Under the oppressive rule of Empress Sariel, the Vylonians walked a precarious tightrope, their happiness reliant upon unwavering loyalty. Dissent was swiftly silenced, often permanently. The Thorenzians, however, bore the brunt of her ruthless decrees, their lives reduced to a mere shadow of their former existence.
Each day, tasks were assigned to the Thorenzians, and failure was met with a merciless punishment of 200 lashes. Even whispers of rebellion were swiftly quelled, and fear permeated every aspect of their lives. However, what truly filled them with dread were the unexplained arrests. Thorenzians were taken without reason, only to return afflicted with Kraelosis, the same disease that had almost claimed Luisa's life. Nearly 2,000 Thorenzians had been arrested without cause, each one returning infected. An additional 130 had been arrested for rebellious whispers, discussions, or meetings.
While the Thorenzians suffered, a different drama played out within the palace walls. The air within Sariel's chambers was filled with her husky moans, the bed creaking in rhythm with the movements of its occupants. As the fervor reached its peak, the blanket rose and fell in time with each shuddering breath.
When it was over, Sariel turned to Prince Monday, her voice still thick with desire. "Are you satisfied?"
Prince Monday met her gaze, his expression uncertain. "What do you mean?"
Sariel locked eyes with him. "If you're satisfied, I need to attend to matters in the throne room."
As Sariel began to dress, Prince Monday watched her with a mixture of confusion and longing. "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Sariel's expression softened as she approached him, planting a tender kiss upon his lips. "I asked if you were satisfied, and you didn't answer. I have work to do."
"I've missed you," Prince Monday confessed, his voice barely above a whisper.
Sariel's smile was filled with warmth. "I'll make it up to you tonight. You can do whatever you want with me. It's a promise."
"Okay," Prince Monday replied, a smile slowly spreading across his face.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted outside the palace walls. The guards were forcing 234 Thorenzians into the palace, their efforts to resist futile. Suddenly, a ball of flame soared over the walls of the nation, crashing into the earth with a deafening roar.
The Vylonian guards sprang into action, taking up defensive positions. But before they could react, another fireball came flying over the walls, consuming the guards and scattering the Thorenzians.
"What's happening?!" one of the freed Thorenzians asked, fear and confusion coloring his voice.
"I don't know," another replied, his voice laced with urgency. "For now, get to safety!"
As chaos erupted within the palace walls, the Vylonian guards rushed to defend their nation from the relentless onslaught of flames and destruction. Sariel, sensing the urgency of the situation, quickly sought answers from one of her knights.
"What is happening out there?" Sariel inquired, her voice laced with concern.
"We are under attack, Lady Sariel," the knight replied, his tone resolute.
"Are the Black Knights currently on a mission?" Sariel questioned, her mind racing to formulate a plan.
"No, Lady Sariel," the knight responded.
"Then let them handle this matter," Sariel ordered, her confidence in the Black Knights' abilities unwavering.
"Yes, Lady Sariel," the knight bowed before hurrying away to carry out her command.
Outside the palace walls, the scene was one of utter devastation. The ground was littered with injured knights, corpses, and the charred remains of the once-proud fortress. By now, fifteen volleys of fireballs had rained down upon Vylonia, leaving little unscathed.
A group of guards hastily assembled, attempting to mount a defense against the overwhelming assault. Suddenly, nine figures flew over the walls, defying gravity with the use of fire, water, and earth. Luisa, Princess Athena, Princess Alexandra, Isolde, Elara, Thane, Caius, Orion, and Valerus descended upon the battlefield, their powers on full display.
As the Shield landed, twelve knights gathered before them, Blackthorn among their ranks.
"How is it possible that you still live after my attack?" Princess Athena questioned, her gaze locked on Blackthorn.
Blackthorn laughed sinisterly, the other knights joining in his twisted mirth. "It is all thanks to Lady Sariel's experiments. Now, it is nearly impossible to harm us."
"Project Paragon, I presume?" Luisa inquired, her voice cold. "So, Sariel has completed her vile research."
"Yes, Luisa," Blackthorn sneered. "Sariel is a far better queen than you could ever hope to be. Soon, she will surpass every emperor that has ever ruled this nation – unlike you, witch!"
Princess Athena's aura erupted in a brilliant display of power, her anger reaching a boiling point. "I warned you once before, Blackthorn! You will pay for insulting my mother!"
Despite the warning, the Black Knights launched their attack, combining their Hera elements into a devastating assault aimed at the Shield. Valerus and Isolde quickly manipulated the earth, creating a protective barrier around their allies that managed to fend off the Black Knights' powerful strike.
Blackthorn's eyes widened in disbelief, his confidence faltering. "How is it that these Thorenzians can use Hera now? Was Princess Athena teaching them this past month?"
Princess Athena's aura continued to swell, causing the earth to quake beneath the Black Knights' feet. As they struggled to maintain their balance, Malakai spoke up, his voice tinged with awe and fear.
"Going up against the three Generals is tantamount to signing one's death warrant. Princess Athena isn't just one of the Generals – she's the strongest and most powerful of them all!"
With a fury that could not be denied, Princess Athena commanded the Black Knights to pay for their transgressions against her mother. The temperature plummeted, leaving all but Princess Athena herself freezing in the bitter cold. The Shield, realizing the danger, swiftly created a barrier around themselves, while the Black Knights were left to freeze, their bodies encased in ice.
"Such terrifying power!" Thane exclaimed, awe evident in his voice.
"It would be foolish to provoke her further," Elara warned. "She would not hesitate to end our lives."
The scene was one of eerie silence, the only sound the soft creaking of ice as the Black Knights stood frozen, a testament to Princess Athena's unbridled power
As the Shield reunited with Princess Athena, all eyes turned to the spectacle before them. Thorenzians both afflicted and imprisoned watched in awe as the tide of change began to swell. Only those still held captive in the darkest corners of the palace remained absent from this monumental moment.
Lord Rafa, his voice tinged with disbelief, addressed Princess Alexandra and Valerus. "Lady Alexandra! Valerus! Where have you been? And why are the princess and the former queen with you?"
Princess Alexandra, her voice ringing with urgency, replied, "Lord Rafa, there is no time to explain. It is time for us to return home!"
Luisa, with a determined expression, began breaking the chains that bound the Thorenzians, one by one. A symphony of joyous cries erupted as the Thorenzians tasted freedom for the first time in ages. Tears flowed freely, and celebratory shouts filled the air. Lord Ozai, overcome with emotion, knelt and wept, never having dared to dream of such a moment.
Just as the jubilant cries reached their peak, a commanding voice cut through the noise. "Thorenzians!" Empress Sariel called out, her tone dripping with disdain. She stood beside her princes, their presence sending a chill down the spines of all who witnessed them.
"The Seven Days," Valerus whispered, his gaze fixed on the formidable figures before them.
"Yes, they are my brothers too. They are also Absalom's and my mother's sons," Princess Athena confirmed, her voice heavy with emotion.
Shock rippled through the Shield as they struggled to comprehend this revelation.
"Don't tell me they didn't support Luisa, their mother," Isolde questioned, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Luisa, a knowing smile playing at her lips, replied, "No, they didn't. In fact, they are ready to kill me at any moment's notice."
Princess Alexandra, her voice thick with contempt, muttered, "How annoying."
"Hey! Listen when someone is talking!" Empress Sariel bellowed, her impatience growing.
Princess Athena, her voice steady despite the tremor of emotion beneath the surface, addressed the Empress. "Why are you wearing Father's crown? Where is Father, anyway?" When her questions were met with silence, she repeated, her voice rising in anger, "Where is Father?!"
"Well, if you must know, the old man kicked the bucket a month ago," Prince Sunday declared, a cold smile playing at his lips.
Tears streamed down Princess Athena's face as the full weight of the revelation crashed down upon her. "What?" she whispered, her voice trembling.
Prince Wednesday confirmed the news with a sneer, and the princes and Empress Sariel broke into a chorus of sinister laughter.
"I swear, I will kill you all," Princess Athena threatened, her tears mingling with the fury that now consumed her.
Empress Sariel, her voice heavy with false sympathy, addressed the people of Thorenzia. "You crave freedom, I see. But I'm afraid I cannot allow that. The choice is simple: continue to serve us, or perish!"
Without another word, Princess Athena stormed into the palace, her rage palpable.
Valerus, his voice ringing with conviction, shouted, "Everyone, we return home today! If anyone dares stand in our way, cut them down!"
The Thorenzians roared in agreement, their spirits lifted by the promise of freedom, as they claimed the weapons of fallen Vylonian Knights.
"They truly intend to fight us," Prince Tuesday observed, his voice tinged with disbelief.
"It's nothing to worry about," Empress Sariel said, her smile sinister. "They simply long for death."
Inside the palace, chaos reigned as the Thorenzians clashed with their Vylonian oppressors, the clang of steel echoing through the halls. Princess Athena was a force to be reckoned with, cutting through the Vylonian ranks with a ferocity born of grief and rage.
"You will pay for this, Sariel!" Princess Athena cried out, her pain and anger consuming her as the battle raged on.