After being kicked to the ground by Tegonay, Jessi was able to recover just in time to see Asgard, The Crimson Guardian herself, dispose of the black knight with ease and challenge the remaining combatants to battle. All the fear Jessi felt fighting Tegonay was nothing compared to the terror he felt now. This was Emilia’s doing and she would surely pay for it. But as his former opponent demonstrated, no one lasted more than a few seconds against the legendary executioner who currently blocked their path to the vile ruler.
All of Fei’s attention was pulled away from the ice witch as Emilia made yet another announcement to the crowd. It seemed Fei’s very heart had stop beating as the words slipped from Emilia’s lips. A joke. All of it had to be a joke. She hadn’t come all the way, fought her ass off, only to be blindsided by some pigheaded, fake princess. There was no way in hell Fei would fight her mother, she absolutely refused to be tricked by this filthy imp.
“You bitch,” Fei cursed out, hoping her screech could be heard by the ears of Emilia.
“I will find you, and I will kill you.” It was a promise she would make for the rest of her life. Fei wouldn’t rest until the mutt was dead. No one would mess with her family, her mother, and walk away clean.
Fei breathed in as she watched her mother ascend down to the arena, her eyes never leaving Eleanor’s side.
“No one touch her,” She screamed to everyone around her. If someone so much as turned Eleonor’s way, Fei’s fire would show absolutely no mercy. Never before had she felt so enraged and so defeated at the same time. Despite the explanation the Jester had given her, she still couldn’t understand as how her mother was picked off so easily. She wanted to fall into a ball and cry, the situation seemed almost hopeless. Any fire left burning her hair seemed to diminish. Anyone who came at her, Fei was willing to fight, but not her mother. She would rather die than even attempt it.
“Mother, please. It’s me, Fei, your daughter.” She called out, hoping somewhere she could reach her mother.
“You don’t need to do this; Emilia is messing with your mind.” The sight of Fei breaking down before her, Eleonor's worst nightmare come true, shook the executioner's resolve to fight, how could she... try to kill her own daughter? Yet,
"Ugh-I... Fei, don-don't..." Emilia's commands were stronger than even Eleonor's will, it looked like the puppeteer had her wires coiled tightly around Eleonor, in a very literal way. As the tell tale glint of the magic wires coiling around the Crimson Knight and the pillars made it clear that Emilia still had her grasp on Eleonor.
Perhaps, if they could cut those before Asgard killed them all, would they be able to bring her back?
Tension hung in the air as Jessi could do nothing but watch as Fei attempted to pull her mother out of her possessed state. He felt helpless in the situation but what could he do? Even if Fei hadn’t ordered him to stand down he wasn’t foolish enough to think he could best one of the Imperium's greatest warriors. No, all he could do was stand back and hope Fei’s plan would succeed.
At least, that’s what he thought. But as Fei”s plan appeared to be working; something caught his eye. Small coils made of magic were wrapped around the guardian much like a puppet with strings. Jessi’s mind flashed back to the baths where Emilia had sewn his wounds together, the magic she used was identical! Surely these were the same, but how to break them? An idea came to him. It was crude, but worth a shot
Flipping his spear upside down, he pulled his arm back ready to throw at the coil nearest to him. Taking a deep breath he lined up the shot and with all his strength threw his spear straight at it. He could only hope it would break and maybe free Asgard enough that she or Fei could do the rest.
Watching her mother, the strongest and most fierce fiercest woman she knew, struggle against the spell of a pathetic worm, was possibly the most painful thing Fei had ever done. Eleonor was still fighting though, despite it all. Hearing her mother’s true voice for the first time, no matter how weak and jumbled it was, gave her a speck of hope. Perhaps her mother could fight through this, and win. “Mother, you can do this. Please. Fight it. You are the mighty Crimson Knight and I swear, you will win this battle.” She called out again.
A ray of sunshine shone on the group as if the gods above wanted to see what would come next. Fei’s eyes stayed locked on her mother though. They would walk out of here together, no matter what. As she was staring, Fei’s eyes noticed sparkling wires attached to her mother. Her eyes darkened. Emilia.
Jessi motioned his spear toward Eleonor, and Fei knew he had seen the coils wrapped around Asgard as well. If they could cut them all off, would that end the connection between Emilia and her mother? It was damn worth trying. Just as Jessi’s spear left his hands, Fei wasted no time and bolted toward her. Her double swords tight in her arms, she motioned to cut off all the attached strings quickly. It was better to get them all before Eleonor lost control again and they were to fight, for that would be a battle surely lost for Fei and Jessi. It had to be now. Fei only prayed her mother could fight Emilia long enough for Fei to cut off the rest of the strings.
Both Jessi's spear and Fei's twin blades found hit home on Emilia's strings, the coils of magic undoing themselves in a violent lashing motion as Asgard, or rather, Eleonor finally could be freed of the enchantment of the Puppetmaker.
"Ugh... Fe-Fei? What have I do-" Eleonor could barely say anything, the strength falterig her as the spell was undone and she fell to her knees, using her sword to prop herself up. Just about that time the colossuem began to fall on their head for real, they had only one chance of survival and it was to escape... now!
However it was quite clear that Eleonor wasn't able to pull her own weight so Fei and Jessi would have to carry her out, lest they all be crushed under the weight of thousands of tons off rock and join the massive grave that the arena had become. Though as easy as it sounded, just like everyhing on life, there's always a catch and this one came in the form of Tegonay's (who had crawled up to them despite being only half the man man-armor he once was) cold iron grip latching around Eleonor's left ankle just as the floor bellow him was about to crumble and plummet both knights to the great dark bellow.
"You are not going to stand on Lord Yggdrasil's path. The fake Crimson Knight must perish!"Only quick thinking could save them now, but... there would be time for it?
Almost the same moment they had achieved victory, it was once more being threatened. Tegonay had survived what should have been a fatal blow and was now pulling Asgard down a pit that had split open in the ground. Jessi quickly scanned the arena for anything he could use seeing he was now without a weapon. A shiny miracle presented itself in the form Tegonay’s blade lying on the ground where he had been sliced in half.
There was little time to think it through. Jessi simply ran full speed dodging falling debris until he reached the black sword. Without even slowing he slid his foot under the hilt of the blade and kicked it up into his hands. Tightly gripping the sword, he leaped into the air in a fashion similar to how the black knight had used it and brought it down on his enemies arm.
”The only fake knight here, is you!” Jessi stated before giving a swift kick to Tegonay’s face intending to send him down the pit without the Guardian.
As it should, the strings attached to her mother were destroyed as Jessi and Fei’s blades made contact. A sigh of pure relief escaped Fei’s mouth. It was over. Finally. She muttered a silent prayer under her breath. Of course things never ended happily for the moment the prayer left her lips, the entire coliseum shook as if Emilia was attempting her one last trick for her acclaimed prey. Run as she might, there would be no corner of the world Emilia could hide from the raging fire in Fei’s heart. Soon, she would burn. Of course, revenge would have to wait until tomorrow. They needed to get out of here, now.
Somehow surviving the devastating blow of Eleonor, the pathetic Tegonay latched onto her mother’s ankle, hoping to send both of them down a collapsing hole in the arena.
“Pathetic traitor,” Fei snapped. She nodded in approval as Jessi snatched the knight’s sword and kicked him straight into the hole.
“We need to get out of here, fast,” Fei yelled over the pounding noise of the arena quickly falling in on them. Pulling her mother’s arm around her shoulder, Fei began making the seemingly long trek back to safety. Although she was strong, Fei couldn’t drag her mother fast enough. She’d be damned if they didn’t get out of here on time. Gritting her teeth, Fei continued pulling her mother out of the arena.
A few days later...
And so, it was over. The nightmare at the burning sands of Exilia had ended thanks to Fei and Jessi, who not only secured the Red Relic, but also rescued Asgard, the Crimson Knight, from the grasp of the villainous Emilia Warov. As a proof of good will, the Imperator rewarded them all with an official leave so that they could rest and recover their strength, especially Eleonor, who was still suffering the after effects of Emilia's drugs and hideous tortures. Just as so, the Imperator had also appointed one of her trusted servants to become Eleonor's handmaiden from now on, one who would also be able protect the Crimson Knight and ensure an incident like this never comes to pass again.
Such rest was to be taken at one of Asgard's many residences outside of the Capital, her
chateau at the quaint Mountain Village of Orello, on the mountain ranges that rise above the crest of Rivenwood mighty sea of trees. Orello wasn't chosen at random as well, being one of the Imperium's most traditional outposts, serving as training grounds for a grand majority of the Imperial forces, a full regiment was permanently stationed in the village, ensuring peace on the otherwise wild lands. Orello was also known for the quality of its two main products of trade, their sheep and their beer, both legendary far and wide through the Shattered Realms, as well as it's thermal waters, said to be able to cure any ill of body or soul. Finally, Orello was the home of a couple of legendary heroes that helped save the Imperium on a time of crisis a long time ago, a Paladin of the Old Gods and a Knight of the Imperium whose names and deeds went down on history. It was no wonder that this was the place the Imperator sent them to.
As another reward Jessi was offered both a promotion to Lieutenant rank and minor hereditary title of Lord, including a fiefdom over a village and its adjacent territories, wherever he wished to within the Imperial lands in recognition for his heroic efforts despite being just a rank and file soldier. For Fei, the Imperator granted what might as well be the thing she desired the most, information regarding Emilia, though it was just the rumors that reached her ears about the Fallen Princess, collaboration with the Librarians in order to overthrow the Imperium. A full report could be acquired from Belina Aquarian, the Adjunct Queen of the Aquarian and Arcadian territories as well as second-in-command of the Intelligence division.
As another morning rose, with the sun breaking over the mountain tops to illuminate the barley fields that surrounded the chateau with its golden warmth, So did Eleonor rose in her room, and went to meet Fei and Jessi at the dinning hall, besides her maid.
"Once again I have to thank you for your efforts, Fei and Jessi, know that if you ever come to the choice of- Well, I'll support whatever choice you two make of your future, that's what I want to say. Now, I have a favor to ask, I want you two to investigate a possible attempt at a coup d’état, from... Yggdrasil. Yes, it was because of him that I was captured and I know he's up for something, but can't act against it, you two however are free knights for the time being, you can act without the weight of a division to hinder you. I'm sorry to ask for this, but there's no other choice. In case you two accept, the first place to seek clues would be back in Infinitum, with the Priestess of the Holy Order, Antonia at the Imperial Cathedral. Please, take your time to think before making your choice. Now, let's eat something, important decisions can't be made on an empty stomach, right?'" Eleonor said just before beginning her own breakfast.
As mighty wind blew by the barley fields, its stalks danced like a million golden fox tails, producing a nostalgic melody that had been heard on Orello for ages. It looked like the time for change was coming for the Imperium, the true question was. Would it be for good or ill?
* * *
Back at Exilia, a black gauntlet finally broke down through all the rocks entombing him, after digging for days with a steely resolve, as it grasped the open air with a powerful fist.
"Lord... Yggdrasil..." A hollow voice said. It looked like...
The nightmare wasn't over yet.
