Authors Note: Thanks again everyone for all the support on this story. Your reviews are awesome and I am grateful for them.
I have a question. I want to add pictures to my story because it feels so bland without one. What is the deal with that? The terms say that I need to own the picture, or I need to get permission to use a picture. So to me, that means that I cannot just google the picture I want to use and use it in my profile. What are your thoughts on that? I found a few pictures that would look cool, but I don't know if referencing where I got the picture will be enough.
Also, this chapter will be a little dark. You have been warned.
Warning: Spelling will be the death of me. I tried really hard to catch them, but I may have missed a few.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything.
Anyway, thanks again for your reviews. Please enjoy the chapter.
A Heart in the Void
Chapter 5
Much to his extreme agitation, Roxas knew that he would have to wait until nightfall before he made his move. Knowing about Louise's insane ability to throw a fit about absolutely everything, he decided that it would be wise not to tell her about what he was going to do. Siesta didn't mean anything to her, but to Roxas, she was an important friend and he was not going to let her suffer.
Roxas rested his back against the wall of Louis's room as he waited for her to fall asleep. It had taken all of his self-restraint not to rush over to Count Motts place and rip him a new one, but he had learned the hard way that you cannot just rush blindly into a fight. That was how Riku defeated him in the first place.
He decided that night would be the best time to act, plus no one would see him leave, so no one could stop him.
It was thanks to Guiche that he had a general idea of where Count Mott lived. It kind of surprised Roxas that Guiche had helped him out. There was something a little different about the blond haired mage since their first encounter. Guiche had even told him a little about Count Mott's abilities, including his status as a triangle class mage, and his gifted affinity for water. He really pulled through for Roxas, and that was an unexpected surprise because Roxas felt that Guiche would hate him after their battle.
Roxas shook his head as he tried to focus on more important matters. He glanced over at Louise, who was laying on her bed, snoring softly into her pillow. He gave a deep breath before he slowly stood on his feet and snuck out of the room. He knew he had to be quick because he had no idea what Count Mott would do to Siesta. He dearly wished that he could just use the Corridor of darkness and instantly teleport to Count Motts place, but he had never been there before.
Roxas quickly ran through the academy before he ended up outside. The dual moons were glowing brightly in the night sky, sending there dim light across the field. Roxas didn't pay much attention to it as he shot across the academy grounds. He was about to reach the walls that surrounded the school when a sudden shadow cascaded over him, blocking the moons light for a brief moment. He stopped suddenly as he looked up to see a familiar blue dragon descending to the ground. Sylphid landed right in front of him before giving a joyful warble.
Roxas stared at the dragon for a second before he attempted to move around her. Immediately, she maneuvered in front of him before nudging his chest with her nose, purring up a storm as she did so.
Roxas gave a small sigh as he scratched the dragons head. "Sorry Sylphid. I didn't come out here to sleep tonight. I have something really important that I need to do." He said as he gently pushed her head away. He tried to walk past the dragon for a second time, but she blocked his path again before fixing him with a worried stare, almost as if to ask where he was going.
"Sylphid, please move." Roxas said firmly.
The dragon slumped, almost as if her entire soul had been crushed by his words. She gave a sorrowful warble as she once again nudged his chest with her head.
Roxas felt like he had just kicked a puppy. He felt a little bad, but what did he have to feel bad for? Mabey a different approach would work. Gently, he grasped the dragons head with both his hands and lifted it up until their eyes were level with each other. Roxas gave the dragon a small smile.
"Don't worry Sylphid, I will be back soon." He said as he stared into her green eyes. His expression changed to one of determination. "But I cannot sit around when my friend is in trouble. I have to help her."
Sylphid cocked her head ever so slightly to indicate that she didn't understand. So Roxas continued. "Siesta was taken by Count Mott to be his mistress. I have seen what he has done to people, and I will not let that happen to her. I will help her, so let me pass…Please."
Sylphid stared into Roxas, seeing the determination in his deep blue eyes. But there was something else she noticed as well.
Desperation
He didn't just want to save Siesta; he was desperate to save her.
Seeing this was…touching. Sylphid was so use to pride and recognition as the only things that people cared about, especially nobles…with the exception of her master. But here stood someone who could care less about that and was willing to risk his life to protect someone else. With that, Sylphid gave a comforting coo before she licked Roxas's cheek. She pulled her head away from him before moving out of the way, allowing Roxas to pass.
Roxas stared up at the dragon before giving her a small smile. "Thanks Girl. I will make sure to get you a little something extra from the kitchen tomorrow." He said before he rushed down the dusty road. Sylphid watched as he glided across the dirt at an extraordinary pace before she quickly flew to her master's room. Roxas may be strong enough to handle Guiche, but against Count Mott…That was a different story. Even though he was so determined, she needed to let her master know just in case something happened to him.
Roxas rushed down the road, letting the wind whip violently against his coat as he moved. The cool night air was a soft touch against his skin as he continued to glide. He needed to be quick. Just remembering the little girl bleeding on the ground, and then her mother's words about the horrors of being a mistress for Count Mott got Roxas's blood boiling. He needed to help her. He just needed to.
It wasn't long until Roxas found what he was looking for. He was standing in front of an extremely luxurious house with a large gate surrounding it. Quickly, he hid in the shadows of the walls as he watched a few guards as they walked by. They were stationed at every entrance, blocking him from any easy route in, which would have posed a problem…
But Roxas was not the type of person to just sneak in.
Slowly he reached over his shoulder and flipped on his hood, completely covering his face in the process. In his left hand, the oblivion flashed into existence.
Siesta was sitting in a rather large bathtub. If not for the fact that she was waiting to be summoned by Count Mott, she may have enjoyed the warm water rushing over her skin. But there was nothing to enjoy about the current situation. Just thinking about her first day had nearly made her tear up. The entire day consisted of a complete tour of the estate. She was instructed on what she would be doing, which included cleaning the entire mansion along with a few other maids, preparing meals, and straightening up the gardens. Work like that wasn't an issue though because she was use to that kind of labor at the academy. What really bothered her was the last instruction.
Please the Count every night, and no, that did not mean just make him happy.
To Count Mott, she was just a glorified sex toy that he could play with whenever he wanted to. But even as horrifying as that was, it was nothing in compared to the punishment if she did not do enough to please him.
It was in his basement that she really saw the true colors of the Count. Siesta nearly cried in horror as she saw a couple of prison cells down there, each one had at least three women, barely older than herself, cowering in the corner and crying their eyes out. They were extremely malnourished and there clothing consisted of rags. They were covered in bruises and fresh cuts, which signified significant abuse.
The instant they saw the Count, they began sobbing hysterically until he beat their cages with his staff. "Silence." He sneered quietly. The pure venom in his voice and his threatening tone caused the girls to quiet down and huddle closer together.
It was taking all of Siesta's willpower not to scream out in horror. She was literally shaking in fear at the thought of what kind of life she would be leading now.
Immediately, she bit the inside of her cheek in a futile attempt to calm down, all the while wondering how someone could be this brutal. She wanted nothing more than to help the girls in the cages, but Siesta knew that she would end up just like them if she tried.
Immediately, the Count smacked the cages with his staff once more before he turned to Siesta. "This is what will happen to you if you fail to please me Siesta." The count said with a sickening smile. "If you do anything to help them, or if I find out you helped them in any way, you will only wish you had it as good as them."
Siesta was really shaking now as Count Mott was about to pass her, brushing up against her shoulder as he walked by. Chills of disgust spread through her body as she felt his touch. It was cold…and lifeless.
"Oh, and don't bother trying to report this to the palace." Count Mott said as he turned to look at her. "After all, who would believe the words of a commoner?"
Siesta hated to admit it…She REALLY hated to admit it, but he was right. Who would believe her over the words of the royal messenger?
As she sat in the bathtub awaiting her first night, she could not help it as tears started to stream down her face. Her quiet sobs echoed against the bathroom walls, but she didn't care. She didn't want to live the rest of her life like this, being on object for sex and always under the constant fear of displeasing this disgusting man.
"Roxas." She murmured through her tears as she remembering his small, yet comforting smile and the fierce determination in his eyes. Seeing that he could smile even though he was a slave, disguised as a familiar, was inspiring. He even had the courage to stand against a noble when the odds may have been against him. He fought to protect her and didn't care about social standing.
But now that she saw who Count Mot truly was, she knew that the treatment he went through would pale in comparison to hers.
"Siesta."
Siesta flinched as she heard a chackling voice call her name. She looked over to see a rather old woman standing in the doorway to the bathroom.
"The Count is ready for you."
"I-I understand." She said quietly. A few more tears fell down her face as she rose from the tub.
The Count was enjoying a cup of tea before getting ready for bed, grinning to himself at the prospect of a new toy. He felt lucky that he had seen her when he delivered his message to the academy. Her figure was so irresistible that he just had to have her. So, like a rich child who wanted another toy, he bought her from the academy. He had to test out his new asset to see if she could please him as well as his other mistresses. If not…then she would just go to his collection in the basement. A win/win situation.
"Count Mott!"
The Count was pulled from his thoughts when he saw one of his guards burst through the doors to his room. He leveled the man with a glare. "This better be good. What is it!?"
The guard had a look of panic on his face. "There is a hooded figure invading the estate. We sent more guards after him, but he is unstoppable."
"What!" Mott shouted in outrage. "Who would be foolish enough to attack my house? Do they not realize that attacking a noble results in the death sentence?"
"Lord Mott, we haven't been able to stop him yet. He might already be in the building right now."
Count Mott felt a vein bulge in his head. He was just enjoying his cup of tea and getting ready to play with his new toy, and now someone had interrupted his night of pleasure by invading him. Whoever was intruding on his property better hope the guards kill him, because the Count would do much worse.
"I guess it is time to show what a real mage can do." Mott said as he grabbed his staff and followed the guard out the doors.
Mott quickly followed the guard to the main lobby before he caught a sight that made his eyes widen. His guards were lying on the ground, some unconscious, some groaning in pain. Standing in the middle was a figure in a black coat, a hood obscuring his face. He was carrying a dark weapon that looked very similar to a key.
Mott looked to his last guard. "Don't just stand there! Get Him."
The guard looked between the unconscious men and Count Mott. He was more afraid of what the Count would do to him if he didn't obey, so with what courage he had left, the guard drew his sword and charged at the figure.
Immediately, the guard raised his sword and tried to bring in down on the hooded figure, but he was blocked when the intruder raised his weapon. The guard's sword was immediately knocked aside by the enemy's weapon before the intruder spun around and slamming the side of the weapon into the guard's side. The guard screamed in pain before dropping his weapon and grasping his stomach. The cloaked person then quickly raised his weapon and brought it down on the guards head with a crack.
Even Mott had to wince as the guard was knocked unconscious. But his surprise turned to fury as he surveyed the scene. All of his guards had been defeated by a single person. How dare this person break into his estate. He quickly raised his staff and pointed it at the Intruder. "WHO ARE YOU?"
Roxas stared at the man in front of him. It was the same man he saw in the small town a few days ago, the one that nearly killed Ellie.
"Count Mott."
Mott narrowed his eyes at him before a grin split is face. "That would be me. Why have you attacked my estate? You realize the punishment is death for attacking a noble."
"Get Real! If this is the best you can do, then I don't have anything to worry about."
Count Mott's face grew red from the insult. "You are really pushing it. Answer me! Why have you attacked my estate?
"Just one reason," Roxas said as he clasped the oblivion with both hands and crouched down into his signature stance. "To get my friend back."
Count Mott stared at the cloaked youth for a few moments, trying to understand what he was talking about. It didn't take long though as a grin split down the Counts face. "Oh I see. You're talking about that maid I just hired. I haven't gotten a new toy in a while before I got her." Mott said with a sinister grin. "Well, there is nothing you can do about it. She is my maid now, and as such, I will do with her what I want."
"No, you won't." Roxas said dangerously before taking a few steps forward.
Mott shook his head before he laughed. "You may have been able to beat my guards, but I am a triangle class mage. It will take a lot more than inferior swordsmanship to beat me." He said as he waved his staff at a nearby vase. Immediately it fell to the ground, spilling water all over the floor. With another flick of his staff, the water came to life as it rose from the ground and started to slowly swirl around the Count. "I am known as Count Mott, The Wave. You will regret invading my estate because it will be the last thing you ever do."
Louise was angry…no she was beyond angry. She was just sleeping peacefully in her room before she was rudely awakened by Kirche and Tabitha. Somehow, Tabitha had found out what Roxas had done and went straight to Kirche. They both then ended up telling Louise about it because Roxas was her familiar.
When they woke her up and told her about the situation, they nearly had to take cover as Louise erupted like a geyser. The explosion from her wand was probably loud enough to wake half of the academy. It completely shattered her windows and destroyed a good amount of her room.
"Why in the world would he do this?" Louise screeched as she, Tabitha, and Kirche walked dashed through the hallways toward where Sylphid was waiting for them.
"Well, according to Tabitha, it was because Count Mott took Siesta to be one of his mistresses." Replied Kirche.
Louise turned to look at the petite, blue-haired girl. "And how did you find out about this?"
Tabitha didn't spare Louise a glance as they continued to make their way toward the court yard. Her silence only served to fuel Louise's anger, but she brushed it off for now because she had more important matters to think about.
When they finally made it outside, they found that someone was standing next to Sylphid, waiting for them.
"Professor Colbert! What are you doing out here?" Asked Louise.
Colbert was staring at them suspiciously through his round spectacles. "I could be asking you the same question. It is late in the night, and you all should be in bed. I myself was nearly about to sleep when an explosion caught my attention. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" he asked.
Louise winced. "Well-"
"And then," Colbert continued as he glanced up at Sylphid. "When I leave to see what is going on, I find that one of my students familiar is prepared for flight. You wouldn't happen to be going somewhere, would you?"
"I-I-I" Louise stuttered.
Kirche gave a sigh as she realized that they were caught red handed. "Professor Colbert, this is urgent. Let us pass please~" she said with a seductive smile and a wink.
Colbert wasn't affected in the slightest. "And what is the emergency? What is going on!" he demanded.
Kirche gave another sigh. There was no way around this. "It's Louise's familiar. One of the maids was hired by Count Mott, and he went to get her back."
Colbert's eyes widened. "He did what! Why would he do that? All Count Mott did what hire her from the academy."
"Roxas seems to think that there was more to Count Motts intentions than to just heir her." Kirche explained. "That is why we need to stop him. Who knows what kind of trouble Louise could get into if they found out Roxas is her familiar.
Colbert adopted a serious look as he thought about the situation. Kirche was one the money about the amount of trouble the Vallière family would have to deal with because one of their familiars acted out against a noble. But this also went beyond that. Roxas was far more valuable than a political issue.
"I understand, but I will go with you. You may need my help" Colbert said.
Kirche, Tabitha, and Louise stared at the professor in surprise for a few seconds before agreeing. All of them hopped onto Sylphid's back before the dragon took off into the air.
As they flew, Louise could not help but be infuriated at the situation. "That IDIOT DOG!" she screeched "What was he thinking?
Kirche gave a small chuckle as she looked back at the pink-haired girl. "Louise, don't you remember what happened to Guiche when he tried to hurt Siesta?" she asked. "If Roxas even thinks that something bad will happen to her, I don't imagine he is one to just sit by and roll with it."
Louise nodded, but that didn't let up on her anger. "He didn't even ask me for permission!"
"Would you have said yes?"
"Absolutely NOT!" she yelled. "What if he does something stupid? He could die! Going against Guiche is one thing, but going against a tringle class mage. He doesn't stand a chance, no matter how good of a swordsman he is."
Kirche giggled a bit. "It sounds like someone is starting to get attached to their familiar."
"Not another word Zerbst!"
It didn't take long to make it to Count Mott's estate. Sylphid landed outside of the mansion walls, allowing everyone to disembark. Immediately, the group ran to the entrance of the gates before stopping dead in there tracks.
There were guards lying all over the ground. All were alive, but they were either moaning in pain or completely unconscious. Suddenly, the front door to the estate flew open as a wave of water burst through and landed on the grass in front of them.
"Oh, no!" Colbert gasped as he and the rest of the group rushed towards the open door.
Siesta looked at the mirror in Count Mott's bedroom in disgust. She was ordered to wear an extremely reveling and hideous slave outfit. Count Mott sure had a nasty fetish if he wanted her to wear something like this. Siesta didn't know if she would ever look at herself the same after the night was over.
Once she was done with her bath, she was brought to Count Mott's room in order to wait for him. But for some reason, the Count had not shown up yet.
Not that Siesta minded because she wanted to keep her purity as long as she could before she was violated. However, she had been sitting there for a while now and the Count was still gone.
Suddenly, she heard an explosion coming from the main lobby. Her head immediately jerked toward the door of the bedroom. She felt another small tremor and a few shouts from the main lobby. It was easy to tell that the shouts were coming from Count Mott.
Siesta bit her lip as she stood from the bed and walked over to the door. What was going on? Who was he yelling at? She really wanted to go see what was happening, but she feared what the Count would do to her if she left the room.
Another small tremor caught her attention again. She bit her lip as she gain bit of courage. She quickly put her maid uniform back on before she grasped the door handle and turned. The door swung open before she left the room in a hurry. Siesta snuck along the hallway before she came to the doors that lead to the main lobby. Carefully, she pushed to door open a crack to see what was going on.
Roxas leaped high into the air as another jet of water was blasted at him. Upon landing on the ground, he immediately shot at the Count before swinging his weapon.
Count Mott panicked for a brief moment before he waved his staff. A wall of Ice erupted from the ground, separating him from Roxas. Roxas's Keyblade smashed into the ice, complexly shattering it from the sheer amount of power behind the swing. Mott barely had time to jump away before he shot another stream of water at Roxas.
Roxas ducked before he whirled his Keyblade at the mage. Mott raised another wall of ice to protect himself before the Keyblade smashed into it, completely ricocheting off of the ice, but Roxas was already moving. He dove around the wall before he caught the oblivion and whirled it once more at the Count.
Mott didn't have time to react at the weapon smashed into his side, sending him sprawling to the ground. However, Mott was not done yet. He grasped his side before he muttered a few words to complete a spell. Immediately, the wall of ice that protected him from the Keyblade shattered into ice spikes before they immediately turned toward Roxas. With one last wave of his staff, Mott sent the spikes sailing at Roxas.
Roxas saw the projectiles coming his way, but they were nothing compared to Xigbar's sharpshooting arrows. He slashed at each spike with his Keyblade, shattering them before any could make contact with his body.
Count Mott could only watch slack-jawed as his attack was effortlessly rendered useless. He had never seen someone with this amount of skill with a sword…or whatever he was using. Truthfully, he was getting a little worried as he stood on his feet. He barely had time to erect a barrier of water as Roxas shot at him again. Roxas collided with the wall of water, breaking right through before slashing at Mott, but Mott once again raised a shield of ice to protect him from the onslaught. The ice barely held long enough for the elusive man to put a little distance between him and Roxas.
Roxas shattered the ice again as he looked at the fleeing Count Mott. The older man was breathing heavier as perspiration was rolling down his face. Roxas had to admit, this man was much more skilled than Guiche.
Count Mott was breathing deeply as he looked at the hooded swordsman. Never had he been pushed this hard against a commoner before. Quickly, he pointed his staff at a few more vases, causing them to fall to the ground. He waved his staff around and surrounded himself with the water, ready to continue the fight.
Roxas only took one look at the man before shaking his head. Mott had just sealed his fate with that move.
Why?
Let's just say that there was a reason why Demnyx could never beat Larxene.
Roxas simply raised his Keyblade into the air. "Thunder"
Immediately, they Keyblade released an arc of electricity into the air before a bolt of lightning crashed down on the wall of water that Count Mott surrounded himself with.
AURRGGG!" the count screamed as he felt the water conduct the electrical current through his body. Mott had never felt his kind of pain in his life. Every nerve in his body was screaming out in pain as they were fried by the electricity. He dropped his staff as he continued to scream out in pain.
Immediately, the water splashed to the ground. Mott stood there for a second before he fell to his knees. He stared at the hooded figure for only a second before he fell, face first onto the wet ground.
Roxas watched the motionless body for a few seconds before he walked towards it. He nudged the body with his foot. Mott was still breathing, but he was out cold. Roxas looked at the staff that was just lying there in the water. With one quick motion, he stomped on it, completely breaking it in half.
Louise, Kirche, Tabitha, and Colbert had watched the whole thing from the entrance of the mansion. They were completely and utterly speechless. Roxas had destroyed a triangle class mage. Not only that, but he used a lighting spell to do it. That was at least a square class wind mage technique.
Kirche and Tabitha knew that Roxas could use magic, but not to this caliber. He had cast it so fast that Count Mott didn't even have time to react.
Colbert had to take off his glasses and rub his eyes a few times to make sure he had seen that correctly. How did a familiar managed to use a spell like that. It couldn't have been the power of the runes because the runes of Gandalfr only granted the power to wield any weapon.
Louise was completely flabbergasted. She had no idea that Roxas could use spells like that. He was able to summon weapons, and call forth lighting like a square class mage. What in the world had she summoned?
Siesta has seen the majority of the battle behind a slightly opened door. She could only watch in wonder as the hooded stranger faced off against a powerful mage like Count Mott. But as the battle continued, she was amazed at the amount of skill this person displayed as he completely destroyed the Count.
However, now that things had settled down, he noticed the weapon he was using. She could only give a small gasp because she could recognize that unique weapon anywhere. Immediately, she pushed open the door.
"Roxas?"
Roxas felt his eyes widen as he recognized the voice that addressed him. He immediately turned to see a familiar face standing in a doorway. He gave a small sigh of relief as he saw Siesta standing there. It looked like Count Mott had not done anything to her yet. Slowly, he reached up and grasped his hood before lowering it.
"Siesta." He said as he let the Oblivion vanish from his hand.
Siesta's hands covered her mouth as she tried to stop the sobs from coming.
It was Roxas.
He really came for her
Siesta stood there for a moment as she looked between Count Mott at Roxas a few times, tears started to stream down her face.
"You-You came." She gasped as more tears streamed down her cheeks.
Roxas scrunched his eyebrow when he saw her crying. Why was she crying? Had Mott done something to her? "Of course I did. I already told you. You are my friend and I will protect you." He said as he walked up to her.
Siesta couldn't help it. She started to sob as she gently leaned forward, burying her face into his shoulder and pushing her body against his.
Roxas didn't know what to do. His friend was crying, and it ached his heart to see her like this. What had Count Mott done to her to make her cry, and what could he do to help? He could literally feel her shaking against him as she cried against his shoulder.
Just hold her Roxas.
Roxas blinked a few times as he gently raised his arms and wrapped them around her back, holding her close to him. He didn't know where that thought came from, but it was the best suggestion he had.
As siesta felt Roxas's arms around her, she could not help it as more tears formed in her eyes. This was so much better than being touched by Count Mott. Roxas's touch was warm and gentle, almost like someone was wrapping her in a comforting blanket.
Kirche, Tabitha, Louise, and Colbert all watched the interaction between Roxas and Siesta for a few moments. They had seen how Siesta had reacted when she saw Roxas. They saw how broken she looked when she made her presents known. What could have caused her to react like that? Wasn't she just hired as a maid?
When they saw Roxas hold the poor girl, Kirche could not help a small smile cross her face. "Not going to lie, that is adorable."
Louise's thoughts were on a different plane thought. She looked at the unconscious Count because she realized what Roxas had done. She grit her teeth before she stomped into the lobby.
"FAMILIAR!"
Roxas and Siesta jumped as they looked toward the entrance. There stood Louise, Kirche, Tabitha, and Professor Colbert. Roxas's eyes widened. How in the world did they know?
Louise stomped up to Roxas before grabbing his sleeve and yanking him away from Siesta. Siesta still had a few tears in her eyes, but she was staring to calm down as she a few deep breaths. She wiped the tears away as she saw Tabitha, Kirche, and Professor Colbert all enter the estate. Her eyes widened as an idea formed in her head.
"Do you have any idea what you have done? What this means for me and my Family? You broke into Count Mott's estate and attacked him. Do you know how much trouble we are going to be in? Especially when the palace knows about it?" she screamed.
Roxas frowned. "Louise Listen…."
"NO, shut up." She barked. "You just made life a lot harder for all of us, especially Siesta. Do you know what the palace is going to do to her once they find out she was involved?"
Roxas glared at the girl and was about to retort when a scream caught his attention. His eyes widened as he looked back towards Siesta. She was being dragged away by someone.
Standing behind Siesta, holding her around the neck with one arm and a grasping a broken staff in the other, was a very angry and exhausted Count Mott.
"NOBODY MOVE" he yelled, causing Siesta to scream again. "SHUT UP." He screamed in her face, causing flecks of spit to fly from his mouth. He pointed his broken staff at her before looking at Roxas. "You have breached my estate and humiliated me! You will pay dearly for what you've done." He pointed his staff at Roxas before a sickening grin crossed his face. "I can tell that she means a lot to you, so you are going to watch as I have my way with her. If you make one move, I will not hesitate to kill her."
Colbert, Kirche, Tabitha, and Louise all felt their eyes widen at Count Motts declaration. He just claimed that he would sexually abuse her right in front of them. If it were possible, their eyes widened even further when they saw the Count roughly grasp one of Siesta's breasts. Now they may not have cared much about commoners, but this was just sickening.
Siesta gave a yelp of pain before looking at Roxas pleadingly. Roxas clenched his fists so hard that the material in his gloves threatened to break. He took a few steps forward before a shout from Count Mott halted him in his tracks.
"Stop where you are. I'm warning you." He shouted as he pointed his broken staff at Siesta. The water from the ground rose slightly before they formed into icy spikes. They hovered in the air, pointing at Siesta. "One more step, and having my way with her will be the least of your worries."
"Roxas please." Siesta whimpered as the Count continued to roughly grab her.
Roxas stared at Siesta. He felt his fury rise as she continued to cry out in pain. He grit his teeth before he looked her straight in the eyes. "Do you trust me Siesta?"
Siesta paused as she saw the determined look in Roxas's eyes. She tried to ignore the pain that the Count was causing her as she nodded her head. "Yes."
Roxas nodded before he leveled Count Mott with a glare. Suddenly, a pillar of darkness erupted around Roxas for a brief moment, completely covering the boy. When the wispy darkness vanished, Roxas was nowhere in sight.
Everyone looked around in compete shock. Roxas had just vanished without a trace. Gone. Just like that.
Count Mott looked around frantically for the boy. "WHERE IS H-"
WHACK
The sound of metal hitting bone echoed through the lobby. Suddenly, the ice spikes that Surrounded Siesta and Count Mott fell the ground, shattering upon contact. Count Mott's body slumped over Siestas shoulder for a brief moment before it also crashed the ground, unmoving.
Slowly, Siesta turned her head to see Roxas standing there, the dark weapon clenched in his hand. It vanished in a flash of light just a moment later.
Everyone that was still conscious was staring at the boy, almost unable to comprehend what he had just done. Literally, he just teleported behind Count Mott and knocked him out in an instant.
How? HOW?
Kirche was the first to recover as she massaged her temples. "Just when I thought I had seen everything."
Siesta was also staring at Roxas as she massaged her sore breast. So many questions were going through her mind that she didn't even know where to begin. But right now was not the best time to ask them. She had an idea to follow through with.
"Professor Colbert. There is something you need to see." She said, getting the professors attention.
Colbert tore his amazed gaze away from Roxas for a moment before he focused on Siesta. "W-What is it?" he asked, still trying to get over his befuddlement.
Siesta adopted a serious look before she walked to the doors the lead to the basement. "The true colors of Count Mott." She said before she turned to Roxas. "Please come with us too. I may need your help."
Roxas nodded as he followed Siesta. Colbert turned to the rest of the girls. "Stay here for now. I will be back shortly."
Louise, Kirche, and Tabitha watched as Roxas and Colbert followed Siesta. When they were out of sight, Kirche turned to Louise. "What in the world did you summon Louise?"
Louise was still too shocked to give an immediate reply. "I-I don't know."
Professor Colbert, Roxas, and Siesta had just entered the basement. When Siesta pushed open the doors, Colbert could already hear the whimpers of several young women. Once they entered, Roxas and Colbert could only stare in horror at what was hidden in the basement. There were four cells, each with at least three young women in them. They were dressed in rags, severely malnourished, and covered in bruises and cuts.
Roxas's mouth was dropped open in horror. Not in all the time he been alive had he seen such a horrifying sight. Was this going to be Siesta's fate if he hadn't shown up? Was this why Siesta had been crying? Roxas felt pure fury course through his veins at the very thought.
Siesta quickly went to the first cage before she grasped the bars. "Don't worry, we are here to help." She said the group of cowering girls. She then turned to Professor Colbert. "We need to find the keys. I think they may be in Count Mott's room."
"Don't Bother." Roxas said through grit teeth as the Oblivion flashed into existence.
Siesta looked at the weapon for a second before glancing at Roxas. "What are you planning to do?"
Roxas didn't answer as he walked up beside Siesta and pointed the tip of the Keyblade at the lock. Immediately, there was a loud click before the cell door swung open. Roxas didn't catch the shocked looks of both Siesta and Colbert as he unlocked the other three cells.
Right when the cell doors opened, the girls immediately backed away and huddled in the corner, eyeing Roxas and Colbert with extremely fearful eyes.
Siesta nearly teared as she saw the state they were in mentally before she turned to Colbert and Roxas. "It looks like they are scared of men now because of Count Mott. I don't know how long they have been down here, but they must have been abused for a long time. Can you send down Mistress Louise, Kirche, and Tabitha while you wait outside, please?" She asked as she went back to comforting the abused women.
Roxas and Colbert nodded before they left. Roxas was shaking in anger as he looked up at Professor Colbert. "How can something like this be Ok?" Roxas said through ground teeth.
Colbert flinched at the pure venom in Roxas's voice. "Something like this is definitely not ok Roxas. What Count Mott did to them is illegal and extremely disgusting."
"But he was still able to get away with it for so long, just because he was a noble! What do you think would have happened to Siesta if it hadn't of shown up?"
Colbert didn't want to even think about it. "It's a flaw in the system. It's unfortunate, but no one would believe the mouth of commoners, so there are a lot of Nobles can get away with things like this."
Roxas made no reply as he grit his teeth in anger. He wanted nothing more than to end Mott's existence right then and there.
No
He was going to end his existence. Mott needed to die.
Right when they entered the lobby, Colbert and Roxas were ambushed by Louise and Kirche. "Roxas, Professor Colbert! Count Mott managed to get away. If he reaches the palace, then there will be nothing we can do to escape the political backfire." Louise said with an extremely worried expression on her face.
Professor Colbert narrowed his eyes before he rested a comforting hand on the girls shoulder. "That won't happen. Count Mott did something unforgivable." Colbert said though clenched teeth before he turned to his students. "Louise, Kirche, Tabitha, I need you to go to the basement and help Siesta. There is a lengthy letter I need to write to the palace." He said as he left to scour the estate in search of an office.
The three girls gave the professor a curious look before they made their way to the basement.
Roxas however was shaking in anger. Count Mott was gone, but Roxas swore if he ever saw the man again, then not even Sora would be able to stop him from ending Mott's existence. Roxas took the time to sit on one of the couches in the lobby in order to cool off his anger.
It was hours later that Kirche, Tabitha, Louise, and Siesta was able to coax the traumatized girls out of the basement. When the three nobles had first gotten to the basement, they nearly fainted at the sight of the girls. Poor women were so traumatized that Roxas and Colbert had to actually leave the building before they would come out.
Colbert had written a lengthy letter to the palace and explained what Count Mott had done. Even Roxas was impressed at how fast the palace had reacted. It only took a few hours for a couple of carriages to arrive with female medic and solders to show up and take care of the women.
Roxas and Colbert were waiting in another room as they waited for the carriages to take the women back to the palace for some more advanced medical treatment. Soon, the door to their room opened and Siesta walked in.
"Roxas."
Roxas looked up at her. "Yes?"
"The girls want to say thank you."
Roxas raised an eyebrow, remembering there state when they first saw him. "Are they sure?"
"Truthfully no, but they at least want to thank the person who helped them escape from Count Mott." She said.
Roxas paused for a second before he nodded. He stood from his spot before following Siesta to the main lobby. There he saw the girls surrounded by a few female medics. The women were all wearing decent clothing now, but they still looked worse for wears.
As Roxas approached, he noticed that most of them shrank back from him with fear in their eyes. Roxas immediately stopped.
They stood there in an awkward silence for a while before one of the braver girls approached. She was about as tall as Siesta and had long, messy brown hair. She was trembling terribly, but continued to move forward. "You-You saved us Right?" She asked quietly.
"I defeated Count Mott." Roxas said. Truthfully, he came to save Siesta. He had no idea that there were others.
Soon, tears began to fall down her face as she sobbed. This caused the other girls to break down as well. "Thank you," she sobbed out as she wiped her eyes. "Thank you so much. We began to lose hope. T-There was no way out and there was n-nothing we could do. Thank you." She said as she continued to sob.
Roxas his chest fill up with pity for these women. It wasn't fair that they had to go through this just because they were commoners.
"Your welcome."
It was later that he, Siesta, Louise, Kirche, Tabitha, and Colbert all watched as the girls were taken away in carriages. It was now early in the morning and everyone was exhausted.
It didn't take long before everyone was back at the academy. Colbert turned to his students with dark bags under his eyes. "You all did very well. I will write the headmaster and excuse you all from classes today, so get some rest." He said before he slowly made his way back to his room.
Tabitha and Kirche gave a small yawn. "I will gladly take you up on that." Kirche said as she and Tabitha retreated back to their respected rooms.
Louise, Roxas, and Siesta were still up, but slowly making their way back to their own rooms as well. Siesta had her bags in her hands again, ready to go her own room before she turned to Roxas with a tired smile.
"Thank you so much Roxas." She said as she dropped her bag on the ground.
Roxas gave her an exhausted smile as well. "Your welcome…But Siesta" He said as his tone grew more serious. "Please…If there is something wrong, please tell me. When you are in trouble, don't hide if from me when I have the power to help."
Siesta's lower lip trembled as tears threatened to fall down her cheeks again. She was touched that he cared about her so much. This mysterious boy, who had very unique and powerful magic, had already done so much for her and was still willing to do more.
"I will, I promise." She said as she approached him. She gently reached up and kissed his cheek again, though this time she lingered there for a few moments before pulling away, a blush dusting her cheeks. "I will see you tomorrow Roxas. Thank you for everything." She picked up her bags and made her way back to her room.
Roxas felt his heart hammer against his chest as his face grew hot. He touched the place where she kissed him yet again. It felt really nice.
Louise, who had seen the whole thing, was too tired to be angry at the moment. She had a lot on her mind and the only thing she wanted to do now was get some sleep.
"Let's go!" She ground out through as they made their way back to her room.
"I DEMAND THAT ACTION TAKE PLACE!" Count Mott screamed furiously. He was sitting across from the queen and princess Henrietta. Standing in the corner of the room was a female guard with light brown hair. The queen was reading a letter as she listened to Count Mott ranting on and on about a commoner and a group of nobles that had invaded his estate. After reading the letter, she slowly lowered it while fixing Mott with a glare.
"And why would I do that Count Mott?" she asked with a smile.
Count Mott nearly choked on a breath, almost not sure he heard her correctly. "What-What do you MEAN? I WAS ATTACKED IN MY OWN HOME. I DEMAND RETREBUTION."
The queen leveled Count Mott with a glare. "Don't take that tone with me Count Mott. I will not tolerate any further outbursts."
Count Mott grit his teeth before he nodded.
"Very good." She said before she set the letter down. "You know Count Mott; I just received a letter that had very interesting details about what was in your basement." The queen started causing Mott to pale considerably. "The letter was from Jean Colbert, the professor at Tristain academy of magic. That was is enough to convict you of many sexual crimes against commoners."
Mott stood from his seat. "You can't convict me of anything with just one witness." Count Mott growled out.
"There was more than one witness of your horrendous acts Count Mott." The queen said before she picked up the letter again. "Louise Françoise Le Blanc de La Vallière, the daughter of duke Vallière, Kirche Augusta Frederica von Anhalt Zerbst, and Charlotte Helene Orléans de Gallia where all there as well. That is one teacher and three nobles." She said as she stood from her seat. "Count Mott, you are guilty of many sexual assaults toward commoners, abuse, and enforced slavery. Because of these crimes, you are stripped of your title and sentenced to life in prison." She said before she turned to the only guard in the room. "Agnes, please escort this man to the dungeons."
"At once your majesty."
Count Mott was nearly shaking in fright. "NO YOU CAN'T DO THIS. THERE JUST COMMONERS. THEY DON'T MATTER!" Mott screamed before he was grasped tightly by Agnes, who was leveling him with a glare.
The queen shook her head. "You are wrong. Without the commoners, what would we be?" She said before a sad look crossed her face. "We as nobles sometimes forget that it is our duty to protect them." The queen then turned back to Agnes. "Take him away."
Agnes gave the queen a grateful smile before she started to drag Mott out of the room, his screams echoed through the hallway as he tried to resist.
Once he was gone. Princess Henrietta looked to the queen. "Mother, I heard you mentioned Louise. How was she involved?
The queen gave a sigh. "According the professor, her familiar stormed into count Mott's estate and defeated him. That was how she and the others found out about his grievances against commoners."
Henrietta's eyes widened. "Her familiar? What kind of familiar is he?"
"Apparently, one of a kind. There was not much detail in the letter, but it would seem that Louise actually summoned a human."
"A human?"
The queen could only nod. "Yes. When you go and see Louise during the familiar exhibition, you will probably meet him and you will see for yourself."
"I guess I will. What of Count Mott's estate and wealth? Does he have any relatives nearby?"
The queen adopted a thoughtful look before she smiled. "No, but we will worry about that later."
Authors Note: There you go. *whew* over 8k words for this chapter. I was on a role. How did you like it? I hope it wasn't too dark for a T rated Fic. But anyway, leave a review and let me know. Thanks for reading and please look forward to the next update.
