Athena's plea

Mia raced down the barely lit hallway of the servant quarters,her chest heaving.

Seeing she was too far from the imperial garden she turned her head sideways to ensure no one was watching before teleporting to a dark corner the imperial field.

She had heard magic energy was strongest here and it was the easiest place to open a portal.

Mia had never opened one before,this would be her first time but what more could she do but try.

After moving further into the darkness she sniffed in the air, straining her senses to ensure no one was watching before she sighed and summoned a magic circle.

Concentrating her magic on the circle,she let it course through her while she summoned a portal with her mind at the same time maintaining the connection with her mind and body.

Mia released all of her magic into the spell with a loud grunt before reopening her eyes.

The darkness stared back at her with no sign of a portal.

She tried again concentrating even more and putting more magic energy into it but the same thing happened.

Mia tried again and again as tears flowed from her eyes.

Feeling herself drained from magic energy,she slumped to the floor with her back rested upon the wall,her chest pounding.

Something bad was happening to Gerald and she couldn't stop it reach him or do anything about it all she could do was_cry from the pain fear for future engraved in her heart.

She buried her face in her flexed leg and wept.

*********************************

A bewildered King stared back at the sight with a raised brow,his beast hand hanging in air.

He was beyond shocked at her appearance,even Dark wasn't an exception.

What was she doing here and what was she doing pleading for this knight's life.

There was definitely something going on here he was yet to understand.

He stood up straight and watched for a while.

"I beg of you great King...I'll do any thing, please don't kill this knight,I beg of you!"

"Athena!...what is the meaning of this?"King Max inquired unable to hide is suprise.

"I love him"Athena said in a whispering tone loud enough for the king to hear.

"What!"

"I love him!!"she said out loud.

Those words shocked everyone that had heard it,rephrasing in Gerald's ears as he stared at her.

For a while King Maxmillian just stood at stared until he began growing impatient.

Her interference angered him what more the sight of what he was seeing.

He had no interest in her feelings what soever and no intention of allowing her waste more of his time.

No doubt the emperor must have noticed his absence and was searching for him right now.Anyone could find this place at any moment and that would end up ruining his plans.

"Get out of the way...or these claws goes through you to him_"

"Then kill me with him your Majesty...I will not live to see him dead".

Gerald wordlessly eyed Athena as her head rested upon him.

He had known she haboured feelings for him but not to the extent of crying or dying with him.

This was the first time someone had cried for him,it made him wonder if he had been mistaken of this woman and she wasn't like the rest of the beasts after him for this,he would forgive her for killing her squire and deep down he knew her death wouldn't change anything, would bring no good luck,he wouldn't let her die this way.

The Emperor's Knight opened his mouth to speak,his voice was hoax but at least she could hear him.

"Athena!"he called out softly.

She raised her head slightly to meet his eyes.

"Dying with me won't solve anything".

"I...I am so sorry I don't want this...I didn't plan for this to happen,I am so so sorry"

"I know...now please stop crying you don't look pretty at all when you cry".

Before Gerald could blink Athena had kissed him,it was his first time having a suprise kiss.

His gaze froze on her face, unable to shut his eyes.

King Maxmillian bent over to fully confirm what he thought was happening and that was actually what was happening.

"By god!"he exclaimed as he stood up straight and hit his forehead with his palm before staring into the sky,blinking severally.

Gerald's face flushed.

He looked away the moment she released her lips.

He didn't know if it was her crying for him or the fact that she had kissed him without warning that made him feel embarrassed.

Although having no liking towards her,her kiss had placed joy somewhat in a part of him,it filled him with a measure of pride that he thought he might actually be tempted to kiss her back had he not been in this situation but he no doubt loved the feel of her lips against his.

Athena stared at him for a brief moment then placed her head on his chest.

"Your majesty...if it be your wish then so be it"Athena said in a tone of finality.

A wordless Gerald eyed the part of her black hair he could see as she was now turned the other way.

He didn't want her dead but since she had made up her mind,a companion in the land of the dead wouldn't be so bad.

"Very well then"king max muttered through a sinister grin as he prepared himself for a deeper dig with his claws.

"Wait!"Someone called out.

King Maxmillian paused and turned in the direction of the voice.

He was already getting tired of this.

Dark walked towards him and slowly pulled Athena away amidst her kicking,pulling,tears and wailing,his strength prevailing over hers.

He pulled on her, completely overcoming her inferior strength before turning his head to the king.

"We cannot let her die like this"Dark said.

Immediately Athena summoned hundreds of weapons above them,both Dark and king Max raised their heads to see the sharp silver ends pointed at them.

"How about we all die together.... doesn't that sound better?...I like it when it rains silver don't you your majesty?"

King Maxmillian's gaze dropped to her,his face flushing with rage.

How foolish of she to think her swords can kill him,she was merely angering him and making him thirst for her own blood at the moment.

"Kill him.. quickly"Dark said"I trust this is just a threat,she won't do it".

"Just watch me!"Athena said confidently at Dark.

"Do you seek to defy me?"king max questioned angrily.

Athena met his gaze then her head dropped before her weapons vanished.

"No your majesty...I only ask that you spare his life or kill us bo_"

Before Athena finished talking,King Max's beast claws had dropped down into Gerald, puncturing his heart.

Athena watched dumbfounded with eyes bulging as if wanting to leave it's socket.

"Nooo!!!!!"She yelled out her lungs.

"Pls I beg you...pls don't...I begg...gg of you...your Majesty"she cried struggling to free herself from Dark's grip.

The king's cold mirthless laugh filled the air with his gaze fixed on a helpless Athena as he continuously punctured the knight's heart.

Gerald turned his head in her direction,blood welling up in his mouth,slowly he felt his conciousness leaving him.

He coughed up blood and streched his hand in her direction.

Thankfully the gravity spell was lifted but he still couldn't move.

He would die leaving so many loved ones behind,for some reason he didn't know why but he couldn't bear seeing her cry.

As the pain engulfed and crushed him,he couldn't hold up any longer.

Gerald felt himself jumping in and out of conciousness,his heart was being injured faster than his tissues could repair and heal,he was dying.

He pictured Carolene's face on Athena's,it only made him shed more tears.

Gerald stretched his hand to reach for her but couldn't,she was too far away.

"Caro...lene!"he muttered as his eyes swung shut to surrender to the darkness.

He was dead.