The Good, The Clad, and The Icy

Do you know that feeling when…

You have the perfect idea for the ending, yet you are stuck when it comes to making a plot for the middle?

I usually experience it a lot throughout the forging of the story (and the file cleansing). My friends feel me as well.

Though, all the positive comments I have fuel my drive to complete this story, no matter what it takes!

If you're wondering, this story is also the FanFiction I've been working on in FanFiction.Net for more than a year, hence some things going out of date or something... I hope you understand! These files are hard to clean, it would take five packets of Advil for me to fix all of this up...

Then again, I will explain why I possess some corrupted files, and why they're the source of my story.

Judging from the chapter's name, I assume you all know where we're gonna go next.

The truce.

Oh, what could go wrong with the cold-hearted Queen of Ice?

Remember how she became like that? Due to the feuds between the Vikings and Pirates, she lost her arm.

And that she went completely bananas after that.

So… yeah. It's no Disney film.

Let me give you a recap of the heroes in this mission.

Alucard, Freya, Ruby, Zhao, Hayabusa, Gord, Bruno, Lolita, Layla and Saber… Along with Franco and Bane.

All except the Pirate Lord, of course, wait as the flying galleon up in the sky lowers into the shore. Even if the airship did seem fragile, no creaking was heard between the wooden boards of the hull.

"Don't fear," Saber announces. "Be calm like the wind, be steady like a rock."

Layla liked that about Saber. He seemed like the cyborg with the least amount of emotions, yet those lines he speaks seem to have a huge impact.

And it did on the nervous heroes beside him.

The galleon has now landed. Gord hinted the great amount of scratch marks on the hull. Also, a main sail was tattered. A white flag was hoisted on top.

The port deployed a plank. Out walked the Pirate Lord himself, along with a couple of his crew.

So…

Before you think of anything, I must say that these Pirates actually have good hygiene.

I am not kidding. I can't believe the stats I am seeing. Their teeth seem pearly white! There's no visible stain on their clothes. Their arms look sharp and neatly fashioned. The only one out of the group is Bane.

His skin may be fair, but he is completely blue. He wielded a blue, wide pirate sword, cutlass and all. His left arm was a huge crab claw. His right leg was of a crab as well, but his left one had a peg leg. Bane wore no eyepatch, but he had a scraggly beard. His eyes were sunken, like he had no sleep.

He didn't even need any sleep, though. He did rise from the dead, so he looks like that. He's nothing short of intimidating.

But that changed due to his facial expression. He didn't seem fierce. He seemed weary.

Franco walked up to him. "Ready for this ruckus?"

"Let's hope she agrees," Bane answers with a hoarse voice. "Swash, Leroy, Castor, stay with me. The others guard the ship. Inform us of any other fleet that arrives."

He tells this to his closest informants, who have prepped themselves with a couple of parchments.

Freya joins in. "It is pleasing to see you with us, Captain. I hope you keep your promise."

"All those conflicts we have must come to an end."

"The Queen can't be that bad, right?" Bruno asks. "I mean, after all, we're all here."

Gord nudges him. "Don't you get it, kid? That's the problem. We're ALL here."

Bruno just eases out of the group, raising his hands. "Okay, okay. Sorry."

The group walks through the tundra. It wasn't very cold, yet cold nonetheless. They're treading in an air conditioned environment with completely different outfits.

After walking on the nearly unidentifiable path for a couple of minutes, they go round-a-bout the hills. The snowfall remained constant as they tread the walkway. After the turn, they beheld the Frost Castle.

Again, this is no fairy tale. The castle was protected with sharp spikes of ice. A group of armed ice soldiers guard the main gate, which consists of a huge oak door fitted by iron braces. Even the balconies of the citadel were topped with archers, unwavering yet alert.

But Lolita can't help admire the image it viewed. It was a land of desolation. Aurora made the statement well.

"This was supposed to be a thriving garden once," Zhao says. "After the chaos, the whole place is stuck as this." He hugs himself with his arms, as the cold grew.

Hayabusa's eyes were becoming icy as well. "Man, I am glad this outfit of mine is padded. Someone really hates visitors."

As they near the gate, a row of soldiers halted them.

"Stop in the name of the Queen!" the guards shouted in unison, as they blocked the way with their sharp spears.

Franco goes in front. "We need to speak with the Queen."

The middle-most soldier, who seemed to be the leader, walked to Franco. "She hasn't spoken to anyone for decades. Get lost. You have wasted precious time."

"Ah, just as expected," Saber mumbles. He attempts to convince the guard. "Please, for this is an emergency."

"What makes you think I have the call to let you in? We mainly guard the doors. Only Aurora has the ability to put you inside the citadel."

"We are sent by King Estes of the Land of Dawn," Ruby says. "We are here to make a truce, along with the Vikings and Pirates, who have prematurely agreed."

The leader looked at the group with eyes boring on them. With the hands behind him, he walks around, seeing if they were really telling the truth. After a while, he says, "I can let you in. I am sorry, but I need to speak with the Queen first."

Suddenly, a resonating voice was heard. "Nexos, let them in."

Freya's eyes widened. "No way. I haven't heard her for years."

"That's her?" Alucard asked. "She doesn't seem angry to me."

The guards split as they form to help each other push the doors. A huge rush of cold wind was let forth due to the opening of the doors. The group had to look away and block with their arms to prevent the wind from blowing them off the highland.

"Please, come in," Nexos urged. He led the way into the citadel. The said structure was similar to Estes' place, though the roof was slightly lower. The pillars were decorated with immense detail like henna tattoos. The floor may not be slippery, but it was as clear as glass. No stain was marked as the group walks further. The second floor can be seen, supported by the pillars. The curved grand stairs were beside the main gate. The floors lead to several rooms.

In front of them was a royal banquet. The table was made of glass, and was covered by a white sheet, framed with gold lace. The chairs were of decent size.

The throne was visible, even with the extensive length of the palace. There sat Aurora herself. Her eyes were misty, specked with flecks of frost. She didn't seem angry, but her face was blank. Her gown sparkled like glitter. An icy crest rested on her left shoulder like a guard. Her hair stood on end, and they didn't seem like hair… more like a group of icy spikes. Her right arm was completely made of ice. Alucard speculated that this was the one she lost.

Aurora waved her hand, and the banquet deconstructed. The furniture seemed to sink to the floor, giving enough space for the heroes to present themselves.

"Thank you, Nexos. You may leave," Aurora said to the leader, who genuflected on his way back. The palace doors closed once more.

It wasn't cold in the palace. It was actually of room temperature. Zhao began to sweat due to the nervousness. Bruno thought of whistling, but held the impulse back.

Gord walks up first. "Aurora, Queen of the Snow! We plead your aid, for the prophecy has been proven true."

"I know of the tale forged by the Lords," the queen replied, still with her calm tone. "I displayed no interest of it until now, seeing as you've prepared yourselves for the encounters with the devils."

"King Estes implores your assistance, milady," the Valkyrie continues. "He also wishes to-"

She is abruptly stopped. "I know you want to make a truce with me," Aurora said, standing up. "I know Franco and Bane have already come to terms, and that you want me to join in as well."

Hayabusa helps Freya, as he felt that she grows nerve-wracked by the second. "Your insight serves you well, Aurora. I hope you agree with us. There is evil beyond the walls you live in. We only wish that we act with haste. We are running out of time."

"Time? Time was well spent with their feuds, Shadow of Iga," Aurora replied, looking at Franco and Bane. Hayabusa steps back, as he knew that he hadn't even introduced himself, yet the Queen knew of him. "Time was well spent when your personal life was all for naught, right? You may have avenged your brethren, but you're still left with the curse!"

"Enough of this rant!" Bane exclaims. "My Queen, we are truly sorry. We have been granted a chance to make peace! We only want you to take it, so that we know which side you are on."

Franco helps Bane out. "If this is what we must do to prevent the Dark Lord from stepping out of his boundaries, then we should do it. Milady, can't you see the dilemma? We are desperate!"

Aurora chuckled with a laughter hinted with sarcasm. "I see it perfectly, Viking. That's why I side with no one!" She said those last words, seemingly like a shout. Freya intervenes once more.

"Why side with no one? We will understand if you do not wish to fight, but at least let us confirm that you are on our side!"

"Bah! Who am I now to meddle with the works of men and the mission of angels? Have you forgotten?" The queen summoned a sheet of ice, which displayed some disturbing images. There, the heroes saw footages of different races, ransacking all types of environments. They hunted down animals to extinction. Some of those creatures, not even Freya can recognize. They see mass murders and war, all plotted by the Dark Lord's mischief. Layla and Ruby covers their eyes, as they can't bear it.

"You yourselves have weakened the three other elemental guardians! I am all that stand before the heat of hell ravages the seeds you plant for the harvest you will reap! Alice and Vexana have slain the others, and they bring forces much larger than you can conceive."

Lolita comes in. "That's why we are asking your help, Queen of the Snow. Your role in this prophecy is of vital importance to helping us win."

Aurora grows even more frustrated. "Elf, I do not wish to grant your wants and needs. I have had enough of these troublemakers disrupting my peace!" Suddenly, she holds out her hand to Franco and Bane's company and traps their bodies with a coating of ice. Lolita tries to rush to help them, but Aurora makes a glass case that surrounds Lolita. The elf pounds the glass using her hammer, but no crack was made. Her shouts were muted down.

Saber charges in to push Aurora unconscious. No matter how swift he was, the Queen managed to trap him in ice in mid-air. He became stuck like a weird ice-skater.

Layla shouts, "Stop it! If anything, this isn't peace! This is madness! My father has told me of tales about the Queen who would do anything to preserve peace, no matter the intolerability of the chaos! I do not see that same Queen in you!"

Aurora hears those words and walks to Layla with a fierce face. Freya blocks the path, only to be pushed back with a great gale that sends her to the floor. Aurora coats the Valkyrie's back with ice, so she can't get up. Hayabusa teleports in random directions to avoid getting caught. As soon as he gets behind the Queen, he attempts to butt her cranium with the butt of his sword. But as the sword made contact, it froze, along with the unsuspecting ninja. Hayabusa remained in this pose until he is completely stuck as well. Zhao runs to his friends, but Aurora traps his feet. Zhao yells as he struggles to pick off the ice with his spear, but that froze too. Ruby tries to hook Aurora close, but she froze in her place, the frostbite covering her.

Aurora clutches Layla's jugular by the hand. Layla could feel the immense cold rush through her veins. She tries to claw her way out, but she dropped the Malefic Gun.

"Don't tell me of my wretched past!" Aurora yells. "You, Layla, may be the kindness that sparks serenity among the group, but you're the weakest of all! You hide secrets, like your true relations with your half-brother!"

Alucard catches the last word. He looks at Layla in awe. He wasn't angry, yet he was shocked. Layla cries as she begins to freeze, her clothes and skin covered with frost.

"Aurora, don't do this!" Alucard pleads. "If anything, you're just as wicked as the demons I face. You can stop this now!"

The Queen abruptly drops Layla, who could barely breathe. Bruno suddenly dashes to block the way. He kicks a holographic ball to the Queen's face, which shattered into thousands of icy bits as it made contact. Gord surrounded Alucard and Bruno with a Mystic Injunction to prevent Aurora from going further.

"Keep your words to yourself, boy!" Gord warns before his board is clearly swept off of him through a block of ice. Aurora then slams Gord to a nearby pillar and freezes him. His speech became incomprehensible.

"Ah, the Demon Hunter!" Aurora said, laughing maniacally. "How ironic you lead your friends to their escapades! And yet, your clan is the one who despises alliances in the first place!"

"They have learned their wrongs!" Bruno answers back. "They now aid the King with all their strength. Right, Alucard?"

The Demon Hunter could only say, "Layla is merely my half-sister?"

Aurora made a sad, taunting face. "Aww, is someone going to cry? You haven't known, have you? She has lied to you! Made you believe that absolute nonsense! You have a history never meant to be tainted, Alucard, but even your friends hide secrets from you. You long to know what they hide, and yet you trust them like family!"

"Shut up!" Alucard shouts. He goes out of the field, but his first step made his leg freeze instantly. He felt the frostbite come to him.

"Not today!" Bruno cries as he jumps to kick Aurora in the face, which he successfully did. Unfortunately, as he steps on the floor, a set of ice spikes covered his way. Aurora created a glass dome around Bruno. Inside the dome, Bruno hugs his knees, trying hard to not puncture himself with the glass spikes around him.

Aurora walks up to Alucard, struggling to free himself. "Be glad I have showed mercy to your friends and haven't killed them. Though, they'd make a fine addition to my collection."

"Let them go, you hag!" Alucard yells. "You are so cold-hearted, you don't even have the capacity to forgive! They have ruined your life, but we aren't the ones who stained your name! You yourself did!"

Aurora clenches her fist, forcing the ice to grow even faster on the Demon Hunter, who cries in pain. "Do not teach me about forgiveness, you brat! You do not know the pain I feel!"

She rears her frost arm to slap Alucard, which was shot down by a red arrow, which travelled to puncture a hole on Aurora's throne.

The Queen simply grew back a new arm in the matter of seconds. "Who did that?!"

The main gates suddenly opened, and out poured a group of naval soldiers, wearing intricate coats. Alucard looked behind him. They were Korean Navy soldiers. Out also came an ethnic tribe with tattoos on their bare chests. They were buff, and showed no shivers from the cold. A man with gilded gauntlets came in as well. He's wearing a foreign helm and a solid suit. His gauntlets were designed to match the head of a lion's or dragon's. Sparks of lightning shot forth from them to the frozen bodies, which immediately freed them. Alucard and his friends rushed close to the group. They gained a sense of morale and bravery.

The leader of the Navy presented himself. He wielded a glaive and a gauntlet crossbow. "Stop, your Majesty! I am Yi Sun Shin, leader of the Korean Navy! Your madness must draw to a close!"

The leader of the ethnic tribe walked up. He held up two stone swords, which, upon observation, seemed to match to make a larger greatsword. "I am Lapu-Lapu, of Makadan Island! Me and my comrades have arrived to uphold our truce!"

"How are you not frozen?!" Aurora exclaims.

"I am Gatotkaca, son of Bima and Arimbi, Knight of Priggadani! I walk alone to aid these loyal combatants to the path of peace and glory! My lightning eases the frost that wishes to ravage them. My Queen, stop all this, so that we may prevent further conflict."

So, how did Aurora respond? She snapped her fingers.

Her own royal army poured forth, from spearmen to archers to cavalry (which rode on ice tigers. Seriously, they look dope.). A frost giant materialized out of the throne, wielding a huge longsword.

"Have it my way, fools!" Aurora exclaims. "I want no part of this silly truce! I will destroy you if I must!"

The spearmen charged. Franco shouted, "My brethren! We did not wish conflict, so merely defend. Let us retaliate, but make so, to prevent our conscience from blurring!"

As the spearmen made contact, the opposing force pushed them back with all their might. Gatotkaca was knocking down a couple of riders, breaking or splitting them with the gauntlets. He shot forth a bolt of lightning to the second floor, shattering the archers firing the arrows.

Hayabusa and Zhao, along with Freya and Lapu-Lapu, held off the footmen flooding from the staircase. Hayabusa teleported around to make sure some ice archers are going down as well.

"What took you so long?!" Zhao yelled at Lapu-Lapu, who was hacking down the spearmen.

"A blizzard was growing strong! The wind fought our sails!" said the leader.

Yi Sun Shin jumped around, shooting down multiple riders. The bow shot streaks of red light. He was flawlessly slicing down enemies with his glaive whilst shooting arrows from the bow.

He said, "Thank Poseidon for his mercy! We have rescued you before things have gotten haywire! We need to flee!"

Saber was cutting down a group of enemies. Bruno realized Saber released a ring of four flying swords to spin around him, forcing the ice soldiers to keep their distance. He kicked one so high that he followed him upwards, hacking him down with great slashes. To finish the job, the Protector shot his football to the… place where the sun doesn't shine. That ball ricocheted around the other archers, knocking them cold.

"That will help you buy time, Saber!" Bruno said. Saber nodded back at him, charging at a rider attempting to kill him. The swords called back to Saber, shredding the cavalry upon contact.

Layla was on the second floor now, mowing down the endless amount of soldiers. Lolita was blocking the incoming enemy shots with a Noumenon shield projected from the hammer.

"Where are all these things coming from?!" Layla shouted, the noise of the clamor deafening the pair.

Lolita charged the hammer and shot the shield, which was charged due to the kinetic energy of the projectiles. The force wave knocked down a couple of footmen. "Take out Aurora! If she is still conscious, we won't be able to hold them off for much longer!"

Franco hooked an archer from the top and pulled it right to him.

"No escape, you slimy fish!" the Viking shouted, pounding the poor soldier with his hammer. Meanwhile, Bane and the informants hid behind Franco and the Vikings.

"There is too many!" yelled Bane as he shot a projectile of water from his crab claw, which shattered an enemy. "Can someone please take out Aurora?!"

"I am preoccupied here!" Gatotkaca replies as he bangs his gauntlets together. "Come at me, weaklings!"

The soldiers seemed to follow his command. They charged, but Gatot was destroying them. Even if their attacks seemed to hit, Gatot's gauntlets made them go down within seconds. "I have taunted them for a while! Take the giant out!"

Alucard was cleaving through the cavalry. An archer shot an arrow to his head, but the holographic football was still bouncing around. In the precise moment, the arrow was deflected back to another spearman. Bruno dashed around and under the legs of the enemies, distracting them.

Aurora was in fear. She froze many of the Vikings and Koreans, but she is on the losing side.

Alucard marched to Aurora, but was met by Nexos's blade, which he blocked in time.

"I don't want to do this, Hunter," the Royal leader said. "You leave us no choice."

Alucard raised his eyebrow. "Isn't that the other way around?" Nexos raised the sword, but Ruby was behind him. She slashed the soldier down, which left him armless.

"Argh, nuts," Nexos mumbled.

"That's for picking the wrong side, twat!" she mocks ad she kicks him to the ground. Ruby pokes Nexos's butt using the end of the scythe, which was actually sharp. She slashed upward to raise the butt of the scythe, which split the ice soldier in two.

"Thanks for the help," Alucard says.

Ruby replied, "I think I still owe you. Now, get the big dude! I'll hold them off for you." She races to the others, spinning around with the huge scythe and stunning the footmen.

Alucard reaches to the unaware Aurora, but the frost giant blocks his way with his sword, which was facing down. The huge soldier swung the sword upward to Alucard's direction. The Demon Hunter had no choice but to dodge the attack. The ground was left with a huge cut.

"Let's get this over with," said Alucard. The frost giant charged, shaking the ground. Alucard jumped high, testing if the greatsword can strike through the ice. Sadly, it hardly made a dent.

"I can't damage the giant!" he yelled, trying to inform someone. "The ice is too thick!"

Aurora hears his voice, and freezes Alucard's feet.

"Nowhere to run, boy! Hahaha!" taunted the Queen. Suddenly, she was knocked down by a projectile from Gord, who was busy forming damage fields and throwing mystic bombs on the enemies.

The frost knight charged to Gord. The mage deployed a magic field on Alucard to melt the ice around him. Gord then let out a huge beam of energy from his hands, which shocked the frost giant. It hit the giant point blank on the chest.

"Fear my wrath, you swine!" he shouts as the beam grows stronger. He was stopped as an archer shoots his calf. Gord screams in pain and shot down the archer. The giant recuperates, but the armor melted down, revealing its heart.

"We need to end this, now!" Hayabusa yells. "Alucard! Now! Shadow Kill!" The ninja dissipates into the shadows and hacks an incoming wave of footmen and cavalry.

The melting wasn't finished yet. Aurora got to her knees and made a sheet of ice on the floor. It may not seem much, but the heroes couldn't gain their footing.

But the icemen can.

They easily subdued the others by pinning them to the pillars or hindering them with their spears. Gatot's gauntlets were frozen down, and the lightning died from it. Lolita and Layla are knocked out, and their weapons were far off from them. Saber is desperately holding off a wave of riders, but his visor gets shut down, making him blind. Hayabusa goes to the rescue, but he slips on the ice. Bruno's ball was caught and disabled. He is now pinned on the wall. Yi Sun Shin and Lapu-Lapu were wounded, blood oozing out of their arms. They couldn't fight anymore. Zhao, Freya and Gord were down and out as well. A spearman breaks Yun's leg, while an archer shoots down Freya's side. Gord was pushed off by a rider, who is pinning him down with the ice tiger.

"Imbeciles," Aurora mutters. "All of you. You thought you could hold me off when I am all by myself? I am a Guardian! I possess what you cannot contain!"

Alucard lost hope. He is silently crying as he accept his fate. But a familiar voice in his head whispered to him.

Use your arm! Unlock your powers!

He hesitated. He didn't want to cause a larger fallout than before. He was done with it.

If you wish to know the truth, take the risk. The greatest risk is not taking one.

The voice seemed so familiar, but Alucard can't grasp it. He couldn't recognize it, but the voice comforted him. It gave him a boost.

Don't waste all my suffering just for this. You are worth something far more! Use your arm!

Alucard attempts to switch the arm, but Aurora yanks the sword away from him and freezes it.

"Don't even try it, fool. You're fun and cheers are over for you!"

It calls to you. Accept!

The sword began to glow. It seemed miniscule, but Gord takes note of this. He tries to speak, but closes his mouth.

He must do it, the mage thought. There is no other way.

"I have given you the chance to leave," the Queen of Ice yelled at the Demon Hunter. "And yet, you disrespect me and my kingdom! I'd have you suffer here until death calls!"

Get up, Child of the Fall.

"Enough."

Aurora's eyebrows scrunched. Hayabusa gasped.

"What did you say?"

She noticed the sword glowing too bright. She throws it away, but it slows down in mid-air. It spins back to Alucard's right arm.

"I… said…"

"GUYS!" Lolita shouted. "TAKE COVER!"

"ENOUGH!!!"

A huge red force wave struck the whole room. All the ice soldiers broke, splintered and shattered. The frost giant became millions of glass particles. The grand room cracked, and a small earthquake shook the mountain.

Surprisingly, everyone became unharmed. Yi and Lapu's wounds were healed. Zhao's fracture is, and so is Freya's puncture. Lolita helps Layla in regaining footing and brings their weapons that were left on the floor of the second level. Gatot's gauntlets sparked lightning once again. Saber's visor suddenly got repaired.

Everyone was on their feet, but they had their eyes focused on Alucard, who was glowing red.

He gripped the greatsword tightly. He didn't feel it, but he grew insanely powerful. Aurora was hyperventilating.

"You talk about your prowess and your sorrow, yet you do not consider ours!" Alucard shouts. His aura grew.

Aurora was scared. "Wait… I am sorry-"

"YOU'RE SORRY?! WE GAVE YOU THE CHANCE! IF ANYTHING, YOUR ACTIONS HAVE COST US THE WHOLE WORLD!"

Ruby walked to Alucard. "Woah, hey! Stop it!"

Alucard just pushed her aside, not even giving her a glance. His aura burst into flames. His clothes were changing. They were becoming blacker by the second. His greatsword morphed into a flame reaper. Alucard's hair became swept, not tousled. His eyes were burning.

"I did not wish for my friends to suffer these fates! Do not tell me of what you possess, for they become irrelevant under the Dark Lord's wrath!" He grabs Aurora's neck by the left hand and lifts her up. Zhao and Yi was surprised, so they ran to stop him. But they couldn't get close. Alucard's aura actually gave off an intense amount of heat.

"Stop it, Alu! You're insane!" Zhao shouts, but it was no use. Alucard pins the poor Queen to the throne BY THE THROAT.

Aurora couldn't speak. She was choking. "Help… P-Please!"

"ALL WE WANTED WAS PEACE!" Alucard yells even louder, but his voice was like a demon's. His demonic arm blazed with hellfire, and Aurora was desperately trying to break free. "ALL I WANTED WAS TO AVENGE MY FAMILY, BECAUSE I BELIEVED I OWED THEM! I THOUGHT YOU WERE A QUEEN WHO NEEDED SOMEONE TO CONVINCE YOU BACK TO WHO YOU WERE, BUT IT SEEMS LIKE COUNSELLING IS NOT EFFECTIVE DUE TO THAT THICK HEAD OF YOURS!" He pounds the Queen's body to the throne, which causes the seat to break. Ruby rushes in front of Alucard and hugs him tight, never minding the killing heat she feels.

"Stop," she whispers. "Please. It's not you. I need you, Alucard. That's not you."

The aura died down. The heat dissipated. Aurora curled into a fetal position, choking and crying. Saber and gord rushes to Alucard, who suddenly kneels down and hugs Ruby back.

"Oh… God… what?" Alucard stutters, and he was in tears. "No, no! I am sorry!" The pair cries out the pain and regret they feel, as the others comfort them.

"Let's leave," Bane says. "There is nothing worth in this freezing hell."

And so the heroes leave with a dark and gloomy shade, leaving Aurora to regret all the things she has done.

As they arrive back at the Glass Beach, Bane and Yi Sun Shin prep their ships for departure.

"We will increase our troops," said Yi. "We will rendezvous along the waters of your kingdom after a week. We hope we may make it in time."

"We are sorry if we have failed," Bane dejectedly says. "This was a disaster."

Alucard didn't speak. He hung his head low, and his sword was on his left arm. Actually, none spoke about the ruckus that happened.

A makeshift portal conjures out in the distance. Out pours Estes and a few of his Royal Elite. He walks up to the group, but then recognizes what has occurred.

"No! This is what I feared!" he says as he runs to Alucard, cupping his face. "My boy, are you all right?" The Demon Hunter swats the hands away and runs to the portal, never saying a word.

"No, wait, come back!" Bruno ordered. "Ah, he's gone. Darn."

"We failed," Franco said. "We are sorry, my liege.

Estes breathed. "At least we have tried. You need to rest and recuperate, for we need to assist the other team for their departure in the morning."

He tells Yi and Bane, "Please, try to join us as fast as possible. The Darkness approaches."

The two captains nodded and walked back to their ships. Their fleet disassembles via wind and water.

"Estes, we need to tell him now," Freya said with urgency. "The boy longs for the truth. We mustn't wait until we lose him forever."

"I know, I have been thinking," the King says. "I think it's time we tell him the truth, lest we fail him."