Will of a Prince

Harold limped towards the group. His arms were severely burned while he carried Squabee forward. His face had dry tears on them, just like all his comrades. He noticed Luna, Sarah, Steel and Bo sulking and slowly walked over to them.

"You all remember too, huh?"

However, the reason they were upset went beyond the memory of their fallen comrade. In this fight, they were completely helpless. It was a large wake-up call for any future fights they would have to endure as a group. For Luna, her power was rendered useless because of Zoey’s flames. For Sarah, she similarly couldn’t take any space because the ground under her feet would have been scorched. With Steel and Bo, they were simply not suited to direct confrontation combat, especially Bo. That feeling of helplessness stung horribly. If this fight ended any worse, they all could have been killed, and would have been powerless to stop it.

Steel was the first one to speak up.

"I think-... No. I know that we aren’t suited for these kinds of fights together. I think we should discuss how to handle events like this in the future. It feels like all I did was hold you all back."

Without saying anything, everyone collectively agreed.

Meanwhile, Maria continued to hold on to Jacob tightly. She absolutely refused to let go for anything. She wasn’t letting him leave alone again. Lidia was left speechless at the sight.

’You mean, this whole time... it was Jacob this whole time? Jacob killed an Elder Leviathan?! What the hell is that transformation of his?!’

Suddenly, irregular footstep started making their way towards Jacob. Orvo was clutching his side, his eyes bloodshot with anger. His armor was in disarray but still held itself together well. He loomed over Maria with a dark gaze.

"Move."

"Orvo, this is just a misunderstanding. He’s on our side."

"I said..."

Orvo slapped Maria across the face... or at least tried to.

"MOVE!"

Maria held her cheek. Even though she didn’t feel anything from the slap, the action itself was beyond rude. Maria’s eyes turned cold and she stood up slowly, gently laying Jacob down. She walked up to Orvo and glared into his soul.

"Make me."

Maria’s words cut Orvo’s confidence like a knife. He was in no state to try and get past Maria to get his revenge on Jacob. Suddenly, Orvo seemed to get a good look at Jacob’s face. His widened and he stuttered over his words.

"H-He’s... he looks..."

He cleared his throat and turned away, defeated.

"I’m... sorry. For trying to hurt him and for hitting you. I let my anger control me. Please forgive me."

Maria continued to glare at his back. She still didn’t trust him until he was a safe distance from Jacob.

"He’s your friend, right? Well, I hope he learns to control himself. He may be the strongest weapon we have against the Monlo Empire now. Those Epigones will surely piss their pants seeing him too."

Maria relaxed her shoulders a bit and bent down to sit with Jacob again. She scooped him up and covered his head with her hand protectively. Orvo glared at Jacob’s face, a hint of regret betraying his gaze.

’I don’t blame him for being so angry. Jacob almost ate him alive. I couldn’t even imagine how that must feel. But still...’

Maria looked at Jacob’s defeated face.

’I’ll never let him lay a single finger on him. I’ll never let any harm come to him as long as I’m here.’

Slimo coughed awake, spitting up blood and holding his ribs. He breathed in heavily as he looked around at the fallout of the battle.

’A single hit. I was defeated in a single hit.’

He looked at his fist and clenched it tightly.

’I’m still so weak... I held everyone back.’

He coughed more, his lungs felt like they were on fire.

’My ribcage is a mess. I can hardly move.’

He squinted his eyes in the direction of where Lidia was sitting. Next to her was Maria holding a man who he recognized all too well. His eyes widened at the sight. He let his head droop down.

"I see. So, it was you, wasn’t it? Is this my payback for what I did to you? Have I atoned enough?"

He winced in pain again and looked around.

’Everyone’s crying. Avala...’

Avala was in his face, a teary mess.

"I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Slimo. Please forgive me for what I’ve done."

’Huh? What is she talking about? Did something happen while I was out?’

"G-Grouch?"

Avala cried harder and wiped her face. Slimo put his hands up groggily.

"Woah woah, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. Quit crying, you’ll make me feel bad."

Avala ignored him and hugged him tighter, her silver hair being shoved in his face. Slimo desperately tapped her trying to get her off.

"Please. My ribs, Avala."

Avala heard his small plea and gave him some space while sniffling.

"Did we win?"

Avala took a few moments to compose herself. She swallowed her sobs and cleared her throat.

"We did."

"Zoey. I think something happened to Zoey before I passed out. Where is she?"

"She’s alright. Everyone’s okay."

"Why are you crying so hard?"

He looked around at everyone else.

"Why is... everyone crying so much?"

Avala held back more tears.

"We remember, Slimo. Our memories are back. I remember all the times you told me the truth of what happened that night with Leno. I remember how I... how I..."

Avala struggled to speak, but Slimo interrupted her with a small chuckle. He coughed up a small bit of blood before speaking.

"I see. So, you all know the truth. That must mean they remember Sydney and William."

Slimo laid his head against the wall and stared into the sky. Rolling clouds of a storm began to form.

"You... remember."

He looked back down at the battlefield. The destruction was anything but small. The terrain itself looked like it warped into a different shape.

"I have a favor to ask, Avala."

"Anything. What do you need, brother?"

"First, I need you to bring me over to Jacob over there. I feel I owe a long talk after everything that’s happened between us."

"That boy is dead unconscious. He needs medical attention just as much as we do."

Slimo sighed and stared into his lap.

"I see."

He lifted his head once more, looking into Avala’s green eyes.

"Then, take me to father."

Avala’s eyes widened. What Simo was asking could only mean one thing: he wanted to see if his father remembered the truth as well. Without wasting any time, Avala lifted Slimo in her arms and began limping back towards Paria Kingdom. It took her a while before she reached the post that Slimo had left his dad tied to. The emperor, Pelo Kin, was sitting on the ground in silence as they approached.

Avala slowly set Slimo down on the ground close to his father before cutting the ropes loose. All three of them sat in a circle around each other. Avala was the first one to speak up.

"Father... do you-"

"Silence."

Pelo raised a small hand and looked deeply into Slimo’s eyes. Emotion welled inside Slimo’s heart.

"My... son."

Small tears fell down the emperor’s cheeks.

"I forgive you."

This time, it was Slimo’s turn to break down. He lowered his head to his father and cried out to him.

"I’m sorry, dad. I swear I never wanted to. I miss him so much, dad. Why did it have to be like this?! It’s not fair. It’s not fair at all."

Pelo laid a hand on his sons back.

"It’s not your fault. I can’t even imagine the torment of trying to tell your truth, but no one being capable of hearing it. I am the one who is sorry."

He lifted Slimo’s chin up to meet his teary gaze.

"Leno would be proud of everything you’ve done. I know for fact he is."

Then, Pelo stood up and walked over to his two children, wrapping them both in his arms.

"I love you, my children."

This feeling of family was something Slimo had to go years without, and now, it was finally filling his heart. It felt like a void deep in his soul was finally being filled. His years of solitude, his years of fighting for himself, fighting for his friends, had all led to this special moment with his family that he desperately desired. Slimo’s heart was finally at peace.

On the battlefield, Abby and Harold were in charge of loading everyone in their carriage. Even though the one they were currently using was built for battle, it could still carry a decent amount of people. Abby held on to Harold’s burned arms.

"That was reckless."

Harold scratched the back of his head embarrassingly, but Abby put a hand on his face.

"But, sometimes it’s okay to be reckless. Just don’t get yourself killed!"

Harold smiled and fastened his harness, readying to take off. Maria was still carrying Jacob as she took a seat in the carriage. Orvo sat in the seat across from her, but Maria didn’t sense any killing intent from him at all, so she decided not to move. However, she couldn’t help but notice that he kept glancing over at Jacob’s face. It got to the point where Maria ended up covering his face with her hand and gave him a mean glare. When she did, Orvo jumped up embarrassingly and looked away from them the rest of the trip back.

’I get he just came out of a monster’s body and ate some of you, but you’re crossing a line... I think. Wait, I bet he’s just wondering if Jacob’s a cannibal or not. I take everything back. I don’t think he’s used to seeing someone eat human flesh and get protected for it!’

Maria felt like slapping herself in the face for being so rude. Her points were only proven further once they got off the carriage. He stopped Maria and bowed his head.

"I’m terribly sorry to make you uncomfortable. It’s just that... does he normally eat people? Did I at least taste good?"

Maria felt like dropping Jacob.

’This whole time he was wondering if he tasted good?! What the hell is with this guy?!’

However, as Steel passed by them, he asked the same question.

"Well, did he?"

’Steel is also a weirdo, so that’s to be expected.’

Suddenly, Zoey seemingly burst out of her coma while Sarah was carrying her off the carriage.

"I want to know how he tasted too!"

Maria felt like passing out.

’Never mind. I think I’ve just been away too long and forgot how stupid everyone can be.’