Tep-Tep City is a beautiful but rundown mining city that rests at the center of a snowy archipelago of floating islands. The region is located in Iarlec, one of the smaller continents of Irikihl that resides near the planet’s north pole. The maze of islands surrounding the city are dense with snowy caverns, and floating outside many of these caverns are mining ships. While the vast majority of Tep-Tep’s citizens are Iarlan, only a third of its population is human.

The Flying Broom and the Ruby Hornet float listlessly just a few miles away from the city. Some of the citizens of Tep-Tep study the two ships with great weariness. A group of Veguhl children standing on a rooftop point at the ships in wonder.

Iarlan Man: Bandits have visited us again!

Iarlan Woman: But the Haven Empire’s Rose Torpedo is here, surely they are not after our treasures.

Iarlan Man: They’ve come to plunder our riches all the same!

Older Iarlan Man: Regardless of who they are, the skies have protected us before and they will continue to shield us.

A middle aged Veguhl mother flies to a group of Veguhl children on a rooftop.

Veguhl Mother: Come children, come inside now.

Veguhl Girl: But Mother, will we be safe from those bandits?

Veguhl Boy: We’ll always be safe as long as the heroes of Tep-Tep are around!

Veguhl Mother: Very true son, but we must heed the wisdom of Lady Agatha and hide inside. I’m afraid this may be the early signs of the omen she has prophesied about.

Two Iarlan sentries stationed at a tiny island floating just above the city watch the two ships. One is human, the other is a Veguhl. The human sentry is using binoculars.

Human Sentry: Don’t tell me it’s another band of pirates.

Veguhl Sentry: Unless you’re referring to the Rose Torpedo then I’m not so sure. They’ve been up there for quite some time now.

Human Sentry: If only I had the eyes of a Veguhl. I would have spotted them much sooner.

Veguhl Sentry: Worry not, your vigilance is unmatched here. Besides, I have a hunch that whoever they are they won’t be visiting us for long. Everyone knows that lightning rules the sky.

Aboard the Rose Hornet are many Rose Palyths(knights in red and gold steampunk armor) that vigilantly study the action of the Flying Broom with great intrigue. Giving command is Captain Eldrich, a hard nosed but world weary Blavyk Caster, who is gazing at the Flying Broom through binoculars.

Rose Palyth: Sire! Do my eyes deceive me or was our beloved princess just thrown off that vessel?!

Captain Eldrich: At ease men. As much as the matter burdens me we must adhere to Her Highness’ strict orders to not interfere.

The Rose Palyths grunt in frustration.

Aboard the Flying Broom Hannah runs to the railing where Hrist was knocked off.

Hannah: Big Sis!

Armored Man: Halt!

The Armored man aims his gauntlets at her. Hannah freezes and gives him a bitter look.

Gidget: You dummy! Do you realize what you’ve done?!

The Armored Man glances overboard.

Armored Man: Knocked that vile woman off to her doom I hope.

Gidget: More like our doom. Didn’t your mother ever tell you to never piss off a princess?! Now we’re all as good as dead!

Armored Man: You all are as good as dead if you continue to trespass Iarlan Skies. Turn your vessels around and leave this region.

Hannah: Trespass?! For your information, Iarlec, along with the rest of the planet belongs to us!

Hannah materializes her tiara and places it on her head with a pouty look. A fully armored woman with armored wings lands on the vessel beside Hannah, aiming electrified gauntlets at everyone.

Armored Woman: We know exactly who you are, Princess Hannah. However, you would be wise to heed our words and leave this region. Not even the might of a princess can challenge us here.

Hrist: Oh really? On who’s authority?

Alerted, everyone jolts their head to Hrist, who is standing calmly behind the Armored Man. He reacts by swinging his electrified arm around. Hrist ducks with ease and leaps away. The Armored Man grunts as he recomposes himself into a battle stance.

Armored Man: The peace loving people of Tep-Tep City.

Gidget: Hey Loc, it’s been nice knowing you pal. And you too Rivna.

Loc: Relax Gidget, we’re not losing any crew members today.

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Hrist: My, if I didn’t know any better I’d say you have us mistaken for bandits.

Armored Man: As far as I’m concerned, you and your despicable family are far worse than bandits.

Hannah gasps. Hrist reveals a slight smile.

Hrist: Do you two delusional Veguhls truly believe you can challenge the might of royalty?

Armored Man: Your days of gallivanting as royalty are numbered you red beast! The Great Spirit has finally begun to restore the world to its proper order through his treasured Witch Tier.

Rivna looks slightly alarmed.

Armored Woman: Massadah was only the beginning. This divine revolt cannot be quelled. Even if you manage to defeat us the fire that spurs the oppressed will never cease now.

Hrist bottles her ire. She gestures to Loc.

Hrist: Well look at this; word of your deeds have spread faster than an ember in the woods.

Alarmed, the armored individuals look back at Loc.

Armored Woman: Wait, is he the hero of Massadah?

Hrist wields her sheathed Ruby Sword.

Hrist: And I shall take great pleasure in dousing this flame.

Armored Man: You err in challenging a trained Veguhl in the sky, Your Highness.

Rivna looks highly intrigued while Hannah looks excited.

Hannah: Oh boy! Big Sis is going to duel?! Now this is a rare treat!

Loc: Could you two take this contest elsewhere? I’d like to keep my precious ship in tact if you don’t mind.

Hannah: Don’t worry Big Brother. If something happens to the ship, I’ll just buy you a new one.

Loc sighs.

Armored Woman: This is your last warning, princess. The skies are no place to challenge a pair of Iarlan Veguhls.

Hrist: I appreciate your concern, but I think I can fare quite well in the sky without wings.

Armored Man: I’ll say it one final time. If you have no business here turn your ship around and leave this place.

Hrist chuckles. Beautiful combat military attire materializes and replaces her regal dress.

Hrist: Well, other than a certain meddlesome Arcane, it’s been decades since I’ve encountered such a daring and foolish individual. I shall grant you the honor of entertaining me, before I end your worthless life. Prepare yourself, for your final duel you winged vermin!

The Armored Man charges at Hrist with electrically imbued gauntlets. Hrist effortlessly blocks with her sheathed Ruby Sword. She counters by swinging, but the Armored Man quickly dodges by leaping back several yards and fanning his wings. Hrist is blown off the Flying Broom by the gust of his wings.

The Armored Man dives after Hrist as everyone onboard runs to the ship’s railing to follow the action. Small sleek engines materialize on the heels of Hrist’s boots and expel a small amount of steam. Hrist’s red eyes flash. A small, quick, and fiery explosion occurs from one of Hrist’s heels, causing a sonic boom as she’s rocketed upward towards the Armored Man. She bashes him in the stomach with the hilt of her sword, which shatters the armor protecting his abdomen. The Armored Man grunts as he’s launched several miles upward.

The Armored Woman steps forward with great concern. Loc studies the action very carefully.

Hrist lets out a sinister laugh as she boosts higher, far past the Armored Man during his upward propulsion, then boosts downward towards him from another explosion. She drop kicks him in the face with both of her heels, resulting in his armored helmet getting shattered. The head of a young, handsome, Iarlan Veguhl is revealed.

Armored Woman: Bolt!

The Armored Woman attempts to leap after him but Hannah subtly grabs her by the tip of her wing, preventing her from leaving.

Hannah: Oh no you don’t, a duel is between just two people only.

Perturbed, the Armored Woman quickly looks back at Hannah.

Armored Woman: Huh? Unhand me you evil little girl! At this rate she’ll kill him!

Hannah: Well that’s what your insolent friend gets for picking a fight with my big sister.

Rivna looks at them with growing ire. She clenches her Steam Sword and turns to Loc.

Rivna: We should help him.

Loc: Wait. It’s not our place to act just yet.

Gidget: Exactly. I say we turn the ship around and get the hell out of here while she’s still occupied.

Rivna: But…

Loc: Besides, something tells me he won’t be needing our help.

Rivna, Gidget, and the Armored Woman look intrigued by his words.

Steam spews from Hrist’s Ruby Sword and fire swirls around her hand.

Hrist: Well, I enjoyed this little game of ours, but now you’re beginning to bore me. Ta-ta.

Bolt slowly opens his eyes as he continues his downward decent.

Hrist: Avaega!

Hrist throws a sphere of of fire that travels to Bolt. He smirks just before the attack makes contact with him. A massive explosion occurs which rattles both of the airborne ships and the entire city of Tep-Tep. People from the city scream and panic. Two red glyphs immediately appear next to Hrist and two more spheres of fire appear from them and dart towards her opponent. They each create an explosion just as devastating as the first upon impact.

Everyone onboard the Flying Broom looks surprised. The onlookers from Tep-Tep City watch in dismay.

Armored Woman: No! Brother!

Hrist lets out a diabolical laugh as she gazes at the fiery spectacle in delight. Hannah frowns.

Hannah: My big sister is just too strong for her own good. She defeats everyone she faces so fast it’s hardly a show.

Armored Woman: You monsters.

Hrist: I believe that’s my line.

Alerted, everyone turns to Hrist, who is standing militantly behind the Armored Woman. Hrist subtly flicks the Armored Woman’s helmet and it’s shattered, revealing a beautiful feminine face, save for an ugly scar running across it. Lightning, a Iarlan Veguhl, covers her bloody forehead as she backs away grunting in pain.

Hrist: Tell me, are you feeling any terror yet?

Hrist takes a step forward, Lightning, a step back in response.

Hrist: Pray tell, how does it feel to know that you have just reached the end of your life? Being immortal I always fathomed what ran across the little minds of all the pests I’ve exterminated over the centuries, particularly during their final moments. Longevity breeds many inquiries.

Anger shoots across Lightning’s face.

Lightning: I will answer them all for you-- Justice.

Hrist: Justice? Oh no, that can’t possibly be true. Because justice can only apply to humans.

Hrist raises her hand to Lightning, who flinches in anticipation of an attack. Rivna motions to strike Hrist, but is halted as everyone hears a high pitched whistle in the distance. Lightning looks relieved and somewhat delighted.

Hrist: Well, it appears my fun isn’t quite over just yet.

Bolt rockets out of the smoke of the attack that blasted him. He’s shirtless, revealing his slender yet chiseled physique. He wears a devilish smirk as he produces the Aeon Rod, a beautiful electrically imbued long rod.

Bolt: Hey you royal bastard! Our duel is only just beginning, leave my sister out of this!

Bolt chucks the Aeon Rod like a spear at Hrist. She dodges it by simply tilting her head, resulting in the rod soaring past her with a loud beautiful whistle. It travels several yards past the ship.

Hrist: Is that the best you winged abominations can muster? I’m not impressed.

Vents quickly open on the rod and spew steam. Bolt’s eyes glow bright gray.

Bolt: Oizarga!

A streak of gray lightning hits the Aeon Rod from the direction it traveled from, and forms into Bolt, who grabs it. Bolt looks back at the Flying Broom.

Everyone onboard the ship looks at Hrist in disbelief. Hannah looks highly concerned. Captain Eldrich and the Rose Palyths aboard the Rose Hornet look speechless.

Hannah: Big Sis!

Surprised, Hrist coughs up blood and looks down at the gaping hole in her abdomen. There is a pause. She grins.

Hrist: Impressive.

Chapter End