Chapter 44

"Your not serious are your princess?"

"I am dead serious Knight captain Loid. I implore you to make a desiscion since your king is currently not here. As secretary of the king and chancellor of the royal house. Its your duty is it not."

"..." 

Loid knew the answer. My position could be taken away from me. I already have many that want me out of the castle. But all of my work will be gone if this happens to Lazare. It will cripple the entire country.

"Why do you do this to yourself princess. After today the entire world will question and ask for removal from your throne. Whatever peace deal we make. It won't last."

"....I."

Like a storm power of mana had gathered together to form a tower of mana. "What is going on!?" "Relax. it is my people buts where not just fighting Lazare."

"What do you mean!? Explain princess!?" 

"The imperials. This is probably them throwing whatever they have at Kane." 

"Kane...you must have done some thing to make them send one of the most powerful knights here. And it must be some thing only the imperials know." She stood silent and paid no mind to what he said. She stares toward the power of mana I was gathering.

I can feel my arms and chest hurt. My head was hurting as well. "Alie." Its ok. Your mana gear is reacting to mana. Just relax. Mana was circling around the area like water. It all had gathered into my body.

Kane had begun to praise the power of my magic. But stated it was a shame I was not born human. I could have been a great mage for the empire. I had already seen how little they treat those with no statues event their own kind.

"I will never be a stepping stone to your empire or your god damn emperor!" "You already are kid! You just don't know it yet!"

"I'm still here! Let this be the end of all of that for my life!" With all of my control I compressed all of the mana around me and into the point of hand. A small orb of blue and yellow mana appear. "What did you do?" Alie doesn't seemed to know what I did. But it stood floating in the air. I can hear the sounds of mana grinding it was not a sound I can describe.

I look at Kane. I ball my fist and stretch out my arm and punched the orb toward him. It grew bigger and went out with speed I could not match. It grew much bigger when Kane stopped it but it did not go away.

Its power was growing bigger and bigger. "What now!?" Not two far Shiya was walking toward us. She looked at us but with out contempt. Suddenly another imperial showed up. 

"You look like shit Shiya. I guess all that talk about being a great mage was all hype." "Hargur..." "Oh my, seems your dying. Well thats expected with no arm or face. You should really get that healed."

She looks like she wants to kill him. But she turned her attention to Kane. The spell was growing bigger and bigger. The sound it made was getting louder as well. "Look at that. That could really be bad if we stare here. Right Shiya."

She doesn't speak. She looked dead inside. "Your not planning to save him right." "..."

"We both know how he treats us. This could be your chance to escape from his grip. But you can do what you want. I'm leaving sooner or later those people will be here."

"..." 

Hargur turns his attention toward me. "Hm. I believe we haven't meet yet. Names Hargur. I should thank you. But i believe one day we might cross each others path one day. I hope you can give me a better fight then that little shit Laney."

"I can already tell when I see a snake. Trust me I have a feeling we will fight one day." "Ohhh. I like this."

Shiya falls to her knees. "Well then. We shall see." Hargur walks away leaving Shiya behind. "What are you!?" "I have no use for people like her. Besides she's dead anyway." Like that he left. Her eyes were not focus. She was dying in front of me.

Kane sudden voice startles. My spell was growing and crushing him. I need to run! But before I did. I grab Shiya and carry here with me. I refused to be like them! I can't just let her die like this! The spell changed its shape a lot. I can tell it was ready to explode. It moved as if it can't maintain its form.

And just like a flash the entire region had lite up in white. The spell had exploded. Everything got caught in the wave of mana. Hen on the other hand forced gravity around his men. The mana went over it like a wave of water and onto the other side. 

The Lazare knight vaporized instantly. Arnell and his royal guard had fled away the moment they saw the tower of mana. So they were safe from the spell now.

The ocean was evaporating from the spell. The fort held up but not all of it could be saved. Luckily the fort in a place where a mountain had used to be. So the spells radius did not reach them. The spell was just like the ocean. At least its movement was. It was like waves splashing up and down.

Nothing was left. Everything expect the port was destroyed. The black markets entrance ways were blocked with ruble but remained unharmed.

Nothing the city of Isabella was gone. The weather had changed from the sudden rise of elements and smoke engulfed miles of the entire region even reaching other towns on the mainland.

I had placed my entire body onto Shiya to protect her from the spell. It did not hurt m e though. I didn't feel anything. "Alie...you there?"

"I'm here. Are you ok?"

"Yeah...I'm fine." "That was insane. I have no idea what just happened or what you did to make this happened. But it saved us."

"I don't know. I feel like I just made things worse. And I just destroyed what was left of this city." "Maybe. But you didn't do anything wrong its was my idea. Though I didn't expect this. Still you did what you needed to do. We were never goanna beat him with just fighting."

"I hope. What do we do about here?"

"Well at this point she's a prisoner of war." "...Her heart is faint." 

"...Well luckily I have this." In her hand was another potion that Vlatka had given us. "I had thought we."

"Guess I forgot."

We given her the potion and right away she stood up flustered. "What happen!? What's going on!?" "Relax. Its over. You almost died and we saved you." 

"Wha...why? I'm your enemy."

"Your right. But I'm not a monster. I don't think it was right of me to let you die like that." "And...my captain."

"Hopefully dead."

"...I see. Who are you? I have never seen some one do some thing like that. Especially a novice." Honestly I'm not sure my self. "I guess it was luck. I don't have much of answer to your question."

I was prodigy in magic back home. I guess there are more people out there that are more talented. Suddenly we heard steps walking toward from the smoke. "No way!?" "How did!?" All of us where in shock when he appeared.

He lost his divine powers and was beaten badly. "That was quite an attack Ivalyo. Haha. Your nearly killed me. But your magic is still unrefined. It didn't have enough control to kill me." I summon axe and attack him.

His speed was still the same since he through a punch the moment I jumped toward him. It was a much weaker attack. I was still standing. "Shiya...what are your doing?" 

"I..."

"Step a side. You have no magic as of right now and I will deal with you later." Hargur words came to mind and she stood up to him. "You know. I hated having to show this stupid loyalty to your and sucking up to you. As you are now. I could kill you."

The both of them exchanged looks and I as Shiya. "Are we...fighting him together?" She used what remaining magic she could use and summon a spear. "I guess so. But were not friends. All I want is to have killed. He deservers it."

"Magic tools huh."

Suddenly he was attacked my wave of gravity but cuts right through it. "Henkeva." Hen had appeared and looked fresh. "Seems I'm not too late."

"General!" Shiya was getting more scared. She felt uneasy with him showing up. That's the general of the Slova. "You finally had the time to show up. It was getting good but this adds spice to this whole fight."

"I see your still the same. How's your old man."

"Still in bed. Thanks to you." "Well I'm am a man of great honor and kindness." 

I think we should let the general handle this. "Come. We should stand aside."

"We were just getting started Ivalyo!? Why run away!" This guy is crazy. He really is a north men. Hen suddenly felt a disturbances and smiled. He sheathed his sword and crossed his arms. "What are you doing!?"

"I can use gravity and space to my degree. I can sense a portal opening in space. Seems there here after what has happened so far. I don't blame them to much."

"No...how." His faced darken and sheathed his sword as well and acted like a normal person with a high pedigree. "..."

"Don't be sad Kane. Well be fighting soon. Just now is not the time." 

A loud bang then appears above the sky. A heavy dred flow over our bodies. There was to much mana gathering here. It was a power to strong to determine who was stronger. A group of young and old men and women appear and float down to the bottom.

The princess had also appeared along with Loid. "Relax Ivalyo. We both agreed to a peace deal." One person steps forward toward us releasing a massive energy of mana. "Princess Mia."

"Hello Archbishop York." Another bishop steps forward. "Princess. Its so good to see you. "Hello Bishop Daron."

"Princess things are out of control right now." "I know. But it will end today." There many unknown mages and to me a few world leaders.

"I greet the magic tower members." 

"What is going on princess? We felt the changes in space here. Are you that desperate to even break the laws of the natural order."

"Its war. But we did not use it first. It was the imperials that did. I believe Peo rings a bell to you. After all he graduated at your school. And we know of his background for developing a time effect spell."

"Then I assume that person there is Henkeva." "He his my ally." " Still some must pay for disturbing the balance of the world. This is a serious matter."

"But nothing happened. There is no need for a punishment." Another priest steps in. "But there is a need for one. We can't just let this go and we won't. Henkeva was part of the problem. He should be punshied for it."

"And what about Peo. He was also part of it."

"..."

"There are more reason as to why you are here. What is it." "Your harboring of non-humans princess and the unstableness of your country is making many other domains unsettled. We come to ask to step down as heir."

How could they asked such a thing. Soon every one who was present in this war was here. Except Lazares king who ran away. "I will not step down. This my kingdom and you poeple who are loyal to the imperial throne have no authority over me."

"You are a loyal!"

"I am a master of my domain. A princess of Isabella. I will never surrender my people to a monster like him. The two priest who first greeted them were shaking there heads. "I have asked mages and the church for help for so long and you never given me a slick of help. You people have no right to lecture me or tell how to run my country."

"..."

"This was a war started by my enemies. As of right now I am backed by the two factions that your leader fears. They have agreed to send aid and protection. Until I rebuilt my kingdom." 

"Ridiculous. There is no way they would!" A priest steps and whispers to his ear. "...Boats from Moreya?"

A mages speaks to her. "Seems you've chosen you path princess. But I warn you this will not end well for you."

"And I will die with freedom." She steps forward to the imperial who tried to kill and where the cause of all this. "You have caused my people to suffer when they didn't deserve it. Leave my country and tell your emperor. That I will officially cut ties with the Southern empire."

Kane was surprised by her bravery and cut throatiness. But they bow. "Time well only tell when he wants to do it himself princess. I do hope your ready."

"Just leave." 

"Why don't they attack when she's right there?" I asked. Corbin tells that at this point there are too many high ranking people here to do it. "He also looks weak right now. What ever the reason he must not want to die yet. Also they lost and to many of these old bastards here still believe in that honor crap."

"So mostly about his reputation."

"Yeah." And like that the imperial were gone. "Now. If you gentle men don't mind I have things to do."

And like that many of them left. But the two bishops stay behind to talk to the princess. "I glad your alright princess. We both were worried."

"I always knew she would get here self into this. But some how the god of light has protected you." "Were sorry we couldn't help you when you needed it."

"Its ok. I understand you have things to do in the holy city." "Indeed. Things have become more political now and we are gathering as much as we can to oppose the red inquisition."

"Then you should get back now."

"May the gods help you princess." 

The bishop name Daron stopped to observe me. "Well. This is quite the find." "What?" 

"What is your name son?" I was reluctant at fist to tell him my name but he seems to be a friend to Mia. "My name is Ivalyo...I'm a former slave."

"I see. Its nice to meet you." He reaches out his hand wanting to shake my own. "Ye-yeah. Its nice to meet you."

"...You have a pure heart. Don't let the evils of this world change it. And I hope you stay friends with Mia."

"Sure." He smiles with relief and walks toward his comrade. "What was that about Daron?" "Nothing. Just meeting a person."

When they opened the portal we could see a city of white and grey on the other side. They were gone now.

"I guess until next time Sir Loid." 

"Indeed princess...till next time." And like that the war was over. We had won. But we lost a lot. Mostly the princess. She stood on top of where her ancestors had built her home. But now was in ruble. 

Everything in Isabella was destroyed. 2 weeks have passed and every was cleaning up of where the city once stood. We needed to get ride of the old city to build a new one. Moreya and Dantina were here now. The princess had gone to Lazare to discuss more detail on the peace talk with its leaders.

Right now me and my friends where in charge. Since Henkeva and Corbin left with the princess for obvious reason. It was a weird feeling. Everyone was silent but glad. We didn't have to worry about war.

But there was still a lot of crying. Many people did not make. We had buried everyone and a large graveyard was forming outside the city. 

Later that night I sat on the beach with Alie watching the ocean. "You ok?" "...I wish we could have saved them all."

"Me too." 

"You know. Some times I'm glad I wasn't born a king. I wouldn't have to feel responsible for there death. I can only imagine how it feels for Mia."

Alie scoots closer to hug me. "You'll be fine. We have to move on. Live for the lives that were lost in this war. Don't let your life stop for them. We should thank them for showing bravery and the will to give there life for the ones who could not fight to live."

"I just want this all to end some day. The killing." 

"I know. Maybe one day we can end it."

Alie did not leave my sight that night. Even after we fell asleep. More weeks passed and finally the princess had called everyone to talk of the peace deal. "Where glad your back princess."

"Thank you Laney."

"So what happened in Lazare?" 

"Well Lazare was forced to pay us for the deaths of many of my people. Also they had agreed to let go all of the slaves in Lazare."

"How did you do that?"

"There really scared of getting cut off from the mainland. The empire protects them but from trades routes is different. The southern empire is land locked so they have no wat to getting to the ocean." 

"I see."

"Not only that. They also agreed to stay out of our kingdoms affairs. So we can work in peace." "Then we should get started."

"Agreed. It will take away but. We can do this. I want to thank you all for helping and my kingdom. Especially you two. I did not know who you were when you came here and I thought of want to kick you out of my city. But I'm glad I didn't."

Mia bows to us and hugs. "Thank you both." 

"We are glad we meet you princess Mia."

"Your friends and I hope we stay for a long time." 

"I'm here to serve as much as I can princess." Alie elbows me. "And I am here to protect your kingdom as long as you need princess."

"Then lets start with rebuilding this kingdom shall we." Its a feeling of being wanted. Its been a long time of feeling wanted to be here. Heh. Still I have a feeling this current time what last long. I know it. Some thing else is coming. But not for Isabella. I think....some things coming after me and Alie now.

THE SOUTHERN EMPIRE

"So...you failed huh." 

"I'm sorry your majesty." "Don't be. You did what could. Honestly you did a lot more then what I asked for. But we still didn't achieve what we wanted."

"Its all because of that half-blood." "Who?"

"His name Ivalyo. He was the one who...stopped me. And is a dangerous one. He has potential sir. We cannot let him live to grew."

"Is he that dangerous." "In terms of battle. But the most dangerous one is his companion. From my report she spoke in words like the first princess. And like Moreya. She has ideas of that could spread chaos in our region."

"I see. Your right soem one like with idea of wanting equal grounds. She must be dealt with. If she spreads her ideas if could really turn the peasants and slaves against. And especially Ivalyo who not just human."

"What do you want to do."

"For now we wait. There is always a opportunity. And we see we will take it. For now focus on your wedding. I will take over for now."

"Yes your imperial majesty."

Why did such people show up all of a sudden. To think I have to do some thing. I must push my plans further. I need to plan ahead. In case that opportunity fails.

My story has only begun. My path is only started and I hope at the end of this path I will find my happiness....or my end