It's Only Forever.....
Chapter 2- Return of the Crown-Princess
by: Asurahime
-I am looking forward to it, princess...-
Asellus sighed in relief and anger. The hand holding Asura was shaking so badly that if the sword wasn't sheathed soon, she will most likely drop it. She had known that Ciato was alive, but she didn't think he had the courage, or the stupidity to harm humans who are under her protection. It is either that Ciato is reckless of what he is doing, or else he is provoking her into anger so that he can take advantage of her vulnerable moment caused by rage. It would have been that way if she had not arrived on this day. Asellus had the ability to be at the right place at the right time, unfortunately, so did Ciato.
The other mystics were just staring open-mouthed at the half-mystic. Everyone except Silence was surprised upon seeing the green-haired girl deflect the dark knight's blade. The girl hasn't changed, sure her appearance changed, but the was she just selflessly charged at Ciato brought back memories of the battles fought many years ago.
_I thought you hated making an entrance...._
Asellus ignored her sword as she faced the others. It was harder than it seemed. She had been running away from the truth for so long that it was hard to know what is the difference between reality or make-believe. The crimson-eyed girl knew that she is a half-mystic, daughter of the Charm Lord Orlouge, who she defeated in battle. But she doesn't want to accept what is meant for her. She cannot accept it because of the unexplainable guilt which is buried deeply in her heart. Guilt for slaying her father and two others, and guilt for pretending to be ignorant of her surroundings.
Ildon noticed that Ciato was gone, so he stood up off the children. The winged prince tried to help the children to their feet, but he quickly realized that they were still unconscious. Sensing that there was something wrong, he felt for their breathing and their pulse, and panicked when he found none. "They're not breathing!!"
Immediately, the tragedy registered in their minds. Gina burst in tears as the others ran to the children. Asellus was motionless in shock and fury walked up to Terra and Garr, oblivious to everyone else.
White Rose and Mesarthim tried to revive the children using 'Starlight Heal' and 'Life Rain', but neither worked. The children could not fight, because it was their life force that was ailing. Ciato had drained off some of it despite that he failed to destroy the children. Unless their life force is raised and fast, by binding of blood, the two children will certainly die.
Rastaban murmured. "What are we going to do? We're out of potions."
Rei went to console Gina, who was hysterical with grief. Ildon stood near Gina, feeling self-hatred for not being able to protect the Terra and Garr. He would have blamed Ciato, except the mystic wasn't here, and he needed someone to blame.
"They're dying, and there's nothing we can do about it!? What in the hell is my power worth if I couldn't even protect these kids from that--that--." yelled Zozma, as his hands formed into fists and he rested his head on a wall to try and control his rage.
As the others turned away from the children, Asellus approached Terra and Garr, without the others knowing. "It's not your time yet. Come back, Terra... Garr." whispered the half-mystic, "If you need blood to raise your life force... then I would give you every drop I have in my body. Garr, Terra... revive!"
_What are we going to do?_ asked Asura.
Asellus drew it and pulled back both her sleeves. Holding Asura with her right hand, she lightly rested the keen edge of the blade on her left wrist. Closing her eyes, she sensed for the children's life force, which were dispersing rapidly. _You know very well what I have to do._
_You don't mean.... YOU'RE MAD!!! ASELLUS!!_
Asellus didn't listen as she slashed both her wrists quickly without a sound, not wanting the others to hear. She then let her blood run into the children's bodies, where they disappeared upon contact. Concentration on her mystic power, she sent a part of her spirit into the children through her blood sacrifice viciously to rekindle the children's souls. Asellus then fell to the ground hard, weak both physically and psychically, but still she forced herself to endure the ordeal.
Asura had promised not to say a word for the children, but when Asellus fell spent, but still refusing to stop, it screamed a message to the other mystics. _ASELLUS!!!!!! YOU FOOL!! ILDON, ZOZMA!! TURN AROUND!!! HURRY!!!!!!_
Ildon heard the sword, and immediately turned around he saw the girl bending over the children, her hair served as a screen to keep them from seeing what she was doing. "Asellus!! What are you up to now!?"
He walked up to her and brushed her hair away from her face. His eyes widened when he saw that both her wrists have been slashed and a silver light was flowing swiftly from her blood and entering the children's body. Ildon immediately knew what it was: it was one of her life points. He muffled a startled cry, but the others already turned around and saw the scene. They all gasped in horror at what Asellus was performing, she was letting go of one of her life points and splitting it between Terra and Garr.
Hearing that the other mystics what she was doing, Asellus stood up, but kept her wrists over the two children as the silver light started to glow brighter. "No!! You mustn't interfere---Asura!!" she hissed as a flash of light emanated from Asura. Immediately, Asellus's cuts were healed and she fell to the ground.
_That's enough!!!!! Asellus, you are a fool to give up that much blood and spirit even to save these children!!! Changing that power into a human's rather that a mystic's is a job which only weakened you more!!! What would have happened if you died?!_ yelled the sword.
_Then I would have been reborn as a human..._ Asellus was smiling slightly as her eyes closed.
"Asellus!" Ildon caught the girl before she hit the ground. "Open your eyes!!"
"Lady Asellus...." whispered Mesarthim as she turned away to hide her tears.
Rei, Gina, Zozma, Silence, and Rastaban were frozen in fear which was now turned from the children to the half-mystic. White Rose sprinted to Asellus and Ildon. She felt for the girl's pulse, and sighed with relief when she found it. It was very weak, but it was there.
-What.... happened....-, thought Asellus as she finally opened her eyes. To her surprise, she was being watched by the deepest blue eyes she has ever seen. As her own eyes widened, battle instincts reacted; the next thing everyone knew was that Asellus had picked up Asura, and was on a guard position. Unfortunately, she was still too weak from giving so much blood, so she fell again.... and was caught by Ildon... again.
Then, she saw White Rose hovering anxiously over her. "Lord of all Mystics, Asellus!! Even after all these years, you still haven't learned to give up, haven't you!?"
Zozma's voice responded. "What do you expect, White Rose? She has Orlouge's blood, and I don't think her learning when to give up is the case. I think it's because she doesn't want to learn.... it's one of her charms, right Ildon?!"
Ildon glared at the orange-haired mystic, raised a hand, and sent Zozma crashing face-first into a conveniently placed wall. "Just as much as gossiping and causing trouble is yours, Zozma."
_He's right, you know. You never want to learn how to give up._ thought Silence to Asellus.
_Of course she doesn't want to learn!!! She's too stubborn for her own good... but on to the other topic._
Asellus instantly stood up and locked gazes with Silence and Rastaban, the task at hand was more important than her constant obstinacy. A psycho is out on the loose, and has already threatened the lives of Terra and Garr... innocent children who has contributed nothing to his downfall became one of his near-victims.
_Ciato._
_Ciato._
_Ciato._
Asura, Silence, and Rastaban all had the same thought in one time.
_Yes, Ciato._ replied Asellus as she resheathed Asura, quickly regaining her strength when the despised name was mentioned. Her eyes once again began flickering with the raging flame of battle. Before she could say anything else, Gina threw herself once again at Asellus.
"Princess, I was so worried that you and my grandchildren would not make it!" Gina brushed her tears away as she let go of the half-mystic. Looking the girl over, the grandmother grabbed her arm and dragged her into the house before Asellus could say anything else.
Asellus was completely amazed at how strong Gina was even though she was aging. The other mystics were frozen with surprise when Gina finally released the girl at the front door, disappeared within the house and came back with a white parcel which she gave to the half-mystic. Asellus was vehemently shaking her head, but Gina smiled mischievously and looked as if she was forcing the vermilion-eyed girl to keep the package.
_..... What I suffer through..._ Asellus consented although unwilling. She then walked back towards the other mystics. _This dress I always wear is fine, I run in my travels not waltz._
Another voice came in, Ildon's. _Asellus, you now have quite a few things to tell us._
Asellus looked at all the mystics, Gina, and the two now-conscious kids who clung to her tightly, as if not wanting to let the half-mystic go just yet. It was a task to get them to let go of her. _All right. Let's go to Kurenai._
-^+*+*+*+^-
Asellus felt terribly guilty in leaving Gina and the kids behind, but knowing it is for the better. As the group reached the cavern of Kurenai, she lagged behind, thinking over Ciato's threat and considering if she should just kill him and get everything over with. So deep in thought was she that she didn't see Ildon, and Rastaban look back worriedly at her every now and then.
Entering the cave, Asellus immediately felt something amiss. The others didn't seem to notice anything wrong. The volcano which served as Kurenai's home looked just as it always did. The multi-colored flames dancing towards the roof of the cavern were there, and so were the listening crystals embedded on the landing which juts over the fiery essence of the Eternal Flame. Although, the sense of warmth and security which she felt before was missing; almost as if something just extinguished a fire. She felt a presence of something with malicious intentions very near, which itself is strange, because Kurenai's dwelling is supposed to be the sanctuary of Facinaturu. Before, no one with dark objectives were even allowed within twenty feet of the entrance; and that was one reason Orlouge entrapped Kurenai in the volcano in the first place.
Someone else felt the awry atmosphere as soon as they entered. _You feel it too, don't you?_
Asellus left the others and stood alone on the landing. _Yes, there is something very wrong with this picture.... but what is it?_
Rei looked around and saw the half-mystic frowning with confusion. "Asellus!! What are you doing over there?"
Mesarthim called out to the girl, not understanding whatever was bothering the half-mystic. "Milady, the others are asking for you to go to them. We are wondering if you could explain why......"
When Asellus didn't answer, Zozma lost his patience and stormed up to her. Trying to keep his voice under control, he demanded. "Asellus, if there is something wrong, why won't you tell us!! We're your friends... who you have been avoiding for ten years for no reason we know of, you at least owe us an explanation!!!"
Ildon also came up to her and asked. "Zozma's right princess, why do you refuse to tell us why you have been avoiding us mystics? Is your hatred for mystic-kind so deep that you would deny us a leader?"
Asellus frowned darkly. "That was quite ironic, coming from you."
White Rose and Rastaban was about to join in with the other three, until they heard Silence fire a round with his gun.
A Lich fell to the ground near Rastaban's feet with a sickening thud. The others exchanged glances, intensely startled by the appearance of the creature. Asellus' intuition had been right, the Lich, a creature of the dark has managed to break the holy barrier. But the barrier had always been kept intact by the Eternal Flame, therefore....
"How could such a thing come in here? This place is a sanctuary." said Rei.
Ildon replied firmly, "There is absolutely no way that that entity could have gotten in here by itself."
Silence holstered his gun. _He's right. The Eternal Flame has kept this place sacred from the beginning of time._
Asura began to shine a dark light. _If that's true... then--!!!!_
Asellus gasped in shock and began pushing everyone out of the sanctuary. "Get out!! Hurry and get out of here before it's too late!!"
Mesarthim stared confusedly at the desperate half-mystic. "Princess, what possessed you all of a sudden?"
Zozma whispered to Rastaban, Ildon, and Silence. "Do you think this is a side effect of Orlouge's blood?"
For once, Ildon didn't contradict him, for he was just as puzzled.
Asellus grabbed two small crystals which scratched her and absently placed them in her pocket. Seeing the others' disbelief, she scowled darkly and drew Asura.
-Forgive me, everyone.-
As the others looked on, they were frozen in place as Asellus grabbed Ildon's Silver Moon from his sheathe and raised both that sword and Asura.
"2GaleSlash!!" Asellus executed the attack, which sent everyone out of the sanctuary with the force of the blow. Instantly, Asellus ran out of the cave just as the entire section of the roof fell upon the floor, leaving the mystics speechless with dismay. They realized Asellus' motivation the hard way. Looking for the half-mystic, they saw her sitting to the left of the wreckage taking a MaxCure and a MagiDrink.
Ildon went over to Asellus and helped the girl to her feet. "You should be resting after giving so much blood, but no... you keep on trying to shorten our lives!! How did you know?"
Asellus fixed her crimson gaze fully on the Prince of Darkness, causing him to lose his breath for a moment at the intensity of it. She broke her stare and popped a LifeCandy into her mouth; she only had four life points left, she had to be more careful in the future. "I'll explain later, but right now, where is Kurenai?"
White Rose answered. "Isn't he in the sanctuary? I mean, he's a spirit; where else can he go? Orlouge entrapped him long ago."
Asellus stared emotionlessly at the group. ".................."
"He wasn't there, was he?" asked Rastaban.
The green-haired half-mystic nodded indifferently, then she began walking up the steps to Chateau Aiguille. After taking five steps, she took out the shards of the listening crystals and turned around to face the others. "Let's go to the castle, I do have quite a few things to clear up."
Rei nodded as the rest of them followed the girl into the castle.
-^+*+*+*+^-
Asellus felt a sense of endangerment as soon as she entered the throne room of the Charm Lord. She couldn't help but feel uneasy, because the last time she was here, she was about to kill her father-by-blood. The throne before her loomed as if it knew that she had murdered her father. It knew that she still felt regrets over all that she has done.
The green-haired half-mystic turned away from the throne with her face even paler than before. It was undeniable. Despite the fact that it was necessary that she had to kill Orlouge, Ciato, and Princess Golden Lion, Asellus can't shake the feeling of guilt that engulfed her. Had she remained a human, would she ever have had the dreadful experience of taking another's life?
The answer is most probably no.
The death that struck her most was the death of Golden Lion. She had to slay someone who actually meant something to her, regardless of all emotions. Golden Lion was just too loyal to Orlouge, and in a way, that was what Asellus admired about her.
Asellus closed her eyes to try to shut out all thoughts that were rushing through her mind. Trying to concentrate on giving just the facts and nothing more, nothing about the dreams, and nothing about the successor to the throne.
_The sooner I tell them, the sooner I can leave._ thought Asellus.
_But is that what you really want? To leave your friends and to probably seek a swift death? You are a mystic, you can't die that easily; even if you are only half._ responded Asura, showing the sensible side of Asellus.
The others were starting to think that Asellus was asleep, and although they hated to disturb her, more pressing matters were at hand. So, Zozma shook Asellus gently, enough to break her out of her trance.
"I'm awake, Zozma. " answered Asellus, but not opening her eyes. "I know that you have many questions, so I'll answer them first."
The others just glanced questioningly at each other, then back to the half-mystic.
Mesarthim asked the first question. "Lady, forgive me for being so forward with this question of mine, but may I ask where you have been."
Asellus smiled slowly. _They wouldn't believe me if I told them the truth would they?_
Asura responded. _They wouldn't believe any other thing you would say. You have been so secretive with where you have been for the past ten years that they would most likely never believe that you have been going back and forth between Shrike, Owmi, the Magic Kingdom, and Facinaturu all of this time._
"Princess?" asked Rastaban, his expression confused.
"Are you sure you want to know where I have been?" said Asellus.
The others nodded.
"For ten years I have been going back and forth between Shrike, Owmi, the Magic Kingdom, and Facinaturu." she bowed her head trying not to laugh.
Everyone else exploded with irritation.
"You have been this close to us for the longest time, yet you never tell us where you are?" cried White Rose.
Mesarthim was strangling Silence. "You knew, didn't you? You knew and you never told us, Lord Silence?!!"
Zozma and Rastaban were blaming Asellus for setting up dampening spells to protect her from being sensed by the other mystics every time she came to Facinaturu; Ildon was just as irritated, but he tried not to show it too much; and Rei went over to Asellus and they simply ignored the others. Asellus was even smirking like the devil over the simplicity of it all.
Everyone stopped chattering when Ildon asked the next query. "Why is Ciato after you? And how did he come back to life?"
The crimson-eyed half-mystic was suddenly dismayed by the question. Giving Asura to him, she fought the urge to run out of there immediately. Meeting Ildon's eyes with her own, tears suddenly began falling down as Asellus broke her gaze.
With a voice that cracked with anger and confusion, Asellus told Asura to explain Ciato's rebirth. _Tell them Asura... I'm sorry, but if I tell them, I'll run out of here as fast as I can._
The others gathered around Ildon and Asellus to hear the sword's story. The Prince of Darkness was quite disconcerted in seeing the girl crying, until he realized that as much as she has been through. Although she is a half-mystic, she is still a girl who has been thrown into a world that is not her own to begin with. Feeling pity for the girl, he sat next to her and tried to comfort her.
The rest were also surprised with the situation but could do nothing other than let Ildon take care of the girl while they listened to the sword's tale.
Asura itself didn't like the position that Asellus was in, but forced itself to go on. _How should I begin?_
"How about the beginning?" said Zozma, impatient.
Asura jumped into Rastaban's hand, who was neared to Zozma, and the sword took a swipe at him, but missed by a fraction of a hair. _I was getting to that, you orange-haired rebel!!_ Asellus recalled her sword from Rastaban and handed it back to Ildon.
"Who are you calling an 'orange-haired rebel'?" growled Zozma, ready to cast Pain Doubler.
"I don't think you can harm a sword with a spell, Zozma." Rastaban said frankly.
"No, but it will sure make ME feel much better!" yelled Zozma.
He was suddenly smacked by a halisen (paper fan). "That won't make Asellus feel any better either! Think for once, Zozma!!" hissed Rei, as White Rose hit him with the halisen again.
_They're right, you know?_ added Silence.
_Can't I continue?! If I am not disturbing any of your highnesses' presence?_ screamed Asura, glowing a red light.
The whole room became silent, even Zozma, who believed that everyone was picking on him.
_Thank you. It began right after Asellus and I visited Gina along with all of you seemingly for the last time ten years ago. Remember when Asellus destroyed Orlouge, Princess Lion, and Ciato? Do you recall the fact that she refused to absorb their power? All of you thought that it was because she was a half-mystic and wasn't able to do so. Unfortunately, it was not for that reason, she didn't want to absorb another's mystic power because she didn't think it was right, it didn't rightly belong to her. In other words, she may be as powerful, or maybe even more powerful than her father, but she doesn't want to be like him._
Asellus couldn't help but give her sword a bitter look. Everyone had thought she couldn't absorb another mystic's energy, but now it was her sword who was telling the truth why she didn't. Orlouge's ambitions sickened Asellus and that caused her to believe that if she took another's soul, she would just turn out to be like Orlouge. That is one thing she would not be able to bear at all.
_The next day, you all found out that Asellus and I were gone before all of you woke up, we had to, because she sensed that Ciato was alive. His mystic power survived, even if his body didn't, and that was enough to revive him. Not his body though, his power was not enough. Even if Golden Lion was dead in body, her soul was still felt by Asellus, and therefore, she could still sense Lion Princess' mystic power. But one day, that connection just seemed to disappear, as if it just vanished out of nowhere._
Everything was becoming clear to the other mystics. They finally found out her reason for wandering so much, but they still didn't know the reason why Asellus had been avoiding them.
_After she scanned for Princess Lion for days, Asellus finally found the last traces of Lion, but it was quickly turning into a power similar to Ciato's. Little did I know how right she was. As soon as she felt the presence of that silver haired psycho, she drew me and blocked a blow that would have taken her life. She knew it was Ciato, no matter that he absorbed Lion's mystic energy; so she fought him. His tricks haven't changed, except for the fact that he also can attack using Lion's skills now._
Ildon finally understood why Ciato carried a sword. "So that's why he was carrying that longsword. He had the nerve to take Princess Lion's powers."
"Don't forget that that maniac also managed to absorb mine. Ciato is a treacherous snake, living or dead." growled Rastaban.
Asura agreed. _Yes, and now to answer the other part of your question. Ciato is after Asellus because he is---_
_Stop!! Asura, that's enough!! You mustn't tell them just yet. They would keep me under lock and key if they find out._ begged Asellus.
Asura expressed its annoyance. _You can't hide it forever you know? You must accept what is rightfully yours. Anyway, if they do keep you under lock and key, you have learned enough tricks to get out of that with no problem whatsoever!!_
To everyone's great surprise, Asellus stood up, crimson eyes flashing fury and betrayal. "I don't want to accept it Asura!! It doesn't belong to me no matter how many times you pound it in. I should be out there fixing what I have done wrong, and that means stopping Ciato. It's my fault that he is stalking me now, and just because I was given that title doesn't mean I have to accede the throne!!"
The girl rushed out of the throne room in a speed that didn't seem possible. The others could not do anything but stare in confusion, then sympathy.
_She refuses to listen to me. She keeps on saying that the throne of Facinaturu belongs to a mystic like Ildon or Rastaban or any of you. She denies the fact that her blood is that of royalty; no matter how corrupted, the throne belongs to her._ muttered Asura.
"I somehow understand how Asellus feels. I don't understand why she considers herself an outsider, but I already know how that feels like. She is too innocent and I believe that the fact that she had to slay three people weighs her down." Zozma stared at the doorway that Asellus took.
White Rose was nearly in tears. "I can't understand it. I have contributed to her pain, even if it was indirect."
Rei tried to comfort her. "It wasn't you, I am also to blame, had I not ever have ran away, she wouldn't have gotten ran over in the first place."
Silence agreed. _I am also at fault. I helped her kill Princess Lion, and she has regretted it ever since._
"Lady Asellus has risked her life for mine so many times that I have lost count. I would have died in that mansion if she and Princess White Rose had not liberated me, I contributed to her suffering." said Mesarthim.
Rastaban looked away, his expression equally guilty.
"Killing Orlouge had been my wish. When Asellus came, she gave me the chance to get my revenge. I cared nothing for her emotions, not caring that she was destined to take her father's life." Zozma ground his teeth in knowing that he was also with blame.
Ildon's voice was cracking with intensity for the first time in his life. "We are all at blame for some reason or other to cause Asellus grief. I now understand why she has avoided us for years. I can't say anything against her, because she was thrown into this life without so much as a by-your-leave. I was even cold towards her, colder than I should have been....."
Asura was about to reply sharply that they all should stop blaming themselves and wallowing in guilt, until another familiar voice cut in.
A pale Asellus was leaning on the door frame that she left through. "Stop blaming yourselves. I am not blaming any of you for all I have experienced so far. And those are definitely not the reasons why I have avoided all of you."
Everyone turned towards the girl, and as soon as they saw her, their jaws almost dropped to the floor. It was Asellus certainly, but they noticed something different about her. She has traded her red dress to another dress of pure white. She wasn't looking at them, so they couldn't see her expression, but they knew it wasn't something even close to joy.
"I want you all to stop feeling so guilty.... it was none of your faults, and you weren't that cold towards me, Ildon. You can't say that I was behaving properly at our first meeting either. Rei and White Rose, you both deserve to live the life not constricted by another's unjust rules; Silence was trapped in Omble because of my father; Zozma was forced out because he fought for what he believed in; Rastaban realized Orlouge's sadistic whims; and Mesarthim only wanted to return to where she belongs. I can blame all of you for giving me guilt just as much as I blame Asura for being so sharp that it cut me when I tested the edge by running my thumb along the blade." Asellus finally turned to face all of them, her crimson eyes were still bright from tears and cold with determination. "Don't argue. I want to make it up to all of you. Tell me one wish for each of you, and if it is within my power to grant, I will do so."
_Well spoken, princess..... are you sure about that wish thing? I know you want to make it up to all of them, but...._, asked Asura, worriedly.
Asellus reached a hand towards the sword. Asura flew through the air and was caught by the girl. _I'm sure my friend. We must be leaving soon, after all._
Asura chuckled briefly. _I must say though, that new outfit of yours is an improvement to the other one._
_This was what Gina and I were deciding about out there. Gina said I had to take it because my other dress was getting worn out. Don't blame me. I don't really like dresses, but she is making me come back every six months for a new dress._ grinned Asellus.
_Pity, this is enough to keep even mystics silent._
Mesarthim was the first to recover from the shock when Asellus said that she was indebted to her. She practically threw herself at Asellus' feet and cried forgiveness. "My lady!!! What have I done wrong as to cause you to be obligated to me?! At your very wish, I would slay myself or lay down my life at your hands!!", cried the mermaid, weeping excessively at Asellus' feet.
Asellus yelped at the sight of the mermaid groveling at her feet, and instantly drew her up. _Mesarthim, do you really feel that you cannot accept the wish? That you expect me to be harsh with your treatment?_
Mesarthim looked up to see the most gentle yet fascinating eyes she has ever seen. She continued to cry with guilt. _Lady, if you would like, you could destroy me right now. All you have to do is order me, and I would do your wish._
Asellus looked at the other mystics who were still gaping at her transformation shamelessly. The men seemed to be so off-balance that it looked as if all it took was a light breeze to knock them to the floor. She stifled a laugh and focused her eyes on the mermaid. _Mesarthim, I guess this is the only way._
_Lady, my life is yours._
Asellus drew an exasperated breath and smiled spellbindingly at the water-mystic. _Then, I order you to take the wish. I also ask you to stop with the groveling, as a friend, it's making me really uncomfortable. I do not ask of you to beseech me like my father would have wanted because you are my friend, and I don't want to rule anyone, just as I don't want myself to be ruled._
Asura was feigning tears. _Asellus, that was one of the most astounding speeches that I have ever heard in my existence. I am so filled with emotion that I am sure to break forth with tears if any more of that enthralling presentation should be----!!! What do you think you're doing??_
Asellus was glaring with exasperation at her sword as she sheathed Asura viciously. She looked ready to show her fangs at the sword. "What does it look like I'm doing? I am trying to silence a sword who has an over-active yet unseen mouth!!!" Mesarthim was starting to think that Asellus has gone off the deep end, and has taken her sword with her.
Rastaban was the first of the others to regain his dignity. "Princess Asellus, if it is still available, may I have that wish now?"
The others broke out of their trance and stared at the Black Knight in shock. Asellus fixed Rastaban with a look which seemed to captivate him. "Please, continue."
Rastaban gazed back at her without a quaver in his voice. "I ask of thee to take up the throne and title of 'Crown-Princess of Facinaturu'."