"It's been a while."

There he was. Resurrected; an angelic specter haunted not just Barronia's peace, but Talen's mind. Entranced by his return, Marie slipped from Amit's grasp before exiting a golden portal materializing beside Uriel's foot. The boxer searched her whereabouts however shortly before her breathing eased after spotting her brother's protective build.

"You okay?"

She glanced at him, then back at Tal. "F-fine. Nothing I can't handle."

Uri nodded.

Talen's shimmering eyes reflected Uri's figure. "Y-you're real. W-why... how?”

"How did you survive Monstrum's attacks ten years ago?"

Talen's eyebrow raised. "What're you getting at?!"

"You don't know. Then that's my answer too. Listen to me, Tal, and know I mean what I say. We're not children anymore. I shouldn't have dismissed you so rudely and gotten myself killed so idiotically. I'm sorry. I don't blame you. I never did. The way things occurred, it was all me. I'm the one who strives for this path. What I—no, what we witnessed that day was nothing unordinary. Hideous malice is known to everyone; parading around in human flesh, unknowingly being true monsters. I can't look away anymore. I... have to do something. Revolution is the only path to redemption. I want to prove to myself that what I said back then was true. And if you’re going to stand in the way of that then—”

Uriel’s golden aura shone all around him. Upon extending his palm, his Angels' emergence followed. The siblings adjusted their idle stances; winged creatures hovering to defend their backs.

“Death is all that awaits you.”

Talen withheld a shaky breath, hesitantly gazing into Uriel’s bright eyes with nothing but tears. Even with no other choice but to fight, sadness was all that plagued him. Those words, uttered so long ago, resounded through the chambers of his mind.

‘Responsibility is all about entrusting the King with how he decides to lead the country forward. By doing that, Supreme King Barron intends to keep the strong in check and ensure the weak are protected. You see, Talen, we exist to protect non Fate users’ peace of mind.’

Despite his undisputed reluctance, the lawyer’s hand raised. Amit stood tall. Even if the Uriel he once knew had changed, the past was true. The purpose of the Unconquerable technique, what he’d been searching for all this time, stood right before him. And though he couldn’t believe it, even if that threat were his best friend incarnate, then what else was there? What other reason did he live if not for that purpose’s fulfillment?

Talen pressed his palm flat onto the floor below, imbuing the entire space with his Fated signature.

“Unavoidable Unconquerable.”

It spread fast enough to bypass both Uriel and Marie’s guards, leading to their curious analysis of the voided environment around them.

“Area… Empowerment?” The boxer curiously repeated, brushing two fingers against the Area’s wall.

“It imbues a designated environment with someone’s signature Fate and Predestined Power. It doesn’t work in open areas like the front of the castle, only in enclosed spaces like this and houses. Alora mastered Empowerment. Looks like she taught Talen how to use it too,” he said.

“I ran into him earlier. Every time I tried attacking his aura, an automatic hit struck me before I could react. You got any way to counter that?” she asked.

The Prince smirked, stifling a snicker. “I got a few ideas.”

Talen wasted no time; beginning his march toward the duo with pocketed hands. Only seconds after he embarked did his soles slip into the air. Pupils’ deadly emerald coloration shining brightly, his finger raised to point at them both.

“Hey, Marie, you’re pretty strong, right? I’ll be sure to kill both of you here so don’t hold anything back. Prove to me you’re worthy of being Royals!”

Despite declaring that as boldly as he could, the stains from his tears hadn’t dried. Nevertheless, that wouldn’t withhold the Unconquerable from invoking the extent of his might to end his former friends.

After Anthony and Alora finished fighting Uriel, the latter of the two ran to where their enemy previously stood. Though it was undeniable Tony’s technique devastated the area, the Prince’s remains were another story.

“Found anything?” His voice yelled from afar.

“Nope!” She exasperated, removing her hand from the ground. “I forgot he can use those gateways he summons the Angels from on himself and warps wherever. He was probably just entertaining himself by fighting us.”

“Isn’t that kinda pointless though?” Tony added, leaning on her shoulder with his arm.

“Who cares? Talen will take care of things from here anyway.”

He side-eyed her.

"You sound a bit irritated. What’s up?”

She sighed, looking up at him. “Why is it we can never finish anything properly? Why’re we always so weak?”

He sighed. “I try not to think about it. Worrying too much about being insignificant drives you crazy. Then again, I guess you always tried to do your best for the sake of those two, huh? I get where you’re coming from…”

His hand slid onto her shoulder, slowly starting to loosen the knots hidden within her skin. At the feeling of his sudden massage, she refrained from moaning. Instead, her hand slid onto his, and all she did was sigh.

“I’m glad I have you with me.” Alora smiled; her eyes closed. “Remember that date you were talking about a few days ago? Got any preference on where you wanna go?” she asked.

He hummed. “Uhhhh… not really. I eat a lot of food so it’s hard to remember a specific place. Maybe we could just stay in, order Chinese and watch a movie? Well, if you're up for it, that is."

His wholesome suggestion brought a grin to her lips. Turning over her shoulder, beaming widely as ever, she affirmed his request with nothing more than a brief kiss between lovers. Only momentarily did their embrace last. When the end arrived, Tony's eyes opened--cheeks red with blush.

"W-what was that for?"

She smiled. "Good men like you are hard to come by. It's nice to have someone to bathe in their love, isn't it?"

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

He nodded, sheepishly grinning back at her. "Yeah. I guess you're right."

As his hand slipped into hers and her head began to tilt back, an unusual sensation shot through Anthony. Once their lips touched, it inexplicably felt as though a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Even after they pulled back again, the pressure had already vanished. Anthony couldn't avert his gaze. Beyond everything else in the world, there was nothing more he longed for than this--more than her. He could trust her. He could... love her.

Alora's palms slipped onto his cheeks. Ever deeper her gaze stabbed, hoping to peer into the window of his soul just from those simple orbs. Though she already knew the answer to the question, the woman asked it regardless.

"Why are you crying?"

Back beneath the compounds of the Supreme King's palace, the confines of Talen's expanded Area had ensnared both the Prince and Princess. Lowering his pointing finger from the dark-skinned Marie beside her taller brother, the Unconquerable Amit's dash left a trail of light from his pupils' center.

'He's fast!'

His old friend's blurry image persisted before him but momentarily, yet the Prince saw it as incentive enough to pierce the air with his fist. To block the lawyer's attacks, one of the Angels behind raised its hand. However, the curve of Talen's kick smashed right through its wrist and sunk into the Prince's open cheek, sending blood flying from his lips' corner.

At the same time the monster behind her sibling reacted, Marie attempted to move and threw her fist. Talen easily caught her knuckles and broke her wrist, grabbing her by the nape to throw her over his shoulder. The sound of her thudding body resonated through the Unconquerable Area while Uriel reassumed his stance—watching the innumerable strikes his old friend threw his way. His arms would raise and swat the flying arms, keeping one eye open.

'5... 16... 23...' He clenched his teeth. 'I can't spot an opening..!'

Talen kicked the foe in the knee but once, watching him fall to the undamaged remainder with an accompanying groan. The lawyer seized the Prince by the throat and smashed him to the floor, watching him vanish into the innards of the Area. Amit's head turned, spotting the flying kick Marie threw his way. In response, the Unconquerable aura ignited and, the moment her foot grazed his Fate, multiple automatic hits struck her build.

'He's... invincible...'

Intruding upon her descent toward the floor, Talen's palm smashed her bust, sending her flying through the prison of the Area and smashing through the overarching ceiling of the King's vast castle. Before he could revel in his achievement, he looked back to the floor to notice the numerous white hands emerging from the Area. Even hovering wouldn't stop such an infiltration, for everywhere he turned, more fair arms started appearing.

'I see. So he's subconsciously invoking his technique within the Area to get me to dispel it. Smart.'

Talen obeyed and dispelled the Area, instantly returning to the environment below. The doorless corridor that went on for what looked like miles stood before him and with this environment's confining reappearance, surely enough, there was Prince Uriel. Kneeling in the middle of the ground, endlessly coughing attempting to grasp his throat.

Hawking blood out his mouth's corner, Barron stood and cleared his throat, glaring straight ahead at Talen Amit.

"I never wished for this. I always... wanted it to just be us..."

The image of those four on that fateful day, engulfed by white, flashed through their minds. Nothing more than an enjoyable ignorance surrounded by limitless bliss. The life they were entranced by for less than a year—seemingly a fantasy, was undoubtedly real. Nevertheless, those past times were just that. Fantasy. There was nothing to them one or the other could enjoy anymore. Just staring into one another's eyes seemed to remind them... there was no paradise for them to escape to. This was reality. And though they wished to escape it, nobody could. Just as it always had been, death was the ultimate destination. For everyone. Everything.

‘Death is all that awaits you.'

Even now, his words ring true. Talen snickered. From this distance, though it was hard to tell, Uri trusted his gut. Right on his old friend's lips, albeit brief, a grin persisted. Though for what, he would never know. Regardless, the two former partners assumed their stances and raised their arms, just waiting for whoever would dare to initiate the first move.

"You were right, by the way!" Talen called.

"Huh?! About what?!"

"Revolution is the only path to redemption, you said. But that's not necessarily true. If the path you follow is that of rebellion, that will only spawn more malice. Lives will be lost and this kingdom might fall. However, I'm sure you've considered all that already."

"I'm sure your mind is set on the path you chose ten years ago. Even for me, there's no changing your mind. And being honest, I don't blame you. That being said, I don't agree. Even if your revolution paves the way for the future righteousness of this kingdom's generation, there's no denying it will lose itself in the process to that end. Being a defense lawyer lets me see the other side of things. Those who suffer in the justice system—are forced there by those higher than us. But slaughtering them will do no good. If you kill the King and take the Crown, you, too, will be cursed."

The Prince's brow quirked up. "What? What the hell are you saying?"

"Fate is a curse. All those marked by Fate... are eternally cursed."

Uriel’s palm aimed at the floor. At his Power’s command, golden gates produced two more spear-wielding Angels. The winged creatures flew down the hall, slashing at him upon arriving at their target. Talen sighed, silently igniting his aura yet again to produce four more automatic hits that demolished the advancing foes.

By the time their mutilated bodies fell to the floor emanating steam, Tal’s green eyes finished widening, realizing The Prince dashed ahead to smash his fist into the Unconquerable’s arm. Yet this strike was odd. Talen felt the pain of a punch stab through his being.

Amit jumped back following the impact, landing on the metallic platform before Nullspace’s glowing gate and crouching. Glancing at Uriel with squinted eyes, then his aura, produced limitless questions.

‘Enchantment is capable of nullifying the Unconquerable technique’s aura trait? I’d say it was impossible but I can’t deny it when the sting from the punch is still plaguing me. Not that it really matters…’

Once more did Talen’s palm point at his enemy, discharging an emerald ball of Fate that flew ahead at breakneck speeds. Uriel quickly withdrew a heavenly sword, and sliced sit down the middle, hearing it detonate as the wind imploded behind him to send his hair flying around.

When he’d finished cutting, Talen warped in front of him; disarming his old friend and beginning another barrage. After one palm clawed him across the face, followed by another a simple kick to the back of the leg, the Unconquerable’s fist dove through the air and sunk into Uriel’s face, rippling his skin from the impact before sending him flying into the wall at the end of the corridor. Following the hefty strike, the lawyer huffed and held onto his knees, before spontaneously expanding the shape of his emerald pupils once again.

Two divine arrows shot at Talen; the lawyer stood still, allowing the projectiles to disperse upon merely grazing his aura. Uriel jumped ahead, enveloping his arm in pure golden Fate. Talen was cautious—casually dodging the fists the banished Prince continuously threw his way. Eventually, the lawyer’s hand caught his knuckles, examining the flow of his enemy’s unusual Fate.

Uriel reeled away and uppercut the lawyer, making Talen stumble away, while keeepijg both feet pushed into the ground. Aiming his hand at the Prince, and accumulating more Fate, an untold amount of bolts burst out of his palm to fly straight at the Prince. Opening another portal, Uriel smirked and reopened another directly behind his opponent, who hesitated from continuing to strike him in the face.

At the same time his knuckles halted from meeting Uriel’s cheek, Talen turned around, bearing witness to the gate to Nullspace uncontrollably blazing thanks to the innumerable bolts he sent flying at the Angel Prince.

“No…”

While Uriel stepped back into another golden gateway, Talen’s gaze shot at the future King, who was slowly closing the portal and waving goodbye with four fingers. Until the gateway finally closed. Abandoned in the vacant grey hall, Talen’s eyes reflected the black and white frame of impact when the metallic platform efficient stabilizing the Gate to Nullspace, finally imploded from the inside out—engulfing the corridor in ever-changing flames of glory.

Beneath his throne, Supreme King Barron raised his head from slouching against his knuckles, while the Crown brightly shone which prompted him to quirk a brow.

“Hmm?“

Shifting his gaze from the floor to the familiar aura walking toward him, it finally stopped—in the form of white hair moving with the wind. Standing below the King on his throne, Uriel glared at his father and opened his hand, summoning a golden blade.

“Nice to see you again, son. I assume this is purely business?”

“Your assumption is correct. Everything’s gone according to plan. After fighting Talen for myself, I can undoubtedly say he’s stronger than you, father. Though, that’s not saying much. Talen might be stronger than you but I’m sure his father is stronger than him. You, him, and Talen are much too proactive, being in the way of my plans and all. However, I have a solution to that. I’ve just destroyed the gate to Nullspace. When the prisoners exit, they’ll be met with one of my portals placed right in front of them. They’ll join my team to prepare for the coming war. However, those pawns aren’t who I was searching for. I’m sure you know what I mean, after all, you know who this is, right?”

Another portal opened behind the King. Exiting was none other than the Displacement tormenting the modern age, Apollo Moloch; free from his chains to tower over the King. In no time flat, his hand slid onto the King’s blonde head. There was no escape. The King chortled—opting to rest on his fist one last time while looking down at his son.

“Apollo Moloch, huh? Displacements aren’t usually able to utilize Fate to the extremes, however, you managed to master it to the hilt and even create a Predestined Power capable of thieving others’ techniques. How many Powers have you stolen?” He asked.

Apollo didn’t answer. Instead, he looked to the Prince—awaiting his signal.

Uriel’s smug expression was a sight to behold. Blue eyes reflected his father; he suppressed the urge to laugh.

“Goodbye, Divine Barron. Let us never meet again, you godforsaken excuse of a father.”

Apollo’s Power silently operated, instantly sucking the King’s soul dry. Without any causality to empower his soul, the fallen King fell from the throne and rolled down the stairs. Once the kingly corpse reached his living son’s feet, there were only dust and bones surrounding the almighty Fate’s Crown glowing unfathomably bright.

Lifting the Crown from the floor, Uriel examined its intricate design; noting the comforting warmth enveloping his open hand. He strolled up the stairs, standing over the vacant royal throne—wielding the Crown in one hand.

“Apollo.”

The Displacement’s head perked.

“What is your home like? Displacements like you and Monstrum come from other realms, don’t you?”

Uriel sunk into the throne, the Crown having chosen its master—beauty embedded into Barron’s skull. Slouching on one arm, he awaited his comrade’s answer. Apollo’s head lowered.

“Apologies, King, but I don’t remember.”

Uri nodded, slouching on his fist. “I see. Then it doesn’t matter. Regardless of wherever anyone began, my new kingdom will become a paradise on earth equivalent to that of Heaven itself. That is the Barronia that always should’ve been. That is the Barronia I will reign…”

The duo outside the castle felt the ground rumble beneath them; Tony raised from Marie’s bruised body, tall beside Alora. Though they were miles below the throne room where King Barron resided, the duo felt that godlike presence vanish. The pressure enveloping the extent of the Divine’s aura had been replaced entirely by familiar angelic energy.

Alora looked at him. “Did you feel that?”

“Yeah. You think Talen’s alright—?”

“I’m fine.” Talen appeared behind them, kneeling at the boxer’s build. He checked her pulse. “But we’ve failed. Not only will the war not be coming but Uriel’s usurped the Crown. The escapees from Nullspace will overrun the capital. Uriel won’t stop hunting us, no matter where we run. We should leave. Leave… and never come back.”

As Talen and his allies prepared to escape with Marie Barron’s unconscious body, Uriel warped to his palace’s roof, watching their fleeing forms. In due time, a portal would open before them, and without a trace, the trio would instantly vanish. The New King grinned.

“Now—let us bring about the start of the new age!”