"LEON!" Viola cried as she held her son tightly in her arms.
"Mother…I'm fine…" Leon said bashfully. A smile tugged at my lips as I looked at the two of them. Jurirai and Ultia were hugging Iscara just as tightly while Iris watched happily from a few steps away.
I was back in the throne room with Turak'Kahn, Viola, the Philari's, Titania, and Bo. There was a small squad of soldiers stationed outside the throne room to make sure nobody got inside and disturbed the reunion. We hadn't even taken three steps into the throne room when Viola saw Leon and rushed over to hug him.
Turak'Kahn stood at the base of the steps to the throne, Aziza's body laid at his feet with a sheet laid over it. I could see conflicting emotions in his eyes. There was rage at Aziza's death, relief at Leon's sage return, hatred of Ultia, and fear. Fear of what I wasn't
certain however.
"Mother, where is Jane?" Leon asked pulling out of hos mother's embrace. Viola looked enviously at Titania and then pointed.
"That's her over there…or at least the fusion of her and her evo." Viola said. Leon's eyes widened as he looked over at Titania.
"FUSION!" He bellowed then rushed over to look at Titania. "So that ancient legend is real!"
"Yes. Revived by Chase Kingston. We, Titania, are a product of the crystal mergence of Jane Solomln and Ayia'liah." Titania answered.
She opened her mouth to say something else when she suddenly froze. Her whole body became covered in a bright green crystal. The crystal shell shattered knocking everyone near her back several feet and blinding us. I quickly recovered and jumped to my feet to see Jane floating in mid-air with crystal dust floating around her. The dust quickly materialized into Ayia'liah. They both levitated for several seconds, looking almost ethereal and otherworldly before they slowly floated down to the ground. I rushed over to check on Jane and Ayia'liah.
"Jane! Jane!" I exclaimed as I shook her.
"Mmmmhhhh…." She groaned as she opened one eye and looked at me.
"Oh thank gods!" I sighed in relief. Viola and Leon rushed over to check on Jane and while they did that I checked in Ayia'liah. "You good Ayia?"
Ayia'liah's crystalline structure surrounded her as she recalled herself back to Jane's farm crystal. Jane was sitting up now and looked even more exhausted than I did when I used the spell. That was mostly because she had way less mana than I did, it was a gamble that she'd even be able to cast the crystal genesis spell even with it enchanted on the eye of Ammuhnset. Casting the spell must have taken almost all of her mana.
"By the gods I'm tired…" Jane groaned. I patted her on the back and nodded.
"Trust me I know how you feel." I said with a sigh.
"I'M SORRY! HOW ARE NONE OF YOU FREAKING OUT RIGHT NOW?!" Leon bellowed and then motioned to his sister. "Jane just defused from her evo! She was fused with her evo! She fused with her evo! That...that's like world altering stuff! Ancient magic no one has seen for who know how many thousand years!"
"Well Chase was involved so it's natural that something world breaking happened." Iris quipped. I frowned at her then looked to Jane.
"Need help getting up?" I asked. Jane shook her head.
"No I got it." She said. She still sounded a little uneasy but I stayed quiet and stepped back to give her space.
Jane managed to stand after a minute of trying. When she did, she looked down at the eye of Ammuhnset then over at her mother. She then took it off and then walked it over to her mother and held it out to her.
"Here…the eye belongs to the queen. You're the only one that deserves it." Jane said meekly. Viola looked shocked as did Leon and Iris parents. Iris just smiled and gave me a look.
"Thank you Jane." Viola said then took the eye and put it on. Jane looked away meekly then coughed.
"Well! This has been a…trying day…I say we call it a night…" Jane said. I smirked and poked her on her shoulder.
"You're only saying that because you're exhausted and are about to pass out.." I teased. Jane frowned and slapped my shoulder.
"I am not going to pass out!" She defended.
"No one is going anywhere!" Turak'Kahn exclaimed grabbing everyone's attention. "There is still the murder of my daughter to answer for!"
"What about the murder of Yurkid, The Morgan Paragon, The count of Cantonbury, or the others who died because of her!" Jane exclaimed. Turak'Kahn glared at Jane then pointed a finger at Ultia.
"They weren't my daughter! They weren't killed by the very person who swore to protect them!" Turak'Kahn snapped.
"BUT I AM YOUR DAUGHTER!" Jane bellowed and slapped her chest then pointed to Leon. "He is your son! Both of us almost died twice because of her! I was shot!"
"Gods dammit! I am getting sick and tied of this bullshit Turak'Kahn!" I snapped. Turak'Kahn curled his lip up at me.
"SILENCE! AS IF YOU ANYTHING YOU'VE EXPERIENCED CAN COME CLOSE TO THIS PAIN!" Turak'Kahn bellowed and gripped his chest.
I gritted my teeth so hard I could hear them grind and groan under the pressure. I could feel a blind anger start to come over as I looked at the Pharaoh. But just as quick as my anger swelled Jane's swelled quicker.
Jane stomped over to her father stepping around the corpse of her sister that lay at his feet and slapped him. The hit was so fast and so hard that my ears rang and cheeks stung along with Turak'Kahn's. He stumbled back a couple of steps and gripped the cheek that Jane slapped him on. Everyone gasped and stood frozen to the spot.
"Father…I understand that you are angered by Aziza's death…I know you are probably drowning in pain and anguish right now…but don't stand there and think that you are the only one in the world that has experienced loss!" Jane said in a low and menacing tone.
"You would dare strike your father…your Pharaoh?" Turak'Kahn asked in utter shock.
"I did dare and would do it again. Aziza died because she wanted all of us dead. Because the crown was more important than you father. Ultia killed her to protect mother, who Aziza almost killed." Jane replied.
"No…she murdered…" Turak'Kahn started only to be cut off by Jane walking over and slapping her father again.
"Aziza murdered Yurkid! Resurrected his corpse and used him as a pawn! Death was a kindness compared to what she did to him!" Jane snapped. "You have been preaching to me all my life about how we shouldn't treat our subjects like pawns! How we as Monarchs need to be held at a higher standard! How no ones is really beneath us! And look at the hypocrisy spewing from your lips, Aziza dies after orchestrating the deaths of dozens; including the son of your oldest friend; and suddenly there needs to be no accountability! All that matters is she was your daughter, nothing and no one else matters even your wife and other children!"
Jane stood panting in front of her father. Iris and I rushes over to Jane's side and grabbed her, pulling her into a hug while Turak'Kahn looked stunned at Jane's outburst. Jane latched onto Iris and I and gripped our arms tightly like they were her only life line. She took a couple of deep breaths before she spoke again.
"If you want to blame someone for Aziza's death…blame me. Out of everyone here I am the only one that…refused to let the fact that she'd been born out of wedlock go and continued to look down on her. I insulted her, degraded her, made her feel unwelcome in her own home. I'm just as responsible for her ending up the way she did as Ultia is for throwing the knife." Jane said.
Turak'Kahn stood silent for several moments. His eyes darting between Jane and Ultia. His face a jungle of various emotions, all conflicting in predatory patterns. He finally left out an exhausted sigh then walked over to his throne and plopped down waving his hand dismissively to the door.
"Leave me…everyone just go!" Turak'Kahn ordered. Jane looked disappointedly at her father then looked to Iris and I.
"Fine…as you wish." Jane said then turned and headed towards the door. Iris and I followed her. Leon, IIscara and Bo were already standing at the door with Jurirai and Ultia standing close by their daughter. Viola stated at her husband expectantly, waiting for him to say something to her but by the time the girls reached her Turak'Kahn hadn't said a thing. Viola sighed like Jane had and turned towards the door.
Jurirai knocked on the door and the soldiers on the other side opened it and let us all out. Bo walked next to Jane and grabbed her hand, giving her a reassuring smile and a squeeze as we left.
"At least we saved Iris, Leon and Iscara." He offered optimistically. Jane smiled sadly at Bo and squeezed his hand back.
"Yes…we did that at least…."
***
"FUCK A DUCK! IM TIRED!" I bellowed as I collapsed on the ground of the medical wing. I was down to about ten percent on my mana capacity after just having healed my thirtieth person today.
"Master Kingston please take a moment to rest! You've already done more than anyone else here!" Fressi, the royal physician said as she hurried over to my side.
"Don't really have a choice anymore. I can't move!" I groaned.
Two days had passed since Aziza's attempted take over. Most of the guests that survived that night had already left, most either having no injuries or minor ones that didn't really need to be healed. The ones that stayed were under orders by their countries to seek reparations for the dead, deliver threats of war, or even just tell the Pharaoh how incompetent he was for letting something like that happen.
Aziza's role in the entire plot was swept under the rug and made to look like she died after the mercenaries captured her. No punishment was doled out to Ultia for killing her but at the same time I hadn't seen Jurirai at Turak'Kahn's side even once in the past two days.
Turak'Kahn tried to order the soldiers to have Jane and Leon locked in their rooms for 'their protection' but the both of them snuck out and ended up hiding in Bo and mine's room. When the palace went on high alert because the soldiers couldn't find them I ended up going and telling Turak'Kahn where they were and that they refused to be locked up. Surprisingly he gave up without a fight and lifted the alert.
Since then Jane and Iris have been staying in Bo and mine's room. Jane hasn't really talked much since the confrontation with her father and Iris has practically cried herself to sleep every night over Yurkid's death. Bo and I tried to be supportive but there's only so much we can do and with me getting volunteered by Baset to help heal the wounded I wasn't in the room a lot.
Which was why I was in the medical wing healing the last of the wounded or severally scarred. Fressi and the nurses had been overwhelmed before I started helping so I could forgive Baset.
"I still can't believe your skill and mastery with healing utility magic. You even managed to regrow lost limbs." Fressi said handing me a glass of water. I sat up and took the water then downed it in a few gulps.
"It's not so much mastery as opposed to versatility. Since I can create spells on the fly I can make spells custom tailored to heal specific injuries. Plus with my mana channeling and lysdale scripts regrowing limbs is easy." I explained. Fressi look skeptical and shook her head.
"None of that sounds easy…or even humanly possible…" Fressi said.
I heard a large group of footsteps walk into the medical wing from the door behind us and thought more injured people had come in. I turned around to get a look at them only to see a squad of armed soldiers walk in. I frowned then pushed myself to my feet. The leader of the squad saw me and walked over to me and Fressi while the rest of the squad stayed by the door.
"Master Kingston?" He asked then looked down and saw my star crystal. "Ah, it is you. The Pharaoh requests your presence in the throne room."
"Oh for fucks sake, really? I'm exhausted!" I groaned. The soldier looked surprised by my reaction but quickly composed himself.
"Apologies Master Kingston but the Pharaoh gave orders for us to bring you." The soldier said. I sighed then shook my head.
"Fine! I'll go." I grumbled then looked to Fressi. "If you need any help just track down Baset and she'll find me."
"No Master Kingston! You've done more than enough, more than all the royal doctors combined. We can take it from here. There are only minor cuts and bruises left anyway." Fressi said. I nodded and felt a little better about leaving.
I turned and motioned to the soldier to lead the way and he quickly turned on his heel and marched to the door. I followed him and his other soldiers all quickly fell in line behind me. They all escorted me through the halls of the palace where I saw a few stragglers from the ball still waiting for an audience with the Pharaoh near the throne room. In fact there was a line kf dignitaries and diplomats waiting outside the throne room door, held back by two squads of soldiers.
The squads at the door all moves to the side when they saw the squad leader and me and a couple opened the door. I nodded politely at them all and headed inside, feeling a little sorry for all of them since the dignitaries all got pissed off when they saw me basically jump the line.
The doors were quickly closed behind me to prevent any of them from rushing inside and making a scene. Inside the throne room however the atmosphere was tense.
Turak'Kahn and Viola both sat on their thrones at the back of the throne room. Jurirai and Ultia were beside them as usual but instead standing at the foot of the stairs looking up at them. Iscara and Iris stood beside them. Jane, Leon and Bo all stood on the other side of the Philari's, while Baset stood slightly behind them all. On hearing the doors close everyone turned and saw me.
"Ah…you're here." Turak'Kahn said, acknowledging my existence.
"Yes, now what's all this about?" I asked as I walked over to the foot of the stairs like everyone else.
"I summoned you all here to give my final ruling on the events of a few days ago." Turak'Kahn announced. I groaned then rolled my eyes.
"Seriously? We're beating this dead horse again!" I groaned. Baset looked over her shoulder at me and glared.
"Chase! You are speaking to the Pharaoh!" Baset hissed.
"I am also tired and nearly drained of mana. I have had little to no rest over the last two days since I've been healing people down in the medical wing and at this point all I want to do is go back to the college and sleep for five days!" I snapped at her. Baset gave me a vicious glare that made all the hair on my neck stand up.
"I will forgive his…frankness. In all honesty none of us would probably be alive today if it were not for Chase and his evos…" Turak'Kahn said. He took a deep breath as if to calm himself then looked to Ultia. "…Ultia I find you not guilty of the murder of Aziza Isorzia. You acted rationally when you saw your ward was in danger and eliminated the threat. The fact that the threat was my own daughter blinded me from rationality."
"Thank you, your majesty." Ultia said bowing.
"Furthermore I hereby name Yurkid Philari a hero of Egypt and award him the Astral Star medal posthumously. I will commission to have a statue built in his honor in the capital. " Turak'Kahn continued. Ultia, Jurirai, Iris, and Iscara all gasped and covered their mouths.
"Thank you for the honor…your majesty." Jurirai said, sounding as of he was choakkng back tears. Turak'Kahn looked saddened to see Jurirai's expression.
"Iris Philari…for dedication to your role as a guardian of the royal family; even after you were dismissed from it; I award you a reward of seven hundred million dollars. Iscara Philari, for dedication and personal sacrifice to your duties as a guardian of a royal family I also award you Seven hundred million dollars." Turak'Kahn announced. Iris and Iscara both shared a look then smiled at the Pharaoh and bowed.
"Thank you your majesty." They both said in unison. Turak'Kahn looked to me.
"Lastly Chase Kingston, for being instrumental in the defense of the royal palace, protection of the royal family, and uncovering the perpetrators behind the plot. I award you the title of hero of Egypt, will order a statue to be commissioned in the capital in your honor, relinquish control of the crystal tablet found in the royal library to your custody, award you eleven and a half billion dollars for your work healing the injured the last few days, and hereby grant you the royal moniker: Revolutionary Paragon." Turak'Kahn said.
Everyone gasped and looked amongst each other when they heard what Turak'Kahn was giving me. Baset looked worried and even cleared her throat to catch the Pharaoh's attention.
"My King, am I to understand that you are revoking my title as Paragon for Egypt?" Baset asked. Mt eyes widened and I shook my head.
"I already told you I don't want to be a Paragon!" I snapped then crossed my arms. "Nope! I refuse! Won't accept it!"
"I am not offering him sponsorship as a Paragon, Baset, so you can relax. I am merely granting him the royal moniker. Meaning that the Egyptian government and royal family will hereby acknowledge Chase's strength and power being on par with a Paragon's. Essentially making him a nobleman of Egypt without granting him land and a actual title." Turak'Kahn explained. Baset let out a sigh of relief then frowned at me.
"Pretty soon people aren't going to believe you are my student…" Baset said.
"People couldn't believe I was your student when I made it through the final round of your selection game!" I exclaimed. Baset nodded her head in agreement.
"No further actions will be taken against anyone present. I offer the whole Philari family six months of paid leave to grieve as well as my deepest apologies for the death of your son. If after the six months are over should any one of your no longer wish to work for the royal family I will understand and release you from your obligations to the crown." Turak'Kahn said.
"Thank you…your majesty." Jurirai said then reached over and grabbed his wife's hand. Turak'Kahn nodded then looked to his wife and smiled sadly.
"That was all, you are dismissed." Turak'Kahn said. Jane stepped forwards and cleared her throat.
"Actually father, there is something that I need to say. And a request I'd like to ask you." Jane said. Turak'Kahn narrowed his eyes at his daughter but motioned her to proceed.
"I've been thinking a lot about everything that has happened over the last few days and the last few months. I've come to realize that despite all my education I know nothing. I talk about how I believe a member of the royal family is supposed to act but I've never really lived the life of a royal. I've always been sheltered and hidden away from the world. Never allowed to see the world through the lens that you see it or mother sees it. So…I request your permission to return to Andromeda College as Jane Solomon, first princess of Egypt. Instead of Jane Yearwood."
The room became deadly silent as Jane's words hung in the air. Turak'Kahn sat up in his throne and narrowed his eyes at his daughter.
"Do you understand what you are asking? You are literally asking to paint a giant target in your back!" Turak'Kahn exclaimed.
"Yes…I know but I want to anyway. Everything everyone has said about me was right. I am a spoiled princess, I do look down on people. I put on a mask of a perfect, compassionate, and kind princess while judging and condemning from the shadows based off a false sense of superiority. I went to Andromeda thinking I was special and powerful and then I met someone who was actually special and powerful and it pissed me off! Because I realized just how weak I actually am, just how much I've been carried through life!" Jane exclaimed, tears starting to mist her eyes..
"Jane…" I muttered softly, prode welling up in my chest for her for finally getting it. Jane took a deep breath then pointed at her mother.
"You said that you lived your whole life without a guardian, and survived dozens of assassination attempts by the time you were my age. If all if that made you the woman you are today then maybe walking in your footsteps will make me a woman worthy of being queen! Please! Let me stand on my own two feet! Let me struggle and stumble! Let me put my life on the line to protect the ones I care about instead watching them bleed for me from the rear! PLEASE! FATHER!"
The room was silent, except for Jane's heavy breathing, as everyone looked to Turak'Kahn for his answer. Turak'Kahn looked conflicted as he looked down at his daughter. He glanced over at his wife who simply smiled at him. Turak'Kahn took a deep breath then sighed.
"I will allow this if…you swear that you will come back to me, Bug. I've already lost one daughter and I will not lose you too." Turak'Kahn said. Jane smiled then ran up to stairs to the throne and hugged her father.
"I promise, I will always come back Father." Jane replied. Turak'Kahn hugged her back. "Besides I'm sure Chase would start a war with the entire world if something happened to me or anyone at Sho'lajah."
"You're damn right I would!" I huffed and crossed my arms.
Turak'Kahn let go of Jane then looked at me and smiled gratefully. I nodded back silently in response. A silent pact formed between the two of us in that moment. A promise to do anything to protect Jane. A promise to keep everyone I cared about safe.