Chapter 30: The One Who Holds The Keys

The executioner swung her weapon but in moments time her eyes held confusion because now the blade of the weapon was nowhere to be found. What happened? Where did the blade go? In the distance, Purgus stepped forward holding the broken blade in his hand, wearing a smirk on his face.

"Enough of this bullshit! We will not stand idly by while the Celestons crush the innocent under their heel! This reign of tyranny ends today!"

Purgus turns his gaze towards the Executioner pointing one finger towards her.

"Executioner, this ends now! I have broken your blade with ease and I am more than capable of taking you down as well. Release these innocent women or you'll have to answer to me."

The crowd murmured in both surprise and anticipation witnessing this unexpected turn of events. The executioner, though momentarily taken aback soon composed herself, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

"You dare to challenge me, prisoner? You may have found some way to destroy the blade but do not overestimate your own strength," the executioner retorted. "I am trained in the art of combat, while you are merely a fool attempting to play the hero."

As Purgus stood before the executioner, he knew the situation was far from favorable. The prison bracelet he wore suppressed his Neospacian abilities to 0%, leaving him at a huge disadvantage against the executioner, who was clearly skilled in combat. But Purgus couldn't back down now, not when so much was at stake.

He took a deep breath, trying to hide his uncertainty behind a mask of confidence. "You're right, I may not have my full strength right now," Purgus admitted, "but I have something you don't— the support of my fellow inmates and the determination to fight for justice."

As he spoke, Purgus glanced over at the other prisoners, hoping to see their resolve reflected in their eyes. To his relief, he saw nods of agreement and encouragement, a testament to the rebellion's impact on their spirits.

The executioner, momentarily showed a flicker of doubt. She was not accustomed to facing defiance from the prisoners she condemned. Still, she quickly regained her composure.

"You may have the support of a few disgruntled prisoners but it won't be enough to save these two," she sneered, pointing at Dr. Kozaky and Reddera. "They are guilty of crimes against the Celeston family and justice demands their punishment."

"But you and I both know these charges are Bogus!" Purgus shot back with a glare "The Celestons are manipulating the truth to serve their own agenda!"

The executioner's eyes narrowed "Enough talk," she growled. "If you want to save them, you'll have to defeat me first."

Purgus knew he couldn't match the executioner's skill in his current weakened state but he fought anyways. He braced himself for the executioner's lunging attack on him, her fists becoming a blur of movement. Purgus dodged and weaved, using his basic agility to evade her strikes as best as he could; however, each punch and kick that she managed to hit landed with brutal force, causing Purgus to stagger and wince with pain. Purgus endured, knowing that this act of resistance was very crucial for the rebellion's success. He had to buy time and create a diversion for the other prisoners to act.

The crowd watched, some with horror and others with a glimmer of hope, Purgus endured the relentless assault, waiting for the right moment to strike back. He glanced at Wendy, who was watching with concern.

In the midst of the chaos, a commotion erupted among the other prisoners. A group of them began to chant and cheer, rallying behind Purgus's act of defiance. The atmosphere shifted and the executioner faltered for a moment, her relentless assault momentarily halted.

Purgus blinked to Wendy and she immediately understood his unspoken signal. With a determined look in her eyes, Wendy raised her hand high into the sky. The prisoners around her saw the gesture and knew it was their moment to act. They had waited for an opportunity like this and now they had a chance to fight back against the oppressive guards.

In a co-ordinated display of strength and unity, the prisoners struck out at the guards around them with brute force. Fists and feet could be heard through the exectution grounds. The prisoners delivered powerful blows with combined might that quickly incapacitated the unsuspecting guards

The guards fell one by one and Wendy seized the opening to run towards where Purgus was bravely facing off against the executioner. With her heart racing like a cheetah on caffeine she made a move so fast nobody saw it coming. She put all her strength into one final punch striking a guard with a force that surprised even herself. The Guard was left with a broken jaw on the ground.

Wendy felt the pain through her knuckles.

"Ouchie- Wa-wa! What in the name of flying monkeys was that?!" Wendy exclaimed, shaking her hand in disbelief. "Is that how it feels to punch someone without my neos energy?! It felt like I just high-fived a brick wall!"

Ignoring the throbbing pain, she stumbled over to Purgus, who gave her a nod of approval. "Hey, Purgus," Wendy panted, trying to play it cool despite the searing pain in her hand. "Just thought I'd drop by and, you know, lend a hand. Or break it, apparently."

"Wendy, Free Dr. Kozaky and Rederra, I've caused enough of a distraction but we have to move fast. That Sneak attack won't incapacitate them for long!"

Wendy wasted no time. With a determined focus, she rushed to Dr. Kozaky and Rederra, who were still bound and waiting for their chance at freedom. Wendy swiftly reached into her pocket, producing the small silver key she had secretly hidden away, capable of opening that lock.

Wendy knelt down beside Dr. Kozaky first, working deftly to free her from the restraints. Dr. Kozaky's hands were shaky with anticipation and adrenaline as she watched Wendy's skilled hands at work. In a matter of moments, the last of the binds fell away and Dr. Kozaky was finally free.

"Thank you, Wendy," Dr. Kozaky said with gratitude flooding her eyes as she rubbed her wrists. "I knew I could trust you..."

Wendy offered her a warm smile before turning her attention to Rederra who was observing the scene with suprise. Wendy repeated the process, skillfully picking the lock that held Rederra captive.

Once freed, Rederra stretched her arms, feeling the sensation of freedom return to her. "I suppose I owe you my thanks too," she said, a hint of grudging respect in her tone.

Unfortunately, the prisoners found themselves at a disadvantage. Their Neos powers were suppressed by the bracelets, leaving them without their extraordinary abilities. The guards, on the other hand still wielded their powers granting them an overwhelming advantage in the battle.

Despite the odds, Purgus, Wendy, Dr. Kozaky and Rederra refused to back down. They fought with all their might, using their combat skills and teamwork to fend off the guards. Purgus and Rederra, though lacking their Neos abilities, displayed exceptional fighting prowess. Wendy's agile moves allowed her to evade attacks and strike back when the opportunity presented itself. Dr. Kozaky used her scientific knowledge to find weak points in the guards' defense, enabling strategic strikes to temporarily incapacitate them .

But the tide of the battle was not in their favor. The guards closed in, their powers unleashed with brutal force. The prisoners' efforts were valiant but they struggled against the superior strength and energy of the guards.

A Voice suddenly ringed out at the Guards who were gaining back the advantage against the Prisoners. Both the prisoners and guards froze in surprise though When they heard the shout of the Executioner through the chaos. She stepped forward with her face still obscured by the dark robes and hood.

"Do not proceed," the Executioner commanded. "Before we continue, we must ensure that all civilians are safely evacuated from the area. My face cannot be revealed to the public eyes and I won't risk any witnesses."

The guards, under her authority, quickly confirmed that the civilians had been escorted to safety. The Executioner nodded in approval, then turned her attention back to the prisoners and their allies.

The Executioner's gaze swept over the guards, her face still concealed beneath the shadow of her hood. "Leave."

The guards hesitated, exchanging uncertain glances. They were loyal to the Royal Celeston family and were used to obeying their orders without question. But the Executioner's authority was absolute and they knew better than to defy her.

"Are you sure about this?" one of the guards dared to ask.

"I am more than capable of handling the situation," the Executioner replied, her tone brooking no argument. "Go back to your duties."

The guards exchanged one last uneasy look before reluctantly nodding and turning to leave. They casted one last wary glance at the Executioner before disappearing from sight.

With the guards gone, the Executioner's attention returned to the prisoners and their allies. Wendy, Purgus, Dr. Kozaky and Rederra stood ready,

The Executioner turned her attention to Wendy, her gaze intense and piercing. Wendy could feel the Executioner's scrutiny running down her spine. There was something dark about the way the Executioner looked at her and it was as if she could see right through her, as if she knew every secret and hidden truth.

"What do you want from us?" Wendy asked. "Why did you help us back there? And why do you seem so... fixated on me?"

The Executioner remained silent for a moment. After a minute passed, she finally spoke with a low tone and filled with intensity.

"I have my reasons but you know, you're too quick to call my act 'help' for you " she said cryptically with her voice changing slightly to a tone that Wendy hadn't heard before. "You misunderstand my intentions...Make no mistake," she continued, stepping closer to Wendy, "this battle is between you and me. I don't care if you have allies or not. They are inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. What matters is whether you are strong enough to face me."

Wendy had been working towards this moment, seeking justice for herself and all the others who had suffered under the Celeston family's rule. Now, she stood before the embodiment of their oppression,

"Fine," Wendy said with a feigned confidence "If you want a battle with me, then you'll get one. But know this, I won't back down until the truth is exposed and justice is served!"

Wendy thinks. "Crap! I wish I were as confident as I sounded just now! what am I going to do without my Neos powers? I don't even know how strong she is!"

The Executioner's lips curved into a faint smile beneath her hood. "Good. I was hoping you'd be worth my time,"

Purgus glanced at Wendy with a hint of surprise flickering in his eyes. Seeing her in better shape than before made him feel a sense of appreciation for her strength and resilience along with her willingness to help him. They had been through so much together, battling against the odds and now fate had brought them together once more.

"Never thought I'd have you fighting by my side again, even though the situation is far from being in our favor again" Purgus remarked

Wendy met his gaze, a small smile playing on her lips as she chuckles. "Fate has a very funny way of bringing people back together, doesn't it?" she replied,

The executioner chuckles as she sees the reunion of the two. "It really is too bad for you two.. too bad it's going to be your last time seeing each other".

The Executioner removes her cloak. Wendy and Purgus exchanged a quick glance before the sight of darkness they saw before them. Their eyes widened in surprise and disbelief. The person under the cloak's appearance was unlike anything they had encountered before. Her demonic features, the horns protruding from her face, her long black hair that nearly touched the ground,and the eerie blue hue of her skin sent shivers down their spines.

"Recognize me, Wendy Celeston"? Maylithe hissed. "I am not just an executioner. I am Maylithe, an entity summoned from the depths of hell itself, called forth by one of your own blood. I am here to claim what is rightfully mine."

Wendy's heart raced, her mind trying to comprehend the revelation before her. Maylithe, an entity summoned from hell? The darkness within her family ran much deeper than she had ever imagined!

The shock and fear on Wendy and Purgus's faces were undeniable. They could not believe their eyes or ears. The revelation of Maylithe's true identity sent chills down their spines and they exchanged a quick, worried glance. This was a threat they hadn't anticipated in the least bit.

Dr. Kozaky and the other prisoners, who had witnessed the unmasking of the Executioner, were equally surprised. Their faces mirrored the shock and fear, unsure of what to make of the demon before them.

Rederra, however, remained remarkably composed, her features betraying no emotion. It was as if she had expected this revelation all along. Her gaze remained fixed on Maylithe, her eyes narrowing slightly as if sizing up an opponent.

Maylithe's eerie smile widened as she basked in their astonishment and fear. "Oh, the look on your faces is priceless," she hissed with dark delight. "But don't think you can escape your fate, my little pet. I will put an end to your pathetic rebellion."

"You're... from hell?" Wendy stammered with fear and disbelief. "But why? Why are you fixated on me?"

Maylithe's eerie laughter filled the air, sending shivers down their spines. "I want what is rightfully mine," she hissed. "Your family made a pact with this Demon long ago and now it's time to fulfill the terms of our contract. Your soul is the price, Wendy Celeston."

Wendy's mind raced as she tried to comprehend the revelation before her. Maylithe, an entity from hell, summoned by someone from her own family? The darkness within the Celeston family has always been visible but this type of Darkness was beyond her . It was as if every step she took to rise against them always revealed a new layer of deception and betrayal.

Purgus tensed beside her, his eyes never leaving Maylithe's eerie form. He had faced many challenges but nothing like this. The stakes were higher than ever and the reality of the situation weighed heavily on both of them.

"You were summoned by someone from the Celeston Family...but why? W-What do they gain from unleashing such darkness upon Neospacia?"

Maylithe's sinister smile widened, revealing razor-sharp teeth. "Oh, they gain 'power', dear Wendy. The summoning ritual was performed by someoneone in your family to summon a Demon and it just so happened to be me. Now what did they do with my power that I offered them? They decided to use it for their own nefarious purposes. With my strength at their disposal they can rule this world and shape it however they please."

Wendy's heart sank at the realization of the depth of her family's corruption. She had always hoped that there was some good left within them but it seemed that darkness had consumed them entirely. Was there even anything left to save of her family?

"But why do you need to consume my soul?" Wendy pressed. "What does that achieve for you?"

Maylithe chuckled darkly, her eyes gleaming with a hunger that sent shivers down Wendy's spine. "Ah, sweet ignorance. Living souls are a delicacy for demons like me. They grant us power, sustenanceand a taste of the mortal world we crave," she explained with a sinister allure. "By consuming your soul, I shall grow stronger and the ties that bind me to the summoner will loosen. It is a mutually beneficial arrangement for us demons and your family seeks to exploit that, in fact, they knew you were going to rebel against them. Despite having no power on your own, you would find a way to fight against them. That is why I was placed to be the executioner. I will make quick work of you and your little friend...and then ,I will consume your soul."

Wendy's resolve hardened, refusing to let the fear overtake her. "I won't let you have my soul! I'll fight you with everything I have and I'll protect those I care about!"

Maylithe's eerie smile did not waver. "Oh, I do love a spirited soul," she purred. "But do not think you have any choice in the matter. Your soul will be mine, one way or another. Whether you fight or succumb, it matters not. You mortals always underestimate the power of darkness.. and I will give you a small taste of what true darkness can do."