Being surrounded by humans is odd for the High Princes. It's been two days since they decided to stay here in Alabasta, waiting for the final moment to set sail to Cresta.
The tension in the air is so depressing. Marco and Kidd are always silent, thinking about their mates' welfare. Thatch can understand where they're coming from. Had he been in the same situation, he would have been the same or worse.
When they were still in Raftel, everyone's confused about how in the world did the Princesses escape Raftel. Maybe, the word escape is too much as they are not prisoners. Regardless, every one of them does not know about how they pulled the plan off their radars.
No pegasi were used which is odd. They couldn't get to the coast no matter how fast they run. It will take them hours. But no matter how many questions they have, it won't be answered until they meet them. For now, they will remain here in Alabasta, waiting as patiently as they can but the same cannot be said for the two High Princes, or maybe the three of them judging from Zoro's worries over the youngest.
The human princess - Vivi as what she prefers to be called - is personally attending to the needs of the Otherworldly. No servants are allowed to get near the rooms that were provided to them, except for the head cook and Alabasta's higher-ranking military officers.
The unfamiliar sight of the surroundings is very weird to see. The place may be beautiful but it's nothing like Raftel at all.
"Would you like to join us for lunch?" Vivi asks them.
"I believe it is rude to always decline the invitation." Izou said while looking at the High Princes who are adamant in joining humans to eat their fill. For two days, none of them accepted Vivi's invitation in joining them on their meals.
It is rude of them as guests, however, the High Princes are not very keen on interacting with humans, especially Kidd.
"Very well." Marco looked at Kidd, waiting for his response.
"Fine." With his agreement, all of them decided to follow Vivi to the dining area. All of them kept quiet and the only noise anyone can hear is the footsteps echoing in the hallways as they strutted to the huge double doors that lead to the dining room.
As expected, no one is inside except for the King who is keenly waiting for his daughter to arrive with their visitors. The old man's face contorted into a mixture of relief and nervousness. Maybe because the presence of the Otherworldly is still foreign to him.
Regardless, as a King, he asked them to sit and enjoy the meal.
"Are there any word from them yet?" It was Marco who asked. The question is directed to Vivi who is sitting beside her father.
"No. Not yet." That was followed by a few minutes of silence before Vivi decided to break it. "I've read from the books that mates are supposed to have connections to their souls that can let one sense the other..."
"If you are asking about why the High Princes were not able to locate them, it's because of the stones they wear." Robin supplied the answer to the princess' question.
"Stones?" Vivi can vaguely remember that the three of them wore the same necklaces. She just thought that those are gifts from their parents.
"Yes. It's used to conceal themselves from their mates." This time it was Chopper who answered, his voice lowering with every word he utters as if he's remembering a mistake he did.
"But shouldn't anyone have detected them when they left?" Robin can only smile at Vivi's question.
"They are crafty with their plan. Very smart and fully prepared. Until now, we still do not know how they managed to leave Chopper's manor when the distance to the ocean should have taken them at least half a day of travel if they ran." What Robin said is true. They have yet to figure out how they did it.
None of the pegasi were used at all. It's as if they just disappeared.
"They are always crafty and their teamwork is very efficient." Vivi can still remember the time when the sisters were sent to the battlefield by their father. They managed to win by minimizing their casualties.
"How long have you known them?" Izou spoke. By continuously asking questions about the princesses of Cresta, they might ease up the tension in the air. Clearly, none of the High Princes are comfortable with the presence of humans.
"Since we were children. They often visit here as much as they can and love to explore places - dangerous places, might I add." The three have so much energy that Vivi can't keep up. They're always actively seeking something to do, unsatisfied by staying still.
"Could you tell us more about their explorations, yoi?" Maybe by hearing about her past, it will ease the longing he is feeling right now.
"I don't see why not. They often get in trouble when we were children, visiting forbidden places that no one would dare to do so. Often, their mother will scold them for being careless, but they never listened. Always out there doing something crazy all the time."
"I've heard of the changes in the succession of Cresta before. Could you tell us about it?"
"It was shocking news for everyone to hear that the twins abdicated their right to the throne. If I am being honest, none of them cared about the throne. Ann definitely prefers not to be a Queen. She'd rather be in the military. Sab, on the other hand, is the best candidate for the throne. But, surprisingly, she also refused it. It sparked a lot of curiosity from the neighboring kingdoms who are courting the twins."
"Court them?" Kidd's voice sounded dangerous making Vivi flinch. This man is dangerous, this she knows. He emits an aura of dominance.
"Kingdoms wanted to get close to Cresta's Royal Family for a reason. They have allies all over the world and their influence is nothing to scoff at. Even before the princesses came of age, nobles, and royalties expressed their desires to marry them. Offering dukedoms if necessary." King Cobra explained.
"Names." Kidd looked at the human king. "Give me their names."
"Kidd, I don't think that is a good idea." Killer was quick to retort the red-haired man, aware of what's going on in his mind. Now that Kidd has come to terms with his connection to Sab, his possessiveness is showing and he often losses his temper even at the smallest things.
"Tsk." He muttered.
"It's - " Marco stopped speaking when he felt noticed the mist slowly forming above the table. All eyes are on the mist until it reveals the face of Whitebeard.
King Cobra and Vivi are surprised to see what is happening, but none of them asked anything.
"This is rare for you to contact us." Zoro can sense that something is wrong.
"We have a problem. And you must come back to Raftel right now." His voice is stern as if he is not giving them any choice but to agree.
"What problem, yoi?"
A sigh left Whitebeard's lips before shaking his head then he said: "The prisoners in the Blazing Inferno escaped."
"What?! How?!" Zoro shouted.
"I will explain what we think happened. I know that you want to find the princesses, but right now, your people need you."
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Akainu's eyes surveyed the area where they are, anticipation evident in them as he waits for Teach to finish the spell. It is the day that the prisoners of the Blazing Inferno have been waiting for. The day when they will be free.
Akainu's powers will enhance the spell to break the barrier that the Rareborn Princess placed in that prison years ago. The spell has not been strengthened as only Rouge can cast that spell. What Raftelians did is just to place as many barriers as they can to surround the prison.
"It is time." Teach muttered. The black-haired man stands in the middle of the magic circle, waiting for Akainu to lit the lamps standing beside him for the spell to commence.
As soon as he did, Teach surround the two of them using his Dark Magic. This will serve as the portal to take the prisoners out of the Blazing Inferno.
Both of them poured their powers to the spell to break the barriers. Little by little, they can feel its weakening like a glass slowly breaking apart, shattering to splinters.
Akainu can sense the victory knocking on their doors and he will not allow anyone to interfere with their upcoming victory. Not Whitebeard, not the High Prince brats, and most especially, not Roger and Roger. No one can prevent him from uniting the world under his banner.
Crack. Crack. It feels like listening to music - his music to victory against Raftel. Little by little, the barrier shattered, the prison is now surrounded by Teach's Dark Magic that serves as its shield from being detected by the Raftelians.
"Zehahaha! I've kept all of you waiting, haven't I?"
Slowly, the prisoners of the Blazing Inferno walked towards the two men, smiling as they did. For they can taste freedom and revenge against Raftelians who imprisoned them for centuries.
Centuries of suffering and being locked in that pit only paved the way for their hatred to grow. Every day that passes feels like forever and the more they stayed in that prison, the more they want to shatter and obliterate Raftel.
"Teach and Sakazuki..."
"I've forsaken that name a long time ago, Kaido. Call me Akainu." Akainu glared at the huge man. Their sizes may differ but it does not mean that Akainu is weaker. He's not what he used to be.
"Wararararau! Fine. If that's what you want to be called, so be it."
"Haaah?! What took you so long, Teach?! We've been waiting in that damnable hell for eternity!"
"I believe we owe an appreciation from all of you for breaking you out of this prison, Big Mom. Zehahaha!"
"Do not play me with words, Teach. I know you freed us because you know how powerful we are - powers that you will need to kill all Raftelians!"
"Tell me, Big Mom. If you are so powerful, how come you cannot break this barrier?" Akainu smirked after seeing the annoyance slowly creeping to her face but she said nothing. What was said is the truth. None of them were able to break the barrier despite trying for centuries.
Before any of them can utter insulting words to one another, more prisoners stepped out of the Blazing Inferno. These are the creatures that the previous High Kings and High Queens imprisoned for the crimes they committed in Raftel.
Blazing Inferno consists of 6 levels. The 6th level is where the most dangerous and most powerful prisoners are imprisoned. The first level has the weakest barrier and some of the creatures imprisoned there often get out but only to find themselves thrown back to their cell because of the Cerberus that is guarding the Chinvat Bridge.
Akainu is aware that none of these people will willingly follow him if his power is not enough. It was a blessing that he did not set these creatures free during the Great War centuries ago when he was still getting used to his newly obtained powers.
Now that he has everything he needs, it is only a matter of time before his dreams will come true.
"Then, shall we start killing those Raftelians?" Avalo Pizzaro asks, eager to get his revenge delivered to Raftel.
"No, not yet. Three months after the Sacred Midnight when the magic of Raftel has been exhausted. That's the time we will strike when they are at their weakest."
"And why is that? Now that we are free, killing all of them should be easy." Jack cracked his knuckles, eager to kill.
"You are a fool if you will underestimate Raftelians. If we attack now, it will only result in a stalemate. I don't want the same fate repeating itself." Akainu is referring to the Great War. They may have the advantage when it comes to numbers, but Raftel's prowess drove them away. Granted, they were able to kill High Kings and High Queens as well as injured several of the creatures from the Three Magical Kingdoms, but it was paid with a heavy price.
"Three months is nothing compared to centuries of waiting in that damnable place." One of the prisoners agreed. It was King.
"Before we leave, maybe we could give Raftelians a taste of a calamity." Akainu smirked before shattering the remaining barriers of the prison, freeing the lesser creatures.
All prisoners shouted in joy, running towards freedom. With that, all of the level 6 prisoners joined Akainu as they left Raftel in chaos.
Whitebeard is sitting in the balcony, his mind is miles away thinking about the High Princes and their mates. He hopes that they will be alright, that nothing will harm them.
Raftel is at peace until he felt the surge of strange power coming from the direction of purgatory. His heart thumps louder as he stood up and spread his senses towards the Purgatory.
Then he realized why his heart was beating faster. It is because of the approaching chaos.
The creatures of Purgatory are only less than a hundred but he sensed thousands of creatures there, fighting. There could only be one reason why. It's the Blazing Inferno.
Without hesitating, he called out all Kingdoms' Warrior Commanders to follow him to the Purgatory. As soon as they got there, they were shocked to see hundreds, no thousands of prisoners running towards their direction.
Whitebeard cannot let any of them get passed the barrier where they could hurt more of the Raftelians. He commanded the Warrior Commanders to fight these prisoners as he calls for the High Princes.
Judging from the number, Whitebeard is afraid that the deeper levels' barriers have been shattered as well. They need the High Princes' power because the Warrior Commanders alone will not be enough to control this situation.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"Damn it!" Marco muttered a loud curse. Without Whitebeard's explanation, they have a gist of the situation. There's no way that the barrier could have been broken from the inside. It was broken from the outside and there are only a few creatures who can do that.
The Rareborn Princess - Rauscher - won't do that at all. And the other they can think of is Sakazuki and Teach.
"We can't fly towards Raftel. We're in broad daylight!" Izou argued when the High Princes transformed themselves into their demi-human forms to fly.
"Then what do you suggest? If all prisoners have been freed - " Marco did not finish his sentence. It is hard to imagine what Raftel will look like should they not control the situation.
"I'll cast a spell to send the three of you back to Raftel. That's the best I can do. We will be following you using the ship. With Namur and the Fishmen's help, we can get there as fast as we can."
The three High Princes nodded, agreeing to Izou's suggestion. They're still in the dining area, discussing the next course of action that leaves the humans inside confused about the situation they have. Judging from their grim expressions, it's nothing but bad news.
"Vivi. We must leave immediately. Take this stone." Robin gave her a green stone from Vaelon. "If you hear anything from the princesses, please let us know."
"I will." Vivi accepted the stone without hesitation.
Izou positioned herself in the open space right next to the dining table, muttering words that humans won't understand. Little by little, a magic circle was formed on the floor, hovering midair. Seeing the magic unfold before their eyes, King Cobra and Vivi can't help but be mesmerized.
"It's ready." Izou said that prompted the three High Princes to step in the magic circle wearing grim expressions in their eyes. Even if they want to stay in Alabasta in case the princesses will contact Vivi, the situation won't allow them to.
The princesses are safe but the same thing can't be said for their people. As their rulers, they must protect them at all costs. With a nod, Izou began chanting while the magic circle is slowly moving upwards until the three High Princes disappeared.
"I'll arrange your rides back to your ship." Vivi offered.
"Thank you. Apologies for leaving like this. We know that we were not in our best behavior during our stay here, but know that we appreciate that you've welcomed us as your guests." Izou smiled at them.
"If you are going to contact us, just whisper my name and it will connect you to me."
"I understand. Please tell the High Princes that I will contact you."
After arranging the guests' rides, they immediately left Alabasta, sailing back to Raftel.
Meanwhile, it only took a few minutes before the High Princes arrived in Raftel. Izou summoned them right in front of the Chinvat Bridge where the chaos is everywhere.
The prisoners felt the surge of magic gathering and even before they can think of where it came from, the three High Princes appeared, startling all creatures present.
"A-Ah -" One prisoner was not able to form a coherent response because he finds himself dead before he can think, Kidd's claws ripping the prisoner's neck off.
So many prisoners are out of the Blazing Inferno, fighting against Raftelians. It was nothing but chaos and this needs to be controlled.
Just looking at the battlefield, the High Princes felt as if they've taken a trip down their memory lane - memories of the great war where many of their brethren were killed and unfortunately, their parents are included.
The anger came so easily in their heads that made them disregard their inhibitions of holding back.
Zoro flew to the sky, transforming to his full dragon form before a roar resonated from his throat. It is a signal that calls all dragons of Vaelon. A signal that their ruler has returned. After doing so, he transformed into his demi-human form and unsheathed his sword. The attack was so fast that no one was able to react on time.
The arrival of the High Princes sparked fear into the prisoners' eyes. Especially those lesser creatures that know how fearsome the rulers of the Three Beast Kingdoms are.
The prisoners from the deeper levels are slightly doubtful but they persevered. The idea of freedom and revenge is too much of a temptation to back away from the fight.
Centuries of frustration built up and now that they are free, they will fight with their lives on the line to get the freedom taken away from them.
With a loud battle cry, the prisoners run forward, targeting the High Princes. If these three will die, getting out of this place will be easier. At least that's what they thought.
They've been blinded by their desires of freedom that they are forgetting what kind of powers the three High Princes hold.
Marco's fire is known as gentle and warm in most of the stories, but little did they know that the gentle fire can be lethal. He delivered a heavy blow to the group of prisoners, burning them using his blue fire.
There are no wounds as one would expect, instead, the prisoners find themselves being breathless as if their insides are burning. Because this is what Marco's fire is all about. To burn someone's life along with it.
Kidd, on the other hand, was too fast to rip the prisoners' neck using his claws, giving them no time to react to the pain.
The lesser creatures all cowered, stepping away from the High Princes' reach, but not the ones from 4th and 5th levels. They gathered, surrounding the High Princes.
The prisoners from the 2nd and 3rd levels all decided to focus on the Warrior Commanders as well as the soldiers of Raftelians. If they can't win against the High Princes, the least they can do is kill the soldiers.
Whitebeard is also being targeted by the prisoners but he's more than capable of defending himself.
"We have no choice." Zoro said when he landed right next to Kidd and Marco but his eyes are staring at the prisoners who are too eager to attack them.
"It seems that is the case." Kidd agreed, claws ready and his eyes turned redder than it originally is.
"Then, shall we get this started, yoi?" Marco's body is emitting cold blue flames that could turn anyone who touches it freeze to death.
With a nod from the younger High Princes, the three of them launched themselves in the middle of hundreds of prisoners from the deeper levels of the Blazing Inferno.
They do not want to kill, however, this situation does not require them to be merciful at all. These creatures once belonged to Raftel that drifted apart, driving themselves insane because of their power. They harmed not only Raftelians but also caused ruthless deaths during the Great War.
Most of the prisoners here are the remnants of the Great War, the creatures that sided with Teach and Sakazuki. As rulers, they cannot allow more deaths of their people. They've seen enough as it is.
Kill those who will resist. That was the order sent to the Raftelian soldiers. With the absolute order given, the Raftelians have gained their momentum to fight back and kill the prisoners.
Once again, Raftel is reeking of blood, but this time, it's the blood of the Otherworldly prisoners spilled on the ground.
Countless prisoners find themselves unable to fight back as if they were driven to the wall with no escape route. They've underestimated the prowess of the High Princes. Just the three of them alone were able to wipe more than half of the prisoners from the 4th and 5th levels.
"This is the first time I've seen him like this." Yosaku told Johnny as he stares at Zoro's form. Blood is all over his body, staining his clothes. His eye shifts from green to red every time he strikes one prisoner, sending the creature to the other side. The sight of Zoro sends shivers down their spine.
This is not the High Prince that they knew. It was as if he was sleeping and has woken from his deep slumber - a sleeping dragon. Each strike contains power, brutal merciless. It looks as if he is taking out his frustration to the prisoners.
The same thing can be said for the other two, more so after being called back in Raftel when they are in the middle of finding their mates. They've been holding back all this time and this incident added fuel to the fire burning inside them. It exploded and no one can control it any longer.
Marco's calm demeanor is gone, replaced by the cold glares he sends to the prisoners. He sees them as nothing but creatures to slay. What is scarier is the fact that he smiles when he sees the prisoners being burned by his blue fire as they scream till their lives are no more.
As for the other High Prince, he's always been brutal, but wolves hunt with their pack. Not in Kidd's case. No member of his pack is seen helping him nor was he seen commanding them. He's a lone wolf that was unleashed from the depths of hell as he kills one prisoner after another.
It was nothing but a massacre.
Hours since the battle started, more creatures lay dead on the ground while a few of them are cowering as they surrendered - too afraid of the powers they see.
Most of these prisoners only sided with Sakazuki and Teach for they believed that the beasts' nature has become dull, softer over the years that Raftel coexisted with humans. They believed that they are superior creatures whereas the previous High Kings and High Queens have become too human-loving royalties that they prohibit Raftelians from harming any humans.
The beast in them rebelled, refusing to bow down to the High Kings and High Queens who have gone weaker. They believed showing their might to the world proves of their prowess, but the previous Raftelian Royalties never did so. These prisoners treated it like an insult to their nature and hence decided to side with Teach and Sakazuki.
They have forgotten the powers that these royalties hold and are holding back. The death of the other prisoners serve as proof that the Raftelian Royalties' powers are as strong as they once were - this has not changed at all over the years since Raftel was built.
The beast in them was unleashed, had become uncontrollable making these prisoners realize that there is a reason why the Beast Royalties are trying to maintain the peace - that they are holding back.
"I think that's enough, don't you think, Your Highnesses?" Whitebeard's voice echoed in the Purgatory where the battle commenced.
Kidd stopped mid-air, claws inches away from the creature's neck. He looked at Whitebeard whose eyes are solemn as if begging the three of them to stop this massacre.
Marco blinked a few times before he realized that almost all of the prisoners are dead. Surveying the area, he was surprised by the number of dead prisoners surrounding the three of them and this is when the reality hits him. They released too much of their powers that they were almost consumed by it.
Zoro swung his sword to the air to get rid of the blood in it. The blood of the prisoners. He, too stopped when the Peacekeeper begged them to stop their hands. Indeed, it is a massacre, but for whatever reason, he felt relieved. His stress and frustration from the past several days are gone.
"If any of you will move, you will be killed." Kidd stepped back from the cowering prisoner to direct his attention to the other High Princes. Marco, who has somehow regained his calmness approached one of the prisoners from level 5 and ask a very important question.
"Who broke the barriers?"
"I won't tell you - " Marco did not hesitate to cut his sentence off as he burned his life away. He then turned towards another prisoner from the 5th level to ask the same question. This prisoner is intelligent enough to answer what was asked, afraid that he will die the same way the first one did.
"I-It was Teach and S-Sakazuki. They broke the barriers from the 6th level before doing the same to the other levels."
Kidd cursed upon hearing the traitors' names. Every one of them can still remember what happened in the Great War. Teach and Sakazuki killed the High Kings and High Queens of all kingdoms. Now, they are back and freed the most powerful prisoners.
It looks like things will get more complicated from now on.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Akainu looked at the creatures gathered together before signaling them to follow him in the dungeon. As soon as they arrived, Kaido and Big Mom's eyes turned animalistic and murderous upon seeing the woman in the prison cell.
"Rauscher! It's been centuries but I will never forget what you did to us that day! You've robbed us of our freedom!" Big Mom's fist is clenched, wanting to strike the Rareborn Princess.
"So, these are the prisoners that you've sent back to their prison cells. No wonder they cannot break the barrier you placed." Roger smirked while looking at the people in front of him. He knows them from Rouge's stories.
"Haaahh?! Who are you trying to insult, you filthy human?!"
"I am not insulting anyone. I am just stating the truth. If the truth feels like an insult to you, then it is not my fault."
"Why you - "
"SILENCE!" Akainu shouted at Big Mom before glaring at Roger. "You have some nerve to still be spouting nonsense when you are in this situation, Roger."
"But of course. I have the right to be." Akainu has always hated the way Roger's eye spark as if he knows that Akainu will fail. That despite the situation, they will prevail.
There's something in those eyes that made Akainu irritated. He's seen those eyes of his before but he can't remember when. Maybe his confidence had come from the fact that he is mates to the Rareborn Princess.
"Why have you not killed this wretched princess?!" Kaido pointed at Rauscher. The memories remain fresh in his mind, the day that Rauscher sealed them. It was frustrating to not be able to fight back at that time. Now that he's free, he will do everything to bring hell to this damnable woman.
"They will be executed in 5 days. For now, we must prepare for the final battle." Akainu said. "That's what I came here for. To tell you that you have 5 days to live. You and your husband." With that, Akainu left the dungeon followed by the prisoners he freed.
"This palace is of no use to us. We will be moving to my palace to prepare for the final battle that will finally bring down Raftel." Akainu said as soon as they were out of the dungeon. "We will leave as soon as they are dead."
"Why wait when you can do it now?" King questioned. There's no point in keeping the prisoners alive for a few days only for them to be killed.
"Because I want to make them feel how it's like to count their remaining days of being alive."
"Then, why not torture them before their deaths?" Another prisoner named Queen asked, eager to take the role of being the torturer of those two. Their eyes are still full of vigor despite being in a pitiable situation and it will be satisfying to break it little by little.
"They'll be dead before you can begin the torture. Her powers are long gone by casting a spell at her daughters to keep them as humans."
"Haah?! Is she a fool in doing that?"
"She must be. But it does not matter. What matters is that they will die."
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
AN: Finally managed to update this! YES. It's kind of hard to transition my pace from writing ASL Sisters to this one because the two stories are complete opposite. This one has thicker plot and I have to deepen the terms as much as I can because of the AU. Anyway, hope you enjoy!
P.S Next update will be a week from now. Won't be doing double chapters as I used to because of my busy schedule. :)