Author's note: I would first like to apologize to my reviewers. Rashly, I took reviews in a bad light, and responded in kind. And while I am still critical of reviews I receive, I am indeed happy with each and every one. Alas, I would like my writing to be seen past mere entertainment. Which means that I'd like to hear more about how to improve my writing style, rather than how it relates to the BJ world. Not to say that the latter portion wouldn't be useful, it's just not what I'm aiming for.

This fanfic fell back before it ever got past the beginning, much less anywhere near the climax. I'd appreciate the readers to give it another chapter or so. If it still doesn't match up to your criteria, then so be it. You did all that I asked and it's all I need to make me happy. Without further hesitation, I present my next chapter:

Altecus eyed a group of soldiers rushing toward him and his men, a menacing gleam in their eyes. Tightening the grip on his sword, all he could think of was freedom. He did not hesitate, nor did he pause, as he ran once more into death's welcoming embrace. Nor did his men. They were ready to follow the one who asked nothing of them, for what he was already doing himself. They did not fear death. Slavery had taught them that there were worse things than death, and that this revolt, in fact, was elevating them to higher ground. Breath came easier with every knife between the ribs and sword in the heart. Slicing through the armed guards, Altecus called upon his Sapphire jewels to finish off the kill, and burn away the mind.

But the fight was not yet over. It would be soon. These soldiers fought for their own lives. For their own advancement in this societal Hell. Yet no one fights harder, or longer, or braver than those who wish for freedom. Those who wish for something right. A thing that cannot be bought or sold on an auction block, yet grown in a garden of celestial roses.

Taking up his sword once more, Altecus looked back at his men once more before hurrying to the palace. Time to teach the bitch queen a lesson. Time to teach the Master of the Guard swift justice. Ramming open the palace doors, the slaves stormed in, rushing in every direction and down every hallway to attack anyone that stood in their way. Women and children were killed. Fathers and mothers slain, but that was the price. The palace was failing as the guards fell back, disorganized. They were frantic, with only their Master of the Guard to offer them strength. Magnus was at the top of the marble steps, looking down on the bloody scene with that gray gaze of his. Surveying the coming battle, he fingered the green jewels about his neck. His rank was lower than this animal of a slave, but he had superior skill in wielding it.

Altecus stood at the foot of the steps, looking up at the cold, solid figure of Magnus. Circe's silver ring glittered mockingly about his neck, as did is sapphire ring. Pointing his sword up at Magnus, he smirked and shouted.

"Magnus, now shall you deal with me!"

Magnus let out a hollow laugh, complimented by his bitter smile. Slowly, he descended the red carpeted stairs.

"You forced us into cruel labor. You called us animals. You treated us like we were nothing. You destroyed my life, Magnus, but your failure was only when you couldn't destroy my dream. Our dream," Altecus called out, taking a breath, as he clutched the silver ring about his neck, praying silently to the darkness for Circe's safety.

"Yes, my only mistake. But I shall crush it now!" Magnus moved to backhand Altecus across the face, but the younger slave was too quick for him. Grabbing his wrist, Altecus forced him to his knees as he made the bones crack. This slave knew how to wield his strength. Magnus, grimacing in pain, aimed his Green Jewel strength at Altecus, throwing him against the palace wall. Rib bones cracked. Men moved to help him, but Altecus motioned them away.

This is my fight

Standing up quickly, Altecus clutched his side and hurled a vat of sapphire power at Magnus. Managing to set up a Green shield, the Sapphire power broke through it, but lost its full power in the process. Magnus, too, was thrown back, but he quickly stood up as well. But Altecus was already rushing toward him, sword drawn. Aiming it down, Magnus rolled away just in time, flicking a blast of Green Jewel strength while he did so. Altecus set up his shield and blocked the attack as his sword came down and went through the marble steps. Yanking it out, he made another blow at Magnus, both with the sword and his sapphire power. This time, he didn't miss. Magnus, clutched his bloody wound as he closed his eyes in the pain the sapphire strength was causing mentally. Pulling the sword out of Magnus' chest, Altecus looked down at him, intent on finishing the kill. Luck played greatly in this battle, for Altecus had little skill in jewels while Magnus had a great amount. But Magnus wasn't very fortunate this time.

The Darkness favored Altecus.

"No, not your only mistake…" Altecus said through halted breath, growing tired of all the fighting and running. And with those final words, Altecus blasted Magnus mind with his Sapphire jewels and burnt his last thoughts to embers. Clutching his sword, Altecus grabbed Magnus by his hair and severed the head. Throwing it at the feet of the palace guards, Altecus eyed them coolly.

"Who now shall stand and fight? Who believes their cause so great?" He called out at them, looking each one, in turn, in the eyes. Without their leader, the men knew they were powerless, and they all either stepped aside or fled. Lowering his sword, Altecus nodded to his men to follow him up the steps.

Checking every room with the doomed queen, they finally came upon one locked door at the very end of the hallway. Smirking with amusement at Veronica's last display of hope, Altecus forced the door open, breaking the purple dusk shield…only to find that no one was there.

Angerily, he turned around to face his men.

"Where is she?!" He called. No one answered. Slaves coming down the hall towards them halted suddenly at Altecus's face. They were done searching the castle for other guards, but now found themselves both afraid and confused. Seeing them, Altecus rushed toward them, taking one of them by his upper arm.

"The Queen-have you seen her?!"

"No, Altecus. There's no one left…" alive. The last word went unspoken. But it was Veronica's disappearance that angered him the most. Frowning he entered the room, searching for any clues of her escape.

But he didn't find any. No secret doors, no trap doors. Nothing. Walking over to the window, Altecus looked outside. A pretty long drop. No one could survive that with magic. But Veronica wasn't stupid enough to jump into the fighting, anyway. And the dead bodies below suggested that there was indeed a fight there. Sighing, Altecus crossed his muscled arms across his chest as he tried to think.

But then, the answer appeared right in front of him. Literally right in front of him. Taking up his sword, Altecus fled from the room and out of the palace. He wasn't sure if his men had followed or not. Or whether it was a trap, but there was only one thing on Altecus' mind right then. And it was this: outside of that window was a view to the entrance to the forest, and a view to anyone running into it…