Chapter 3
Around a large table, a banquet was being held in Vena's honor. Joyful laughter echoed across the plains.
Gaizo (Elvian Elder): "We drink in your honor, Master Vena! We're truly in your debt."
Victoria: "We're forever grateful, Master Vena."
Vena: "It's okay, Just Vena will do."
Victoria: "Just Vena?"
Gaizo: "That won't do, Master. You have broken a terrible ritual that has lingered on our poor people for years. Also, Mister Renzo said that if you take care of the problem at hand, you'll lead us in your way."
Ashia: "Mister Renzo?"
Akemi: "Wait, is he that old?"
Renzo: "I am not!"
Vena: "Look, I'm happy to help you guys, truly I am. But I don't think I'm the one to lead you guys. I'm not cut out for that. I'm sorry."
Gaizo: "Nonsense, you stuck to your word and did exactly what you said you would."
Victoria: "There wasn't any hesitation from you to save me from the beast the other day either."
Akemi: "I also follow you for the way you are, master. Just the look in your eyes is all I needed to yield."
Renzo: "Plus, you are a Princess."
The whole place fell silent.
Ashia: "You idiot."
Renzo: "What? Why is everyone looking at me like that? Got something in my teeth?"
Akemi: "From the reaction of these people, I assume they didn't know about the Master's status as a Princess."
Victoria: "Wait, you're a Princess, Vena?"
Elvian: "That would explain your outfits."
Yamato: "If you're a princess, does that mean you came from one of the Sister Capitals then?"
Vena: "Sigh… yes, I am Vena Sylvia. The Former Princess of the Kingdom of Gants."
Gaizo: "Former?"
Victoria: "What happened, Vena?"
Ashia: "It's a tough talk for the princess to do, so let me. I shall tell you all why we've found ourselves here."
Ashia went into full detail about what happened to the Elvians.
The scene transitioned to the kingdom. Shira was seen sitting on the throne with two elders by his side.
Elder: "I'm afraid Ren will be a huge obstacle in your path to glory, my lord."
Shira: "That I know. He'll be trouble the more he's around. I've already gotten the blessings of the other clans, so one measly vote won't affect the current outcome."
Elder: "Let it not be forgotten that Ren is the most powerful man in this kingdom. Having him against us is not an ideal option."
Shira: "I know that. I know Uncle Ren's power far too well. After all, he did kill my father."
Elder: "My king."
Shira: "Let's leave him for now."
Some of the kingdom's soldiers returned.
Soldier: "I'm sorry, my lord, but there's still no sign of Vena nor her guards."
Shira: "And you've returned? I won't be satisfied until I see bodies. Get a group and head out of the capital, seek the assistance of the Hunters Guild. Set a bounty on their heads, any amount, it doesn't matter."
Soldier: "Understood, my lord."
Shira: "Alzac, make sure the rest of the clan doesn't find out about the incident. Any slip-up and you're dead."
Alzac (elder): "Of course, my king. You can count on me."
The scene panned to Yamato slamming down his hands.
Gaizo: "That bastard! How can someone be so cruel?"
Victoria: "Disgusting. The throne doesn't belong to a man like that. The throne is yours, Vena."
Akemi: "I didn't know about this story. Master, give the orders. I'll see to it that all who were involved never lived to see the light of day."
Renzo: "I like her."
Vena: "I'll admit my heart still aches when I think back to that day. But, I'm sure he'll have already told everyone that I'm dead by now, so it won't be necessary at this time. For now, the Princess of Gants is dead."
Ashia: "Princess."
Victoria: "We'll accept you with open arms, Princess. No need to worry, come, let's get you some new clothes."
Vena: "Thanks, Vicki." She smiled and bowed.
Elvian: "You two boys need some new clothes as well. C'mon, follow me."
Ashia: "Hm, I require something which suits me down to the T."
Renzo: "I want something cool."
Victoria: "What about you, Miss Dragon Queen? Do you need any new garments as well?"
Akemi: "I'm fine."
A few minutes passed, and Victoria and Vena were in a room. Victoria spotted some bruises on her and immediately decided to help.
Victoria: "Princess, those bruises?!"
Vena: "Huh? Oh yeah, it's nothing to worry about."
Victoria: "Might not be for you, but I can't have you injured in any way or form. Please allow me."
Vena: "Uh, okay?"
Victoria placed her hands on Vena's back, and a greenish light was emitted. Suddenly, her wounds were healing.
Vena: "Wait, this is..."
Victoria: "My healing Kai."
Vena: "Healing Kai? But that's a bit hard to pull off. It's rare, I've heard."
Victoria: "That is true, but from the day I was born, I've been able to use healing Kai effortlessly. I could teach you. Ashia said you can't make contact beyond the spirit realm well, neither can I." She smiled.
The day passed. It's now morning. Ashia and Renzo stood on a cliff, looking over the plains.
Renzo: "Woah! It's huge!"
Ashia: "I'll say. It's quite the domain."
Renzo: "I could see some infrastructures being built here."
Ashia: "Well, since it is a plain, we could actually relocate here for a bit, build a cottage or something for the Princess."
Renzo: "It'd take some work, though. We need a lot of hands for this. I bet the Elvians wouldn't mind helping since Vena is now their Master."
Ashia: "I'll run the idea by the Elder and see."
Renzo: "Hhm."
The scene panned to Victoria introducing some Elvians to Akemi.
Victoria: "Lady Akemi, I'd like you to meet the strongest Elvians on the plains.
Ciel: "It's a pleasure to meet you, Malady. I am Ciel Bridgewood, the sword of the Elvians."
Zel: "And I'm Zel, the Elvian's shield."
Ciel: "We've been protecting the plains from monster attacks for a while. Though the battle may be tough, we've never faltered, nor do we think about yielding."
Zel: "We're at your beck and call. Send a note to the Princess."
Akemi: "No need. The Master has no need for weaklings to stand at her side."
Ciel: "Weak?"
Zel: "I should have you know, we've slain tons of monsters before."
Akemi: "No matter. Sensing your Kai, the two of you combined have the same amount of power as my finger. The Master needs powerful warriors at her side, not pretend knights."
Victoria: "That's a bit harsh, don't you think, Akemi?"
Akemi: "Say what you want, but I'm just speaking the truth." She folded her arms.
Vena then walked out:
Vena: "What's with all the ruckus? Is everything okay?"
Akemi: "Master, these two—uh? Master?"
Victoria: "Wow, Vena?"
They noticed her hair was shorter than before.
Vena: "It's my hair, isn't it? Well, I thought I'd take this look to try and change my appearance a bit."
Victoria: "It looks great, Vena!"
Akemi: "It really suits you, Master."
She blushed.
Ciel and Zel looked at her.
Ciel: "Your Master Vena, it's truly an honor."
Vena: "Why, thank you—uh?"
Zel: "I am Zel, and he's Ciel. We're the protectors of the plains."
Vena: "Really? I'm grateful for your efforts in protecting the plains. You two must be strong."
Akemi: "Meh, quite the opposite."
Vena: "Hehe." Nervous laughter.
Suddenly, a few Elvians came running and shouting.
Elvian: "It's a monster! It's wreaking havoc on its way to the plains!"
Victoria: "Oh no! Everyone, get inside quickly!"
Akemi: "There's hardly an 'inside' for someone to actually get to."
Ciel: "Master Akemi, let us handle this to prove our worth."
Akemi: "Hhm."
Zel: "Master Vena, please watch on."
Vena: "Do your best!"
A huge monster came into the fray.
Akemi: ("Wait, this monster.")
Vena: "It's ginormous!"
Ciel: "Zel!"
Zel: "On it!"
Ciel charged the monster. Zel stood back and raised both her hands.
An incantation circle appeared at Zel and around Ciel. A sword appeared in Ciel's hand.
Ciel: "HAA!!!" He swung his blade at the monster, who blocked his attack.
The monster yelled and swung its other hand at him. With brute force, Ciel was knocked away.
Zel: "Ciel."
Ciel: "Dammit, my body, it's barely moving!" He said while struggling on the ground.
The monster looked to attack when just in time, Ciel found the strength to dodge and get back to his feet.
Ciel: "Zel, I need a spear!"
Zel: "You got it!"
The sword retracted, and a spear took its place.
Ciel: "I'll end you right where you stand, beast! Flaming Kai: burning spear!" He threw the spear with immense force. A shockwave was created as flames erupted and spun around the weapon, aiming at the monster.
The spear crashed through its stomach, leaving a massive hole.
Vena: "They got him."
Akemi: "Not quite."
Ciel: "What the!"
Zel: "He's regenerating?"
The monster regenerated its stomach as it looked to attack with a massive breath attack.
Ciel: "Zel! A shield now!"
Zel: "Right!" A shield was conjured.
The monster unleashed a huge breath attack at Ciel.
The beam came into contact with the shield.
Ciel: "Grggghhaaaa!!! I can't hold it much longer, it's so powerful!"
A bright flash was seen.
Smoke clouds appeared and cleared.
Akemi stood before Ciel without injuries.
Ciel: "Huh? Master Akemi!"
Akemi: "You're weak. Currently, you don't have what it takes to defend the Master or your people." The monster looked to attack.
Akemi: "Zel, give me a sword."
Zel: "Okay."
Akemi wielded a katana and slowly approached the monster.
It was about to attack when a swift slash was seen. The slash by Akemi wasn't visible to the naked eye. The monster was slashed into a thousand pieces. She then extended her palm, and a large amount of Kai blasted from her hand, completely annihilating the beast on the spot. Strong winds blew.
Ciel: "Woah!"
Zel: "That's amazing!"
Akemi: "You would've died if I wasn't here, pretend warriors. You need at least 10% of what I can do, then I can deem you worthy."
Ashia and Renzo appeared beside Vena the moment they sensed the disturbance.
Ciel: "It looks like we still have so much to do. Failing before the Master, such disgrace."
Akemi: "Lift your head. The moment you decide to yield is the moment you give up. I thought you guys would never yield."
Vena: "It's hard to compare you guys with Akemi. She is the Dragon Queen. But the bravery you've shown, putting yourselves in the line of danger to protect others, I've already acknowledged you as warriors of the plains."
Ciel\Zel: "Master!"
Ciel: "We promise, we'll work hard to stand with you!"
Vena: "I'm looking forward to it." She smiled.
Akemi: "Master, don't reward failure. That's bad training."
Vena: "C'mon, they tried their best."
Akemi: "Their best almost got them killed."
Vena: "But it didn't. They'll get stronger, I know it."
Renzo: "Wait a sec, who's the chick with the short white hair?"
Ashia: "I was about to ask as well. She does look familiar."
Victoria walked up.
Victoria: "C'mon, guys, it's Princess Vena. She doesn't look that different."
Ashia\Renzo: "Oh, right, the princess... THE PRINCESS?!"
Vena turned around to face them before closing her eyes and smiling.
End of chapter.