Chapter Five
Resurrected Empire
A/N: This chapter contains spoilers to the short story, 'Edge of the Throne'. You have been warned.
The prison underneath the Crocus Castle was eerily silent, if one pardoned the low, methodic humming of a certain prisoner. But his voice did not cause the noise. No, his very existence within the cell produced a low but audible hum. The magic-blocking cuffs on his wrists prevented him from casting any spells but yet he still had a dim glow emitting from his body. And his emerald snake eyes stood out against the dark and bleak cell he sat in. His guards were not normal guards, either. They were two women in odd outfits whom he knew to be wizards. Their magic power was easy to detect.
"Would you stop humming?" one of them grumbled. The humming continued and was followed by a laugh from the man inside the cell.
"Take these cuffs off and I can silence you." Ulysses responded. He smiled through the darkness at them. The girl in green turned to glare at him.
"Not a chance. I can feel that magic power from here. If we take those off, we're dead." She said and her glare turned to anxiety as Ulysses glared back with twice the intensity.
"I wouldn't use my magic to kill you." Ulysses retorted and they all fell silent once again. He could tell they were unnerved by him. They had most likely been told stories of his horrendous deeds by the Assyrians. Which he knew were all lies to an extent. But deep in the back of his mind, Ulysses knew he was no saint. But the mood in the dungeon quickly changed as the far door opened and the sound of clanking armor approached. Ulysses was hoping for a friendly face to appear at his door but instead was given Arcadios, the right hand of the Queen.
"Kamika, Cosmos, leave us." Arcadios ordered. The girls nodded and left the dungeon. Arcadios stared down at Ulysses who stared back. Ulysses smiled. Arcadios shuddered ever so slightly.
"Well, well… to what do I owe the pleasure, Arcadios?" Ulysses asked. Arcadios glared at him momentarily.
"You're quite arrogant for someone in chains. I'm here to interrogate you. The Queen wants to know how you ended up in the hands of her friends at the Mermaid Heel guild." Arcadios explained. His statement was met with a laugh from Ulysses.
"And I'm to comply? Why didn't you ask the girls? They were the ones helping the deranged murderer sitting before you. Or so you've been told that's what I am. You don't know a goddamn thing about the situation you're in and here you are, expecting me to tell you everything." Ulysses chuckled. He leaned back against the stonework of his cell and felt the cold wall warm up instantly.
"I'm hoping you're going to comply. I know those women. They're good people, that's what makes this all the more confusing for us. The Assyrian diplomats and their soldiers tell us one thing. But seeing you being hidden and allied with our friends tells us a different story. So which is it?" Arcadios said calmly. The knight was certainly level-headed. Ulysses could see that maybe his words would not be in vain.
"Even you know that it doesn't add up. Do you happen to have my key?" Ulysses asked. Arcadios stared at him curiously before procuring the very object of his query. Ulysses sighed in relief.
"This? What's so important about this key?" Arcadios asked. Ulysses stood up and walked to the bars of his cell. He held his hands out.
"Everything. If those Assyrians get it, then everything I've done up till now would be in vain." Ulysses said. Arcadios glanced between him and the key. A light of understanding glinted in the knight's eyes.
"I see. Captain Joth was insistent I give him this key. But the way you fought us to keep it when we took your weapons and coat… I knew something was up with it. So I kept it and told him you hid it. What's this all about?" Arcadios asked. Ulysses was somewhat relieved and leaned his head on the iron. Arcadios gently set the key in his hands and he gripped it tightly.
"It's the difference between life and death. I can't hope to prove anything to you. Not without witnesses… or by making my enemies show their true colors… so if you trust those girls, then put a little faith in me." Ulysses explained. Arcadios nodded and started to leave.
"Your trial is tomorrow. Hisui plans to hand you over to the Assyrian government. After that, we're not responsible for your actions."
Back in Helios…
The thunderous knocking on the guild doors had everyone nervous. Ultear slowly approached. She assumed the worst. Fines and penalties from the Magic Council. They had been secluded to the hall for a few days now. The guards kept them in with a magic barrier. But as she approached the doors she noticed something was off. The barrier was down. She slowly opened the doors and was greeted by the muzzle of a massive horse.
"Sea-Women of Fiore! Heed my words! We have come for the Sultan of the Ottoman Empire!" a thick accented voice exclaimed from atop the horse. Ultear looked up and recognized the man. Someone Ulysses had named Omar Asuman.
"FOR THE SULTAN!" the army of men behind him yelled. Ultear glanced around the horsemen and saw the armored men beating up the Magic Council guards. She stepped back and watched as their commander dismounted and approached. He bowed to Ultear and smiled.
"Are you Miss Ultear Milkovich, Master of the guild?" the man asked, his hand resting on his curved sword. Ultear nodded slightly, awed by the mass of men who stood at her doorstep. Many of the girls in the guild gathered around to see what the commotion was.
"Wow… who are these men? They seem really similar to Ulysses." Mira commented as she stood before the soldiers.
"I'm glad you asked, Miss. We are the First Legion of the Ottoman Empire's Janissary Corps. I am the Supreme Commander of the Janissaries, Omar Asuman." Omar explained and bowed again. His men bowed as well and cheered.
"Oh… What is your business, Commander Asuman?" Ultear asked as she regained her composure. She was a guild master. She had to deal with these men. Omar banged his fist against his breastplate and held his other to the sky.
"We have come for the Sultan, our great leader! Or as you may know him, Ulysses Mehmet Ottoman, First son of Xerxes Mehmet Ottoman and Heir to the throne of the Ottoman Empire. The Sultan of Sultans, Khan of Khans, and true ruler of the Far East! Destroyer of the Three Ancient Foes! The Sultan, Ulysses Ottoman!"
"Ulysses… is an Emperor?"
The day of his trial came. Ulysses was escorted by a hundred soldiers to the court of the royal palace. He was put before a podium and stared down Queen Hisui on her throne. To her left stood Arcadios who looked on with both sorrow and distrust. To her right stood the one Ulysses wanted to kill more than anyone else in the room, Captain Joth, an Assyrian. The Assyrians guarding him were more than confident. Their arrogant grins were pissing Ulysses off. A few wizards were near the throne as well. Ulysses presumed they were from this Magic Council he had heard about. Silence ruled the room for several moments.
"Ulysses 'Platinum' Ottoman. You are accused of myriad crimes against both my country, and Assyria, including war crimes and subterfuge. What do you have to say for yourself?" Queen Hisui stated from her throne. Ulysses stood in the center of the room with eyes all over him. Even eyes who were behind glass. He looked up at Hisui and then turned his glare to the Assyrians around him.
"I'm going to kill every Assyrian dog-shit in this room." Ulysses stated with venom dripping from his voice. The Assyrians all shared a nervous chuckle. They knew he could. The Queen raised a hand for silence.
"You have been captured and restrained, yet you still resist. Wizard Saints of the Magic Council, do you have anything to add to this trial?" Queen Hisui asked. The group of men at the base of the steps to the throne sent a small man into the middle of the room. He stopped before Ulysses and looked up at him. Ulysses stared down at him with a rage growing rapidly behind his eyes.
"Platinum, you've wormed your way into one of our Legal Guilds and manipulated them into hiding you away. What say you to this accusation?" The small man asked. Ulysses felt his eye twitch. He knew he had no one to vouch for him. Even if his story did not add up from either side, the Assyrians had a diplomatic advantage. Ulysses' only hope was for a bloody end.
"Why don't you ask them? See how well your bullshit holds up." Ulysses spat. The short wizard sighed.
"We were told that by one of their members. She informed the Assyrians of your location. She said you were threatening them with death if they did not comply." The Wizard Saint explained. Ulysses' eyes widened and he now understood. He had been betrayed.
Who was it…? Who told them? I didn't… I didn't want them involved in the first place. They could have kicked me out at any point… I suppose I deserve some of this for intruding on their lives. I'm sure not everyone there wanted to help me. Ulysses thought and felt his anger drain away. It was replaced by guilt and longing. And an impatience for this day to be over.
"I see. Not much we can do, now. It's up to the Queen." The wizard said quietly. Ulysses watched him walk away and his words burned into his mind. The Queen called for silence again.
"There is nothing disproving the accusations against you. I hereby rule that Ulysses 'Platinum' Ottoman is to be handed over to Assyrian authorities. This hearing is now adjourned." Queen Hisui decreed. Ulysses sighed. He suspected as much would be done with him. The shackles about his wrists began to heat up. The Assyrian captain spoke with the Queen as the wizards made their exit and Assyrian soldiers surrounded Ulysses. He started laughing. The throne room grew quiet.
"You have no idea what you're dealing with."
The windows surrounding the throne room shattered as Golden Skull assassins broke in from every orifice, including the main doors. They first killed the royal guards and engaged the Assyrian soldiers. Ulysses overheated his binds and snapped them with ease. His magic was back in his control. He immediately summoned his sword and decapitated both an Assyrian and a Skull with the first swing. An assassin broke in behind the throne as all hell let loose.
"Princess!" Arcadios cried as the assassins appeared by the throne. Hisui cried out and before Arcadios could engage them, one was killed instantly as Ulysses appeared and ran him through.
"Queen Hisui, are you okay?" Ulysses asked as he tossed the assassin away. The Queen was surprised by his intervention, as was Arcadios who now had to engage another Skull. Ulysses did not bother waiting for an answer as another Skull snuck up on him. But before he reacted, the assassin was put down by someone who appeared from seemingly nowhere.
Where the hell did he come from? Ulysses wondered as the black cloaked man pulled his sword out of the Skull assassin. Ulysses slightly recognized the man and they shared a nod of understanding before engaging the other assassins that appeared. The cloaked man danced between them, vaporizing in black mist before reappearing to kill another. Ulysses parried, slashed, and stabbed his way through several Skulls with ease. More poured in from the windows.
"I'll protect the Queen. It's my job, after all. You take your men and deal with those assassins." The black cloaked man said. Ulysses glanced between him and the battle in the throne room with utter confusion.
"My men?"
"FOR THE SULTAN!" The doors to the throne room were suddenly overrun with a sight Ulysses was delighted to see. A hundred Janissaries burst into the throne room and engaged both the Golden Skull and the Assyrians who were still left. Ulysses jumped down the throne stairs and engaged the nearest Skull assassin. Soon enough the three-way engagement was nearly over as the Golden Skull were slaughtered by the Janissaries and their masterful leader. The Assyrians dropped their arms as the last assassin was decapitated by a very annoyed Ulysses who stood in front of his forces who continued to grow in number as they arrived at the castle.
"Well now… that was fun." The black cloaked man said, gaining the attention of the room. Everyone who was alive after the fight were confused by his presence. He dropped his hood and Ulysses fully recognized him.
"Zen Ezren. So you're not some everyday assassin… But a Queen's bodyguard?" Ulysses said with a grin. Zen grinned back and bowed slightly while sheathing his sword. A sword that Ulysses made.
"Pleased to see you again, Hephaestus. Or should I call you Emperor Ulysses?" Zen wondered as he stepped down the staircase. He walked past an Assyrian soldier who he simply stabbed in the neck with a sai. The other Assyrians were both horrified and angered.
"What is the matter with you!? If you work for the Kingdom of Fiore-!" the Assyrian captain stopped yelling when Zen appeared behind him with a blade to his neck. Ulysses watched on with interest.
"Shut your filthy mouth. You were planning on killing the Queen if things went south so you could take control and blame it on the Sultan here, further vilifying him. So, I'm going to let the proud Sultan of the Ottoman Empire decide your fate." Zen said and suddenly appeared by Ulysses' side. Ulysses gave him a nod and decapitated the Assyrian captain without another word. He wiped his sword off and sheathed it.
"Janissaries!" Ulysses started. His men stood at attention and saluted. Ulysses turned to his men and smiled at them. Many of them smiled back. He spoke to them in Arabic. "You heard the words of the Queen's assassin. Take these Assyrian dogs away and execute them!"
"YES SIR!" the Janissaries exclaimed in unison. Several of them stepped forward and seized the Assyrians and took them back outside. A familiar face made himself visible to Ulysses as he entered the palace.
"My Sultan! You live! Praise be to Allah!" Omar Asuman exclaimed as he spotted Ulysses.
"Janissary Grand Commander Omar Asuman, I've got to say I'm really happy to see you guys." Ulysses responded and shook hands with the Commander. Omar cried tears of joy as his men rejoiced and cheered over their dual victories. Ulysses could not help but smile.
"Might I interject?" Queen Hisui wondered as she approached the crowd. She stepped over the bodies on the floor but tripped and nearly fell. She was saved, however, when Zen appeared at her side and hoisted her into his arms. She smiled at him as he gently set her down before Ulysses. Arcadios, tired and slightly battered, approached as well. Queen Hisui bowed low to Ulysses.
"I am sorry, Your Majesty… I was not aware of your title or the plots against me by those I considered allies. And I thank you for keeping me safe. I have deeply wronged you." Queen Hisui said quietly. Ulysses shook his head and held his hand out to her.
"Rise, Queen of Fiore. You were once a strong ally to my nation. You were led astray by those far less noble than yourself. I don't blame you for this." Ulysses said. Hisui stood up and took his hand. They shook and the room fell silent. Silent until Queen Hisui started lightly hitting Zen on the chest.
"Dammit Zen! Why didn't you tell me he was the Ottoman's Leader!? We could've avoided this whole fiasco!" Hisui exclaimed with a pout. Zen laughed and caught her hands.
"I would've known sooner if my spies hadn't been assassinated by the Golden Skull. That, and by the time I saw the Janissaries coming and figured out he was the Sultan, the fun in the throne room had already started. Sorry, but I was figuratively blinded this time." Zen explained. As Ulysses watched the two interact he soon realized something.
"Like the time you lost your eye saving me…?" Hisui wondered quietly. Zen nodded as she gently touched the eye patch over his left eye. Ulysses cleared his throat and gained their attention.
"As fun as it is watching a couple quarrel and makeup, I think I'm owed a bit of business here." Ulysses stated. Hisui blushed furiously as Zen started chuckling.
"You sure are. Here, I recovered your jacket and knives. I figured you would want them back." Zen said and procured Ulysses' things from a pocket dimension. Ulysses gratefully accepted his items and put everything back on his person.
"Zen! You can't break into the evidence locker and take stuff out!" Arcadios shouted in anger. Zen snorted at him.
"I didn't break in… I teleported." Zen responded. Arcadios looked like a volcano about to explode while Zen and Hisui giggled together. Ulysses sighed and put away his sword as well. He was about to continue trying to resolve his situation when his Janissaries started getting pushed around behind him.
"Hmm?"
"ULYSSES!" a crowd of familiar women came bursting from the mass of Janissaries. Erza, Kagura, Mira, Ultear, and even Lucy and Wendy crashed down on Ulysses in a massive hug. Lucy and Wendy were not a part of it, but the other four tackled Ulysses to the ground in a fit of worry and happiness.
"Holy shit… where did you girls come from?" Ulysses wondered from beneath the mass of women. He felt several soft and squishy parts of them on both his face, chest, and other parts of his body. They eventually untangled themselves slightly but Ultear remained sitting atop Ulysses as he sat up. Zen, Hisui, and Arcadios watched on with smiles.
"Oh, there's my handsome blacksmith… I'm glad to see you're okay! Come here!" Ultear exclaimed. She grabbed Ulysses and pulled.
"What are you-!? HUMPH!" Gasps filled the room from both the Mermaid Heel girls and the Janissaries. Ulysses was in a state of limbo between shock and pleasure as Ultear pressed her lips against his and hugged him close. The kiss lasted for several seconds, filling the sword smith with a stimulating sensation. Ultear eventually pulled away to catch her breath and licked her lips. Ulysses, red-faced and dumbfounded, simply sat on the floor trying to process what had happened. Ultear looked around and smiled sheepishly. Erza, Kagura, and Mira were glaring at her. Lucy looked on with a hint of envy and disgust. Wendy's face was hidden by a very upset Carla.
"Oh… oops. I guess I got a little carried away." Ultear giggled. She continued laughing as she was hoisted to her feet by the trio of annoyed women.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING!?"
"T-T-THAT WAS EXTREMELY INAPPROPRIATE!"
"Yeah, what if Ulysses didn't want that!?"
Ulysses himself found the ability to stand once again with the help of Omar. The Janissaries were proud and happy for him. Ulysses was still in shock. But a reassessment of the situation broke his stupor and he regained his composure. Despite an obvious blush on his face, he wormed around the arguing girls to speak to the Queen.
"A-Anyway… I think that we have some things to discuss. I, uh… I'll be taking my men with me back to Helios to talk with them about the Empire's situation. Unless you have any opposition to this?" Ulysses said to Hisui. She shook her head and her cheeky smile made Ulysses' eye twitch.
"None at all. I'll be expelling or capturing any Assyrian forces from the country and I'm officially recognizing you as the government of the Ottoman Empire in Exile. We'll discuss details after I have this mess cleaned up…" Hisui said. She glanced down at one of the dead assassins and suddenly shivered. Zen put a comforting arm around her. Ulysses, still slightly embarrassed, shook hands with Zen and Hisui.
"Great. Thank you. I'll be taking my leave. If you have any further need of me or my men, you know where to find us." Ulysses said and began walking away.
"Ah, a moment, Your Majesty," Hisui called. Ulysses stopped and turned to face her. Hisui smiled and waved Arcadios over. "I'll be sending Arcadios down with some men to build your men a barracks. Helios is officially your exile capital for your empire."
"Again… thank you, Queen Hisui…" Ulysses said. His men split to open a path and Omar followed Ulysses as he began to leave. The girls of Mermaid Heel noticed and ran to catch up. But Ulysses stopped and looked back at the Queen and her guards.
"And for the foreseeable future, please call me Ulysses."
The Janissaries were the talk of every town on the march back to Helios. Ulysses walked ahead of his men, sword strapped to his side with Commander Omar beside him. While his dress was plain, his conduct was that of an Emperor, as he truly was one to his men. The girls of Mermaid Heel were crowded around him as well. Many of his men were slightly confused and some even angered by their proximity to the Sultan. When they reached Helios the tension erupted. Ulysses halted his men at the gates.
"My Sultan! Might I speak openly!?" a Janissary officer called. He stepped forward and bent his knee to Ulysses.
"Speak freely. You see me as your Sultan, I see you as my friends." Ulysses responded in Arabic. Many of his men's morale was enriched by his words. The officer lifted his head to speak.
"Many of us do not approve of these heathen women being so close to you, my Sultan! A Sultan is the greatest ruler of the world over! His will is Allah's will!" the officer exclaimed. Ulysses was unsure of how to handle his men. He had only recently been given control of them and barely remembered how to rule. He sighed slightly and turned to Commander Omar.
"Commander… what do you think? These women are the ones who sheltered and took care of me while I was trapped in Fiore." Ulysses stated. Omar nodded and stepped forward to his men.
"Janissaries, our Sultan speaks true. These women are allies to the Ottoman Empire! But as you saw in the palace, they are most certainly going to be the Sultan's harem!" Omar exclaimed to his men. The air of uncertainty about the girls was shattered by a swath of cheers and praises. They started chanting "Praise the Sultan! Praise the Sultan!"
"Um… Ulysses, what's going on?" Erza asked to the horrified Ulysses. He lowered his head and tried to rub the pain out. Rather than being normal and explaining his friendship to his men, Ulysses broke his own back.
"You… you don't want to know." Ulysses muttered. His entire existence was just a series of fast, brutal fights with interfolds of ridiculous situations. He stepped forward and pulled Omar aside. The Commander smiled at him. Ulysses glared back.
"What in the absolute fuck were you thinking!?" Ulysses hissed.
"Oh, well you see… The men are very strict about the cultural and religious rules of our nation. You have lived in the west for too long! The men will not accept a group of women being your aids unless you accept them into your harem, as per the rules of our religion. If you want your men's support, then you will act as though they are yours." Omar explained calmly. Ulysses felt his anger disperse. The Commander was right.
All this time and I've forgotten what my home was like. Father had… innumerable wives. Omar is right… if I want these men to remain loyal to me, then I should act like their Sultan. I guess them seeing Ultear assault me put that idea in their heads as well. They were talking about it the whole way here… Ulysses thought. He sighed and whistled to his men. They settled down and became orderly without another word. Ulysses prepared himself for the inevitable.
"I am your Sultan. My word is law! You are my friends and my soldiers. And I will do whatever I can to reestablish our empire. If there are people like you out there, still loyal to their Sultan, then the Ottoman Empire can be reborn. Commander Omar is right! Glory to the Ottoman Empire!" Ulysses called to his men. The Janissaries, all five thousand of them, cheered on and celebrated.
Well I never thought this day would come. I don't have to hide anymore. I have support now. I have what little of my home that is left… Ulysses thought. He had, against all odds, survived persecution and avoided capture by his enemies. While his men were not numerous, he now had the opportunity to strike out openly against his foes. At least, to an extent.
"Ulysses… what are you telling them?" Mira asked. Ulysses turned to her and soon realized he had been speaking Arabic this whole time.
"Oh, sorry. I was telling them pretty much what they wanted to hear. I'm the Emperor, we'll restore the Empire, stuff like that. You guys are my harem, you know." Ulysses said nonchalantly. He then realized what he said. The girls shared some confused looks until Ultear started laughing evilly. Ulysses shot her a glare.
"Oh Ulysses… I knew your people were exotic, but to take all of us as wives? I underestimated you." Ultear said. Her words struck deep into the other girls. Ulysses was once again horrified.
"Goddammit! Wait, wait, wait! Before anyone freaks out, let me just situate my men and I'll explain everything! Okay?" Ulysses said quickly, hoping to kill any opposition or angry bouts before they happened. Erza, Kagura, Mira, Lucy, and Wendy leered at him for a few moments. Ulysses took their silence as his cue and turned back to his men.
"Men! Your first order of business is to set up camp outside the city! Queen Hisui has promised to build barracks in due time, so a camp will suffice. Commander Omar, when everyone is situated I want you to set up a guard patrol for the city and set two guards outside the Mermaid Heel guild hall. They are to be rotated on an eight to ten hour basis! MOVE OUT!" Ulysses shouted. His men saluted him and mobilized. When they all took off to set up camp, Ulysses turned his attention back to the girls. But he found himself alone outside the city.
"What the-? HEY! WAIT UP!" Ulysses yelled and took off after the fuming ladies.
"So what's this all about!? A harem!? What even is that!?" Mira shouted. They had collected in the Undercroft and sat Ulysses in front of the forge. He sighed and tried not to crack under the pressurized gazes of the girls.
"Look, this is just a little bit of a misunderstanding. First off, I'm an Ottoman… Our country is mainly Islamic, an old, strict religion. It was both required by law, and traditional for men of noble or high status to take multiple wives. So, to make sure my men support me as their leader, Omar suggested that your presence around me is to be treated in the same manner… Well he announced it, but I see the logic." Ulysses explained calmly. He was not met with calm responses. Only silence. The irony was not lost to him.
I can't believe I just explained that to a WOMENS ONLY GUILD! I'm totally a dead man… Ulysses thought with a sigh. But as the silence continued it made him curious. He glanced up to see the girls pondering his words. Erza was not even facing him. Kagura was slightly red in the face. Mira also did not look directly at him. Lucy seemed the most level-headed of them all. Wendy was not even in the room. Ultear, however, seemed both happy and to be plotting malevolent deeds.
"I read about that somewhere before. It's almost the opposite of the Babylonians who treat the Priestess of Ishtar like the goddess herself and she takes as many men as she wants." Lucy noted. Ulysses was relieved to hear her knowledgeable response.
"Exactly… Well, no. We're nothing like those savages. But the idea is the same, excepting that she does not need to marry them. If an Ottoman man is to take a woman for himself then he must marry her into his harem and care for her well-being." Ulysses explained. Lucy was intrigued by the concept. The others were lost in their own minds.
"So, who's gonna be first? Please say me…" Ultear said teasingly. Ulysses leveled a glare at her that slowly disappeared as she bit her lip and pushed up her bust. The sight before him reminded him of her advances in the throne room this past morning. Ulysses felt his body heat up on its own and he blushed. He looked away and resisted an urge that told him to say yes.
Holy shit… Ulysses thought as his body went into full overdrive. His instincts kicked in and he did his best to avoid looking at Ultear. She was… alluring to say the least.
What the hell compelled her to do that, anyway?
"Yeah right, like Ulysses wants an old bag like you!" Mira said suddenly. Ultear whined and sniffled. Ulysses glanced up to watch the inexplicable exchange.
"Aw, I'm not that old! I'm only twenty eight! That's still young!" Ultear whined. Ulysses was surprised. She was not much older than he was. He just happened to turn twenty-three the same day he was captured.
"You're twenty-eight? Huh… I thought you were at least as old as I was. And you're the guild master, huh." Ulysses said. Since Ultear had been insulted she stopped trying to seduce him, which helped him calm down.
"Aw, thank you, Ulysses. You're such a sweetie. But… how old are you, then?" Ultear wondered.
"Twenty-three. My birthday was just a few days ago but… it was also the day I was captured." Ulysses said and instantly regretted it. All the girls turned their attention to him.
"Wait, we missed your birthday?" Mira wondered. Ulysses nodded and waved her off.
"Yeah, don't worry about it. It wasn't important." Ulysses said. His attempt to play it off failed as Ultear suddenly hugged him.
"Aw, poor thing! I can't believe we missed your birthday! We have to celebrate!"
"Yeah!"
"…Um, we?"
The night turned late as the women of Mermaid Heel partied for a reason they were still unsure about. Ultear had simply walked upstairs and announced a party, all the while dragging Ulysses along behind her. He had protested for a while up until someone handed him a drink and he decided some relaxation was well-earned. Ulysses was currently sitting in the huge dining hall, watching the women have fun when a knock came at the front door. In the brief moment he was left alone, Ulysses got up and headed for the doors. He opened them to find Omar Asuman and some officers awaiting him.
"My Sultan, I've come to inform you that your men are all set up and ready for anything. Do you have any further orders for us?" Omar asked with a bow. Ulysses smiled and ported some money into his hand. He gave it to Omar and pointed out into the city.
"Here, take that and get the men some drinks and hot food. Just enough to lift their spirits. It's a good time to relax, after all." Ulysses said to them. Omar looked through the money and saluted with a big smile.
"Thank you, my Sultan. You are most generous and kind. I will ensure the men have a good night. Might I ask what the occasion is?" Omar said. Ulysses shrugged and took a drink. Alcohol did not affect him as much as a normal person. One of his various quirks.
"The day I was captured was my birthday. Guild Master Ultear suggested a party for me. I don't quite agree with it but, might as well have some fun." Ulysses said. Omar and his men gasped.
"The Sultan's Birthday!? We must celebrate! Thank you, my Sultan! We shall celebrate in your honor! Praise the Sultan!" Omar exclaimed. The officers echoed his praise and they set off for the night. Ulysses shut the guild doors and barred them. Just as he went to head back to the party a drunk Ultear appeared and threw herself against him.
"Oof, Ultear? You alright?" Ulysses wondered as Ultear leaned on him. She looked up at him and smiled. Her lips glistened in the chandelier light. Ulysses felt his heart pulsate.
"I'm… great. You know, I didn't kiss you today just to make a scene. Would you believe me if I told you it was because I like you?" Ultear asked and pressed her hand against his chest. Her other hand held an empty bottle of sake. Ulysses put an arm around her to steady her.
"Not in the slightest." Ulysses answered. Ultear sighed and failed to hit him on the head with the bottle. Ulysses found himself staring into her deep, red eyes.
"You damn idiot… How dense can you be? A woman throws herself at you and that's your response?" Ultear muttered and pressed herself against him. Ulysses felt himself getting excited. His heart rate sped up and he was admiring Ultear's womanly features. Right up until she passed out against him, snoring and drooling away like it was her job. For a moment he had thought this chaotic, cruel world was throwing him a bone. But he remembered the small, joyful amenities and the jovial, carefree lifestyle that many lived was not his to take part in. No, as Ulysses gently took Ultear away from the festivities and laid her to rest in her quarters, he knew he was the pariah of the world.
I have, and will continue to miss out on the luxuries and beautiful things this world has to offer. I cannot return to the life I once knew. I am the only thing that stands between the untold horrors my enemies may inflict, and eternal mystery. To the north we go… Ulysses turned and left Ultear alone. He was spotted by several of the girls in the guild heading back into the Undercroft. It was there he would bide his time and plan his next move.
The Next Day…
Ulysses stood in the Undercroft working tirelessly on another weapon. One he thought he might need. It was a large sword with what appeared to be a heavy blade. Everything he was doing with said blade was going against everything the Royal blacksmith had ever taught him. From how unbelievably heavy the sword was, to how awkward a thick metal guard and pommel would be to wield. But it all had its purpose. Once it was finished, it looked like a crude, iron slab. Too big, too heavy, and too thick to be called a sword. But it had a purpose.
Perfect. Ulysses thought as the door to the Undercroft opened. He added the sword to his pocket dimension collection as the group he summoned descended the stairs. Omar Asuman, followed by several senior officers were the first to gather at a large table centered in the Undercroft. Following them was Ultear with Meredy, Erza, Kagura, Mira, Lucy, and Wendy for some reason. He had not requested for her to join them, but nonetheless was pleased to see the blue haired girl.
"Good. You're all here." Ulysses said as he approached the table. It had a map of Fiore in the center and several reports that had been quickly written up by his officers. Everything from how they got to the guild hall, to a detailed report on the fight inside the palace, and reports on the war currently ravaging the northernmost point of the country.
"What are all these squiggly lines?" Mira asked as she picked up a report. Ulysses leaned over and plucked it from her grasp, returning it to the correct pile.
"It's our language in written form. Omar and I can translate the important parts, as most of my men don't speak your language." Ulysses explained. Omar glanced between Ulysses and the women.
"My Sultan, what is their language, exactly?" One of his officers asked. Ulysses stopped for a moment and stared at the map.
"I think it was originally Japanese but for some reason, everything so far has been written in English."
"What?" several of the people before him exclaimed. He dismissed their confusion with a wave of his hand and pointed at the map.
"All of northern Fiore, including several of her neighbors, are occupied by the Hittite forces who invaded not too long ago. Though they are being held back by the Fiore Army. Omar, please explain how you managed to get through after getting my message." Ulysses stated. Attention turned to the Commander who leaned on the table. He pointed to a central point near the northern border of Fiore.
"Here is where we found passage. I assume it is still unguarded, as large, venomous scorpions fill this desert valley. It seems the Hittites found them too strong when securing the route that runs through their conquered territory. Luckily one of our junior officers is a scorpion whisperer. As we left the valley, some scouts saw and reported us, but we moved too quickly for any units to follow us. I believe this valley is still an unsecured passage." Omar explained. Ulysses nodded and gestured to Ultear.
"This valley, does it have a name?" Ulysses asked. Mira leaned over the table and nodded as she looked at the spot.
"Sandtrap Valley. It's extremely dangerous for any non-wizards trekking through there. Erza went up there once simply to get a neurotoxin to spike my drink with." Mira said with a glare directed at Erza. Ulysses stared on in confusion.
"What could you have possibly done with that?" Ulysses asked. Erza chuckled and pointed at Mira.
"I paralyzed her and tied her up. She had been arrogant in assuming nothing could stop her 'unbridled power'." Erza explained. Ulysses suddenly imagined what that looked like and had to flush the image from his mind. He cleared his throat and picked up one of the reports.
"Anyway… could someone write all this down to send to the Queen? Preferably so she may read it?" Ulysses requested. He gently set the report down and grabbed the handle of one of his knives as a presence made itself known above them. But he did not draw his dagger once the figure dropped from the ceiling and unfolded a wooden chair to sit on.
"I'll relay it back to her, no worries, Emperor Ulysses." Zen Ezren said as he kicked back next to Ulysses. Everyone else was stunned to see the Queen's bodyguard suddenly appear. But before any protests or violence could break out, Ulysses raised a steady hand.
"Zen, you could have entered through the doors. My men would have let you in, since you bear the Queen's mark." Ulysses said, gesturing to the brooch on Zen's cloak. Zen chuckled and spun his sai around his finger.
"Oh well…" Zen chuckled.
"If you weren't Hisui's bodyguard, I might have cut you down myself…" Erza said as she, and everyone else, relaxed. Zen chuckled again.
"The only person who saw me coming is the guy with all the knives in the world to stab me with. If anyone wanted to stab me, Ulysses would've beat all of you to that punch. Beat to the stab? Is that a thing? Stab first, ask questions later? No that's my catchphrase." Zen mumbled on for another moment before quieting down. Ulysses sighed and started to put a plan together in his head.
"Omar," he started. His commander bowed slightly and stood at attention. "Put together an expedition to move north. A small team of some of our best. We need to move fast and quietly."
"Of course, my Sultan." Omar saluted and gathered his officers. They left quickly to execute their lord's orders. Zen suddenly vanished after he finished writing in his little book. Ulysses sighed at the eccentric man's actions and slowly walked away from the large planning table. The events of the past few days replayed in his mind. And he was reminded of how his location was uncovered.
"Ultear…" Ulysses called and turned around. She was suddenly in front of him with a sensual smile plastered on her face. She traced a pattern on his chest with her finger.
"Yes… Emperor?" Ultear wondered. Ulysses disliked how she referred to him but elected to ignore it in favor of the larger issue at hand.
"Who in this guild… knows all about my present situation? Or at least ninety percent of it?" Ulysses asked. He remembered the words of the Wizard Saint who interrogated him.
"Erza… Kagura, Mira, Lucy, Wendy, Meredy, Me, and Minerva… I believe that's everyone." Ultear answered as she turned and leaned against him. Much to the annoyance of a select few in the room. Ulysses ignored her for a moment as he thought. Everyone she listed was in the room, excepting Wendy and Minerva.
Wendy is too innocent. She'd have even admitted to it by now. That leaves Minerva… which makes way too much sense. Ulysses thought. He patted Ultear on the shoulder and she glanced up. Her smile faded when she saw how serious his emerald eyes were.
"Ultear, where is Minerva?"
Elsewhere in Fiore…
"Why should we trust you? Our spies saw you talking with the Assyrian commander… who is now dead. Because Platinum broke free and turned Fiore against them. Granted, you took out one of our enemies indirectly by leading them to him, but now his allies have grown." Second Commander Matti Lesoz said to the woman sitting in his tent. A woman outfitted in even more grandiose armor than his own paced behind him. They commanded the Hittite 4th Army of the Lion. The army that had invaded Fiore to find the man Matti mentioned.
"Look, you can accuse me of being a two-faced traitor all day… But I just want part of what is in that Vault he mentioned. And I'll tell you how to get to him for that price. Only a small portion." Their guest responded. Matti's commander and wife, Ruea, stopped pacing and smiled.
"Get to him, you say? Now how would we do that? Are you saying one of his loved ones survived the collapse?"
"Collapse? Oh, no. But there's someone he's close to."
Outside Helios…
Ulysses paced back and forth in front of the gates as he waited for the women's return from the other guild. They had travelled to Blue Pegasus in another town to check for Minerva. She had told Ultear she was going to visit a friend in the guild, and the story certain held up until now. Some of his men stood with him but one of them called out as one of his scouts came rushing back. It was the one he sent to follow the girls.
I knew I should've went with them… But Ultear assured me they would be safe…
"SOLDIER! REPORT!" Ulysses bellowed. The scout's horse skidded to a halt before Ulysses and the soldier jumped down and bowed to him.
"SIR! The Hittites! They came rushing out of nowhere and ambushed them!" The scout exclaimed. Ulysses froze for a moment.
Ambushed? How did they get this far south? I thought the Fiore Army had them in a stalemate?
"My lord?" the scout wondered. Ulysses suddenly snapped out of thought and roared in anger. He summoned a sword and took the scout's horse. His men cried out in alarm.
"JANISSARIES! WE RIDE TO WAR!"
A Field Near the Blue Pegasus Guild:
"Damn… they're a lot tougher than they look." Mira said as she landed next to Erza. Kagura continued to fight for a moment longer before retreating from the fray. They had been fighting a huge onslaught of enchanted stone golems. Across the field was a small army with a couple out in front as their commanders. Next to the woman was a column of stone that held Ultear captive. The woman was a powerful wizard who conducted the stone golems.
"You three are the strongest 'Mermaids'? How pathetic. Where is Platinum!?" the woman shouted. Before any of the girls could retort, the sound of thundering hooves started growing closer. From the west, as though summoned by name, came a furious Ulysses. He slowed the horse and leapt from the saddle, landing with a crack in front of the girls. A moment later almost all of the Janissaries showed up, decked out in their armor and armed to the teeth.
"Well, might I say… you're a lot smaller than I expected." The Hittite commander said. Ulysses breathed hard as he assessed the situation. He immediately noticed Ultear had been captured, and knew something was afoot.
I feel Minerva has gone so far as to betray her own guild mates. Why else would they target the girls? To get to me. Ulysses held up a hand, signaling his men to hold position. They readied their weapons.
"I know you. Commander Ruea Lesoz, head of the Hittite fourth army of the Lion. So you're the one who's been barring my path north?" Ulysses said. He was pissed beyond mortal comprehension. But he held his composure.
"Ah, I had hoped your dear, stupid father had told you about me. I am the Mistress of Granite, our great Empire's most successful commander. And I have your precious girlfriend here in my grasp." Ruea said mockingly. She raised her right hand and slowly closed her fist. Ultear screamed as the stone tightened around her. Ulysses' eyes widened.
"STOP!" He bellowed. Ruea smiled and loosened her grip. Ulysses surprised himself. He looked back at Erza, Kagura, and Mira for a moment before slowly sheathing his sword.
"I see… you do like these girls. How pathetic…" Ruea said. With a snap of her fingers, all of the golems in the field crumbled to bits. She slowly stalked forward and stopped halfway across the field.
"What is she doing?" Erza wondered. They watched as Ruea reached her hand out and pointed at Ulysses.
"This plan worked perfectly to lure you out, Platinum. Now then, hand over your key." Ruea demanded. Ulysses sighed. He should have known. But how was he to predict such a thing would happen?
It's always my fault… I keep getting these girls wrapped up in all this conspiracy… these lies and deadly situations… and now my plans are completely fucked! Ulysses sighed and held his head. He was going to make his way north, and leave Fiore. Forever. He was to continue his quest to destroy his key, alone. He took a deep breath.
"Is that all you want? Is this key?" Ulysses asked, pulling the key out from his shirt. Ruea smiled and held her hand out.
"Mostly. Will you give it to me? Or should I kill your precious woman?" Ruea asked. Ulysses was silent for a moment. What was more important?
Ultear… you showed me kindness and mercy when no one else would, and risked everything to help me…
Ulysses gripped the key tightly. Slowly he put it back in his shirt. His sword vanished. He took off his jacket and held it behind him.
"Erza." He stated. Erza perked up and quickly approached him. He handed her his jacket, while simultaneously summoning three more identical ones.
"Ulysses?"
"Take these. You three wear them, and don't take them off."
"Ulysses-!"
"DO AS I COMMAND!" Ulysses shouted, squashing Erza's protest. She nodded solemnly and hustled back over to Mira and Kagura. They donned their coats. Erza held the extra.
"What's this about, Platinum? Are you going to give me the key or not?" Ruea demanded. Ulysses sighed and stared her down with his glowing green eyes. She was disturbed by the glare and Ulysses shifted his vision to Ultear.
"Ultear… Do you trust me?" Ulysses asked, loud enough for the whole field to hear. Ultear stared back.
"Yes!"
"PLATINUM! Answer my damn question! I'm not getting any younger!" Ruea got fed up with being ignored. She went to squeeze Ultear again, but a sudden shockwave erupted from Ulysses and made everyone stagger. Aftershocks rumbled the dirt below their feet.
"You're right. And you won't be getting any older."
The ground kept rumbling. Slowly a bright aura formed around Ulysses and a white glow came off his skin. Then, he screamed out to the sky and a huge pylon of bright light erupted from him into the sky. It parted the clouds and darkened the sky. The light died down and left Ulysses glowing and brimming with power.
"My word… his magic power is overwhelming…" Erza said breathlessly. They watched with awe as Ulysses' intense power affected the world around them. The ground he stood on started rapidly heating up. He took a step forward and shook the earth, and the dirt melted where he stepped. Then, he vanished with a sonic boom. The ground where he stood shattered as he sailed past Ruea and through the stone that held Ultear. He landed in front of the Hittite army with her in his arms. Ultear stared at him, completely stunned.
"Ulysses?" she wondered. He simply grinned and jumped back across the field, landing next to Erza, Mira, and Kagura. He set Ultear down and stalked back towards Ruea. Erza immediately put the extra coat on Ultear.
"Now then, Ruea…" Ulysses said as he faced her. The Hittite commander was stunned but quickly grew enraged. She covered her hands in stone and summoned several stone golems.
"I'll give you the fucking key. Right after I boil you alive."
Intensity, Guile, Lies, Conspiracies.
The scrolls that hide Ulysses' lies are starting to unravel and burn.
See what happens next time, with Bonds.