" This is all so surreal! I still can't get over the fact that the Gods are here in the flesh and they intend on fighting for us! Regardless of whether or not we win this battle, it would be a great privilege and an honor to fight beside you to defend this great kingdom! I will charge headfirst into the deepest pits of Hinnoahm if you so commanded it, my God and Lord, Aatu! Until my very last breath, I am yours. "
The King says, getting down on one knee and bowing respectfully before all of the guards around the room follow suit. Aatu looks around at the entire room of men bowing to him and nods his head in acknowledgment. Then Reylesh rolls her eyes, obviously jealous that these mortal men aren't stroking her ego as well before you hear a door burst open and a familiar little girl's voice can be heard as she looks around frantically before locking eyes with you and booking it directly towards you with tears in her eyes.
" STAR FALLER!! YOU'RE OKAY!! "
Mimi exclaims before jumping on you, giving you a hug as you catch her and she cries happily into your shoulder. You feel a wave of relief as you hold her, realizing that Uphedis was lying about her being dead when you were back on Voldoor.
" I thought I wasn't ever going to see you again! There were scary men who took Amy and Roary away when we were in the hospital and I heard them talking about you when I was hiding under the bed! "
Mimi exclaims in a panicked tone before pulling her face out of your robes and looking over at Roary.
" Roary's here too… but where's Amy? When we were going to the hospital, she said that she made up her mind and she was gonna come with us to Moriarch after Roary was all healed up… I don't see Tom either… "
You and Roary immediately lock eyes and a look of sorrow stains your face as you silently try to think of a way to break the truth about Tom and Amy to Mimi, who immediately notices your expression and asks you a question nervously, realizing that something's off about you.
" They came back… right? "
You kneel and set Mimi back down before holding both of her hands, talking to her in a soft tone at her eye level.
" Mimi… do you remember our conversation back on Gareth's cruiser when I told you that me and Tom had to free your Papa because he was possessed by a bad spirit? "
Mimi looks at you anxiously as she responds.
" Yeah… you said it was a Valghul, right? "
You nod your head before you continue to break the truth to Mimi the best that you can.
" Well… back when we were in Voldoor, Tom got possessed by a bad spirit as well. Aatu came back as a result of it and he's here to help us set Tom free… "
Mimi is visibly upset, hearing that Tom has suffered a similar fate to her father. She begins to cry again, sadly this time, as she asks you another question.
" So that means Tom is gonna be dead once you free him… and Amy- "
" Amy helped bring me back, but it was at the cost of her own life. She made a similar sacrifice to Noeh, albeit unknowingly, but I'm sure if she understood what it was for, then she'd be content with how much she helped us. "
Aatu says to Mimi in a consoling manner. Tears continue to run down Mimi's face, dripping from her face to the floor and Sir Gerard steps forward to question Aatu, obviously concerned about Mimi's mental well-being.
" My Lord and God, Aatu… please forgive my mere mortal perspective on the matter, but she's just a girl. Perhaps she isn't ready for the truth just yet. I fear it might do her more harm than good to burden her with these emotions… "
Before Aatu can respond, Mimi speaks up. Her voice is trembling from her dealing with how she's feeling in the moment.
" No, it's fine… I wanted the truth and I'm happy that you told me… In order to be strong like Star Faller, I gotta face the bad things and grow from them. Plus, if Star Faller is facing these things, then I want to face them too because Mama said that she wanted me to help him in every way I can… I may not be big and strong and able to fight like he is, but at least I can go through these struggles with him and face the bad times with him so he doesn't have to do it alone. "
" That's very brave and selfless of you, Mimi, just like your father was. I know he would be very proud of how strong you've become, even at your young age. "
The King says admirably as he steps forward and puts his hand on Mimi's shoulder. You stand back up and Mimi looks up at the King, smiling softly through her tears before Reylesh chimes in with her own opinion.
" Gotta hand it to you, Mimi. As a Goddess who's spent thousands of years interacting with mortals and analyzing the content of their character, I've never met a girl like you. There have been uncountable men and women who've lived their entire lives and died without ever thinking of others the way that you do. The fact that you're not even 12 years old yet and you're wiser than them is a testament to your greatness, and I don't even think Havnahm would be deserving of a mortal with a character the likes of yours, especially if you grow up to become wiser and stronger than you already are. "
All of the guards in the room look at Mimi in shock because a Goddess is praising her, and Roary speaks up to put his own two cents in on what he thinks about Mimi.
" She's one smart cookie, I'll tell you that. When we'd talk about stuff back in The Monument, I was impressed with how well thought out some of the things she said were and she put into perspective how much she really looks up to and admires Abbadon. I must admit, I did teach her a spell or two while we were in the penthouse, and her affinity for magic is unlike anything I've ever seen from a human before. We may be looking at her becoming Moriarch's future strongest Champion if this kingdom ends up coming out of this conflict in one piece. "
Mimi blushes and frays her brow as she turns to Roary, clearly embarrassed while whining at him as she wipes the tears from her face.
" HEY!! You said that you wouldn't tell Star Faller about me learning spells from you!! "
Aatu interjects, responding to Roary with a side eye and a smirk.
" If only you knew, Roary. If we prevail in this fight, Mimi will become far greater than you could ever expect. "
Suddenly, you see one of the guards enter the room quietly and approach Sir Gerard, whispering something in his ear, then you see Sir Gerard whisper something back and nod his head before speaking up to the King.
" Your Majesty, I don't mean to interrupt, but I have a status update on the advancement of the enemy forces that are making their way towards our kingdom. "
Everybody turns their attention towards Sir Gerard before the King responds.
" No no, it's quite alright. What is your report? "
" Several of the surrounding settlements that belong to Moriarch have fallen, the closest of which was Morrodel. Those who've relayed communications to us before and during the siege on their villages have described the opposing force as an unfathomable red wave of hooded figures that engulf the land from horizon to horizon. We're looking for any potential survivors in those territories, but from what we've been able to gather, there hasn't been a single one. The opposing force is still expected to reach our kingdom walls by nightfall, so I've given the order to raise the shield barrier. "
Sir Gerard says in an informative manner.
The King tilts his head up and takes a deep breath before replying.
" Very well. I'll head to my quarters with my stewards and adorn my armor to prepare for battle. "
Princess Elise, hearing the King say that, quickly approaches her father with a worried expression and grabs his hand, questioning him in disbelief.
" What do you mean? You don't intend to put yourself in danger this night, do you? You're the King! You can't go out and fight like everyone else! "
The King looks at his daughter with a noble gaze and responds, speaking to her in a calm and patient tone.
" Why not? As King, it's my responsibility to protect this kingdom just as any other good man that belongs to this kingdom would. For what is a leader worth if he can lead his people in the comfort of his castle during the day but he cannot stand alongside his fellow man and lead them into the night? "
Princess Elise looks down, knowing that her father has already made up his mind as she lets go of his hand, starting to tear up quietly and thinking about losing him. The King sees this and gently embraces her, softly rubbing her back as he reassures her to make her feel better.
" Everything is going to be alright, Elise. If I don't live to see the sunrise tomorrow morning and this kingdom is saved, then you will make an incredible Queen of Moriarch. One day you will understand that it is our duty as royals to serve our people and to make the same sacrifices that they do in order to protect our home. "
The King then kisses his daughter on the top of the head and holds her for a bit longer before letting her go and heading off down the corridor towards his personal quarters with his stewards.
" Well then. Sir Gerard, I'd like to have a conversation with you and your top brass if that's okay. "
Aatu turns and asks Sir Gerard respectfully. Sir Gerard bows before responding in a humble manner.
" Of course, Aatu. Any wish of yours is our command. "
Aatu then motions his head for Reylesh to follow him and the three of them walk together through a separate corridor with a few guards before Roary approaches you and asks you a question.
" Abbadon, may I have a word in private? "
You silently nod, noticing that Princess Elise is still standing alone in the middle of the throne room with a melancholic expression, looking down where her father walked away.
" Come on. There's a balcony this way where we can talk. "
Roary says as he pats you on the shoulder, walking past you. As you turn to follow Roary, you watch Mimi approach the Princess to talk and comfort her.