Chains Of Justice

The throne room, once a symbol of the Free World's power, now lay in ruins. Fractured stone littered the floor, and the air was thick with dust and smoke. At the room's center stood Ma, the Red Demon Monkey, frozen in stone, serving as the living prison for the defeated Vorthax. The silence was palpable, broken only by the faint crackle of distant fires and the occasional groan of the damaged palace walls.

Jin strode forward, his footsteps deliberate as his blade glinted faintly in the dim light. His cold gaze fixed on the stone figure before him, and with each step, the tension in the room deepened. A faint flicker of dark energy lingered in his eyes, betraying the restrained power simmering within him.

"This ends now," Jin said, his voice sharp and final. He raised his blade, the tip gleaming ominously in the fractured light. The air grew still, as if the room itself held its breath.

"Stop, Jin!" King Aegon's voice echoed, firm and commanding despite his weakened state. The king rose from his place near the shattered throne, his hand gripping the armrest for support. Though his face was pale and his body weary, his voice carried the weight of authority.

Jin's blade halted mid-air, his head tilting slightly toward the king. His voice, cold and measured, broke the silence. "Why?"

"Because justice is not vengeance," Aegon replied, taking a faltering step forward. "Vorthax must pay for his crimes, but not through death. If we execute him, we become no better than he is."

Jin's hand tightened on the hilt of his sword, his gaze hardening. "Justice? After everything he's done, after all the lives he's taken, you'd still let him live?"

"Yes," Aegon said firmly, his voice steady despite his visible exhaustion. "Because the Free World must stand for something greater. Death is an escape, but justice… justice is a reminder."

For a moment, the room was silent. Then, with a sharp exhale, Jin lowered his blade. "Very well. But if this comes back to haunt you…" His voice trailed off, the unspoken threat lingering in the air.

In a quieter corner of the room, Ma and Pa worked over Rebekah's still form. Their glowing hands radiated warmth, the soft hum of healing energy filling the air. Slowly, color began to return to Rebekah's pale cheeks, and her breathing steadied.

"She'll make it," Ma grunted, stepping back. "But she'll need proper care soon."

Pa nodded, brushing the sweat from his fur. "We've done what we can. The rest is up to her."

Aegon knelt by his daughter's side, his stern features softening. He placed a trembling hand on her forehead, his voice a faint whisper. "Thank you," he said, his tone heavy with gratitude. "You've done more than I could ever ask."

Ma folded his arms, a sly grin spreading across his face. "We're not just pretty faces, you know."

From a distance, Jin watched the interaction, his expression unreadable. When Aegon turned to him, the king's voice carried a rare sincerity. "Jin, without you, none of us would be standing here. I owe you more than I can ever repay."

Jin's gaze dropped momentarily. "You owe me nothing. The Free World has already given me more than I deserve."

A sudden gust of wind swept through the room as five figures entered with deliberate precision. Shenlog, the commanding officer of the Sentinels, led the group, his imposing frame cutting an authoritative figure against the destruction. His armor bore the scars of recent battles, and his piercing eyes scanned the throne room, assessing the scene.

Behind him, four officers moved into formation, their movements sharp and disciplined. Their presence was both reassuring and unnerving, a reminder of the Free World's martial prowess.

"Why are you here?" Aegon asked, his voice tinged with surprise. "You were on a critical mission."

Shenlog stepped forward and bowed slightly. "We received word that the city was under attack. We abandoned our mission and returned immediately."

Aegon's face darkened as he gestured to the wreckage around them. "You came too late. The city has suffered greatly."

Shenlog's gaze landed on the stone figure in the center of the room. "What of Vorthax?"

Aegon turned to Ma, nodding briefly. "He's been neutralized for now. But we cannot leave him like this indefinitely."

Reluctantly, Ma stepped forward and undid the prison technique. The stone encasement cracked and shattered, revealing Vorthax's frail form beneath. He lay motionless, his once-commanding presence now reduced to a broken shell.

One of Shenlog's officers approached, his voice steady and deliberate. "Lock."

The single word echoed, and shimmering chains of light materialized around Vorthax's arms and legs. He growled faintly, his energy too depleted to resist.

"Take him to the highest-security prison," Aegon commanded. Two Sentinels stepped forward, lifting Vorthax's limp body before vanishing in a flash of light.

As the room settled, Jin walked toward the far end, where his coat lay crumpled amidst the rubble. He bent down, brushed it off, and draped it over his shoulders. Without a word, he began to leave.

"Stop," Shenlog called out, his voice sharp.

Jin didn't pause. His voice, cold and detached, cut through the air. "I'm tired. I need rest."

Shenlog's eyes narrowed, but before he could respond, Aegon interjected. "Let him go, Shenlog. If it weren't for him, everything Vorthax planned would have succeeded."

Shenlog exhaled sharply, his posture rigid. His voice, however, softened slightly. "Very well."

Turning to his officers, Shenlog's tone hardened once more. "What of my son? Where is Jingwei?"

One of the Sentinels stepped forward, their voice hesitant. "Commander Jingwei fought valiantly. He took down two high-value targets but was severely injured."

Shenlog's jaw tightened, his voice low. "His best wasn't enough."

"Enough," Aegon interrupted, his tone firm. "Blame will not rebuild this city. Focus on what must be done."

The king's gaze swept across the room, his voice steady despite the weariness in his frame. "Begin reconstruction immediately. Send food and supplies to the outskirts. And as of today…" He paused, his voice heavy with resolve. "The law of crucifixion is abolished. We will not repeat the mistakes of the past."

The throne room began to clear, the workers and Sentinels filing out as they prepared to rebuild. Aegon turned toward the rising sun, visible through the shattered windows. Its golden light bathed the city in warmth, a quiet promise of renewal.

"We've endured much," he murmured to himself. "But we will rise again."

Jin's shadow disappeared into the horizon, his figure solitary and resolute. The battle was over, but in his heart, Jin knew the fight was far from finished.