Princess' Escape

[[Amara Aquilla]]

This place is amazing. 

It has everything one could ask for— from great food to the most expensive clothing.

I remember roaming through the streets and enjoying the food and games… but that was when father was alive. After traversing the world and returning… Nothing has been the same as it once was.

'I need to escape.'

This is nothing more than a prison.

I looked around the place— the maids were outside my room, keeping sure that I remained in my room. So there was no way possible for me to escape through… or that's what they think.

"Windows without railings are pretty dangerous."

I walked towards the window and looked down— high… yeah, I was at a very scary height. 

But if years of adventuring has taught me anything— it's not to be afraid of heights.

I have climbed mountains and steep cliffs much taller than this— this is not impossible.

*Breathe*

Looking out of the window, I noticed that the place was empty. Mostly because the majority of the workers were in the front, welcoming the guest and the rest were guarding the insides of the castle.

"Just don't be nervous…"

I told myself before getting rid of my heels. Slowly but precisely, I pushed my leg out of the window and found a crevice to put my feet at. 

Slowly, I exited through the window and took another deep breath.

I can do this.

Carefully… without looking at the ground, I started moving down. The castle's walls were not slippery— thankfully. So, it made climbing down a little easy. 

It took me over fifteen minutes to reach a height that was sure to not kill me if… I fell. But it would still hurt, so better to climb down a bit more before jumping down.

And I did so. The latter part was easier to climb as the detailing on the walls in the form of carvings gave me a good grip.

And so, in another three or so minutes— I managed to reach down.

"Perfect!"

Jumping from the wall and sighing with exhaustion— I knew I couldn't stay here. So, without wasting time— I decided to run.

But… couldn't because—

"That was… a fascinating show."

Frick my luck!

Standing behind me was a man, no more than twenty-five. Brown hair that was considerably long but well kept… which with his handsome face made him look like a celebrity.

But… 

"Errr… I can explain." I said, still confused since I can swear there was no one here while I was climbing down.

He smiled. "I am sure you can. No one climbs down a castle wall without a reason."

I am in trouble, aren't I?

Looking at my troubled face, he chuckled.

"You don't have to be scared." He said. "I am Marcellus. Marcellus Hanley."

Marcellus… Somehow the name sounds familiar.

"Umm… Sir, can you promise not to tell gran- Aunt about this." I almost screwed up again… "Lady Selene, I mean."

He looked at me with a raised eyebrow. 

"Well as long as you are not some thief, I don't mind." He said. "Miss…"

"Amara. Amara Aquilla, niece of Lady Selene." 

He paused as I revealed my relationship with granny. I can understand his surprise, grandmother was a big deal in Nova Roma… And despite him not looking like a native from here, I can tell he is related to grandmother.

Maybe he is someone looking to make a business deal with her? That explains why he is being so considerate towards me.

His expression turned into a happy one as he agreed to keep my escape a secret.

"So where are you planning to go?" He asked.

"I cannot leave this place, but I can pretty much roam around the castle and the city as long as I don't get caught." 

He nodded at my explanation. 

"Well I am here for some business with your aunt, and since she is attending to a guest. I have nothing much to do. I am not very familiar with this place, so if you don't mind… I would love to explore this place." He asked.

And looks like I was right. He is here for business… but he is different from the rest of the businessmen.

He looks… fun.

"As long as you promise to not reveal my name if you get caught." 

He grinned at that and extended his hand.

"As long as you promise to do the same."

Yeah, he is fun.

…

…

[[External of Despair, Absalom]]

Something was wrong. Something was seriously wrong with this place. 

We have been walking through the same hallway for a long time… yet I haven't seen a single door that leads anywhere. I haven't been here in a long time— but despite that, I remember that this has never happened in my previous visit.

This had only one explanation.

"Selene… You better stop with your illusions." I warned but she seemed confused.

"What do you mean? Absalom?" 

She didn't look back and kept walking— something that irked me a lot.

*Breathe*

*SWING!*

Sprouting a bone spike from my wrist, I sprung it towards the black witch.

*Clang!*

Metal… A metal wall.

Without waiting for her to reply, I pushed a bony claw towards her abdomen— which she dodged using her magic.

"Attacking an Empress in her own castle— you have quite the gall, Absalom." 

*Tsk*

Damn woman! 

But even before I could throw another jab, my movements were restrained with black chains that appeared from her shadows. 

"Absalom, my friend." She said. "You made things a lot easier by entering my domain on your own." 

"What are you after, witch!" My roar of fury made her laugh.

The audacity!

Bones shot towards her— spikes that could pierce even the strongest metals… but it couldn't even put a scratch on her. 

"That's… it?" She taunted. "You are weak, Absalom… Pathetic even." 

"You bitch!" 

But my anger was useless as breaking these chains was almost impossible. 

"Why are you doing this!?" I asked.

She didn't answer and instead looked at me. 

"Why are you here?" She asked. "What do the Externals want?"

She is still asking that?!?

"You are a traitorous bitch! The Externals never trusted you, witch!" 

She didn't seem amused. 

"I was right choosing him over the Externals."

Him? Who?

"Who the hell are you talking about?"

She didn't answer.

"The Externals are pathetic, Absalom." She sighed. "Pitiful even…"

The moment, I am freed from these chains… I will slash her throat open. 

She smiled. "Thankfully, I will not be the one to deal with you. So the link between me and Externals will not trigger." 

"What are you planning…"

This time… She answered.

"Oh, I am not planning anything, Absalom." She smiled. "But someone else is."

"Who?"

She chuckled. "That, my friend… you will find out soon."

And with that, my vision turned dark.

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[[A/N: Productive day, wrote till ch 81 🕷🕷🕷

Marvel facts: (1) Search a marvel character called "Orb" nuff said...

(2)There is a character in Marvel called Protege that can copy any and all powers. Living Tribunal? Death? Beyonders? Everyone... He just needs to see them using their powers once and he will have a perfect copy of their powers... That's also why he is a Beyond Omega Level 'Threat.' (Notice the emphasis on the word *Threat* as these terms, Alpha, Omega can also be used for non-mutants. But when used for non-mutants they are often described as 'Threats' like Alpha Level Threat. Thor is an Omega level threat.)

Now, some might say that Protege can copy One Above All... Firstly, he can't. Omnipotence is impossible for anyone even when Thanos or Doom become omnipotent, They were in truth weaker than OAA. So, they were not truly omnipotent.

If two omnipotent beings fought, let's say One Above All and Presence... It will always end in a stalemate. There is no debate.

And secondly, OAA is the one that made Protege... So of course, Protege can never surpass his creator.