Skylar found herself flying backward in the air, she had just taken a substantial blow to the chest and she winced in pain as she flipped around making sure her feet were pointed to the ground, landing on the grass that was below her.

  She was in a forest, a large first with towering trees that almost seemed to stare down at her, her eyes darted around rapidly looking for her assailant.

  She narrowed her gaze, her ear twitched as she heard a sound behind her, she leaped and spun around gritting her teeth, dodging a narrow blow from the crowbar that was aimed at her torso, her sword remained firmly in her right hand.

  Anarchy let out a hum at the sight arching a brow, "You're getting faster despite the weight of that blade..." he commented.

  I blinked looking at the greatsword in my hand, "...It feels natural to me. Like I've been doing this my whole life." That wasn't entirely wrong either, she found that most of her technique seemed to nearly mirror Anarchy's. It made things a lot easier for the both of them teaching-wise, the biggest thing she learned was that she was far better with heavy weapons than she was with smaller ones.

  Anarchy said nothing to that, "...To be honest I wasn't sure how well you'd handle a weapon like that." Anarchy exclaimed a smirk tugged on his face, "You're picking it up faster than I thought, though your magic is rather... strange."

  Skylar tilted her head to the side, "How so?"

  Anarchy cupped his chin, "...The body is like a machine. Magic is similar to a program, the body can cast one. Maybe two types of magic, but anything beyond that will usually cause the body to shut down." Anarchy explained lowering his hand, "But currently you've been able to hold three types of magic in your body, frankly the fact that your body hasn't exploded from the inside out is insane."

  Skylar smirked, "Maybe I'm just special?"

  Anarchy arched his brow, "Or maybe you're just lucky." he countered nearly instantly, "...Wind and fire magic only, that's the limit for this fight, got it? I'll keep myself restrained to my shadow magic in return."

  Anarchy then raised his crowbar smirking as he pointed it forward, "I'll be going at you with all I have. It will be a simple duel."

  Skylar frowned in response, "A duel..." she blinked tilting her head to the side, "Then how about we make this more interesting. If I win then you have to tell me more about your past!"

  Anarchy chuckled, "Sure thing, but if I win..." he paused for a moment mulling over the idea that formed in his head, before smirking wickedly, "Then you'll have to suffer through my cooking tonight."

  Skylar flinched, taking a fearful step back, she had already eaten Anarchy's cooking soon after she arrived.

  It was awful.

  Genuinely the worst thing she's ever had.

  "Well now I really can't afford to lose." she gulped into a battle stance.

  Anarchy smiled at the sight, "Oh? You intend to win then?" he lowered his crowbar, his eyes flashed a bright crimson as he spoke, "Cute."

  Skylar's eyes widened as she felt something wrap around her leg. She blinked looking down, her gaze was one of horror as she saw the black shadow that was currently gripping tightly to her leg, "...Oh no."

  A panicked scream escaped her mouth as she was suddenly thrust into the air and sent flying through several trees.

  As shards of wood scattered into the air she flipped through the air, slamming her boots into the trunks of one of the many trees before launching off it, flying forward and hitting the ground, bolting forward with speed she attempted to cut the distance between herself and Anarchy once more.

  Anarchy watched with patient eyes a smirk on his face, as he twirled his crowbar in his hand, his eyes shined with confidence as Skylar appeared in front of him, he bent down slamming his crowbar into the ground as Skylar's sword soared over his head.

  The ground beneath his feet began to crack from the single blow he gave.

  Skylar pulled his sword back, holding it behind her as she leaped backward, her eyes darting to Anarchy cautiously, "What the hell...? I thought you said you'd stick to shadow magic?!" she shouted.

  Anarchy chuckled somewhat at that standing tall, that smile never fading from his gaze, "I am."

  Skylar narrowed her gaze dangerously at that, but she didn't sense any lies in Anarchy's words, so instead, she dug her heels into the dirt, taking up a defensive position.

  Anarchy saw the movement, "Done rushing me? That's a mistake." In one fluid movement Anarchy leaned forward, and blasted forward, the ground beneath his feet shattered as he rocketed forward, and shadows crawled up his body, and out of his spine forming what could only be described as a scorpion's tail.

  As Anarchy rocked forward that tail stabbed into one of the many trees ripping it from the ground roots and all.

  Skylar's eyes widened as Anarchy leaped into the air, and that tail swung horizontally with all its might.

  The tree itself was wide, about the size of Skylar's torso.

  So when it came flying at her there was little she could do, save for stabbing her sword into the trunk and use that sword to flip over it, only for her eyes to widen fearfully as she saw Anarchy with his right arm pulled back right on the other side of the tree, a manic smile on his face as he leaped up slamming his crowbar with full force into Skylar's back, before grabbing her by the air and throwing her diagonally blood flew through the air as her sword fell out of her hand, she rolled onto the ground coughing up her blood before she grits her teeth.

  Her right hand balled into a fist as she grabbed her blade, which luckily for her landed just in front of her, and began to stand up.

  Once more Anarchy stood a fair distance away, waiting for Skylar to move, she was already running out of breath but one core truth overwhelmed her soul.

  She didn't want to lose.

  So she took in a breath, her eyes shining emerald as she leaned forward taking the stance of what could almost be described as a beast, her left hand dug into the dirt.

  Her sword swung over her back, and a smile formed on her face.

  Anarchy blinked before digging his heels further into the ground, preparing for the blow that was to come.

  Skylar shot forward then, with enough speed to tear the ground around her apart, any trees that were in her vicinity when she shot forward were immediately uprooted by the shockwave.

  Her actual movement though was three leaps, the first to gain distance, the second to change her stance so that she was grabbing her sword with both hands, and the third to spin hoping to increase the strength of her desperate blow.

  Anarchy's eyes were wide with pride, "Impressive... However." Anarchy dodged to the side reaching out and grabbing Skylar by the shirt, "Too slow!" he then slammed his knee into her gut before slamming his crowbar into her pelvis with enough force to send her into the air, right over his head.

  He stood there confidently, that was until a red glow shined from behind him.

  His eyes widened and he quickly spun around, Skylar was falling upside down behind him, her eyes filled with murderous rage, those eyes shined a bright crimson as she fell with her palm extended, a red glow consuming it she uttered the name of her spell, "TERRAFLARE!"

  Anarchy smirked wildly, his eyes twinkled even as flames exploded forth from Skylar's hand, threatening to engulf him whole.

  Skylar tumbled to the ground. The inferno was so large that it consumed a good portion of the forest setting the trees ablaze.

  Her panicked breathing crawled to a halt suddenly, that was until she heard something...

  Something is wrong.

  It was as though time crawled to a halt around her, she slowly stood up.

  "Anarchy?" she muttered the name, she turned around and the leaves of the burning trees remained suspended in the air.

  She heard the sound of metal scraping against the wood, the skies turned dark around her.

  "Time again..." something in the shadows spoke, "That time again is it? When the hero rises from the flames to face the darkness." The voice spoke in a sarcastic sinister tone, but Skylar couldn't find where the voice came from, her eyes darted around, and her gaze was panicked, this voice was unnatural, there was a power to it.

  That was cold, cunning, all-consuming.

  And then she felt it, a hand on her shoulder.

  The chill of the cold air on her neck, her eyes were wide as she stood there afraid. Too afraid to even turn around, she glanced to her right seeing the edge of a scythe.

  "It's a lovely scent when heroes feel fear... And your time is all too close, isn't it... The end of the Shadewalker bloodline draws closer than ever before." the voice then came closer right to Skylar's ear, "That soul of yours shall taste the sweetest. Ripe with fear as you are."

  In one swift movement, Skylar spun around slashing at the person to whom the voice belonged, her eyes widened as Skeletal hands wrapped around her sword's edge, the figure wore a long black cloak, eyes shining red.

  And a smile on his face as he stared into Skylar's eyes, "What's the matter?" the voice questioned its smile growing as its breathing left mist in the air, "Life flashing before your eyes?" Skylar felt a tug on her neck.

  Slowly she turned around looking at the flames that now dissipated, her eyes sunk in at the sight.

  Anarchy Shadewalker sat there with a smile on his face as he lifted his hand, small bits of black were flaking off his skin, and he looked up to face Skylar, “Hm, times up I suppose. Wish there was more I could teach you kid, but something tells me you’ll be fine.”

  Skylar stepped forward her eyes wide, “W-What? No, I didn’t. T-This isn’t what I-”

  “Smile girl.” Anarchy spat brandishing his own fanged smirk, “It suits you better.”

  Skylar grit her teeth taking in a breath and put on a smile, even as Anarchy begins to fade from view.

  “I’ll be watching. Even if you can’t see me anymore. …And remember” He declared before the shadows shot out, consuming Skylar whole, “Shadewalkers always triumph in the end.”

  Chapter 7: Fairy Of Blood.

  Skylar's eyes snapped open, her breathing was erratic, and a new voice entered her ear, "Awake at last are we? And here I was worried, I'd have to get a bucket of water and splash it on ya."

  Her breathing slowed, and she slowly looked up, her hair was a mess but she could see the man in front of her even through that hair, he wore silver armor, and he had red hair.

  In his right hand was a collar, he walked up to Skylar without any care in the world, putting that collar right around Skylar's neck, "There. With that device, your magic should be sealed, perfect for your upcoming trial dontcha think?"

  Skylar's eyes instantly narrowed, her face forming a scowl, the man held up his hands defensively, "If looks could kill..." he then sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, "Name's Kin by the way."

  He then began to move to the chains, and slowly he began to take them off, "Just so you're aware, any struggle you're thinking of doing is pointless, even if you get past me. The King ordered about ten Executioners outside to guard... No way you're getting past them, though I suppose if you did ask for a trial by combat... then you don't have any intention of running anyways." He uttered those words as the final chains hit the ground.

  Skylar hit the ground and her legs were a little wobbly, it'd been a bit now since she was able to walk.

  But she nodded, managing to get to her feet with little issue, "Of course."

  The man then began to walk to the large door pulling out the blue crystal from his only pocket, "It's fortunate that you decided upon this trial, we were sorely lacking in entertainment on this day of celebration. So do be sure to put up a good fight, lest the people leave unsatisfied." the man declared with a smirk as the door ahead of him began to open slowly.

  Skylar responded with a scowl following close behind the man ahead of her.

  Sure enough, the group of people he mentioned was waiting just outside the door, they all stared at Skylar with a look of disgust.

  As she walked past them she heard their whispers.

  "So that's the hybrid?"

  "They really made her an Executioner, do they want us to die?"

  "The old King's gone senile hasn't he."

  As Skylar took a step onto the stairs she stopped glancing over her shoulder, she put on a smirk, "Better keep your focus, it'd be a shame if you were to die before the show."

  That shut them all real quick, they all looked to Skylar with hatred, one of the ten, the youngest by the look of it.

  He walked forward with the confidence of a man who had never known defeat and leaned forward so that he was at eye level with Skylar, "Listen here little squirt, you might have taken down a few gods... but that doesn't make you better than us got it?"

  Skylar paused locking her gaze on the man before asking, "You ever lost someone you cared about?" she suddenly questioned, the air around her growing thin.

  The man paused, caught somewhat off guard by that question, "Of course not, real Executioners save everyone in front of them!" he said confidently putting a hand on his heart.

  Skylar stood there with her mouth slightly wide open, before she clicked her tongue in annoyance, turning around and walking up those stairs.

  "Hey! Don't think you can just walk away from me!" A malicious look suddenly appeared on his face, "Or what, are you planning to go out like that lame some of a bitch Tetra!?"

  She stopped suddenly looking over her shoulder, a look of malice in her gaze, "...Speak ill of me if that's what you want, but keep his name out of your mouth."

  The man then smirked, reaching for the sword on his back, "Or what? You think you can take me, you little shit."

  Skylar narrowed his gaze, a scowl forming on her face, every part of her wanted to lunge forward and remove this man's head from his torso.

  But she took in a shaky breath and turned around, "...You're right. I'm no Executioner." she said, continuing to walk up those stairs, "I'm just someone who wants answers."

  Kin said nothing as Skylar walked past her, the man who insulted Skylar then ran up those stairs, "I said not to run from me your little shi-"

  Kin suddenly pulled back his right fist slamming it into the man's gut causing him to tumble forward, "We're here to guard her. Not kill her, pull another stunt like that and I'll strip your status myself." Kin growled.

  The man winced looking at Kin before muttering under his breath, "Yes sir."

  With that Kin let out a sigh and walked up those steps keeping his eyes locked on Skylar the whole while.

  ***

  Icon walked forward in a small hallway, located on the backside of the coliseum, she never took pleasure in watching these battles take place, but it was part of her duty as a high-ranking Executioner when she reached the end of the hallway.

  She blinked seeing three chairs, two were empty whereas one was currently being sat in by The King himself he stared forward with no readable expression on his face looking right into the Coliseum itself.

  Icon walked forward claiming her seat was to the right of The King himself.

  The King then spoke, "The turnout for this event is the largest I've ever seen." he stated simply.

  Icon blinked looking around to the stands, sure enough, they were filled to the brim, she said nothing to this but The King kept talking, "That girl certainly has become quite the legend in a mere few days."

  Icon scoffed at that leaning forward, "Such things are bound to happen with the amount of trouble she caused... Some people who saw my clash even started calling her by a title."

  The King arched a brow looking over to Icon, "Oh? That's the first I've heard of this... And what would that title be?"

  "The Fairy Of Blood." Icon stated the title without much hesitation, though her face seemed to tell the story that she didn't agree with the name entirely.

  Fairies have always been mischievous creatures in fairy tales and Skylar was more than many things, but mischievous was most certainly not one of those.

  The King then narrowed his gaze before glancing back to the arena at hand, "...The people here have gathered to see a child get slaughtered it seems... and yet although we picked out the strongest beast for Skylar to face... I remain unconvinced it will be enough to defeat her."

  The King commented on the fact, closing his eyes, "A shame that we will lose such a valuable asset so soon."

  Icon folded her arms, "Perhaps she can be persuaded to rejoin our forces? ...the girl has good intent even if her method leaves something to be desired."

  The King chuckled somewhat, "No I don't think she would even if we offered her the world, you cannot keep youth chained down no matter how hard you try." His gaze then focused on one of the two gates in the coliseum, "It would seem it is about to begin."

  Icon turned her attention to the arena, "...If there is one thing I can say about that girl it is this, she never leaves a battle empty-handed. She comes out stronger, and smarter... Perhaps it is the blood flowing through her veins, but she can easily transcend human limits, that is what makes Skylar Shadewalker special."

  The crowd began to cheer as Skylar began to walk onto the field; she had a frown on her face and a greatsword on her back.

  Icon's eyes widened at that, "A greatsword? But isn't her weapon of choice a longsword...?" she turned her gaze to The King.

  Suspecting foul play, her eyes widened in surprise as The King looked just as surprised as she was.

  That could only mean...

  "...The participants of this trial are allowed to fight with any weapon of their choosing so long as it's provided by our kingdom... So that means that she chose to use that sword of her own volition..." Icon felt a smirk begin to pull on her face, "Just what are you about to show us, Skylar?"

  Skylar looked up to the crowd above her and the cheers came into her ears but strangely enough, she didn't feel any sense of pride, it was almost condescending.

  There was one person in that crowd of people, an old man who mainly came to this arena to watch a battle, his eyes however locked onto Skylar, he reached up to stroke his silver beard, a smirk appearing on his face as he lowered his right hand.

  The gate ahead of Skylar began to open, and from it, a lion walked outward, a lion with a red left eye, and a purple right eye, its tail was replaced with a full snake, and lighting pulsed around its feet.

  A chimera.

  It growled bending forward ready to lunge at Skylar, she said nothing to the beast instead she reached up for the sword on her back pulling it free from its sheath, she then locked eyes with the beast not moving from her spot as she gripped her blade with both of her hands.

  Her gaze hardened as she locked her eyes on that beast, the beast's eyes widened and they began trembling.

  Before turning around it clawed rapidly at the gate as if trying to escape, that snake made its tail pulled away from the body desperate to escape.

  But Skylar shot forward all the same leaping into the air with unnatural speed and she stabbed her blade into the back of the beast.

  It roared in pain before moving with strength still found in its body, knocking Skylar from its back, it stopped trying to run then instead turned its attention fully to Skylar who landed on the ground slamming her left hand on the ground as she slid backward, her body leaned close to the ground as she swung her greatsword over her back ready for yet another charge.

  Skylar's eyes narrowed spitefully, "I pity you." she suddenly spoke, "You were thrust into a battle you had no chance of winning... and now you've been given two choices, lay down and die... or fight." she closed her eyes for a moment, and the beast growled in response, "I suppose I can relate to that." her eyes snapped open a bright crimson glow exuded from it, magic flowed through her veins though the collar around her neck stopped its use, "I'll end this now."

  The beast roared blasting forward, Skylar met the beast at the same speed in the center of the arena and with one swift strike cut the beast in half.

  For a moment the crowd was silent, simply staring forward, but after their shock wore off they began to shout, "BOOO!"

  Skylar said nothing to the chorus of people shouting.

  "WHAT A RIPOFF!"

  "THAT BEAST WAS A PUSHOVER SHE SHOULD FIGHT ANOTHER!"

  "I CAME HERE FOR A FIGHT! NOT THIS!"

  Skylar then stabbed her blade into the ground and glared at each person in the arena, she then shouted, "THEN WHY DON'T YOU COME DOWN HERE AND FIGHT ME!?!"

  Instantly the crowd grew silent, Skylar then folded her arms and looked away with a scowl, "You people want entertainment? Screw off. I'm not some jester."

  She then turned to glare at the King, she saw him when she entered but paid him no mind at first, but she raised a brow when she noticed something... odd.

  There the Kind was, but where was Icon?

  The gate then began to open slowly behind her, Skylar turned around ready to walk through it, that was until her eyes widened when she saw Icon standing there clad in her full armor, "...I understand this is highly unusual Skylar... but there is the matter of The Kingdoms reputation at stake." Icon then reached up and began to draw her blade, "A beast such as that one should not be so easily defeated, but..." Icon then looked to the ground, "Should I bring my full might to bear upon this girl, perhaps that shall satisfy this crowd!"

  Skylar narrowed her gaze bitterly, "You're changing the conditions of the duel?"

  Icon returned her gaze to Skylar, "...The battle will not be one that will end in death, you have already won your freedom." Icon explained, "Should you wish to leave, the gate remains open. But if you wish to prove your strength beyond any shadow of a doubt." Icon then pointed her blade forward with a smirk tugging on her lips, "then my blade remains ready."

  Skylar frowned; she had meant what she said, she wasn't fond of being used as entertainment.

  But...

  She looked at the sword she stabbed into the ground, and frowned, "If I might be allowed, I would like to add a condition."

  Icon arched a brow to that, before looking up to the stalls to her king.

  The King said nothing, instead opting to nod at Icon, so Icon lowered her head once more looking back at Skylar, "I will hear it then."

  "...If I am to win this fight, then I would like to have permission to travel to any of the islands in these skies, any islands of my choosing." Skylar declared.

  Icon blinked, "That's it? That's your demand?"

  Skylar reached for the sword she left on the ground grabbing the hilt, "I won't get stronger by sitting around, and just because I'm done with the Executioners doesn't mean I'll just stop killing Gods... and I want to find my reason to live, I can't do that here."

  Skylar then removed her greatsword from the ground, turning around.

  Icon paused for a moment, lowering her sword and smiling, "I see, you've grown more than I realized in these few weeks." she then looked Skylar over, "But then I suppose you had no choice did you?" Icon then looked up to The King once more.

  The King paused before letting out a small sigh, he then raised a blue crystal in his hand, and the choker that was on Skylar's neck glowed for a moment before falling to the ground.

  Her magic flowed forth, and she paused looking at her right hand, flames igniting on her fingertips for a moment, it wasn't an attack, more like a flex to ensure everything was working as it should.

  Once she was satisfied with the results she looked up, locking her gaze on Icon once more, "So then... Shall we begin?"

  Icon smirked, raising her blade, "When you are ready."

  Skylar blasted forward with little hesitation instantly closing the distance with Icon, and with overwhelming strength put her whole body into her next blow, slamming her blade into Icon's sword, Icon's eyes widened at the speed of it all, a smile formed on her face she couldn't help but feel proud for this young girl that stood toe to toe with her.

  It was a strange feeling, but one she decided to embrace nonetheless. The ground shook at the sheer ferocity of their clash and the crowd cheered as a shockwave came forth.

  Icon grunted pushing back against Skylar's might, "You've grown strong indeed, but you should know this won't be enough to defeat me!"

  "Of course, it won't..." Skylar growled, before pushing down with her right foot, and flames ignited around her feet.

  And in a single movement, she cut off her engagement with Icon, and kicked up with that same foot, wind shot upwards moving the flames with it, Icon's eyes widened and she quickly took a step backward, disengaging with Skylar completely, that was until she saw Skylar burst forth thrusting her blade forward with little fear right through the flames.

  Icon reflexively raised her blade parrying Skylar's strike, with enough force to knock the blade from any normal warrior's hand, but Skylar wasn't a normal warrior.

  Her blade went into the air, but the wind blew hard, and with it Skylar's blade spun around, as Skylar pulled back her right fist her wind magic caused Skylar's blade to collide once more with Icon's sword, at the same time Skylar threw her right fist forward slamming it into Icon's face with enough force to shatter her helmet, in the same motion she grabbed her sword with her left hand using.

  Before leaping backward to gain more distance.

  Icon blinked, reaching up and putting a hand on her cheek surprise overwhelmed her face, she then smirked suddenly.

  "...I suppose it's time we ended this." She raised her blade skyward.

  Skylar had seen this attack before, she knew that with a simple rush, she could stop it.

  And yet... she did not move forward.

  Instead, Skylar stood her ground keeping her blade in hand, her eyes glowed crimson as she planted her right foot into the ground, she remembered the words of Anarchy as her sword radiated with magic.

  "What's most important in this world isn't the life of others, it's not the will to save everyone, the most important thing in this world is... to have fun, if you're not having fun then why bother doing what you do."

  And so a manic grin once more began to form on Skylar's face, her eyes showing renewed vigor.

  Icon took note of this look, but continued with her spell regardless, "The sun sets, and dark winds embrace a golden moon, the screams of a thousand souls on their knees pleading for pleasure, for pain, down from the mountains of madness and into the heart of the endless storm." The crowd looked up with awe, it was a rare treat to see Icon's strongest spell in a match, so they watched and waited with bated breath as the skies above began to grow dark.

  That was until some of them noticed Skylar speaking her own set of words, "I will awaken the truth of the world, for I walk with humanity." when first she spoke those words she didn't know their meaning.

  But now she did, she knew the meaning without any doubt in her heart.

  But... It wasn't something she could put into words.

  That's just how hard it was to describe the human soul.

  Instead, she gripped the hilt of her blade tighter, it glowed bright with crimson flames as she opened her mouth ready to roar.

  Icon swung her blade down ending her incantation,

  "Now Fall!"

  "Ragnarok!"

  Skylar swung her blade forward, and once more a dragon made of flames soared into the skies as Icon's bolt of judgment flew downwards, that same lighting that had damaged a Titan with little effort, yet when faced with the maws of this dragon it seemed to fall short.

  That dragon roared exhaling a breath of flame and consuming the bolt of lighting instantly it then flew into the air spreading its wings far, letting the world bask in its radiance.

  Icon stared up eyes wide for a moment that was until her left ear twitched quickly she looked back down seeing Skylar right in front of her.

  With a swift panicked movement, Icon swung her blade vertically in a desperate attempt to force Skylar to gain distance.

  But it was futile, Skylar would not be denied her prize, so with quick feet, she dodged to the right spinning a full 360 degrees and she slammed her blade right into Icon's sword with enough force to break through the steel.

  The shards of Icon's blade went scattered across the arena, as did Skylar's sword.

  They both looked at each other pulling back their fists, but before they could make contact with one another suddenly a sound came out from on high.

  Quickly the duo lowered their fists and ran into the center of the arena once more, there was laughter and the sound of someone clapping their hands together.

  There sitting on the peaks of one of the many pillars in this place, Jenna had a wide smile on her face as she slowly lowered her hands looking into the eyes of every single person that littered the audience.

  Skylar growled her hand clenching into a fist, "Jenna." she uttered the name with malice.

  Icon arched a brow glancing at Skylar, "You know her?"

  Jenna then suddenly leaped forward landing in between the duo causing both of them to leap backward a large distance, separating from one another but also keeping a wary glance at Jenna.

  "Ah... It's been a while since I've had a crowd this large!" she declared throwing her arms out to her side, she barely even paid any attention to the two Executioners that stood before her, "And what a show to commemorate a day like this!" she blinked before frowning, "Although... I suppose you could say this isn't a day to celebrate."

  The King suddenly stood up, "What are you doing Executioners!?! Is it, not your duty to slay the gods, slay her now!"

  Jenna paused any semblance of joy was replaced with malice as she looked over her shoulder and to The King, "A question," she raised a single finger a pink glow came from it, followed by a large stringy substance, it shot out in every direction the crowd gasped and tried to get away, but this substance was fast, it wrapped around the necks of every single member of the audience, and for some reason, they all found themselves unable to move the moment it did so, they could only stare with horrified eyes.

  The only people who remained untouched by these strings were Jenna herself, The two Executioners beside her, and The King himself, "If they could kill me right now, at the cost of the lives of everyone in this arena. What order would you give them?"

  There was a moment of silence, Skylar kept her teeth grit every fiber of her being wanting to lunge forward and attack.

  But... If she did that then everyone else would die.

  "I'd tell them to do it." The King suddenly decreed without much hesitation, "I'd tell them to kill you." he then leaned forward gripping the edge of his railing, "SO DO IT!"

  Jenna tilted her head to the side, smirking somewhat at that, "So The King decrees, caring little for the lives of his subjects so long as his revenge is obtained." she then closed her eyes glancing at Skylar, "And what of you?"

  Her body shifted as she looked at Icon, "Will you follow his orders like mindless drones?"

  They stood there, both holding mixed expressions, The King narrowed his gaze looking down on the duo, he already was aware that he held no sway over Skylar's decision, but Icon was another story.

  He found himself considering his words carefully, thinking of how best to spin this situation back into his favor, before speaking at last, "Who was it that brought you in? Who was it that saved you from the dark abyss of life? Perhaps my actions are questionable, but when have I led you astray? Put your faith in me Icon, you know I shall lead this land to a bright future."

  Jenna blinked at that a scowl formed on her face, "Do you know how many people Gods tend to kill on average!? ONE. One single person is enough to keep us going for 3 days, whereas you humans tend to kill off each other more easily than we ever could!" Jenna shouted she then growled, "You'd call us the monsters for eating your kind? But when I look up I see no king, I see a demon clad in flesh. A man who would happily kill 3000 of his subjects just to kill one god."

  Jenna then put on a mocking smile, "Congratulations Your Majesty, it seems you're a far better killer than every god put together!"

  The King growled his face bright red with anger and he looked down to Icon ready to shout his order, only for his eyes to widen as he looked to see Icon staring intently at Jenna.

  It was at this moment that he realized that all of his so-called power had left his hands, so with little recourse he bit his tongue, choking on his pride before saying his next words, "...State your demands."

  Jenna frowned, she was irritated that it took The King so long to understand his position in all this, but she wasn't going to complain about that at the moment, instead, she opened her mouth, "Tomorrow, at midnight. You will resign your throne, I don't care how it's done, but you will hand it off to someone else, and all its secrets will go to this new ruler. That is my only demand." she then pull slightly on the string connected to her finger, drawing a small amount of blood from the crowd, "Should you fail to do so, everyone still on this island will die."

  The King grits his teeth, he was cornered with no escape so once more he swallowed his pride, and uttered his next words, "Very well."

  Jenna then smirked, and the strings all disappeared, she then clapped her hands together and spoke cheerily, like a teacher speaking to the students who did the best job, "I'm glad we could come to an agreement, till next, we meet!" she then spun around on her heel creating a portal from the pink liquid that moved at her command walking through it without another word.

  Skylar stared at the space that once held that portal before gritting her teeth.

  How could she threaten so many people like that so casually? What would she have done if Icon had rushed forward!?

  Every question that Skylar asked about this situation led to more anger swelling up inside her heart.

  The King let out a heavy sigh looking at his subjects, "...I suppose the Blood Moon's festival shall be done alongside my official resignation ceremony." his tone was forced and he closed his eyes letting go of the railing, turning around, "Skylar Shadewalker is free to do as she wants, as for the rest of my subjects, we shall prepare airships for those of you who wish to leave. But we will also combat this threat to the best of our abilities."

  Skylar looked up to where The King was frowning at him, he was trying to salvage the situation as best as he could, but it was clear that his heart was no longer in it.

  Skylar herself frowned, turning to the gate and she began to walk away from the arena, the crowd let out a series of murmurs talking amongst themselves.

  That sound wasn't where her focus was though, her focus was on the faint sound of footsteps behind her, it would seem that Icon had something to talk to her about.

  So once they were in the large stone hallway Skylar stopped turning around, fully arching a brow at the woman behind her, "What do you plan to do from here?" Skylar suddenly questioned Icon.

  Icon paused looking to the ground, she found herself conflicted but soon enough she found the words, "I intend to speak with His Majesty. At the very least I want to ensure that no harm comes to anyone else... and what of you? What are your plans?"

  Skylar paused looking at Icon with a frown, "...I want to leave this place as soon as I can honestly... but I also can't leave these people here to their fates." Skylar then sighed heavily, turning around and running a hand through her hair, "I guess, I'll stick around. In case that King of yours does something stupid, I'll fight Jenna tomorrow if that's what it comes to."

  Icon arched a concerned brow at that, "By yourself? That's insane... She'll kill you!"

  Skylar turned her head looking over her shoulder with a confident smirk, "That's fine, no one would miss me." as quickly as she uttered those words she walked away without so much as a goodbye to Icon.

  Icon frowned at those words, a bitter frown on her face as she uttered two words even though Skylar was no longer around to hear them, "I would."

  ***

  Skylar found herself walking away from the Coliseum with little regard for the voices that spoke out to her, most of them asking dumb things.

  Like, 'How old are you?' 'Where did you learn to fight like that?' 'wanna hang out?'

  She didn't have time for that sort of thing, she had to think of some sort of plan.

  Although maybe that shouldn't have been her biggest priority at the moment, she hadn't had much time to think about it but when she looked down at her clothes they were pretty beat up, with a few tears here and their mud and dirt covered her as well.

  Nothing was torn in a way to be revealing, but it was still irritating.

  Maybe she should go shopping?

  As if in answer to her ponderings, she eyed a building with a small sign on the front door, there was also a larger sign on the roof Geralt's Accomidies.' the large sign read.

  But the small sign said 'Closed' guess she'd have to shop elsewhere.

  "Ah, you're the girl who fought in the coliseum." A voice spoke out, Skylar blinking, turning around, and arching a brow in mild surprise.

  It was an old man, he was rather short and had silver hair. He stroked his silver beard as he looked up at Skylar, "You fought well in there, better than most I'd say."

  He put a hand on his hip, before extending a hand out, "Name's Geralt. A pleasure to meet you." Skylar blinked before accepting the man's hand, they shook hands then Skylar's eyes flashed crimson before turning Emerald showing that wind magic was her current focus, as soon as they parted he walked over to the door of his shop unlocking in, "You looking for a new set of gear? If so I can set you up." he then glanced over his shoulder, "I used to be a blacksmith for the Kings own personal guard, so I know a thing or two about making armor for you Executioners."

  Skylar was somewhat skeptical at the man's offer, but...

  She also didn't sense that this man posed much danger, seeing no harm in the idea she followed the man into his store.

  Several things were lining the wooden shelves inside, potions, crystals, and even basic weapons.

  The back walls were fitted with several types of armor, Skylar blinked looking at them.

  "You don't want any of those, a warrior of your caliber deserves something top of the line." he said walking behind his counter and pulling out a small wooden box, he then set it on the counter itself Skylar walked up to him, "A warrior of my caliber? I didn't do anything that impressive did I?" The old man arched a brow at her completely dumbfounded for a moment, he then leaned forward, "Your movements in those battles mirrored skills and techniques used by the Hero of old..." he explained Skylar tilted her head confused, realizing that Skylar didn't even seem to know about the Hero of old the old man smiled and continued, "stop by The Hero's church sometime, if you wanna learn more about him." he then removed his hands from the box in his possession and said, "Changing room is to the right. Go on, try it on."

  Skylar nodded looking at the box before picking it up, she then looked to the old man, "Thank you."

  He smirked, leaning forward, "Hurry on now, best make sure it fits before thanking me."

  Skylar nodded, walking towards the changing room with a slight smile.

  As soon as she was out of earshot the old man frowned, "Made that gear for Sara originally didn't I... shame. She would have made a good mage." he then glanced at a picture he had under his desk, it was of Tetra wearing a brand new set of gear, "Hope you don't mind me lending it to this lass, something tells me she's gonna need it."

  The old man arched his brow as Skylar walked out of the changing room, her silver hair flowing as she did so, the man commented, "Hm, it looks good on you, far better than I expected..."

  Skylar frowned a red scarf was wrapped around her neck, her eyes had settled upon a crimson color for the moment, and her hair remained silver, but there was a slight red tint to the edges, she wore a black shirt with a white jacket over it, there were six buttons, four on the right side of her jacket and two on the left they were shaped like stars. Two small sets of cloth poked out of the back of her white jacket, almost like small capes.

  The old man arched a brow as Skylar reached the counter, "How much will it cost me?" she asked suddenly.

  The old man frowned bitterly as he locked his eyes on Skylar, her gaze was deadly serious, and in that instant, the old man closed his eyes, "You can pay me back with a favor." he declared, opening his eyes, "I'm not sure what it is you plan to do when you escape this place, but when you do get out... Just make sure your actions don't disgrace Tetra's legacy."

  Skylar blinked looking at the table before taking in a breath, "Of course, I won't. My life was bought through his sacrifice after all." she declared before turning to the door her eyes fixated on the exit.

  The old man said nothing for a moment watching the girl leave his store before he finally uttered his next words, "Poor girl... Those are eyes that have witnessed hell, so young... and so much to carry."

  As Skylar walked out of that store she looked down at her right hand clenching it into a fist, "I won't lose." she declared boldly.

  Before walking forward once more, she had intended to go to The Heroes Church... but her mind was fixated on a different place at the moment.

  Her mind flashed back to the battle she had with the Titan and the following battle.

  "It was to the north I think..." She continued walking, stopping here and there to glance at the various places in the markets.

  Soon enough she arrived at the northwest part of this island, there wasn't a dock there.

  Just a dirt path, grass used to litter this area but the flames of the battle had all but destroyed the area.

  Skylar frowned, the rubble of the airships had already been cleared away, and she saw no signs of the sword Tetra had lent her.

  That means that it either fell into the Cloud Sea or was confiscated by the Executioners.

  That was a problem, fights were going to be a lot harder without that thing.

  She paused looking down at her wrists, "Come to think of it... Where'd that bracelet go?"

  "I took the liberty of removing it from your person for the time being." A voice spoke out from behind Skylar, she turned around recognizing the voice, and Passer stood a fair distance away. That same bracelet she gave Skylar was currently in her hand. She smiled at Skylar with a knowing look, "I'm afraid I'll have to hold onto it a bit longer... Only really gave it to you so you'd have an edge on the Titan." she explained turning to look at The Cloud Sea, "...You cut your life down by the way."

  Skylar arched a brow to that, "What...?"

  Passer turned her gaze back to Skylar frowning as she did so, pointing to Skylar's chest, "That wound you took in that battle was lethal. All things considered, there is no reason for you to be alive." Passer pointed out clearly, "But us... hybrids? They never really did name us..." Passer muttered in realization before realizing she was getting sidetracked, "Us hybrids have an edge. When faced with a lethal wound, we can expend one year of our life to heal every bit of damage we took." Passer then lowered her arm frowning, "And in your case that means."

  Skylar folded her arms, scowling in realization, "I'm down to 15 years... you could have warned me sooner."

  Passer nodded looking at Skylar solemnly, "I'm still learning most of this myself, you're the only other person like me after all. I can't just... conclude that we are completely the same."

  Skylar blinked, unfolding her arms she then let out a sigh, "I suppose that's fair, why'd you come here anyways? Is it just to let me know about that bracelet." she then narrowed her gaze at Passer, "Or was there another reason?"

  It was then that Passer's smile returned and she put a hand on her hip, "To the southwest, there is an island that few have gone to, and even fewer have returned from. They call it The Dead Ends." she started to explain, "It saps the life from most gods and humans alike, and here's a little secret about it." she put a finger over her mouth winking at Skylar, "It's also my home."

  Skylar arched a brow at that, "But if it saps that life out of everyone then how can you live there?"

  Passer shrugged, "That's one of the many mysteries about that place, but there is also a door there... it requires two people to open it."

  It was then that Skylar caught on, "So you want me to go there?"

  "Not yet." Passer immediately interjected, "On your last year of life I want you to visit me. No sooner and no later. I'm deathly curious of course but there is still the very real chance that this place will kill you, so I only want you to come when you are prepared to die. If you aren't ever prepared then don't come at all."

  There were a lot of questions bubbling up in Skylar's mind but only one mattered right now, "Why?"

  "Because we deserve to know the truth." Passer stated simply, "the truth of why we exist."

  The wind blew then, the duo stood there staring at one another, Passer then put her hands behind her back smiling innocently, "Or at least, that's what I think is behind that door... I've no proof to back up my words on that front."

  Passer's smile then dropped, "Still, I hope you'll at least consider the idea."

  Skylar said nothing for a moment before sighing, "I've got a lot of things on my plate at the moment... but I won't turn you down outright." she then locked her gaze firmly on Passer, "But I would like that bracelet back at some point, the thing came in handy."

  Passer paused looking at Skylar for a moment before looking at that bracelet, "...Sorry, but that's not going to happen again any time soon, the thing only has a limited amount of power. And I'm the only one who has a method to charge it... problem is, it's not quick. Takes a few months at best. You pretty much drained it of all its strength. This thing is quite literally an ace in the hole."

  Skylar frowned but nodded in understanding, "Why trust me with something like that then?"

  Passer smiled at Skylar's obliviousness, "Isn't it obvious? You're a hero aren't you?"

  Skylar blinked at those words before looking to the clouds ahead, "A hero? I... don't think I can call myself that." she looked to her right hand, "I couldn't even protect those closest to me."

  Passer tilted her head hearing those words, "What's important isn't who you save, and who you can't. What matters is the attempt." Passer responded flatly she then spun around on her heel, "...of course, there is also an old myth, about a man named Theseus. I forgot the story, but it was the message that stuck with me... Heroes don't get happy endings, they get a life of pain or suffering... I wonder if that is how your story will end."

  The wind blew once more, and when Skylar turned around Passer was gone leaving Skylar alone with her thoughts.

  Skylar then let out a sigh turned around and started walking forward once more, irritation showing in her gaze, "Guess I'm going to have to look for a new sword."

  It was a simple response to everything but it was something to distract her from the swarm of questions plaguing her mind.

  She needed that distraction right now.

  But she also needed more answers so she started walking towards The Church Of The Hero, hoping to receive those answers.

  ***

  When she heard the name of The Church Of The Hero, she expected a place made of pure gold, with illustrious paintings and the like.

  Not... a normal-looking church.

  So Skylar was immediately let down.

  Nevertheless, she reached out and opened the door walking into its grand halls, her eyes fell on the hourglass ahead.

  Sands fell onto the bottom, she recalled Tetra telling her something about it but her mind was drawing a blank at the moment.

  "Oh, the brat that hung around with Tetra." A voice spoke walking out from a side corridor, Nena arched a brow at Skylar, "Sorry the priest is out at the moment, it's just me right now... I can help you out with any of the blessings you'd want, or did you simply want to check when the next Titan would arrive?" Nena tilted her head to the side her right arm was in a cast, after all, she was in that crash as well she didn't come out completely unscathed, but she wasn't in the worst of shape either.

  Skylar paused.

  That was it, the hourglass gave an estimate for when the next Titan would rise up... nobody was sure why that worked though.

  Skylar then folded her arms, "I wanted to learn about the Hero."

  Nena paused hearing those words, before sighing, "...The hero, supposedly he was the one who first fought off Titan's. The man single-handedly combated 10,000 of those beasts by himself while our islands launched into the sky, the cloud sea then formed a barrier of sorts protecting us from the wrath of the Titans." Nena explained, "that's the short version that they tell most children, the long version takes way more time to explain... But we offer our prayers and thanks to that Hero at this place."

  Skylar paused, nodding in understanding, "How... Did he fight them?"

  Nena paused, "there's an old catalog detailing his movements and how he fought, his style seemed almost... self-destructive, so no warrior tries to replicate it." she then sighed, "Of course, the priest is the one who has access to that catalog, so I can't just hand it to you."

  Skylar shook her head, "No that's fine, I really only have one more question about him, what was his name?"

  It was odd to hear someone called a Hero, and never learn his name.

  That was the biggest question Skylar had about this man ever since she first heard of his existence.

  Nena remained silent for a moment rolling words around in her head before responding, "We're not supposed to mention his name, he hated it when people called him by name... but for you, I can make an exception I suppose." Nena then reached into her breast pocket and pulled out a cigarette, she then looked to Skylar, she sighed before holding up her right finger, a single small flame lit on it, and she held it to that cigarette lighting it in the building Nena smirked at that simple action, "Anarchy Shadewalker was his name."

  Skylar paused hearing that sentence, "Shadewalker?" That was her last name. That.

  That would mean that...

  Skylar blinked looking around the building for a moment, "I... is that just a coincidence?"

  Nena shook her head before taking a puff of smoke in from her cigarette, "Nope, it's part of the reason why they wanted you so badly in the Executioners. Turns out having the blood of a hero has major perks for publicity."

  Skylar frowned, folding her arms, "First I'm hearing about this..."

  Nena shrugged, "Maybe they were worried about you letting it go to your head? Who knows."

  Somehow Skylar doubted that was the reason, but she sighed regardless, "Well thanks for your help, I'll be leaving now." She turned around and started to walk away.

  That was until Nena spoke, "Tetra was looking into something before you two ran off." Skylar stopped in her tracks turning around and arching a brow, "It was into the death of a girl, Mina was her name... I can't say much about the case at hand, but she used to live in Jubilee, the city of storms... If you want to find out more about Tetra and his work that's where I would start." Nena then put the bud of her cigarette on the wall.

  And Skylar nodded, "I'll do that."

  There were no more words spoken between them, with nothing more to say Skylar walked out the door, and she paused looking up.

  It was dark already, it was here that Skylar realized something important.

  She had nowhere to spend the night.

  She reached into her pockets, she was rather quick to make sure that her old contents were transferred but...

  She glanced at the money in her pocket, it was about 8 gold.

  A hefty sum for a child, perhaps she could rent an inn room?

  This thought was then met with the realization that she didn't even know what a reasonable price for such a place was.

  She supposed she could just go into every inn she could find and settle upon a price later but... that sounded like a lot of work and she was already exhausted.

  She frowned, setting the gold back into her pocket, "Skylar? What are you doing here?" Skylar blinked, turning to her right there Icon was walking in her direction.

  Skylar frowned, she was still not fond of Icon all things considered.

  "Research, though... I've been hitting a lot of dead ends recently. More questions than answers." she explained.

  Icon nodded, "I came here to check the hourglass... but..." she paused looking at Skylar frowning for a moment, "Do you have a place to stay for the night?"

  Skylar's cheeks flushed red in embarrassment, figured out that quickly... How irritating.

  She then looked to her feet and muttered under her breath, "I can take care of myself."

  Icon half considered offering Skylar a room at her own place, but Skylar seemed eager to prove herself.

  So instead Icon folded her arms, "...Right near the north dock, there's an Inn. The prices are cheap, around 1 silver for a night, just tell them I sent you if they try to rip you off."

  Skylar blinked looking up at Icon, "We don't work together anymore, so why are you helping me?"

  Icon then frowned, "Doesn't matter if we are working together or not, nobody should sleep out on the streets." she gave her response nearly instantly as if she had said it over a thousand times before.

  Icon then smiled, "Now if there isn't anything else I can help you with, why don't you run along."

  Skylar paused for a moment before closing her eyes, "Thanks." it was all she muttered before turning around and walking to her destination.

  Icon then turned around herself walking into the church ahead.

  ***

  The King sat in his bed a scowl on his face all the while, even now the words Jenna spoke rang in his head on repeat. It made his blood boil with anger.

  But what more could he do? Surely there had to be something?

  ...He had one more ace up his sleeve but had it really come to that it was rather insane. Even for his liking.

  But when he ran through the options in his head once more he found there was little choice.

  Tomorrow was the Blood Moon festival.

  Yes.

  Tomorrow there will be blood.

  With a heavy heart, he took in a breath and closed his eyes.

  It wouldn't do to be groggy at his ceremony.

  ***

  Skylar entered her room with an arched brow, she was a little surprised at how nice the room was, her bed was near the window.

  A perfect view of the moon was in sight, and to her right was a room that seemed to be the bathroom.

  She smiled, this was the first time in a while she'd had a room to herself, of course, there was the minor annoyance of the owner of the place trying to scam her.

  But one mention of Icon was enough to get them to shut up so that was nice.

  Skylar then let out a small yawn walking over to her bed and landing on it, "What a day..." she muttered.

  Anarchy Shadewalker... to think he was THE hero.

  This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Then there was The Dead Ends.

  And of course... the case of the missing sword.

  She frowned looking out that window, "...I'm worried." she muttered in realization, that was the only thing she could say.

  It was hard to even think about sleeping.

  So she just watched the sky.

  Waiting for when sleep would take her.

  Of course, that time never came, so she was left alone with her thoughts and hopes.

  She sighed closing her eyes, I just don't get it, why would Jenna make such a threat?

  There were a lot of things about Jenna that Skylar didn't fully understand.

  Jenna was an enigma in her eyes, who valued the concept of life.

  Though when Skylar thought about it she didn't fully understand why she valued life in the first place.

  She'd always been like this, or at least she thinks she's always been like this.

  She paused reflecting on her oh-so-short life, just a few weeks ago she could remember her mother smiling and helping.

  The people on her island were overjoyed to play with her, so long as she worked with them.

  It was like this for a few years.

  Then came the gap.

  The big gaping hole in her memories, 9 years remained completely missing from her mind.

  Supposedly it was because she hit her head rather hard while playing, but there was no real way to know for sure.

  It always irritated her, she couldn't remember no matter how hard she tried.

  But there was another reason it irritated her.

  It was a lie. Most of it anyways.

  See the one who told her that 'she hit her head' was her mother.

  This was the first and only time she'd ever seen her mother's face scrunch up weirdly.

  That's because it was the first and only time she lied.

  She never questioned it, despite her many desires to do so.

  She was the child, and her mother was the adult so what did she know?

  ...But now she never would get the chance to ask.

  She suddenly didn't feel like staying in bed anymore.

  So she stood up and opened her window, leaping out of it, using her wind magic to slow her descent, mimicking the way Tetra did the same when they first met.

  Her execution of that trick was nearly flawless.

  So when her shoes hit the ground she began to walk the city streets, it was empty now for the most part.

  A few people were moving in the alley mostly shady dealers and the like.

  Wait.

  Wasn't that strange?

  After the announcement Jenna made yesterday shouldn't there have been more of a panic?

  Or at least something more?

  Like some people huddling together on what could be their final night?

  Skylar looked at the buildings there weren't even any lights on, did the people just trust the King that much?

  Skylar frowned, shoving her hands into her pockets, fidgeting with the edges of the cloth around the edges of those pockets as her thoughts began to shift.

  Her footsteps echoed through her ears.

  ...or perhaps there was a reason something that she wasn't informed of but everyone else knew.

  What the hell could that be though?

  She stopped in place then her eyes widened as she looked to one of the many nearby alleys there were two men, cloaked in black.

  Both of them had arms slung around their shoulders, and a girl with purple hair was slumping forward.

  Jenna.

  Skylar paused for a moment.

  Had Jenna really been captured? No there was something inherently wrong about that idea, Jenna wouldn't go down that easily, not after a declaration like that.

  But how else was she supposed to take in the site ahead of her?

  ...

  Whatever it was, it wasn't her problem.

  She continued to walk until a memory entered her head, "The foods that humanity would eat are akin to poisons to us." she then turned her gaze to her own plate gaze ravenous despite the spilling of her stomach.

  "...For us to gain strength. For us to live. We must sustain ourselves through other means. There are two options... Lifeforce that we can siphon through the land." she then reached out removing the silver lid on her plate, "Or a life with mana."

  Survival.

  That was always what it came down to for her.

  ...Damn it.

  ***

  The wind blew that night gently as could be, yet the events that took place were anything but gentle.

  In the middle of a cathedral, a man clad in white rose his arms to the skies moonlight shone down upon him from the heavens, "Oh lords above... We gather here to pray and sacrifice... In service to the one true savior, The Warrior Of Light himself! May you drink of this flesh so we may receive his blessing!"

  A total of eighteen men gathered, not including the priest himself.

  In front of them was a woman with purple hair and crimson red eyes, she wore a tattered cloth on her chest, it barely covered anything leaving the cuts and bruises visible to all, her arms to were stretched to her side upon the cross she was tied to, "You don't know what your about to unleash upon this world..." she spoke though her voice was hoarse.

  The priest threw his right hand forward, "You will be a silent witch!" he roared as the other men grabbed their unlit torches walking to the right wall.

  One by one those men began to light those torches, The priest clenched his hand into a fist, "You are a blight upon our land, an icon of sin that must be purged."

  Jenna chuckled bitterly, "And you aren't? You who profits off the good deeds of a true hero?"

  The priest smiled wickedly, eyes flashing with malice and pride, "It was by his grace that you were chosen, and it is by his grace that you will be saved." he spoke ignoring the words of the woman.

  The eighteen men surrounded that cross-holding out their torches, the woman closed her eyes tight knowing there was no escape.

  At the very least, she could take pride in the fact that these men would soon know justice.

  So she waited for the flames to take hold.

  But...

  They never came.

  "W-What sorcery is this?" The priest shouted, and the flames floated in the air just above the cross.

  And then suddenly three knocks came from behind the priest.

  The chapel door was sealed shut, a sign of a grand ceremony taking place, yet someone would dare to knock during this holy ceremony.

  The priest narrowed his gaze and turned to one of his men, "Answer it."

  The man in question nodded, retrieving a knife from his robe and walking to the door once more the knocking came.

  The man reached out to the handle pulling it open swiftly ready to plunge his knife into his target.

  But instead, a fist was planted firmly in his face, slender fingers made up that fist, white skin now tainted with red liquid from unworthy prey.

  The man fell to the ground, and the intruder walked forward, black boots hitting the carpet. "Well now, I came here because I thought there was a damsel in distress, and instead It would seem I found a witch trial..." Skylar spoke, slamming her right boot beside the man on the ground, her eyes narrowed as she pointed a fireball at the man’s face, making him cease any thoughts of retaliation.

  Her eyes were slightly narrowed, her left eye a bright crimson while the right eye was emerald.

  A smirk adorned her face

  She put her free hand on her hip, as her gaze scanned the room.

  The priest narrowed his gaze, "Who do you think you are... This is a holy ceremony! None are allowed here during this sacred period!" he shouted venom trickling into his voice.

  Skylar blinked, tilting her head to the right, putting her right hand on her hip, which was covered by her black shorts and held up by a white belt, "...Sacred? What's so sacred about tying up a helpless girl on a cross and burning her at the stake? That's not sacred. That's evil." Skylar stated matter of factly. The moonlight seemed to shift shining upon her face, her eyes reflected that moonlight

  The priest growled, "Not another step, we already have spoken with the King about this! This is a sanctioned sacrifice to take another step will be an act of treason!"

  "Oh?" Skylar let out a hum at that, "I act on a higher authority... So sadly you aren't leaving here with your lives."

  The priest turned to his men, "What are you just standing there for? KILL HER!"

  Two of the hooded men nodded blasting forward pulling knives from their robes, Skylar sighed, "Bad idea buddy."

  The first man lunged forward only for his ass to be planted firmly on the ground with a swift kick to the gut, his knife flew from his hands and Skylar grabbed it from the air, throwing it into the second man’s leg making him tumble to the ground.

  Skylar then lowered that hand to her side eyes darting to each target, "So then? Who's next."

  She got her answer as three men blasted forward, the same as the rest.

  She sent the first two down with ease but the last was quicker, he plunged his knife right into Skylar’s chest, and a wicked smile appeared on that man's face, "This is what happens when you interfere with our holy justice!"

  The smile on Skylar’s face vanished, a deep frown upon her face, "Holy?" Despite the pain the knife brought she locked eyes with the man before her, "Tell me. What does a church do?"

  "Wha-" the man tried to respond only for Skylar to pull back her fist slamming it into the man's face sending him flying backward and knocking him through one of the many windows, "They baptize the innocent in water, while demons baptize the guilty in flame."

  Skylar then turned her attention to the priest, "So then? Innocent or guilty? Which are you, priests?" Skylar questioned as red flames burst to life around her.

  She reached out pulling the knife from her chest the blood that flowed forth fueled the flames she put a hand over it setting her hand ablaze to cauterize the wound.

  As soon as it was finished the flames upon her hand vanished, and the priest backed up fearfully, "S-Satanic magic... What creature made you!?!" The priest shouted pointing a finger at Skylar.

  She sighed in response, walking forward, “What made me?" Skylar repeated the question closing her eyes, “I suppose if I had to answer that, my response for be… your object of worship. As for my name?”

  Skylar stood face to face with the priest, "Skylar Shadewalker." Skylar spoke, grasping the priest's face, "And for the sin of tarnishing the Shadewalker legacy... I sentence you to death by flames."

  Before another word could be uttered the man's body was set ablaze in those red flames, and his screams could be heard throughout the chapel. The remaining men then ran past Skylar running as fast as their legs could carry them, Skylar paid them no heed.

  Yet Skylar's eyes did not falter.

  They stared forward with unyielding malice.

  "So then." her eyes lit up, "Am I right in assuming you only did this so we could talk?" she spoke to Jenna directly. The only reason she came to that conclusion was because of how Jenna acted, this girl always acted in her own self-interest, her survival seemed to take priority over most things... so she wouldn't mind killing a few priests.

  Jenna said nothing while looking down from her cross, "I figured these would be the only conditions where you would be even remotely open to talking to me..." she confessed.

  Skylar narrowed her gaze bitterly, a scowl forming on her face, she then walked forward using the knife in her hands to cut the ropes that bound Jenna.

  "Then talk." Skylar was quick to the point her irritation was clear to anyone who gazed at her face.

  Jenna dropped to the ground, before she moved, however, a pink liquid flowed down her thigh, it covered her completely, healing her wounds and changing her outfit to her usual getup.

  Jenna paused, considering her words carefully, "Why not run away Skylar? You know you'd have little chance of winning a battle against m-"

  "No way." Skylar immediately shot the idea down and growled as she stared at Jenna, "I'm not abandoning these people."

  Jenna sighed at that, "Ever the savior, are we? Then tell me Skylar... Do you think you can protect everyone? Weak as you are?"

  Skylar said nothing to the question, she was already made keenly aware of her limits, so instead of answering that question, she responded with, "Why are you doing this? Killing this many people goes way past trying to survive."

  Jenna paused for a moment shoving a hand into her pocket. She pondered that question for a while rolling it around in her head a few times.

  Her mouth opened and closed a few times as the words failed to escape her lips a few times.

  And then she settled on an answer, "...If someone you loved. Someone you loved so dearly was in danger, and you found you could save their life by killing an insane amount of people... What would you do?"

  Skylar caught on quickly, "You're doing this to save one person? And how many have to die? 10. 100. 1000?" Skylar then paused, narrowing her gaze, sparks formed around her fingertips, her eyes bursting to life with anger, "Everyone?"

  Jenna smiled at that the weight of those lives meant nothing to her even now, "Is it not a beautiful thing? A love that would make you set the whole world ablaze just for a chance to keep their smile?"

  Skylar lunged forward without hesitation pulling back her right fist slamming it into Jenna's cheek and sending her flying backward, her back hit the cross bending it and tilting it to the side as Skylar shouted, "LIKE HELL!" she breathed heavily, her teeth were grit, "I don't care who it is your trying to save! Sacrificing that much life is never worth that sort of prize!"

  Jenna frowned her hair covering her face, she stood at her full height glaring at Skylar, "I disagree." it was a simple statement but it was all that needed to be said, "But don't despair, there's always a chance that fuck up of a King, doesn't make a foolish choice tomorrow." she sauntered forward putting a hand on Skylar's shoulder a chill entered the air as Jenna leaned forward whispering into Skylar's ear, "Run away Skylar, lest you wish to see this land you want to protect so dearly be covered in blood."

  Skylar reached up and quickly grabbed Jenna's wrist, while Jenna removed her hand from Skylar’s shoulder, there was silence as they both glared at each other.

  But ultimately Skylar let go of Jenna's wrist, to fight Jenna to the death here would be foolish.

  She needed to be at her best to stand a chance.

  Jenna knew this as well so she began to walk forward to the exit of the church wearing that confident smile all the way.

  As soon as she left Skylar looked up at the cross that she had broken, "What am I supposed to do?" She asked the question but no answer came back.

  Of course, it didn't, dead men didn't speak.

  But even so, she remained there for a moment waiting for an answer to the question.

  An answer that would never come.

  ***

  Jenna found herself leaning back in one of the many chairs in her dining room, a pink string extended from her finger darting around the room to and fro, Jenna eyed the string as she did so.

  She flexed her finger, and the string tensed up forming what almost seemed to be a razor-sharp wire.

  The form of the aforementioned wire shook for a moment, before collapsing into a pink puddle on the ground.

  Jenna frowned at that, "...So I need to go through the full process for quick changes."

  The process she was referring to was how her magic worked.

  She could create essentially anything she wanted, the problem was she had to specify the particulars.

  Weight, length, physics, and anything else you would see in a real object.

  Of course, there were some exceptions, mainly to do with magic... Most of the objects Jenna made couldn't even conduct magic, it could move magic, but not use it.

  Then there was the other issue, it wasn't as though she could just create these objects and then drop the information of what it should do into their being. So there was no automating this process she had to control everything she made by hand.

  If she lets slip even a single detail, get even a single number wrong.

  Then they drop to the ground as a near-useless pink puddle.

  It was quite an infuriating process.

  Jenna opened her palm, and the pink puddle on the ground swirled upward before flying towards Jenna herself, it seemed to almost merge into her skin.

  She then slammed the chair leg down onto the ground looking straight across her table she saw, Wrath sitting at the other end of her table.

  "...You are really considering slaughtering this whole kingdom aren't you." Wrath questioned folding his arms, "I can't fathom why, it makes no sense to me no matter how I look at it. Aren't these people livestock to you? To kill them all would make it all the easier for your kind to starve."

  Jenna paused looking at this man, "Humans breed like rabbits, even if I destroy a place like this feeding won't become a problem for some time. At least not for me."

  "And what of the other gods? You know there are at least a few who live and feast on these lands, would you subject them to the same fate as the rest of the humans here." Wrath questioned.

  Jenna frowned suddenly, leaning forward, and she rested her right arm on the table, "I know that looks quite well, you're afraid of me aren't you."

  Wrath narrowed his gaze dangerously, "Any man would be afraid of someone who would slaughter a country, including their kin."

  "Kin?" Jenna rolled her eyes at that, "and why would I care about my 'kin' when they've never so much as acknowledged my existence? Forget that." Jenna suddenly smirked wickedly, "Gods are a race of survivors, if they can't survive this, then they aren't worthy of the name. Simple, don't you think?"

  Wrath paused for a moment he seemed to have something else to say on that matter, but instead, he chose a different set of words, "If you walk down this path, then the Eternal's will have to step up and stop you. You're no fool, Jenna, you don't want to make us our enemy."

  Jenna paused for a moment keeping her gaze locked onto Wrath, her smile had all but faded.

  And for a moment she closed her eyes, for a moment she seemed to be considering something.

  And then...

  She laughed.

  A laugh echoed throughout her whole mansion, it was almost cathartic for her to laugh like this.

  "See... The thing is, that threat is meaningless; the Eternal won't get involved. I know that for a fact." Jenna declared her actions were bold as she stood up.

  Wrath folded his arms never taking his gaze off Jenna, "And why wouldn't they? The people of these lands are valuable tools to us, to let them simply parish would be a fool's errand."

  Jenna responded by raising her right hand, and a pink portal appeared above that hand, "Are you aware of how this works? My gateways."

  She then reached out grabbed a nearby fork and threw it into the portal suspended above her hand, "It creates a gateway between two areas, it also serves nicely as a temporary storage for items." a second portal opened up in front of Wrath, the fork flew out of it stabbing into the chair he sat in scrapping his face, Jenna then smiled wickedly, "But what if, you could put this gateway into other creatures."

  The soldiers that lined the hallways of Jenna's mansion began to rumble, their whole forms shook and pink gook leaked from their metal helmets, Wrath looked at them wide-eyed.

  "Seven hells..." he muttered in realization, the Eternal's were powerful, yes, but their strength lies mostly in magic, so if Jenna had created something that could store their spells.

  . . .

  They had already lost.

  Jenna smirked leaning forward and slamming her hand onto the table as she locked her gaze onto Wrath without so much as a hint of mercy, "Catching on now are we?"

  In response, Wrath glared at Jenna, "All we have to do is kill you, the soldiers you muster will mean nothing if we kill the host."

  Jenna rolled her eyes at that, "You're welcome to try, but you and I both know it would take every Eternal at their best, and you all hardly work together on the best of days."

  She wasn't wrong about that, Wrath could order a few of the Eternal’s around with no problem.

  But there were a few, Lust and Gluttony in particular that would never listen to him. On top of that, if Jenna had truly created something to store other magics there was no telling how long she had this ready.

  Nor how many spells she already had saved up.

  It was at this moment that Wrath figured out a word for what he felt.

  "Terrifying. You are absolutely terrifying Jenna." He spoke at last.

  Jenna smirked her teeth caked in blood, "Welcome to the eye of the storm Wrath."

  ***

  Wrath walked back through his portal with a scowl on his face, how?

  How had it all gone so wrong so fast?

  Just a few days ago their plans were unchallenged, but now here they were.

  In the storm created by one foolish god.

  "PRIDE!" Wrath suddenly shouted at the top of his lungs, and to his right, a portal opened and Pride sauntered forward with a lopsided smile on her face, "How's it going buuuuddy." there was a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks, and an empty bottle on her right hand.

  Wrath scowled at the sight and it was detestable in every way.

  He then threw his right hand forward black energy swirled its shape twisted and malformed as though black strings formed around the edges of the ball and injected itself into Pride's gut, Wrath's eyes flashed a bright crimson as he spoke, "Tomorrow, you are to use the same skills that Jenna would dare put to use against her. I want her dead. DO. NOT. FAIL."

  Pride blinked coughing up her blood, but there was a smile on her face as she stared up at Wrath.

  "Understood."

  He would not suffer to be made the pawn of some brat.

  One way or another, he would kill Jenna.

  ***

  Skylar opened her eyes slowly, she had returned to her room after that night, and she found herself able to sleep, not completely soundly mind you.

  But it was still enough.

  She looked out her window a frown adorning her face, the sun was high in the sky. She glanced at the desk placed on her right, it had a clock on it, 6 PM. She slept for a while it would seem.

  And she already felt concern well up in her throat.

  But... she was here already, so she'd do what she must.

  She removed the blanket from her torso and got dressed for the day, she then walked to the door pausing as she looked at the handle.

  She closed her eyes taking in a large breath before lowering her hand, she had almost forgotten her morning routine, she hadn't even had much of a chance to do it this past few weeks, she opened her palm and flexed it, a small burst of air entered the space above her, good her magic was flowing just fine.

  So next she summoned forth her red flames, same as before, working just fine, she considered using the magic she got from the dragons, but... she still wasn't even entirely sure how to use it, or what it even did. Perhaps it had something to do with Ragnorok? She then took in a breath and tried to summon her blue flames, but... no flames came. She blinked arching a brow, that... was odd wasn't it?

  But it was a problem she would have to worry about later, she had more important things to deal with today, and her red flames would serve as a suitable substitute anyway, so she reached out grabbed the handle of the door, and exited her room.

  She walked along the city streets. Her first order of business was to find a new sword, it didn't need to be perfect, it just had to get the job done.

  That was all she needed.

  So with some cash in hand, she stopped by an armory and purchased a brand-new silver blade.

  Skylar eyed the longsword, she would have preferred another Greatsword, but at the moment her budget was tight so she sighed putting it into a sheath, "This one will probably break as well." she commented.

  At least she was figuring out what was causing her weapons to break, it was something to do with her magic. When she got angry, or into a fight... she just naturally poured all of her magic forth.

  And her weapons take the brunt of that, most of her gear can't handle that kind of pressure, so it cracks and breaks.

  How did she know this? Well...

  (Earlier in the night)

  Skylar looked at the cup on the counter with a scowl, the coffee in it was black, but there was something even more foul about it.

  It.

  Was.

  DECAF.

  Such a foul sight indeed, but she also hated wasting a drink so she picked it up with all the rage of a person who was screwed out of caffeine.

  And the cup shattered in her hands.

  (Back to the present)

  ....Needless to say, she learned never to pick up a cup while angry.

  She blinked, taking a full moment to look around the city, streamers were up across the buildings, and children ran back and forth with treats and balloons while the adults talked with one another.

  It was a pleasant sight, one that any child would wish she could be a part of.

  But Skylar wasn't able to do that, not with the responsibility she placed upon herself.

  She took in a breath and started to walk towards the castle.

  Though she didn't want to return, she needed to get a full idea of the situation at hand.

  So at the very least, she considered this idea to be the best course of action, wasn't it?

  She asked the question but there was no response, her head was a lot emptier lately, so she sighed walking towards the castle without much thought.

  She arched a brow at the crowd outside the castle; they all stood in anticipation.

  Skylar looked up to the top of the castle. There was a small area, a balcony that all the people in this crowd looked to.

  The King walked forward to the top of that balcony and the crowd cheered, it was clear they adored him.

  Though for what reason Skylar couldn't figure it out, in her mind the man that these people worshiped was nothing more than a fool who thinks he has control.

  Nevertheless, she looked up at that crowd and listened to The King's words, "Several years ago, the cloud sea rose higher than ever before. An era of dark times for all, but it was through the actions of the heroes of our modern age, Icon, Tetra, and of course Draco. That we raised our islands ever higher, protecting us once again from the wrath of The Cloud Sea."

  The King then closed his eyes, "Once more on this day, we are faced with a grave threat to our Kingdom, but as always I shall stand firm! I will not yield to any threat, we shall meet this threat head-on and defeat it, just as we have with every other!"

  The crowd cheered, and Skylar's eyes widened in shock.

  "You're kidding me... He saw what Jenna was capable of, but instead of letting go of his throne he'd... put them all at risk?" Skylar looked at this crowd as if they were all insane, she couldn't fathom it, how could they trust this man with the amount of danger they were in?

  Was she missing something?

  Was everyone here just a fool?

  The King then closed his eyes raising his right hand, signaling for silence, once the crowd settled down he continued, "The Blood Moon rises on this night, and with it a battle may break out... Yet I ask you all once more to put your faith in our brave Executioners, for they will do all they can to keep you from harm! I too shall take to the field, and fight off this threat... You have nothing to fear, so eat! Drink! And let the festivities commence!" he shouted, throwing a fist into the air with a smile, looking right into Skylar's eyes.

  She grits her teeth showing her gaze, but she says nothing it was pointless when her voice would be drowned out in the crowd.

  The King then turned around and began to walk back into his castle.

  With that Skylar lowered her head and began to walk towards the castle gates, two soldiers lowered their spears blocking Skylar's path, "No entry is allowed into The Castle at this time." spoke the soldier on the right.

  Skylar put a hand on her hip frowning, "I just need to speak with Icon, it'll be brief."

  The soldier on the left spoke, "Didn't you hear me, no entry to the castle!"

  Skylar then frowned; she could force her way through but that would be annoying as all hell...

  So instead she let out a sigh, "Fine fine I get it." She then turned to her left and began to walk, her gaze was turned upwards to the windows of the castle, and she blinked seeing one was wide open, the only window that led to the forest.

  "...I should be able to make that jump." The wind was blowing hard today so she smirked, taking a few steps backward, before jumping into the air. It was a small jump, but she seemed to step on something invisible in the air below her feet, a small tempest of wind shot out from her shoes and she flew upward.

  Easily landing on the window seal, she entered the room with a smirk, she then blinked seeing someone leaning against the door inside the room, "...Were you expecting me or something?" Skylar questioned with a frown.

  Icon was the one who sighed next, "Of course I did, you're almost exactly like Tetra with your knack for getting into mischief, someone had to make sure you didn't break into any of the guest chambers." Icon explained, she then frowned, "What were you going to do if someone else saw you enter the room."

  Skylar glanced to the side smiling sheepishly, "Er, I was kinda just making it up as I went along..."

  Icon blinked ever so slowly as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing before letting out yet another drawn-out sigh, "Heaven's above help us."

  Skylar shook her head, "Look, I'm just here to grab Tetra's sword... or at least to see if it's even here."

  To that Icon arched a brow, "We did recover it from the battlefield, yes, but I can't let you have it, not yet at least."

  Skylar's eyes narrowed and a scowl formed on her face, "I'd reconsider if I were you." Her voice was calm but the threat she gave was clear.

  Icon however was undeterred, "It's not that I don't want to give it to you, more that I can't..." She then glanced to the side, "The sword is a relic of The Kingdom, regardless of what Tetra wanted with it, the moment he passed away the blade had to return to The Kingdom. The blade itself chooses its user, but it has not chosen as of yet."

  It was then that Skylar frowned, "I... wasn't aware the blade was sentient." she muttered.

  Icon shrugged, "To a degree, it can't talk like you or me, but it can make its intentions known with a glow."

  Skylar then nodded slowly, she supposed she could accept that for the moment, "...I heard The King's decree, he intends to fight against Jenna?"

  Icon tensed up at this topic before nodding slowly, "I can't say I agree with his idea, but it's currently the only one the subjects are willing to accept."

  Skylar let out a groan running a hand through her hair, "Jenna isn't someone to be trifled with, even if we manage to defeat her I can guarantee that the battle will destroy more than a few buildings. The least he could do is evacuate his citizens!" Skylar shouted.

  Icon said nothing so that her frown revealed her feelings on the subject, Skylar was about to say more when a knock came from the door that Icon was leaning on.

  "Room service." A female voice spoke from the other side.

  Skylar tilted her head to the side, she didn't remember any room service.

  Icon had a different reaction. She moved away from the door eyes wide and she reached for her blade, the door swung open and Pride entered the room covered in blood with a manic smile on her face as she slammed her fist into Icon's face making her stumble backward.

  Pride then rushed forward, ready to land her next blow on Icon even as Icon leaned forward gripping the side of her face in pain, Pride's eyes widened as a boot slammed into her face sending her flying backward through the opening where the door once was, Skylar had leaped over Icon's back to land that particular blow.

  Skylar then quickly turned around and shouted, "Get to The King's chambers now!" she didn't need to say why, Icon immediately understood she got up, and hesitated for a moment looking at Skylar, Skylar only gave a confident smirk in response winking at Icon.

  This did little to dispel Icon's fears but she ran out that door anyway, past a confused Pride, Pride then began to get up a wicked smile on her face, "Think you can escape me!?" black flames ignited on her palms, only for her attention to shift when a red fireball came soaring towards her face, she threw her arms up into an X taking the blow head-on.

  Skylar then narrowed her gaze, "Your opponent is me." she declared without a hint of fear.

  Pride frowned looking down the hallway, she had already lost sight of Icon so she let out a sigh, "Well if you insist..." she leaned forward before launching forward with rapid speed, Skylar had no time to react as Pride was instantly upon her wrapping her hand around Skylar's face, but she didn't stop there, Pride leaped forward right out the window a burst wind shot out from her feet as she flew past that forest straight into the center of the city she then pulled her arm back and sent Skylar plummeting down towards a small alley in the city, Skylar flipped around in the air, using a gust of wind to slow her decent to a crawl, she landed then.

  On a small platform between a set of stairs, people were walking through so she shouted, "GET OUT OF HERE! THIS PLACE IS ABOUT TO BECOME A BATTLEGROUND!"

  At first, the people didn't listen but they sang a different tune when Pride landed just a small distance away from Skylar, the people started running then.

  Skylar grits her teeth quickly reaching up and unsheathing her blade, Pride smiled at the sight thrilled at the prospect of engaging Skylar in yet another battle.

  Skylar stood their blade in hand, "I'll give you one chance... Stand down." she declared without raising that blade.

  Pride scoffed hearing those words, "Seriously? Do you think that's going to be how I go out? Somebody here has to move during the chaos, and that someone is going to be me... Otherwise, all this mana will go to waste here."

  In response to that, a ball of fire appeared in Skylar's left hand and she hurled it forward without hesitation, Pride didn't move an inch, black liquid shot up from the ground and shielded her from the blast.

  Smoke entered the air and that black liquid vanished. Pride showed a cocky smirk, Skylar clicked her tongue in annoyance, "I've got a few people here that I care for... and you're here threatening their lives, I won't stand by and let you hurt them."

  In response, Pride put a hand on her hip, "Take a stab at me then be my guest... I relish the look of babes tossed out to face the wolves." Pride licked her lips, her gaze locked onto Skylar with malicious intent.

  Skylar said nothing in response, her eyes staying that bright crimson as she ran forward blade in hand, it wasn't the sword that Tetra had given her but she would make due, she slashed at Pride's head.

  Only for Pride to duck under the blow with ease, she smiled, her eyes flashed with joy as she put her hands behind her back.

  "Ooh nice try." she commented, quickly standing tall once more Skylar responded by gritting her teeth and slashed at Pride's torso, but Pride moved backward with almost unnatural speed, every blow Skylar attempted to throw at her, was dodged almost as if she was dancing through Skylar's attacks.

  "Come now surely you have more than that." Pride declared throwing her arms out to her side, black liquid dripped from her fingertips, and she was prone ready to strike, she lifted her left leg up just slightly, putting it on the first step of the staircase that was just behind her.

  Skylar stood a fair bit back at this point, but she glared her eyes flashing with rage as suddenly her sword was coated in red flames, and with speed, she lunged forward, her blade aimed straight for Pride's neck, Pride said nothing she never lost that wicked smile as her black ink whipped upward grabbing hold of Skylar's blade.

  Skylar of course kept her hand on the hilt of her blade. Pride lowered her hands, the black ink was like strings and with one quick tug, Pride ripped the blade from Skylar's hand, before Skylar could even react Pride plucked the blade from the air and thrust it right into Skylar's chest.

  Skylar stared forward, eyes wide, Pride however frowned disappointment clear on her face, "Still a child in the end... The wind guides your movements but that can only take you so far, it's a shame." Skylar fell to her knees, her vision going in and out as her blood left her chest.

  Pride kelt down cupping Skylar's cheek, "I saw you going far... but in the end, I suppose, even when one bears the strength of a divinity. A human. Is just a human." In that instant, the light left Skylar's eyes.

  Pride waited for a moment before releasing Skylar's chin letting her fall limp, Pride then stood to her full height.

  Turning around before she began to walk up those stone stairs unfettered by the idea of murdering a child.

  She moved, undaunted by the future that lay ahead.

  But when she reached the top of those stairs.

  Something made her stop.

  A single word.

  From the corpse that laid below.

  "Wait," Skylar commanded despite the weakness in her voice.

  Her body screamed for death.

  Every second she seemed to be teetering on the brink, but even so, she refused to end here.

  Pride however seemed to care little about this she began to walk forward once more,

  "I said wait!" Skylar shouted and the force of her voice sent out a shockwave.

  Pride stopped suddenly turning around her brow arched upward as Skylar got up despite the blade that was stabbed into her flesh.

  "Get back here..." she growled eyes shining crimson, "I'm not..." she stumbled forward but refused to stop, her rage powered her through any pain she felt, "DONE!" she yelled that last word reached out and grabbing the steel that was impaling her, shattering it in her hand.

  Pride blinked looking down at Pride, "Interesting... You're not in the overdrive state, and yet you still manage to conjure up this strength...Shadewalker blood is a powerful thing it seems."

  Skylar's eyes remained firm as the wound began to seal up her right hand clenched into a fist as she began walking forward, "I'll kill you."

  Pride tilted her head to the side hearing that, "Will you? Because if that is the case, you've put up with quite a poor showing thus far."

  Skylar said nothing to that. Instead, she turned her head to the right looking over those clouds, "These past few weeks have been a wild ride for me... I've seen good people die, I've seen the dark parts of people... parts that I want to ignore... I've seen the troubles gods face, and the reasons why we can't coexist... And amidst it all I learned that my own time in this world is far more finite than I thought." she spoke for a moment her eyes seeming to glaze over, showing wisdom beyond her years.

  Pride's head returned to her normal side and she blinked at those words, "Is that so?" Pride folded her arms, "...it seems to me you're insinuating that you don't care for the lives that I've taken."

  Skylar blinked slowly, she took her eyes off the clouds and began to turn her head to face Pride once more, "At first, I did... I looked to this world as a human would. Cared for one and all as humans do." her eyes were filled with malice, "But I give none of that to you, Not one shred of love or hope." She took a step forward, the ground beneath her feet bent into the shape of her heel, "I won't fight you as a human, that's not the kindness you deserve."

  Pride lost all sense of playfulness instantly, the confidence on her face switched to a serious gaze, she spread her legs apart and unfolded her arms as she got into a combat stance waiting for Skylar to make her next move.

  "...I'll kill you as only a god can!" Skylar roared before blasting forward the ground beneath her feet tearing up and launching into the sky behind her, Pride's eyes widened she barely had time to react to the sheer speed of Skylar's rush, despite this Peisw threw her arms up into the shape of an X but it did little to lessen the impact of the blow, Pride felt the bones in her arms shatter in an instant her eyes widened as she was forced to take a step backward wincing in pain. Her arms dropped to her side limp as she blinked mild shock adorned her face.

  Pride looked at Skylar with a mixture of pain and pride in her gaze, and then she spoke, "...Then let us discard the memory of the human named Skylar, and bear witness to the god born from her own flesh." the bones in Pride's flesh began to reattach themselves.

  And she found herself truly excited for the battle that was to come, the clouds in the heavens began to part, revealing a blood-red moon.

  The night of the eclipse of blood had begun.

  The ground beneath her feet shattered as Skylar lunged forward, her teeth were grit as her eyes glared crimson, Pride raised her arms and black flames burst to life across them she clashed with Skylar effortlessly, or at least that's how it looked from the outside.

  Inward Pride was panicking, there was something wrong with how Skylar moved, something she couldn't pin down, it was with this single clash that Pride had a realization.

  Skylar.

  Skylar was stronger than she was, the poor girl who lay helpless on the side of the island as she watched her protector perish?

  She died on that very same cliffside, reborn in the flames as a warrior.

  That was why Pride stared forward now, with wide eyes as Skylar began to push Pride back with a frown.

  "Is that all?" Skylar questioned suddenly, "Is that all you can do? I thought you were stronger than this. I thought you faced Anarchy and lived to tell the tale." Skylar stared forward with disappointed eyes, "...Come on. Show me it. Show me why you survive."

  Such a demand ignited rage within Pride's heart, she wanted so desperately to show this brat what she was capable of.

  But...

  ("DO. NOT. FAIL ME.")

  Those words rang in her head, and she was forced to act on them.

  After all, she was given a rare opportunity, and she had to act on it.

  So she pushed back against Skylar growling as she did so, "I will not yield, I am... not going to lose to some brat who thinks she has this world all figured out!"

  Skylar frowned at that, "All figured out?" She moved, then the ground shattered with her feet, and she threw her left fist forward, landing a firm hook on Pride's chin with enough force to send her flying backward into one of the many buildings, "don't be stupid, I haven't figured anything out. I'm still so clueless about so many things... but what I do know is that I can't lose to someone like you."

  Pride grits her teeth pulling herself out of the rubble, "What...?"

  "Someone who lives like you does, acting like themselves when it's convenient, and living chained down by others at every other moment... You're the one kind of person I can't stand!" Skylar shouted, as she raised her right hand, flames swirled to life forming a blade made of them, so Skylar pointed her new blade forward.

  Pride paused looking straight at the sword.

  Once more Wrath's words rang out in her hand, she wanted to be useful... she didn't want to fail him.

  But...

  ("RAGNAROK!")

  ...It was fun.

  Their fight was so. SO fun. This wasn't the same, Skylar was right. She was borrowing a gift granted to her by Wrath, not fighting with her strength.

  "I..." she spoke, taking in a breath before closing her eyes. Pride then smirked that same wicked smirk, but it was filled with excitement, she opened her eyes ready to speak.

  Until she heard something.

  A whisper in her ear, "You can't even do this right?"

  Her eyes widened as pain suddenly coursed through her body, she darted around with panicked eyes as she felt a throbbing pain, looking at her veins they were turning black, an inky black that only grew deeper.

  Skylar stared forward arching a brow at the sight she stood cautiously, Pride stared at Skylar fearfully, in her desperation she ran at Skylar dropping any battle stance, and screamed out the only word that came to her mind, the only word that would ever enter the mind of a scared child who saw a hero.

  "HELP!"

  Skylar's eyes widened as Pride's body exploded in front of her chunks of the matter hit the ground, while blood splattered over her body, Skylar stared forward wide-eyed there was a moment of silence as she saw the bits and pieces left behind. Before dropping her blade and falling to her knees, vomit left her mouth.

  Why?

  Why did this disgust her so? She's seen people die already, she's killed before... So why was this different?

  Oh. She knew.

  She knew why it was because this person asked for her help.

  And she was powerless to do anything.

  She looked at her own blood-soaked hands, gritting her teeth and clenching those hands into fists.

  She slammed them into the ground and let out a scream, a scream that could be heard far and wide, cursing her weakness and screaming so that her anger could be heard.

  That was all the child named Skylar could do at this moment.

  Slowly she got herself together, and she reached for her sword on the ground and began to stand up sheathing her blade, she blinked looking up, straight up in the skies was a dome.

  A dome made of pink liquid, Jenna.

  It was Jenna's magic.

  Skylar knew it just from looking at it, she grits her teeth staring up at it.

  There was still a pit in her stomach and a lump in her throat.

  But there was one thing on her mind, one thing that overpowered everything else.

  I can't let anyone else die.

  ***

  The King frowned seeing the corpses that littered his hallways, he walked forward undaunted by the prospect, he didn't reach his position without seeing a few bodies.

  He stopped however when he saw Icon at the end of this hall.

  She stared at him with a frown, "...Relieve yourself from your throne, there is still time." Icon spoke in a deadly calm.

  The King frowned at those words, "Really now? You would throw away a decade of progress over a threat one god made? I thought you were stronger than tha-"

  "This is other people's lives we're talking about here!" Icon shouted, slamming her foot onto the ground, "I didn't become an Executioner to see other lives be trampled! ...It's not right, we're supposed to save them. Not put them in more danger." Icon started looking at the ground.

  The King paused at that before frowning bitterly, "If I let my throne fall into the hands of another. What then? What will the new monarch decree? And more importantly, what will Jenna's next move be? We do not even know what she desires! Such uncertainties make the risk far too great." he declared this confidently.

  Icon remained silent, The King blinked hearing another set of footsteps behind him, he turned around and stared hatefully forward, Jenna walked forward with a pep in her step, "The reason? It's simple really, I hate you. I hate you as a person and as a ruler."

  The King scoffed, "You would do this for something so petty?"

  "Petty?" Jenna arched a brow and put a hand on her hip, "...Do you keep tabs on how many gods your forces have slain? How many have died due to your orders? Because I do. And let me tell you, Your Majesty, those numbers far outweigh the life of one stupid Queen."

  The King growled at the words, they struck a sore spot but Jenna didn't stop, "I came here with one final warning, but it seems I didn't need to do that, your talk with Icon has made it clear that you have no intention of removing yourself from this place." Jenna then sighed removing her hand from her hip, "So I will destroy a total of 90% of this place. Within the next hour."

  Her declaration was bold but there was truth in her words, The King pointed forward, "We will strike you down before you have the chance." Jenna tilted her head to the side smiling.

  "I wouldn't worry so much about me. I'd be more worried about the others." She declared before spinning around on her heel and walking through one of her pink portals.

  The King frowned, "Others?"

  Guards entered the hallways and shouted, "Your majesty! We must evacuate at once, a hundred soldiers have appeared in the city."

  The King arched a brow at that, A hundred? That was hardly a considerable amount in comparison to the full might of his forces, "Then what are you doing here! Go and fight them off!"

  The same soldier continued, "T-That's the thing, sir, our attacks have no effect on them, every lethal blow we land only seems to stop them for a moment or two, t-they just grow back in some pink goo! Every magic attack seems to be absorbed as well!"

  Icon turned to her king with a frown, "An unkillable army... simple yet effective, we must get you to safety." Icon decided.

  The King grits his teeth, "The roof." he declares suddenly, "Take me to the roof. Now."

  The soldiers of course protested but The King continued, "THAT IS AN ORDER!" The soldiers fell silent then.

  And then they did as they were told.

  Icon found herself following while clutching the bottle of poison she was given in her pocket.

  ***

  Skylar found herself running through the city streets, she was heading for the castle, the wind currents were strong but she needed a high vantage point to have a chance to reach the dome above.

  But... the city streets were also in chaos, soldiers fought against these... odd strange pink soldiers.

  Skylar had tried to cut a few down herself to no avail, so instead she was helping others escape where she could.

  But the further into the city, she went the worse it got, she saw men, women, and children. All of them slaughtered, soldiers robbing families.

  And neighbors turning against one another.

  This attack...

  It was like everyone else, just transformed before her eyes.

  She wasn't much better, she saw the corpses of one of those many soldiers who tried to protect the people and picked up a longsword from his dead hands.

  With grit teeth she turned her gaze skyward and shouted, she wasn't sure if her words would reach but it had to be worth a shot, "Jenna! I want to speak with you!" she shouted as loud as she could, hoping beyond everything that her words would reach and that they would do... something.

  Anything.

  Skylar blinked as a pink portal suddenly appeared in front of her, she saw Jenna standing on the other side.

  ...Without much thought, she walked through that portal.

  She was on top of the dome now, and she looked Jenna straight in the eyes, "...Stop this. Now." Skylar demanded instantly.

  Jenna looked up to the skies above before responding, "You could join me you know, free yourself from these... shackles you seem to intend on wearing." Jenna started to speak.

  "Shackles?" Skylar muttered, "I'm trying to save people! What part of that is a shackle!?"

  Jenna sighed, closing her eyes without lowering her head, "Strength is also obtained through eating others Skylar, that is how gods function... that is how we grow to be the strongest, if you never eat another of your precious humans... then you'll always be weaker than me." Jenna explained.

  The wind blew gently and all grew silent in the air.

  Jenna stood there for a moment taking it all in, she then lowered her head, and disappointment came into her gaze as she saw Skylar's defiant gaze.

  She then folded her arms and sighed, "You're not going to be easily swayed are you?"

  "YOU'RE TRYING TO KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE!" Skylar responded without any hesitation.

  Jenna paused, unfolding her arms, and for a moment she looked to the city below her platform with a solemn gaze, before responding, "I gave them a chance to flee, their evacuation was planned and everything... but instead they chose to trust in their King." Jenna then closed her eyes, turning to Skylar.

  "I suppose that it's only fitting that this is what it's come to then." She raised her right hand skyward and a blade manifested in it, "I am a god after all, we were always born to be the villains of the story!" she pointed her blade forward, "That's the narrative the people of this Kingdom seemed determined to write, so I'll write it for them! Stain their world in blood and ash!"

  Skylar paused, gritting her teeth, she looked to her own bloodstained hands before slowly reaching up with her right hand, grasping the hilt of her blade shakily she drew a breath, "Villain?" she questioned suddenly, "Are you kidding me!? That's what you chalking this all up to! You of all people should understand it's not that simple! There are no heroes here! There are no villains! It's just monsters! Monsters everywhere you look, that is what you made! THAT IS WHAT THIS WHOLE THING DID TO US! TURNED US INTO NOTHING BUT MONSTERS!" Skylar screamed as she unsheathed her blade. She roared running forward, Jenna retaliated with a slash bringing her blade down upon Skylar's sword, sparks entered the air as they stared into each other's crimson eyes.

  Jenna in response smirked yet her eyes showed mixed emotions, "...When faced with the choice of saving the world. Or saving the life of one person who you hold dear to your heart. Wouldn't you become a monster as well?"

  Skylar's eyes shined bright with power as she gave her response, "I'd save all of them! I'd save the people around me!" she shouted without hesitation.

  Jenna pushed down on Skylar's sword, "The naivety of a child who has yet to face the wolves, how can you save anyone if you can't even protect yourself!?" Jenna shouted demanding an answer to the question as she pushed farther.

  Skylar's eyes widened as her sword shattered, before she could react Jenna slammed her boot into Skylar's chest sending her flying backward, she winced closing her eyes as she landed on the ground, when her eyes next opened Jenna's sword was pointed firmly towards Skylar's neck, but Jenna didn't push forward.

  Not yet.

  After all, she had yet to receive the answer to her question.

  So at that moment, the world itself seemed to grow silent as Skylar stared death in the eyes, she, at last, gave her response, "I don't know."

  It was the truth, she didn't know.

  The world wasn't fair, the world wasn't kind, it fought against them all and there would always come a time when she couldn't do anything.

  But...

  She reached up and grabbed the tip of Jenna's blade, it sliced through Skylar's skin just with the touch. Blood began to flow forth trickling down the blade, "But I have to try."

  Jenna said nothing to those words, her blade vanished then and she sighed, "Then you will know only pain from here on."

  The ground below Skylar suddenly vanished and she fell through the dome, her eyes were wide as she cast her gaze downward, a rainbow glow came from the castle.

  ***

  The King stood atop the roof, and raised his blue crystal skyward, "The time has come! I shall save this realm from the reign of gods, for the time of mankind is neigh! I will not be made to bow!"

  The stones of the castle began to rumble and shift the four towers that stood as part of the walls flew upwards their forms shifting blue runes exploded to life upon them rebuilding into a makeshift cannon of sorts in front of the King pointing skyward right at Jenna's location through the dome.

  A slot was in place for his crystal, The King then continued to say, "A large reservoir of crystals lies below our Castle, this device will channel the magic of those crystals and fire them up... killing Jenna with a single blast."

  Icon stood just behind The King and she frowned, "Are you certain this will work?"

  The King looked over his shoulder, "I spent long years on this moment. It. Will. Work." he spoke without a second thought he then inserted his crystal and a stream of rainbow energy began to flow into it, The King then looked skyward, "All it needs is the command and it will be over."

  The King stared upward with determination in his gaze.

  Icon looked up as well but her eyes widened at what she saw, she saw Skylar falling from the dome, and the cannon was pointed right at her, Icon quickly shouted, "Wait! You'll hit Skylar as well! You have to wait!"

  But The King kept his gaze fixated on the point ahead and opened his mouth to speak.

  Icon's eyes remained wide at this, her legs moved on her own, her arms reached up for her sword and she shot forward.

  The King's eyes widened in shock, slowly he looked down and saw a sword through his chest, his blood dripping down, but.

  He would have the last words.

  "Fire..."

  The cannon finished charging and a large rainbow blast fired upwards, Skylar gritted her teeth a burst of wind came from her feet pushing her away from the blast and it hit the dome above.

  But it did not penetrate it, instead, it seemed to be absorbing the blast.

  Jenna stared down at the blast from above, she then turned her gaze to the castle, arching a brow at the sight of the now slumped-over King, "...It would seem Icon had the gall to slay her master after all."

  Jenna then raised her right hand, "Very well then, a gift for you all." The form of the dome shifted and there was now a hole in the center of it, originally there was a spot around the edges to ensure that 10% of this place would remain unscathed, she simply shifted that percentage to the center.

  To ensure that Skylar and Icon would live.

  And with that same right hand, she pinched her pointed finger together with her thumb, Skylar shouted at the top of her lungs, "JENNA! STOP IT!"

  But those words fell upon deaf ears, Jenna spoke, "Can't afford to be weak now." she snapped her fingers, and rainbow light fired down from her dome.

  It poured down in controlled bursts ensuring everyone in the safe bubble witnessed the carnage that went on within.

  Skylar's eyes widened at the sight, as she neared the ground another burst of wind came from her feet letting her land safely she then started running towards the rainbow light, hoping against it all that she would reach it in time to save them.

  It's a fool's hope.

  But a hope nevertheless.

  Icon stood atop the castle with wide eyes, she was too slow.

  One second too slow, if she was just faster, she could have done something more right?

  That had to be the case, otherwise, where else could she place the guilt she felt?

  She removed her sword from The King's chest, his body tumbled to the ground lifeless.

  She grits her teeth and turns around running back into the castle, she had to do something.

  She had to hope.

  ***

  Jenna stared down at the carnage below, she frowned.

  It didn't feel bad, it didn't feel good either.

  It... just felt... odd.

  One world, for a single life. Hardly a fair exchange. But it was one she was willing to make if that's what it came to.

  She blinked suddenly, turning around, there Wrath stood, eyes narrowed, a scowl plastered on his face, "Come to pay your respects?" Jenna questioned with a smirk.

  "...You have made an enemy of The Eternal's such transgressions will not go unpunished, you are aware of this are you not?" Wrath spoke calmly his fists tightened as he spoke the words.

  Jenna had to contain her laughter, "Do you think I would make a move like this if I wasn't certain you couldn't touch me?"

  Wrath said nothing to that, he wanted to.

  But he didn't because his orders were only to give a warning. Not to kill the bastard of a girl in front of him.

  So he turned around and walked through his portal.

  Jenna tilted her head to the side, "So serious that one..."

  She then looked back down, the rainbow glow that had consumed the city below had all but faded, and now all that remained was the castle and a small portion of the city.

  Jenna let out a satisfied hum and waved her right hand into the air, pink blobs came up from the ground, those blobs made her soldiers, but she would still like to ensure she retrieved her materials, once she did so she let her eyes scan over the city making sure she didn't leave any survivors in the areas below, once she was certain that was the case she turned around and opened a new pink portal.

  ...After all, she couldn't stay around in this place anymore.

  ***

  Ow.

  That… doesn't feel great.

  Ringing overcame my ears, and I felt myself reaching up to clutch the side of my head, red was covering my vision.

  Flames?

  It was hot… Right, Jenna… I failed to stop her.

  I heard something in the distance, the sounds of someone shouting, slowly I got to my feet.

  And slowly I forced myself to move, it was then that I had a realization the red in my vision wasn’t flames.

  Blood.

  It was blood.

  I winced, grabbing the back of my head, it was wet, slowly I lowered that hand, using my free one to wipe some of the blood away.

  At the very least I could see now, but that didn’t help the shock that came with seeing my hands covered in blood. At first, I was worried it was someone else's, but it became clear with the overwhelming headache that it was mine.

  The back of my head had cracked, I couldn’t tell if it was fatal or not… but at the very least I could still move.

  So.

  I began to run towards the sounds of the screams, despite every fiber of my being screaming at me to get help.

  To find someone to help me.

  I ran to help others.

  That was when I saw it, the source of the screams, a man.

  A man who was leaning forward in agony, he had brown hair and wore clothes that were covered in soot and ash, and he clutched the head of a child, cradling their limp body close to his chest as he screamed.

  Skylar stared at the sight with wide eyes, that was all she could do, stare with those eyes.

  After all this scene in part had been her fault, she was too weak to save The Kingdom from the wrath of a single person.

  The horrible weight of reality crumbling before her, the man took in a shaky breath before looking up at Skylar, his own eyes wide upon witnessing her, “You…” he gritted his teeth, “It was you! If it wasn’t for you none of this would have happened! My family would still be alive!”

  He shouted, his grief overcoming him as he set the corpse of his child onto the ground, his hands balled into fists.

  He lunged forward throwing his fist forward, Skylar could have dodged it easily.

  Of course, she could have, the wind told her how, but.

  It connected.

  That fist slammed into her cheek and she fell to the ground, she deserved it.

  She felt she deserved every second of this.

  For failing them.

  The man lunged forward, lashing out in his rage, pinning Skylar to the ground he threw his fist down, again.

  Then raised another, pelting her with blow after blow, it didn’t hurt anymore.

  Her cheeks had already begun to grow numb, her consciousness started to fade.

  It’d be alright if she slept now right?

  …It’s not like the world ever needed her.

  It kept turning.

  Moving in its horrific ways.

  But just before her eyes closed, she felt something.

  The blow of the wind.

  It was harsher this time, so harsh that it blew the man backward.

  Skylar blinked slowly and turned to her left, there on a nearby rooftop she saw Passer knelt before her, looking right into Skylar’s eyes, a rainbow crystal shard in her right hand.

  Skylar blinked at the sight.

  “Stupid…” she muttered the word as she slowly got up, “this is so stupid… Why do I have to be the one to live? Why do others keep sacrificing themselves for me? Why do I have to be the one to clean up after so many messes?”

  It hurt.

  Oh, how it hurt.

  But she couldn’t just sit there, not with that gaze burning into her memory, she turned to the man on the ground who now looked at Skylar horrified, Skylar looked to that man with determined fury, “Take her and bury her.” she spat blood leaking from the right side of her mouth, the man nodded slowly.

  Running over to his dead child, and picking her up, Skylar paused looking back to that rooftop, sure enough, Passer was gone.

  But on the ground right in front of Skylar was a red potion left behind.

  “Tsk.” she reached down and picked up that potion taking off its cap, and swallowed the contents, immediately the wounds started to heal.

  Her energy was still sapped for the most part, but at least she could move her limbs more freely.

  So what was she to do with the feeling in her limbs restored?

  The first thing she did was reach up and grab the side of her head, wincing as she did so, she had a headache.

  She paused as she saw a nearby puddle of water, she glanced at it seeing her eyes retain that emerald glow.

  She was covered in her blood, “...” Silence was all that exited her lips as she stared at her reflection.

  She… looked different, more bitter perhaps.

  …It had been a long day, but she hardly had the time to rest, she had to see if there were any other survivors, she had to help.

  …

  That was her job, after all, no it was more than that.

  But why?

  …What was it that pulled her to help these people?

  No, now wasn’t the time to be dwelling on such things.

  Skylar found herself moving once more, she walked up to one of the many nearby burning houses, putting her sleeve over her mouth to try and keep the smoke from entering her lungs.

  She winced at the sight of people’s flesh melted, a duo had wrapped their arms around one another before being crushed under burning rubble.

  “...I’m sorry,” Skylar muttered the words into her muffled sleeve.

  “Are you now?” a voice entered her ears, and Skylar’s eyes widened. She turned around to see a man standing a fair distance away, a hand on his hip, his eyes shining a bright crimson.

  Wrath stood at his full height, “And what is being sorry going to accomplish in the grand scheme of things?”

  Skylar narrowed her gaze, “Your…”

  “An Eternal. Like Pride before… Though to compare myself to a failure such as her brings nothing but irritation to me.” he stated taking a step forward, only for him to arch a brow as Skylar got into a battle stance, he paused, sighing for a moment as he shook his head, “See? This is where comparisons get you…” he locked his gaze on Skylar and fury entered his eyes, “You seem to have made the mistake of thinking we are equals.”

  “If you're here to hurt anyone else… Then I’ll stop you!” Skylar declared instantly in response, the fury in Wrath’s eyes never faded, but they simmered burning ever so faintly if only for this moment as he threw out a question.

  “How?” he smirked wickedly, “you think that you can match me with your fists? They shall break before you reach me. Or perhaps with that ever so useful wind magic of yours? Ah, but the wind will not blow over someone stronger than it is…” Wrath pointed forward, “You. Are. Nothing.”

  Skylar frowned for a moment, “I’m not sure what you're referring to, I’ve already taken down two gods, a dragon, and a titan… and I’ve gone toe to toe with Pride, I think I’m more than a match for you!” Skylar shouted in response.

  Wrath lowered his hand slowly, the wind blew sending embers into the air, “Ego, is all you have. But of course, it is, your pride is in flames, burning up around you. Your hopes are dashed and left to rot on the rocks, so that only leaves you with Ego, the Ego of a big shot.”

  Skylar gritted her teeth and roared running forward as she pulled back her right fist, she threw it forward aiming right for Wrath’s face, only for her eyes to widen as his fist stopped just short, she didn’t stop it herself…

  It was like, it was being held in place, by some invisible force, Wrath then reached up slowly, “You are unfocused,” he grabbed hold of Skylar’s wrist and slowly began to bend it backward, her body was frozen she couldn’t fight the grip of this man, “Untrained.” her arm began to bend backward, her eyes widened fearfully in the realization of what was about to come, “unworthy.” The sickening crack of Skylar’s left arm breaking resounded throughout the area she fell backward onto the ground, clenching her arm in pain, she had little time to process that pain through, as Wrath’s boot slammed into her gut with enough force to cause her to spit blood from her mouth.

  Her right arm fell limp at her side, and Wrath lifted his boot once more stomping on that arm, his eyes shining with power, “Still think your tough big shot?" he let the question hang in the air for a moment as Skylar screamed in agony.

  Wrath frowned bitterly before speaking once more, “Do you know why? Why is it that you cannot so much as land a finger upon me?” he reached down and grabbed Skylar by the hair forcing her to look Wrath in the eyes, “It is because you lack conviction, you talk big, but the words you speak fall flat on your own ears… for every word you speak is a lie, how can you expect anyone to believe you if you don’t believe your own words?” Wrath declared pulling back his right fist and slamming it into Skylar’s face, he then pulled it back once more, “I will never be defeated by you, not as you are now.”

  Once more his fist collided, and he pulled it back again, “An ignorant child who can’t even find the strength to believe in herself could never stand to the Eternals!” one more his fist hit this one hit with enough force to break Skylar’s nose, she fell to the ground clutching her face in pain,

  Wrath however cared little for the screams of an ignorant child. He raised his right hand a black energy began to swirl around it, “Such is the infinite gulf between us.” Wrath declared ready to throw his hand down that was…

  “I would advise against such a thing.” Origin’s voice rang out, and Wrath paused, yet he did not look away from Skylar.

  “...And why is that? Even you can see the potential within the girl, if allowed to live, she’ll put everything in jeopardy.” Wrath declared he was one to follow orders, but when the orders didn’t make sense… even he would question them.

  Origin smiled confidently, “Perhaps so, but even an unstable tool has its uses, I would see that she is put to use until her final moments…” Origin declared.

  Wrath paused for a moment before he glanced over his shoulder, “Even if that use, results in the death of our kind?”

  “Death is simply another barrier for us to pass through.” Origin responded flatly, “Just like all the others.”

  Wrath opened his mouth to speak, only to close it prompt, as his gaze turned back to Skylar, “...Very well then.” he lowered his hand and removed his boot from Skylar’s broken arm, “Rejoice, you live to see another day… we shall meet again, of this much I am certain.” he turned around and walked towards Origin, Origin looked to Skylar with a smile even as she looked up with her vengeful gaze.

  “You would do well to keep that gaze, revenge is a weapon, just like any other emotion… I hope to see you put it to good use.” with that he vanished, along with Wrath.

  Skylar grit her teeth slowly arching her neck upward she stared into the sky sucking in the air and pulling it deep into her lungs with her next move.

  She screamed.

  ***

  One year.

  That is time enough for anything to change, though tragedy has ways of latching onto nations and cultures.

  People huddled over a monument.

  In the center of this Kingdom. Mourning those lost on that fateful day.

  Someone was missing however, the one whom some loathed and others adored.

  The Shadewalker.

  So where was she?

  Skylar sat at the edge of the island taking a bite out of her sandwich, a frown was on her face as she stared ahead.

  The sting of defeat still burned fresh in her mind. Though she often tried to push it away from her memory

  She heard a pair of footsteps behind her, she glanced over her shoulder, and Icon moved to sit next to her, Icon then spoke, "...Been almost a year since then hasn't it." Icon spoke.

  Skylar paused, her mouth open for a moment before she bit down on her sandwich once more, "How are you holding up?" Skylar asked in between bites.

  Icon frowned, "Well enough I suppose, your help in rebuilding the place has been invaluable, but I fear it will never be what it once was." Skylar hummed at that.

  She finished her food and tossed the wrapper into the cloud sea, "...I think I'll be leaving soon." she stated, "There's still more in the world I need to see after all."

  Icon said nothing to that she knew this day would come after all, she then let out a small sigh, "A shame, it'll be quiet without you around."

  Skylar looked over to Icon, "Oh please, you know you've been waiting a while for this day."

  Icon winked in Skylar's direction, "I will neither confirm nor deny." She then closed her eyes, "so then. Where will you be heading?"

  "Jubilee." Skylar declared, "The city of storms, it's been on my mind for a bit now."

  Icon let out a hum, opening her eyes, "I can arrange a ride for you there, but it will take a week... Perhaps now would be the time for you to say your goodbyes?"

  Skylar blinked, looking back to the cloud sea pondering that for a moment, "There's somewhere else I'd like to visit first actually if you could arrange a ride."

  Icon nodded in understanding, "I think I can manage that."

  ***

  A young woman with green hair gazed out a window, she was in a two-story large building and a playground was just outside, currently, the children she watched were playing to their heart's content with one another. This building was burnt to the ground a year ago...

  But it was built up once more rather quickly, some people wanted to change the design but this girl requested it remain the same, for she had fond memories of the place. She had also hoped to help the children have those same fond memories.

  The girl then blinked when she saw an airship pull up to the dock, it was rare to have visitors around here anymore.

  So this girl began to walk down the stairs of her building slowly and steadily, soon enough she reached the door and opened it wide, her eyes widened a little in surprise when she saw a girl with silver hair walking off that airship alone, that girl was no more than 13 by the look of it.

  One of the children in the playground ran out of that area quickly running up to that girl, this woman knew that child well.

  His name was Kit, and he always spoke of the fire, but never of the bad memories but of the girl who fought to defeat 'the bad man' Skylar was her name.

  So the girl walked forward, and she heard the boy ask a question as she approached, "Hey, what happened to your badge?"

  The girl responded with a smile, "Oh that? Got rid of it, figured the life of an Executioner wasn't for me. I'm more suited for adventuring doncha think?"

  "Adventuring? Hmm, I dunno." The boy responded.

  Skylar blinked looking up at the woman ahead of her, "...You're the new caretaker I suppose?" Skylar questioned putting a hand on her hip.

  Young.

  The girl was so young, but her eyes held wisdom beyond her years.

  The woman smiled, "I am... and would I be correct in guessing that you are Miss Skylar Shadewalker?" She made her guess.

  Skylar smirked, holding out her right hand, "Just Skylar will be fine." the woman reached out and shook Skylar's small hand.

  They were small, so small but littered with calluses, it was clear that this young girl had been working hard.

  So the woman asked, "If I may ask, what is it your here for Skylar?"

  Skylar blinked, lowering her hand and glancing to the side sheepishly, as she spoke her words were just below a whisper, "Well... I was... hoping..." she blinked a blush forming on her face, "I was hoping you'd let me play on the playground for a while."

  Such a simple request.

  The woman had to pause.

  She looked at the girl in front of her, such a hard-working girl.

  ...But still a child.

  "Of course." the woman responded with little hesitation, "You're always welcome to play here."

  Skylar's eyes lit up hearing those words, and the boy smiled, grabbing Skylar's hand, "Come on! Let's go and meet my friends."

  He then dragged Skylar along who offered no protest.

  ...Those eyes had seen hell, so the woman figured it would be fine if those eyes were allowed to see joy.

  If only for a few fleeting moments.

  Skylar Shadewalker could be a child.

  Skybound Volume 1 Definitive Edition.

  The End.