Blind Faith

Beside Prince Archilles were several of his newly appointed maid servants; a symbol of his growing power and influence, each adorned in fine attire. And among them were Leia and Lila, who had displayed the best results out of all the trainees, both having proven themselves as exceptional individuals through their dedication and hard work. They had earned their place by Archilles's side, and their loyalty was unquestionable.

Leia's gaze often wandered, her heart heavy with a longing she couldn't suppress. She desperately wanted to see Neebo again, to know that he was alive and well. And although they don't have much memories to share with each other, Leia have grown fond of Neebo's personality. And although Neebo seem like a spoiled and reckless brat, she had this little bit of feeling that she can relate to him. She too came from a privileged position before being taken by Prince Archilles, and she too was well protected and lived a very lavish life.

Being able to bluntly face against Prince Archilles, Leia felt amazed at Neebo's courage. It was an act she couldn't bring herself to do. Thus, Neebo became a beacon of hope for Leia. Knowing that there was a person just like her who was fighting for his rights was enough for Leia. In this cooped up world that they were in, this kind of thoughts were the only thing that motivates her that one day, she will be free from this misery. And that this was not going to be her end.

Although she showed her complete submission towards Prince Archilles, in her mind and her heart, she was waiting for the day that she will be able to walk away from Prince Archilles. And Neebo's fighting spirit keeps that faint of hope burning inside Leia.

Lila, on the other hand, harbored a deep-seated resentment towards Neebo. She remembered the fear and humiliation he had caused her, the way he had tormented her with his relentless pursuit. Her heart burned with anger at the thought of him, and she couldn't fathom why Leia still held any concern for him.

During their training, Lila would find Leia very interested with news regarding Neebo. Especially when the kingdom thought that Neebo had succumb to the corrupted energy and became a lifeless corpse, a demon reincarnate within the depths of the Nefarious Sanctuary. Lila found Leia extremely worried and depressed. For one, they were not able to step out from the Amber Palace during their training. Thus, they could only hear rumors from other servants from the palace, as to what was happening within the kingdom of Hazel Grove.

Upon the return of their Prince, from subduing the demon that had become of Neebo. The kingdom was greatly struck by Zhu Hongwu's news. The company of Prince Archilles, Meng Fu and Bai Feng were carried into the Amber Palace, unconscious. And they were treated by the greatest Divine Doctors of the land. The kingdom was in chaos after Zhu Hongwu's news of a looming threat within the Nefarious Sanctuary, which the kingdom reacted by expanding the forbidden grounds a distance away from the sanctuary.

Leia knew, that not only was Neebo alive and fighting; he was able to secure a victory against Prince Archilles. Although this fact wasn't told by Zhu Hongwu himself, it was clear after Prince Archilles recovered his consciousness. Prince Archilles would then seclude himself for a month to train his limits, he was later joined by Meng Fu and Bai Feng.

After completing their training, they were given privilege to serve Prince Archilles right after he exited his training. And every time Leia got closer to Prince Archilles, he saw how determined and focus the Prince was, often times she would hear him speak the name of Neebo with great resentment. And often times, during his training with Meng Fu, Prince Archilles would shout Neebo's name after reaching his limits. It seems like Neebo had become a motivation for Prince Archilles to train even harder. As such, Leia's mind perceived that the Prince was greatly defeated by Neebo in the Nefarious Sanctuary.

Standing behind Prince Archilles this time around, she felt that the Prince had truly been waiting for this opportunity to settle things. A week before, they received orders from their King and Queen that they were to take away a human slave from the depth of the Nefarious Sanctuary. This order came from Sect Master Griffith, who wanted to give Neebo a chance to live the rest of his life as mortal. He made sure to instruct King Cedric and Queen Elara that they were to give Neebo another chance at life and free him of his status as slave, this was to resolve Zhu Hongwu's debt towards Neebo.

As the days went on, Prince Archilles couldn't focus in his training anymore as his thoughts about Neebo had consumed his mind. He remembered the battles he had fought, the confrontations he had engaged in, and among them all, Neebo was the one odd variant. What he needed to do now was to settle their difference once and for all, and to prove his strength and dominance over Neebo. Thus, Prince Archilles had set aside his conquest and battles with the Great Kingdom of Ethos. For he felt like he had to prove himself against Neebo first, before anything else.

This was his greatest obstacle currently, he knew that if he did emerge victorious against Neebo, the Great Kingdom of Ethos would be a swift and child's play competition.

"Come, I have been waiting for this day to come! Neebo!" Prince Archilles rage calmly overlooking the gates of the Amber Palace.

Leia, Lila and all the maidservants behind Prince Archilles felt his rage. And their hatred towards Neebo intensified, they wanted to see their Prince to achieve victory against his enemies, badly. And whatever their Prince commands them to do, they would do it. So long as they could be of service to the Prince's goals and objectives. They were not only trained as simple maidservants; they were also trained in martial combat during this entire time. Thus, their morale after completing their training was at the highest. They were ready to take action; they were ready to put their life on the line; they were ready to spill blood for their master.

…

Stepping outside five kilometers away from the Nefarious Sanctuary, Hazel Grove have built a wall to ensure that no one comes inside the forbidden area of the sanctuary. Neebo saw the great changes built on Hazel Grove kingdom, 'This must be the precautionary actions they prepared incase worst things happens.' Neebo thought.

Neebo saw how crudely built these walls were, as they were constructed with great haste, the kingdom had just prioritized its bulkiness against any threat. Neebo felt pity, these structure that they have built wouldn't stand a chance against the real threat. These were child's play for them, Immortals may even neglect their existence as they were able to fly. But nonetheless, he was impressed at Hazel Grove's efforts to fortify and safekeep their kingdom.

Neebo had been taken by a dozen of King's Guard. They surrounded Neebo from all sides as Neebo rode a horse, he was too weak to be walking. In front were two King's Guard mounted on their own horses, it seems that these two were the ones that were in-charge for his transportation. Along the way, Neebo felt awkward. He has incited hateful actions against Hazel Grove's men before and he have insulted and cursed at them, but now, they were quiet and didn't seem to make a scene against Neebo. As if, he was treated with utmost care.

Deep inside, Neebo felt melancholic. This kind of treatment, he missed badly. The times where he was protected and treated with care and love, this was the one thing that Neebo yearned for all this time. He was the Seventh Prince of his kingdom, the youngest. He was the most loved and celebrated. And now, in his misery, he was being treated as a royalty. It was truly ironic; the one reason why he hated his father, was because he lost all of these feelings. And now that he had truly lost everything, his hope and his strength; he had received what he was yearning.

The march wasn't slow or fast, it was of calmness and tranquility. Combined with the restful aura of Hazel Grove, Neebo reveled in this moment.

The march concluded as they were upon the gates of the Amber Palace. Neebo was greeted with another group of people, all wore medical robes. It seems like they were going to receive Neebo and treat his injuries. Neebo was flabbergasted by this reception.

Prince Archilles who was waiting for Neebo, saw Neebo's current state. He saw Neebo's weakened body being carried by the King's Guard and into the care of the Palace medics. The once vibrant and mischievous prince had been reduced to a shadow of his former self. Leia and Lila both reflected a contrasting reaction to this. Leia felt sad and worried, how did Neebo become so weak that he couldn't walk by himself.

Neebo looked weak and fragile; his once physically fit and sturdy physique has now become completely thin, his body caved in as it was obvious that Neebo was enduring a grave injury in his body. His legs moved like noodles that could barely stand up alone. His overgrown hair drowned him of his depression, but his eyes couldn't hide it, as if his eyes were beaming a reflection of pain and agony he is carrying. He too was prideful, Prince Archilles and Leia knew that, and they saw how miserable Neebo felt towards his status.

Prince Archilles too was a prideful person, and he was very disappointed. This was not the confrontation he had anticipated, not the battle he had wanted to engage in. He wonders what had happened inside the Nefarious Sanctuary after they left, that Neebo had to leave from it at this state. He too remembered what had transpired within the pit, and he too felt great fear from what was lurking inside the spatial crack.

But he thought differently, he thought that if he ever wants to reign and bring immense glory for his kingdom. Then he must prepare these kinds of battles, and he must prepare to face stronger opponents. There must've been more encounters with the foreign lifeforms after they left the sanctuary that made Neebo this much weak.

He felt jealous and an indescribable respect towards Neebo. Of all the people within the kingdom, it would be Prince Archilles to have first-hand knowledge to how powerful and strong Neebo is. He even knocked the consciousness out from his Master Meng Fu and Elder Bai Feng.

But even then, Prince Archilles felt his plans were thwarted by uncontrollable circumstances. He was supposed to be the person that would've dealt with Neebo. He was supposed to be the person that will defeat Neebo in a duel. And Neebo was supposed to be the one stepping stone that Prince Archilles stepped on, to further complete his journey for his conquest.

And now his plans were foiled.

Fueled by frustration and a burning desire for retribution, Prince Archilles erupted in rage. He roared his defiance within the Amber Palace, where everyone heard and felt. Below, Neebo felt Prince Archilles's disappointments. He too wanted to have many more rematch against Prince Archilles; he wanted to humiliate him every time they face against each other. But he couldn't help but be dejected as he put his head down, crestfallen.

Neebo heard the echoes of protest and disappointment from Prince Archilles, and all that he could do was to be carried away by the palace medics, despite wanting to destroy the kingdom that destroyed his, Neebo knew that with his current status, he was not going to last even against a poor beggar. That's how pitiable he felt for himself.

Inside the Amber Palace, Neebo was treated with unexpected kindness. Despite the animosity and the hatred between each other, Hazel Grove expressed tender care and compassion towards treating Neebo. He hated Hazel Grove, but in this moment, he couldn't deny the genuine care he was receiving. A treatment that was a stark contrast to the disdain he had encountered from the past and even from his own kingdom.

As Neebo rested and began to heal his injuries, Prince Archilles set off on a rampage. He took off with his personal army along with his personal maidservants, to fend off the army sent by the Great Kingdom of Ethos to once again suppress Hazel Grove.