Act 0 - Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Alexander; Vagril 6th, 343SR; 06:30

The white cloth soaked up the filth on his knuckles, until it was patterned with streaks of dark red stains. He squinted at his hands, analyzing each crease and crevice on his skin, cringing at the sight of blood drying between them. 'Ugh...' Alexander sighed as he raised his palm into the air, a green light flashed above it. The handle of his greatsword protruded out of the light, falling slowly as its bright green blade followed. The massive weapon dropped into Alexander's hand, and he pointed the edge toward two slaves cowering on their knees.They both wore white robes commonly used by alchemists from Torovince. A bald man who looked rather rugged, he was rather muscular, and his skin was of a dark brown complexion. To his left, a woman who had very short brown hair and red eyes, but light brown skin. Both wore tattered clothes stained in mud. Their faces were bruised and battered, several spots on their shirt were dyed with dark red splatters. Alexander sighed as he looked down on them. The man looked furious, but afraid. The woman was crying in fear. The two slaves knew what awaited them. 'The same fools who helped the Endorans... The apple really doesn't fall far from the tree...'"Please, have mercy!" the woman groveled, but a guard slammed their white boot on her head, shoving her face into the dirt."You dare make demands of a noble?! Know your place!" the angel spat."Somebody help! Anyone! Please! How long will you live under these tyrants!" the man cried.Alexander turned his head nonchalantly to the crowd. "Well? Who will it be?"The slaves in the crowd said nothing, they didn't even dare look concerned. Each of them held their heads low or looked away. Alexander lowered his blade and smiled as he looked back at the man's devastated face."Take your boot off of her, she needs to see the people she tried saving," Alexander ordered gleefully.The angel quickly followed. The woman on the ground coughed raggedly, dirt was smeared all over her face. She kept her head low."Great Celestial, please save us. Please. Please. Please," the woman repeated.Alexander scoffed in disgust. "When will you learn, this is the hand the Celestial dealt you, yet you beg for its help as if you deserve it? Why is it so hard to understand that we, the angels, we are the worthy rulers, the rightful rulers! That's why we were trusted with its power... Heh, unlike you mongrels... We protect you from the demons. We give you shelter and food. We give your meaningless lives purpose. Don't you get it, we are worthy of the Celestial's power. The non-unified are unworthy, and always will be! It's that simple! You should be grateful we don't let your useless race rot!"The woman glared at him with her head low. "It'll be your great Celestial which kills you one day!"Alexander stared blankly at her, then shook his head and sighed. A green flame seeped through the edge of the blade, it sizzled on the air itself and started to burn off his sword. The two slaves eyes widened, they reflexively pulled back as they felt the intense heat. Alexander smirked, then swung his sword upwards. A wave of green flame smothered ground, washing over the two slaves. They shuddered and panicked as the flames spread over their clothes. They screamed as the heat seared their skin to the bone. The woman writhed on the ground as the man weakly reached forward. The screams faded into dry, haggard cries."Jack..." the man wheezed with his dying breath.All that was left was a green flame that burned away on the charred bones and ashes. Alexander turned and raised his arms while he pointed at the corpses with his blade."Do you see! This is what happens to those who deny the will of the Celestial! Would anyone else like to step out of line!" Alexander walked forward confidently. "Well!"Alexander's grin fell as he turned back to the two corpses, they were gone. In their place, were two cross shaped figures made from a pair of wooden sticks. All the slaves around him had become the same. Each of the figures made from two sticks had a dirty beige sack on top of them."Huh..." Alexander froze, a feeling of unease engulfed him.He turned back around to the exact spot where the man and woman were. However, a shirtless boy stood there with his head down instead. Black robes covered his legs, and the skin at his feet was pale. Alexander heard a rumble behind him. He turned and looked up to see the once tall Celestial, falling slowly toward Logos. 'No... No, no, no-!'"Who are you?! What's happening!" Alexander demanded an answer from the boy.The boy kept his head low."Damn cretin, I will-" Alexander tried to raise his blade but he couldn't lift it.Alexander looked down to see his arm had been made of sticks as well. His hand snapped as it failed to hold the weight of his greatsword. 'What?!' He looked up, but was startled as he saw the boy's face. 'Where are... Where are his eyes...' A fury was burned into the boys face, black tears fell from the empty sockets as he opened his mouth. Alexander couldn't take his eyes off him. It looked like he was screaming angrily, but Alexander couldn't hear anything over the ground rumbling. Fear clouded his mind as the ground around the boy erupted, Alexander shielded his face.* * *Alexander's eyes shot open as he gasped. He was immediately met with the discomforting chill of his sweat. He found himself staring at the top of his bed frame. Alexander shivered. The image of the boy was burned into his mind, he felt the hair on his skin rise.'The Celestial!' Alexander pulled himself out of bed and ran towards the window, leaning against the cold glass and looking up. The Celestial hadn't fallen, it still towered over the city of Helios. 'It was just a dream...' Alexander let out a sigh of relief, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and placed his back against the cold stone. As he exhaled, he felt the wall rattle. 'Huh?'After a few seconds, the glass window suddenly shattered outward as the entire tower shook, he hurried to another window. In the distance to the south, a part of the mountain between Helios and Logos had been smashed off. Even from this distance, he could see large boulders rolling down the cliff face, crashing into the western side of Roverswood. He squinted at a pillar of smoke rising from the forest. 'What... What happened!?' The face of the boy in his dream flashed through his mind, he skipped a breath. Alexander ran to the door, then leaned into the stairwell."Everyone wake up!" Alexander yelled at the top of his lungs. "We're deploying to Roverswood, right now! It's an emergency."Alexander hurried across the room to his wardrobe. He opened it and pulled out a white dress shirt and black pants. He quickly put them on, but paused as he held the black coat. 'What was that dream...' He shook his head, threw on the coat, and left the room."Vivian! Lector! Bruno!" Alexander yelled the names of his three lieutenants as he entered a spiral staircase.Torches lit the stone walls with an amber glow. The sound of a door opening could be heard above before suddenly closing. A set of heels clicked down the steps. Vivian came from around the corner, a dignified woman with straight black hair that reached down to her shoulders. She just reached six feet tall with her heels, and was just finishing tying her hair back with a clip. She wore similar attire to Alexander, a white shirt buttoned up to her neck and black pants. On the left side of her chest was the green insignia of a skull shaped like a fist, it looked like it was missing its cranium."Sir," Vivian addressed.Another door opened above, and Bruno's loud footsteps echoed through the tower. A large man with a full head of grey hair, and a scruffy beard made his way down the stairs. He pulled his coat over his shoulder but didn't button it as his belly was too large. His muscles stretched his sleeves around his broad shoulders as he scratched under his plump nose. Bruno breathed in through his mouth, he made an odd face as he raised his arm, then sneezed into his shoulder."You two feel that quake?" Bruno sniffled and shook his head. "What was that...""We are going to find out as soon as... As soon as Lector gets down here!" Alexander yelled that last part.Another door opened, a slow set of steps crept down the stairwell. A lanky man with a messy head of blonde hair held the wall for support as he tried to keep his eyes open. He wore just the white dress shirt buttoned halfway up. He yawned the entire way down the stairs, bumping into Bruno."Hmm," Lector didn't open his eyes.Lector leaned on the stone wall as he dozed off."Wake up!" Alexander yelled."I am! Ugh... Stop yelling all the time..." Lector groaned as he rubbed his eyes."House Rover is most likely already mobilizing a scouting party, we will assist them!" Alexander commanded as he started down the stairs, his squad followed."Wait slow down, do we need to rush?" Lector whined as he tried to hurry. "Wait- Vivian how did you have time to do your hair?!""Stay focused, we don't know what we're dealing with! Lector, when we get outside set up a line with Vivian, she'll give us reconnaissance of the area. Bruno, make a chariot to get us there faster," he instructed."Yes sir!" Vivian and Bruno responded at the same time, Lector dragged his words.They reached the bottom of the stairs and Alexander opened the door, the strong wind pushed back. The sky was a gentle blue as the sun slowly rose in the distance. The bottom of the stairwell split into two perpendicular paths. One lead north to House Pendragon's tower, the other lead west to House Rover's. There were four towers connected by the central wall, forming a square shaped structure between the Government Bureau and the Celestial itself. The wall was just over seventy meters tall, surrounding the base of the Celestial.From the right of House Pendragon, a bright red light drew their eyes. Alexander watched as a snake-like dragon, armored in dark iron and black scales materialized out of thin air. The squad stopped, as the dragon known as Balakin flapped it's wings, slithering through the air past House Rael's tower. On it's head, was a young man who wore a white shirt with red decals on it. He glanced at the members of House Rael as he flew by."Damn... Arthur is pretty quick... Was he even asleep?" Lector nodded.Bruno planted his fist onto the ground, his ring flashed orange, and the stones began to flow like a liquid. It stretched out, then curved southward for miles, forming a pathway that extended over Helios. Lector put his palm on Vivian's shoulder, a gold circle with a glowing dot at it's center appeared on his hand. As he lifted his hand off, the spot he touched was left with a similar mark. Vivian drew a black feather from her pocket, and it faded away in her fingers. At the same time, a pair of massive black feathered wings materialized out of her upper back. Bruno pressed his fists against the stone again. The rock rose in front of him, stretching out like wet clay. It took the shape of a horse chained to a chariot, then hardened and became rigid.Vivian jumped off the wall her black wings tucked in, shrouding her body like a cowl as she dived into the city. As she disappeared into the shadows, her wings spread out, and she banked upwards into the air, soaring toward the forest quickly. Lector, Bruno, and Alexander mounted the chariot, the stone chains rattled as the horses galloped down the path."Hold on tight!" Bruno warned.The horse accelerated at an astounding speed, it's hooves tapped rhythmically against the stone path. As they passed over the inner city, Balakin passed over the outer wall. A red light shone at the dragons head, then shot directly into the sky at great speed. The light descended upon the forest, landing in its center. A voice came out of the yellow mark on Lector's hand. The black dragon howled as its scales glowed red, it vanished into the air as well."Sir, something landed in the woods... It took a part of the mountaintop as it did... There are boulders scattered around the area, but head to the smoke coming from the clearing in the forest. House Rover is on its way, I'm sure you noticed but Arthur just got there," Vivian explained through the mark on Lector's hand.'That little runt Arthur... I can't stand him...' The stone path arched downward after it passed the border between the cities. Bruno looked nauseated as he controlled the stone horses, his eyes wide open and sweat dripping down his forehead. A portion of the forest in the distance had been cleared of trees, Alexander squinted at the pillar of smoke rising out of it. The chariot descended the last slope of stone, just as the end of the path reached the crash site. The horses picked up speed, then leapt off, landing in the clearing.'Huh...' At the end of a divot ripped into the ground, a blocky object made of rigid rectangular shapes was lodged into the dirt. It was at least five feet taller than Alexander. Its cobalt blue surface was smothered in mud. He stepped off the chariot and approached it. A slab of metal stuck out of its side. It seemed like a wing, but part of it was shorn off during the crash. Live wires and steaming liquids spilled out, electricity crackling off it."What is that..." Lector asked curiously.Vivian glided in and landed gracefully while Lector and Bruno got off the chariot. Multiple scouts searched around the area and checked around the debris site for anything of value. Several of them analyzed the odd purple crystals around and inside of the unidentified object."Gather all of that crystal substance and take it to the Lightbringers for analysis," Arthur ordered the other angels.Arthur was short, standing at just five feet and eight inches. He had black hair tied back into a ponytail except for a few bangs that covered the right side of his face. His white coat had red stripes on it, and over his chest was the red insignia of a dragon coiled around a spear. Despite his youth, he was the noble of House Pendragon, and the youngest noble in history. Arthur turned towards Alexander and faced him with a blank stare."Good morning Alexander, lieutenants of House Rael. I'm sure none of us were expecting something like this," he nodded as his red eyes analyzed Alexander and the rest of them sharply.'Ugh... I can't stand looking at this little shit... Who do you think you are... You're just some punk living in Shinra's shadow... And you always will...'"No need for the formalities runt... This... Thing... What is it? Where did it come from?" Alexander asked.Lector wandered over to the people collecting the purple crystals on the ground. Vivian examined the peculiar object while keeping a distance, cautioning Bruno while he investigated the metal surface closely."This thing took off a decent portion of the mountain, perhaps we should make the people of Logos mine for logorite up there too," Alexander chuckled."Something struck me as odd. Please, follow me," Arthur completely ignored Alexander's idea.Alexander gritted his teeth. 'Did he just tell me what to do? The nerve...' He followed behind the young noble, towards the rear-end of the crashed object. Alexander was surprised to see inside of the object, the architecture was unlike anything the angels made. What filled most of the interior were purple crystals, they sprouted from a dark liquid staining the walls."Do you think this is some kind of demon sorcery or one of those damn resistance members from the gutters of Torovince?" Alexander asked."I doubt the non-unified could do this... Hey, there are footprints," Arthur pointed out.Several footprints of mud lead into the interior, then back outside. Alexander turned and followed the steps, then noticed a smeared trail in the mud that led out of the ship towards the woods."Arthur... What did the scouts from House Rover discover inside?" Alexander asked."I got here first... This is how it was when I found it..." Arthur replied."Thirteen years as a noble, and you're still this much of a newbie aren't you," Alexander sighed. "Someone was here before us. There's a trail leading out of the woods towards Logos!" Alexander pointed to the tracks."Huh, you're right... Good observation," Arthur nodded.Alexander felt a storm brew within him in anger at the younger noble. But at the same time, an explosion rippled through the air. A purple light lit up on the other side of the mountain for a brief second."What the hell, that was bright... Someone did get here before us you-" Alexander was cut off when he heard pieces of metal clack together behind him.Alexander turned to see Arthur crouched down with one hand on the ground. Around his legs, jagged black dragon scales assembled like armor. A red light fluxed off Arthur's legs, and he suddenly jumped high into the sky towards the mountain. A red trail of light followed him.'Runt...' Arthur's landed on the mountain. Alexander followed the footsteps in the mud. In a few minutes, he ran past the fallen trees, and the boulders that came off the mountain. Alexander picked up pace as he ran, eventually leaving the forests and losing sight of the footsteps. But for some reason, there were purple crystals sprouting from the ground, like the ones at the ship. 'What... I walk this path all the time... This wasn't here before...' As Alexander followed the crystals down the trail along the side of the mountain, he realized it was leading to Logos. The face of the boy from his dream flashed through his mind again, the rage in his hollow eye sockets haunted him. 'Was that... A premonition?' Alexander shuddered as he shook his head, but came to an abrupt stop as he reached the entrance of the mines."Huh..." Alexander twitched.He wasn't expecting to see the entrance blocked by hefty chunks of rock. A foul scent lingered in the area, it stung Alexander's nose. 'What happened here... That scent... No... It can't be... Again?' Alexander heard a loud thud behind him, he turned around to see Arthur stand up. The black armor he wore faded into red dust."The shards of the mountain's peak all got sent to the other side, there's no reason the mines should be blocked off on this side though... Something else happened here..." Arthur observed."Was there a similar scent at the top of the mountain?" Alexander asked."No?" Arthur replied with a puzzled tone. "Something strange is going on though that's for sure... When I was on top of the mountain, a purple fire was burning north of Logos," Arthur added."Purple fire... Could the demons be making their move..." Alexander pondered."I doubt Abaddon would invade without sending an army, and the mines being closed... It's an oddly specific target... It doesn't accomplish much either..." Arthur deduced. "Please handle the situation in Logos, I'll inform the Lightbringers of this right away..."Alexander quickly turned to Arthur with an infuriated look on his face. "You punk... What are you trying to pull!""Huh...""We'll just make the slaves do it! They did it! They should be held responsible! But no! You want to use this to discredit me, don't you!"Arthur raised an eyebrow. "Alexander, with all due respect... After the mines had closed three weeks ago... The Logorite supply fell heavily... We can't afford to waste time, this directly impacts our allegiance with Hiria, they need that Logorite... You know this...""You-" Alexander didn't know what to say, the young noble was right.Arthur turned around, keeping an eye on Alexander. "I'm not doing this to discredit you, it must be done... I know you don't like me but, I hold you in high regard, Sir Alexander. While, I do find your methods in Logos, brutish... My father respected you, and I trust in my father's faith."Arthur turned around, then walked away down the path, Alexander felt his jaw tighten. 'That little shit... He thinks he knows better than me?!' Alexander slammed his fist into a tree, his head began to ache as his rage swelled. Leaves fell from above, only for approaching wing beats to push them off their course. Vivian landed behind him."Sir, the people of Logos seem to be caught up with some kind of-" Vivian said."I know!" Alexander snapped.Vivian's expression filled with fear, and her legs shook. She immediately put her knee on the dirt and bowed her head."I'm sorry sir," Vivian apologized.Alexander stomped toward Logos, intent to unleash his anger upon somebody, anybody. However a thought lingered in his mind. 'The mines were sealed... That strange scent... It happened during the night... This is like the incidents caused by the Eldritch and Endoran families...' The name rang in his head. 'Jack...'As Alexander left the forest, he gazed upon the town of Logos in the distance. On his left, he noticed the path blocked by a crowd of slaves. They were gathered around a tall purple fire. Alexander approached, squinting at its strange appearance. 'It looks so... Majestic...' The flame didn't move with the wind, it simply rose straight upward, the outer cone of flame at the top was a perfectly straight spire. As Alexander approached, the citizens turned and promptly moved out of the way. The crowd had kept a short distance from the flame, and as he got close he realized why.As he saw the inner cone of the flame, he flinched. It was only a meter tall, yet a strong heat emanated from the fire as it slowly died. Alexander was surprised to feel such heat in the air even from where he stood. The flame dissipated and the slaves looked to the noble."Who did this..." Alexander asked, his voice brimming with rage.The slaves looked around in confusion. The mumbles in the crowd made his fist clench."Someone did this, who did this! I want an answer!" he yelled.Alexander raised his hand outwards to summon his weapon. A green light glowed within his palm, and particles of light clumped together. A black handle and hilt left it, followed by a vibrant green blade. He grasped it and drew massive greatsword from the light with one hand. The crowds expressions turned to fear and panic."We don't know!" someone in the crowd yelled."We only showed up after we heard the loud noise!" another desperate voice shouted."Jack and Carol aren't here!" someone cried.Various voices in the crowd cried and plead, but Alexander's head shot to the right as he heard that last line. It came from a dark-skinned slave with curly hair. Alexanders glare at him, they locked eyes. The young slave suddenly looked tense, his shoulders rose, his hands shook. He was in his teens, somewhat muscular but lanky, his black hair curly and short. 'Him... I can't remember his name... But I know he's been in Logos for at least three years...'"Jack you said? Jack Eldritch?" Alexander felt his blood boil."Y-Yeah," the boy replied.Alexander squinted, "Jack! Jack Eldritch! Caroline Endoran! Show yourselves this instant!"Alexander turned as he waited for someone to come forward, but no one did. He stabbed his greatsword into the ground and walked the young slave, then kneeled in front of him and looked at him with wide eyes. The frightened boy could barely keep eye contact with Alexander."Tell me where can I find Jack," Alexander asked calmly."He... He lives in his parent's house," the slave admitted."What is your name? How old are you?" Alexander asked curiously."F-Franklin... I'm thirteen years old," the boy answered."You hear that everybody!" Alexander yelled suddenly, the boy cowered in fear."Franklin knows his place as vermin, and he's just thirteen... You lot should be ashamed! How can someone this young be more compliant than the rest of you! I ought to execute you all right now!" Alexander scowled.The crowd grimaced in fear, they stepped back as they shuddered and gasped. Alexander pulled the greatsword out of the ground and turned toward Franklin."Now, lead me to that house, or die," Alexander ordered coldly, pointing the massive blade at the boy he just praised.Franklin's eyes widened with fear, he didn't hesitate to comply. "I-I-Know the way!""Good," said Alexander, he continued to glare down at the boy.Franklin led Alexander through the town, straight to Jack's house. Alexander felt sick to his stomach while he walked through the town. He couldn't stand this place, the scent alone was enough to make him gag. 'Only the repulsive belong here...' As the sun rose over Logos, Alexander started to notice purple crystals reflecting the sunlight up ahead. They were coming from the opposite direction, but still toward Jack's house. 'So the trail leads here too... Hm...' After a short walk through the outer part of the city, Franklin stopped and pointed to his left."This is... The one," Franklin said hesitantly.Alexander walked towards the house, brushing Franklin as he passed him. He turned and checked for more purple crystals, but they had stopped several houses back. He walked up the steps and knocked on the door once. He paused for a moment, then knocked again. After hearing nothing, he slammed his fist on the door. 'I can't believe I'm knocking on this door again... Eldritch scum... They should all die for wasting my time...'"This is the noble of House Rael. Open the door at once, or I'll break it down scum," a deep voice filled with vicious intent called from outside. "Come on, I don't have all day, open the door!"He didn't hear anything."Open. This. Door!" Alexander yelled.A few seconds passed and he heard wood slam at the left of the house close. 'The cellar?' Alexander turned to see a girl with short black hair and green eyes run onto the street in front of the crowd of people. She held a purple crystal in her hand, and her eyes were wide as she glared at Alexander. 'The Endoran's daughter?!' Alexander was surprised to see the townsfolk grab her arms. As she hit the ground, the purple crystal slipped out of her grasp, it rolled a short distance away."Ah?! Stop! Let me go!" Carol cried and struggled.'Carol Endoran... The one who was always following the Eldritch family...' Alexander walked forward, laughing heartily at the failed attempt."Come on, one more time, ask them again please," Alexander requested.He squatted down, closed his eyes, and put his hand to his ear. Carol furled in disgust, she looked confused."Let me go!" Carol begged the people of Logos."Haha, there it is!" Alexander laughed cheerfully. "You don't understand, do you, they don't take orders from you, why would they take orders from someone as pathetic as the rest of them? But, never mind that, I want to know... What were you doing in the Eldritch house cellar?""I was getting something," Carol answered quickly."Vivian... Check the cellar..." Alexander ordered."Yes sir," Vivian walked into the alley between the houses.The slaves willingness to answer made Alexander squint. 'Why isn't she scared... Caroline Endoran... Transferred from Roccan seven years ago... She's been here for some time... She must know the risk of trying to attack an angel... Let alone a noble...' Alexander looked at the door of the house, no one opened it despite him knocking earlier. 'Where is Jack?' Alexander looked up to the Celestial as he remembered his dream again."Don't play games with me now, on the way here I saw the mines... It'd make sense if the two of you were behind it, your parents, then the Eldritch family followed, and now here we are... Their idiotic children are repeating the same mistakes. Where is Jack?" Alexander asked once more."Jack was staying over at my place, because he didn't want to stay at this house..." Carol answered. "He didn't like it...""And what made staying with you any better?" Alexander snickered. "Don't tell me two more pieces of filth have already fallen for each other...""Fuck you, freak!" Carol lashed back with a fierce glare."Wow, out of everyone here, you're the first to say something back. However..." Alexander lifted the purple crystal off the ground. "I know you're lying, this crystal. I know where it came from. Why do you have it!""I was in the forest last night, and I happened to find it. And I used it to blow up the mines," Carol smirked confidently."Sir, there was no one else in the cellar..." said Vivian.Alexander stood up and looked down at Carol. She blew her short black hair out of the way, her green eyes still full of confidence. 'She's too compliant... Why...' The townspeople looked at one another, murmuring and whispering about the mines closing. Alexander turned, walked towards the door, and lightly pushed it. The wood around the lock and hinges snapped, the door crashed into the floor a few steps into the house. 'Where is Jack...' The thought of the boy from his dream swirled in his head constantly.Alexander walked into the bungalow, dust in the air scratched at his clean skin and he immediately felt even more disgusted by the town. His attention was drawn to the dust on the floor. There were footsteps too and from the front door. The floor creaked as he followed the trail, the only light in the room came from outside. There was a lantern on the table next to where the footsteps ended, to Alexander's surprise the trail led back the way he came and out of the house. He stepped outside and looked down at the other houses to the left."Why are you even looking for Jack?" Carol asked.'Why am I...' Alexander thought about it for a moment but stopped immediately. "I know it was him.""What?" Carol replied with a confused expression."You said he was at your house?" Alexander asked."Yeah... He should be sleeping in the living room," Carol answered, still unnaturally compliant.'She's way too compliant... I don't trust her... I'll have to remind her who I am, but first the Eldritch brat.' Vivian walked forward and pulled Carol up by the arm, she flew to her feet easily and barely resisted. Vivian followed Alexander as he walked a couple of houses down. Alexander reached the front of Carol's house. It was unpleasantly silent, the townsfolk all stayed quiet as they followed the noble. 'I have a bad feeling about this...'"Jack do it now!" Carol suddenly yelled to everyone's surprise.'Huh!' Alexander jumped, summoning his greatsword quickly. Vivian backed up, dragging Carol with her. Alexander looked to the surrounding houses or alleyways, anticipating an attack. However, nothing happened. He looked up at the Celestial, breathing heavily at the same time. Carol burst into a fit of laughter, even wheezing slightly. Alexander glanced at the woman, a vein in his forehead swelled."You are honestly such a coward, you act all high and mighty, swinging around your stupid green sword. But you cowered like a total wimp for nothing!" Carol mocked the noble."How dare you disrespect-" Vivian scolded but Carol cut her off."Jack isn't even here! I lied! I got the purple crystal on the road here... You're both a coward and an idiot, take away your stupid Celestial and you have nothing!" Carol chuckled.Alexander felt his blood boil, 'This lowlife non-unified scum... Just called me a coward?!'"Coward? Take away the Celestial?" Alexander's tone sounded annoyed but Carol froze when she saw his twisted grin. "Do you think our positions would be any different if you had this power?"Alexander tossed his sword in front of Carol. Vivian stepped back with a confused expression. Carol looked down at the greatsword's vivid green blade as it laid flat against the dried dirt. Carol looked up at Alexander, then back down to the blade."Take it," Alexander offered. "Go on, pick up the sword and strike me."Carol's mouth hung open in confusion. She blinked repeatedly in disbelief."You better pick it up quickly, the person you just called a coward is going to beat you to death," Alexander declared as he cracked his knuckles.Carol's eyes widened, she looked left and right, but then back to Alexander. She reached down for the blade, her hands shaking rapidly. The unruly slave didn't take her eyes off the noble. Carol gripped the handle of the massive sword and attempted to lift it, but even with two hands, she couldn't. She struggled to lift the handle, but couldn't get the blade off the ground. No matter how hard she struggled, it was pointless. Carol let go of the handle, the sword fell against the dirt. Alexander shook his head as he walked forward, rolling up his sleeves."It's a little difficult, isn't it... Far heavier than a pickaxe... This is why you non-unified... Should be grateful!" Alexander roared as he slammed his fist into Carol's face.The people in the crowd flinched, a smack echoed through the air. Carol stumbled backward into the crowd, they moved out of the way as she fell on her back. The girl writhed on the ground as she held her face, rolling onto her front. 'I have to hold back or this won't be any fun...' Alexander walked forward, and the crowd stepped further away from the two.Carol struggled to her feet, she couldn't raise her head as she held her nose. Red blood dripped through her fingers as Alexander clasped both his fists together. He raised his arms, and swung down into the back of Carol's head, knocking her face first into the dirt. Alexander grabbed her leg, then dragged her against the ground. Carol clawed at the dirt, trying to hold on to something. But she was lifted effortlessly, Alexander pulled Carol over his head and whipped her at her own house. She flew into the wooden pillar, the slaves in the crowd gasped in terror at the speed she was thrown. Before she hit the ground, Alexander closed the distance, and planted his fist in her stomach, causing her to cough up even more blood."Ack!" Carol weakly cried.Blood splattered onto Alexander's hand, he grasped her hair and lifted her head. He grinned as he continuously bashed his fist against her face, leaving her more and more unrecognizable each time he did. Carol tried to defend herself but it was pointless. The slaves could only watch with horrified expressions. Franklin covered his eyes as Carol struggled. She made inaudible noises as she was continuously pummeled by the noble."Say it! Call me a coward one more time!" Alexander laughed maniacally as each punch splashed blood across the dirt.The girl's face was bruised and battered, several of her teeth had been knocked out, and she couldn't even keep one of her eyes open. Franklin threw up. Others in the crowd held in their reflex to gag at the sight of the beaten girl who was once barely different from them. Alexander grasped Carol's bloodied head with one hand and showed the crowd her distorted face."Let me make it clear, this is why you worship the Celestial! Go on, beg you maggot," Alexander commanded as he grinned. "Beg for mercy!"Alexander tightened his grip on Carol's head, the people in the crowd flinched as they heard her skull crack. None of the slaves said a word, they just shielded their eyes from the horror. Most were afraid of being next."Sir we can't afford to lose more of the non-""Shut your mouth lieutenant!" Alexander scolded, frightening Vivian at the same time. "Beg you wench, and I'll let you go, then you can start to appreciate the life I allow you to have!"Carol's legs flailed back and forth, trying to kick the noble. Her eyes were full of fear. Her mouth open as she struggled for any air she could get. Alexander loosened his grip her throat."Now, beg for your pathetic life," Alexander demanded.Carol's legs stopped moving. Her eyes looked down on Alexander with a cold stare, devoid of fear. She smiled."I can't... Wait... For the... For your great Celestial to kill you one day..." Carol struggled to speak, gurgling on blood.The slave grinned when she saw how these words warped Alexander's expression. His entire mood flipped in an instant. 'Why did she say that... That was... That was from the dream!' Alexander's thoughts suddenly bounced around chaotically."Why... Why did you say that... Why did you say that!" Alexander roared as he threw her against the dirt.Carol landed on her back, a wide grinned still on her face. 'You little-' Alexander summoned his greatsword. It ignited in a green flame as he lifted it high above his head."Answer me!" Alexander roared as he brought the blade down upon her.The blade pierced through her stomach, and the green flames spread across her body. Carol didn't scream or flinch, her weak smile remained wide as she burned. 'She's... She's already dead...' Alexander huffed in and out as he looked down at the burned corpse. His head rose immediately. 'This is when... This is just like my dream... The boy... The boy... He... Jack will appear. Where is he... Where is Jack!'Alexander looked back to the Celestial, it still stood tall. He turned back to the corpse on the ground. 'Why did she say that... Of all the things... Why that!' Alexander turned to the slaves, they were all still horrified by the gruesome execution."Vivian he's coming!" Alexander babbled."Sir? Whose coming? What are you..." Vivian was alarmed when she saw Alexander turn to her.Vivian had never seen the Alexander like this. His eyes wide and shaking. Sweat crawling down his neck, goosebumps formed over his skin. His teeth rattled uncontrollably, his shaking eyes bouncing around frantically. 'The dream! Jack! He's coming... Jack is...' He remembered Carol's words. 'The house!' Alexander sprinted forward and tackled the door down, only to pause as a brightening green light struck his eyes. Something in the front hallway glowed bright green. Before he could do anything, an explosion ripped the floor to pieces. A wave of green flame struck Alexander directly, the force launching him off his feet. He was smothered in an intense inferno of green flame. 'Jack!'