About half an hour later, the train arrived at a massive station nestled behind imposing stone walls. A congregation of rocks, trees, and a dirt path snaked its way uphill, leading to the grand kingdom. Snowflakes fell down amongst the crow as they trudged through the forest. Each step echoed with a satisfying crunch beneath their boots, the gray sky looming over them. The crowds of people murmured and whispered. Many wore thin clothing, shivering and shaking as they bundled up together.

Standing side by side at the forefront of the throng, Hime turned to Leon. “Welcome to the Lioness Kingdom, Leon,” she said, giving him a small bow..

He sighed painfully, thinking of the conversation he just had with Katie. “...Thanks.”

She tilted her head curiously. Giving his shoulder a reassuring squeeze, her face hardened as she turned to the people. Hime levitated over them, making herself more visible over the people.

"Citizens of Galadius Town, I understand your confusion and fear. This is a temporary measure to ensure you are not threatened by Tartarus any longer. Until we can guarantee your safety, you will remain here. We’ve had more than enough houses built to accommodate you all. Food and supplies await you within these homes. You may rest there now," Hime said, her voice booming over them. "If you attempt to leave without my family's permission, you go at your own peril. The outer lands are dangerous for the average citizen, as well as Death's threat looming over our lands. Take care."

Her eyes flickered around side to side in case anyone had questions. No one did. She watched as the people headed towards the town in the clearing behind her. Leon lingered by Hime’s side, and noticed Katie chained amongst his friends. According to Hime, the chains bind the powers of all creatures, suppressing any great strength they might have. A fleeting glance passed between them before she averted her gaze. The sight pierced Leon’s heart, lowering his eyes.

Hime now turned her attention to her soldiers. "Men! We shall march back to the castle. Ensure that the prisoners remain silent and incapable of escape. Should they cooperate, with the exception of the sky pigeon," she emphasized, "they may be released!"

Leading the troops, Hime glided forward, her hair dancing in rhythm with the rustling trees. The kingdom was encircled by an immense stone wall. Their footsteps echoed against the solid ground, a stark contrast to the jingling of chains that bound the captives. Leon glanced upwards, his gaze fixated on a lofty hill nestled behind the town. At its pinnacle stood an imposing castle, seemingly untouched by the numbing cold. Yet, despite the freezing air, Leon scarcely felt its bite, for his entire being was consumed by an inner inferno.

As they moved through town, Hime slowed to walk beside the prisoners. "Why did you need to take all these people anyway? Did they do something wrong?" Richard asked her.

The sun blazed radiantly in their faces, snow covering the roads and signs beginning to melt. Leon held his arm up to shield his eyes from its shine. Ed surveyed the surroundings, silent in his march. "So this is the kingdom you were taking us to?" Ed whispered to Katie.

She flinched but managed to whisper back, "Yes, it—" The crack of a guard's stick against the back of their heads abruptly silenced her.

"No more talking!" he barked, beating his stick against his hand in a threatening manner.

Leon’s hands trembled with the desire to shove the baton down his throat. “Sir Freed, refrain from attacking the prisoners. The sky pigeon is fine, but the others are friends of our honored guest.”

Sir Freed’s face whitened, bowing to Leon. “M-my apologies.”

“Don’t hit any of them. They’re all important to me,” Leon said, coldly.

“Yes sir! Understood sir.”

The towering stone walls enveloped them as they delved deeper into the kingdom. A grand fountain statue depicting a chimera came into view, water cascading from each head into the small pool supporting it. A festive atmosphere permeated the air, evident in the merry songs and exuberant dances of the people around them. Games were played, and hoops were raised for daring individuals to leap through. They instinctively ducked to avoid a spray of fire aimed their way.

"Is this supposed to be some sort of holiday?" Leon asked, ducking as a lion leaped overhead, through a loop, and onto the ground.

Hime slowed to walk beside him before answering, "The coming of age crowning is approaching. I will finally succeed as the heir to the throne and inherit a kingdom of my own.”

“That’s got to be pretty big. How does that make you feel?” Leon asked, glancing at his friends.

Katie never looked at him. Not even so much as a glance. He didn’t need memories to know things have never been this bad between them. Do you really have the time to worry about such trivial things? Your meaningless priorities will be the death of us both if you do not get your mind on getting stronger, Diablos warned him.

Leon sighed. I hate it when you’re right.

Hime lowered her voice so her knights couldn’t hear her. “As part of this kingdom’s royalty, I’m not allowed to show weakness amongst the people. I am excited for this responsibility, but I can admit I’m not looking forward to being away from the home I’ve known my whole life. I can imagine you’ve been feeling that during your time exploring Xenova?”

“I have… I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to go back home. There’s a lot I never understood about myself until a few days ago. So much to learn,” he responded, his hands tightening. That uncertainty made the cold around them feel stronger. It burned into his skin.

Above them, fireworks burst into the night sky, illuminating it with vibrant lights and resounding explosions. Leon flinched, snapping back to the present moment. The townsfolk donned fresh, clean attire, a stark contrast to the tattered rags worn by the Galadius townsfolk. Half of them appeared as though they had been dragged through a muddy pit. Excited whispers fluttered through the air. "Diablos has returned!" he overheard one of them exclaim.

How can they tell? Does everyone here have the ability to sense us? Leon asked, his eyes wandering.

They are monsters after all. You shouldn’t be surprised, Diablos said.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Hime callously pushed past Katie, nearly causing her to stumble on the stairs. Leon caught her, helping her to her feet. “Are you-” he began, but she didn’t even acknowledge he existed. She simply kept walking up the stairs. He sighed and shook it off.

Nothing worth anything is simple… some things never change.

As they reached the doors of the castle, the entrance towered over their heads. Massive golden doors adorned with lion-headed doorknobs swung wide open, revealing a sumptuous lobby within. The castle's interior sprawled expansively, soldiers and servants seeming to occupy every corner. Walls adorned in golden hues displayed intricate symbols of chimeras, dragons, and griffons, enveloping them in a regal aura.

It was at least a ten minute climb, but it may as well have been an eternity. The weight of his friend’s lives, the power he had to attain in his fight. Just… What am I fighting for? For the world? For Katie? I don’t even know who I’m supposed to be.

The doors to the Throne Room loomed before them, constructed of platinum and towering over two stories in height. Gargantuan windows flanked the walls, granting a sweeping view of the kingdom beyond. The sun bathed the room in its radiant glow, yet a palpable chill tainted the air. Is sulking your method of attaining anything? Diablos snapped.

Leon closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He didn’t bother answering.

With a resounding creak, the colossal doors began to open, Richard and Ed exchanging nervous glances as they were drawn inside. The glass ceiling, reminiscent of a starry night sky, hung above them, casting a beam of sunlight onto the throne positioned at the far end of the room. As they ventured further, an icy ambiance enshrouded them, formidable pillars lining the path delineated by a black carpet. The marble floor reflected the violet flames dancing above, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

It would've almost felt like a sacred place if it weren’t for Katie’s potential death. Behind each pillar stood soldiers of varying statures, armed and attentive. In front of them, an elderly couple adorned with silver crowns caught Leon's attention. Resembling Hime with their grayish blonde hair and few wrinkles, their crimson eyes fixated upon him.

Talk about creepy, Leon thought, following Hime who promptly bowed before her parents.

“Mother, Father! I bring you the traitor who assaulted my unit and the host of Diablos. His friends were found traveling with them and have been contained with the sky trash!”

The old man, King Lioness, rubbed his stubbled chin, leaning forward with a contemplative gaze. His eyes scanned Leon's friends, lingered on Katie for a moment, and then returned to fixate on Leon. “You are the one we’ve been waiting for all these years? I can’t help but feel concerned for our futures.”

Leon looked at him, narrowing his eyes. “While my daughter may have been carried away by her fantasies, I can sense the waning power of Diablos and Jalaiya. The might that once resided in them has diminished greatly over the passing centuries. These are truly dark times. You were right, Lilith.”

He snapped his fingers and static formed along the circled window, taking the shape of a three dimensional television screen behind him. The hologram of a thin woman’s face appeared, her piercing green eyes glaring down upon them. It didn’t take much to make Leon realize he was looking at the face of Katie’s mother.

“As I expected. To be betrayed by my own flesh and blood that is. You always were a disappointment,” Lilith said, her eyes fixated on Katie.

Katie’s eyes widened, but she said nothing in her defense. Only silent tears. “This won’t interfere with our alliance?” King Lioness asked, looking back at Lilith.

Lilith shook her head dismissively. “Of course not. My foolish daughter's actions are her own burden to bear. We will continue to work together to end Death, with or without the help of Jalaiya. As you can see, she is of little use as she is.”

“Agreed,” Queen Lioness said, nodding.

“Do with her what you will. I will not interfere,” Lilith declared coldly.

It was more than he could take. Leon stepped forward, his wrists emitting wisps of smoke. “You’re just going to leave her to die? What the hell is wrong with you?”

Every soldier in the room trained their weapons on him, and Hime unsheathed her sword, ready to strike. However, the king raised a placating hand, and the soldiers relaxed their arms.

Lilith regarded him with equal disgust. “You are as pathetic as the last time we crossed paths, boy. My daughter defied my orders for her selfish desires and now she’s paying the price! I have long wished for your death, and so it will be, one way or the other. We have nothing to discuss.”

With those final words, the transmission abruptly ended. Leon stood frozen, his fists trembling with anger and desperation. Suddenly, a tall figure cloaked in black emerged from the shadows, brandishing a massive meat cleaver. “Is it time to get to work, my lord?” An eager voice escaped his hood, a smirk seen underneath.

King Lioness sighed. “Ah yes, Kirkland. It appears I didn’t need to summon you after all. One moment before we get ahead of ourselves.” He turned his gaze to Katie.

His crimson gaze was intense, the wrinkles and battle scars adorned on his face all carrying the weight of a king. He rose to his feet and walked until he stood in front of her. “I will ask you two questions. For the sake of our history, I will give you the chance to lower your sentence. Had you come forth immediately rather than running and hiding, we may have avoided needing to go to such extremes. I do not take pleasure in this, child.”

Katie met his gaze, and her eyes watered. If it wasn’t for how different they looked, he looked like an intense, disappointed father more than a king at that moment. “Is it true that you destroyed Hime’s unit and tortured the first knight? Why have you done this?”

Without saying a word, Leon could sense what was going through her mind. Unwavering guilt of hurting the one family who showed her kindness. How effortlessly her mother threw away her life. That Leon might be better off without her. Questioning why she was born into a meaningless existence.

He took a step forward, but Hime placed a hand on his shoulder. She had an understanding look, but she shook her head. “Don’t interfere,” she breathed.

Katie’s lips trembled. She could barely form a word, and her breathing was heavy. “King Malik… I…” Tears fell down her cheeks before they broke apart like glass. Her hair shifted into a snowy white, her eyes glowing a violent yellow as she shrieked. Every torch in the room went out as static electricity sparked around her in a malevolent aura. The chains binding her broke into dust, black feathered wings sprouting from her back.

Everyone held their breath in horror as a wicked cackle escaped Katie’s lips, her innocent expression now warped into a twisted smile. King Malik narrowed his eyes, but he stayed calm. “Jalaiya… it’s been a while.”

“Malik… You’ve grown quite old in my time away. I see you finally found a wife who can tolerate you longer than a decade after all this time,” Jalaiya teased, casting her gaze on the queen.

Queen Lioness rose to her feet, giving a small smile. “A pleasure to finally meet you… Though I wish it were under better circumstances. You know why you are here?”

With an innocent shrug, Jalaiya replied, “Haven’t the foggiest, my dear. Wouldn’t have anything to do with some soldiers I played with recently, could it?”

“So… Katie was indirectly involved, because of you,” Malik accused, pointing a finger at her. “You had always been a bit of a rabid dog.”

Jalaiya twirled her hair in her fingers. “What a vile depiction. All of your greatest victories were something I had quite a hand in after all.”

“While that is true… You also almost helped in the world’s destruction at one point as well. Does Armageddon ring a bell to you?” Hime snapped, making Jalaiya lean back to look at her from a strange angle.

“Ah yes, the brat of the family. You look a little cleaner than I saw you last. Is it time for that duel you so desperately desired?” Jalaiya asked, licking her lips hungrily.

“No. To fight is a show of power and respect in this kingdom. There will be no duels for those who lack any respect for life or our kingdom.” King Malik snapped his fingers, and giant black chains formed from the dust all around them. They bound Jalaiya, instantly causing her aura to fade. Katie’s emerald green eyes returned, and she looked up helplessly at everyone.

“I have yet to hear an answer to my question, Katie. I doubt we would get any real answers from that mad woman…” he said, his expression softening.

She closed her eyes and sobbed. “Just end it. I have no memory of what happened. I can’t control her. Can’t save anyone.”

The queen and Hime exchanged worried glances. King Malik took a deep sigh. He raised his hand, and looked to the executioner, Kirkland. “You may execute the angel.”