(Chapter 40 Victorious)
"That's for taking my emotions away..."
Tempest leaned in and whispered into his Father's ear as Mengsk took his last breath, his face still defiant to the end. With a resolute expression, Tempest retrieved his sword and released his grip, letting his Father fall lifeless to the ground.
Tempest looked around at his surroundings, observing the scene in the aftermath of his duel with his father. Slowly, everyone began to rise from the ground, their expressions a mix of awe and respect.
Slowly, the golden glow in his eyes began to dissipate, and the golden flames on his sword followed shortly after.
'I'm so tired...'
Tempest stood there, lost in thought. His Uncle Gardon walked towards him, a look of awe and pride on his face. Without a word, Gardon embraced Tempest, holding him tightly.
"You were amazing, my nephew."
Gardon stepped back from the hug and looked at Tempest with a bright, proud smile.
"I cannot wait, to see you lead this House to glory."
Gardon said he then grabbed Tempest's left hand and raised it high for everyone to see.
"Praise the sun!"
He shouted, his voice echoing across the courtyard.
Everyone erupted into cheers, the knights raising their swords high into the sky. The staff, grateful for their decision, looked on with relieved smiles, knowing they had chosen correctly. Even the Ghosts, usually so composed, were flabbergasted by what had transpired during Tempest's duel. The air was filled with a mix of jubilation, relief, and awe as Tempest stood victorious.
"Praise the sun! Praise the sun! Praise the sun!"
The knights chanted in unison, their voices rising in a powerful chorus of celebration. Each shout echoed with the fervor of their admiration and respect.
"What do we do now? Boss?"
A fellow Ghost asked, Stone.
"Well, two things can happen."
Stone said to a fellow Ghost, his voice carrying a hint of relief despite the exhaustion in his tone.
"He either let us work for him, or we'll be sentenced back to the Fortress of Meropide, after this... Either way, I'm just glad we made the right choice in turning against that bastard."
With their suits having run out of battery, all the Ghosts were now visible, their once-invisible presence now apparent to everyone around.
Constantine, standing on the sidelines with a broad smile on his face, observed the jubilant scene unfolding before him. While he refrained from joining the knights in their chants, having expected Tempest's victory all along, he hadn't anticipated the intervention of the God of the Sun. His satisfaction was evident, not just from the outcome but also from the unexpected divine influence that had played a pivotal role in the duel.
'Ha... This boy never ceases to surprise me. I look forward to witnessing what lies ahead for you, Your Grace.'
Constantine thought to himself, a glimmer of anticipation in his eyes. His gaze then shifted to Pierre, still bound and unconscious on the ground.
"Hah, he's not gonna like this."
Constantine chuckled, shaking his head with a hint of amusement. His laughter carried a mix of relief and satisfaction, knowing that the once-feared commander was now at the mercy of Tempest's judgment.
"Uncle... I need to lay my head down..."
Tempest said, his voice heavy with exhaustion and weariness. His shoulders slumped, and the weight of the recent duel seemed to bear down on him.
"Of course, Tempest. I'll handle everything from here. You deserve a rest after all you've been through. Once you wake up, you'll need to prepare for the trial. I suspect the Gardes will become aware of what happened here in Stormwind, within a few days. Rest assured, we'll manage the situation and ensure everything is in order before then."
Gardon said, his face set with a serious and resolute expression.
Tempest simply nodded and made his way into the mansion. As he walked, the knights parted to make way for him, their hands clenched into fists over their chests in a gesture of respect. The staff, the rebels, and the soldiers abandoned by Mengsk, as well as the now-visible Ghosts, mirrored the knights actions, offering him the same solemn salute. The atmosphere was thick with a sense of reverence and quiet acknowledgment of the events that had just transpired.
Tempest entered the mansion, the blood on his clothes already dried. His head felt heavy, weighed down by the exhaustion of the duel. Each step he took was a testament to the toll the battle had taken on him; he felt almost drained as if the fight had siphoned every ounce of energy from his body. The once-familiar surroundings of the mansion now seemed distant and surreal, their grandeur overshadowed by the fatigue that clung to him.
"Paladin... Huh? Am I worthy?"
Tempest muttered to himself as he entered his room, his voice barely more than a whisper. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily upon him. Without pausing, he collapsed onto his bed, his body sinking into the mattress with a deep sigh of relief.
"It is done..."
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A day later, as night fell over Palais Mermonia, Furina found herself alone in her room. The soft light of a nearby lamp cast gentle shadows across the walls. She sat before her ornate mirror, her gaze fixed on her reflection.
"I'm so tired..."
Furina muttered to herself.
With a heavy sigh, Furina spoke in a weary and exasperated tone, her voice betraying her exhaustion.
"I swear... I might snap one day, and accidentally reveal my true identity... It's exhausting, having to maintain this charade for so long..."
Furina slapped her cheeks with both of her hands.
"I have to... For the sake of the people of Fontaine... I'll carry on this facade, for their sake... Even if it exhausts me..."
Furina sighed as she got up from the mirror.
"Ugh... I think I'll just have a drink and pass out... That'll help me forget all this mess, at least for a little bit..."
Furina muttered to herself as she reached for a bottle of wine, but just as her hand closed around it, a knock echoed on her door.
"Lady Furina? Are you still awake?"
Sedene's voice drifted through the door, carrying with it a hint of urgency.
'Just when I was about to drown my sorrows away...'
Furina set the wine bottle back on the cabinet, then walked to the door and opened it.
"Yes, Sedene? Is there something wrong? You seem a bit troubled."
Furina asked her.
"Something urgent, came up, Lady Furina. Monsieur Neuvillette wants to see you in his office."
Sedene tells her face serious.
"Can this not wait until tomorrow? I was just about to drift off to sleep..."
Furina lied as naturally as she breathed.
"It is urgent, Lady Furina. It has something to do with your friend, Tempest Proudmoore."
Sedene replied.
Furina's eyes widened at the mention of Tempest.
"D-Did something happened?"
Furina asked her tone full of concern.
"Yes, it's bad... Really bad, Monsieur Neuvillette, will explain everything, Lady Furina."
Furina nodded in acknowledgment, her curiosity piqued. She followed Sedene to the elevator, her mind racing with anticipation. The prospect of hearing what Neuvillette had to say filled her with both anxiety and eagerness.
'Tempest... What's going on?'
Furina thought to herself, her impatience growing with every passing second. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the elevator reached the bottom floor. As the doors slid open, she walked past Sedene, her mind racing with concern over what had happened to Tempest.
"Neuvillette! I'm here! What's the status now? Give me a quick update!"
Furina entered Neuvillette's office, Furina spoke urgently, her voice filled with a mixture of determination and urgency.
Neuvillette glanced up at Furina, his expression as stoic and unreadable as ever. He closed the report card he had been reviewing. Furina, standing a few steps away, couldn't suppress her curiosity. The report card is now closed and resting on the surface of the desk.
"Lady Furina, please take a seat. We have something important to discuss"
Neuvillette said, and Furina then saw down on a vacant seat near his desk.
"Can I see that?"
Furina pointed to the report card.
"You could, but I'd advise against it, it might keep you up at night... You will find some disturbing images in it."
Neuvillette's expression is unreadable, but the last few words are spoken especially slowly, in a more serious and almost... threatening tone.
Furina jolted slightly at Neuvillette's suggestion, her curiosity piqued. Despite her initial surprise, she couldn't resist the pull of her intrigue. With a swift movement, she reached for the report card lying on the table.
"It can't be that bad, is it?"
Furina said, and Neuvillette, sighed in response, already knowing what her reaction would be.
As Furina opened the report card, her stomach churned with a sense of dread. Her heterochromatic eyes widened in horror as she saw the pictures before her.
"AHHHH!"
Furina screamed in horror, her voice echoing through the room as she flung the report card away from her. Her hand clutched her chest, and she was overcome with trembling, her body shaking uncontrollably. Her breaths came in rapid, shallow bursts, and she began hyperventilating, struggling to draw in enough air as panic surged through her.
What Furina had glimpsed in the report card were four harrowing images, each one depicting a scene of unspeakable carnage. The photographs showed hundreds of lifeless bodies sprawled across a field, their forms tangled together amidst a sea of blood.
Neuvillette, observing Furina's distressed reaction, rose from his seat with a measured calmness. He approached her slowly. As he reached her side, he gently placed a reassuring hand on her back, offering a comforting pat to steady her trembling frame. With a gentle touch, he extended his hand, inviting her to take it in a gesture of support and solidarity.
"Calm down, Lady Furina."
Neuvillette said.
"Calm down?! You expect me to remain calm after witnessing that?! What was that?! Explain this to me right now!"
Furina's eyes were wide with fear and disbelief, the tremor in her voice betraying the depth of her shock as she demanded answers.
"Tempest Proudmoore is the leader of the uprising in Stormwind. These photographs were captured by Survey Meks and sent over by Steambird employees. As you can see, Tempest has already decimated Mengsk Proudmoore's army and has most likely killed his Father. The images you saw were taken just yesterday."
Neuvillette explained he maintained a measured tone, trying to provide clarity amid Furina's turmoil.
'Was I wrong? Was I wrong to expect Tempest to be different?'
The harsh reality of the images she saw, gnawed at her, and she began to grit her teeth, the weight of her disillusionment pressing down on her with a relentless force.
"Additionally, Gardon of House Vance has also been spotted in Stormwind. According to reports, he brought his entire army in order to support the Tempest Proudmoore's uprising."
Neuvillette continued, his tone steady despite the gravity of the situation.
'I was wrong... I was such a fool, to have hoped for him to be different. In the end, he's just like all the others, a man consumed by greed and impatience, who couldn't wait for his rightful inheritance...'
Furina thought to herself.
Furina looked up at Neuvillette, her face etched with a mix of betrayal and resolve. Her voice, though shaky, carried a commanding edge.
"Arrest him."