Chapter 422 - The Fall (2/2)
”Help who?”
”My sisters,” said the figure with messy hair, a foul breath, and a night-gown.
”Did you run away from Scott?” asked he a little amused by the image of Scott chasing her in pajamas.
”That doesn't matter. Please, Majesty, you have to help them!” begged Emi pressing her hands as if a prayer.
”No.”
”PLEASE, I'LL DO ANYTHING,” she pled.
”Anything, are you sure?” asked he with a less than pleasant stare.
”YES, ANYTHING.”
”Well then,” *Ancient Magic: Teleportation.*
”There,” two ladies fell to their knees.
”HOW DID YOU?” her sisters returned without a second's notice.
”Doesn't matter,” smiled he, ”-take them downstairs – I'm sure Scott can handle it from here.”
”BUT WHAT DID YOU DO?”
”Shut up,” the door slammed.
'Two seconds for a rescue, quite amusing. I wanted to go there in the company of an army and lay siege to their castle. I suppose dreams will be dreams, I can't lay siege in modern society. The All-seeing eye sure is powerful. Having so much power doesn't feel right anymore. I can easily go anywhere in the world – my mana capacity is ever-growing. The All-Seeing eyes are fully evolved, they've reached their peak as a tool. I can pin-point to any location and instantly sense how many people, what they're doing, and their thoughts in a second. The toll it has on the body is close to a mosquito bite. Maybe I'm growing senile. Subconsciously putting limits on my powers – maybe it's in order to not make me go insane. Long are the days of constant pain. The symbols of power are nothing but tattoos on my body. The Ancient writings over my chest and limbs seem to grow dimmer with each day. The curses are being blessed by the Power of Time. It seems to have a will of its own. In every sense of the word, I'm the Wielder of Time now, the power that the God slayer inherited.'
”Master, Emperor Sultria is going to start the press conference,” said Éclair.
”Turn on the television,” ordered he taking a drink out of the fridge.
”All rise for his Imperial Majesty,” said an announcer lowering his head over the screen.
”Settle down,” said the Emperor with a cold tone. ”Let me express my gratitude for thee to have made it here on such short notice. As most of you know, the AHA has been essential in helping our people, the Sultrian, who has limitless power to find the path of kindness. Those at the top must help the unfortunate – villains, monsters, criminals; our idyllic continent is still under the clutches of evil. Looking for a world without evil is insanity. Yet, tis said insanity which allows us to move forth. We look, we seek, we yearn for a better tomorrow. The people of Alphia spoke, our comrades spoke – the truth, one of which I knew not, was ousted by a villain. The Jester, brother of Asuna Muld; chose the path of anarchy because of our failure to give justice. He chose to change the world in his way – I don't praise his actions for people have died in said endeavor. It did give us a very well needed moment of silence. What is it we seek as people, what do we want? To have other Asuna Muld be defiled by those with power and driven to death. Or do we want retribution, I ask thee, people of Alphia, WHAT WILL IT BE? If more cases like Asuna happens, others will follow the path of Jester. They will bring their own anarchism and destroy the lives of the innocent. THAT,” he shouted,”-is something we must avoid at all cost. Hear me all, I, Sultria VI, Emperor of Alphia, decree that the AHA must atone for their actions. The Imperial family will back any faction who wishes to fight them. This is a culling, a very much needed restart for our society. I say it again, in no way do I wish for people to die. We need not sully our hands, those who've betrayed our trust deserve more than death, they need to atone and pay for their sins.”
'Now that's a speech if I heard one,' thought Staxius lounged on the couch. 'Breaking apart the faction seems the normal course of action. Those pulling strings can't do anything. We've won the battle. The AHA is done for. No apology is going to quell the people's thirst for revenge. Rekindling the passion for Asuna using Gophy, returned her memories to the people. They understood how much good savior was needed. One that could help the people out of the goodness of her heart.
”Éclair, have Scott ready the Feline Force. We're going to hammer the last nail in their coffins.”
”Understood, master.”
Without time wasted, accompanied by the manager, the trio stood at Staxius's doorstep.
”Come on in,” said he with a smile.
”What's this about?” whispered Scott.
”Revenge,” winked he, ”-the Feline-Force was at the forefront of the AHA's. Let the world know, didn't you hear the Emperor's speech earlier?”
”Yes, I did,” sighed he, ”-are you sure it's a wise idea?”
”The Emperor has announced the AHA to be evil. There's no cause for concern. What they say, even if it's lies, will be taken as truth. People will believe anything as long as it aligns with their ideals. The world may well be flat if it allied with the purpose of another.”
”How though?”
”The Emi Muko incident,” said Staxius, ”-her situation is the same as Asuna Muld. We only need to sprinkle alcohol on fire.”
”Majesty, the news reporters are here,” voiced Éclair.
”Have them sent up.” On that, an impromptu interview with many credible news outlets came to have the scoop. Another victim to add to the AHA's responsibility. One by one, questions were asked and answers were given. Staxius made sure the Feline-force be portraited as another victim with an exception, Emi Muko. The story of the one who still shoots for the stars. The truth was reported, the abuse, and her thoughts on having wanted to die so many times. Then, as in any good heart-warming story, her will to live showed in the eyes. Her way of speaking, her wanting to start anew. The passion and dedication all but cleaned her reputation.
'The fall of one and the rise of another, tis the reality. I'm only getting started.'