraying himself as the villain, he was still awfully fond of the memories he shared with the two girls and the friends he had killed. Before all this, they romped through the fields outside the city walls of King's Rock playing Knights vs Bandits with Evelyn and Alexis always being the fair maidens captured. Naturally, Ethan was always portrayed as the bandit while Antoine, Ser Kevin and Dancer were the dashing knights coming to the rescue of the damsels in distress.

Nevertheless, after the game was finished, they helped themselves to scoops of ice cream from the chilled carriages from the Cascade Factory, Termnnia's best manufacturer of sweets. Then when the sun went down they chased fireflies in the darkness until it was time to go home.

"Think about those days when we were together," said Alexis. "Don't those memories mean anything to you?"

"You're right," Ethan said softly. "They did. They meant we were friends. However, those days are over. Yeah, as kids we sure as hell had a great time. But as we grew older, you guys started treating me differently. Sure, I may not have been the dashing knights Ser Kevin and Dancer were or the strong paladin that was Antoine, but I thought of myself as something much greater. Your friend. Damn it all, Evelyn. You even called me your family. I was your little brother."

"You were, Ethan," said Evelyn. "I loved you."

"LIAR!" Ethan roared, stomping his foot on the ground.

"We were wrong in treating you badly," wept Alexis. "You're right. We were scum to treat you that way. We're sorry."

"It's too late for that Alexis. Evelyn's kingdom and yours are now mine. Soon Yuri's title as King of Kings will be mine. I have everything I could ever want. Most of all, I got my vengeance against all of you. I made Dancer, Antoine, Kevin, Ezra, and Prince Marcel to suffer for all they've done to me. And even though I had no hand in it, Yuri suffered as well. I wish I was there so I could have claimed his head and mounted it on my wall for all of you to see!"

He looked at Evelyn and sneered. He reached for something hanging on his belt, concealed under his black cape. It was the chalice made from Dancer's skull. "But I suppose Dancer's head makes for a good trophy, don't you think, Evelyn?"

Evelyn responded by spitting at his boots. Ethan cackled. "Do you guys have any idea how much these cost? But this isn't the best part. Remember that man-lover of a brother you had, Evelyn. Talion?"

"How dare you mention my brother's name?" growled Evelyn. "You…you creature!"

"Because let's just say his demise at the Battle of Black Mountain was premeditated."

"What are you talking about?" Alexis said, breathless.

"You see, it wasn't just the Ebony Knights of King's Rock that traveled to the borders of Naralia. Your greedy father, Helmsley, also sent forth a large garrison of sellswords to fight alongside them. And you know those conniving bastards. Their only allegiance is to gold. And being a Cadet Branch of House Dalton, we had plenty of it. Enough to say, buy out their loyalties?"

Alexis' grip on Evelyn was tighter. "No! So that means the Ebony Knights were not overrun. They were attacked from the inside!"

"As I instructed," said Ethan. "King Forrest knew of my loyalty to him, too. Once those mercenaries had their fun, King Forrest and his forces stormed down from their camp for the kill. So I guess you can say….I. Killed. Prince. Talion."

"NO!" wailed Evelyn. "NO!"

Alexis' world was growing feint. She swayed from left to right while trying to process this horrifying revelation, all the while she did her best to muster her strength into her arms to keep Evelyn from forcing out what little remained of her life. "Then…the Emerald Marches. You lost them on purpose!"

"That's right," said Ethan. "Your precious brother lost his head because of me, and I brought King Forrest closer to your kingdom. I thought all was lost when Yugi interfered with that Duel. But, King Forrest was quite the wild one and my hired sword was able to get close to Lady Avi."

"What hired sword?" asked Alexis. "You mean, you paid someone to get close to Avi?"

"I did," said Ethan. "Of course, that was the brainchild of the Church. I was merely the instrument in getting it done."

"Who would be so bold to cross Lady Avi?" asked Evelyn, heaving from the pain. "If you're referring to those monks who ambushed us in my own castle, then you're a failure. Ser Gerhalos killed them."

Ethan smiled. "No, it would take more than a few monks from the Church Militant to get Avi in the hands of the Church. I needed someone with looks, brains, and skills in the arts of warfare to get into her head. And he did just that; for we finally caught her. Man, oh man. I heard Guy and his knights had quite some fun with her plump little ass. Pity I wasn't in the Gray Hills myself to join in on the fun and show Avi not to cross with me."

"You sick, demented bastard!" shouted Alexis.

"Who would do such a thing?" said Evelyn. "Who would doublecross Lady Avi?"

Ethan sneered at the question. "A knight." He answered.

"A knight?" Alexis replied.

"Yes," said Ethan. "And a very good one."

"Who?"

Ethan stepped closer. "Have either of you heard about The Knight of Kisses?"

Alexis and Evelyn felt the wind get knocked out of their chests.

"Ser Damien?" gasped Evelyn.

---

Alexis

---

It had been such a long night, especially with the revelation Ethan dumped on them the night before. Evelyn still lay on Alexis' lap, shivering and gasping for air. Alexis unbound Evelyn's dress to check the wound which was now festering, the skin around it bright blue and the blood purple.

"Evelyn don't give in!" Alexis cried. "Not now. You can't do this to me! You can't leave me alone here. Please. Please stay with me."

"I'm t-t-trying Alexis," Evelyn croaked. "But I c-c-can't. I feel cold. Dancer. Dancer. My beloved Dancer. I…I can hear him calling me. I must answer him Alexis. He needs me. Please, please let me go. It's time I went to the Gardens and join the almighty company of my fathers. There is nothing you can do for me, love. But, let me sleep in peace."

"No," Alexis sobbed, tears fell out of her eyes, spraying into the air in large droplets. She held Evelyn's head close to her breast and rocked her soothingly. "Evelyn you can't die! HELP! HELP! SOMEBODY! ANYBODY, PLEASE!" Her voice cracked, and she wept. "Help," she said hoarsely. "I'm sorry Evelyn. I'm so sorry."

Evelyn placed a hand on Alexis' cheek. Her flesh colder than stone and wet with waning life. "You were not the one who stabbed me, silly. You have nothing to apologize about."

The doors creaked open. Ethan came inside with his Black Luster Soldier and DarkNite standing over him like two cheap bodyguards.

"She still lives?" Ethan laughed putting his hands on his tasset. "My goodness. My goodness. You sure are strong, Evelyn. Any other person would have kicked the bucket by now."

Alexis looked at Ethan, eyes red in liquid sorrow. "Ethan, I beg of you, save her. Save her life. Have mercy, My Lord. Please, have mercy."

"You want mercy from me?" Ethan said pointing at himself. "That's a laugh, considering how two years ago you guys found it justifiable to pretend I didn't exist. But very well, Alexis, as my new bride, I will grant you your request to see Evelyn taken care of."

A snap of his fingers and a whole group of servants walked inside and grabbed them both. Alexis was quick to her feet and attacked five of them with powerful right-hooks and roundhouse kicks before she had her arms held by DarkNite. He was too strong. She could only fling her lower body upward and kick and screech watching helplessly while Black Luster Soldier picked up Evelyn unceremoniously and carried her out of the room first, followed by five of the workers. Alexis kicked and screamed, shouting Evelyn's name. She demanded to know where they were taking her. What were they going to do with her?

She was finally taken to the higher levels of the palace. The lights and the sunset's fiery glow almost blinded her before she was taken to a chamber with a waterfall thundering down into a pool. DarkNite cackled and dropped Alexis on the floor with a loud thud. He turned and left, leaving Alexis to the servants who took shears and knives and started cutting her dress to shreds.

When she was left bare they pushed her into the pool and scrubbed the grime and dirt off her body. The coiffeur laid out a leather roll containing all his tools, rolled up his sleeves and started to cut Alexis' hair as she was on her hands and knees, coughing and wheezing. He hummed while styling her hair into just the right style for the wedding. He curled it and added ribbons, and when he was done, Alexis was dried down and powdered. She was forced to put on a white dress glittering like a thousand stars from the diamonds sewn into it.

The jeweler fastened a necklace of diamonds, sapphires, and sterling silver around her neck, then she was given a bouquet of white flowers and escorted to the balcony by DarkNite where Ethan was waiting with his guests. He was still clad in his black armor. The hood of black chainmail still adorned his head and a new crown of black iron and silver, menacing and powerful in design, rested on his brow. A band started to play the ballad of matrimony as DarkNite walked Alexis down a red carpet. Tears streamed down her cheeks, smudging the mascara around her eyes. She hiccupped and sniffed, wondering what could have happened in her life that lead to this moment of damnation.

Ethan smiled cruelly seeing how much his power dominated her. Knights in black armor held on tightly to black iron chains attached to collars around the necks of fierce guard dogs, barking and growling with muzzles of silver around their snouts.

They jerked on the chains, standing on their hind legs and waving their frontal limbs while howling at Alexis as though they wanted a bite out of her. Snipers walked the rooftops making sure none one was going to cause trouble for their king's most special moment.

DarkNite finally led Alexis to Ethan. Ethan walked down the steps of the altar and held out his hand. Alexis hesitated and kept both her hands locked on the bouquet. DarkNite leaned forward and whispered: "Don't give him any cause to harm you, girl. Just do what he says and both you and your friend will see new morrow's sun. Understand."

Alexis nodded her head.

"Atta girl," he said. "Stop crying and do what you have to do. You and your friends were honorable foes, that much I will give you. But the battle is lost, now you have to accept the new world order. Now, go on."

He let go of Alexis, who then placed her hand on Ethan's. She shivered upon feeling the cold steel of his gauntlet. Unlovingly, Ethan pulled her up the steps and stood her next to him before the Violet Priest, smiling like a demented cherub while holding onto the White-Gold Tome. He set it down on the mahogany table decorated with sashes of white. But before he could speak, Ethan held up his hand.

He turned to look at his guests.

"I would like to thank you all for coming to my wedding," he said. "Now, before we can begin with the festivities, I promised my bride that I would save her friend, the former Princess of Elleria,"

Booo! Howled the guests. Ethan held up two pacifying hands to silence them.

"I know, I know," he said. "But I am a man of my word. And as hard as this may sound, I was once good friends with Lady Evelyn. Beneath my heart full of honor and duty and faith, lies sympathy. I hope you all will understand. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Alexis' maid of honor. Princess Evelyn Draconia Elendarté Alteria of King's Rock!"

Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning still had Evelyn in his arms. Not surprisingly, she was not cured of her wound. She was still pale and cold. The only thing about her that changed was her attire. But that mattered no longer, for up ahead was a wheeled platform with a wooden block at the center. A curved indentation was carved upon its top, wide enough to cushion someone's neck.

Alexis screamed and ran down the alter only to be stopped by two of Ethan's Gray Men.

"Come on, Alexis," Ethan jeered. "You and I both know being maid of honor is a title to die for."

The guests and knights laughed at his cruel joke. Alexis kicked and screamed. Black Luster Soldier put Evelyn on the block and backed away. Two guards worked on fastening her down. Her hands were tied behind her back and then a noose was strung around her neck. The guards pulled on the ropes securing her tightly to the block. Evelyn looked at Alexis and smiled one last time.

"Be strong," she whispered. "I love you."

Alexis wailed like the banshees the lurked in the darkest swamps of Lorin. She clawed her face drawing blood. She screamed so loudly, she tore her vocal cords. Now, all that came out were pitiful squeaks and wheezes.

Black Luster Soldier – Envoy of the Beginning drew his sword from his back and took position over Evelyn.

He held the blade over her neck. Evelyn shivered feeling the forbidding cold steel touch the back of her neck. A sharp, tickling sensation raced up her spine. She closed her eyes and used every ounce of her being to stroll through the memories of simpler days before Termnnia was thrown into the hell it was in now. She saw herself playing in the fields outside the city walls. Alexis, Ezra, and her dancing by the river and singing to a pipe played by Dancer. That brought her so much comfort. To know she would soon be dancing with him again in the eternal paradise of the Gardens of the Goddesses.

A few more taps of the sword and Black Luster Soldier raised it high ready for the chop. Alexis could scream no more. The guests cheered, and the guard dogs barked and howled. The blade touched the warm glow of the setting sun causing it to flash as though it were flames made solid.

Evelyn exhaled one last time as the blade swung to her neck. It was over. No more would she breathe. No more would she laugh. No more would Alexis hug her or talk to her. Those things would forever be memories from now on. And she had to accept that.

A loud whoosh erupted from the swing of the blade. A thunderous chop followed, and Evelyn's head rolled clean off. Alexis reeled back. Bile bubbling out her mouth at the horror she just witnessed.

Or at least she thought she witnessed.

Something was off about the sound Black Luster Soldier's blade made when it cut through Evelyn's neck and bone. She heard a long CLANG!

Was Evelyn's neck made of steel? Did she cast a clever Dragon Skin spell, which toughened her skin to be hard as iron. No. It couldn't be. Evelyn was no mage. Then what the hell was that sound?

She heard the crowd gasping in shock instead of crying out for joy like she expected. Ethan's eye was twitching in complete shock, and he took a few steps back to come to grips with what he was seeing. Alexis snapped out of her shock and finally came to her senses until she saw what had happened to Evelyn. There was a massive figure standing over her. He held onto a large, massive, fantastically designed blade which he used to block Black Luster Soldier's sword from cutting off Evelyn's head.

"Oh?" Evelyn groaned. She couldn't lift her head, but she could turn her head just enough to see the legs of her savior. The legs were strong and wide and shielded behind white armor trimmed in gold. She recognized the design immediately.

Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman. Her ace card had come to her rescue. He snarled at Black Luster Soldier and kicked him away.

"SHOOT HIM!" shouted Ethan.

Bang! Bang! Bang! The rifles went off, but their bullets had no effect on Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman's armor. He slashed five soldiers in half with one swing. He kicked another away as though he were a mere soccer ball. One of the knights stepped forward and unloaded his carbine at Buster Blader at point blank range. Buster Blader whacked him into a nearby column with so much force, his body turned into a bloody mush against the surface of the limestone. He cut the binds holding Evelyn to the chopping block and lifted her over his shoulder, his massive hand wrapped around her buttocks to hold her in place.

Black Luster Soldier roared, lunging his weapon towards Buster Blader. With one hand, he blocked the Envoy of the Beginning's attacks. When their swords met, sparks flew. Evelyn's upper body dangled over his shoulder, her arms waving about as though boneless. Alexis took a ceremonial knife from the pedestal and stabbed Ethan in the back. He howled in agony and fell to the ground. Alexis took the blade and stabbed him repeatedly in the back, hoping to see blood come out of him. When that failed she turned him over and started punching him in the face, hoping to beat him to death.

She got what she wanted, her knuckles rammed against his mouth until a fountain of blood oozed out from between his lips. Ethan whimpered, holding up his arms. "Alexis!" he cried. "Stop! Stop! I beg of you!"

Naturally, she did not listen. She took the knife jabbed in his back and held it high, hoping to gouge one of his eyes out. She almost had her revenge until her arm felt as though it were lit on fire. She had been shot by a nearby guard. Buster Blader saw this, and when he saw that he and Black Luster Soldier were a good distance apart, he kicked Black Luster Soldier in the gut again, knocking him away.

He ran for Alexis, cutting off the head of the guard who shot her. Ethan was on the ground sobbing from the broken jaw and chipped tooth Alexis had dealt him. Buster Blader grabbed her, too, and sped for the balcony. He made a mystical whistle, and in seconds his mount had arrived to save them A Buster Dragon.

He jumped off the balcony and landed on the feathery dragon's back. Both girls were now safe in his care. He carefully set them both down in front of him. Alexis held Evelyn tightly in her arms.

"It's a miracle!" Alexis wept in joy.

"No, it was her," said Buster Blader. He smiled, seeing Alexis gasp at the fact that he could talk. "She is my master. I have chosen her to be my Summoner. She prayed to the Goddesses to aid her, and they answered the call by blessing her with my power."

"You hear that, Evelyn?" whispered Alexis. "You're a Summoner now."

Evelyn responded with a weak coo. Alexis noticed the horrid rise in her temperature. She placed a hand on her forehead. "Oh, Goddesses. She's burning up! She's sick! She may be dying. Isn't there something you can do to help?"

"I shall not fail," Buster Blader said, placing his hand over Evelyn's forehead. A glittering light hovered over her face. He lifted his hand away. Alexis pressed hers against Evelyn's forehead again and noticed she was cooling down. And yet she wondered. She tore Evelyn's dress to see if what she thought happened, happened. Sure enough, her wound had closed up. The skin was still translucent blue and caked in dried blood, but it looked as though she were never stabbed in the first place.

"Thank the Goddesses almighty," Alexis said, kissing Evelyn's forehead. "Everything's going to be all right." She held her head close to her chest and rocked her. "Where are you taking us?" she asked Buster Blader.

Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman looked at her and said: "Into the wild. Evelyn has another monster fated to her in the Stormcoast. It is a long ride to there from where we are. I suggest the both of you rest. You have been through so much. Do not worry about falling, I will keep you two close."

"Thank you," Alexis said as a tear of joy gracefully dripped down her cheek. She held Evelyn tight and gazed at the red sky bathed in the warm, dark colors of the setting sun. Within a few minutes, Alexis closed her eyes and let sleep take her.

---

WHAM!

The impact of Buster Dragon landing on the ground woke her from her sleep. Alexis fluttered her eyelids until the heaviness of sleep was no longer a burden for them. The sudden realization that she and Evelyn were both safe in the arms of a Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman gave her the impression that she had just woke up from a nightmare. The thought that she survived under Ethan's cruelty proved too much for her, and she started to cry. Thunder rolled in the gray sky above. Though it was past dawn, the world around them was still as dark as night.

Buster Dragon laid down on his belly to give his passengers a much easier climb to the ground.

"Where are we?" Alexis asked the Buster Blader.

"We are in the southern coasts of Thara," he replied. "The Thunderlands."

"So that explains the storm," Alexis said, shivering. Evelyn was still sound asleep, head resting on Alexis' breast. Alexis tried to shake her away. "Evelyn…. Evelyn." No reply. "She's sound asleep."

"My Lady has been through hell for the past two years," Buster Blader responded, pulling over a torn hooded brown woven cloak to hide his brilliant armor, for what good that would have done considering he was more than eleven feet tall. "You cannot begin to know the horrors she underwent."

"Well, they're over now," said Alexis. "What am I going to do? Ethan is no doubt going to send for me and Evelyn."

"Not many know Evelyn has changed her hair blonde," said Buster Blader. "She won't draw as much attention. But there is the matter of you, My Lady."

Rain started to drizzle on them and the wind began to howl fiercely, bending the trees and almost knocking Alexis off the dragon's back.

"There is an inn nearby," said Buster Blader, "in a small woodland town just that way. We should go there at once so you two can properly rest and get something to eat."

Alexis nodded in agreement. Buster Blader took Evelyn and jumped down while Alexis dismounted off the dragon of her own free will. Buster Blader patted Buster Dragon's neck and sent it off.

Buster Dragon charged down a nearby field and leaped over the cliffs to take flight over the violent waves of the sea below, crashing against the rocks.

Buster Blader put the hood over his head and went to a nearby farm in the middle of the fields where he purchased a healthy, young mustang after tantalizing the farmer with a big sack of beautiful rubies. After he got it saddled up, Alexis mounted the steed before Buster Blader gently sat Evelyn in front of her. Alexis held on tight and put on a red riding cloak handed to her by Buster Blader to hide.

Buster Blader then led the horse into the woods by the bridle where he walked for forty minutes until he happened upon a path lit with wooden posts with lanterns hanging from them. He followed the path to a town nestled in a swamp. The buildings were nestled on top of rickety boardwalks over the dark, choppy waters. Frogs called out to one another from the trees and lily pads as the folk made their way about the town traveling over rope bridges. Buster Blader could hear laughter and merriment which was a good sign that the war had not troubled the folk of this provincial town. In fact, there was a band of townfolk playing music on a raft made of tree trunks and barrels lit up with torches and red paper lanterns. They were playing the fiddle, a pipe, drums, and an accordion creating happy tunes much to the enjoyment of the townsfolk. The buildings; houses and shops of wood and stone and straw, surrounded a very large tree that was hollowed out to make a lavish estate for the town lord.

"Halt!" said a man acting as the town watchman. He lived in a small stone cabin by the bridge that led to town. The windows let out a warm golden glow from within and the chimney was billowing smoke into the thick swampy air. Thunder rumbled overhead, and the thick veil of rain forced the man to lift the hood of his cloak over his head. He looked sickly and old with a crooked nose with a wart on the side; greasy gray hair; and one big eye wide open and the other closed in a permanent squint. He smoked a weed called Redbrush from a corn pipe which he took out of his mouth before he spoke.

"What be yer business in Flotsom?" he asked, tapping the pipe on his shoulder.

"I've come to stay at the inn," Buster Blader replied. "My business is my own."

"Aye, that be what they all say," said the watchman. "And uh…who be these younglings riding atop the horse?"

The watchman took a step forward to examine them. Alexis gasped and looked away, drawing her head tightly over her head and wrapping her red riding cloak over Evelyn's shoulders.

"Girls," said the watchman. "A pair of nice beauties ya got on you, sir. If you mean to sell them at the brothel, Lady Kristina de Monjú will be more than happy to take them from you for a right price."

"That is not my business here, I assure you," Buster Blader said angrily. "Now, if there's a toll to get into town tell me the price so I can be on my way."

"All right, all right, sir, settle down. It's my job to ask questions. There's been talk of Inquisitors and Witch Hunters abroad. And there be no fee. Welcome to Flotsam, milord, and ladies. Enjoy your stay."

Buster Blader tossed him a large golden Plate, a coin the size of a man's palm. "Tell no one we came through."

"Aye, milord. I saw nothing come through." The watchman winked and hobbled back into his cabin while Buster Blader led the horse over the bridge and into a nearby stable. There was a little boy kneeling by the water's edge naked as he washed his woven tunic in the swamp water.

"You there, boy," Buster Blader called to him. "Do you work the stables?"

The boy just looked at him with his mouth scrunched to the side and his eyebrow raised in confusion, giving Buster Blader a look that said Are you talking to me?

Buster Blader was not too pleased with that look. "I want the mustang rubbed down. Feed it with oats. Can you do that?"

"Mayhaps, if I wanted to," the boy said defiantly. He was not at all ashamed to be nude in front of two ladies as well, not caring that Alexis was blankly staring at him. Evelyn was sound asleep on the saddle, so he paid her no heed.

Buster Blader pointed his finger at him severely. "I'll have none of that!" he scorned. "See to my horse now! If you do, you'll get a silver, mayhaps a gold coin if I see you've taken care of it. If not, you get smacked on the forehead, am I clear?"

The boy smiled. "A gold coin, eh? Sure, sure, I'll take care of it for you."

"Good," said Buster Blader. "Alexis, tilt Evelyn my way so I can carry her."

Alexis did as she was told and gently landed Evelyn in the embrace of her Summon. He carried her up a set of stairs to a stone tavern with three chimneys and five floors. A water wheel spun slowly in the back of the tavern.

Alexis hitched up her dress and followed Buster Blader up the stairs to the tavern called the Swampy Lord. The hearth's fire blasted her with a soothing warmth. She shivered, soaked head to toe from the rain.

A whey-faced, stout woman approached them while cleaning a tankard with a washcloth. "Welcome to the Swampy Lord m' dears. I'm Matilda the Innkeeper. Will ye be havin' ale or food."

"Both," said Buster Blader, thankful for the fire, for it cast enough light to keep his face concealed in the shadows within his hood. "We also require two rooms for the night. One for me, and one for my companions."

The woman looked at Alexis shivering and dripping wet and Evelyn asleep in Buster Blader's arms. The innkeeper clicked her tongue and hooted sympathetically. "Ooh, the poor things. Look at them. They're so cold and must be exhausted from the road. You must have been through so much on your journey here."

"Yes, a nightmare," said Buster Blader. "Are there any rooms available for us, miss?"

"Unfortunately, milord, we only have one room available. It's not much I'm afraid. It's a small room that's hardly ever used. It has only one bed, but it's surrounded by all the food and spices; for we use it as a pantry."

Buster Blader nodded. "I'll take the room, with a reduced price for the inconvenience of course. I'll make due in the stables with my horse then."

"Of course," said Matilda. "Aren't you the gentleman."

"Do you have a bath?" Buster Blader asked.

"Aye, we sure do, milord. The water is still warm, too. Only been used twice. I'll go make your ladies some soup while they get warmed up. Anything for you?"

"No, I'm fine. It's all for them. See to it that they're taken care of. I can pay you well for their security." He opened his armored palm to reveal a handful of Star Chips and a galaxy-cut emerald.

Matilda's eyes widened. Buster Blader dumped the treasure on the counter. Matilda scooped it all up with her hands. "I'll see to it that they're not bothered, milord."

"Thank you, miss. You are too kind. Is there a tailor in town? If so, would it be too much trouble to ask if you could go to the shop and purchase my girls some new clothes."

"There is," replied Matilda. "But by the looks of those dresses your lady friends are wearing, I'd say they're nobility. I don't think there will be anything for them in there."

"They're not nobility. They're nothing," Buster Blader slapped a golden Plate on the counter to make sure she understood this. This one had more value since it was engraved in platinum and had tiny raindrop-shaped jewels, a ruby, emerald, sapphire and a diamond inlaid around the crown of the High King.

"Of course, they're not," Matilda said, taking the large coin. "Well, there's no one coming into the inn yet, seeing as how it's still the working hours, so I suppose I could make a quick run to the shop."

"Good," Buster Blader said with a nod. "Don't buy anything too extravagant. I'll see my girls to the bath and meet you at the door for further instructions."

"Aye milord," said Matilda.

She led Buster and Alexis to the bathing room. It was small but warm and the tub was big enough to fit the both Alexis and Evelyn. The rain tapped fiercely against the walls and ceiling and rapped on the glass revealing a dark and gloomy swamp outside. A lantern hanging from the ceiling provided their only light source.

"Wh-wh-where are we?" Evelyn groaned in Buster Blader's arms.

"Ah, she's awake," said Matilda.

Alexis quickly dashed for her and patted her forehead. "Wow, I was beginning to grow worried about you. It's okay, Evelyn we're safe now."

"Safe where?" Evelyn said with a cough.

"Leave us," said Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman to Matilda.

"Yes, milord," said Matilda, bowing before turning out the door.

Buster Blader looked down at Evelyn. "Can you move?"

Evelyn struggled to move her muscles. "I…I don't know I'll t-t-try."

"That's a good girl," Alexis said, helping her out of Buster Blader's arms.

"What's all this?" Evelyn asked when she saw the bath. "Where are we?"

"We're in the town of Flotsom," said Buster Blader. "We're staying at the inn until you recover your strength. The innkeeper will prepare you supper and buy you new clothes more suited for the countryside. In the meantime, the two of you will clean and warm yourselves in the bath. Hurry and undress."

He turned around to give them their privacy. He listened to them struggling and shuffling around behind them.

"Give your dresses to me after you've taken them off," said Buster Blader. "They're of quality fabric and can sell for good coin. Perhaps even a few Star Chips."

"My dress has gold ornamentation," laughed Alexis, helping Evelyn out of her gown. "It's probably worth more than this town's entire income."

Buster Blader chuckled and waited patiently until he heard the water being disturbed and churning about as they slowly got in. He turned in time to see Alexis dip her body into the water until only her head and shoulders could be seen.

"Here," she said handing him the dresses.

Buster Blader took them and folded them over his arm. "I'll be in the stables with the horse if you need anything, My Ladies." He bowed and left them to their bath. He made a swift about-face and went out the door slamming it shut.

"Did I really Summon that?" Evelyn asked, her head nodding as sleep was returning to her once again.

"Yes, you did," said Alexis, feeling the scolding water relive her of the chills. She scooted next to Evelyn to her lean her head against her shoulder.

"Alexis...why did this happen?"

Alexis pursed her lips at the question. "I don't know, Evelyn. You can't really explain why things happen. They just do."

"Everything was taken from us," Evelyn said nuzzling Alexis' shoulder. We're not princesses anymore."

Alexis laughed. "Well, I don't know about you. I was a Queen before Ethan took over."

"Don't say his name please," Evelyn begged. "Please don't."

"Yeah…. Yeah, it's for the best. I'm sorry." She sighed, tilting her head to the right so her temple rested on top of Evelyn's. "I guess there's only one thing left to do."

"What's that?"

"We need to find Avi and see if she can get us out of this mess. Word around the kingdom is that she can summon Slifer the Sky Dragon."

Evelyn looked up at her in confusion. "Avi? Summon a Divine Beast? But how is that possible?"

Alexis shrugged. "It's possible. I mean, you saw Kaiba summon Obelisk the Tormentor, remember. I guess with Yuri dead, and the line of High Kings over, I guess the God Cards separated to find new masters."

"What good their power will do now?" Evelyn said cringing at the memory of Obelisk getting decimated by that powerful god-killing weapon in Ethan's control.

"It's horrible I know, but we can find a way to stop it. Remember, Evelyn, that thing is a machine and all machines have their glitch. It's all a matter of finding it." She purred. "Easier said than done though."

"Think we'll win this war?" Evelyn asked.

"I know we will," said Alexis. "And we'll make our enemies suffer the proper punishment for the evils they have done."

Evelyn nodded. "Alexis. When the war is over, and we win…will you…will you marry me?"

Alexis bolted upright. "Say what?" There was an awkward pause. Alexis scooted a little farther from Evelyn. "I'm going to pretend that's the sleep talk."

"I'm being serious."

"Evelyn, what's gotten into you? You've always had a thing for handsome princes and knights."

Evelyn shook her head. "Not anymore. Not after all I've been through."

Alexis let out a sympathetic sigh and rubbed the back of Evelyn's head. "I know you've suffered a lot and seen a lot. But not all men are like the monster you've lived with. You have to give it some time."

"I don't want to give it some time! I don't want knights, princes, or another girl for that matter. I want you." She embraced Alexis' arm.

"Think about what you're saying," said Alexis. "I can't do this, Evelyn. I really can't. For the love of Ana don't do this to me please!"

There was a knock on the door. Alexis sighed in relief. "Who is it?" she asked, grabbing a dagger that Buster Blader gave her.

"It's Matilda m' dears," said the innkeeper. "I've got some buttered scones and some nice crispy bacon for you waiting in the oven. I've also got your new clothes."

"Thank you!" Alexis called back. "We'll be right out."

"You're most welcome. And there are some visitors waiting for you outside. They say they're friends of that knight you know."

"No," said Alexis in a whisper. "I thought Buster Blader told her no one was to bother us."

"I don't like the sound of this," said Evelyn.

"Neither do I. Let's get dressed and stick together, okay? And think about what I said. I love you, Evelyn, I really do. You're one of my best friends, but I can't love you that way, understand?"

"Give it time," Evelyn said mocking her words.

Alexis had not the strength to argue with her anymore and stood up from the bath. "I'm coming to get our clothes, Matilda!" Alexis yelled behind the door.

She opened it with just enough space for Matilda to slide the clothes through the door. Alexis grabbed them and set them on the table. She helped Evelyn out of the water, dried her up, helped her into her new clothes. They both looked like common farm girls in their bodice corsets with white sleeves and long tan skirts of dirty, rough linen.

Alexis cautiously opened the door with her hand tightly gripping her dagger while she eyed the guests. Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman was at a booth by a window with two very familiar faces.

"Bastion!" Alexis cried out in amazement.

"Ser Bartholomew!" Evelyn gasped.

"Ah, there they are!" Bastion cried out.

"My Ladies!" Ser Barth shouted, jumping out of his seat. "Blessed you're all right!"

"Bastion what happened?" Alexis asked. "Why did you let Evelyn go?"

Bastion sighed, fidgeting with his fingers. "I'm sorry, Alexis. She's a stubborn one. No matter how hard we tried to reason with her, she just wouldn't listen."

Alexis rolled her eyes and looked at Evelyn, crossing her arms. "Yeah, she's stubborn, that much I will agree."

"How do you two know Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman?" Evelyn asked.

Ser Barth snapped his fingers. "Simple. Bastion and I were feeling rather guilt-ridden to know you were going to put yourself in danger for the safety of Alex…."

"Ahem," Buster Blader said coughing into his fist. "No first names here, please."

"Right…for the Queen. We made it to the front gates when Obelisk the Tormentor was…."

Bastion took a long hard drink from his tankard. He set it down hard on the table. "Obelisk the Tormentor…killed like a common beast. I never thought I'd see such a thing. I thought the world ended that day."

"We all did," said Alexis. "Ethan…. the way he just commanded his men to attack Obelisk. All I could do was watch as he was destroyed…. all smashed to pieces."

"The time has come for us to make a comeback," said Buster Blader. "I have heard whispers of a Dragon Summoner in the Tropical Kingdoms."

"Just what in the hell has she been doing?" said Alexis. "She is the Queen! She should have stayed put and ruled."

"Would our situation be any different if she did?" Buster Blader asked. "And if she had stayed behind in White Harbor, she would have gotten conquered by Ethan instead of you."

Alexis grumbled and remained silent. She knew he was right. The war would have taken a more terrible turn if Avi had stayed in the Red Palace.

"That knight of yours seems to be in good form," a man said from one of the tables in the back. "I suppose he's here to challenge the Armageddon Knight?"

The group looked at the man. He was short, very plump, and hold on the count of his long, messy, gray hair and beard. His cheeks were scarred from years of acne and he wore a black patch over his right eye which lost in a battle against a Fiend Kraken, aquatic creatures that lurked in the swamps and rivers around Flotsom.

"The Armageddon Knight?" Alexis asked the man.

"O' aye, lassie. He's some shadowy warrior whose made residence in a cave out in the Raigeki Plains. He thirsts for a worthy opponent and offers a hefty reward to anyone who beats him."

"When did he show up?" Evelyn asked.

"Oh, about two or three weeks ago," said the man. He slurped his ale and burped. "Aye, it be a stormy night when he came along. The lightning struck so close it lit the town like the light of the sun and the thunder be so loud, I swear even Norman the Conqueror would piss himself. Aye, the perfect setting for this villain if ya ken me meaning. I be in my room up on the third-level rafters of the town when I heard him howling in the night like a lost soul wanderin' the Shadow Realm. I gathered all the courage I had and hobbled to me window and saw the devil at the foot of the bridge making his challenge."

"He's the one we're looking for," said Buster Blader.

Alexis looked at him. "That's why you brought us here then? To challenge this Armageddon Knight?"

Buster Blader nodded. "Challenge him? Recruit him?"

"Recruit him?" Evelyn gasped. "You are sure about this?"

The man with the eyepatch cackled. "Whatever your mission with the Armageddon Knight is, tread carefully. We've had man knights coming here looking for him. But, and forgive me for being cliché, none of them have ever returned."

"MacDonna, must you always fill the head of the young ones with your silly stories?" Matilda asked, serving Alexis and Evelyn their food. "These ladies have been through a lot on their way here, and they do not need your nonsense. I thought we agreed never to speak of that horrible knight."

"Do ye ken why they're here Matilda? They be looking for him."

Matilda looked at the group. "He speaks madness."

"No, that is why we are here," said Buster Blader. "But my intent is to add him to the army of the Dragon Queen's Alliance."

"Good luck with that," said Matilda. "That phantom warrior has no interest in joining any side of the war. He's here only for himself."

"We'll find a way," said Buster Blader.

"Oh no, milord. Whatever you want to do with the Armageddon Knight you'll have to do on your own. I hate to admit it, but I've grown rather fond of these two girls you've brought."

Buster Blader chuckled. "It's a kind gesture, miss, but I fear they're no longer your concern after tomorrow. We leave in the morning."

---

The tales of the Armageddon Knight filled Evelyn with a sense of dread as she sat by the fire of the inn. Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman had given her plenty of time to rest. As the hours went by, stories about the war began to grow more and more constant. There were talks of Stas being surrounded by House Dragonheart and Avi making deals with the notorious Big Five. Talk of mountains of gold and alliances being forged for a chance to have some of it. "Gold always was the best means to gain no allies," Bastion said, helping himself to a bowl of potato soup.

The innkeeper, who introduced herself as Grelka, was very pleased to see the youngsters eat. As she cooked in the small kitchen behind the counter, she heard their tales and learned of Evelyn and Alexis' escape from Ethan's clutches. They did not have to worry about where her allegiances lay, for Grelka was a proud supporter of High King Yuri and the Plantegrasts who came before him.

Even without her political affinity to the Heart-Earth Crown's true owner, Grelka was a strict follower of Manniva, Goddess of Mercy. And her heart was of gold. She would never find it within herself to betray anyone, even for coin.

She served a wandering hedge knight a cooked turkey leg before going for the booth at the end of the building where Evelyn and Alexis sat alone away from the prying eyes of Flotsam's townsfolk.

They seemed like hardworking folk, but if there was one thing Alexis learned, it was to never trust anyone who chooses to live in a bog. Grelka was an exception - a very rare exception - but a majority of the villagers were drunks, ex-convicts who chose to live the rest of their days in the swamps, and even prostitutes who would turn on their friends for a handful of coppers. That was why Buster Blader stood at the bottom of the wooden steps to their booth, still cloaked and hooded so no one would see he was a Duel Monster.

Bastion and Ser Barth kept a close eye on the perimeter, making double sure no trouble makers would be bold enough to bother the two fugitive princesses. A large group of mercenaries walked into the tavern, bursting through the door and letting in the harsh stormy winds that blew in from the Lightning Meadows out in the Storm Coasts. They were exhausted by the looks of them. Their weary limbs hung uselessly and their limp fingers could hold on to their weapons no more. One of them let his war hammer drop on the floor with a loud clank.

"Inkeep!" called the leader, wearing a yellow and blue checkered gambeson under his rusty iron chesplate. "A round of beers over here. And a nice pork if you will. Can you do that?"

"I'll be right with you, good sirs," she said.

"And do you know any place around here to find women? My men could use a romp to lift their spirits." He looked at Alexis and Evelyn sitting secluded in their booths. He smiled at them, revealing gross yellowish-black teeth that have been ruined by years of beer guzzling and tobacco chewing. Buster Blader moved, blocking his view of the girls, then crossed his arms.

"There's a brothel just a short march over the bridge, good sirs," said Grelka.

A fat mercenary with a bald head and pointed ears pointed at the Evelyn and Alexis. "Wot about dim?" he asked. "Dey look nice? Are their services available?"

"Leave them a lone," Grelka whispered. "That soldier guarding them is as strong as a hundred men. Please, the last thing I want in bloodshed in my inn. If you wish to have girls for company, again, the brothel is down that way. That is the end of it."

The leader waved his hands. "All right, Plucky, all right. My men meant no disrespect. Forgive us. It's been a long road, and our last encounter took all the cheer from us. We just seek food and flesh and beer and perhaps a nice round of cards to help us recover."

"What happened?" Grelka asked.

"We ran into the damned Armageddon Knight," the leader replied, sitting down at the nearest table. He took his kettle-hat helmet off and set it on the table. "He's as cruel and terrible as the tales tell."

"Goodness me," Grelka said, running for the counter to get them their drinks. She came back moments later. "And what did you do to have such a favorable encounter?"

"We took the Bolt Road through the Lightning Meadow," the leader replied.

"An unwise choice," said Grelka, handing him a tankard of golden honey beer, a specialty drink in the bogs. "Ever merchant from here to Gardenrealm would tell you to avoid that road. Ever since last month, that road became even more perilous."

"Aye," said the leader. "Shortly after that cunt King Ethan was crowned by the Church and named their official poster boy. Another contender for the Diamond Throne is he. They say Avi has a no chance now that Ethan has that weapon. He killed Obelisk the Tormentor like he was a common beast."

"These are dark times indeed," said Grelka. "Even darker now that the Bolt Roads are no longer usable because of the Armageddon Knight."

"He's a curse brought upon us," said a tall mercenary with a wavy mustache. "Punishment for allowing a rat like Ethan Morris to be crowned king. The Armageddon Knight attacks only caravans associated with the Church. Just yesterday, a group of pilgrims were last seen heading to the Bolt Road to meet up at the priory near Castle Muto. They were never heard from again. And we were attacked because we've been delivering goods for the Church. I told this dunderhead that it was a bad idea making business with the Church."

"But these are foul times," said the leader. "Foul times indeed if I've been reduced to taking coin from the Church. I think our hatred for them is what saved us from the knight's wrath. He killed the two priests and their guard, then sent us on our way with a howl. Bah! Serves them right. They wanted to pay us in Imperial Notes, but I got the better of them. So long as Lady Avi and the Alliance have a fighting chance, we still use gold coins and Star Chips here. Long Live the High King!"

"Here! Here!" the mercenary with the mustache said, pounding the table.

Alexis smiled at the sight. "It warms my heart to know we've still got patriots out there willing to stick it to the Church." Lightning flashed outside their rain-washed window. Evelyn formed a quick grin from the corner of her mouth, but chose to say nothing. "Something on your mind?" Alexis asked, snapping her fingers to get Evelyn's attention.

"I don't know," said Evelyn, answering quickly to pretend she was listening. "All this talk about the Armageddon Knight. It sounds scary. Do we really have to go looking for him."

"You heard what they said," Alexis replied, eating a kettle-cooked chip from a black bowl at the center of their table. She picked up another and dunked it on her soup. "The knight is attacking patrons of the Church and pretty much anyone associated with King Ethan. He'll make a good ally for us."

"I think you're crazy," said Evelyn. "The Armageddon Knight is a being who chooses to work alone, and I think it's best if we respect his wishes. What could he possibly want with our Alliance? And besides a hate for King Ethan, I don't think he has any political affiliation. He won't care who Avi is."

"He's a Duel Monster," said Alexis. "Well, one based on legend anyway. My mother once told me scary stories during Eotarma when I was a little girl. She told me stories of brave and noble warriors who were murdered by betrayal. Sometimes, the Goddess of War would feel great empathy towards these warriors, especially if she favored them when they fought in battle. She resurrected them from the dead and turned them into knights who become so infused with her anger, they're literally walking automatons of her very wrath. They wield powers so devastating, that those unlucky enough to do battle with them...and live, state that it was as though they were fighting with a harbinger of the end times. Those who survived a battle with an Armageddon Knight would run back to their lords and scream that the end times are coming."

"It sounds scary," Evelyn cried.

"Tell me about it," Alexis chuckled. She picked up her tankard of cider and sipped it. "After mother told me those stories, I wet the bed during the night."

"Oh, Alexis!" Evelyn snapped, not wanting to hear such a thing. "I can't believe you'd tell me such a thing."

"Oh, yeah? And what about that one time you bored me and the girls to death back at the dorm of the 'romantic' affairs you had with Dancer? Remember back at the dorm."

Evelyn laughed. "Ah, yes," she said. "The Blue-Eyes White Dragon Dorm. How I miss the Girl's Palace. Remember our baths underneath the grotto?"

"The Pajama Jam," Alexis said. "The Prez sure had a way with events. I never thought I'd enter a tournament wearing nothing but my pajamas."

"It was unorthodox to say the least," Evelyn chuckled. "But it brought lots of class spirit. Dancer always loved seeing me in my pajamas the next morning before class." Her lips trembled and her shoulders quaked. "He's really gone," she whispered, trying to get a hold of herself.

"Oh, Evelyn," Alexis said sympathetically. She reached across the table and patted her hand. "It's okay."

"He's really dead, isn't he?" Evelyn sniffled. "He died so brutally. He died trying to save me. I could only watch as Ethan murdered him slowly. And then he was defiled by having his skull turned into a chalice for Ethan's drinks. He made me drink from it. He made me..."

"Hey, that's enough," said Alexis. "You're safe now, Evelyn. One way or another, we're going to get our revenge against Ethan. I know he might sound like a horrible phantom from the end times, but Buster Blader says that he can probably help us. The Armageddon Knight I mean. If he can, think of the damage he will do to Ethan. He will kill, no destroy Ethan. You want to see that don't you?"

"More than anything in the world," said Evelyn. "But it must be slowly. I want Ethan to suffer just as he made me suffer. I'll find every man-lover in Termnnia and lock him in a cell with them so he can feel the same pain he inflicted on me when he defiled me."

Alexis burst out laughing. "Damn, Princess, you're on a blood lust, aren't you? Well, one tortured king, coming right up. But we have to do this. We have to overcome our fears and tame this so-called Armageddon Knight. Truce."

"Yes," said Evelyn. "At this point, I feel like I would sell my soul to Zorc just for a chance to see Ethan suffer. Let us find this Armageddon Knight. For Dancer. For Lorin. For Yuri."

---

She gritted her teeth and held on to her stomach while clutching onto the feathers on the back of Buster Dragon's head. Lightning flashed all around her and thunder clapped loudly in her ears. She could see nothing but thick storm clouds surrounding her. Alexis was behind her, arms around her waist, screaming with joy as though she were riding a roller coaster at a carnival.

"Oh, dear!" Evelyn cried.

Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman laughed. "What's the matter, Evelyn?" he shouted. "Never flown a dragon through a thunderstorm before?"

"NO!" she cried out impatiently. "I was never that stupid! I should have ridden with Bastion and the others below! I should have never let any of you talk me into this! Never!"

"Come on, it's no fun that way!" shouted Alexis. A streak of lightning flashed beside them. Too close!

"Oh no!" Evelyn yelled, covering her eyes. "Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!"

Buster Dragon dove beneath the clouds. "Oh NOOOOOOOOO!" she screamed. The wind whipped her face, and raindrops stung her poor eyes like icy needles. She peered through her fingers and saw the plains of the Storm Coasts below. Rolling hills, trees, wide grassy meadows, and the Indigo River slithering through the stormy wasteland into the seas. Bastion and Ser Barth could be seen on their steeds in the winding dirt road below.

There was an old ruin down below, looking like an ancient temple built into a cliff of basalt columns. There were cauldrons on both sides of the entrance still burning brightly despite the heavy winds and the thick sheet of rain. Bastion and Ser Barth arrived as Buster Dragon landed by the beach. Evelyn and Alexis got off, followed by Buster Blader, who walked toward one of the parcels strapped to Buster Dragon's saddle. He unloaded a beautiful bow styled to look like his armor, and then he drew his tremendous blade from the saddle. The waves crashed violently against the surf, sending ice-cold water splashing into the air.

"This is it," Buster Blader said, equipping his gear. "I can feel his presence coming from this temple."

"The Armageddon Knight would hide in this awful place!" bellowed Evelyn.

"That architecture," said Bastion, getting off his horse. His boots sank into the soft earth. "Ugh," he said. "It's cold." He looked back at the building. It looks ancient Greek."

"Their people were one of the only few who had access to our world," Alexis said, clutching to her hooded velvet poncho as best she could. "They believed the constant storms that plague these lands is caused by their thunder god, Zeus. Needless to say, they didn't linger in the Storm Coasts for very long. Haha. "

"How could we be so careless as to allow outsiders into our world like this?" Evelyn asked timidly, her legs refusing to allow her to make another step towards the temple.

"We go into theirs sometimes," Alexis answered. "So it's only natural they would be curious about ours. Besides, if it wasn't for all the multi-culturalism going on, we wouldn't have Christmas, your favorite holiday, remember?"

"I suppose," said Evelyn.

"I do not like the looks of this place," said Ser Barth.

"Come," said Buster Blader. "This is no time to show cowardice. We need this warrior if we hope to turn the tide against Ethan and House Dragonheart."

"How can one warrior do that?" Evelyn asked. She darted for him and walked very close to him. "Buster Blader?"

Buster Blader patted her head. His hand was so large his fingers hung over her face. "Courage, Evelyn," he said. "There is more to this warrior than you know."

"What do you mean by that?" Evelyn asked.

Buster Blader said nothing more and entered the cave. Bastion and Ser Barth took torches from the packs on their saddles and used the cauldrons to light them. Meanwhile, Alexis and Evelyn trailed behind. Alexis gripped to a dagger the kind woman at the inn in Flotsam gave her in one hand, while the other held on tightly to Evelyn's hand.

"Stay close to me, darling. It's easy to get lost in here," Alexis whispered.

Bats chirped as they were clinging onto the ceiling and water dripped from the walls into cold puddles on the ground.

"Have you thought about my proposal?" Evelyn asked. She felt Alexis's grip on her fingers grow hard and cold. "About...you know...marrying me?"

"Now is not the time!" Alexis whispered furiously.

"It's a yes or no question, Alexis. I will be okay with any answer at this..."

"Then no!" Alexis answered immediately. "You are my friend. That's where it ends. That's where it stays. I'm sorry, Evelyn."

Evelyn smiled. "Of course," she said. "Sorry. That Jaden Yuki was the one who captured your heart this whole time, am I right?"

Alexis stopped. "That's none of your business," she said after a moment of silence.

Evelyn chuckled softly. "You never did like to reveal who claimed your heart. You're so guarded, Alexis."

"Well, I have my reasons. You may be an open book when it comes to relationships, but not me."

"I hear something up ahead," said Buster Blader.

They approached some sort of chamber in the middle of a manmade lake. Six columns taller than the towers in Evelyn's castle formed a ring around a circular platform with a marble tiled floor. At the center of the platform stood a menacing figure wearing rusty iron armor and leather underneath. Around his neck was a long, red muffler that whipped behind him in the wind. His hair was long and wild. The knight's eyes were concealed behind black tinted goggles. His weapon of choice was a giant rapier and an iron shield.

"You there!" shouted Buster Blader.

The Armageddon Knight turned. The wind howled as though a swarm of lost souls was groaning at once in terrible agony. Evelyn felt drops of urine trickle down her leg when she saw the knight turn his head. Alexis wanted to run, but she stood firm. She let go of Evelyn's hand at once and then cast some sort of spell that caused an arcane circle to hover over her fist. She was about to conjure a monster should things with the knight become hostile, and the companions knew it would get to that point really soon.

Bastion and Ser Barth took positions beside Buster Blader. They were both weary with fear, but the thought of finding hope to win the war against the foes who have done them so much evil kept them steady and calm. And the fact they had the ultimate dragon hunter, Buster Blader the Dragon Destroyer Swordsman by their side gave them just the right amount of confidence to stand their ground and challenge the Armageddon Knight.

"We need your help!" Evelyn managed to shout out. "Please. Will you help us?"

The Armageddon Knight looked at Evelyn and let out the sound of metal scraping in the wind.

"We can end things peacefully or we can fight!" shouted Buster Blader. He drew his massive sword. "The fate of the world is at stake. We would rather that you fight alongside us than against us. We can save this world and all we hold dear if we work together."

The Armageddon Knight chuckled underneath his muffler. "This world. This world is full of suffering. Death. Injustice. Let it end."

"The world will only be filled with these diseases if good men like you do nothing!" shouted Buster Blader. "And a force far fouler than you is ready to walk in our world again. And not even you will be able to stop it. Can there be a peace between us so we can quell this evil?"

"Peace?" breathed the Armageddon Knight. "No peace. Only war. Only death. It is what I bring. It is all I know."

He drew his rapier and charged. Buster Blader held up his weapon, roaring a fierce battle cry as he also charged towards him. Bastion and Ser Barth mustered all the courage they had and ran for the Armageddon Knight as well, screaming at the top of their lungs to let out all their fear and doubt.

Since they were smaller and faster, they reached the Armageddon Knight first. But they could not even attack him. He swiped them both away like trinkets off a desk with his mighty arm. He sent both boys flying across the platform. Bastion rolled to a stop, while Ser Barth smacked hard onto a column and was knocked out.

Buster Blader and Armageddon Knight clashed with one another. Their swords sparked, lighting up the darkness of the chamber. Armageddon Knight spun as if he were dancing and slashed Buster Blader across the arm with his rapier. More sparks flew into the darkness. Buster Blader dodged the next attack and punched Armageddon Knight in hard on the face, cracking his goggles.

He grunted and slid to a stop. He charged at Buster Blader again, parrying the next strike before doing a splendid backflip and kicking Buster Blader in the mouth. Neon blue blood trickled down his chin. He spat it out as Armageddon Knight laughed at him, congratulating himself for such a clever attack. But then, he was hit in the stomach by a bone-crushing kick.

It was Cyber Blader. Alexis summoned her Cyber Blader to aid Buster Blader in the fight. Evelyn cowered in fear behind Alexis, wondering if even her best monster could take down the horrible knight.

"Whirlwind Rage!" Alexis commanded her cybernetic figure skater.

Cyber Blader spun like a tornado while extending her leg. Suddenly, Buster Blader came up from behind Armageddon Knight and held his arms behind his back. Cyber Blader moved towards the knight and kicked his face mercilessly.

WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! Went Cyber Blader's foot against his face.

"Knock him out! Knock him out! Knock him out!" muttered Alexis.

Armageddon Knight growled. He flexed his muscles and leaned forward with all his might, dragging Buster Blader's head down. Cyber Blader kicked him hard on the face. Armageddon Knight pushed his arms free of Buster Blader's grip, then elbowed him hard in the stomach.

"OU-WA!" he cried out, flying backward and smashing against the ground.

Armageddon Knight then grabbed Cyber Blader by the leg with lightning fast reflexes. He spun her around violently then tossed her at a nearby column. She smashed into it, creating a large crater. She fell limp to the ground, still alive, but weakened. Armageddon Knight approached her, rapier in hand so he could skewer her. He stopped when he felt himself getting riddled with bullets.

Bastion was shooting him with his rifle with burst-fire shots. "ARRGH!" roared Armageddon Knight. He held up his shield to protect him from the bullets. Bastion the fired the rifle with one arm like a pistol while he used his other hand to conjure his great beast from the water.

"WATER DRAGON!" he shouted. "COME FORTH!"

The water churned and bubbled. A cyclone formed from the lake and out came the mighty Water Dragon. It hissed and stuck out its tongue. It fired a hydro cannon attack at Armageddon Knight. He backflipped to get away from the powerful bursts of blistering hot water. Once Water Dragon was on the battlefield, he held out his palm towards one of the flaming cauldrons that lit up the dark temple.

"FIRE DRAGON!" he roared. "UNLEASH YOUR FURY!"

From the cauldron, a flaming, serpentine dragon slithered into the platform. It then stood side by side with Water Dragon. Both the two serpents hissed and attacked Armageddon Knight.

Cyber Blader recovered and jumped onto Water Dragon's body. She slid up towards his head, then jumped towards Fire Dragon, sliding both her blades through his flaming body until they were engulfed by fire. She glided through the floor as though she were skating through ice and unleashed a flurry of kicks from her blades. Armageddon Knight blocked them with his shield, but his knees were getting weak from the constant, earth-shaking impact. He fell to his knees.

Bastion reloaded his rifle and peppered Armageddon Knight with more bullets. Armageddon Knight pushed Cyber Blader off with his shield. He roared, sprinting towards Bastion. Water Dragon and Fire Dragon came to his rescue.

Fire Dragon unleashed a wall of flames to stop Armageddon Knight in his tracks. Then Water Dragon shot a jet of smoldering hot water at him.

Direct hit!

He was sent flying across the ring and smashed into a column. His rapier fell to the ground.

Before he could pick it up, Cyber Blader grabbed it. She smiled at him and wagged her finger. Then Buster Blader came up from behind and placed the edge of his sword to his neck.

"It's over. You've lost!" he growled. "Fight with us! And reclaim your honor!"

Armageddon Knight growled and surrendered. "I. Will never. Fight. Alongside you. Never!" His voice was like stone scratching against stone.

"You have no choice in the matter, boy!" said Buster Blader. He turned to Evelyn and beckoned her towards him with his fingers.

"Go," Alexis said, pushing her forward to keep her from protesting.

Evelyn approached the fallen knight. "Why?" she asked. "What do I have to do with him?"

"Look at her!" shouted Buster Blader. "You owe it to her to fight against those who have wronged her!"

"I fight for no one!" shouted Armageddon Knight.

"But you promised to fight for her, did you not!?" shouted Buster Blader. "You would do anything to protect her. No matter what. That was your vow to her."

Evelyn stopped breathing. "Buster Blader...what are you saying?"

Buster Blader kicked Armageddon Knight forward. "Go. Touch her hand."

Armageddon Knight grunted and did not move.

"DO IT!" Buster Blader shouted. "You owe it to her to fight those who wronged her. The ones who have wronged you."

Armageddon Knight grunted sadly. He looked at Evelyn through his thick black goggles. "Forgive me," he said sorrowfully. He held out his hand.

"Touch it," Buster Blader said to him. "And close your eyes."

Evelyn reached for the Armageddon Knight's rusty iron fingers. They were cold to the touch and felt crusty. Again, Buster Blader told her to close her eyes. So she did. She saw darkness for but a moment. But then, the rusty, callous fingers felt warm to the touch and soft as though she had grabbed a handful of rose petals. She then saw a warm, radiant light glowing in front of her. Someone was kneeling in front of her.

Evelyn opened her eyes. Tears poured down her cheeks. Her knees went so wobbly, she could no longer stand on them. She sobbed, placing both her hands over her mouth.

"Dancer?" she whispered.

"It can't be!" Alexis whispered. She, too, let tears drip from her eyes. "Is that really him?"

Buster Blader nodded his head and stepped back to let Evelyn release her feelings. She wailed like a banshee and sobbed. "I thought I would never see you again!" she screamed. "I wanted to die so I could be with you. I couldn't live in this world without you. I just couldn't. You suffered so much because of me. DANCER! OH, DANCER!"

She let out another wail. A wail of joy and of sorrow. She could not breathe. She could not think. Her emotions gripped onto her chest like a powerful vice. Her head started to sting from all the crying. So many tears came out all at once that she was exhausting herself. She fought to urge to vomit. She had hiccupped so much she wanted to puke.

Armageddon Knight bowed his head and wrapped his arms around her. But their reunion was short-lived. A priest in a red-visored mask appeared and snapped his fingers, summoning a portal to a hellish dimension.

"So, I finally have Evelyn and the legendary Alexis Rhodes in my net."

"EVELYN LOOK OUT!" Alexis shouted.

But there was nothing they could do. Buster Blader and Armageddon Knight held on to their friends as tightly as they could, using their powerful strength to try and fight back the vacuum that was sucking them into the portal. But there was nothing they could do. The portal finally lifted them off the ground and consumed them. The masked priest laughed manically, snapping his fingers again to close the gate.

Evelyn and Alexis were no longer a part of the world. They were now gone into a world of nightmares for all eternity.