Harmon watched as Liana spun Gwanydd.
"I don't get it."
"Get what, brother?"
"You want to rule, yes? Then why go through all this trouble, all this risk?"
"Because I need to earn their trust and loyalty. Otherwise, I'll be deposed or killed. I don't care if they like me or not, only if they're willing to be loyal to me. Mages are naturally wary people. I need them to believe I'm one of them."
Mikhail listened to everything, growing increasing concerned.
"But these lengths are extreme, Liana."
"Death does things to those who survive. It gives them a purpose, motivation, a reason to stand behind someone who can lead them towards freedom. They'll surely make me their true queen eventually. Instead of some fake title."
"They already worshipped you. Before we invaded their home."
"So?"
"So..." he sighed. "If you can't reel them in in two weeks, father's pulling our men from Sonic. The rest of the kingdoms will follow."
Liana's eyes flared with anger. Magic began to swirl around her. Flames flickered on the tips of her pink and orange locks.
"Fine, Gwanydd will help me immensely. All the mages know of the famed Lightning Sword. Whoever would have guessed that it was in Salencia's relic vault all these years?"
Mikhail's eyes widened. He had heard tales of such a weapon as well, but had thought it merely an object of myth and legend.
"Be careful, Liana."
"I will be. It's not my fault Father sent Preston Simmons over as High Governor. Our old school mate who was almost always at the palace? He ruined everything!"
"What?! Father sent Simmons?"
"Yes. He revealed to Vander who we are."
"By the gods," Harmon breathed. "What does Vander know?"
"Oh, just that Father loved him more than me, I got jealous and was sent away to Sonic. I forced Vander to go with me. You know, a complete lie."
Mikhail stood, shocked. He thought, 'How wicked could this mage be?'
"Sure our brother may hate me now, but that's a trifle matter. I tampered with his memories, erased the true ones and replaced them with lies. Then, I used more lies to cover up the first lie. So, in other words, he'll never know the truth. He never know that I orchestrated all of this."
Mikhail figured he had heard enough and slipped out of the tavern.
"Sister..."
"What? I had to or else he would've messed everything up eventually."
Harmon sighed.
"You should get back. The clock is ticking, Liana."
"I agree. Goodbye, Harmon."
"Farewell, and safe travels, Liana."
Then, she left the room and walked out of the tavern. She started to head back for Helissus and once she knew no one was looking, she teleported back to her ship.
"Ahh, so much quicker."
Using magic to untie the ship, she pulled out of the docks. Soon, the bow of the ship was steered towards Sonic.
"Good winds today."
Suddenly, she heard a screaming in her head. It was Vander.
'Where have you gone, Liana? Stop blocking me out!'
"Ugh, why does he feel the need to give me a headache?"
'Get over yourself. I'll be back in a few hours.'
Then, she concentrated on sailing home.
~~~
Hours passed...
"Finally."
She sailed into Aeolia's harbor and docked her ship. Once everything was secure, she took Gwanydd in hand and flicked it into its double-edge mode. Lightning began to crackle on the tips of the blades.
"Look out, Preston. Here I come."
She walked through Aeolia, headed for Erwoe. People along the way saw her with the mythical weapon. Rumors began to fly around the city, and it wasn't long before both Vander and the High Governor learned of her arrival. As she neared the front doors to Erwoe, she saw both men standing in her way.
"Well, well. Look who's best buddies now. Did a bromance happen whilst I was away?"
"Liana," Vander warned.
"Miss Davine."
She held up a hand. "I thought I said I will never be associated with the Royal Family of Salencia ever again."
"Then tell me... why did you meet with your brother, Crown Prince Harmon?"
Liana nearly smacked him.
"What? Who told you that? That's ridiculous!"
Then, she saw Mikhail appear. Liana gritted her teeth in frustration.
"I did," Mikhail said.
She turned towards Preston, snarling. "Bastard. You just love to ruin everything, don't you? It's always been that way, even at school. And you still do it now. Why? Because you have an inherent hatred for me?"
Preston didn't answer her question. Instead he pointed to her sword.
"I know about Gwanydd."
She scoffed, "Who doesn't?"
"No, I mean about how you've had it since you lived in Salencia. How it's been kept in the palace's Relic Vault."
"Damn bastards."
"So you don't deny it?" Vander asked.
She glared at her twin.
"Is any of this true anymore? Was everything I thought to be true about you lies?"
"NO!" she cried. "I still want the Mainlanders gone. From our home. They..."
She turned to Preston and Mikhail.
"Don't belong here."
A crowd from Aeolia and Erwoe had formed. Mages, both in-training and fully recognized, came to watch their Mage Queen wield the most infamous weapon ever heard of. Liana turned towards the growing crowd. Then, she twirled her sword. Lightning began to crackle over head. She thrusted the sword up into the air, and a single bolt of lightning came down and met with the tip of the blade. Power coursed through her veins.
"I wield Gwanydd. And with this sword, we will take back Sonic, once and for all!"
The crowd cheered. Her plan was working perfectly.
"Yes, we will take back what is ours!"
Vander reluctantly stepped to join the crowd of mages.
"We will stand by you, Liana."
The others nodded in agreement. She smirked. Liana didn't notice Mikhail slip away.
"We will drive the Mainlanders back from whence they came. they will return to the mainland!"
More cheers erupted. Preston's face grew grim. Liana turned to him and grinned wickedly.
"Well, are you leaving or not?"
"Not until King Russell calls me home."
"Oh, I'm sure he'll do so quite soon. He wouldn't want a revolution on his hands, now would he? After all, he already has to deal with the decade long war between Salencia and Vurstan."
Preston looked shocked. Vander was confused.
"How do you know about that?" Preston asked. "It's a well-kept secret. Most Salencians don't even know about it!"
"Liana?"
"Oh, hahahahahaha."
"This isn't funny," Preston said.
"There's a simple answer, really."
"What, Liana? How could you know about this?"
She gave a Cheshire grin and winked at the three men standing before her.
"Because, darling..."
Silence followed her pause. She was intentionally drawing the moment of truth out.
"I started it."