Sparks flew into the air as a pickaxe struck the wall, a man swung down, he was covered in a black cloak and wearing a red facemask, goggles covered his eyes, and he seemed to be in his 40s at the most.

  To his right, was a younger looking man wielding that same pickaxe, but he wasn't nearly as suited for the job.

  Stuck in brown rags from top to bottom, he slammed his pickaxe down, and breathed an icy mist escaping his mouth as he did so, "Cold." he spoke before starting to hum a song to keep him and the old man company.

  It was the only warmth they were going to get after all.

  Further down near the rivers, a young woman dived into the water swimming deeper and deeper down, that was until she found her quarry, she grabbed hold of a metallic handle and gave it a good tug, bubbles flew to the surface as she pulled out a metallic canister, she swam back to the surface and lifted the canister onto the metal floors, as she did she took in a breath sucking in the cold air around her into her lungs that were already filled to burst, "Hard." she uttered the word looking up to another man who took the canister he nodded humming the song that the others had started as he put the canister in question into a wooden crate, before grabbing another canister, this one with a lit up blue line on its right side and handing it to the woman, she nodded checking her right wrist to see her stopwatch.

  She'd make it, so she dove back down.

  To the right of the rivers, lay machinery.

  Men and women worked on every bit of it, what they worked on was almost all different, some worked on airships, and others worked on simple machines.

  But all seemed to have suffered some sort of injury. Guards clad in silver armor always came by to check up on these machines before taking the small bits and pieces and bringing them south to a small set of stone buildings, it almost seemed to be a small village, but the buildings weren't used to house people, just the materials they gathered.

  They wouldn't risk a transport with all these prisoners around after all.

  An alarm began to sound, but the people paid it no mind, they had heard it so many times after all.

  To the far north, a large metallic door began to open, and men, women, and children began to walk forward with their heads down and chains wrapped around their arms. Tying them together. Men clad in red armor walked to the sides of them, two soldiers for every 4 prisoners.

  All except for one girl, a girl with silver hair who walked with her head held high walking with the rest of the prisoners but taking in the sights around her, "...Quite the place you got here." The girl uttered, one of the soldiers walked up to her and the line stopped.

  That soldier pulled his right fist back and slammed it into this girl's gut. She was no more than 13 and she fell to her knees wincing, the soldier then spoke, "Up to this point you've lived a carefree life... Now you're going to work to get it back, only single-word responses are acceptable down here. Do I make myself clear Shadewalker?" the soldier questioned looking down to the girl.

  The girl whose name was Skylar Shadewalker.

  She looked up at the soldier with a glare, "Crystal."

  Chapter 6: Deaf Crys

  (Moments earlier)

  -Ugh... My head is pounding.

  Slowly Skylar began to regain her consciousness, yet before her eyelids could even open, she felt a splash of liquid across her face her eyes snapped open and immediately she started coughing, water had drenched her head to toe and she glared at the person who had dared to soak her.

  It was a man, a man much older than her who tossed the bucket to the side, he stared down with a scowl, he was clad in silver armor but his crimson eyes shined with the fury of a thousand suns, Skylar took a quick note of the sword upon this man's back "Rise and shine you little shit." So the man started to say, "Today's your lucky day, we don't often get the chance to incarcerate murderers..."

  "Murderer...?" Skylar questioned, in truth his mind was still somewhat hazy.

  She replayed what she could remember through the back of her mind, and her gaze narrowed, "I didn't kill anyone." She stated this fact without any doubt in her mind, this was a human prison so the gods surely didn't count.

  ...Right?

  Skylar suddenly found herself unsure, she'd never been arrested before.

  "You think ignorance will save you?" The man growled, reaching into his pocket and throwing something onto the table, shards. Rainbow crystal shards. Skylar saw them drop onto the wooden table and instantly her heart sank.

  Memories flooded her head, memories of the day of reckoning.

  Tetra's smile flashed through her head, just as the soldier spoke, "You are here for the murder of Executioner Tetra."

  The worst crime anyone could commit.

  The worst accusation anyone could ever throw at Skylar, she looked up, her eyes narrowed dangerously, "I didn't kill Tetra. I would never lay a hand on him."

  "And yet, we have not once but two witnesses who claim otherwise." The man retorted with ease as he walked over to the door nearby, Skylar noted the walls were made of stone, and it was here that she finally had a second to examine herself, her outfit was pretty much the same, but her sword was missing, a collar was around her neck, and her hands were tied with a thick rope.

  "What's more," The man continued opening the door for a moment, another soldier stood outside holding a brown bag, "a peculiar set of items were found at the scene of the crime." he tossed the bag letting its contents spill onto the table, metal shards scattered across the table, "The shards of Tetra's own blade."

  Skylar stared at the evidence with wide eyes, it didn't make any sense, the shards of rainbow crystal, the shards of the blade, it didn't match up with what she remembered.

  And what's this about two witnesses?

  She slowly looked up to the soldier, seeing the hatred in his eyes, and repeated what she knew to be true, "I didn't kill Tetra."

  The soldier scoffed at the claim, "Claiming ignorance in the hopes that it'll save you? Foolish." he walked up to Skylar and grabbed her by the back of her head slamming her face down into the table. Her cheek brushed one of the shards cutting it, "We can keep going on here all day, all I require from you is a confession... So lucky for you I can't kill you, but..." he reached down with his left hand grabbing hold of one of Skylar's fingers under the table, and he bent it back, further and further, until it cracked, breaking.

  Skylar let out a cry of pain trying to pull away from the man, but this only resulted in the man lifting her head once more and slamming it down, "I don't care if you lose an arm or a leg."

  Insane, this man was insane... Why wasn't anyone stopping him?

  This was wrong, she'd never kill Tetra. Never in a million years.

  Skylar grit her teeth trying to call forth her magic in order to fight back, but nothing came, no lighting, no draconic hands, no wind.

  -No

  No. No no no no no no.

  This is bad, this is really. REALLY bad!

  If she couldn't call forth her magic, then she was defenseless in this situation, they could keep abusing her for weeks and she'd be powerless to stop it.

  Skylar looked to the door straining her eyes, hoping beyond hope for any semblance of salvation.

  But there was none, none upon that wooden door.

  She was starting to panic, the pain on top of the confusion was going to drive her mad.

  Her thoughts screamed at her, her mind was going fuzzy.

  And so she closed her eyes, she closed her thoughts, her sight, all sounds. Blocked them out, she didn't need long, she was still a smart girl, but as she sifted through her thoughts trying to find some way out of this she could only come to one conclusion.

  There was no way out.

  No way out... But there was a way forward, a way to survive.

  And so, she allowed her senses to return to her slowly but surely, and swallowed her pride to do the unthinkable, "...I confess." she spoke the words, though every single lie that slipped past her lips made her want to vomit, "I confess to killing Tetra."

  She had to get out of here, and sitting here speaking the truth wasn't going to give her anything but more broken limbs.

  So although she hated it, she lied.

  The soldier blinked surprised by this action, but he ultimately let go of the girl's head, scowling as he did so, "Just as much of a coward as I thought." he declared as he began to untie Skylar's bonds, "Don't get excited, I'm simply moving you to the main grounds... You'll be spending your life here as a prisoner."

  Skylar watched as the man began to untie the rope, she thought about fighting back of course, but decided against it, if these guards were willing to resort to breaking bones just to get their confession, then there's no telling what they may do now that they have it.

  What's more, without her magic she was at a serious disadvantage.

  The Guard glared at Skylar, "Stand." so his order came, and so Skylar did as she was told the Guard then forcefully pulled Skylar's arms behind her back.

  Tying the rope back on right then, after that, he pushed Skylar forward as the wooden door ahead opened, Skylar arched her brow as she saw several people, men women and children just like her. All tied to a large chain rope.

  Once Skylar was in range of the rope, the guard that escorted her removed the ropes once more and then tied the large chain rope to her arms.

  ***

  And that's how Skylar found herself here.

  A bruise on her face, a broken finger, and a cut on her cheek.

  Quite the lively day, for her all things considered, Skylar took notes of each guard's movements, there every breath, their twitches even the way their gazes shifted, she watched as each and every prison was untied and given a tool some were given wrenches. And then brought to the area where machinery was built

  Some were given goggles, then brought to the area where they'd dive down to replace those strange cylinders, Skylar took note that a crystal was in one of the freshly brought up ones, and then there was this place.

  A pickaxe was given to her, "...Why?" Skylar questioned arching a brow.

  The guard that gave her that pickaxe pointed upwards to the rafters that connected to the large ice cliffside, "Your duties are to mine for crystals from that ice wall, and don't even think about using that pickaxe to attack another. Your life is a gift, one that we can easily rip away." the guard growled.

  Skylar said nothing to that and instead began to walk forward.

  This was going to be tough, first things first though, she had to make some allies, learn more about the place she found herself in, and escape.

  "..." she paused for a moment looking at the nearby people working on machinery, and she arched her brow.

  -What could they need all that for?

  She found herself wondering.

  -Come to think of it, what do they need crystals for? I hardly ever see them used in this Pandamonium.

  Skylar continued walking forward, lest she got targeted by one of the many guards on patrol.

  She looked to a nearby staircase and figured this was the way up to the rafters, but as she began to climb another pressing question entered her mind.

  -Where's Striga?

  ***

  Slowly Striga's eyes began to open up, a bright light entered her vision causing her to wince as she tried to move.

  She blinked, feeling metal chains wrapped around her arms, she found her arms wrapped around her back.

  When she looked at the area she saw floors made of stone, a shitty bed to her right and straight ahead iron bars lay blocking her escape, outside of those bars was a woman with bags under her eyes, wearing a white jacket and black pants, a chair was what she sat upon, her eyes narrowed dangerously, "So your Striga eh...? Funny, your resemblance to Skylar is uncanny... Though I hear that's just another enigma involving mages with that trademark hair... you all look damn near identical." The woman then frowned, "damn ghosts."

  -Ghost.

  A rare nickname, one never used by the common masses, but by someone who had once known a white-haired mage.

  Well that narrowed things down, Striga sat up straight and put on a false smile, "And that must make you Julieta right? Never took you for the kidnapping type." Striga hissed, a sense of malice slipped into her voice, she wasn't fond of prison cells, they did nothing but bring back bad memories.

  The woman in question put her chin on her palm and smirked slightly, "Yeah, that'd be me. As for the whole 'kidnapping' deal? Well, can't be too safe when you're dealing with someone who might be collaborating with a murderer." she uttered these words returning the hostility.

  "Murderer?" Striga frowned as she tilted her head to the side, "You think Skylar is a murderer?" she laughed at that, "Impossible." Skylar already had enough guilt for taking the life of those who'd try to kill her, the simple idea that Skylar would willingly kill another without reason, that was stupid.

  And yet this woman, Julieta. Seemed convinced otherwise.

  Julieta stood from her chair and began to walk to the prison door, looking though it right at Striga, "Of course not." she declared as she laid a hand upon the bars, "I know she is."

  Julieta's fingers then tapped along the edges of the bar impatiently as she stared forward, "She already confessed to doing it herself, as such her execution will only be a matter of time."

  Striga blinked at that, "Confessed...?" That didn't make any sense, why would Skylar do such a thing... Did she really?

  No, no this could be a trap... There was more going on here, Striga was sure of that.

  Julieta's cautious tired eyes never left Striga for even a moment, soon enough she removed her hand from the bar, "Mmm, well regardless I have other duties to attend to, while I see them. You can sit here and rot away." With that Julieta began to walk down the hallway.

  Striga sat in her cell and looked straight up, "..Well this sucks."

  Julieta continued to walk down the hallway, several cells lined the walls, some filled but most were empty, she hardly ever kept the cells full now, not when these people could be put to work.

  Soon she came to a wooden door and began to push it open. This place, THIS prison, used to be the fifth floor of Pand?monium, but she repurposed it, and moved most of the dangerous monsters further down.

  And turned it into this, all for the day that Skylar would return, the day came sooner than she thought. But even so.

  She opened the door ahead and walked through, "A pleasure to see you after so long dear one." A voice suddenly spoke out to Julieta's left causing her to stop in place.

  Julieta didn't turn to face the person in question, but she did speak to it, "I thought you wouldn't want to be seen with me."

  The person scoffed while walking up to Julieta and wrapped its arms around Julieta's neck whispering into her ear, as they began to brush Julieta's hair, "Now don't be ridiculous, while it's true I must remain in the shadows... It's also true that this is a very special day, a day where the one who wronged your beloved will finally be led to justice..."

  Julieta closed her eyes, letting herself be swallowed into the embrace of this person, her eyes snapped wide open as this person pulled away, "As such, I had to be sure to see the blood hit the ground... And to add on a bit of insurance..."

  Julieta blinked as she heard a set of metal boots hit the ground behind her, she blinked slowly turning around to greet the stranger, there Midus stood clad in his armor, "...I hear the Shadewalker has been contained here..." he growled, his voice dripping with venom.

  Julieta nodded slowly and turned to look at the person who had hugged her, "Am I to use him as I see fit?"

  The person smiled, putting its hands behind it's back, smiling, "Of course, an attack dog, a guard dog, it matters not so long as he is put to use." the person then paused putting a finger to their chin, "Of course, the moment Shadewalker is gone, I shall also return to retrieve him. I trust that won't be an issue."

  Julieta nodded slowly, "Of course not, I shall put him to good use... Lust."

  Lust smiled at that, turning around as a black portal opened up behind her where a hooded man stood, "Then I shall leave you to it." she walked through the portal and it closed behind her leaving Midus and Julieta alone.

  ***

  Skylar slammed her pickaxe into the wall, her's seemed to chip away at it a lot faster than anyone else in this place, though the cold air hardly did her any favors, seriously, prisoners or not this was brutal.

  Skylar's pickaxe slammed into the wall once more, but this time a light green glow came from the cracks, there was a crystal lodged within, wind magic no doubt.

  She could... use this to try and break out, but the crystals were only good for about 2 maybe 3 spells.

  Skylar's gaze shifted to her left, the old man and kid next to her had yet to notice her quarry, instead her gaze was upon the sets of two guards patrolling towards her.

  She frowned and reached into the crack, grabbing the crystal and pulling it out with strength. The guards of course looked at her with a scowl, but she said nothing, tossing the crystal up to them, and following their rules she uttered one word, "Right?"

  The guard that caught the crystal looked it over and nodded at it, "Very good, keep this up and perhaps we can increase your serving size for lunch."

  So they said, and so it'd never happen, lie, lie and lie, that was their way, lie and give these prisoners a semblance of hope, only to crush it back down into the abyss.

  It was for this reason among many others that Skylar had already begun researching ways to escape, there were a few things she's already learned in her short time here.

  -For starters...

  She thought as she began to swing her pickaxe further into the wall.

  -The crystals gathered are obtained from either this wall or crafted through the canisters that the Divers use.

  Her gaze shifted to the left seeing the next set of divers lift their canisters up, there are slots at the very bottom of that lake where empty canisters are placed, mana flows into those canisters and then the mana is inserted into Blanks, a clever system to ensure the Blank's aren't damaged on there way down or up.

  After all, if a crystal was to receive any sort of damage no matter how little the mana within will disperse.

  -That's the hardest job here, the easiest goes to the machine builders, they make small airships that are then transported the same way they bring us prisoners in, via that large metal gate... it can only be opened from the outside, and it's defended by large portions of soldiers, so escaping via that method is near impossible...

  Skylar paused as she looked to the roof of this place, it was stone walls just like everything else.

  But...

  -If I can't leave through the door given to me, then I'll just have to find a way to make my own.

  But that could wait, she'd only have one shot at what she's planning and if she screwed it up, it'd cause more harm than good.

  She blinked as she felt something push into her arm, it was a bottle of water, a young boy around Skylar's age held it out, his eyes were a bright crimson and he wore a frown as he uttered his one word, "Here."

  Skylar arched her brow before grabbing the water bottle and lowering her pickaxe, "Thanks." she uttered as she began to uncap, if the lead wasn't even sealed properly she'd simply toss it away, after all, she wasn't sure who she could trust down here, but it was sealed, so began downing the contents without a second thought, the boy looked to the metal gate and then he looked around, once he was certain no guards were listening in, he spoke up, "My name is Ignis. And... you are?"

  Skylar lowered the bottle, looking to Ignis, "Skylar." she decided after a bit handing the boy what remained of the bottle.

  The boy drank the rest, before reaching down for his own pickaxe and swinging it into the wall, "So." he spoke up again as Skylar started to swing her own pickaxe, "What are you in here for?" He asked the heavy question first, not a bad move. All things considered when dealing with a prisoner you want to know what they did before.

  But Skylar frowned as the next swing increased with strength, "Murder supposedly, not sure where they got that sick joke from."

  Ignis frowned at that, "Your falsely accused?" he questioned glancing to his left, as the beat of his pickaxe resounded across the area, "but why didn't you just state your case against the guards if there is even a speck of doubt they would have held off your imprisonment..."

  "Not if you're suspected of the murder of Tetra." Skylar scowled, annoyed in the clear bias going on in the place, Ignis paused mid-swing at that.

  "Whoa..." he looked to Skylar, "But like did you kill him?"

  "Hell no." Skylar hissed her eyes, flashing with anger, "The idea that I could do that to someone like him is itself an insult, he was a man I looked up to heavily."

  "...Hm, you said your name was Skylar right? Skylar... Shadewalker perhaps?" Ignis arched a brow.

  Skylar glanced at Ignis, "My name is so well known that it's even in prison now?"

  Ignis chuckled a little at Skylar's scowl, "Not quite... I was told to look out for you, I got someone I want you to meet... but it'll have to wait till after lights out."

  Skylar narrowed her gaze, distrust showing within it, betrayal was a feeling that was still leaving a bitter mark on her soul, "And why would I do that?"

  "Do you have any better options?" Ignis questioned, already knowing the answer as two guards began to approach their location they were running out of time to speak freely, "if so then by all means, keep going as is. But if not, then perhaps you'll find escape isn't as impossible as it seems."

  Skylar frowned at Ignis, and despite her distrust, she spoke, "I'll do things my way first, and if that doesn't happen to work out... Then I'll seek you out."

  Those were the last words spoken as the two guards entered earshot, what's more, they didn't seem to be leaving.

  Were they onto them? No come to think of it, more often than naught the guards never even left their posts.

  So why did they do so previously, unless...

  Skylar glanced over to Ignis, who smiled as if none the wiser to her suspicions.

  -Did he... pay them off somehow?

  If so, then this kid had more influence than he let on...

  Which did not do much to lessen Skylar's suspicions about him.

  But for the time being she continued to slam her pickaxe into the wall, she could worry about him later.

  She had work to do.

  ***

  Lust looked over her Empire over the balcony, watching as her subjects began to prepare for battle.

  In truth, she could launch an attack whenever she wished, but she took joy in watching the fears manifest in the nations beyond, so she always delayed her attacks, letting that fear reach its boiling point and then.

  Then she'd strike, and now that Jubilee was missing its top combatants the fear was sure to start rising to its peak.

  Lust grinned at the thought of it, but that grin dropped into a frown when she heard a tearing sound from behind her, she took in an annoyed breath before turning around.

  Looking at her visitor, "You would borrow my strength and use it as transport? Hardly a tactic I'd support." The stranger declared.

  Lust said nothing to the stranger at first, instead opting to lean backward onto the railing, "Oh come now, fear is a delicacy that is available in abundance... you should try feasting upon it yourself sometime Origin, then you'd see how even something as poultry as one man can cultivate it into a bountiful harvest."

  "Hm, and yet the longer you wait the more likely it becomes for your Empire to fall, is that your intention? To let those bugs fester and grow into a hoard that could tear your Empire apart?" Origin questioned without missing a beat.

  Lust blinked at that before chuckling and pushing away from the railing behind her, she then began to walk forward with a fake smile, "These mongrels think they can take this from me?" she chuckled beneath her mask as she turned back around and with a wave of her hand the crowd that stood below began to cheer, "They can try, but in the end, they will fall like dominos, and of course... Should they reach my castle, then they'll be mine."

  Origin frowned leaning against a wall, "Is that so? But you're aware that your usual tactics simply won't work upon the Shadewalker are you not?" Origin uttered these words with a scowl, in his gaze it seemed Lust was getting too lax in her duties, and if there was one thing that Origin would not tolerate it was laziness.

  "Does it matter?" Lust questioned looking over her shoulder, "It's so rare to see someone who can withstand my influence, I want nothing more than to break her down to her core and see what makes her tick... it doesn't matter if she's broken beyond repair, or if she turns into a corpse, even objects are worthy of my lust." So she declared holding out her arms to the skies, as if trying to grab hold of them all.

  Origin closed his eyes and turned away, opening a black portal, "Hm, so long as the show is entertaining then I shall continue to watch... that said when you take your final bow." Origin looked over his shoulder for a moment, "I won't weep for you." with that Origin walked through the portal.

  Leaving Lust alone to chuckle, "Why would an Empress care for the tears of a worthless man?" She meant that for both Origin.

  And Midus.

  ***

  Skylar grunted as her back hit the wall, before she could react a guard slammed his fist into her face with enough force to crack her nose, and blood splattered onto the floor as Skylar reached up grabbing her nose and crying out in pain, "Little shit!" the guard shouted, lifting Skylar up by the hair before reaching into one of her pockets and pulling out a small green crystal, "Thought we wouldn't find out about you trying to sneak off with our wares?!" he shouted dropping Skylar onto the ground she winced looking up definitely at the guard, "What's with that look... You got something to say brat?!" he shouted, kicking her in the gut causing Skylar to wince in pain.

  It's not like anyone else would come here to look after all, this was a secluded corner where the guards all hung around, they could bring anyone they liked back here and do whatever they pleased.

  She looked up once more and uttered two words, "Fuck... You..." she barked her eyes flaring with anger.

  The guard however was in control of the situation, and fury burned in his eyes as he pulled back his leg kicking Skylar in the rips with force, then in her stomach, her eyes bulge as blood flew from her mouth she curled into a ball in some desperate attempt to protect herself as kick after kick flew into her.

  Hours seemed to pass and Skylar was covered in bruises. The guard had at last run out of energy, he huffed, turning around, "Get out of my sight brat, lights are going out soon and I won't be staying overtime for your ass." With that, he began to walk off.

  Skylar stayed in a ball for a moment listening to every footstep before she began to uncurl, wincing in pain as she did so, everything hurt.

  Slowly she began to sit up, leaning her back against the wall as she sucked in a breath of air, trying her best not to cry.

  -This is fun, I bet most people don't even get to feel this kind of pain.

  She joked internally, trying to distract herself with a small chuckle, this had the opposite effect of what she desired though and instead only made her wince further in pain.

  -...Didn't he say, 'Lights Out' ...Uh oh.

  Skylar took in a sharp breath and grit her teeth using the wall to prop herself up as she got to her feet, 'Light's Out.' Time for the prisoners to go to bed, as such Skylar had to make her way to the front gate, every other prisoner should be there as well.

  For anyone who fails to show up on time will be labeled as a deserter and become executed on sight, she grit her teeth limping forward.

  -Not good.

  She could feel her body screaming in agony, but she kept moving forward, refusing to die.

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

  Her pride and her resolve wouldn't allow it.

  And so she limped onwards, with fire in her gaze.

  ***

  Ignis stood amongst the crowd of prisoners, and a set of guards stood in front of the gates, they had already begun to start the roll call, each name was in a list, it always took a bit about an hour in total and it was names were always called out in alphabetical order, the call outs were supposed to start now.

  And so he waited for the first name on the list, 'Aazeem Akashan.' That was always the first.

  "Skylar Shadewalker." The first name was called out, and confusion rang out amongst the crowd.

  Ignis's eyes widened when he heard the name called, he looked around for Skylar, but of course

  She was nowhere to be found...

  "Skylar Shadewalker! Are you present!?" The guard shouted once more, there'd only be one more call.

  And if Skylar refused to answer then...

  Once more that guard narrowed his gaze, glancing at his fellow guards, "Skylar Shadewalker, if you are present! Then speak now, this is your final warning!"

  . . .

  No response.

  The guard lowered his clipboard and sighed, "All units, fan out! Find the Shadewalker, and have her Executed!"

  It was a setup.

  Ignis knew this better than most, and so as the guards began to fan out he turned towards the alleys, he saw Skylar get dragged off in that direction earlier and he ran off to go fetch her, even as other guards began to shout at him.

  He made a promise, and he'd see it though, even at the cost of his own life.

  ***

  It was raining that day if memory serves, I wasn't one to travel in this sort of weather, and hated the feeling of wet clothes you understand?

  But today was different, today it wasn't just my life at stake.

  To my side in this lush rainforest, was a young girl.

  A young girl of about 12 years old, my youngest sister.

  "Just a little further now Alice," I told her as I glanced at her, she was breathing heavily and sweat was running down her face.

  "R-Right... I'm coming." Her emerald eyes stared up at my own crimson ones, her pale skin was a dead giveaway in the moonlight.

  She was hungry, I knew this well.

  Of course I did, after all, I was hungry as well.

  And it's not as though normal food would do us any good.

  It was never that easy for gods.

  Soon I reached a clearing, as I did the rain faded as well, the skies seemed to show mercy on us this day.

  Soon, in the distance, I saw a village, a small village that was said to be where salvation for all gods lay.

  Babylon Garden, the village created by Empress Lust.

  My eyes widened in joy at the sight, "There it is! We're going to make it Alice!"

  So I declared with joy on my face, I turned around and that joy immediately turned to worry, Alice was laying against a tree looking up through their branches to the moonlight.

  Slowly I walked up to her, wordlessly.

  So she did the talking instead, "Do you think it's true what they say?" She questioned suddenly.

  I blinked, of course, confused by what she meant, "Is what true?"

  She smiled softly as she reached up to the stars as if trying to grasp them in her hands, "They say that every star in this sky is the life of people who are very important... people who can change this world... for the better, or for worse." She muttered, lowering her hand, "Do you think so?"

  I paused looking up to the skies, "I suppose I could see that... After all, people that are special would have to shine as bright as those stars wouldn't they?"

  Alice closed her eyes, taking in a breath, "Do you think I could be one of those stars Ignis?"

  Ignis looked down at Alice and chuckled somewhat at that, "Of course, you shine brighter than any star out there. I'm sure of that." He then moved down and picked up Alice piggyback style and started to walk out towards the village ahead.

  She smiled leaning her head on Ignis's shoulder, "I'm sure your star will be much larger than mine, you're amazing after all."

  "Mhmm, then I guess you've got your work cut out for you if you want to reach the same size as my star," Ignis said with a smile.

  Alice smiled sheepishly at that, "Ha, you'll be eating my dust in no time!"

  Ignis was about to reply when he saw a light in the village, no.

  Not just one light, two.

  Then three, then four.

  Hundreds of lights, but there was something wrong with these lights.

  They were moving.

  Fast.

  Through the air towards the duo.

  "...Huh...?" Ignis looked down to his torso feeling some sort of pain, there in his chest.

  Lay an arrow lodged right into his gut, an arrow covered in fire, the fire didn't hurt him, it was his element by the pain of an arrow that was not something he could ignore.

  He dropped to the ground in pain as fire began to surround him he screamed, agony overtaking him.

  Arrow after arrow flew over him and to his right he saw his younger sister on the ground writhing in pain, he reached out desperate to get to her.

  To save her, he crawled forward.

  Slowly but surely he got closer to Alice, but by the time he had arrived his sister was nothing more than a burnt corpse, "Alice...?" he muttered lifting her head, "Hey... come on, this isn't funny!" He shouted the words, fear overtaking his heart, "Your star is supposed to burn brighter than mine isn't it!? Come on! GET UP!"

  He clutched the burnt corpse of his sister to his chest as he screamed, "ALICE!!!"

  He should have died that day, he lay there screaming and mourning his own dead family, as villagers from Babylon Garden approached him, all of them holding swords. There were five of them.

  With a wave of his hand, he could burn them till there was nothing left of them.

  But what was the point?

  His sister was gone now. As was his world, he deserved this.

  He deserved every single agony that the world was about to visit upon him.

  So then why?

  Why did those golden lights escape from the forest and destroy his assaulters?

  Why did this new girl approach him, with a look of true pity, why was she now offering her hand to him?

  Her hand was dripping with blood, and the words that would seal Ignis's hands left her lips, "Are you okay?"

  He stared up with wide eyes at this girl, Shina stared down at him with an interested brow raised, in the eyes of Ignis, he saw a bright light shining down on this girl, "A star...?"

  That was all he was able to say before falling onto the ground passing out.

  ***

  Skylar winced walking forward, she was near the rafters now, right next to the staircase on the far right side. She'd take a bit but she was certain she'd make it on time.

  "Hey you!" A voice called out from behind causing Skylar to arch a brow as she looked over her shoulder seeing three guards closing in on her, all with their weapons drawn, "surrender yourself, there's nowhere to run!"

  -That... doesn't sound good.

  Skylar felt a bead of sweat on her neck form and instead of surrendering she spun around on her heel and ran up those stairs, causing the guards behind her to give chase, ahead several pickaxes littered the floor, though they were flimsy and would easily shatter against all of the guard's blades, Skylar instead ran low to the ground picking up one of those pickaxes and while wincing slammed it into the mountain that she was already working hard to mine, sure enough, a yellow crystal lay bare, she turned to face the three guards throwing the pickaxe at them before shoving her right hand into the crack she had made, pulling out the crystal and casting its magic.

  The guard in front swung his sword with surprising strength shattering the pickaxe instantly, his eyes widened however when.

  Several spikes of earth shot out from the mountainside, Skylar looked down to the crystal as it turned white, it was nothing more than a Blank now.

  But she wasn't going to sit here and wait for those guards, so she turned around and continued to run.

  The only reason she was able to get that crystal in the first place was because she found it earlier, but she used one charge of the earth magic to hide it.

  And now her ace was gone, without enough time to get another.

  "There she is!" Another set of guards down below saw her and she let out a groan running along the rafters, her eyes widened as balls of fire, shards of ice, and bolts of lightning began to light up her path.

  Of course, it did, these guards were mages...

  Skylar remained nimble weaving through all of these, that was until a shard of earth exploded from below tearing the rafters and sending Skylar hurdling onto the ground adding to her bruises.

  She moved to stand up only for a guard to slam its shoulder into her knocking her into the body of water before she could swim back up, however.

  The top was suddenly covered in a thick layer of ice, Skylar winced holding her breath, though she hadn't gotten much she swam up and slammed her fist into the ice, once. Twice.

  It cracked a bit but those cracks were immediately sealed back up.

  -Ice magic?

  She scowled and lifted her legs using the ice to launch herself downwards now knowing that breaking the ice above was a lost cause.

  She instead went deeper into the pit, her quarry was at the bottom and ultimately it'd be a gamble.

  Soon enough she found a cylinder with a handle upon it, she reached out pulling it out her mouth shot open as she gasped for air, but instead began to suck in the water, she was drowning, but the very in her gaze never left, she opened the canister and out came a green crystal.

  With little strength, she reached out and grabbed the crystal pointing it below her and she was sent flying upwards with the speed of a Sonic Boom her back shattered through the ice ceiling and she pointed the crystal to her left launching herself to the right causing her to tumble onto the ground near the alley she exited moments ago, she coughed and sputtered trying to get the water out of her lungs, her eyes widened as something grabbed her hair pulling her into the alley, she instinctively tried to swat whoever it was away.

  "Shh! I'm trying to help you here." Ignis hissed as he pulled Skylar to the side, he then looked around a corner seeing the first three guards that had chased Skylar start to approach.

  He frowned at the sight before narrowing his gaze, "This is bad..." he looked to Skylar who was already holding a Blank.

  Ignis frowned for a moment, but ultimately closed his eyes, before walking up to Skylar snatching the Blank from Skylar's hand, "You... Do you have a plan?" Skylar questioned.

  "...Through the metal doors, that's the only way out. Everything else could cause a cave in, with wind magic you could probably force it open." Ignis explained.

  Skylar then looked down, "But with this collar on me, I can't use that magic... And I'd be lucky to get another crystal."

  Ignis flipped the Blank around in his hands, before smiling, "Guess I've got no choice then... Hey, when next you see Shina tell her I said thanks."

  Skylar blinked looking up, "What are yo-" her eyes widened when Ignis drove the sharp edge of the crystal into his heart a smile upon his face even as he dropped to his knees, Skylar quickly shot up grabbing him as he fell, she removed the blank from his chest and immediately started to apply pressure, "W-What the hell!? What are you doing!? Didn't you say you'd help me get out of here? You can't jus-"

  "But... But I am helping..." he never lost that smile even as the light began to leave his eyes red energy began to swirl upwards and into Skylar causing her to look at that light, and realization dawned upon her.

  "You're a god...?" She questioned looking down at Ignis but he couldn't accuse him after all, the dead cannot speak.

  She grits her teeth lifting up his corpse, she moved it further into the alley setting it down, she didn't want to damage it if she had to fight.

  The three guards at last entered the alley and when they saw Skylar covered in blood the one in front frowned, "One wasn't enough for you, so you had to take the life of another? Death is more than you deserve!"

  She recognized that voice, it was the voice of the guard who she first met, the one who dropped the evidence in front of her, Skylar stood up from Ignis's corpse and took in a breath as the three guards began to approach slowly, the necklace glowed bright red, a malfunction in the system, after all the necklace was preprogrammed to handle the magic's Skylar currently had, but not a new one obtained, so she reached up and grabbed the collar shattering it within her grasp, a fire burned through it and it fell to the ground.

  She then began to turn around, locking her gaze at the guards with their drawn weapons, her eyes flashing between crimson, to emerald green, she held out her right hand and spoke only one word to them, "Come."

  The guard leading the trio narrowed his gaze, "You think your tough shit? No, you'll be back in chains soon enough!"

  Skylar walks forward towards the guards unafraid, "You think you locked me in here because you're strong?" Skylar questioned as the wind around her began to blow upwards, "No, that's not why you locked me in here... I'm here because I'm kind, kind enough not to wound people who deserve it, kind enough to put my trust in the grieving. Kind enough to put my faith in murderers." Skylar clenched her right hand into a fist and the wind began to burst forth knocking the guards backwards, the main guard however stabbed his blade into the ground using it to stand his ground.

  "You are a prisoner... a murderer of a legend! Nothing more!" he shouted over the oncoming storm.

  And Skylar stared forward, "Legends aren't made of the living, legends are only born from the deeds of the dead." She replied as she closed her eyes, "And his legend lives on the deeds that I'll commit." Her eyes snapped open, "So stand down, or become another page in my legend."

  The guard's eyes widened, for a moment for a single moment he could swear on the heavens that he saw Tetra himself standing behind the girl with a smile.

  "Could it be... You live on through her?"

  The guard spoke to himself looking down at the dirt and gritting his teeth.

  "Sir! You have to stop her!" One of his colleagues shouted from behind him, and he said nothing in response at first. Instead, he closed his eyes and uttered these words to Skylar.

  "Go. Go and never look back." he doesn't know what possessed him to say such a thing, he knew the evidence, he knew the witnesses' tales, but yet.

  At this moment he was sure that Skylar Shadewalker.

  Did not kill Tetra.

  And so he watched as Skylar turned around and ran down that alleyway with renewed vigor, "Lady Julieta... please forgive me." He uttered those words, closing his eyes.

  ***

  Striga sat in her cell with her eyes closed, she was biding her time waiting for an opening, listening to the subtle sounds in the walls, the chatter of the prisoners, the way the guards shouted, "Skylar Shadewalker is escaping!"

  ...

  Wait what?

  Striga's eyes snapped open and moved to the bars surrounding her cell, sure enough, she did not mishear that.

  Skylar hadn't even been here for one day, and already chaos was following in her wake.

  Striga chuckled a little at that, "Seriously? She really can't go one day without breaking something?" Of course, the answer was no, in fact, Striga was surprised that Skylar had kept it together this long, she was certain the moment she awoke that there'd be the sound of explosions.

  Actually, the fact that there were no sounds of explosions even now was surprising to her, "You think she's coming for you?" Julieta's voice suddenly echoed out through the hall as she walked up to Striga's cell, a small smirk on her face.

  Striga said nothing to that, locking eyes with Julieta, so instead Julieta kept talking, "Doubtful, she's already wounded, and despite the little rampage she's causing out there it won't mean much in the long run." Julieta declared as she snapped her fingers the guards began to rush over to her side.

  Not just the guards of this area, but every area.

  "What...?" Striga arched his brow, confused.

  "Hm? These men aren't needed you see." Julieta declared, "Not when a very special man desires a rematch with the Shadewalker."

  ***

  Skylar found herself running straight up to the gate, she had expected some sense of resistance.

  But instead, she found.

  Nobody.

  Not a single guard, nor prisoner, the place was dead quiet.

  And the gate ahead was open... wide open...

  "That's foreboding..." She muttered.

  "Today I learned that getting cut off from you magically is the equivalent of teetering between life and death."

  Skylar blinked as she heard Alma's voice in her head once more, "And that's... bad right?" She questioned arching a brow as she began to reach the door.

  "I would like to request that you ensure that this never happens again."

  Skylar thought about joking otherwise, but she had started to miss Alma as such she responded, "I'll make an effort."

  She paused as she saw a blade laying on the ground, her blade. Her segmented blade.

  She slowly reached down and grabbed it, attaching its hilt to her back. She started to walk forward in the hallway, there were two large metal door's one to her right, one to her left, and straight ahead another door was open.

  She could work to open the other's but there was... something drawing her in the direction of the open one.

  Slowly she moved, eventually entering through the open door, she flinched as it slammed shut behind her, a sound entered her ears, the sounds of metal boots hitting the floor.

  She turned her gaze ahead, ready to face another guard, "The fairy of blood... The one who slew a Titan... The girl who dances upon the wind." A voice echoed, a voice that Skylar recognized instantly on reflex she reached up and grabbed the hilt of her blade, straight ahead Midus walked into the large circular room, wearing his armor he stared down at Skylar, "Skylar Shadewalker..."

  Skylar smirked, though it was strained, "Come to try and take over this island as well?"

  Midus remained silent for a moment, before closing his eyes beneath his helmet, "No. I came here for one thing and one thing alone." he reached up and gripped his own blade, "To settle the score, that loss... serves as a blemish, one that refuses to be removed... And now, I've come to cut it off." he unsheathed his blade pointing it forward. It was longer than before, it would seem that Midus now had a greatsword... that he could still use with one hand.

  Terrifying.

  Skylar narrowed her gaze, "Look, as much as I'd love to duke it out with you, I've got better things to do right now... So why don't you just move along and I can finish my business-" The wall behind Skylar suddenly bent, a sword mark appeared on it, and Midus now stood behind her, as a cut appeared across her cheek.

  Skylar's eyes widened and she unsheathed her own blade spinning around, she reached up with her left hand feeling the blood drip from her cheek.

  -He's faster than before.

  Midus stood there in front of the metal door, and he began to chuckle, it was soft and slow before turning into a howl of laughter he arched his backward and threw his head skyward laughing all the while, soon it began to die down, and he uttered his next words with malice, "Skylar Shadewalker..." his hands clenched tightening in rage as Skylar took a step backward eyeing her opponent with a sense of fear, "I will cut you down, I shall tear your existence apart and spread the gore of your profane form across the stars, I'll grind you down until the very sparks cry for mercy!

  MY HANDS SHALL RELISH IN THE SCREAMS OF YOUR END!" he blasted forward then with speed, unlike anything Skylar had seen.

  Instead of trying to block the attack Skylar used her wind magic to launch herself upwards, she needed more time, Midus was too fast, and she needed a way to track him.

  "Is this what I lost too!?!" Midus roared from above causing Skylar's eyes to widen as Midus's hand grabbed the back of her head and sent her rocketing downwards with enough force to shatter the earth below.

  Skylar groaned as she slammed her hands into the ground trying to push herself upwards, only for Midus to grab her by the hair and throw her to the left like a ragdoll being torn from its spot onto the ground.

  Skylar's back slammed into the wall as cracks began to form in it, she grit her teeth trying to get back onto her feet, Midus instantly closed the distance grabbed Skylar by the neck, and slammed her back into the wall, her eyes bulged as blood flew from her mouth onto Midus's helmet, "Is that all?" Midus questioned with a growl, "Why don't you bring out the beastly form of yours from before? What holds you back?"

  Fear

  It was always fear, fear of what would happen if she did that again.

  Skylar stared down definitely at Midus, he frowned at the sight raising his blade, "No matter, if you won't turn into that beast once more, then you've outgrown your usefulness, as such you will be eliminated." Midus then thrusted that blade forward intent on taking Skylar's life here and now.

  But... The blade had stopped, no.

  Not the blade, the flow of time itself had stopped in Skylar's eyes, the world went monochrome before her gaze yet she could not move either.

  But then a voice came from behind her, despite that impossibility, Skylar knew from the pain in her back that only a stone was behind her... and yet the voice somehow came from behind nonetheless, "See? This is where your morals get you, kindness can only take you so far in this world, and that guilt in your heart is doing you no favors..." Hands began to extend from the wall, two long arms that reached out for Skylar in this monochrome world.

  "You fight for others, for their dreams, for their hopes, and you never give any thought to your own do you? Oh 'The Warrior Of The Skies' I'm sure by now the humans are even calling you a Hero! One who fights for love and justice, for the light of the world! Warrior Of Light!" The voice spoke taunting Skylar in this time-stopped world, she could do nothing but listen while the world was in this state after all. A head began to pour forth from the wall as it pulled Skylar into a hug, and silver hair flowed into Skylar's face, it was here that she knew why she recognized that voice, it was hers after all, "Oh our Warrior Of Light! Our Weapon Of Light."

  The mirror image of Skylar then lowered her head and asked a fabled question, "Aren't you tired of being nice?"

  Skylar's eyelids began to grow heavy, and she found herself struggling to stay away as the mirror image smiled wickedly, "Just hand me the reins, and I'll see all our enemies vanquished, Weapon Of Light."

  The mirror vanished as Skylar's eyes closed, and the world returned to color, just as Midus thrust his blade at Skylar a burst of wind came from below rocketing her upwards along the wall much to Midus's surprise, he was under the impression that Skylar was in further state to move.

  And yet here she was putting on a set of defiance once more, and those closed eyes of hers, Midus smirked somewhat, "Brought it out, at last, have we, very well... Come! We shall soon learn who the true Warrior here is!" He launched himself upwards into the air, grabbing Skylar by the leg and throwing her back down into the center of the arena he had picked out for them.

  Skylar flipped through the air landing on all fours her blade unsheathed itself and began to dance around in the air, before flying right towards Midus shattering itself as it did so.

  Midus smiled wickedly beneath his helmet as he descended from the air, slashing at every shard of Skylar's blade as he landed blasting forward.

  Skylar's eyes remain closed but she growls regardless, wings sprout from her back, draconic in nature and her mouth opened wide, as white electricity appeared before her wings connected just in front of Skylar.

  "Oh?" Midus stopped his approach to witnessing the sight, "To have gained such strength in such a short amount of time... most impressive... However..." he spread his legs and pulled his arm back, his blade glowed with dark black energy, a magic circle appeared in front of Skylar's mouth as she roared, sending a blast of pure white energy forwards.

  Midus threw his own blade forward to connect with the beam of pure white energy, the beam and the blade clashed, if only for a moment, as the blade began to fly forward severing the beam without much effort.

  Skylar closed her maw suddenly and took to the air once more trying to call the shards of her blade to her, only to see that they would not heed her command, the shards had been impaled deep into the walls and floors of this place by Midus's own sword when he knocked them away.

  Of course, Midus's own blade was now lodged in a wall as well, leaving him with only his fists.

  He stood there watching Skylar beneath his helmet, he was sure he could go for the kill now, but he underestimated Skylar last time, and he won't make that mistake a second time.

  As such he threw his arms out to the side and took a single step forward, "BEAR WITNESS TO THE MIGHT OF A HIGH EXECUTIONER!"

  Thus did he declare, and black light began to pour forth out of his chest, Skylar shot forward her eyes turning to primal fury as she shot forward, flames covering her body as she closed the distance near instantly.

  Midus held out his right hand and placed it upon Skylar's head as she entered his range, and with one fell swoop he sent Skylar flying backward with enough force to slam her into the wall once more. Right next to Midus's own blade

  She fell to the ground and slowly began to open her eyes, her beast state was gone.

  She grits her teeth looking up to Midus with a scowl, Midus of course was unamused walking forward slowly, "Is this really the best you have to offer me? I expected more from the girl who bested me a few days ago, or was that just a fluke?"

  Skylar slowly got to her feet once more breathing hard, her vision was going blurry, she wasn't sure how much longer she could keep this up, "Long day... But not long enough, I'm not done with you yet."

  She reached out and grabbed ahold of Midus's blade, she had a plan, only one plan...

  -He's already more than aware of how my sword-fighting works... so I'll borrow his.

  She smirked suddenly pulling the blade from the wall, she slung it over her shoulder and slammed her right hand onto the ground as her eyes shined, her left was green, and her right was red.

  -Anarchy, lend me your strength.

  She uttered the words as she took in a breath, Midus watched the sight with a scowl. It was like watching a dying dog let out a final whimper before passing away, but if she was intent to come forward, then he would not hold back.

  Once more that black energy began to appear within his grasp.

  "If you approach once more, then a slaughter is all that awaits you little lamb." he declared with a growl.

  "Maybe so." Skylar responds as the ground beneath her hand vibrates as she felt the pulse of the world, "but it won't be my blood that's splattered upon these walls."

  With those words she shot forward uplifting the ground below her and with a roar she coated Midus's blade in flames and slashed at him, Midus responded by clashing with her, holding the black energy aloft to counter the blade in question, only for his eyes to widen as Skylar extended her left hand a ball of red energy whirring to life within it, "HELLFIRE!" she roared Midus quickly broke off the engagement leaping back as he sent the black energy into a spiral, it formed an orb shielding him from the blaze that came forth.

  A pillar of red shot into the air, and Midus stood in the middle of it, a bead of sweat formed on his head as cracks began to form in his orb.

  But soon, the fire ceased, just as the orb shattered.

  Midus turned around, ready to prepare another attack to lunge at Skylar, only for his eyes to widen as he saw Skylar right in front of him, her segmented blade reattached and in hand, Midus stared at the sight he was unable to react, as Skylar thrust her blade straight through Midus's gut.

  He stared down at the blade with wide eyes, "Twice...?" he uttered the word with anger, "Beaten by a child... Twice?!" he looked at the blade and clenched his hands into fists, "I had only known the taste of victory... But this taste is..." he coughed red liquid leaving his helmet, "Is this... Is this my blood?" He chuckled suddenly looking up to the earth above, "Heh, I've never known such... such relief... I." he reached down and began to pull the blade from his chest tossing it to the side, a clatter came from the stone meeting steel, and Skylar leaped back getting into a battle stance, Midus however simply looked to her even as blood dripped down from the hole in his chest, "I need some time to think, we will meet again... Skylar Shadewalker."

  Slowly Midus began to turn around, and this time a pink portal opened for him, "May your woes be many, and your days few." He uttered the words like a curse, but... For reasons unknown to Skylar there was a hint of respect in them now.

  As soon as Midus left, however, Jenna walked through the portal she glanced over her shoulder at the portal with a scowl, "Honestly, look at what those fools have done."

  Skylar instantly narrowed her gaze, "You..."

  Jenna put a hand on her hip and sighed, "Honestly just look at you, beaten up to a damn near bloody pulp, and still, you're trying to pick a fight, I don't know if you're just brave or stupid."

  Skylar grit her teeth together as she began to get on all fours, ready to enter her beast form once more.

  Jenna narrowed her gaze at the sight, "Stupid it is then, tell me miss Shadewalker, what do you think that 'Beast Form' of yours is?"

  Skylar blinked at the question, she racked her brain for an answer but she still couldn't come to one.

  So Jenna scowled, "It's the nature of gods incarnate. Bloodthirsty, unyielding, and uncompromising, oh it's powerful I won't deny that... but to put it to use? Well, in that state you're throwing away your humanity."

  Skylar said nothing at first, but slowly she stood up, "If I have to throw away my humanity to stop people like you then so be it." she retaliated and Jenna removed her hand from her hip.

  At first, she considered just speaking further, but instead, she sighed bitterly, "Talking to you in this state is pointless, my words are falling upon deaf ears like I'm trying to speak to someone who doesn't understand my language..." Jenna groaned, putting a hand on her head in irritation.

  Skylar then frowned, "And I won't be convinced of your lies no matter what you say to me."

  Jenna lowered her hand from her head and then locked eyes with Skylar, "Then I suppose I'll have to switch to the one language that is universal, a language that all people understand." Jenna extended her right hand outwards and her pink blade manifested, "Come then, do as you will... Don't blame me when someone gets hurt for your stupidity."

  Skylar stared forward, for a moment looking at that blade.

  It was true, she was battered and beaten, tired beyond belief, and what's more she has no memory of her time spent in her Beast Form...

  But...

  The memories of the fires, the memories of those who died.

  The memory of Tetra.

  It all flowed into Skylar at once, and she grits her teeth slamming her hands down and her blade unsheathed as she roared blasting forward.

  Jenna dodged to the side, "Sloppy!" she shouted as Skylar's blade removed itself from the sheath and shattered the shards danced upon the air as Skylar lunged forward letting flames ignite upon her hands, 7 shards in total, all of which closed in on Jenna, she dodged to the side of them, slashing away at those she couldn't all while expertly avoiding the flames that covered Skylar's hands, "Slow!" Jenna roared, slamming her boot into Skylar's chin making her recoil.

  A screeching noise could be heard from the direction of the prison door, and Jenna in her wisdom leaped backward so that the noise was right behind her, "Sad!" she let out her final taunt.

  And Skylar once more lunged forward.

  ***

  (Ten minutes earlier)

  Julieta frowned, looking right at Striga, "I still refuse to see why you won't admit to working with a criminal."

  Striga leaned back against the wall, "I didn't work with a criminal, I worked with Skylar Shadewalker, a good girl who's trying to help."

  Julieta scowled at that statement, "She murdered Tet-"

  "The way she speaks of Tetra makes it sound like she held nothing but the highest respect for him, frankly the fact that you'd accuse her of such a thing is probably the greatest insult she's ever heard... Not that she's heard it from your lips." Striga spoke confidently, if it was any other person, surrounded by guards, in a cell with no way to fight back, they'd be scared shitless.

  But not Striga, she thrived in these situations.

  The guards looked towards Julieta with concern as she stared at Striga with anger, "...What are you trying to say?" Julieta hissed, walking up to the bars, "That she didn't do it? That it was someone else?"

  Striga arched a brow, "Now how would I know any of that?" Striga replied as she closed her eyes, "I wasn't there, I never saw what happened... And neither did you, the evidence tells a story yes. But so do the survivors of that battle. And you haven't listened to hers. Not one bit." Striga opened her eyes, locking them onto Julieta's, "Because you're a coward."

  Julieta grits her teeth, "You'd call me a coward? Me?!" she laughed at that, "Have you seen the beasts I've had to contain here? Have you seen the kind of monstrosity I have to put up with!? And you'd call me a coward."

  "I would." Striga confirmed without remorse, "You fight beasts, and put them in chains, that keeps you safe. But you can't contain the most dangerous beast of all... Mankind." Striga slowly stood up walking to the bars, the guards all raised their weapons at once pointing them at Striga, but this didn't stop her advance, she reached the bars and gripped them tight, "You'd put Skylar in chains so that you can feel safe, and you still can't work up the courage to ask her what happened... Instead, you'd waste time asking me."

  A rumbling came from outside the cells, and the duo never let their eyes leave each other.

  Julieta grits her teeth bitterly before clenching the side of her head, "Why...? Why can't I go to see her...? What was the reason there... was a reason wasn't there?"

  Striga stared at the sight, confused by it.

  The guards all rushed to Julieta's side ready to assist, that was until three sets of golden lights hit every guard at once, piercing them with force and causing them to tumble to the floor.

  There at the very end of the hall stood Shina, "Finally you start to see the truth."

  Julieta looked at the people on the floor, they groaned in pain sure but they weren't dead.

  Her gaze then turned to Shina, "Shina...? Are you going to betray me as well?"

  Shina put a hand on her hip and looked upwards, "Betray?" she pondered the word for a moment, "Yeah, I suppose in this case I am betraying you..."

  Slowly Julieta began to get up, along with the guards at her side, "Of course... Everyone I've ever trusted always leaves me to dust, that's why I haven't seen Skylar. Because I can't trust her ever again."

  "And are those your words? Or the words of the Succubus?" Shina questioned with her own eyes narrowed.

  "That is the truth of the matter! As true as the crime of your betrayal!" Julieta roared, pointing her finger forward and the soldiers began to run forward with their blades drawn.

  Shina snapped her fingers and the walls to her side began to tear away forming cannons from the shards of earth as she responded, "She who holds fast to her conviction shall never count betrayal amongst their crimes. My path is unchanged, my creed sacrosanct." The blasters fired forward, incapacitating most of the guards, then with a slam of her foot, Shina sent earth flying upwards below the guards' feet, encasing all of them in temporary prisons, "This I believe with all my heart." she declared as she started to walk towards Julieta.

  Julieta growled, reaching up she began to unsheath her blade, "I'll put you in chains! That is what you deserve!"

  Shina reached into her pocket, "One year... One whole year I waited for this moment... Come at me!"

  Julieta blasted forward intending to knock Shina out with one blow, she slashed at Shina's head only for Shina to duck low to the ground, reaching into her pocket she pulled out a white crystal, a Blank, and thrust it into Julieta's gut.

  Julieta's eyes widened as pink energy began to swirl around her and flow into the crystal.

  For a moment, all was still, "What...?" Julieta blinked looking around, "What was I doing...? Why was I...?"

  Shina sighed standing tall, "Back with us at last?"

  Julieta's eyes widened, "Shina- I...."

  "Save it, we've got a job to finish up here. Apologies can wait till after." Shina said, snatching the cell door key from Julieta's hip and running up to Striga's cell.

  Striga however stared forward confused, "I'm... a little lost."

  Shina unlocked the cell and ran up to Striga removing the collar, "And I'll be happy to explain the full story later, but right now we need to ensure that Skylar is okay, I have someone working to get her to safety but-" The sound of a large explosion came from the distance, particular the sound of an explosion that could have only been caused by a spell named 'Hellfire' Shina glanced over her shoulder with wide eyes, "...that... Cannot be good."

  Striga stood up quickly and began to move, while Shina shouted, "Julieta! What are you doing just standing around there? Get the doors open hurry!"

  Julieta winced but nodded, running ahead of the group to get the large metal gate open.

  It took a bit of time, but the trio made it to the gate Julieta got there first of course, and by the time Shina and Striga arrived the unmistakable screeching noise of the gate opening could be heard.

  Striga took the lead then, determined to assist Skylar, after all, it was Skylar who had helped her island out so much, this was her chance to return the favor and she wouldn't waste it, so she turned the corner her hands clenched into fists, and her eyes widened as Skylar pounced upon her fangs bared and hands ablaze with fire.

  She bit down into Striga's neck with enough force to draw blood, yet before she could do any more damage a pink lasso suddenly wrapped around her neck and yanked her backward, she struggled and snarled, but soon enough she gave in, and her eyes slowly opened once more, "I'll kill yo-" her eyes widened when she saw Striga, Striga who was on the ground, burns on clothes and blood seeping from her neck, "what...?"

  "The beast form is obtained by an overload of mana, as I said it is powerful, but the cost is that of your own senses, the moment you enter that form. To you, everyone is your enemy. Every Time you enter that form, the natural instincts of a god attempts to take full control, you've been able to regain control back so far... but what will happen when you fail? How many will be hurt, how many will die? " Jenna declared from afar, narrowing her gaze at Skylar.

  Skylar continued to stare forward, looking right at Striga, "I..." she looked to her hands, "I did that...?"

  "And at last, you start to listen, the moment someone else gets hurt that's when it matters to you." Jenna scoffed, removing the pink lasso she had formed. She turned around, "Stop worrying about others and look at yourself, you can't save anyone if you die in a ditch somewhere." Jenna declared as a pink portal opened ahead of her, she said nothing more on the matter walking through the portal.

  Skylar looked at her own hands, they were covered in burn markings, and bruises, her body was covered in cuts, and she could see she was covered in blood, some of it was hers of course, but most of it was from others.

  When Skylar looked back up the world was swirling around her, his vision was going in and out.

  And all she could do was ask one question, "Am I... a monster...?" before tumbling to the ground in a pool of her own blood.

  Not before hearing an echo are her voice, an echo from behind whispering into her ear, "And this is where being nice gets you."