The skies were still, and Tetra found himself staring up from his airship fearfully, “What… is going on here…?” he questioned, before he took a moment to glance at Draco’s airship, a scowl was upon Draco’s face, but he made no further moves to kill Skylar, that was relife, at the very least the fighting seems to have ceased.

  There was something wrong with the newcomer though… Something inherently off, was she a god? Perhaps an Eternal but whatever it was, it was wrong.

  Skylar found herself floating, ahead of her was a girl who could have been her splitting image if not for this girl’s outfit and height.

  The girl wore white bandages around her legs, and a corset on her chest that was colored white and black, and that coloring was in a stripe pattern.

  Her hair was bright silver, it was braided up and two bows were on both sides of her head, what’s more, she wore a white cloth over her throat it made up a color of sorts.

  She also wore white gloves, they were long, so long that they almost reached up to her shoulders.

  Skylar found herself at a loss for words if only for a moment, dread filling her chest before she spoke, “Who… Are you.”

  The woman looked to Skylar with a scowl, her eyes narrowing in disgust before giving her response, “I am… Pride.” She declared her name boldly.

  All was still if only for a moment, Pride then began to walk forward, Skylar responded by raising her fists defensively, and Pride stopped if only for a moment, “Hm. Good stance, you’ve got that going for you at least.” She then raised a hand and cupped her chin for a moment, her eyes glowing a bright crimson, “But you are almost out of strength, that much is clear to anyone.” Pride then glanced to her left, “And would you look at that… Seems we have more guests.”

  Skylar blinked before turning to her left, her eyes widening as she did so, “What… The hell…?”

  Ahead, was the island that The Kingdom was upon, it was moving, slowly it was moving.

  Skylar stared wide-eyed all the while, she had put so much strength into battling the Titan, that she hadn’t even considered that the battle was just beginning.

  Pride however smirked, “Humans are so predictable… Just like any other livestock, you give them food and they will follow.” Pride declared, “You give them a space to live, and they shall remain…” She then looked to Skylar, “And if you make them think they’ve won? Then the despair they feel is all too sweet.”

  Pride then raised her right arm and a blue glow surrounded it as she smiled, “Ready for round 2?”

  With that single question, she snapped her fingers and The Titan that Skylar had just slain exploded from the clouds, its eyes glowed a bright crimson as it emerged Skylar stared fearfully at the sight.

  “No…” her voice was horse and she found herself trembling, for the first time in a while she felt powerless, truly powerless.

  Tetra grits his teeth before shouting, “SKYLAR GET OUT OF THERE!”

  Skylar began to turn, desperate to escape only for her eyes to widen as pain exploded from her chest.

  She looked down and saw blood leaking from her stomach, ahead of her was Pride wielding a blade made of dark steel, blood dripping off the edges, Pride smiled innocently all the while.

  She then vanished, reappearing behind Skylar with her leg pulled back she slammed it into Skylar’s back sending her tumbling towards Tetra’s ship he ran forward catching Skylar as she plummeted.

  He grits his teeth looking down at Skylar with concern in his gaze, “Just hang in there… Everything will be fine. I promise.”

  Pride looked down from where she floated before humming in thought, she blinked as chains suddenly wrapped around her torso, and she glanced to her side seeing Draco in the distance.

  Draco then yelled, “NOW ICON! FINISH HER!” Draco then pulled on his chains, sending Pride flying down towards Icon’s ship.

  In response, Icon raised her blade eyes glowing with power as she prepared to cut Pride in half, Pride however smiled at the sigh before uttering her next string of words, “Cute.”

  The chains shattered as soon as Pride hit the deck of Icon’s ship, she suddenly dropped to her knees, ducking under Icon’s thrust, a burst of wind blasted forward as Pride opened her mouth knocking Icon backward.

  Icon growled as she was sent flying backward, she grabbed onto the mast of her ship to prevent herself from flying off completely, her eyes narrowed dangerously.

  Pride however was already back to her full height, she then smiled putting her right hand behind her back and raising only one finger.

  Icon removed her left hand from the mast narrowing her gaze a scowl forming on her face, “Are you mocking me?”

  The finger that Pride had raised was her index finger and she put it to her lips before speaking, “Just trying to grant you the final moments deserved of a lamb being led to the slaughter.” Pride responded with a certain… giddiness to her every movement.

  Icon hissed before blasting forward with blinding speed her blade slashing horizontally, Pride responded by leaping forward, flipping over the slash with ease, before plunging her index finger right into Icon’s left eye socket, blood flew into the air as Pride pulled removing Icon’s left eye without so much as ounce of effort in the movement.

  Icon recoiled letting out a hiss of pain, all the while, Pride looked at that eyeball before opening her mouth and removing it from her fingernail biting down into the orb, “So simple…” she frowned then, “There is no joy to be had in this fight…”

  Pride then took to the skies once more, chains flew up behind her, and she smirked before blowing them away with her wind magic, true to her name a prideful look began to form on her gaze as she floated just behind the Titan, “Blast away!” she let out that single command before throwing her hand forward.

  In that single instant, all of the airships flew towards the island of The Kingdom.

  ***

  (“I used to live in a nice house… part of the perks of being nobility I suppose.”)

  A young boy walked out of his room, it was the middle of the night, but he was thirsty so was up and moving about the dark hallway with the dark red carpet.

  He lived in a three-story tall mansion, despite the fact there were only four people who lived in this place.

  Him, his mother, his father, and his grandpa.

  His father worked at a restaurant near the island's docks, his mother always helped keep the house clean, and his grandpa owned this place.

  It was out of the kindness of the grandfather’s heart that he let them all stay there.

  The boy blinked suddenly ahead in his mother's room. The door was open just a bit, and despite everything the boy walked up the crack, for his curiosity was simply too much to ignore.

  His eyes widened at what he saw, his grandfather looming over his mother's body.

  With a knife in his right hand, his mother looked upward with wide eyes, a hole in her chest blood leaked onto the floor as her hollow lifeless eyes stared up into her grandfather's eyes.

  And in that single moment, the boy in his horror let out a scream.

  (“I was eleven when I lost my mother… It was a hard day for my father, we lost the roof we once lived under. And I was the one who had to help run the family business afterward. It went on like that for about four years.”)

  My father looked at the register smiling as he finished counting, he looked to me with tired eyes, “...How long have we been at this now Tetra?”

  I blinked looking at the table that I had been cleaning, it showed my reflection in the polish of that glass I took a moment before giving my response, “Four years.” I was blunt, it was late, and I wasn’t really in the mood for conversation.

  My dad let out a hum leaning back in his chair before speaking up, “...It seems we’ve made enough to afford a place to live now…”

  My ears perked up at that, and I looked over my shoulder, “So no more sleeping in the office?”

  My old man smiled at that, “And we can have real meals soon as well. Doesn't that sound nice?”

  I blinked looking back to the table I had been cleaning, “It… does… I just wish Mom was here to see it.” I muttered a frown upon my face as I looked at my reflection. There were bags under my eyes, I don’t think I’ve ever been able to get a good night's sleep after she was murdered.

  My dad let out a sigh closing his eyes, “She’d be proud of you, you’ve grown so much…” he then looked to the nearby window, frowning, “That reminds me… You're almost sixteen now isn’t that right?”

  I frowned looking at the table, “You don’t need to worry about getting me a present, I’ll be fine.”

  My old man chuckled, “Come on kid, a little runt like you can afford to be greedy… here, I’ll even give it to you early.”

  He got up from his chair and walked up to me reaching into his pocket. My old man pulled out a rainbow crystal and held it out to me my eyes widened, “That’s… filled with mana… if we sold it then we could have been out of here years ago!” I shouted.

  My old man nodded, “But this crystal is rare, one of a kind… It’s worth a lot… But it’s also there to protect our family from harm.” He then grabbed my right hand, setting the crystal into it, “Promise me that you’ll use it to protect those close to you.”

  I looked at the table once more, my mouth slightly wide in shock, I was about to respond when…

  My eyes widened as a man came flying through the window crashing through the table that I had just been cleaning.

  This man grits his teeth before rolling to the side, a sword stabbed the ground where he had been lying, a woman with fanged teeth turned her gaze to the man not paying me any heed, her eyes shined a bright violet her hand remained on that silver blade, she pulled it out without so much as a second thought and charged at the man.

  She then turned to me, raising her sword.

  My eyes widened for a moment, the steel glistened in the moonlight.

  I wasn’t able to move, my body was paralyzed by fear, and she drove that sword downward.

  I heard the man who rolled away, yell something.

  Suddenly my vision was obscured, my father had dove in front of me, the blade went through his chest, and blood came out of his mouth and landed upon my face.

  (“Some of us just have shit luck when it comes to life… After Dad died, The Executioner managed to fight off the god that slew father. And I suppose… as an apology this Executioner took me in.

  I dedicated my life to finding the god that slew Father, and didn’t even pay heed to the man who raised me.

  I went to school, passed my tests, and soon enough I was a new Executioner.)

  “AGH!” Tetra shouted as he fell to the ground his arm was bruised and above him was a man holding a wooden sword, a cocky smirk upon his face crimson eyes stared down at Tetra.

  And the man pointed that blade forward, “What? Is that all you’ve got little man? You're not much of a fighter and certainly not much of an Executioner.”

  Tetra gripped his wooden sword and held it in front of him, his eyes shining with conviction he ran forward raising his blade and slashing forward.

  His eyes alight with emerald fury.

  And once more he was sent to the ground with a swift kick to the gut.

  The man he was fighting scoffed, “You don’t know when to give up do you?” He raised his wooden blade ready to bring it down upon Tetra.

  “That’s enough Midus!” A voice called out causing the man to halt midswing, he turned his head and there she was.

  Standing with hands on her hips, a young Julieta narrowed her gaze at the man before her.

  Midus raised his blade, still standing over Tetra, “Ah if it isn’t the young prodigy Julieta… What brings you out here at this time of day.”

  “I was taking a stroll.” Julieta responded flatly, she then began her approach, “And what do I see as I walk around? But our wisest man bullying the new recruits.”

  Midus scoffed, “He’s a weakling who needed to be taught his place, I’m doing my duty.”

  “Then teach him.” Julieta glared, “Don’t beat him into the dirt for no reason, everyone can reach heights if people like you would just help them!” She stamped her foot on the ground.

  Midus paused at that before smirking, he then raised his wooden blade pointing it forward, “Maybe I’ll teach him if you take his place…”

  “Wha-!” Tetra sat up, “Hold on a sec! This is my fight!”

  Julieta stared forward the wind blew faintly in the air, she then walked over to Tetra kneeling to his eye level a soft smile on her face, “Hey. I’m Julieta as you heard, and you are?”

  “...Tetra.” He muttered as he glanced to the side a light blush on his face, Julieta reached out and clasped her hand over Tetra’s, she then smiled.

  “If you wanna keep fighting I won’t stop you, but Midus’s a clever opponent, you gotta use your head if you want to win.” She looked into Tetra’s eyes, “Mages like us have to work hard to outsmart the Gods. “

  Tetra blinked at that before nodding slowly he then got to his feet, and Julieta stood up as well taking a step back and putting her hands behind her back, “Well then. Shall we see who’s stronger?”

  Midus let out a huff at that holding his blade out to his side, “What a bore.”

  Tetra took in a breath bending his knees, and as the wind blew behind him, his eyes snapped open and he closed the distance in a second, bringing his blade to Midus’s neck,

  Midus stood there shock on his face before leaped back, “What was…”

  “Think fast!” Tetra shouted darting forward once more, this time Midus ducked to the right and slashed up at Tetra.

  Tetra responded by leaping over the slash as a gust of wind gathered around him, Tetra threw his blade downwards slamming it into Midus’s head.

  It then flew back up with that same gust of wind right back into Tetra’s hand as he hit the ground, “That’s two now I think?”

  Midus growled stepping forward, only for him to pause as a sound of clapping entered his ears, Midus then turned his head noting that Julieta was on one knee and bowing.

  That meant…

  Midus’s face paled and he turned around and assumed a similar pose.

  The King approached lowering his hands, “A fine showing from the both of you, such capable combatants will make fine Executioners in time.”

  He paused locking his eyes on Midus, “Your volatile nature leads you in particular… down a path of darkness. You’d do well to find allies in this place, less your future be one where you're alone.”

  Midus said nothing to that, nodding simply as he glanced away.

  The King then turned and started to walk off, “Our nation expects the best of you, Executioners, though you are simply starting out at the moment… you are our future.”

  (He was a kind man back then, always watching over his subjects treating them with kindness, but also strict to a fault. No rules would be broken under his watch, for they existed to protect us.)

  A young Tetra slightly yawned, a backpack slung over his right shoulder as he walked along the cobblestone path toward the castle, “That King’s a real tight-ass… I get it, he wants to keep the young ones safe… but the Gods won’t kill themselves.” Tetra then let out an exasperated sigh.

  He was still young, training to be the best Executioner he could be.

  His gaze fell upon the nearby forest beside the castle, he could see Julieta there sitting on the grass and reading a book.

  His memories flashed back to when she helped him.

  And he glanced to the side before shifting on his feet walking through the grass and standing just beside her.

  She blinked looking up from her book, “Oh. Your… Tetra right?”

  “Remembered me huh?” he said with a chuckle, “I’m flattered.”

  Julieta rolled her eyes closing her book and setting it on her lap, “I remember you doing something absurdly stupid, nothing flattering about that.”

  “Ouch.” Tetra replied wincing but he never lost that smile, “So what were you reading?”

  “...” Julieta glanced to the side before sighing, “A book on the types of magic in the world.”

  Tetra arched a brow at that, “Why would you be looking into something like that? We’re fighting God’s not mages. Learning about other magic types seems pointless.”

  “Not if we’re supposed to work together, we need to learn all we can about each other.” Julieta responds with a smirk, “Making enemies isn’t the way to victory.”

  Tetra listened to her words before taking a seat beside her, “Working together? Please I can take care of most of the Gods myself so long as a good storm is brewing.”

  “And what if they attack while a storm isn’t around? Or if no wind is blowing at all. Then your screwed. You need someone to help you. To watch your back.” Julieta cut down his words instantly, not giving him a moment to recover, she then sighed, “I suppose I’ll have to do it.”

  “Eh? Wait hold on, I never agreed to that,” Tetra said with an arched brow.

  “Your consent wasn’t a factor. I’m watching over you now you big dummy.” Julieta replied with a smirk.

  (And just like that. Life went on. We trained, and Midus graduated the earliest. And he made his way to Babylon. Whereas, Julieta and I… we went on our first mission. That’s where I got my title, ‘The First Executioner’ Not because I’m the best, but because I was the first to slay an A-ranked God.

  It was during that mission that Julieta and I fell in love.

  Time passed, and we got ourselves a nice house. Find a small spot of land near the castle and we settled down.)

  He stood in a graveyard, overlooking a hillside near The Castle.

  His gaze was a frown, and he had a bottle in his right hand, which was rare for him, he was hardly ever a drinker.

  Julieta walked beside him, “...It wasn’t your fault you know.” she suddenly stated.

  Causing Tetra to tense up, the name on the grave read ‘Sara.’ she had only passed away recently.

  “If I had been there, I could have saved her, " Tetra reached into his pocket, grabbing hold of the rainbow crystal he had found all too recently. “If I had been there, she would still be here.”

  Julieta closed her eyes and suddenly she lunged forward wrapping her arms around Tetra, his eyes widened in response, but before he could ask why, Julieta spoke, “Don’t you dare cry… It’s your job to get out there and ensure that this won’t happen to anyone else… you don’t have time to cry… let me have your burdens, share your pain with me… You get the job done… and I’ll make the time to cry for both of us.”

  She declared boldly.

  Tetra stood there, jaw open in shock, but slowly he stopped clenching that crystal and wrapped both of his arms around Julieta, “Ok… I’ll do everything in my power to find the god that took her from us.”

  (“That’s the life I’ve led up to this moment, everything that was precious to me slips through my fingers and I fail. Over and over I fail to protect those I truly care about.”)

  Tetra stared forward with wide eyes, his vision suddenly clear, he looked to the grass around him, ahead of him was a set of airships that crashed, fire set them ablaze and they were all but immobile at this point, to his right Skylar lay blood leaking out of her stomach, her eyes wide in pain.

  To his left was Draco who was unconscious while Icon was on one knee, clenching the hole where her eye once was, her teeth were grit as she looked upward.

  Pride floated there with her arms folded; she almost looked disappointed by the sight of them, “You're more durable than most humans I’ve faced, not that it matters much in the grand scheme of things.” she then raised her right hand, a ball of black flames began to grow within that hand, it was massive in size, and Pride seemed ready to throw it down to consume the group below.

  But she froze, her gaze fixated on something in the distance.

  On one of the many buildings in The Kingdom, Jenna stood with her arms folded a deep frown on her face, Pride’s eyes were wide before she smirked with a snap of her fingers the ball of flames vanished.

  “I’ve got a better idea…” she suddenly declared, before looking to the Titan behind her, “You there. Finish them.” As soon as she gave the command The Titan let out a roar, Pride then blasted forward closing the distance between herself and Jenna Tetra looked down to his own hands, his eyes widened for a second as he coughed, and blood flew from his mouth onto those hands.

  When he looked up, he locked eyes with Skylar for a moment.

  “As an Executioner, what is your duty? What is the ultimate goal in your mind?”

  He remembered the King's words, that very question that was asked of him, when he was first given this job, how long had it been now? 10? 20 years? In all those years his answer never changed.

  “To protect the children of these islands.”

  Slowly Tetra reached into his right pocket, pulling out a rainbow crystal, rainbow… every magic in this realm.

  Magic that was completely incompatible with him, just channeling a bit of it was enough to make an incompatible mage lose a limb or two.

  …

  Tetra raised that crystal high in one hand taking in a shaky breath, his hands trembling as he did so.

  (“Don’t you dare cry… It’s your job to get out there and ensure that this won’t happen to anyone else… you don’t have time to cry… let me have your burdens, share your pain with me… You get the job done… and I’ll make the time to cry for both of us.”)

  He found his hands were steady once more.

  And he smiled faintly, his eyes showing life as his gaze locked onto Skylar, he then spoke, “You can’t die just yet… live. Live to see the world, live to laugh so that your smile can brighten the lives of those around you… and don’t forget to cry… it’s okay to cry for those you truly care about.”

  He then closed his eyes, “...It was fun, Skylar.”

  She said nothing, staring wide-eyed as Tetra then slammed that rainbow crystal down into his heart.

  His eyes widened and he sat there for a moment motionless.

  That was… until rainbow flames burst to life on his fist, the color of the crystal drained and Tetra slowly began to stand to his feet.

  Every movement was filled with agony, but he covered it with a smile, as he stood a sickening pop came from his head, his right eyeball had just exploded.

  He was on borrowed time and he knew it, but even so.

  He let out a roar, primal, unrelenting, and filled with desire.

  Tetra then took to the skies, flying on the wind, cracks started to form on his skin letting out a rainbow glow.

  The Titan smirked, its bloody teeth showing to the world as it pulled back its right fist, ready to meet Tetra head-on.

  It threw that fist forward without hesitation, Tetra met that fist head on, and in one strike shattered it with his own right fist.

  Blood shot out from that arm he threw forward, only to be burned up in rainbow flames, Tetra’s remaining eye shined with unyielding fury.

  Even as the Titan’s arm began to rapidly reform, Tetra blasted forward, moving quickly to the Titan’s left arm, Tetra then pulled back his left leg, coating it in rainbow flames.

  And slammed his boot into that arm, removing it from the Titan’s torso, the beast let out a roar snapping its head towards Tetra, and attempting to bite down on him.

  But he was fast, Tetra shot up higher into the skies, his vision had already begun to grow blurry, he couldn’t feel his right arm, and his left leg had gone limp.

  Dark spots appeared at the edge of his vision, and the cracks along his skin had only grown. He took in a single breath and raised his left fist putting it to his chest, “...I’m sorry Julieta… You better save some tears for me.”

  In that instant flames burst out from Tetra’s heart covering his whole body, his eyes flashed with power, and a smile broke out through the flames, in that single instant he was less than a human.

  To those who looked on in horror, he looked like a demon descending upon his prey, the Titan’s arms had reformed as it looked up fearfully, it held out its hands to intercept Tetra’s descent.

  Only for him to instantly shatter the palms of the Titan’s hands and barrel toward the Titan’s chest, his flames spread across the entirety of the Titan.

  The Titan looked to Tetra fearfully as he descended, time seemed to slow if only for a moment as Tetra uttered his final words, “That girl is under my protection.”

  And with that, he entered the Titan’s chest, the beast stared forward fear overtaking it, it reached into the new hole in its chest trying desperately to pull Tetra out of it.

  But to no avail, the flames began to burn from within.

  Spreading further and further into the Titan, when it realized that there was nothing it could do to escape.

  A sound escaped the Titan’s mouth, a scream.

  No.

  A thousand screams, all of different voices, all at the same time.

  As it was consumed in rainbow flames that scream echoed across the skies.

  And Skylar’s own voice joined those screams, the thousands of voices that screamed in agony were joined with Skylar screaming for Tetra to stop.

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  The Titan reached up with its right hand trying to grasp onto anything, as it stared upward fear in its gaze its mouth agape.

  It was covered in those rainbow flames.

  . . . And then it stopped.

  It shattered into a million pieces, and all of them began to fall into the cloud sea, whereas Tetra in the center… fell with his eyes closed, a smile on his face.

  Skylar on the other hand reached out with her right hand, as if it would somehow be enough to reach his tears in her gaze.

  Before her body at last gave out, she fell to the ground blacking out entirely.

  ***

  Shina slammed her cup on the table, irritation clear in her gaze, “Seriously! How could they just leave me behind like that! Assholes, every one of them.” she exclaimed leaning forward and resting her arms on the table pouting.

  Julieta smiled softly as she took the cup from the table, “You're still training under me, it’s not like they could bring another child into the battle that was to come.”

  Shina frowned bitterly, “Why does Skylar get to do all of these cool things while I’m laid to waste here in the background?” she uttered the words with annoyance.

  Julieta stopped suddenly, her eyes going wide, as she stared forward, something felt… wrong.

  So terribly wrong.

  Tears began to escape her eyes suddenly as the cup in her hand escaped her grasp falling to the floor.

  A crashing sound came, as glass scattered across the floor.

  ***

  Jenna said nothing as Pride landed right in front of her standing on the same roof, Pride smirked wickedly, “Well now… you are an interesting one, clearly, you're a god, but the magic power you release is nothing short of… impossible.”

  Jenna arched a brow to that, “Oh? And yet you would dare stand in front of me knowing what comes next?” Jenna questioned cracking her neck.

  Pride smirked wickedly at that, “I figured I’d test my abilities against the strongest one here… I hope you don’t mind.” Pride declared smiling sweetly even if the innocence was false.

  Jenna said nothing to that at first, opting to instead raise her right hand and summon her pink liquid up from the ground, she reached into it and pulled out a sword pointing it forward, “Step forward if you wish to die.” Jenna declared without so much as a hint of fear.

  Pride responded with a small frown, “You seem to have the misunderstanding of thinking you stand a chance against me… I suppose I’ll have to correct that.” Pride then shot forward instantly closing the distance between herself and Jenna, Pride’s eyes widened as her blade clashed with Jenna's; her speed matched with the woman in front of her.

  Pride then suddenly leaped backward, barely avoiding the pink liquid that shot up in the shape of the jaw, snapping the air where Pride once stood.

  Pride then let out an audible hum, “Interesting… Your magic works as both a close-range weapon and a long-range tool.” Pride commented before leaning forward somewhat lazily, a glint shined in her eyes as she let her blade hit the rooftop.

  “So then… shall I give you everything I have?” Pride questioned tilting her head to the side, black lighting began to crackle at her fingertips as her smile widened.

  Jenna however didn’t seem worried by the sight, instead, she narrowed her gaze, spreading her legs wide apart, holding her blade horizontally in front of her.

  “If you intend to do so, then I shall return the favor twofold.” Jenna declared as pink lighting crackled around her body.

  The two standing there with their blades in hand were enough to create shockwaves in the air, they lashed out rapidly striking at parts of the other buildings, enough to create dents in the walls around them.

  After a moment of waiting for the other to move, Pride was ultimately the first one to blast forward, she shot forward with enough speed to remove the shingles from the roof she was upon in a glorious fashion, in response to the speed Jenna took in a single breath her eyes snapped open glowing with magic as she shot forward, both of her hands gripping the hilt of her blade.

  She then lunged forward, swinging her blade in an arc downward, in one swift movement her blade collided with Pride’s sword, Pride’s eyes widened as Jenna’s blade began to cut through her own with ease.

  A shockwave came from those rooftops and for a moment all was still in the world.

  Jenna said nothing as she slowly raised her sword. The shards of Pride’s blade remained on the roof, “Are we done here?”

  Pride looked at her shattered sword with a scowl, “That you wield such strength should be an impossibility…”

  “And yet it remains possible.” Jenna retorted without batting so much as an eyelash, “That is the strength of the mortals of this realm, or have you forgotten that Eternal? Perhaps you need the lesson beaten into your skull once more.” Jenna declared never once lowering her sword the bright silver blade glistened in the sunlight, bathing in its radiance as Jenna’s eyes shined with power.

  Pride chuckled hearing those words, “You would speak to me of the strength of mortals? You who hold the name of ‘Gods’ you forget your place insect.” Pride then sent a pulse of red lighting through what remained of her blade, the sword began to reform in front of Jenna’s very eyes.

  Jenna responded by letting out an irritated sigh, “So you intend to keep on going until you die then?”

  Pride smirked wickedly as she pointed forward, “Oh I’ve just gotten started sweetheart. I’ll cut you in tw-” Pride was cut off as rainbow flames suddenly overtook the Titan she returned from the cloud sea, her attention was drawn to those flames her eyes wide, “Impossible…” she muttered the word staring wide-eyed at the sight of it all.

  Jenna however only spared the flames a curious glance before returning her attention fully to Pride, “...Are you starting to see? The strength that mortals hold in their hands?”

  Pride scowled, her blade vanished and she glared at Jenna before turning around, a portal of darkness manifested itself ahead of her and she walked through it without saying another word.

  The screams came then, Skylar’s scream, The scream that came from the Titan.

  And all the while Jenna lowered her blade frowning bitterly, “With sacrifice, the battle is won… But what will the aftermath be?” she turned her attention to the castle the gates of that place opened, no doubt in an effort to send soldiers to reclaim the escapees

  Through it all, Jenna could only say one thing.

  “Again… the bitter black winds begin to howl.”

  She then glanced in the direction of Skylar, Jenna wasn’t a fool, she knew that Pride wasn’t done just yet… but she had already made enough noise, it wouldn’t be long before the rest of the Executioners began to hunt her down.

  So despite her urge to continue the fight she turned on her heel and leaped from the rooftop, intending to return back to her hiding spot of choice.

  ***

  -Get up.

  You have to get up.

  They're counting on you, aren’t they?

  Skylar’s eyes began to open, and she found herself in a puddle of her blood.

  Her vision was going in and out, she could hear voices behind her, they sounded panicked, but she couldn’t even make out the sound of the words those voices spoke to her, her own breathing was almost inaudible to her ears.

  -Am I… dying?

  Was this really how it was all going to end?

  -I don’t want to die.

  That simple fact was all that was keeping her going, she didn’t want to die.

  So she refused to close her eyes.

  Suddenly more blood came, splattering upon her face.

  But it wasn’t hers. It belongs to somebody else.

  What was going on?

  Footsteps came and soon enough Pride stood in front of Skylar, Pride looked down to Skylar with contempt before kneeling down, “Still kicking, are we? You're made of stern stuff… adorable in a way that only a cockroach could be.” Pride declared.

  In response, Skylar scowled, though she had no strength to do anything else.

  Pride noticed the look but didn’t comment on it, instead, she stood tall raising her right arm, and with a snap of her fingers a portal opened behind her, “My orders are to take you back alive, though I know not what the rest of Eternal’s want with a brat like you.”

  Take me?

  She’s trying to kidnap me…

  No.

  I don’t want to go with her.

  Please.

  Don’t make me go with her.

  Somebody…

  Anyone… Help me…

  . . .

  Tetra…?

  But of course, nobody came, there was no one left to save her.

  Her eyes began to close.

  I’m… done…

  ***

  Skylar blinked as she found herself sitting on a wooden floor, she remembered this place.

  The place that her mind always seemed to retreat to when this world became too much for her to bear.

  She stared at the fire, and sure enough the door behind her opened up once more.

  She didn’t even bother to look at the man who entered this time, she had become accustomed to his presence even if she did not know the man’s name.

  “Things sure have gone to shit out there, haven’t they… Not that I’m saying it’s your fault, destiny works in strange ways after all.” The man stated as he tossed logs into the fireplace, before glancing over his shoulder, he frowned looking at Skylar, “You look like shit.”

  The man then moved, walking to Skylar’s right side before sitting next to Skylar once more, he turned to her with a look of pity on his face, but he said nothing and instead simply waited for her to speak.

  “I’m… done.” she said suddenly, “I tried to fight… I tried so hard to help… I open up, I learn… but everyone I care about always ends up.” she stopped suddenly clenching her hands into fists tears well up in her eyes.

  The man blinked looking at the fire once more, he then spoke, “I thought you were stronger than that.” he commented with a smirk.

  Skylar growled looking up from her knees, “Well I’m not! I’m weak. I’m powerless when it comes down to it… I can’t save anyone.”

  The man suddenly kelt down, his ivory white hair was short but uncombed, his eyes shined a bright crimson as he locked his gaze with Skylar’s, “That would be the fate of all Shadewalkers, so shall you sit there and accept this fate? Or perhaps you’ll roar once again, and show this fate WHO you are.”

  Skylar stared forward, her eyes showing reluctance, she just wanted to sleep forever.

  But…

  “Is… it ok to cry?” she asked, pleading for an answer to the question.

  The man responded by putting a hand on Skylar’s head, “Not yet, that’s the thing about warriors, we can’t cry until the fight is done. And you’ve still got a fight out there to finish don’t you?”

  Skylar blinked looking at the ground saying nothing, she was so tired.

  So so tired... But there was still a fire inside her heart, something in her that screamed out for revenge.

  The man saw that fire, smirking slightly as he did so, “Then stand up warrior, show her what you're made of no matter what it costs you!”

  Skylar nodded, taking in a breath as she slowly got to her feet, she began to walk to the door, holding a hand over her heart, gripping the fabric of her shirt she opened her mouth swinging that door wide open.

  ***

  Pride’s eyes widened as Skylar suddenly let out a primal roar that overtook the area around them, red flames burst to life, healing Skylar’s wounds before fizzling out completely, on instinct Pride summoned her sword to her hand, panic overtaking her gaze.

  But there was also something off about Skylar’s gaze, something wrong.

  Pride grits her teeth, “Your fucking kidding me… how can she move after a battle like that?” Pride let the question hang in the air as she stared forward locking her gaze onto Skylar.

  Skylar’s eyes were wide open, yet hollow.

  In one swift movement, Skylar shot forward the ground breaking beneath her feet as she instantly closed the distance with Pride.

  Pride swung her blade forward, only for Skylar to leap into the air a gust of wind kicked up at her feet as she moved over Pride’s blade, and she swung her left leg upwards, slamming her boot into Pride’s chin.

  Pride grunted in pain stepping backward, only for Skylar to flip backward, her eyes suddenly turned reptilian, and red flames burst to life across her fists as she landed.

  In response to this sight Pride stood tall a slight smirk upon her face, “You think a weakling such as yourself can avenge that fool of a man? Is that what this is all about?”

  Skylar said nothing, blasting forward once more, pulling back her right fist and throwing it forward, only to be intercepted by the flat side of Pride’s blade, yet it refused to budge, “Even if you were to break this blade, I could simply manifest another… One way or another you are coming with me, Skylar Shadewalker.”

  Skylar hissed in response, “Drop dead!” suddenly the flames surrounding Skylar’s right fist scattered, but they didn’t dissipate, instead they seemed to go around Pride’s blade aiming right for Pride’s face, the flames moved on their own.

  Pride’s eyes widened and quickly she backed away from the clash ducking under the flames, as soon as she ducked however the flames dissipated.

  Pride’s eyes then widened in pain as Skylar’s boot made contact with her gut, Pride stumbled backward scowling as she did so, “Do you think you're some sort of hero!? Is that what this about!?” she shouted pointing her blade forward, “There are no heroes in this war! There are only survivors! You could survive Skylar!” Pride declared attempting to reason with the girl ahead of her.

  “Survival at the sacrifice of others is no way to live.” Skylar responded, “I don’t even want to take your life… that isn’t what he would want…” Skylar then grits her teeth, her right hand clenching into a fist with enough force to draw blood from her skin, “So perhaps I’m a hypocrite, but I REFUSE to sit back and watch you kill more people!”

  “...So you would take the mantle of a hero then… How brave. Fighting for justice are we? Justice for the dead?” Pride uttered the words sarcasm littered her voice, but she paused, she refused to move forward.

  After all, Skylar was looking Pride dead in the eyes, the wind began to blow harshly as Skylar gave her response, she raised her right hand, and a sword built of crimson flames began to appear in her hand, “I never cared about justice, and I don't recall ever calling myself a hero… I have always only fought for the people I believe in. I won't hesitate...If an enemy appears in front of me, I will destroy it!"

  For a second Pride’s eyes widened, for that split second. She thought she saw a man in Skylar’s place, a man with ivory white hair and crimson eyes.

  But that was impossible.

  For that man had died a long time ago.

  Pride leaped into the air using the wind magic she had gained to soar ever higher, Skylar did not give chase choosing instead to stare upward with a scowl on her face.

  Pride then stopped looking down from the heavens she raised her blade skyward, a scowl smirk appearing on her face, red lines began to form on her sword as red energy began to crackle upon it, “Sing praise as you will! For you are about to witness the strength of the divine!” Pride declared boldly.

  Skylar’s grip on her sword tightened as her eyes shined with power, and her heel dug into the earth below her, “...I’ll meet it head-on.” she whispered to herself.

  Her blade pulsated, almost seeming to change materials if only for a moment.

  Pride found herself reliving a past, looking down at the only man she would ever call her equal, and she in this moment of reminiscing, she found herself recounting the days of the past, so she spoke, “I will tell you of the beginning.” Pride declared suddenly locking eyes with Skylar from her height, red flames consumed Pride’s sword as she stared downward with a manic grin, “Heaven and Earth split, nothingness congratulated creation. And my sword cleaved the world.” The skies above grew dark with black clouds, and the flames upon Pride’s blade turned into a spiral forming what almost seemed to be a drill.

  Skylar took in a breath her heart beating in anticipation, there was fear sure.

  But there was something else.

  Excitement, she was excited for their clash, for the rumbling of their blades, for the heavens themselves to quake at their might.

  So that she could taste the blood of her prey, and so a smile began to tug on her lips, insanity flowed into her gaze, as she wore a fanged smirk, like a primal beast hunting its prey.

  ***

  The man sat in his cabin, for once he was alone, not greeting any visitors to his domain, so he looked to his fire.

  It showed the truth of the world, a world that was seen by Skylar’s eyes.

  The man paused looking at the flames and seeing Pride’s attack being charged from his own view, then smirked standing tal looking at a crowbar that lay at the side of his fireplace, “Magic was never my forte, I always left that aspect to another, but that is not say that my spells were weak, nothing she made could have been weak. So therefor.” the man closed his eyes, brandishing a smirk.

  ***

  Skylar smirked, eyes flashing red as she spoke, “I’m going to go out.” she spoke the words, her sword glowed brightly with white light, Pride chuckled at the sight of this as she spoke her incantation, “Mortar of the stars!.”

  “I walk with humanity, this arduous path that leads to pain, suffering, and sorrow… I walk it with pride.” Skylar spoke the words not understanding what they meant, Pride’s eyes shined with glee at the sight of this and at the same moment, they both shouted the same word as they swung their weapons down.

  “RAGNAROK!”

  Pride’s flames spiraled downward, forming a drill that seemed to cut through the air itself, whereas Skylar swung upward with her blade, the light shot out, before taking the form of a dragon that flew upwards to meet the drill head on.

  They clashed in those endless skies, instead of simply colliding, they seemed to fuse into one singular attack, a ball of red and white energy formed turning the skies a dark red if only for a moment, before exploding in a glorious fashion, the flames shot out.

  But it didn’t hit any of the islands, Pride stared downward a smile clear on her face.

  Any sense of fear had long since left her body, whereas Skylar held that manic grin on her face as she looked up at Pride.

  Pride then put a hand to her head throwing her head back as she began to laugh, it was a full-hearted laugh, for the first time since Skylar had met her Pride seemed to be truly filled with joy.

  “It’s impossible, that’s what this is. An impossibility that cannot be… And yet that clash now proves it.” Pride then lowered her hand, that smile never once leaving her face, her eyes seemed softer now if only for a moment as she asked her question, “That’s you in there… Isn’t it Anarchy?”

  Skylar tilted her head to the side, her hair dropping over her face, but she didn’t respond, instead, she bent her knees ready to fly upwards.

  Pride chuckled, ready to receive her, “Very well, then perhaps I should remove the restraints and go all ou-” Pride paused as a hand covered in a black glove suddenly grabbed onto her wrist, she paused frowning bitterly, “What do you want Wrath.”

  The man that had grabbed onto her hand was wearing a black cloak that completely obscured his body, keeping it hidden from view, “You're going too far Pride. Your orders were to cap-”

  Pride glanced in Wrath’s direction glaring menacingly, “Are you telling me to postpone my grand clash Mongrel?” Pride hissed.

  Wrath paused for a moment removing his hand from Pride’s wrist, “The girl is still young, she has tapped into her bloodlust, but she will not give you what you desire as of yet.”

  Pride paused for a moment looking down at Skylar once more, Skylar stayed there ready to strike at any moment, but she did not move.

  Pride then frowned before clicking her tongue in annoyance, “We’re leaving her behind.” she declared suddenly as a dark portal appeared behind her.

  Wrath arched a brow beneath his hood, “But our orders ar-”

  “I don’t give a damn what they were, that girl will be given all the time she needs to grow… And then I will fight her, am I clear?” Pride looked over her shoulder, locking her gaze onto Wrath.

  Wrath nodded slowly and watched as Pride flew into the portal.

  Wrath then looked down to Skylar from on high, “...Till we next meet Shadewalker.” Wrath then turned around flying into that same portal it closed behind him.

  Skylar then fell to her knees breathing heavily, her sword vanished from her head and sweat poured down from her face, “I… failed…” she said looking at the cloud sea, “I’m sorry Tetra…”

  “There she is!” A voice suddenly shouted from behind her, Skylar blinked looking over her shoulder at a group of men charged in her direction, they all wore the badges of Executioners, she had no strength left to fight with, so she closed her eyes. And fell to the ground.

  ***

  Wrath walked through the portal, a scowl on his face as he folded his arms looking to Pride, they stood in a large room, and seats littered the area they were luxurious, as if fit for the most noble of crowds but soon Wrath spoke breaking the silence that littered this world, “All that hard work building good relations with The Kingdom and now it might have just blown up in our face due to your recklessness, what have you to say for yourself Pride!”

  Pride turned around, returning Wrath’s gaze, “You say this as though it is my fault. Was it not you who sent me in the first place?”

  Wrath scowled, shaking his head, “That is because I thought I could trust you with so simple a task, clearly I was mistaken in that regard.”

  The voice of a young girl suddenly interjected, “Well that’s what you get for trusting a fool like Pride.” A spotlight shined down on her body, she had purple hair and red eyes, the smile on her face was innocent, but there was something hollow about it.

  As if everything about her was fake.

  Pride sighed, shaking her head, “Oh spare me Gluttony. You were just as excited as I was when you saw that girl’s strength.”

  The girl, who was named Gluttony, put a hand to her heart feigning surprise, “Me? Oh perish the thought!” she then smirked wickedly, “and I certainly wouldn’t go so far as to encounter the girl on my own, that would be simply the most foolish course of action.”

  Pride’s eyes flashed, “Watch your tone runt.”

  Another man’s voice at last cut through the argument, “Honestly you three behave more like children than Eternals…” All three of them instantly became silent turning their attention to the source of the voice, a man sat in one of the many chairs.

  He rested his face upon his fist, his body was pale, and his eyes sunken in as if he hadn’t slept in days. Not that the trio could see the man under his cloak.

  “If the relations with The Kingdom are at risk of breaking, then rewrite them. If the battle with the brat has been postponed then find a new one.” The man declared as he stared upward to the grand theater screen ahead of him that showed Executioners putting Skylar in chains, “You should be able to figure out those simple actions by yourselves should you not?”

  Pride, and Wrath bowed to the man before portals appeared behind each of them, they walked through those portals without hesitation.

  Gluttony however simply rolled her eyes turning away and walking off, “What a drag…”

  The man then sighed, lowering his hand, “How troublesome, it would seem the rivers of change begin to flow once again…”

  Another male’s voice interjected from the far right side of the theater, “It doesn't matter, struggle as they might, They will all meet the same end. Is this not true Origin?”

  Origin paused pondering the question, “And yet the struggle all the same… What are your thoughts on the matter?” Origin questioned turning his head to the right. Looking at the man who sat in that chair.

  The man. Who called himself Draco, “It is fate. Many have tried, but none can escape its flow.” Draco declared boldly.

  Origin let out a hum looking to the stage once more, “Then let us enjoy the struggle to its fullest.”

  ***

  The King walked down the stone stairs of his castle for once, he felt… heavy. The weight of his sins seemed to be heavier than they once were.

  But that was fine.

  He simply had to keep going.

  There was no more time to waste after all.

  Soon he found himself standing in front of a large metal door, he blinked, reaching into his pocket, and pulled out a blue crystal.

  The crystal glowed and in response the door opened slowly the sounds of metal scraping along the floor could be heard about this place, chains littered the walls leading to the back of the room all of these chains to tie down one person.

  Skylar looked up, her body in chains, her eyes were empty, and she said nothing as The King entered the room.

  He frowned looking at the young girl ahead of him, “You thought you were brave. You thought you were strong? And now here you are… This is where Freedom gets you. An empty cell with nothing but darkness for company.” The King decreed and Skylar listened she cared not for the King's words instead,

  She opened her mouth asking only one question.

  “Who… are you?”

  It was such a simple question and normally The King would be insulted by it, but not for this girl.

  She had lived on an island that was mostly secluded from his realm, and they had never had the chance to speak in person.

  So the King spoke, “...I am the ruler of this land.”

  Skylar blinked frowning as she looked The King dead in the eyes, “I’d thought you’d be fatter.” she muttered.

  The King scowled, folding his arms, “And I’d thought you’d be more like a proper lady, I suppose life is full of disappointments isn’t it?”

  Skylar rolled her eyes, “What do you want?”

  “To make an offer.” The King decreed, “I shall release you from your chains, and in exchange you shall rejoin my Executioners, fight for my Kingdom, and bring glory to the land, do this task and all of your transgression shall be forgiven.”

  Skylar kept looking into The King’s eyes. There was silence that remained for a while, soon enough she responded, “I request a trial by combat.”

  The King blinked, taken aback by the words, “...Where did you learn about that?”

  Skylar smirked, “It was in one of Tetra’s books, he had a lot of interesting things in that ship.”

  The King narrowed his gaze, “Nobody requests a trial by combat anymore, you may as well be asking to get yourself hanged… You are aware of that fact correct?”

  Skylar nodded slowly, the trail in question was one where a beast would be plucked from Pand?monium and brought into the coliseum, the catch was… Magic would not be usable in this place.

  Nobody has ever survived said trial.

  The King narrowed his gaze, “So then… You refuse my offer and take a gamble on your only chance at freedom.”

  Skylar nodded slowly, “I’m not a tool. I’ll do what I want, see the world for myself. And kill any Gods that I deem worthy of my blade.” she declared without hesitation.

  The King frowned, his gaze locked on Skylar before he sighed closing his eyes, “A shame, if that is the path you’ve chosen then your death will not be an easy one.” he then turned around, “Very well then, but make no mistake. Just because you were once an Executioner does not mean this trial will be any easier on you.”

  He then walked to the door holding the blue crystal in his hand once more, the door began to close behind him.

  And Skylar said nothing simply, lowering her head with a frown as the doors closed on her.

  The King stood there in front of that door for a moment, “...I am running out of options it would seem.” he then began that trek up those stairs, and soon he reached a wooden door that he opened without much hesitation, as he exited the room he saw two fully armored guards waiting outside for him, “Your majesty.” They both bowed as they saw him.

  The King paused for a moment before one of the guards spoke, “Shall we escort you to your chambers?”

  The King nodded slowly, “Let us go.” he spoke and they began to walk.

  Night had already fallen over the land, it had been a few days since the battle with the Titan.

  Icon was still recovering from the battle, and Draco had gone missing.

  This whole realm was in disarray.

  Soon he found himself staring at the door to his chambers, he turned to the soldiers behind him.

  “You are dismissed.” they bowed and walked away as The King opened the door to his room, he walked over to his bathroom and turned on the sink letting the cold water flow forth.

  He then reached into the sink and splashed that water onto his face, it was all he could do to clear his thoughts.

  That was until he felt a hand on his shoulder, The King’s eyes widened as he looked up to the mirror in front of him, the hand was skeletal in nature and a figure stood behind him wearing a black cloak, it held a scythe in its hands.

  It leaned forward and whispered into The King’s left ear as it raised its scythe, putting the edge of its blade to The King’s neck, “Times up.”

  The King’s eyes widened and he turned around, but when he did so.

  Death’s scythe had vanished, and he had vanished from the room entirely.

  So there The King stood mouth agape, his eyes wide.

  In that single moment, he took in a shaky breath and spoke his next words with regret overtaking his whole body.

  Regret for failing his kingdom.

  “I don’t want to die.”

  ***

  Skylar found herself standing in the cabin, she blinked looking around the room.

  Her eyes settled upon the man standing in the center of it, “Usually you call me here… I think this is the first time I’ve called you.”

  Skylar said nothing at first, choosing instead to look to the side of the fireplace, looking at the crowbar that lay at its side, Skylar then opened her mouth to speak, “Hey… what’s… your name?”

  The man paused, frowning as he looked at the girl ahead of him, “Anarchy. Anarchy Shadewalker.”

  Skylar blinked looking at the man ahead of him, “We’re… related?”

  Anarchy nodded, “Not that you’ll be able to find me anymore, fraid if you did you’d find nothing but bones… Course that’s only if you're lucky enough to find my corpse.” Anarchy stated with a shrug.

  “A ghost?” Skylar questioned tilting her head to the side.

  Anarchy rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, “Something like that… I guess I was sleeping? For a long long time, that was until I heard a noise.” Anarchy spoke, lowering his hand, “The noise of a girl, who was crying. I think it was your voice wasn’t it?”

  Skylar looked to the ground, “I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep.”

  Anarchy didn’t look mad, instead, he looked to the fireplace once more, “...Do you know what this place is?”

  Skylar looked up before shaking her head, though Anarchy couldn’t see the motion he still felt it in the air.

  “I would come here every day, a pot would be in the kitchen. Mom would be making her famous stew, oh the smell could make any man’s mouth water. I’m sure you’d love it.” Anarchy spoke a small smile on his face, “We’d pick sticks afterward, find a set of good ones to place marshmallows upon, and have ourselves some smores. And then… we’d talk. We’d talk for hours on end, just about simple things. Life, how the weather was. And of course, each other.”

  Anarchy then frowned, “But… one day I asked about my father, that was the only time she ever dodged a question.”

  Anarchy then took in a shaky breath, “Mom died the next day. Pinned to the wall above the fireplace, her blood dripping onto one of the many sticks. That crowbar was the only thing the killer left behind, left it logged into my mother’s ribcage.” he then looked to that forbidden steel, “My inheritance.”

  Skylar looked at the crowbar repeating the word, “Inheritance… Then…?”

  Anarchy chuckled bitterly as he closed his eyes, “Yep, my old man was the one who did my mother in. And I was the one who killed him. Our family has a looooong history of blood.” He then turned around, “So I suppose I’m glad. Glad that I can talk to someone again, as family.” he stated with a smile.

  Skylar said nothing in response, simply staring forward dumbfounded at the man ahead of her.

  Anarchy opened his mouth to speak only for his eyes to widen in surprise as Skylar lunged forward wrapping her arms around his legs.

  “It’s… Okay to cry now. The fight is done.” she stated.

  Anarchy said nothing at first, he knelt slowly and wrapped his arms around Skylar’s body and they both stood there for a moment.

  Locked in a hug at this moment in time.

  “It’s nice to meet you… Anarchy.” Skylar stated.

  Anarchy closed his eyes, “And I could say the same to you, Skylar.”

  Skylar took in a shaky breath soon, “You’ll… have to go soon won’t you.”

  Anarchy nodded slowly, “I’m sorry.”

  Skylar shook her head, “Don’t be, you’ve helped me so much already… I’m happy.”

  Anarchy slowly removed his arms from Skylar looking her in the eyes, “...How about one more gift, before I move on from this world.” Anarchy then walked over to his crowbar, “A lesson on heavy weapons. From Anarchy Shadewalker himself.”

  Skylar’s eyes lit up, “Y-You mean it? You’ll teach me something about weapons?”

  Anarchy nodded a glint appearing in his gaze, “Course I will, you've got a lot of battles ahead… got to make sure you're prepared.”

  Skylar then smiled brightly for a moment she felt as though she could forget all her troubles.

  For only a moment.

  ***

  “She chose a trial by combat?” Icon muttered looking at the mirror that was placed at her bedside.

  Jenna was on the other side of it frowning, “By some fluke, she seems to have gained knowledge of such things from Tetra… I am unsure if she has the strength to survive such a thing.”

  Icon looked to her right hand frowning bitterly, she was still bedridden for the time but she had chosen this time to ask a favor of Jenna, one witch Jenna had no issues helping with.

  Jenna then closed her eyes, “We are running out of time, however… Win or lose, the Festival of The Hero will be held tomorrow. You know what must be done correct?”

  Icon nodded slowly, looking at the vial in her right hand, “Is this truly the only way?”

  Jenna folded her arms, “Perhaps not. I cannot be the one to administer the poison to The King, not only because I am a god… but because I am not in a position to decide the fate of the Kingdom, that can only be given to one such as yourself.”

  Icon frowned, saddled with the burden of this choice, “And if I cannot do it?”

  “Then I will trust your judgment. And we shall return to being enemies as we once were…” Jenna declared.

  Icon then looked up to the ceiling, “Will it ever be over? This endless nightmare? Where Gods and humans must clash again and again, just for a desperate bid for survival?”

  Jenna said nothing to those words, turning away and frowning.

  Icon then closed her eyes, “Perhaps… one day a miracle will be granted to us.”

  Jenna scoffed hearing those words, “We can only be so lucky in this world, and a miracle isn’t granted for free… The price for such things is never worth it in the end.” she then folded her arms scowling, “Just ask the hero Shadewalker… He’d know better than most the price of such things.”

  Icon nodded slowly, “Yes. It was he who first laid low the Titans, forcing most of their kind beneath the sea… What strength for a single man.”

  Jenna said nothing, closing the communication, Icon reached her hand upwards, “What I would give… for such strength.”