She didn't really have a plan.

The time for planning had long since passed, regardless, and Maka knew where her rope would end. The Crown Prince stood across from her, grin smug and eyes wild as he took in her stance. His gaze reminded her of the wolves from her nightmares, feral and hungry, tearing at flesh with no purpose. There was also something different about him, as though he was off in some way. He still remained calm, but there was an uneasiness to the curl of his grin, like he was barely holding on.

"You wish to fight me? To serve what purpose?" His tone was smug, but Maka wouldn't rise to such obvious bait. She gripped her sword, too long and too heavy for her, tighter, but she kept her wits about her.

"Because you treated me like shit, and that isn't something I'm going to stand for." She swallowed whatever fear threatened to overtake her, and met his dark gaze head on. Her limbs felt heavy, and with each breath she drew, she could feel the blood in her lungs. Asura watched her closely, gaze on her, then her friends, and back to her.

"Is this your grand plan? You're dying anyways so you're going to throw yourself on the blade in front of you? What a foolish reason to die."

"It would be even more foolish if my companions couldn't take a hint and get out of here." Maka hissed to the boys, all of them with protests on their tongues.

"We aren't leaving you here." Soul spoke, his look making it very clear she should drop the subject.

"Yes you are! Look, the Scum Prince is right, I am dying. And unless that rune is destroyed, I am going to die, so respect my noble sacrifice and get going and save me." Maka snarled, sending an especially sharp glare towards the Hell Child. Blake shook his head, drops of blood littering the grass by his feet.

"I'll stay with you."

"No-"

"Kid needs to find his mother. And look around, this is a jungle of fire, rain, and Rangers. Kid needs Soul's eyes. And at least this way, someone will make sure this duel is fought fairly." Blake shot a look at Asura. "Some law is this damn kingdom should matter." The Prince laughed, a sound that was both unbalanced and threatening.

"A lawful duel then?"

"I'm not a murderer, highness, when I take your life, it will be under the blessings of the law which your family wrote."

"Full of Honor then, aren't we?" Asura asked, condescending look on his face. Maka met his gaze, eyes hard as she looked into his red eyes.

"No, but I don't want anyone diminishing this victory for me. No trial later, no one will take this from me."

Thunder cracked against the sky, loud and powerful, shaking the very stones underneath their feet. Kid sighed, pushing Soul towards the cropping of trees. "We have to go, now. Come on."

Soul glanced at Maka, his frown demanding and worried at the same time. She did shoot him a smile before he left, following Kid into the darkness of the trees. Blake brought his sword to his side, moving a few rocks around. "It's rough, but this is about the size of a dueling circle. Take positions."

Asura and Maka circled each other, bringing themselves to the confines of the circle. Blake watched with hard eyes, and Asura chuckled, one eye resting on the Blake. "I would've thought you would be against this, foolish slave."

"She's made her choice, I'll respect this." Blake spat back. Maka clenched her sword in her hands, pulling up to a guard position.

"I've had enough of you ignoring me."

"Oh, you poor poor Dweller, you just want to be a martyr, as though that will make them remember you. Little bastard, you were born nothing to this world, and when you leave it, you will still be nothing."

"Actually, I'll be the Dweller that killed the Crown Prince of a country long broken." She replied, moving from her guard to attack stance. "And when that is penned down, you will be remembered the genocidal tyrant that nearly cost the country their freedom, now stand, you thrice damned monster, and you face the wrath from the Forest you angered."

Jackie stood at the threshold of the castle, her fingers trailing over the edges of the door to castle.

The carvings were old, nearly as old as she was, but their shaping was wrong for whatever she was looking for. These weren't runes, in fact, they were most likely to be old blessings, gifted from the Fae to the humans at the beginning of their rule. Yet not even a hundred years later, they had banished the Fae from their own lands. There had been as much injustice in this country as their had been bloodshed, and Jackie could feel rage under her skin, the darker side of the coin to love. Each virtue possessed a vice, and though it had been years since she had allowed herself that weakness, she could feel it again, under her skin.

"General." Harvar came and stood next to her, hand against his chest in deference.

"Report."

"The knights have all but retreated into the castle. I imagine there's a gauntlet of Knights, Rangers and traps the farther inside we travel. I urge you to let me send a party forth first, before you take great risk to yourself."

"How long until the next party of Dwellers arrive?"

"I imagine we won't see them until sunrise, and with her highness Queen Marie's lightning cover, I'm unable to tell you approximately how long that may be."

Jackie nodded, looking down at the young Fae. He was handsome, and he had those delicate features of the Fae, though barely hardened by the life he had begun living. He was a good captain, and she was happy to have served with him. "I want you to rally our Dwellers, and hold position against the castle. The Knights may return at the end of all of this."

"General-"

"This war is fought for many things. For land, respect, life, love and for revenge. You are a good Fae, aren't you? You're noble and strong and all too proud and ready to die for your Queen and your people. For that very reason, I am ordering you not to enter this castle. There is a pure love inside of you, and I would hate myself if I saw your light leave this world. Hold strong against whatever comes next. I'm going to find Arachne, and we are going to secure this land until the Queen of Fae comes to judge her. After all, this castle is on Fae lands."

Harvar still looked stricken, and he was considering telling her to fuck right off, Jackie could see it on his face, how desperately he would even try to stop her, but he was Marie's best man, and he knew how futile it would be in the end. He fought for his Queen, and she fought for Love, and nothing would stop her now. "Please, General. Please take care, and call for us if you need us. We will hold perimeter around the castle."

"Good. Stay strong, this will be over soon." Jackie nodded, crossing the threshold into the castle. Already, the great halls were looking ransacked and abandoned. How easily the humans ran from the fights they so readily began. Above, she could hear screaming and loud booms, followed by a shaking through the foundation of the very castle. It felt different from thunder, and Jackie smiled.

Well, she wasn't the only one trying to find the Queen.

With her path laid before her, Jackie began walking up the stairs, knowing that exactly where the spider sat on her web.

"How the Hell are we supposed to find her?!"

Kid ignored the Hell Child's snarl, ducking low as a tree branch fell before them, fire burning in the center of the limb. It was becoming difficult to tell which boom belonged to Eruka and her bombs, and which were Queen Marie's warnings of arrival. Behind him, he watched Soul rub his eye, smearing black under lashes.

"Well, I was hoping you'd be able to spot her." Kid admitted, and Soul scoffed, looking around.

"I see a lot of fire, a few of my Rangers, and I can barely see Eruka setting up another bomb. But I'll let you know-on the ground!"

Kid flattened himself against the soft dirt of the garden, inhaling grass and dew as he felt the cut of air above his head. Soul dove over him, tackling his attacker to the ground. "Don't!"

"Soul?!" The person underneath the archer flipped them, pulling down his hood. Kid recognized him as Killik, a man who was incredibly talented at boxing, and downright deadly with his custom made gauntlets. He had Soul on his back, massive gauntlet pressed against his throat. "What in the nine hells that birthed you-"

"Would. Love. To. Tell. You." Soul choked under the pressure. Killik looked back at the Prince, and nodded, removing his fist from Soul's windpipe. He sat up, sucking breath into his chest, as he shoved the other Ranger back. "Fuck you, first of all."

"Sorry man, heard word that you kicked Feather's ass. Wasn't I sure who I was dealing with." Soul looked genuinely shocked by this news, then rested his gaze on the scars on his hands.

"Yeah, I'm gonna owe her a long time." He groaned, looking back at Killik. "Where is Arachne?"

"Couldn't honestly tell you." Killik answered, looking around. "We had held position, then the bombs started going off. What in the fuck is going on, and when did you get back from your mission?"

"I'll tell you over the ale you're going to give me after this, but the King is dead, and the Queen killed him."

"What?! No- I thought Wes-"

"Tread very fucking lightly." Soul snarled, motioning for Kid to get back up. "She's innocent, as I told you the first time. Arachne pulled on her web well, but I swear to you now, the Queen took his life."

Killik looked at Kid, unconvinced frown on his face. "And you believe Soul, your highness?"

"I know this to be true." Kid nodded. "I know I'm the second son, and I know my word doesn't mean shit to you or your men, that you serve the King, but believe me when I tell you that the woman I call mother murdered my father, and plans to wipe the Forest from the map. All this destruction stems from her hand, and I ask you now to help me find her, help me stop her."

Killik was silent for a few moments, weighing the words. It wasn't unusual for the Queen to call upon the Rangers, especially since the King had fallen ill and she had taken control of the Kingdom. But, for all the weight of her crown and her title, she was just a place keeper for which of her sons would one day take the throne. The Rangers were the least loyal of her guards, but they were the strongest she had.

"How can I help, highness?" Killik finally spoke, a half bow at the waist.

"I need you to spread the word to your fellow Rangers to stand down. If I am to fight my way through your small army I will never make it. And I doubt Soul can afford any more of his fellow comrades angry with him."

"It's a fair point." Killik grinned, standing back up. "Consider it done, highness. The order will be issued, but I can't promise I can get it to all of us over the chaos you've created."

"I only ask you do what you can." Kid nodded. Killik slapped Soul on the back once, and returned to the shadows, hopefully to make this a little easier on the two men. Soul watched him carefully as he took a deep breath after Killik was out of sight.

"Toppling a hierarchy is a little complicated eh?"

"I fear I hadn't given it much thought until today." Kid responded, pausing after another bomb went off, and fire caught on the opposite end of the garden. "Now, I'm finding it does take a little bit of work."

"At the very least," Soul grinned, watching the trees burn. "It's nice to see this garden to up in flames. I'll never see another Hell Child hang on the trees again."

"The hanging trees!" Kid looked over to the Northeast corner of the garden, smile on his face. "That has to be where she's hiding. Come on, and try and find our next attacker before he's choking us out."

"Maybe, if you're lucky."

It was as though she fought a mountain.

Asura had the same training Kid had, and even so, he excelled a little more than Kid did. For every slash Maka managed to parry, Asura would only lean down on her with his weight, straining her muscles and trying to weaken her quickly. He had accounted for her size, but he hadn't been able to account for her speed, for every chance he believed he had her trapped, she slipped through his fingers.

Whatever humor he had found in the situation at first, he was slowly becoming frustrated that she was making it so hard to kill her. He was in a hurry, and she was more than enjoying stretching this out. "You don't have the stamina I would've imagined."

"Shut your mouth whore."

"Your banter doesn't really meet my standards either." Maka risked, dropping below the swing of his blade, trying to slam the pommel of her sword against his knee. Though she tripped him up a little, he managed to avoid her attack, kicking her in the chest as he twisted away. She sucked a breath in from her teeth, and pushed herself back to her feet. Unbidden, she began hacking up more blood, spilling over from her mouth.

Asura tried to slash through her then, but she brought her sword of to catch his blade with hers, the few sparks that flashed showed her the madness in his eyes once more, the poison in his veins that had been there when this fight had begun. "Are you getting winded, little whore?"

"Are you?" She asked, shoving his sword from hers, and using the momentum to try and sneak behind him. He twirled to meet her, only half blocking as the threw her weight into the lunge she aimed for his kidney. Thunder cracked against the sky once more, shaking the ground underneath her feet. Asura snarled, eyes meeting sky just for a moment.

Maka went to lunge for him again, but he stopped her, choosing instead to block her, then wave her sword from his. Before she could regroup, he had lunged for her, sharp point of his sword headed straight for her eye. With her exhale, she fell flat on her back, as though a dead woman. Blake had cried out, worried the worst had happened, and Asura looked confused as he came to full extension into nothing. Maka kicked his hand, sword falling from his hand. They both dove for his weapon, an opening for both that would end this massacre under the guise of a duel.

Instead of fighting over his blade, they had settled for fighting each other. His hand went straight for her throat, and she had her legs wrapped around his arm, squeezing as hard as she could to keep him from being able to choke her out. It was a poorly constructed impasse, but it gave her a chance to think of her next move. She could see Blake in the corner of her eye, stricken as he picked at the skin of his fingers. If she didn't finish this quickly, Blake wouldn't be able to stop himself from getting involved, and that would put him in danger. Damn it all, she was going to get him killed.

Asura flexed his arm, trying to lift her off the ground. It was as good a chance as she would be likely to get, and Maka allowed him to do so, using the momentum he gave her to slide into his chest. Asura looked as shocked as she had ever seen him, but only long enough for his fist to land on her face, throwing her back to the edge of the circle. She hit the ground hard, and felt a terrible jolt from her shoulder as she was almost positive that it had been removed from its joint.

"You gotta finish this, Sis! Now!" As unhelpful as it was, Blake's call was reassuring. She had never imagined herself dying alone, and if she was to die in the next ten minutes, at least Blake would be there with her. Maka stood again, her left arm hanging at her side. Pain was curling into the edges of her vision, and she felt so tired. She couldn't take much more of this, and her body would only last her so much longer.

"Just lay down and die, Dweller." Asura spat as he stood again as well, a smug look on his face. "Regardless of what you do here, you're going to die, and nothing will change. The Forest will go with you. Dying here is pointless, so just stay down."

Maka sighed, wiping some of the blood off her face. "I know. I know that even after this, I'm still going to die. I will die poor, alone, and forgotten. I leave the world as I came into it, and that is all I have ever known." She reached down for her sword. "This is the only end for me. But you, you mattered. Your words held weight and your ideas were listened to. You had the power to change the world and you chose to make it worse. You had a chance to show this Kingdom, and the world that gave you everything , and you chose to make it worse. That is why I stand now. Because there is a higher power than you, highness, and you answer to it now."

Asura grinned, that strange madness settling back into his features. "You are an interesting little creature, and once my brother lies dead at my feet, you will be the first puppet I raise from sleep, and I may just keep you forever."

Maka didn't respond, just used her good arm to lift the rusty sword she had picked to save her life. "You will not kill me."

They moved then, swords dancing against each other, quicker and quicker still, until she was no longer thinking about strategy, but letting her arm choose where to next hold her blade. Sparks picked up, and Maka steeled her nerves, knowing her fate lay only a few strokes away, and she found herself closing her eyes, praying to any Gods left who would listen to the final confession of a half blooded Saint.

She only opened her eyes again once she felt sword penetrate flesh, and Blake's frantic scream of her name was the last thing she registered before her world went black.

Arachne was considering her escape options.

Not to say she was entirely sure that her plan had failed, but she had lost track of her little flies, and she wasn't sure how she would regain control again. Yet below her, a battle still raged, and she was sure more Dwellers would still be coming. The flames that had been popping up around her garden were frustrating, yes, but Marie's thunder would release its rain soon, and her two problems would fix each other. No, Arachne wasn't convinced she was in trouble yet, though there was one missing piece that left her uneasy.

She had lost eyes on both of her sons. If someone had come to tell her that Kid had ran from the battle, she would have believed it. Her sweet second son was not raised to be a ruler, and it would seem she had missed her chance to create one from him. Unfortunate, but anticipated. However, she hadn't expected her eldest son to abandon his post, especially with everything that was riding on his behavior in the next several hours. That had been disappointing.

Next to her, Medusa sipped on her tea, a content smile on her face. "Did your web become tangled, sister?"

"Oh, not just yet." Arachne assured her, mixing another glass herself. "Besides, I seldom have a plan that doesn't have an escape. Only the most vain believe they're above death."

"And yet," Medusa smirked. They were seated comfortable underneath the gallows, watching the trees burn before them. "It seemed petty to destroy your garden."

"I would agree, but as they say, fire is a purifier, and it will all grow back healthier than before. As will this kingdom."

"Pity that your scribes are never here to listen to your words when they're actually profound." Medusa chucked, reaching for her tea once more. An arrow cut through the air, pinning Medusa's sleeve to the table, through the handle of the teapot and the two of them focused on the edges of the brush. "Seems your Rangers are slipping, sister."

"Actually," the Hell Child spoke as he dropped from his tree to the clearing, nocking another arrow. "With all due respect, that was a hell of a shot."

"My gods, how did you get out?!" Medusa squealed, seemingly delighted by his appearance. "Amazing! I never would've thought you could escape what your sister couldn't."

He didn't speak, his eyes only rested on the two of them. His arrow lifted again, and the sisters only glanced at each other. Finally, a rustling drew his attention away from them, and Arachne watched in genuine surprise as her youngest son walked from the bushes. His eyes were hardened, and the hand wrapped around his sword bore white knuckles. Before them, he dropped the body of one of Arachne's guardsmen, his throat slit as he bled onto the ground. "My Son-"

"Be silent." He spat at her, turning to look at Soul. "Any chance you would consider sparing my aunt."

"Never." He answered, eyes focused on Medusa. She only nodded towards him, charming smile on her face.

"One would think you disliked our time together." She cooed. Soul didn't answer, instead he just pulled back on his bowstring, arrow directed at Medusa's eye. It would be a painless death, and Kid supposed that would be the best Soul would be willing to offer him. Seconds before Soul released his arrow, Medusa threw something at him. A small white dart hit his hand and he froze, muscles turning to stone.

Quickly, Soul ripped the dart out of his hand, hoping to stop the flow of the paralytic before it would take out the rest of his body. While he was distracted, Medusa had pulled the arrow from her sleeve and taken off, leaving her confused sister behind her. Soul growled, clenching his frozen hand into a fist and he pulled a knife. "I'm following her."

"Be careful." Kid dismissed him with a nod, finally standing to face his mother. The rage that had kept him going for the last few hours had only inflamed himself more. Arachne stood in front of him, a single eyebrow raised.

"And what is this, Sweetness."

"Did you kill Father?" His voice was flat, but there was a fire in his eyes that she had never seen before. Arachne did her best to look surprised, but the rage only grew more. "Did you?!"

"Your father was sick, pet. That Demon-"

"No, she didn't. Tell me the goddamn truth for once in your life!" Her son yelled at her, and she had no recollection of him ever challenging her like this before. Arachne shook her head, stepping down from the platform of the gallows.

"What a terrible world we live in, when a son is so cold to his mother." Kid didn't answer her, just followed her carefully with his eyes. "And here he stands, my sweet second son, with hatred in his eyes and lies on his tongue."

"Why did you kill him?" He asked again, patience clearly wearing thin. He was tense, so much so that the blade he had diligently trained with for so many years shook in his hand. Arachne approached her son, pressing her hand to his face.

"Do you really think your own mother so evil?"

"I think you untrustworthy, especially of late." Kid answered, bitter glare trained on her face. "You didn't tell me what the rune was for."

"Oh! Is that why you're upset with me? I'm sorry I didn't tell you Pet, but I didn't trust the Forest not to attack you for the thoughts in your head. I was only concerned with sparing your life."

"You used me like a pawn! To destroy a group of people who weren't even threatening us!"

"Not yet, but they would!" Arachne bellowed, gripping Kid's face in her hand. "Now, instead of trying to fight your mother, maybe you should help her! I'm trying to save you! You're the future of this country, and you needed to see what had to be done!"

Her son glared at her, jaw set tightly. "I am getting tired of this game, mother." Kid made a movement with his hand, and to Arachne's completely shock, the body of her guard rose to stand next to Kid.

"You?!"

"Father was never a fool, mother." Kid spat at her, rage manifesting as tears in his eyes. "And you did this to your own plan when you killed him."

Catching her breath, Arachne smiled down at her son. "What? You think I killed your father so your brother could lead? I just wanted new leadership. Your father's time had passed, just as the leaves fall and the snow melts. The kingdom no longer needed him, and it was time for him to step down. But, he refused to do so, like all silly men infatuated with power and lust. But, I won't have to worry about that with you, will I? You don't serve flesh like your father does. You'll make a great King."

Her son was confused. He had come here expecting grand declarations of hatred and murder of protecting his brother's throne, not taking it himself. Kid was never a stupid child, and he was uneasy now. "What do you mean?"

"Why, the dead answer to you! You're meant to be the true heir of the kingdom! We should be celebrating this! Not going along with this crazy little fight."

"This isn't a crazy little fight! You tried to massacre the Forest! This is a fucking war! One that we won't win unless you give up the rune and destroy it!"

"You're not looking at this like a ruler, my little love. Which isn't your fault, you weren't prepared for such a role, and I'm sorry for that. But let me help you now. Take the throne, and I'll help you. We can rule together, and I can make you as powerful as your brother. Even more so. After all, what else could you possibly do? You think you're ready for the nobles? The land skirmishes? Tax season? No, you need my help if you're going to do this."

Kid glared at her, clearly not believing what she told him. She understood, after all, until only a few hours ago his world had been vastly different, and he was beginning to realize that now too. "I don't even want the throne, I want this to stop. I want the rune destroyed, and I want you to beg the Forest to forgive you."

"You think that will stop this?" Arachne scoffed, bringing her hand back up to Kid's face. "No, Pet. Nothing will stop this. The world is not a just or noble place, you see, you were given your father's gift, but I'm sure your brother will not stand for that." She watched her son flinch, and she shook her head. "He's already come for you then?"

"He meant to kill me." Kid whispered, eyes lining with tears again. "He's a fool, I see this now. His plan was to hold onto power through fear and violence. That's how Kings meet their end."

"No, Pet. Kings meet their end because that is the nature of the world. The throne is taken by blood, and only blood. Do you think the history books will look back on this night and say that you saved the Forest? No. They'll look back, seeing a bitter second son kill his brother as take the throne for himself. They'll see a Rebel King who painted his victory as a service to his people, though the truth is he took power to take it. And do you know what else? That's what they would all do. If you give a man a chance to see an opening, they will take it. Everyone wants to sit on their throne, and wear their crown. But not all of them can lead. And without me, you will be killed within your first year, at the latest."

Kid was frozen then, her words shaking him. Finally, she thought to herself, moving back towards her son again. The hand that gripped the sword trembled, and the painful reality struck down on him. The throne was a death sentence unless you had spent every second from birth preparing for it. And Kid simply hadn't. He was unknown to the nobles, and he was unknown to the people. There would be civil war within the year if he took the crown, and the guilt of that would drive him mad. "Now, why don't you and I get out of here before the thunder gets worse."

"Oh please." A voice broke through their clearing, and they both turned to find the owner. That damned slave walked into the clearing, a broken and beaten Dweller hobbled next to him, her arm over his shoulder. "You really think he's a little scared of someone trying to kill him? Lady, you haven't been in the Forest. And they actually kinda liked us."

"Sorta." The Dweller croaked, grin on her blood splattered face.

"Blake! Maka! How-what-" Kid spoke, almost hesitant to receive an answer. Maka sighed, tossing something towards them. Asura's head landed on the grass, enraged sneer looking up at Kid and Arachne. Kid cried out, and Arachne pressed her hand to her heart, the shock causing her vision to go dark.

"Looks like you're down an heir." Maka spat, all too satisfied look on her face. Arachne lunged for that pathetic creature, ready to end her now but Kid's sword blocked her way.

"Was it lawful?!" Kid demanded and the slave nodded again.

"Down to the circle they fought in. She killed him fairly."

"You Dweller bitch, I'll see you hung for this!" Arachne snarled, and the girl only waved at her.

"No, you won't." Kid ordered her, strange look in his eyes. "You'll surrender the rune now, mother."

"Foolish boy! Do you have any idea what goes into creating a rune?! You'd have better luck creating a new one to save that damned Forest."

"Dunno if this matters," The Hell Child's voice joined them again, revealing where he was hiding in the tree above them. "But Highness, that's a very strange glow in your gut."

Damn those fucking Hell Children! Arachne snarled, turning to face her son, watching the realization bleed onto his face, features jumping from confused, to shocked, to horrified, to some sort of tortured peace. "Well? Where do you stand then? You've taken your throne, how long do you think you'll keep it? Do you think your people will trust you when they know what you've done? Or will you let me help you, and maybe you'll survive. What choice do you have? You don't know how to rule and you don't know how to control your father's power. I am your only chance."

Kid stiffened, but he released a deep sigh. With a fluid motion, he had buried his sword deep in his mother's gut, destroying the script on the rune hidden inside her. Arachne gasped, trickles of blood leaking from her mouth. She tried to speak, but her son shook his head. "No. Better you not even breathe than to breathe another lie to me."

He pulled his sword back, and his mother fell to the ground. Her blood spread across the clearing she had so painstakingly created herself all those years ago. Her son stood above her, tears in his eyes that had been ordered not to fall. This wasn't the same Child that she had sent off, this was a whole new man. She hadn't accounted for that, and judging by the look on his face, he seemed to agree.

She couldn't believe she had forgotten how much like his father her second son was.

They were afraid to move.

Blake finally broke first, letting Maka support herself against a tree, and he tentatively made his way towards Kid. He met Soul's gaze as they passed each other, the Hell Child headed to help Maka. He dropped from his tree, pulling her against him. "Are you okay?!"

"I'm actually feeling a lot better. Are you?" She asked, and he grabbed her face and kissed her. She looked shocked for only a moment and Blake finally turned away, attention back on Kid. There was a blank look on his face, and his sword hung limply from his hand. Carefully, Blake took the sword from him, both of them ignoring how warm the Queen's blood was on their hands. There were a few thousand things Blake could say right now, but nothing seemed quite right. Kid had just lost his entire family, and nothing would really soften that blow. Instead, Blake went for the first thing that popped into his head.

"You stole my line."

Kid looked surprised, and then the smallest smile cracked through his face. "Oh, I suppose I did."

"You can have that one, but I swear to whatever Gods haven't fled, I'm charging you for the next one. Intellectual theft! How unbecoming of my ruler." Blake sighed, lacing his fingers behind his head. "That will be remembered forever in some history book, and I'll be forced to hear how amazingly witty you are until I die, when in truth, you may as well be a blank-"

Kid had his arms wrapped around Blake tightly, face buried in his filthy shirt. With a soft smile, Blake wrapped his arms around him as well, letting him catch his breath. Only seconds later, Kid released him, regaining his composure. "Thank you, for everything. If you wouldn't mind waiting, I think I have to go stop a war."

"Don't let me stop you." Blake grinned, slapping Kid on the back. They had only taken a few steps when the thunder crashed against the sky again, loud and final, and the sky poured forth rain, almost immediately soaking the party, and effectively dousing the fires that still burned. There were cheers from below, and the four tired warriors dragged themselves over to the castle's edge. The Dwellers below were cheering, dancing openly in the rain, weapons dropping as they did so. The few knights who remained looked confused, but followed suit, mistaking it for a strange surrender.

"Sounds like that did the trick." Maka sighed, her arm slung over Soul's shoulders now, a smile on her face.

"Hopefully, they'll be willing to have a rational discussion." Kid smiled too. Behind them, there was a soft clapping, which brought a groan from Soul.

"Swear to the gods of sea and sky, if I someone wants to fight-"

"Relax, Demon." Jackie's voice commanded, and Soul lost the tension in his shoulders, nearly dropping Maka. She surveyed the area, eyes resting on the bodies of the royal family, then back at their shabby little party. "Well, I truly wasn't expecting this."

"Saint of Love, I am so-" Kid began, and Jackie held up her hand.

"Spare yourself, I simply came here to ensure that Kim would be alright. It seems you beat me to it, but I don't mind that all too much. I have no reason to kill you. Queen Marie, however, will be here by dawn. I imagine she will want an audience."

"Absolutely." Kid promised, and Jackie nodded at them, a funny smile on her face.

"Amazing, isn't it? Things are in place for a hundred years, then four children barely old enough to know how the world works topple the entire thing. I hope you're ready to fix what you've broken Kiddos, there's a lot of work cut out for you."

Hey guys! We're almost done can you believe it! There's only one or two more chapters left! As always please let me know what you think!