Shaska dropped the Unclean she was beating and looked up at the town square less than half a mile away when she heard von Ragnar’s proclamation.
“King…?” she thought as she blew smoke and casually used the back of her fist to punch out an Unclean who was sneaking up behind her.
She turned to the Smoky Merchants, who were also spellbound by the proclamation of the new “king”. “Look alive, guys. I’m gonna check this ‘king’ guy out. Hold down the fort while I’m gone.”
Shaska took off for the town square at top speed. Her mind flashed back to her conversation with the lucha promoter gangster, Gil Fernandez, back at Gokashi in the Provinces, and how he was seeking a violent revolution. She flashed back to her conversation with Samudra about how Barabar had become obsessed with utopia and was also seeking revolution.
“Could it really be…?” she thought.
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As Samudra came to the town square (with Schwarz slung over his shoulder and Umbra Lux in his hand), von Ragnar walked toward the center, pushing his way through the crowd of terrified Shahari citizens, his armor making loud clanking sounds as he walked. He began to speak further in his thick Dammerungian accent, making him a bit hard to understand as his voice echoed throughout the town square, amplified by him focusing Aether into his vocal cords.
“Friends! I am here today as your new king! In the aftermath of the Great War, the United Provinces have taken up the position as the global hegemon, ruling with an iron grip! And as each month, each day passes, it becomes clear to the masses of the world that revolution is the answer!
“Each day, hundreds are slaughtered worldwide by the gangsters, pirates, and bandits that the Global Federation will do nothing to stop because of its greed! Each day, hundreds are killed by Global Federation agents, or worse, normal police! And the Global Federation will cover that up! Each day, hundreds are sold into slavery to be playthings for nobles and the wealthy! And once again, the Global Federation does nothing!
“Who remains to fill this gap? The Holy Order of Serenicus? Feh! They are the greediest of all! Look at the cathedrals they have built while claiming to help the poor! Feh, I say! This religion is like a drug! And I am here to free you of this oppression! Those who live by the labor of others are taught by religion to practice charity while on Caldris thus offering them a very cheap way of justifying their entire existence as exploiters and selling them at a moderate price tickets to well-being in heaven. Religion is a sort of spiritual booze!
“It is becoming more and more evident with each passing day that the Global Federation and the Holy Order and the United Provinces are doing nothing more than exploiting the labor of the working class like any two-bit gangster! I believe in one thing only, the power of the human will! Using this, we shall rise! Revolt! Give birth to a new era! An era of true equality! There will be peace, land, and bread for all! I! Am BALTHASAR VON RAGNAR! And I! AM HERE TO BE THE WORLD’S NEW KING! Follow me into the new world order! To UTOPIA!!!”
The combatants in the town square were silent. Shortly after, the Unclean army erupted into applause. Everyone else, on the other hand, remained unamused. The Losanian feds were unsure of who to attack now.
Shaska entered the town square, having heard von Ragnar’s big speech, with Franco close behind. Franco landed behind her, saying “Shaska the Greedy, by authority of the federal government of the United Provinces, I hereby–”
“Oh, you’re that agent kid from before,” Shaska interrupted. “I think you’ve got bigger problems than me right now,” she said, pointing at von Ragnar.
“I am here to re-enter the world with a NEW WAR! Utopia is on the horizon!” von Ragnar declared with his hand held up, palm facing the sky.
“Brother! I wanna kill someone!” Rusila whined.
Von Ragnar rolled his eyes and looked down at his sister. “You have been good. Pick out one person from the crowd there whose blood you want to spill. Only one, though, Rusila.”
Rusila giggled with glee and daintily skipped forward. The crowd stood there with bated breath, unsure of what was about to happen, all while Unclean continued to raucously cheer for their new king.
A fed agent saw Franco and ran over to him. “Franco? Sir? W-what should we do…?”
Franco’s jaw clenched as he watched Rusila skip through the crowd like a child picking a toy. He couldn’t let this happen, not on his watch. “Hey!” he shouted, pointing his sword at her. “You can’t just kill someone in front of law enforcement! I mean, you shouldn’t kill someone period, but especially not in front of officers of the law!”
Rusila’s skipping slowed, her wide eyes turning toward Franco with curiosity, but the menace in her smile remained. The town square was on the precipice of chaos, everyone waiting to see who would make the first move. “Hi, mister sword guy!” she cheerfully exclaimed with a wave.
Franco, stunned and confused by Rusila’s defiant tone, managed to shout, “I said, no killing!” His words felt hollow as Rusila continued her eerie skipping through the square.
“Big bro said I could! So I’m gonna kill someone!” she chirped, her voice disturbingly joyful as she locked eyes with Franco.
In an instant, her hair rippled, and an Aether shockwave blasted through the air. Franco, unprepared, collapsed to his knees, every muscle in his body seizing up under the invisible pressure. He gasped, struggling to form words. “...What…? What is this…?”
Behind him, the third-in-command of the Losanian feds shouted orders. "Take aim at her! Fire!"
But before the squad could pull their triggers, Rusila turned her head, flashing a smile that made their blood run cold. Another shockwave rippled from her, and the entire squad collapsed, unconscious before they even hit the ground.
“I’m gonna kill someone! Big bro said I could!” Rusila gleefully announced again. She twirled in place, surveying the crowd. Her fingers danced in the air as she pointed from one member of Worldwide Smoke to the next.
“Eeny meeny miney moe,” she sang, her finger drifting over Lulupo, then Ren, then Andy, and finally Roxanne. “Catch a fish freak by the toe... If he hollers, let him go…” Her sing-song voice stopped as her finger rested on Andy, her eyes locking with his.
Andy’s heart skipped a beat, his instincts screaming at him to move, but before he could even blink, Rusila was standing in front of him. In one fluid motion, she drove her fist through his chest, her hand bursting through his back in a sickening display of speed and power.
Time seemed to stop. Andy’s body went limp, collapsing into her grip as blood pooled at his feet. Rusila pulled her hand out, drenched in his blood, and with a carefree skip, she spun around, her bloodied hand still dripping as she returned to her brother’s side.
Roxanne, frozen in disbelief, collapsed to her knees beside Andy’s lifeless body. “A-Andy…? Are you… okay? Wake up… Please… wake up…”
As the other members of Worldwide Smoke (and Johnson) drew their weapons in preparation for combat, von Ragnar turned to them. “Hm? You dare to challenge your king?” he asked in his deep, imposing voice.
Shaska stepped forward, her fists clenched, the familiar fire burning in her eyes. “You’re damn right I do! I don’t give a shit who you think you are! That creepy girl just murdered one of my employees! And it’s my job to make sure she—and you—pay for it!”
Samudra rushed forward, setting Schwarz down gently before trying to intercede. “Lady Shaska, no! You can’t—”
“Oh, the cheating prince,” Shaska interrupted, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “What is it now?”
“That’s Balthasar von Ragnar!” Samudra shouted, his voice trembling with urgency.
“I’ve heard the name,” Shaska growled, not taking her eyes off von Ragnar. “I know what he’s done—how he murdered his own family somewhere in Occidentalis and then disappeared.” She blew a stream of smoke into the air, her eyes narrowing. “I’m surprised the media let that story slip through. But none of that matters now. What matters is, I’m not letting him kill my people and get away with it!”
Von Ragnar, amused, tilted his head slightly. “Ah… Shaska the Greedy. A crooked businesswoman like you will have no place in the new world order. If you wish to keep your head, wench, you will kneel before your king.” His voice grew colder. “In my world, there will be no gods, no masters—only Balthasar von Ragnar. There will be no need for capital or wealth.”
“Oh, can it!” Shaska snapped, stepping forward and assuming a fighting stance. “I’m not kneeling for anyone, especially not a delusional tyrant like you!”
Von Ragnar raised an eyebrow, his expression bored. “Ach… the women, they are equal to the men. Which is to say, all below me.” He glared at her, and an Aether shockwave rippled from his eyes, crashing into Shaska. She buckled, dropping to her knees, unable to resist the overwhelming force.
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“What…?” Shaska choked, struggling to breathe as the pressure pinned her down.
“This,” von Ragnar said with a smug grin, “is my potentia, Rex Vi. My sister and I can overpower anyone’s will with our own. The fact that you’re still conscious is impressive, but you are far beneath me. Just give up, wench.”
“What’s… What’s going on?” a confused Ren asked.
“It appears these two dreadful Occidentals’ potentia overpowers the will of whomever they glare at…” Lulupo said.
“Indeed!” von Ragnar responded. “Truly a potentia befitting a king!”
Her cigar fell from her lips as she trembled. With great effort, Shaska pushed herself to her feet, her body shaking as she breathed in a rhythmic pattern. She focused her Aether into her eyes, trying to sense von Ragnar’s aura, but the sheer magnitude of his power sent chills down her spine. “Impossible… Such power… shouldn’t even exist! Not in tandem with a potentia like that! Only augeres should have that kind of strength… He’s like a walking Aether battery!” she thought as her jaw dropped, and her cigar with it.
Von Ragnar smirked, his eyes narrowing as he sent another shockwave crashing into her. This time, it knocked her flat on her back.
For the first time in years, Shaska felt fear. Not just the fear of losing, but the primal terror of death. As she staggered to her feet, her legs shaking, she didn’t raise her fists for another fight. Instead, she turned to her crew.
“Worldwide Smoke,” she called, her voice hollow, “we need to leave.”
“But Miss Shaska!” Lulupo exclaimed, not retracting his hair. “That girl in the gaudy dress just murdered Andy right in front of us! We can’t–”
“This isn’t a fight we can win, pretty boy!” Shaska shouted, voice sharp with urgency. “This isn’t like Mazurka City! We’ll be six feet under if we try to fight this guy!”
“I prefer mass graves, to be honest,” von Ragnar commented. He smiled a crooked smile, then said “you are making a wise decision, Shaska.” He shot another wave of Rex Vi at Worldwide Smoke, knocking them over and leaving Roxanne and Carne completely unconscious, foaming at the mouth. The only one still standing was Samudra.
“This… This is a king’s power?” Zinnia choked out.
“Indeed, it is, girl. You will know your place,” said von Ragnar.
It was then that Barabar’s rukh bird descended and landed in the plaza, the wind from the bird’s wings kicking up dust. The old man disembarked and turned to his benefactor, kneeling in submission.
“My king! I am humbled in your presence!”
“Ah, Barabar. It is a pleasure to meet you in person. You may rise,” von Ragnar replied. “Where is your reactionary nephew?”
Cazimir, appearing through the still-cheering crowd, made his way forward, the severed head of the crown prince in his hands. He dropped Ta’Gup’s head at von Ragnar’s feet before kneeling. “Here he is, my lord.”
“Good… good. You may rise, Cazimir. You are one step closer to securing your spot in Heaven on Caldris.” He drew his sword, then said “kneel once more, Barabar.”
Barabar did what he was told, and von Ragnar placed the blade on Barabar’s shoulder, then on his opposite shoulder. “I hereby dub you my official liaison in the Kingdom of Panipuri. You are my official voice in this land. Then, when Minus World’s mission is complete, you will join me as one of my right hand men when I take the presidential mansion in the United Provinces.”
“I am honored, my lord,” said Barabar, his voice trembling with gratitude.
“Now hold on!” Samudra shouted, drawing his spear and casually tossing Schwarz’s sword to Worldwide Smoke. “I am Panipuri’s chosen son! I am the one the seer’s prophecy spoke of centuries ago! If there’s one person to rule after my brother’s death, it’s me!” He started emitting steam from his body. “You will leave this land at once! Your poisonous ideology has caused enough damage!”
“Whoa, prince, where did this come from?” Shaska asked, glancing at Samudra incredulously. “You were practically crapping your pants a moment ago.”
“It is my duty as the last surviving member of the royal bloodline to defend this kingdom!” Samudra declared, shrouded in steam.
Von Ragnar merely chuckled, his gaze shifting lazily toward his sister. “Rusila, you may make an example of him.”
Rusila let out a gleeful cheer, sprinting toward Samudra with childlike enthusiasm. Before the prince could react, she leapt into the air, an Aether Flash propelling her forward as she tore his head off with her bare hands. Samudra’s body crumpled to the ground, blood pooling around him as Rusila tossed his severed head into the air, giggling and clapping like a child playing with a ball.
Von Ragnar turned to the horrified crowd. “People of the Panipuri Kingdom!” he declared, his voice booming across the plaza. “My rule is merciful, but all who dare to rebel will meet the same fate as your princes! My word is absolute!” The roar of applause from the Unclean grew louder. “And don’t think I’m not paying attention! The first one to stop clapping will be the next to lose their head! Now! Join me! Soon we will take the United Provinces and the presidential mansion in Oppidapolis!”
Shaska’s stomach churned at the sight of Rusila’s gruesome display. She swallowed hard, fighting the urge to vomit. “Worldwide Smoke...” she choked out, struggling to find her voice.
Lulupo managed to stand up, and he dropped the assassins he was carrying and picked up Zinnia, Ren, Schwarz, Roxanne, and Carne. The latter three were still unconscious from the effects of blood loss or the Rex Vi. He also picked up Andy’s corpse and Schwarz’s sword. The feds started to regain consciousness and began standing up one by one, along with Franco.
Shaska smacked her cheeks with both hands to regain her senses. “Worldwide Smoke!” she declared. “Get on that bird! We need to make a tactical retreat!”
Shaska and Lulupo headed for the rukh bird at top speed and began to board, but von Ragnar wasn’t having it. He raised his sword decisively and with aplomb, pointing it toward Shaska and company. “You will not leave with your life, Shaska. Someone like you will quickly prove to be a thorn in my side.”
Franco warped in front of von Ragnar with an Aether Flash and clashed swords with the much larger man. Shaska, for her part, noticed this, but said nothing because she didn’t want any further attention on her. She and Lulupo boarded the cabin of the bird quietly.
“What was that about the United Provinces and the presidential mansion?!” Franco shouted. “This just became my problem!”
Von Ragnar was unimpressed, not putting any effort into his sword clash with the agent. “Hm? Are you some kind of Losanian federal agent? All the way out here? Yes, the United Provinces must be destroyed. Along with the Holy Order of Serenicus. Only when the Losanian President is strangled with the entrails of the Sacred Shepherd of the Holy Order will my revolution be complete. Because to punish the oppressors of us sapient beings is clemency, and to forgive them is cruelty.”
Franco’s blood started to boil at that. “Keep your filthy hands off my Holy Order, you bastard! Balthasar von Ragnar, by authority of the federal government of Losan, I hereby put you under arrest!”
“Get us out of here!” Shaska ordered the pilot. She pulled out a huge wad of cash and threw it at him, and the pilot made the bird start to fly.
“Adorable,” said von Ragnar. He lazily pulled his sword back, causing Franco to fall forward, then with a single slash, cut off Franco’s sword arm.
Franco howled in pain as his sword arm fell to the ground. Before von Ragnar could glare at the bird with Rex Vi, however, Franco had dropped his shield and picked up his sword with his off hand, slashing at von Ragnar’ legs. “I’m not done yet!” Franco declared, his voice hoarse with pain. “By Serenicus and the Father Above, you will face justice, Balthasar von Ragnar!”
“Could you give me one moment?” von Ragnar carelessly asked as he tried to exert Rex Vi on the bird as it flew higher and higher, but Franco wouldn’t allow him. He slashed at von Ragnar again, but chipped the sword on von Ragnar’ armor.
“I’m your opponent, my liege!” Franco shouted. Even as he was missing an arm, he jumped off the Aether in the air with an Aether Bounce technique and attempted to bring his sword down on von Ragnar’s head. Von Ragnar was not amused, and simply sidestepped Franco, then effortlessly cut off both of Franco’s legs at the knees.
The rukh bird took off, and Franco landed on the ground, screaming in pain. As blood pooled around Franco, von Ragnar looked at the bird flying away and huffed in frustration.
“Franco!” Johnson shouted. The feds circled von Ragnar, paying no attention to the Unclean army who slowly began to stop applauding after Rusila playfully slaughtered one of them for grins. Johnson assumed his half-ostrich form, and ran over to Franco’s mangled body.
“Are you going to challenge me too, bird?” von Ragnar asked derisively.
Johnson glared at him, then started panicking internally. “I…”
The bird man was faced with the most important decision of his life: attempt to bring in von Ragnar and inevitably die? Or leave with his life and be labeled a coward?
“Agent Johnson, sir! We await your orders!” shouted the agent directly below Johnson.
Johnson froze, unsure of what to do while Franco bled out.
“Choose wisely, federal pig,” von Ragnar growled.
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The rukh bird soared away from the chaos and landed smoothly in the plain beside the Humo Robinson. The group disembarked with haste, the weight of their loss heavy on their shoulders. Carne, groggy but alert, blinked as he struggled to get his bearings. “What... what happened?” he mumbled, his voice still thick with exhaustion.
“We lost,” Shaska answered bluntly, lighting a fresh cigar. She exhaled a plume of smoke, her expression hard and unreadable. “Doctor kid, you better patch up the blond pretty boy. He can’t have much blood left.”
Carne, still disoriented, turned to where Schwarz lay, unconscious and pale. His eyes shot open as he checked for a pulse. His breath caught in his throat as he found one—weak, but still there. Relief was brief as the urgency of the situation hit him like a hammer.
“Lulupo!” Carne shouted, his voice cracking with tension. “Get him to the infirmary! He needs emergency surgery and a blood transfusion—immediately!”
“No need to tell me twice,” Lulupo said, his usual bravado absent. His hair remained extended, still cradling the unconscious bodies of Schwarz, Roxanne, and Andy’s lifeless corpse. With practiced efficiency, he rushed them toward the airship’s infirmary, his movements smoother despite the gravity of his burden.
Shaska didn’t waste time. “Snake girl, get those motors going. Full speed. We need to get the hell out of here—destination Piscomare.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Zinnia replied, her voice steady despite the tension hanging in the air. She darted off to the helm, Meilong coiled tightly around her body, ready to execute the orders without hesitation.
As the crew scrambled to get the airship moving, the engines roared to life, the hum of power surging through the Robinson. Inside, the team was all business, but outside, on the deck of the gondola, Shaska stood alone, her eyes scanning the horizon, though her mind was miles away.
She puffed on her cigar, her thoughts drifting to the wreckage they had just left behind. Andy. Samudra. The madness they’d barely escaped. And then there was Tributelle—still alive, still fighting, though barely holding on.
She took a long drag, exhaling the smoke into the night sky. Her heart, usually armored in steel, felt the weight of everything pressing down on her like never before.
“Damn,” she muttered under her breath, the only word she could summon to capture the tangle of emotions swirling inside her.