“Wakey, Wakey, Mr. Mattox.” A voice calls out to Glyn, as his consciousness slowly returns. “Quite brave of you to come aboard my vessel to stop me. But sadly, all your efforts were for naught.”
Glyn’s eyes open to find himself in a lavish room, sitting at a table with a cup of tea in front of him. Sitting across from him, a young woman in a long, elaborate nightgown sits drinking tea. He stares at her for a moment before it finally clicks into his mind.
“Morgan Walsh.” He says.
She smirks, putting her cup down. “Please drink. It’s hot, and I’d be a poor host if I didn’t serve it to you warm.”
Glyn looks around and notices Sebastian at her side, waiting for an order. Sighing, he takes the cup and drinks.
“It’s not poison.” He whispers.
“Of course not. I don’t want to be a poor host after all. Besides, we’re in a ceasefire as it were, so there’s no point in killing you to take out your Piece as of now.”
Glyn nods. “You have a point there. You’ve almost met every condition for your victory, am I right?” His eyes glance over at Sebastian.
She laughs. “Of course. Thanks to Sebastian and my helper’s exploits, the Great One will awaken and reignite the war of the Demons. In that chaos, I can claim the throne myself and become a heroine Queen similar to the old King.”
“Heroine Queen? Is that your goal?”
“Yes. Did you think I’m some Demon worshiper? No, I’m still in my right mind.”
“But you're doing all this to awaken an ancient Demon. If you were some Demon worshiper, that would at least make sense. But saying all this is just some misguided plan for power……”
“Go ahead. I honestly appreciate the extra input.” She sighs. “Honestly, it’s pained my heart to sacrifice so many. But their all-necessary steps to creating a better world.”
“A better world?”
“One where all are treated equally. One without the nobility or their constraints. One where you can love and be loved by who you choose, and not have society tell you to obey your awful family.” She takes a deep breath. “It’s not perfect, and I could use some help. But I’m sure with your help we can make a better world.”
Glyn pauses. “What?”
“I said….”
“No, I heard you. I was just making sure I wasn’t going crazy. Did you just ask me for help?”
“In a way, yes. Even the old king had advisors, speakers, and assistants. Upon my ascension, I’ll need worthy allies to stand beside me. And well… I’ve heard about you, Half-Elf Bastard of House Mattox.”
“Really? We never even went to the academy together. How do you know me?”
“Word of mouth mostly. The brave little bastard of House Mattox is always working for the betterment of the Half-bloods. Working hard to prove himself worthy of his tainted blood. All kinds of rumors and secrets. I’ve had an interest in you for some time. And now Sebastian tells me you are cursed. It drives my curiosity further.”
“Sorry, the curse is an ancient family thing. It’s from the last Demon Lord who our king slayed. So I doubt some makeshift Demon lord will undo it.”
“It’s a shame. I truly wanted you on my side. I was even considering releasing that fox of yours.”
Glyn tenses up, and Morgan smiles. “I can clearly see how dear she is to you. It’d be a shame if something happened to her.”
Glyn smirks. “And that butler of yours is dear to you, I assume.”
She pauses. “Sebastian is my dear assistant and only friend in the world. He showed me the truth of my family, and it was his idea to make a false Demon lord.”
“Think nothing of it, Milady. Everything I do is for the sake of you ascending to your rightful place.”
Glyn glares. “What if I told you your butler here….” He pauses and shakes his head, staring at her. “Even if I said something you’d never believe, I’ll give you a tip.”
“A tip, huh? I’m all ears.”
“Having unshakable faith in someone is a double-edged sword. Be careful that you don’t cut yourself with it.” He downs the rest of his tea and looks at Sebastian. “I’m assuming you have a cell ready for me until it’s my time?”
“Yes, of course. If Milady is done, I’ll escort you.”
Morgan sighs. “I enjoyed our conversation, no matter how brief.”
“I agree. It was enlightening.” Glyn stands and walks towards Sebastian.
“Before you leave, I have a question for you, Glyn Mattox.”
Glyn walks behind her and pauses. “Go ahead.”
“If you cared for someone else aside from that fox girl, would you be so willing to risk your life as easily for them as well?”
Glyn nods. “I’d do anything I can for anyone I care for. Hell, the whole reason I joined in on this stupid contest was to save my sister from an ass of a fiancé.”
She laughs. “You’re a caring person, Glyn Mattox. If we had met under different circumstances, I would’ve liked to be friends.”
“Same. You seem like someone who needed a good push in the right direction. Shame it’s all gone to crap.”
“Sadly. But at the very least, know I will remember you and everyone I’ve sacrificed for my new era.”
He scoffs. “That gives me an odd comfort.”
Glyn is led away by Sebastian, leaving Morgan alone as she stands up from her table. Walking across the room, she stares out of the window at the pulsating dark mass in the center of her circular airship. She reaches for her chest, sensing a connection to the mass as she forces a smile across her face.
“Soon, this mess will be over. I will awaken you and start my new era. One way or another. No one will get in my way!”
Glyn is led to a cell on the far side of the airship and forced inside by Sebastian. As the cell doors close, he smiles, licking his lips as Glyn sits down on the cold, hard floor. He takes a breath and pulls on his King Piece.
“Okay, I think now is the time. If I use this as a conduit.”
He channels his Mana into the Piece, and a bright light forms above his head. A small figure lands on his head before flying up and floating around him. He smiles as they land before him and return his gaze.
“Been a while, Pepper.” He says.
She smiles. “You have all of us so worried. Miller is about to fall over from the stress, and poor Tisha is so worried.”
“I know I didn’t mean for any of this to happen. But there’s a lot going on and not a lot of time to fix anything.”
A figure appears in front of his cell. “Then it’s best we get to work then.” A Shadow appears, staring down at Glyn. “You’re a reckless fool, Glyn Mattox.”
Glyn stands. “Leaving aside how you got on here. Let’s get to work.”
“What’re you doing?” Pepper asks.
“I thought I could save Morgan, but that’s impossible. Right now, I have to focus on saving Mila and killing that, Demon. I need to make Mila into a hero.” He looks down at his hands. “Looks like this accursed blood in my veins is finally going to be good for something, after all.”
Across the islands surrounding the downed sinking airship, the various workers get to work shoring up their defenses. Finian’s forces gather their strength, watching and waiting for the others to make their move. All the while he sits with bated breath for the situation to change. Pallan’s forces search the waters for fleeing refugees as Anlunan and Xia Bai are forced to help, both waiting for some sign from Glyn. Meanwhile, Zeng Hai’s forces shore up their defenses as Miller and the others join their ranks as an addition. All the while, the Shadows watch, ready to assist at a moment's notice.
Meanwhile, in the depths of the airship, Lois tends to a menagerie of beasts, ready to unleash them as the sun sets. She starves them and restrains them, making them feral as they huff the Miasma to lose their strength. She gathers more armored warriors as she prepares her attacks. All to gather a feast to feed their Demonic host.
As everything happens, Morgan sits in her room when Sebastian returns. She greets him with a smile as he does her. The pair is going over battle plans. All the while, the black mass pulsates its pulses slowly, beginning to match her own heartbeat. She reaches for her heart and then turns to Sebastian.
“Tomorrow we’ll face destiny, it seems.” She says.
He nods. “As soon as the sun rises, we’ll face whatever fate has in store for us.”
She smiles. “Do you think I have what it takes to be a good Queen?”
“Why ask that after coming this far?”
“Just humor me.”
“I believe it wholeheartedly. You will become the heroine Queen who saved these lands from disaster. Just as I have planned for you.”
She smiles. “Of course, thank you. Just as you have planned. Then I’ll follow along with these plans, my dear Sebastian. Let us shape this world in our own image.”
“Yes, Milady. Soon, all will know of your greatness.” He says with a wide smile across his face, as inside he cackles and deeper in what remains of the true Sebastian screams. Trapped within his own mind, the only thing he can do is scream a scream that no one can hear.