Darkness surrounds them. Amid the darkness, they hear the laughter that echoes. It reverberates in their ears that made their fears crawl on their back.

Then, there is silence.

It was so silent that they can hear their heartbeats.

"Ann! Sab!" Luffia's voice resonates in the darkness. She shuts her mouth and closes her eyes to heighten her hearing senses. She hears nothing for a minute before Ann's voice reaches her ears followed by Sab's.

At least they are alive, however, they are trapped in this endless darkness.

"Zehahaha! Oh, Princess." Luffia's familiar with this laughter. It invaded her dreams several times than she can count. She heard his laughter louder when she stepped in Raftel. Now, she understands why. This is the laughter of their enemy. "Relinquish your hope, Princess. Raftel is no more. They will die. Everyone will including you. Zehahaha! But! You can save yourself."

His voice is gruff, filled with ambition, and arrogance that made Luffia want to vomit.

"Where are you? Show yourself, coward!" She shouted back while looking around, trying to find the owner of the voice. Fighting an enemy you cannot see is not something anyone can do, more so if this enemy is the ancient enemy of Raftel.

It's dangerous.

"But I am here. Zehahaha!" He must have taken pleasure in watching Luffia struggle to find him. It's an amusement for him that his prey is right in front of him, helpless, and at his mercy. "See? I am right here."

No matter how much Luffia heightens her senses, she cannot point out where exactly the enemy is. It's as if he is the abyss itself - the darkness.

A gust of wind startles her and she turns around, meeting the enemy whose body is emitting clouds of darkness. Half of his body is flaying around, like dark smoke amidst a heavy fire.

When Luffia looked into his eyes, she sees nothing but endless darkness within. How can someone look so dark? In the darkness of Teach's eyes, Luffia sees his desires, his hunger, and everything in between.

"You can save yourself, Princess. Look." He waves his hand and the space contorted till it forms the image of Raftelians battling against the army Akainu sent. It's a bloodbath.

Luffia's stomach churns at the sight of her people dying, screaming in agony, and crying for help. Whitebeard and Rayleigh are tied up fighting against Kaido and Big Mom while the commanders are left to fend off many enemies at once.

Raftel is outnumbered.

"And here too."

Once again, the space next to the scenes from Raftel contorts till it shows the images from Cresta.

It seems that Akainu and Teach planned it well. They invigorate Cresta's enemies to unite against Cresta and Raftel. Many human soldiers were shouting and cursing the Cresta's Royal family as traitors.

Boulders are thrown in the air, directed at the place Luffia called home. Fire is everywhere. Blood spilled on the ground, dying it red.

"You..." She clenches her teeth and fists in anger. Her parents lived their lives protecting the two worlds and now, it is on the verge of destruction.

"All you have to do is agree to my terms and your people shall live. You have not mated with that wayward High Prince, correct? That makes things easier. Mate with me." He's asking the impossible from Luffia.

There is no way she will agree to it.

"Mating with me will be easier. At least I have you as my source. Zehahaha!" Mating is akin to sharing one's power. Teach thought that by mating with Luffia, he will also gain Al Draig and her powers. But he is wrong.

"You will not succeed."

"Zehahaha! It's baffling how you can still talk with confidence when you are losing. Can't you see?! Your people are dying!" Teach is baffled how Luffia can still refuse him when she knows that everyone will die.

Not like Teach will keep his word, but once she agrees, everything will be easier for him.

He looks at her again and was shocked to see nothing but determination mirroring in her eyes. It's bright, like the sun. The fire in her eyes signals hope that made Teach want to smash it to pieces.

He's about to say the last words before signaling the army to kill more of the people when he saw her smile. It's not a hopeless smile but one that states she will win.

Teach would have brushed it off had it not been for the nervousness creeping in his mind. He may be taller, but her presence sure made him feel like he's the smallest man in the world. He hates how insecurity sowed in his heart. He thought that with the years of him chasing after the power he desired, the insecurity and sense of helplessness would have been gone, but he's wrong.

He questions why them? Why not him?

Gritting his teeth, he sent a signal to his army to attack more Raftelians.

'Make it bloodier than it ever,' is what he told them. These creatures are lurking in the dark, always wanting destruction more than anything else in the world. They despised those damnable Raftelians who were blessed by the heavens.

With a new army joining the fray, the Raftelians found themselves being pushed back on the wall. It does not help that Teach is showing all Raftelians that the High Princes and High Princesses are captured. Their morale is instantly diminishing.

One after another died in the hands of enemies. Not just Raftelians, but also the Humans in Cresta.

"Feeling despair yet?" Teach grins at Luffia.

"I told you, you will regret it." The anger in her cannot be suppressed anymore. Side-glancing the image Teach showed her. Teach followed her line of sight. At first, there was nothing but Raftelians dying, but little by little, some disturbances are happening in Raftel.

They can hear the ground shaking, with several war cries echoing in Raftel. This had Teach frowning because he knew he didn't have any army aside from the ones he already sent.

Soon, the image became clear to him as hundreds of creatures suddenly immerge from the forest. Their shouts of slaughter emit killing intent directed to the invaders.

"KILL THEM!" These creatures roared in unison. There are centaurs, poisonous dragons, minotaurs, and several creatures that used to be imprisoned in the Purgatory. These are creatures that were sentenced to a lifetime of imprisonment due to the crimes they committed in the past.

Yet, here they are, fighting in the name of Raftel.

"How? Why?" These are the questions that everyone wants an answer to, yet only Luffia and Zoro knew why these creatures suddenly emerged from the depts of the prison cell Blazing Inferno.

When Akainu and Teach joined forces to break out the prisoners from the 6th level, many prisoners from the first 5 levels were left roaming the Purgatory. The incident caused many lives when almost half of the prisoners broke out to invade Raftel.

And the other half of the prisoners remained in Purgatory and chose not to partake in the battle. They are mere spectators, watching with amusement as the other prisoners went wild, hoping to get out of Purgatory to unleash the hatred they kept in their hearts.

"Bunch of fools." One of the notorious prisoners from level five snorted. Many of his followers remained calm and when the prisoners were put back to their prison cell, those who didn't participate in the breakout chose to hide in the deepest parts of the Purgatory.

The High Princes and the Peacekeeper knew that there are still prisoners lurking in the Purgatory, roaming free, but with the danger approaching the High Princesses, they didn't have time to deal with them.

Instead, they just strengthened the barriers, preventing the loose prisoners from stepping out of Raftel.

It happened after their return to Raftel. While her sisters are with their respective mates, a bored Luffia strolls in the Purgatory in hopes of playing with Kebby.

In her strolls, she senses that the area is very quiet but several presences are lurking in the shadows. A rustle in the bushes caught her attention and without hesitation, she followed where the noises are coming from. As she steps into the deeper parts of the Purgatory, the more she hears the whispers of the creatures.

Then, it happens. Something below her feet starts moving. The soil starts cracking, opening a crevice that serves as a window, yet Luffia can see nothing but darkness inside. She rubs her eyes, doubting if it's the problem, but she can't see what's inside the cracked ground. So, she crouches in front, leaning forward to have a better view.

As if that's the only thing the creature is waiting for, it surges forward, shouting to scare her with a mouth missing a few teeth opened, a black shroud covering its body, and dried blood on its tattered clothes.

Luffia's mouth gaped at the sight, not blinking for several seconds. The creature or whatever is left of its rotten body also did the same, staring at Luffia, expecting her to run away.

"Ah!" That was the only reaction Luffia did while pointing at the creature.

As if in disbelief that this woman did not run away, the creature roared again. The second roar echoed in the Purgatory which could have scared anyone with how creepy it sounds, but not Luffia. She stands up from her crouching position, hands on the creatures' shoulder, then she pushes him back on the ground.

"Ok, ok. You can go back to sleep now."

Realizing the hilarity of being pushed back, the creature sauntered with indignance.

"As if I want to go back!"

"Then, why are you on the ground when you are not sleeping?" She tilts her head in confusion. When the creature did not answer, she sighs in disappointment. The dark creature was shocked that the woman is not even afraid of him. "So, what are you? Are you an old beggar with a huge wound in your mouth? You're missing a lot of teeth."

"Damn it! I am a wraith!"

"Oh," Luffia answers as if she understood what a wraith is. "Okay, I have to go now. Ah, wait, I forgot, did you see Kebby?"

"Who the hell is Kebby?!"

"My friend dog! The one with three heads!"

The mention of the three-headed dog made the wraith shiver. It shrinks back to the ground till the only thing that can be seen is his head.

"I-I don't know. He must be somewhere in those parts, disciplining the other prisoners." He pointed to the Northwest.

"Ok, thanks!" Luffia ran in the direction, not aware of the eyes that follow her movements.

When she arrived at where Kebby was, she found him growling at a group of creatures. There's a notable distance between the two opposing parties and a man that looks like the leader of the creatures is clenching his fist, ready to fight the three-headed dog.

"Kebby!" Luffia shouted, happy to see her friend again. Hearing her familiar voice, the aggressiveness in the Cerberus' faces faded. Instantly, the guard dog wags its tails, huffing, and jumping from his place, waiting for Luffia's pat on its three heads. "You're here! Good boy! Shishishi!"

With her attention on Kebby, she failed to see the shock from the creatures in front of them. Only when Kebby growled at them in warning not to move did she realize that she and Kebby are not alone.

"Oh, are they your friends too?" Kebby shook his head and glares at the group of creatures. "Kebby, it's not good to always fight others."

Kebby whined but Luffia ignored him.

"Hi! I am Luffia. Who are you?" A man with green hair, a shade lighter than Zoro's stepped forward.

"Rumors are going around that Raftel housed humans. I didn't know you had the guts to be in this place."

"It's not my first time coming here. I am here to visit my friend, Kebby. What's so wrong with that?"

Ignoring them, Luffia directed Kebby to give her a ride, leaving the creatures frowning in surprise.

That was not the first time that Luffia encountered them. The more she visits Purgatory, the more she interacts with them, holding a few conversations and finding out that they are the prisoners of the Blazing Inferno. There were about hundreds of them lurking in the Purgatory.

When the prisoners broke out, they remained in the Purgatory to watch the battle, not participating in it at all. And when the High Princes and the Warrior Commanders put the prisoners back to the Blazing Inferno, these dozens of creatures chose to hide with a few of them standing as leaders.

"Why were you sent to the prison?" Luffia can't help but ask.

"Because we've lost our way."

"Huh?"

"We will not serve leaders who are not worthy."

"Heh. I admire you, Crest Head! You should follow your guts! Shishishi!" After that conversation, Luffia would have left already but Zoro suddenly appeared out of nowhere. "Ah! Zoro! You're avoiding me!"

"Ugh." Zoro didn't elaborate. His eyes dart towards the group of creatures he knew that are far too dangerous for a human to interact with but he knew Luffia had been visiting here for quite some time now. Cerberus is always with her, ready to call the High Prince should they be attacked with the remnant prisoners.

Zoro didn't say anything at all, ignoring that he saw the prisoners that should have been sent back to the Blazing Inferno. As long as they won't give him a reason to send them back, they will let them be as is.

When Luffia's history was revealed, the news spread like wildfire even to those who are in Purgatory. And amongst the prisoners are loyal to the Three Kingdoms of Magic including the person that Luffia called Crest Head. These prisoners were shunned by some of the Beasts, they were vilified and treated cruelly all because they are of low birth. Most of them were servants of the Royal Families of Verid, Huidel, and Daerene. Some were their soldiers that went astray.

Most of their crimes involve violence when they heard some of the Beasts' insults to their Masters. Even when their crimes can be pardoned, they chose to be sent to the Blazing Inferno.

'Better be in prison than live their lives hearing insults. That would be hell.'

And now that the descendants of their Masters returned, so will they. With Zoro as the witness, they vowed to Luffia to serve as her shield in times of war. Instead of accepting their vows, she shook her head.

"I can protect myself! You just need to protect yourselves! Do not worry about me! What you need to do, is to protect your friends and your home. Shishishi!"

Such words burned in their hearts. Even Crest Head, or Bartolomeo, as what others called him, cried a river upon hearing Luffia's friendly response. It even made him more motivated.

When she reached out to them to help fight the enemies, everyone rallied to her calling. Destroying the path with the blood of their enemies, the enemies that are threatening to destroy their home. No matter how much some of them hated the Beasts, they cannot erase the fact that Raftel is their home now and forever.

"Kill these bastards! Offer their internal organs to Luffia-sama! We will burn it as our offering! Come on!" Bartolomeo shouted, startling the Warrior Commanders who were in shock at the choice of offerings.

"Put that bastard's head on a spike and we will offer it to Ann-sama!"

"I shall write on the ground using their blood for Sab-sama!"

"Get out of the way, you Beasts! We will kill these bastards!"

Many of the Raftelians were confused at the arrival of these warriors who are thirsty for blood. They killed identified enemies without hesitation and asked for more. The brutal way they kill the armies sent by Teach left anyone in shock. They cut off their heads mercilessly. Even those who are heavily injured, are not spared from the way they paved the ground with death and blood.

Even with their hands stained with blood, they continue their way through, asking for a bloodbath.

Their motivation stems from the constant flowery words of Bartolomeo, singing praises about Luffia and her sisters. He reminded them of where their loyalty lies. They can settle whatever scores they have against the Beasts. For now, all they need to do is to defend this land they call home.

Their appearance immediately changed the scale of the battlefield with the Raftelians now on the advantageous side. The momentum rode like the wild waves of the ocean, and they ride on to it, washing the enemies away.

While everything is a mess back in Raftel, Teach felt the increasing amount of hatred for Luffia. He growls at her, cursing her craftiness. He thought they will have the upper hand, but as it turns out, the youngest is more than prepared for this war.

"Zehahaha! Seems like I will gain more if you were to be by my side. Your loyal subjects will also be under my command."

"Dream on!" Luffia began attacking Teach with fists and kicks. She tried her best to apply whatever Rayleigh taught them for the last three days. It was hard to land a hit when Teach will disappear from her reach because of his advantage in this dark hole.

More often she finds herself blinded by the darkness and what comes after are his attacks that send her tumbling down.

His powers come with greed, absorbing energies and magic from Luffia. The darkness may be contributing to his boost in power, making it harder for Luffia to keep up.

During their exchanges, he kept insisting that Luffia should choose him. Her every denial is answered by fists that made her cough up some blood. He enjoys the torture Luffia is suffering from, and he intends to break her mind till she begs him to spare her life and agree to his terms.

"Fine. I will kill all of your people and keep you as a prisoner. We have a lifetime together ahead of us, don't you think? Zehahaha!" With nothing but a thought, Teach generated another dark power coiling in his hands. The dark smoke turned into something akin to a prison cell, meant for Luffia. Just as he's about to cage her, a burst of fire suddenly appeared from the side, targeting Teach.

Startled, he docks from his position and gets away from Luffia only to meet another spell that sends him several feet away. He coughs up some blood due to the impact of the attacks. Looking up, he saw the two High Princesses beside Luffia, ready to kill him at any given chance.

"You coward." Ann is sporting some bruises from her body and a few drops of blood from her open wounds, but nothing too critical that can keep her out of the battlefield. "You and Akainu deliberately wanted to separate us because you two cannot hope to defeat us when we join forces."

"Ah, such a beauty. You remind me so much of your mother. A pity that she's dead. Zehahaha! And you two will soon follow. Just my luck that the youngest is not mated yet." A sheer disgust creeps into Luffia's bones. She grimaces just thinking of being with this man.

"Let's attack him together. If spells will be less effective, then we have to fight with brute strength and our will."

Al Draig is their will. It is their power. All they need to do is use it to the best they can.

Years of being in Cresta's army gave the princesses the experience they need. Often they battle in the frontlines, confronting invading enemies. They are not like any commanders who will stay in their base and send commands to their troops. They prefer to be the one leading the charge. This strengthened their resolve in fighting, fearlessly, and brutally.

There would be times where wars require the presence of the three of them. As children, they are used to coordinating with each other, complementing what one lacks, and making up for the holes in their defenses and attacks.

Ann charges to the front while Sab follows suit, taking the left side of Teach to cut his route of escape. Luffia immediately positioned himself at Teach's back, throwing his fist embued with an invisible power she accumulated.

Teach managed to dodge some of their attacks but the eccentric pattern of the three caught him off guard more times than he can count. No matter how much he wants to reinforce his body with the dark power to absorb the attacks, he cannot keep up.

The constant attacks against his willpower weaken his defenses. With three Al Draig wielders, he can only keep himself alive.

When the darkness surrounding them weakens, the three princesses can instantly feel the restriction on their powers decreasing. The twins can now feel their mates not too far away, with a sliver of connection that they can trace.

With their bonds reconnecting, they can now use the shared power from their mates. Ann's transformation is immediate. Her fairy wings became sharper, emanating strong flames.

Sab's wings are now spread wide, similar to Kidd's, yet there's a touch of difference coming from her lineage. The most notable transformation one can see in Sab is the raw claws that her hands transformed into.

Since Luffia is not yet mated, her features remain as is.

Seeing the increase of strength, the three looked at each other, nodding in agreement. With a roar, they attacked Teach at the same time, wanting this battle to end as soon as possible.

With three powerful attacks coming from different sides and infused with Al Draig, Teach found himself in a dire situation.

"No! This is not the end! I will not allow this to end! It can't be the end!" He shouted as defended himself frantically.

In the middle of the attacks from the princesses, a thought suddenly appeared on his mind.

Then, he smiles menacingly.

"Of course, this is not the end. Zehahaha." His line of sight lands in the direction where Akainu and three High Princes are. "Yes. Not yet the end." What he is thinking now, no one knows but him.