A Chance Is All They Have

"If Astral Zones were really capable of doing that, why haven't they shown signs of such things before? There's so many questions I have that it's really hard to believe you, like that new race you called the Nepl's. From my viewpoint it honestly just seems like you want to cause destruction. Even if you were right about all this, surely there's better way's to go about it then murdering anyone who stands against you."

Keltal looked at her sword covered in blood as he said that last part. The rational beauty who stood in front of him a few minutes ago had turned into a bloodthirsty killer. It was the last thing he had expected from the Queen of Ukel who had been the most level headed of all it's rulers. He had spoken with her quite a bit in the past when he had first arrived in this country and had quite liked her personality. She was kind and cared quite a bit for her daughter along with the city she lived in. She wanted what was best for them and now she was reduced to this and all for something he couldn't wrap his head around. "How did she even get all that power..." The Queen was already heavily breathing while barely lifting a finger.

"Maybe there's better ways to go about it but we don't have that kind of time. I don't have that kind of time...this world is reaching its limits and it won't last forever. Those creatures....will come back and then it won't matter what we do. Every country knows about it but they've all forgotten the scars that were left on us with time. Turning a blind eye and just praying it won't happen will never fix anything. I refuse to watch the things I love die like that. I'll wake this world up even if it kills me.... Enough of this talk, what do you choose Keltal? Join me or die like a worthless animal?"

"You should know me well enough to know I won't join you. I would have already left if it wasn't for some of my friends being here. I can't let you kill them so I'm sorry for fighting back."

"Even being incredibly weakened you chose to fight?"

"Of course."

The doors were blocked from the outside with almost a hundred people keeping guard to make sure no one escapes. A few people had already tried to run away and had their life ended instantly. Running was almost an impossibility and a chance he didn't want to take with so many people with him. "You're the worst Althea." He could already see her sticking her tongue out of him as she watched him fight for his life. Looking at all the people around him who didn't choose to join the Queen, Keltal spoke up. If they wanted to make it out of here they all had to work together whether they were friend or foe. It was time for him to show off the lack of leader skills he had that were always tucked deep inside his laziness, sadly it was time for him to give it his all.

"Everyone, Regardless of whether we know each other or not we all need to work against her. Find a reason to fight and refuse to die. She plans to drive this whole country to ruin, don't be fooled by pretty words. To her you'd just be another slave to be disposed of."

Some of the typical slowness in his voice had disappeared as his back straightened up. It had been a very long time since he had tried to do things. "I'm way to rusty." Over time he lost a lot of interest in such things but to keep everyone alive now he had to do something. "Nor am I cut out for this." Running forward Keltal did the only thing he could in this situation. Be the first one to attack and guide everyone. As of now everyone the Queen had fought died in one attack and that had deterred some of them from fighting. He had to show everyone there was a chance and that it wasn't all pointless. Fire swirled in his hand until it formed a sword made of basic orange flames as he wielded it. He had long lost his black level flames.

"I suppose this will do."

Rushing right at the Queen he hyper focused on her sword as he aimed right for it. He didn't want to focus on anything else for a reason. The Queen's speed was insanely fast even for him. If he didn't give her full attention and respect he would end up another victim to her blade and die. Colliding with her sword he made sure she couldn't move it as he pushed against her. In terms of everything the Queen was stronger except when it came to experience. "Althea tried to kill me way too many times." Seeing the Queen's frustration as she pushed back against him, he couldn't hide a grin as he looked back at the twenty people still standing.

"This fight is winnable, do not give up hope! You all made it so far in the competition and became some of the most recognized youths in the country. Show me and everyone here that wasn't a mistake. She's hardly undefeatable, Strength isn't everything in this world."

Some of them who were shuttering in fear lifted their hands to watch Keltal fight. Watching some of their friends die and hearing the Queen's words had made them think of joining her side. It was the safer and more reasonable choice than just dying for nothing. Seeing him fight and put his life on the line for them though halted that a bit. Lifting his head, Xilo broke out of his emotions as he watched Keltal fight. "I need to help." Watching that City get destroyed had severely overwhelmed him along with Felli's appearance. "Emotionless and still." That was what he had noticed from Felli this entire time along with the Queen. "I can be just as emotionless." Killing off some of his thoughts he took a deep breath as Ice Breaker entered his hand. This was no time to be freaking out, it was time to fight for his life and his friends.

"This is the best path you could think of at this time? Destroying everyone? That's no different from the Nepl's!"

Xilo was probably one of the only people who had heard about the Nepl people. So when she had brought them up he had been shocked. "She knew of them to but..." Even if she knew about them going about it like this wasn't the right way. Charging forward behind Keltal to back him up. Xilo was the second person to fight against the Queen with Keltal. Arriving behind Keltal, Xilo added his power as they fought back against the Queen together. She still managed to push them back even with both of them. "Annoying." Feeling the weight of two blades against her the Queen pumped more energy into her attack. Soon though a third joined against her as Xelfia joined the fight. Then a fourth as Zilan came running over and the number continued to get bigger.

"We won't join you ever."

More came rushing towards her as the Queen felt more irritation as she slashed everyone away.

"You won't overpower me like this."

A long mark of pure white light showed up wherever her blade travelled as energy radiated from it before exploding in the next second. Sending over ten people flying backwards she felt her breathing grow heavier as life left her. She was facing the consequences of using that much energy and now she had to fight for her life. She was far from weak though and with the Light Energy on her side she would make quick work of them. More light beams entered the sky as they aimed at each individual that attacked her. Sending them forward the fight had just begun but she planned to end it fast.

"No one will ever defy me again.