In the aftermath of their triumph over the Generals, Luisa, Princess Athena, and Banabas parted ways, each venturing into the depths of the palace on separate paths. As Banabas made his way back to the Thorenzians, Luisa and Princess Athena forged ahead in pursuit of the Shield, each disappearing through different doors.
However, as Princess Athena traversed the dimly lit corridors, she stumbled upon a figure lying face down on the cold stone floor. Her heart racing with worry, she recognized the motionless form as that of Princess Alexandra.
"Alexandra!" she cried, her voice trembling with concern. "What has happened to you?!" Desperation filled her pleas as she called out once more, "ALEXANDRA!"
But her desperate calls were met with silence, and Princess Athena's eyes brimmed with fear as she knelt by her side. "Who could have done this to you?" she wondered, her thoughts racing.
Just as hope began to falter, Princess Alexandra stirred, a weak cough escaping her lips as she slowly opened her eyes. "Who has caused you such harm?" Princess Athena questioned, her voice soft yet urgent.
"Your brother," Princess Alexandra revealed, her voice a mere whisper as she struggled to regain her bearings.
"Which one?" Princess Athena pressed, her concern mounting.
"Monday," Princess Alexandra confessed, her gaze meeting the other princess's as she slowly rose from her embrace.
"Where has he gone?" Princess Athena inquired, her mind already formulating a plan to confront her misguided sibling.
"I must take my leave," Princess Alexandra announced, attempting to walk away despite her evident pain.
"Wait," Princess Athena called out, her voice echoing through the empty hall. "Let me accompany you."
Princess Alexandra hesitated, her eyes searching Princess Athena's for a moment before she spoke. "Are you certain? He is your brother. Your love for him may hinder your resolve."
Princess Athena's voice was firm as she replied, "It is true that I hold great affection for my brothers, but when a loved one strays from the righteous path, is it not our duty to guide them back? Even if it means facing them head-on, Lady Alexandra?"
A small smile graced Princess Alexandra's lips. "Do not address me as Princess Alexandra or Lady Alexandra. Call me simply Alexandra, Lady Athena."
A shared chuckle filled the air as the tension momentarily dissipated. "I shall extend the same courtesy to you," Princess Athena replied with a nod.
"Now, shall we confront my brother and attempt to restore his senses?" Princess Athena proposed, her determination renewed.
Alexandra massaged her fist, the sound of each press echoing in the silent hall. "Indeed, let us do so," she agreed.
Together, the two princesses raced down the halls, their combined strength and resolve fueling their pursuit of Monday and the hope of setting him on a path toward redemption.
While Princess Alexandra and Princess Athena forged ahead in their pursuit of Prince Monday, the throne room of the palace played host to a tension-filled encounter. Sariel sat upon the regal seat, savoring a glass of wine, as the door swung open to reveal the entrance of Prince Monday.
"Greetings, handsome," Sariel said, her voice a mix of charm and condescension. "It appears you dispatched your adversary with remarkable haste. Well done."
"My desire to spend time with you spurred me to finish the battle swiftly, my dear," Monday explained, approaching Sariel with a swagger in his step. "So, I rushed here to be by your side."
A smirk graced Sariel's lips as she spoke, her words tinged with mockery. "That's an interesting thing coming from the lips of a loser."
Confusion marred Monday's features as he questioned her meaning. "What are you implying?"
The room fell silent, Sariel ignoring Monday's question as she gazed at him with an unnerving intensity. The air seemed to thicken, and Monday's patience began to wear thin.
"Answer me!" Monday yelled, his voice echoing off the walls.
Sariel's response was unexpected – she erupted into a cacophony of loud, sinister laughter that sent shivers down Monday's spine.
"Vylonia Empire," she said, her voice dripping with amusement. "A mighty empire that has ruled the world for over 500 years. Since the fall of the once-mighty Thorenzia, no one has stood as Vylonia's equal in battle."
Monday's confusion deepened. "Hey, what are you talking about? Of course, we rule the world because we are the strongest. The most powerful in the world. Babe, you're a Vylonian, aren't you?"
Sariel's laughter grew louder, more mocking, and Monday's face twisted in anger. "Cease your laughter!" He demanded. "What, pray tell, is so humorous about this exchange?"
Sariel's laughter finally died down, and she dabbed at her eyes with a delicate finger. "Sorry about that," she said, her voice laced with insincerity. "But 'we'? 'Me Vylonian'?"
"Is it not the truth?" Monday inquired, bewilderment etched on his face.
Once more, Sariel's laughter pealed through the room, laden with scorn. "Forgive me, my imprudent prince, but there was never a 'we.' Nor have I ever claimed to hail from Vylonia."
Disbelief contorted Monday's features as the enormity of her revelation sank in. Struggling to process the truth laid bare before him, he stammered, "Sariel, I beseech you – who are you? From whence do you come?"
Sariel's laughter rang out once more, a cacophony of mockery and contempt that grated on Monday's fraying nerves. His patience worn thin, he snapped, "I demand answers! Now!"
The mirth fading from her eyes, Sariel regarded the prince with a piercing gaze. "I suppose you're owed an explanation, seeing as your time is short. Have you not heard of Aethelgard?"
Monday's eyes widened, shock rippling through him as the revelation took hold. "Aethelgard... the Aethelgard Empire? They were Vylonia's archenemies, until Project Paragon and Hera shifted the tide of war. With their newfound power, Vylonia crushed Thorenzia, claiming their people as spoils of victory. But the conquest did not end there. Aethelgard, too, was brought to heel, their defeat so absolute that they have never since tasted victory against Vylonia." His voice shook with fury as he questioned, "Sariel, are you saying you are of Aethelgard?"
"Indeed," she confirmed, her tone a blend of pride and defiance. "Moreover, my true name is Lysandra Delacronix."
Fury engulfed Monday as he stared at the woman before him, a whirlwind of betrayal and rage clouding his vision. "You... vermin!"
Unfazed by his outburst, Lysandra regarded him with a mixture of pity and disappointment. "Oh, my impetuous prince. Do not sully your image with such strong words."
Monday's features hardened, his voice cold and resolute. "I believed we shared a bond, but your allegiance to Aethelgard changes everything. I shall be the one to end your life!"
Lysandra sighed, her gaze softening as she pleaded, "Let us not resort to violence. The time we shared still holds meaning for me."
Her words, however, failed to pierce the veil of anger that shrouded Monday's heart. With fists encased in ice, he lunged at Lysandra, only for her to evade his assault with a graceful sidestep.
"Please, let us find a peaceful resolution. Do not allow your emotions to consume you," Lysandra urged, her voice a beacon of calm amidst the storm of Monday's fury.
Yet, her entreaties fell on deaf ears as Monday charged forward once more, consumed by the bitter sting of betrayal and the singular desire to strike down the woman he had once held dear.
In a separate wing of the sprawling palace, Valerus and Prince Sunday engaged in a fierce elemental battle, their powers clashing in a breathtaking display of strength and skill. Sunday's blue flame Hera surged forth, a testament to his training, while Valerus defended and evaded the attacks with his earth Hera, his eyes never straying from his formidable opponent.
Amidst the cacophony of their conflict, Sunday acknowledged Valerus's prowess, his voice ringing out with respect. "Your strength is undeniable. What is your name?"
"I am Valerus El Joranda," the other man responded, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between the two warriors even as they clashed. "It is an honor to meet you."
A glint of determination shone in Sunday's eyes as he declared, "To honor your prowess, I shall hold nothing back. Pray, do not meet your end at my hands."
Valerus tensed, his gaze unwavering as he braced himself for the coming assault. In a heartbeat, Sunday unleashed a barrage of black flames, revealing the true extent of his mastery over the second stage of Hera, Overdrive – a technique developed by his mother, Queen Luisa.
Caught off guard by the intensity of the attack, Valerus narrowly avoided the dark blaze, his eyes wide with shock. "Black flames?!" he cried out, a hint of fear tingeing his voice.
"Indeed," Sunday confirmed, his tone reflecting the arduous journey that had brought him to this level of power. "Through rigorous training, my flame Hera has evolved from ordinary flame to blue. But my power does not end there, for the second stage of Hera – Overdrive – now courses through my veins. These black flames are the manifestation of my dedication and perseverance!"
Once more, Sunday unleashed the fury of his black flames upon Valerus, who quickly erected a barrier of earth to shield himself. Yet, the darkness consumed the rock, its touch leaving nothing but ruin in its wake.
Valerus, barely escaping the all-consuming blaze, stared in disbelief as he struggled to regain his composure. What manner of power is this? he wondered, his thoughts racing. If I do not unleash the full extent of my abilities, I may not survive this encounter.
With the stakes higher than ever, Valerus steeled his resolve, preparing to confront Sunday's immense power with everything he had.
In another part of the palace, Princess Alexandra and Princess Athena raced toward the throne room with determined urgency. They burst through the doors, their eyes widening in horror as they took in the gruesome scene before them.
"What have you done to my brother?!" Princess Alexandra cried out, her voice trembling as tears streamed down her cheeks.
"Ah, two more pieces of trash have arrived," Lysandra taunted, her cruel words piercing the tense silence.
Blood pooled on the floor like water, a grim testament to Lysandra's brutality. Her right hand was buried in Prince Monday's chest, lifting his limp form as she spoke. "The human heart is so fragile, easily shattered into pieces."
As Princess Athena and Princess Alexandra prepared to strike, Lysandra callously tossed the heavily injured Prince Monday toward them, forcing them to catch him instead. Princess Athena's eyes burned with fury as she glared at Lysandra.
"Why don't you tend to Prince Monday instead of pursuing me, Lady Athena?" Lysandra mocked, her hands gracefully weaving a deadly tapestry of Hera.
Suddenly, the throne room erupted in volcanic fury as Lysandra's power manifested, melting everything it touched. "My time in Vylonia has been entertaining, but I must return home. Farewell," she said, turning to leave as the throne room was consumed by the molten heat of the eruption.
"Athena, we have to escape now! Vylonia has fallen!" Princess Alexandra shouted, urgency coloring her voice as she helped a weakened Prince Monday to his feet.
"How could we let this happen? How could we allow this to be our fate?!" Princess Athena yelled, tears streaming down her face as the reality of their situation set in.
"Athena, there's no time! We must leave now!" Princess Alexandra implored, her voice cutting through the chaos.
The three of them fled the throne room, narrowly escaping the encroaching volcanic destruction that claimed the once-proud symbol of Vylonia's power.