Inside his Knights chamber, Raffi sat shirtless on the edge of the bed, muscles tense. Ms. Mary lay curled beneath the sheets, her hair spilling across the pillow.
"These coming days will be assisting the animals in fighting against the Royals," Raffi said, voice heavy, "Things are going to get real dark when that happens."
She rose from bed, slipped on her bra, and gave a small nod, her eyes soft, thoughtful. "I understand."
Raffi "You are my dream Marry."
He leaned forward "I need you to promise me, if things get really bad" he continued. "Take the civilians to the safe bunkers. Stay there, no matter what happens."
She reached out, taking his hand. "I promise but be positive my love."
Raffi "The Royals extremely powerful, The Elda's will be at war with the El Bacterias but, will still have to deal with the biggest threat to us the King himself and the Elders of the Zeta branch. Nobody knows what powers they posses but whispers say they are like gods amongst the living."
He pulled her into an embrace, holding her like it might be the last time. He rose, pulling on his tunic, fastening his belt.
"I have to go. There's an important meeting tonight."
Her voice trembled. "I love you."
He paused at the door, smiling faintly. "I love you too."
Elsewhere, Euly sat cross-legged at his desk. His hand moved swiftly across parchment, the pencil scratching with deliberate strokes.
On the page, a figure emerged: Gravixor, her fur lined with shading, her stance powerful yet gentle. Euly smiled faintly, staring at the drawing longer than he intended.
Then, his wristband flickered, casting a green glow. He sighed, setting the pencil down. "It's time."
On the balcony of her quarters, Naggi sat with Levy. They each held cones of ice cream, licking them at the exact same time. Levy glanced at her, his cheeks warming. She looked back, and he quickly turned away, pretending to study the birds flying above the rooftops.
"Why are you looking away?" she teased.
"I wasn't," Levy muttered, hiding his blush behind his cone.
Naggi smiled, savoring the small moment.
In another chamber, Lanni lay back on her bed, sheets tangled around her legs. Her face twisted suddenly as her wristband blinked. She sat up sharply.
Between her knees, Hido frowned. "What's that for?"
"It's important," Lani said, slipping free.
"You don't seem happy," Haido grumbled.
"Of course I'm not," she snapped, pulling on her clothes. "We're about to overthrow the entire Royal family, teaming with the animal tribes, the biggest moment in Deer Point history, and you can't even give me a proper goodbye gift."
She comedically broke into fake tears.
Hido pouted. "That's not fair..."
Lanni tied her sash tight and pointed at him. "When I get back, we're having a serious talk about your inability to please me."
Hido groaned, collapsing back on the bed.
The Round Table
The great hall glowed with torches as the Zoner Knights gathered around a circular stone table. Every seat was filled, except one.
Jet's chair sat empty.
Lanni's expression hardened, but she began. "Our moment is here. I've received intel: seventy percent of the Delta army and the Elda Knights France, Dakota and Venku are moving back into El territory to battle the El bacterias. That leaves the Royal District vulnerable."
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
Euly folded his arms. "True. But even without them, we still face the Zeta branch, five hundred Delta robots, and the king himself. Not to mention the Artimancers."
Lanni nodded. "We're not alone. The animal tribes will fight beside us. Their leaders are powerful enough to match the Zeta branch."
Raffi leaned forward. "And the king?"
"All of us," Lani said firmly. "Every Knight here will face him together."
Naggi's eyes burned with resolve. "That's a good plan. There's no way one aertists can take all of us at once."
The Knights murmured their agreement. Even Euly nodded.
But Raffi raised another question. "We need to be sure we protect all the civilians?"
Lanni's tone softened. "They'll be placed in bunkers. No mass casualties. And we avoid hurting Royal civilians whenever possible."
Naggi spoke up, serious now. "But if they resist? If they fight back?"
"Then we'll have to fight them," Lanni admitted. "Kill them, if we must. But only after offering surrender first."
Lanni sighed, "We have one shot at this."
The Knights sat in silence, determination heavy in the air.
Euly finally broke it. "I'll finally live out my purpose to protect those I love."
Heads nodded. The plan felt set.
But then Lanni's eyes drifted again to the empty seat.
"Has anyone heard from Jet?"
Euly frowned. "No. It's weird. He never misses a chance to talk about peace and negotiation."
Before they could dwell, a soldier burst through the doors. "Madam Lanni!" He rushed to her side, whispering in her ear.
Her eyes widened. "He did what?"
The table erupted in murmurs, but Lanni rose sharply. "This meeting is adjourned."
"Wait!" Raffi barked. "What happened to Jett?!"
"I'll explain later," Lanni said, already striding out. "I need to confirm something."
Outside, beneath the torchlight, Lanni stood with a handful of soldiers.
"You're sure?" she pressed.
"Yes, Madam," one answered. "He told us himself, he was going to meet with Sephiss, we told him it wasn't a good idea but he sent us off."
Lanni clenched her fists, her teeth grinding. "This isn't good. Jett... you idiot."
The Hospital
Far away, inside Mount Royal Hospital, a heart monitor beeped. A man's hand twitched, then clenched.
Levin's eyes fluttered open. He stared at the ceiling, then slowly sat up, his body healed.
"Where am I?" he whispered.
A doctor entered, smiling. "Mr. Levin, you're awake. You're at Mount Royal Hospital. You collapsed from your injuries, but we've given you proper care. You're already seventy percent healed."
Levin touched his arms, his chest. His body felt new. "What kind of medicine could heal this fast?"
The doctor's voice was proud. "Royal medicine. Far beyond anything in the Zoner Districts. You should thank Elder Vinku."
Levin grabbed his jacket, pulling it over his shoulders as he left the room. His eyes scanned the halls, cyborgs in gleaming suits, golden chains, polished shoes, walking confidently with health and wealth the Zoners could never dream of.
"You're awake," a voice said.
Levin turned. Venku stood with a calm smile.
"I see you've healed nicely," the Elder said, offering his hand.
Levin ignored it.
"You know," Venku continued, "when you passed out, I could have let you die. But I prefer to be generous."
"There's nothing generous about leaving my friend without a proper burial," Levin spat. "Where is Pita?"
"He's healing in another infirmary," Venku replied. "And your friend's body? I didn't burn it. I had it shipped back to yout Artimancer Town. I'm not heartless."
Levin's eyes widened.
"I thought about it," Venku went on, "and realized something: you were willing to kill a Zoner Knight for the sake of the kingdom. That's admirable. True nationalism. Even with your wife as a Zoner Knight, you stood by your loyalty. That is rare."
"She's not my wife," Levin growled. "We are divorced."
Venku smirked faintly. "Still. To turn against your own family, that takes strength. Coldness. I value that."
"What do you want from me?" Levin asked.
Venku said smoothly. "The Elda knights will be going to war with the El's again meanwhile the animals wll be removed from the island, and a grand selection will take place. I expect you and your men to do your part in seeing that the Kings desires are met. Kill the Knights and you and your people will be rewarded citizenship as Royals."
Levin's eyes lost in amazement, This was all that he dreamed of. "What about the animals?"
Venku chuckled "Oh, don't worry about them, after all the only war taking place is us against the bacteria, focus on what I told you and leave the rest to us."
Levin quickly dropped to his knees, a joyous smile on his face. He bowed his head low.
"Yes, Master Venku."
Venku begins to walk off
Levin shouted "Sir, what hapenned to the artists child with the braids you fought in the desert?"
Venku "I killed him."
He walked away, leaving Levin standing in the sterile glow, stunned, unsure what he had just been pulled into.