Lady Hel

Ah, why did I forget about Glories with the queen?

Was I too excessive before?

"Are you kidding? Creating such giant waves and still asking?" Z replied.

I did it because of you asked for it.

"Hah? Me?" Z snorted harshly. "I only asked you to follow your heart, to let yourself be free. It doesn't mean you have to lose control until you create something beyond reason."

Pray that I didn't create a black hole.

"You want your soul to be sucked away?"

Yes, yes, yes, it's my fault.

Now, what should we do about the crazy queen who holds three Glories?

Three!

"Should we just escape?" I asked them both, who immediately turned around, looking at me as if I said something forbidden.

"Run? You want to run?" Celine asked incredulously. "I don't know what's going on, but she mentioned your name, Zent... the first letter of your name. We have to face her. She could be a threat to others."

Damn it.

I really can't escape from this, can I?

I observed the figure floating slowly towards us, as if giving fear the time to creep in, dominate, and make us afraid of her.

Just like what she did to Clockheart.

The black smoke spread wide, almost matching the kingdom's width, with terrifying flashes of orange light within.

Suddenly, the Mech beneath us glowed brightly, forcing us to jump down and let it stand again.

Sheila and the others approached.

Worry and fear mixed on each of their faces, especially as the Mech moved closer to the Queen.

"Are you all okay?" Sheila asked, worried.

I nodded slowly, looking back at the Mech, which was now quite far ahead.

"We're really going to die," she said.

Every pair of eyes turned to Sheila, confused about why she would say something so grim. Before we could speak, William shouted, saying that he knew what was happening.

"What do you mean?" Armon asked.

"Do you still remember the chilling legend that was often told to us every night?" he asked back, full of enthusiasm.

Heather's eyes widened, recalling how she used to hide under the blanket, believing that the figure would come to take her if she didn't fall asleep quickly. "You mean, the story about Lady Hel?"

William nodded quickly.

A long sigh was heard.

Sheila looked up at the wall, seeing the approaching black smoke accompanied by a chilling breeze. "Lady Hel, I never thought the Queen would use herself to gain power. If that's the case, then we might not survive."

"Why? What's with this Lady Hel?" Rayven asked, suddenly appearing out of nowhere.

"Where did you both come from?"

Rayven and Rio turned their faces away, avoiding eye contact with each other and evading Celine's suspicious gaze.

Unfortunately, before she could ask further, Sheila spoke, "Lady Hel is a figure in the legends used to scare young children in our world. According to the legend, she is the physical embodiment of death, someone tasked with escorting souls and leading them into the afterlife.

However, the significant issue is why we need her to escort the dead. It is said that during the journey between life and death, many monsters roam, ready to prey on lost souls. She is our protector, someone capable of facing these monsters.

Until some day, Lady Hel fell into darkness and transformed from a protector into a hunter.

She would hunt every soul, especially the dark souls, to strengthen her power. She became someone so feared, a nightmare. In the end, she was used to scare young children into going to sleep before ten o'clock at night.

Moreover, in the legend, it is said that Lady Hel only emerges between ten o'clock at night to three in the morning when the door between their world and ours opens. This is something only she can do.

"Why does she do it after ten o'clock at night?" Rio asked curiously.

"Because only at that time are humans at their weakest point. A strong body also has a strong soul. A strong soul is harder to conquer. At least, that's what the legend says," Sheila replied.

Sheila sighed again, satisfied with releasing the discomfort in her heart and now sharing it with all of us.

"So, we're going to fight death itself?" Rayven chuckled softly. "That's just a legend. I know Glory can give you anything you want as long as it doesn't involve magic, but it can't create death."

Hmm, I doubt that.

I alone can create giant waves that should be impossible to do. Most likely, somehow, the Queen has found a way to harness the great power in that legend.

"Whatever it is, we have to face it," I said firmly. "We can't let her do whatever she wants. Someone who has lost sanity like that is better off being eliminated."

"I'm always ready to follow your orders, Captain," Sky said, bowing his body in salute.

The other four former Rangers nodded in agreement, ready to execute whatever crazy plan I would give them. Meanwhile, Celine held my right hand, giving me a look that needed no explanation; I already knew its meaning.

Sheila and Sarah didn't want to be left out either.

They came closer, each grabbing my left hand, vying for the chance to interlace their fingers with mine.

Rayven and Rio exchanged glances, nodded in agreement, and said, "We're ready to join you."

I observed the black smoke becoming clearer. The Mech was now outside the kingdom, smashing through the walls blocking its path, running toward the Queen for some mysterious reason.

"Alright. But I remind you, whatever happens, prioritize your lives first. I don't want any of you to sacrifice your lives just to prove that you're the best because you will always be the best."

They grinned widely upon hearing it.

"No plans. All we need to do is attack with all our might. Whoever gets the chance, kill the Queen immediately.

No time for discussions, no time to think twice. All we can do now is trust each other, trust our intuition, and do our best.

I believe you can do it. So...

GO CRAZY, BRING VICTORY FOR US!"

"AAAAAAA!!!"

Suddenly, they were already running forward, ready to face the Queen.

Who would have thought they were so eager to finish it. I thought they would be afraid and prefer to have a plan. Turns out, they are just as crazy as me.

Only Celine is still here, tightening her grip with a frightening smile. "So... while you were away from me, you were flirting with two other women?"

"Umm.. No."

"No?" Celine repeated incredulously. "How do you explain two women now fighting over you? Not to mention, they clearly challenged me, who is your partner. Do you still want to say... no?"

See?

This is all your fault, Z, you're the cause of it.

Z?

Oh, that bas-

"Why are you silent?"

"Okay.. So-"

Celine touched my lips with her index finger, slowly moving down, pulling my chin closer, and before I knew it, our lips met again. "You still belong to me, understand?" she said in a husky voice.

I nodded quickly.

Celine's smile grew, a smile that didn't look good at all. Instead, it indicated a danger far greater than the Queen. "You haven't answered me."

"Answered you? Oh.."

Ah, right. I was just proposed to by her.

But I don't want to be a king. I still want to adventure in this vast and beautiful world. I can't give up on my dreams so easily. Besides, I don't like politics, I don't like anything related to such complex matters.

"You don't have to become a king if that's what you're worried about."

"Yeah, let's marry."

Wait, what?

At the same time, Celine's smile turned into a genuinely happy one. Tears welled up in her eyes, streaming down her cheeks, and I gently wiped them away. I held her adorable face, giving her a long kiss, overflowing with all the longing and emotions swirling in my heart.

We disregarded the loud explosion happening outside the kingdom.

Let's consider that explosion as a celebration fireworks for Zent and Celine's engagement.

"Are you serious? You're not joking, right?" she asked quickly.

"Look into my eyes, do you see any lies in there?" I couldn't contain my smile, feeling the warmth and comfort in my chest from the happiness. "Listen, Celine.. I still don't know your family name."

"Anderson. I was raised by Mr. Anderson, you remember?"

"Ah, right."

I took a deep breath, preparing myself once again.

"Celine Anderson, I, Zent, am someone who loves and cares for you deeply. I know I have made so many mistakes that I know can't be forgiven. But, even until the end of the world, I will never stop loving you.

On the first day we met, that's when I fell in love with a Celine Anderson. A woman who is so wild, so scary, and honestly, so sexy."

Another explosion occurred, this time it felt very close to us.

Celine's face blushed, her eyes now sparkling.

"So, yes. I want to marry you. I want to spend my life with you. I want to live together with you."

"Are you sure it's just the two of us?"

"Umm.."

Her laughter came out.

She pulled me closer, giving me a kiss. "You know, I don't mind if you want to bring them into our lives. But, I want to be the first for you."

I placed my forehead against her, saying, "You will always be the first for me."

Together, we closed our eyes, feeling each other's warmth, releasing the longing that had accumulated over the past three months, becoming so immense and unbearable.

"Maybe we should leave from here. The fire next to us is really hurting my eyes."

"Yes, you're right."