With the destruction of Blazing Inferno, the rulers of Raftel were left with no choice but to keep the prisoners in the Purgatory. All spellcasters are called to place multiple barriers on the Purgatory to ensure that no prisoners will escape.
Most of the prisoners are injured saved for a few who surrendered willingly.
"We have a lot to talk about." Whitebeard's eyes are solemn while looking at the High Princes before staring at the destruction that Teach and Sakazuki caused.
"Indeed, we do, yoi. But only after barriers have been placed here." Marco may sound calm but he is still angry deep inside as if his patience will wear out at any given moment.
"And what about the dead prisoners?" Thatch asked. He and his group were able to catch up to the High Princes but the moment they arrived, there was nothing left but traces of the battle.
Dead bodies lay everywhere, blood reeked in the Purgatory. It was awful and pitiful, making him flinch at the sight of the massacre. And when his eyes landed on the High Princes, Thatch shivered while seeing their bloodstained appearances. It's as if he's looking at the epitome of monsters.
"They will be buried in the deepest part of the Purgatory." Zoro answered. These are prisoners who have strayed the path and rebelled against Raftel. Even if they used to be part of Raftel, they've done nothing but crimes that made them unworthy of being buried in the Sanctuary of the Dead.
Sympathy can be given to the dead prisoners but that is all they can give them. They are beasts - it is in their nature to be brutal, dominant, and prideful. None of them will forget the sins of those who betrayed them no matter what happens.
"We will leave the barriers to you, Izou, yoi." That was all Marco can say to one of his Warrior Commanders before nodding at the Peacekeeper, signaling that they must leave this place to be at a place where they can properly talk about their situation.
A few hours after the Spellcasters successfully strengthened the barrier in the Purgatory, the three High Princes along with Whitebeard and the Warrior Commanders are gathered in the Central Palace's war room.
This war room has never been used before, not since when it was built years ago. Oddly, it will serve its purpose today. The atmosphere is heavy, everyone can feel the tension in the air, yet none dared to speak first.
"How were they able to get into the Blazing Inferno without being detected?" Kidd was the first to break the silence, his question was directed at the Peacekeeper before his fiery reddish eyes landed on the Warrior Commanders present in the room.
"Teach's power defies our imagination. It was more than just an Ancient Dark Magic that was lost for thousands of years." Whitebeard said, frowning at the thought. "We still have yet to uncover where his powers came from or how it grew stronger since the Great War."
The words made everyone in the room frown with worry. All of them have been in the Great War and survived that battle to tell the tale. They all know how powerful Teach and Sakazuki was. When the two traitors escaped, everyone dreaded the day that they will come back in Raftel to cause more deaths and destruction.
If they are stronger now, it means that Raftel is about to face another bloody battle against these traitors.
"Sakazuki's aim has never been clear however if there's something I am sure of is that he wants more power." During the days when the Three Magical Kingdoms are still around, Izou often hears that Sakazuki was shunned by the Daerenians in favor of the Rareborn Princess whose power far surpassed any of the High Kings and High Queens at that time.
They all believed that the Valley of Xavaria holds more secrets and can give you more power, that is what the elders of the Magical Kingdoms say. There has been no one who was able to find where the entrance of the Valley is or how to get there except for the Rareborn Princess.
"Does he still want to open the Valley of Xavaria?" Haruta asks.
"That is possible. And if the key to the Valley is here in Raftel, it means he wants to get rid of anyone who will hinder his path." Vista added.
"And they need more powerful allies on their end. Hence, breaking into the Blazing Inferno." Wire said.
"And do we have nothing regarding their whereabouts?" Zoro asks. Information is crucial in times of wars. If you know nothing about your enemy, it will only mean a disadvantage on your side.
Right now, they are blind when it comes to the enemies' movements. They were struck when they least expected it. Not only that, the enemies now have powerful allies.
"We have no solid proof of their whereabouts but because of the rumors surrounding the usurpers of Cresta, it may be them." Robin has been keeping an eye on how things are going in Cresta.
"I believe it is them." Whitebeard's voice resonated in the room. "We must be prepared because they might attack us anytime now that they have more people on their side."
"Shouldn't they have done so the moment they freed the prisoners from the 6th level?" Namur's question made everyone silent while thinking about the possible reasons why Sakazuki and Teach did not attack Raftel.
Had they known that the High Princes are not around, they will most likely take the opportunity to wipe Raftel off of Earth. But they didn't so the information that the High Princes are not in Raftel is not known to them.
Still, why did they not attack?
"We cannot spend more time guessing why they didn't attack Raftel. What we need to do now is to prepare all of our people for the worse." Zoro's eye almost turned red after delivering those words. Anger visible on his face.
His memory will never fail him. Those painful memories will forever etch itself in his mind for the rest of eternity. Forgiving those bastards is never an option for him. Given a chance, he will kill them with his bare hands.
Everyone agrees with Zoro's statement to prepare everyone else for the war to come.
"Are you all going back to Alabasta?" Yosaku asks out of curiosity. With the enemies lurking, they won't know when Raftel will be attacked. Even though he knows that the princesses' lives matter to the two High Princes, he still can't help but worry for their people.
Beasts are strong, but to battle stronger enemies, Raftel will need their High Princes present there.
Marco and Kidd exchanged looks before a decision came on their mind. Marco can only sigh as he shakes his head before answering the inquiry.
"I-I won't." It must have taken every ounce of his self-control to make that decision right there and then. He's forced to choose what he thinks is for the best.
"Your Highness..." Whitebeard calls him.
"From what we know, they will gather their allies to take back Cresta which means they will be coming back here any moment, anytime." This time, it was Zoro who speaks for Kidd and Marco who are still bothered that they have to stay in Raftel because of the dangers that might be coming after them.
If there's anything a beast hates, it is to wait for who knows how long. The longer they wait, the more their temper runs on thin ice. What they hope for is for news about the princesses and hopefully to have them back in Raftel.
This is for the sake of the two High Princes' sanity.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Robin took the initiative to initiate contact with the Princess of Alabasta who was eager to help them as much as she can. The historian gave a brief explanation that the High Princes will not be back in Alabasta and instead, will continue to wait here in Raftel until they can meet them halfway.
"It is dangerous for them to launch all-out war in Cresta." Robin warned.
"Why is that?"
"We suspect that the usurpers could be more powerful than you expected." Robin cannot provide further information or details about their assumptions for now. Not because of the lack of trust but because it may cause panic.
"But - "
"Princess Vivi. Please let us know once the princesses have left Baltigo and on their way to Cresta. We cannot let them rush into the war."
Vivi's eyes are confused with her words, but she still nodded, choosing to trust the words of the Otherworldly.
This conversation was relayed to the High Princes in hopes of easing the worries they have. But maybe, these worries will continue to grow as circumstances begin to change.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
A few miles and they will reach their destination. It's a destination that they do not frequently visit because there was no need to. It's nostalgic for the three princesses to be visiting the secret island of Baltigo only at times like these - when they are at war.
As soon as the Thousand Sunny ship docked on the island, they are instantly welcomed by their allies who are eagerly waiting for their arrival. They saw Shanks' ship docked as well, so this is a piece of good news for the sisters.
"It must be a rough journey from Alabasta."
"It's a surprise to see you here, Your Majesty." Ann slightly bowed at the man before them.
"Please, stop calling me that. Even if I am a King, it does not mean I am forgetting where I came from." King Dalton of the Drum Kingdom said with a humble smile on his face.
"Where is Shanks?" Luffia eagerly asks.
"He's been waiting for you. We all are." Dalton guided them toward the castle not too far from the dock.
It's been years since they've been here. So many things have changed but they cannot appreciate the beauty that is laid before them. They're not here for sight-seeing vacation. They are here for war.
Stepping into the castle, the three sisters immediately notice the familiar faces of people they have known for years. They were immediately greeted with hugs to express how they are happy that the three of them are safe.
To be with these people made the three of them feel as if there's hope for this war. Those days they spent in the middle of the ocean made them felt hopeless about their situation especially after pieces of news they are getting about the enemies' army.
Will they win? Will they be able to take back their Kingdom, their people, and their parents? There are times that they doubted if they will come back alive at all. The closer they get to Baltigo, the more fears are starting to surface, knocking on their heads endlessly as if to remind them of how grave their situation is.
But what can they do? They must remain strong not for themselves but for their people.
"We must - " Shanks was about to say something when they heard the Denden Mushi ringing. Before long, the Denden Mushi projector started to project something on the wall.
Everyone's eyes are locked on the sudden broadcast. Projections are a rarity in the Human Realm. This is only used when important events are happening in a certain Kingdom. Most of the time, it is to showcase weddings or important announcements.
When the projection started to become clearer, everyone's eyes are shocked. The scenery being projected is very familiar because it is Cresta's plaza.
A woman was standing there, smiling as she faces the people of Cresta as if to make an important announcement.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"Have you two prepared yourselves?" Akainu's voice echoed in the walls of the dim-lit dungeon as his cold and calculating eyes stare at the two pitiable figures inside the cell.
"What is there to prepare, Akainu? If it's our deaths, we've been prepared for it a long time ago." Rouge's voice may be weak but it still full of dignity. A dignity that he won't be able to take away from her. If she will die today, she will accept it but never will she beg mercy from a traitor like him.
"How are you still holding fire in your eyes when you are about to die?"
"If you want us to beg you, that's never going to happen Akainu. Never." Roger's smile always gets on Akainu's nerves. There's something strange about Roger's eyes that he cannot put the right words to. Even if this man is the mate to the Rareborn Princess, Akainu feels as if there's something he must know about this man.
Yet, he pushes those thoughts at the back of his mind. He does not have time to dwell on useless thoughts.
"Why don't we hold a public execution for them?" Teach asks, keen on humiliating the two of them. It excites him to see the hopeless faces of the people of Cresta as they stare at their venerable King and Queen die in front of them.
"That is tempting, however, we can't let her identity slip out." Akainu was pointing to Rouge who is in her original form. "Raftelians are not aware that the Rareborn Princess has been living as Queen of Cresta for decades."
"Wouldn't that be an advantage for us? Zehahaha! Imagine the look on their faces as they see the ever-powerful Rareborn Princess gets executed."
"Fool! If they will know of her existence, it will complicate things for our plans. We cannot let that happen. Execute this man publicly." Hearing these words, Rouge's tears are starting to fall. She knows this will happen but it doesn't mean it will hurt less.
It's as if she's been stabbed several times just thinking about it. Roger's hand squeezed hers as if telling her it will be alright, that they will be together.
Roger's eyes are calm, smiling softly at Rouge. The sight calmed her down and while she stares at his eyes, memories came flashing back before her eyes - the day they first met, their wedding, their moments with their children, everything is as clear as the water flowing down the river of the Valley of Xavaria.
It is a regret that they will not be able to see their children anymore. It is a pity, indeed.
Be that as it may, Rouge is thankful to die together with her mate. If they can't get out of this situation, then they will die together. No one will die ahead of the other.
With a nod, Rouge turned her head toward Akainu and Teach, eyes flickering as she begins to mutter her last words to them:
"Heed my words, Akainu and Teach." She begins as magical power starts surrounding them. This alarmed the two men standing outside of the cell. "You will face doom. You will face the wrath of Raftel. You may have succeeded in getting rid of us, but this will not mean that you've won the war."
She was so weak that she should not be emitting any magic power. When Akainu's eyes trail the source, he was surprised that she's consuming her mate's life force as she begins to mutter a spell.
Teach tried to break the spell but he finds himself being struck by a powerful barrier Rouge placed. Even at this state, her spells are far more superior than theirs.
"I wish I could have seen your face when you realize your foolish mistakes. You and Teach will soon meet your end along with your those who betrayed Raftel." It was Roger's words this time.
Despite Teach's several attempts of breaking the barrier to interrupt the spell, there's no use. It's a spell that can't be broken as they tied their lives along with it.
"We curse you a lifetime of memories, engraved in your head. You will remember us the moment you two will die, your souls will forever burn and will never pass on. You will remain in an endless fire of misery." Rouge and Roger said these words at the same time.
"You - " Akainu's fist is raised on the air, ready to deliver the final blow to them but it was too late. The spell or rather, the curse they cast is complete.
It was a forbidden curse that they used, offering their lives to complete it. The two of them prepared this. They avoided the humiliation of being publicly executed by killing themselves.
Little by little, Roger and Rouge's bodies started to fade, turning into specks of golden dust that is slowly being carried by the soft breeze wind coming from the small window of the cell.
Akainu stares at their fading figure, their eyes are still staring at him as if they've won the battle this time and it was nothing but short of an irritation that he cannot scratch off his mind. Just how much of humiliation will Rouge give him in this lifetime?
"Damn you!" This is what he can only mutter before the rest of their bodies are no more, leaving no trace of the prisoners in the cell.
"We should have executed them before they killed themselves!" Teach is mad because of how things turned out. This is beyond what they expected.
"They're dead, there's nothing we can do. They just did us a favor." Akainu answered. "We will proceed as planned. There's no use in staying here any longer. We will leave today."
"And their spawns? Even if they are human, they still must be killed. Do not forget that Rouge possessed Al Draig. She might have turned her daughters into humans, but Al Draig cannot be suppressed." Teach reminded Akainu.
"I know that! But they are pests and not worthy of my time. Have some of your men stay here to kill the three spawns. Once we've announced the death of their parents, they will surely come here to take their revenge."
Teach smirked before nodding. He has people that will do just that.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
Ann can feel her knees shake until she can no longer take it, strength leaving her body before she finds herself kneeling on the cold hard floor while staring at the projection in the Denden Mushi.
"I am here to formally announce that the former King and Queen of Cresta are dead!" A pale-skinned woman laughed after announcing to the people of Cresta. She threw the King and Queen's crown on the ground including the clothes of the previous King and Queen.
The clothes are stained with blood, ripped apart as if the people who used to wore it had been battered to death.
Sab's tears fell from her eyes, mouth gaping after hearing the words of the woman whose laugh resembles a devil.
If that wasn't enough, the woman burned the clothes right in front of the people as if to humiliate the King and Queen of Cresta.
The Denden Mushi projection slowly shifted to focus on the people in the plaza who were crying at the news of the death of their Monarchs. Many wore collars and some were injured.
Just looking at the state that the Royal Capital is in, Luffia can't help but feel her anger surge from the deepest part of her soul. She wants nothing but to stop this. And if she can, she wants this pain to go away.
All this time, they thought that they can still save their parents, that they have the chance to get them back. They were wrong. The enemies could not wait for them to make any move and decided to kill the King and Queen.
"No! No!" Ann was sobbing on the floor, still staring at the images of her people as well as the fire coming from the clothes of their parents.
"T-This... H-How..." Sab can't even form proper words due to the shock she is feeling at this moment.
"This is not true! That can't be!" Luffia shouted, refusing to believe the words of their enemies. Despite her shouts, for some odd reason, she can feel the truth behind those words. She can feel that they are gone, that they will never see them again...
The woman keeps on talking about the death of the Monarchs of Cresta, telling the people that the two stayed in the deepest parts of the dungeons, being tortured before they die together.
She was telling everyone how pitiable Roger and Rouge were to believe that there's still hope when there's none.
Her words serve as a way to break the spirits and hopes of the people of Cresta. And when she ended the Denden Mushi projection, everyone that watched the scene unfolds remained silent while staring at the three princesses who are still in shock.
No one knows how much pain they are going through right now but they can feel it. They can feel their hearts breaking into pieces.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
"What did you just say, yoi?"
"The King and Queen of Cresta are dead. Or at least that is what the usurpers said."
The news was spread to neighboring kingdoms. Some were shocked but others were not. After all, it is not unexpected for the previous monarchs of the Kingdom to be executed.
Hearing this news, the first thing that comes to Marco's mind is Ann. How is she feeling right now? She's probably not alright. The pain of losing your parents is something Marco can relate to even after all these years, he can still remember it as if it happened yesterday.
He wishes that he was there with her, to comfort her grieving heart but alas, he's not.
"Any news from Vivi?"
"Aside from the princesses arriving safely in Baltigo, there's none for now. But I think they will be coming back to Cresta sooner than we expected."
"This could be a trap for them." Zoro said. The enemies are purposely baiting them to attack sooner than intended by publicly announcing the deaths of the King and Queen.
It is a strategy to hoist them out of their hiding and it might be working.
"I'll kill all of them." Kidd just muttered. Yes, he still despises humans but these people went too far. Or maybe cruelty is innate to them. War is cruel. It will claim the lives of your loved ones and send you to the depths of desperation that you can't easily get out of.
You will suffer knowing that your loved ones died for the cause they believed in. You will curse those who oppressed you and only revenge can quench the pain you are feeling until you will find yourself in an endless cycle of hate, pain, and vengeance.
Love paves the way to a neverending hatred, a cycle that cages you. A cage that is locked away with no keys to get you out of.
How will they handle this?
If only I am with you... Kidd and Marco are thinking the same thing right now. Thinking of their mates that are on a faraway island, probably feeling nothing but pain and despair.
Even if the stones are preventing them from feeling what their mates are going through right now, Marco and Kidd know how it feels like to be in their situation.
Only if I can wipe the tears off your eyes. Only if I am with you to comfort your grieving heart, to hug you, to cherish you...
Unfortunately, it won't happen. For they are miles away and they can only curse the distance that separates them.
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
The news spread like a wildfire and reached the hidden Valley of Xavaria. They may have no means of communication outside, but they knew that Roger and Rouge are no longer in this world.
Everyone saw the two tablet stones break right in front of them. Alamir can't help but feel a melancholy creeping in his heart as he watches the stone break into pieces, turning from gold to grey.
A sign that they are dead.
"How come?" One of the Daerenians asked but none can answer this for they are blind to what is happening outside. They are here in the Valley of Xavaria, waiting for the right time.
They all thought that they will be seeing Roger and Rouge once again, but it seems not. They are gone.
Everyone cried upon seeing the two tablet stones. They are grieving for the loss of their rulers. Ever since Rouge and Roger mated, all of them treated them as their High King and High Queen.
Roger was a man full of wonders. Always laughing and bringing joy to their lives whenever he visits. It feels as if they've finally seen someone worthy to be called High King after such a long time.
He even wants to decline it when they told him they should be holding a ceremony to officiate their titles to the three Magical Kingdoms. It took months of convincing before he finally agreed.
And so, they've become High King and High Queen of the three Magical Kingdoms and in turn, their daughters are the High Princesses.
Yet, here they stand, looking at the broken pieces of the tablet stones. Their rulers are no more. What they can only hope now is for their High Princesses' return.
At least, their tablet stones are still there, intact. All of them are hoping it will remain like that until the right time...
Only if they knew what is about to come...
===XXX===XXX===XXX===
AN: Uhm, so... I'm sorry.
