Chapter 99

[Third Person's PoV]

Rose and Alexia sat on the floor of the abandoned church with a hand over their eyes unable to believe what they were hearing.

"So let me get this straight" Alexia started off, "You're the leader of Shadow Garden, the hidden organization which is known to so mysterious and unknown that even people don't even believe they're real."

Cid who was leaning by the piano with his arms crossed nodded his head,

"You're the leader of Shadow Garden…" she repeated slowly, still trying to wrap her head around it.

"So you're Shadow…, the one who saved me from the cult during my kidnapping, the same one who destroyed a part of the capital with just a swing of his sword during his fight with Zenon" she muttered to herself.

"The one and only" Cid smirks.

It was then Rose's turn to look at Cid with wonder. "It was you…" she said with tears in her eyes. "You were the one that saved me that night when I was just a little girl. And then once again during the terrorist attack in the school"

Rose then started to blush, 'The man I respect and the man I fell in love with are the same person. Kyaaa he's perfect'

"Wait" Alexia interrupted, "Was Natsu- Beta, as you called her, with us just because you ordered her to keep an eye on us or something?"

"Huh? No I never did tell her to do any of that, I think those were Alpha's orders. There was no need to give her those orders, after all you already had protection from me, how do you think Rose was able to escape and I was able to quickly find her" Cid's eyes glowed a purple color.

Their eyes widened in shock before Cid kept motioning them to look downwards. When they did they saw their shadows extend outwards before purple eyes appeared watching them before they retreated back.

Roses face grew red, 'So he has been protecting me and watching over me to make sure I was save all this time'

Alexia was at first confused but then remembered Igris and how the black knight followed Cid before, like a loyal servant, during the time she was kidnapped and during after his fight with Aurora, 'Are they like him, I also strictly remember the mention of shadowy beings appearing all over the capital while I was kidnapped'

"THAT'S WHERE I REMEMBERED HER FACE FROM!"

"WAIT YOU'RE MARRIED!!!"

Both Alexia and Rose shouted at the same time. Cid was even taken by surprise by their sudden outburst as he really wasn't expecting that.

"Wait wait wait. One at the time." Cid said while looking at them weirdly which caused them to blush.

Alexia was the first one to start talking, "I was thinking about the Goddess Trail and Meeting the one they called Alpha, who seems to be the one in charge at the time. At first I thought I recognized her, but I wasn't sure from where, then after learning that you're Shadow it clicked, your wife, Kalandra and Alpha look very similar and are thus the same person."

"Great detective work" Beta sarcastically remarked.

"Shut it" Alexia scoffed looking at Beta with disdain for lying to her.

Rose, who was to the side looked very depressed, "I was so shocked to learn that you were Cid that my brain immediately skipped the part where you called Natsu- Beta, your wife earlier"

Her eyes started growing wet so she lowered her head for them not to see but they were still able to hear the shakiness in her voice, "Then you mentioned being intimate with Alexia… and Now she mentions you having another wife"

Alexia, seeing this sighed, already having an Idea what Rose's going through so she leaned over and whispered in her.

After a few seconds, she backs away and Rose looks at Alexia in surprise, "Really?!" She asked in shock before Alexia nodded her head.

Alexia then went and whispered something else before backing away once again, which caused Rose to nod her head with determination burning in her eyes.

'I shouldn't feel sad about it, Cid is amazing, and incredibly strong. It's no wonder he has so many wives… that just means I have to get him to notice my womanly charm. It shouldn't be too hard, after all I'm sure his feelings for me burn just as strong as mine does for him' She thought before looking over at Cid shyly.

"Anyways…" Cid stated to change the subject…

He changed back to wearing his Shadow outfit and looked at them with a serious expression, his eyes turning into dragon slits. "I normally don't invite people to join unless I'm sure of them, This is normally Alpha's job as my second in command. So feel honored, I, the Monarch of Shadows and King of the Dead, personality recruit you to become members of Shadow Garden"

Cid lowered his hands and put it underneath their chin, he lifted it up and made them stand.

He looked at each of them directly before continuing, "You want power to be able to do as you please? Then it shall be yours. But It comes at a price, You must offer your servitude and loyalty towards I and in extension Shadow Garden."

Rose was the first to answer, she knelt down with a hand on her heart while looking up directly into his dragon eyes, after finding out Shadow's identity all her nervousness disappeared, all that remained was a great determination to fight and prove herself towards the man she loves.

"I want power, I want to be able to protect my people from the clutches of the Diabolos Cult. If having that type of power means serving under you I would do it gladly. So yes, for the betterment of my people and having the ability to change the future of my kingdom, I would more than joyful at the opportunity of joining Shadow Garden and fighting alongside them"

Alexia seeing this didn't want to be upstaged so she followed Rose's actions in kneeling down with a hand over her heart. Soon her expression turned serious as she started to express her feelings and thoughts.

"I am a princess, the fact that I'm kneeling before you should be something unimaginable. But I saw your power, I saw the power of your subordinates during the Goddess Trail. If I had powers like that I would be able to fight against The Diabolos Cult that have been secretly manipulating my kingdom and our citizens. If having the power to fight back against them means I have to kneel down and bow my head, then I would willingly do it towards the end of time.

You have helped me out tremendously ever since I've met you, I would gladly give you my loyalty and join Shadow Garden to take down The Diabolos Cult from further spreading their influence"

Beta who was kneeling besides them smirked towards them and nodded her head, 'They are become good seedlings, I see why Master is interested in them, they possess a lot of potential, with the help from master and Shadow Garden they will blossom beautifully'

'What is up with these girls and kneeling down?' He thought but he was overall pleased with their words.

Shadow put a hand over their heads and let their power flow through them as he fixed their magic overload or as the Diabolos Cult calls it 'Demonic possession'

Both Alexia and Rose closed their eyes as they felt themselves become empowered, 'This power…!' They both inwardly exclaimed.

'It's so intoxicating and Chaotic, it's both warm and cold, I feel fullied but empty wanting more.' They both thought, not knowing their thoughts aligned.

When he was done they both looked at their hands and bowed their heads towards Cid "Thank you" They sincerely said expressing their gratitude.

Shadow just nodded his head before looking at Beta, "Take Alexia towards the base and show her around, I'm sure you know what do already"

"What but Hmmm mm m…" Alexia was caught off by Beta who covered her move. Beta bowed her head.

"It shall be down master"

"Wait before you go here" he said, throwing two vials of red droplets, "You know what to do and at what time to use them, no?"

Beta just looked at the vials before nodding her head with a serious expression before she started sinking into her shadow dragging Alexia along with her.

Shadow looked at Rose and said, "Remember this, strength isn't just about the power you hold. It's about how you wield it and what you fight for"

"I lured some of the men that were chasing you over here, they will burst through that door any second now. So show me Rose Oriana, show me you have the will to charge forward and take your future with your own hands"

Shadow expressed before summoning Igris, who had his cape out and ready, which Shadow easily walked through, disappearing from her view leaving Rose kneeling before a piano.

"I think I saw her run from over here! She must be hiding inside. Don't let her escape!" Rose heard while still kneeling.

Slowly she took out her sword, her blade shining from the blade's reflection. She looked at her own image in the blade before closing her eyes as the people outside burst through the door.

"Please watch over me… Cid-sama" she muttered before opening her eyes once again showing a resolute expression.

As they entered the church they saw Rose kneeling and smirked, "Going for a quick prayer before giving yourself up princess?" the man leading them mock.

Rose's expression didn't change as she stood up, "No, I was praying that in your next life you people wouldn't be so foolish" she coldly said before she disappeared from where she was standing.

Their eyes widened as they saw her disappear, the next thing they knew blood was flying everywhere as Rose moved from body to body using her new strength to cut them apart, killing anyone that stood in her way…