Everyone went on with their lives. Yet that collective feeling remained regardless. Within them longed for something more. Someone more.
How could they feel proud when the best of them all was snuffed out so mercilessly? Who was next? Would things ever be the same again? In the end, worrying was meaningless. Fate had dictated who would be the one to end all things. For beyond their knowledge, the scapegoat had returned in the resurrected form of Barronia's Prince: Uriel Barron.
But how? Why? Talen, Anthony, Alora. All confined to their own experiences. But what about the Prince?
Back during Talen and Uri's last exchange, the latter said things that didn't make sense. Though that's the thing. The only person what he was saying didn't make sense to was Talen. And that's because he was ignorant. Ignorant of the truth Uriel had realized one week prior ten years ago.
June 2012. Outskirts of Barronia.
"Each kingdom is confined by metal walls strengthened by Fate conditioned to last for limitless generations. At the edge of those walls and beyond these mountains, what do you think lays out there?" asked Anthony.
Uri sat up in his chair. "The poor, right? Those who aren't rich enough to live in the city settle for the towns scattered around the Capital's outskirts." He scoffed, looking away. "Insolent. Can't the King do anything?"
"Now, now." Tony grinned. "I realize Divine Barron isn't exactly the most competent King but you shouldn't shit talk him in one of these Royal facilities," he said.
"Whatever." Uriel slouched on his fist. "So my assignment is to one of those towns? Why?"
He shrugged. "Beats me," he said, grinning. "The King said something about the Crown sensing something dangerous in the one you're going to. If it remains there, innocent people will perish. 'Go as quickly as you can or you'll have to cook supper tonight.' King's orders."
Reluctantly, Uriel obeyed and set course for this town on the edges of Barronia. Though upon realizing his destination, he was met with an abnormal pressure that sent chills across his skin; he sighed, scratching his neck.
'So this is the place, huh? Well, there's something dangerous around here. Looks like it's this way.'
The Prince strolled across the ground until a mob's cries invaded his ears. He turned around, jogging to the crowd in the center of the town and pushing through the people. What he saw being trampled was none other than an innocent redheaded girl bloody and bruised from numerous attacks.
"What the…"
Uri's teeth clenched. A golden portal opened above him, revealing an angelic dragon incarnated into the reality that unhinged its jaw, spitting fire around the Prince and the girl. The townspeople jumped back.
"STAY AWAY, YOU MONSTERS!!"
Crying for their lives, the civilians ran away and returned to their homes while Uriel cradled the girl in his arms. He sunk into the dirt, letting his eyes glow gold as his hands slid over the girl's arms. Gradually, her wounds magically healed, in addition to her soul regaining enough Fate so she could open her eyes without pain. What she saw was a real-life Angel. The haze closed in tandem with his face, revealing the familiarity of his gorgeous features.
"Prince… Barron?"
Uri nodded. "Don't talk yet. Your wounds on the stomach are quite deep. If you exert yourself, you'll reopen them before the healing finishes." His voice was soft and comforting, yet held a distinct raspiness that chilled her spine.
"I see." She nodded. "Thank you for saving me, Prince Uriel. Can you... take me home?"
His brow raised. "Home? So you live here? Do those people bother you every day?" He helped her stand upright, throwing her arm over his neck. "Here. One step at a time, alright?"
"It's been little things every so often for a few weeks now. I don't understand why they've been doing this. I don't bother anyone. I just try to go about my day… and they keep bothering me. It's getting harder to control my impulses. I might just kill them—eventually."
The girl held her twitching face. Normally, she'd be on the verge of a psychotic break. However, something stood out to Uriel—something he could see. Her normal body revealed her soul power agitated by extreme aggression and sadistic urges.
'I see. She's a Fate-user. I don't know how she obtained that power, but from what she says and what I'm sensing, her abilities are still dormant. However, they reflexively burst out when pressure due to emotions occur. Stress, anxiety, anger, sadness. Her mental illness doesn't help it.'
Uri sighed. There didn't seem to be any other choice. How could people do that to other human beings? Couldn't they see what she was being tortured by? The inner demons of her mind along with the unfathomable power within her made for an agitating situation. She could quite well go insane if this treatment continued. Then again, that is a small 'if.'
'This all routes back to Father's vow to keep Fate a secret. I don't know what that man knows but he could very well change everything with a single whisper yet he chooses not to. Everywhere I go, I see the victims of his arrogance. This girl… I can save her. Properly.'
The Prince shook his head. "I apologize. The very strength you command to be able to withhold your power must be boundless. You deserve a present, dear girl. For the daytime, I will continue healing the extent of your wounds. As for the night, though… I suppose that'll be a surprise. Is that alright with you, ma'am?" He asked.
"Yes. You're really pretty… Uriel Barron."
Under the veil of night, the newly-healed girl watched her long red hair fly with the wind flowing all around her. She shivered, shoving both hands into her pockets and leaning against the rooftop entrance. The door opened beside her, revealing Uriel entering from the staircase.
"Hello." He smiled. "How are your wounds?"
"Fully healed. Your abilities are magic, Prince Uriel. How did you attain such power?" she asked.
"Well, that's easy. Either you're manually marked by Fate during your lifetime or you're born with the markings. Our scientists have been attempting to manifest Fate-manipulation in enemy test subjects so pain endurance may be another trigger. Though, you have no memory of how you manifested those markings, don't you?"
She nodded. "That's right."
"Alright. I understand. Tell me then. For the whole time you've lived in this town, haven't they bothered you so much? What have you done? Perhaps your powers went out of control. But that isn't your fault—you can't control it. Neither can you control the madness in your head endlessly rampaging?"
The Prince turned, sliding his hand onto her cheek and turning her head so her eyes, glistening from the moonlight, could stare into his wondrous baby blues. He was the epitome of beauty. She felt compelled to do anything and everything for the sake of her Prince.
"So, I formed a plan. By placing one of four Rank-0 Angels along the land bordering the kingdom and this town, I managed to sacrifice their bodies, utilizing their energies to create a temporary barrier around them. You might ask yourself why I'd do such a thing. It's simple. The people abusing you are nothing more than monsters wearing human skin. I will sanction you fully. Give into your impulses and annihilate everyone. The children have been relocated to orphanages scattered across Barronia. Tear off that lofty skin they have draped over their true selves. Destroy… everything."
The girl thought back to her mother. Would she have wanted her daughter to suffer like this? Of course not! She had to fight back! She had to do more for herself!
Whenever the Prince spoke, strength flowed through her. But that was meaningless. Even if Uriel hadn't shown up at all, she would've done this anyway—this was her truth. This was her justice.
She dove from the rooftop and crashed into the town, resounding an explosive shockwave that multiplied with power upon a single stomp. Uriel was astonished. He looked at his hands, eyes shivering; raising his head and watching his pawn's blurry shape speedily slaughter every one of the townspeople.
Disfigured faces, disconnected bodies, and dismembered limbs littered the streets. Not a single one of them was strong enough to resist. Walking down the street, aura ablaze, her hand, slick with gore, raised to her lips. But one lick of her victims' blood was enough to send chills down her spine and quivering ecstasy to the depths of her soul.
Unfortunately, before she could run, Uriel intervened—exiting a portal manifested in front of her. One hand in his pocket, the Prince and his beast exchanged a single glance. Blinded with blood, she instinctively raised her hand to her master, and then, instantly, he'd sliced it clean off. She gasped, blinking but once before clenching her fists and bending the knee to the angelic Prince oozing eternity. How could she ever think of hurting Prince Uriel?
"You've done well. As I said, I will sanction you fully. You will be useful in my coming plans. Until then, I have connections everywhere. Follow my orders and kill only when I tell you to. Tell me your name, girl. I don't recall ever asking, rudely enough," Uriel said.
She lowered her head. "My name is Sadie. I will do anything for you, my lord. You are the only god I see in this world. You will lead us into the new world! You are our only hope. I believe in you, sir. So do it. Please… save the Kismet Empire, Prince Uriel Barron!"
'I don't like monsters. That's the truth I chose.'
Atlas snickered. Apollo beside him couldn't contain his excitement, quietly giggling with one leg dangling off the rooftop edge.
"Uriel Barron, our scapegoat. You will be the one to lead Barronia into the new world. You shall serve us well, Prince."