Chapter 2: The Trooper
Seven years had passed since the day Lucas and Jack had become part of Chéng's motley crew. This unconventional family had been forged by necessity, but their bond had grown strong through shared experiences and mutual respect. Jack, now an eight-year-old, had blossomed into a thoughtful yet reserved young boy. Born an albino, his unusual appearance made him stand out, and his features were not considered traditionally attractive. Nonetheless, his quiet intelligence and gentle demeanour endeared him to his new family.
His memories of the past remained vague, and he couldn't recall their mother or the harrowing events that had led them to Chéng and his group. Lucas, ever protective, did his best to shield Jack from those painful memories.
Together, they had honed their skills under the tutelage of their newfound companions. Chéng taught them the intricacies of swordsmanship, the finer points of military strategy, and how to survive in the wild. Ben shared his expertise in archery, while Mike pushed them to their physical limits, ensuring they stayed in peak condition. Meanwhile, Ethan imparted his knowledge on treating wounds and understanding the human body.
Armen, once Lucas's adversary, had become a close and trusted friend. Their initial animosity had dissolved as Lucas discovered the depth of Armen's loyalty and warmth. At first, Armen had seemed an arrogant, domineering figure, but he had proven to be a steadfast ally who treated everyone with respect and consideration. Despite his remarkable strength, which could easily overpower Ben, Mike, and Ethan combined, he never used it to assert dominance over his comrades.
One mystery remained, however: the enigmatic emblem that Armen always carried. None of their companions knew its origin or significance, and Lucas's curiosity only grew stronger over time.
As they journeyed together, seeking adventure and opportunity, Chéng's keen eyes detected something in the distance. "I see a village up ahead," he called out, his voice a mix of curiosity and caution. The group exchanged glances, wondering what awaited them in this new locale, and what challenges or surprises they might encounter.
The village they entered appeared to be situated in a desolate area, its houses constructed from sandstone and curiously devoid of doors. As they ventured further, they noticed the inhabitants – clad in tattered, dirty clothing – casting wary glances in their direction. It was clear that outsiders were a rarity here.
Armen muttered, "Doesn't seem like they enjoy having visitors."
Chéng nodded in agreement. "We won't stay here long. We'll just get some supplies and get out of here."
As they continued deeper into the village, a middle-aged man appeared, standing in the middle of the road. His expression was inscrutable, but there was a hardness in his eyes that spoke of a difficult life.
"Good afternoon, sir," Chéng greeted him, attempting to break the ice.
The man's face remained impassive, his silence an unyielding barrier.
Undeterred, Chéng continued, "Do you know where the chief of this village is?"
In response, the man offered no words but gestured with his hand for them to follow. Reluctantly, they trailed behind him as he led them to a dwelling that appeared no different from the others, save for the presence of a wooden door at its entrance. The man pointed at the house, his silent message clear: the village chief resided within.
Cautiously, they approached the door, uncertain of what to expect from the enigmatic leader of this isolated village.
Chéng turned to the group and announced, "Alright, guys, Lucas and I will go inside, and the rest of you will stay out here."
Ben furrowed his brow. "Huh? Why is Lucas going with you?"
Chéng smirked. "He used to live in a village, and besides, he looks the least intimidating of all of us."
Ben feigned hurt. "Ouch."
Jack tugged at Lucas's sleeve, his eyes filled with concern. "Lucas, I don't think these people are friendly."
Lucas offered his brother a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Jack. If anything happens, the others are here to protect you, okay?"
Jack shook his head. "No, I wasn't worried about my safety. I wanted to tell you to be careful. They seem desperate and might try to steal something from you."
Lucas chuckled at his brother's unexpected perceptiveness. "Oh, don't worry. Nothing's going to happen to me." His confidence seemed strangely mature for an eight-year-old.
Chéng called out from the doorway, "Lucas, are you coming?"
"Don't worry, I'm coming," Lucas replied, following Chéng inside the house.
Upon entering, they found a blonde-haired girl diligently working on paperwork. Chéng cleared his throat. "Excuse me, young miss, do you know where we could find the chief of the village?"
The girl looked up from her work, her eyes meeting theirs before she flashed a warm smile. "That would be me."
Both Chéng and Lucas exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by the revelation.
Chéng's curiosity was piqued. "Really? I'm sorry to ask this, but how old are you exactly?"
The girl didn't seem to take offence. "I'm seventeen years old."
Lucas blinked in surprise, his thoughts echoing in his head. She is the same age as me.
Composing himself, Chéng offered a polite bow. "I see. Well, where are my manners? My name is Chéng, and this young man next to me is Lucas."
Lucas nodded, smiling. "Nice to meet you."
The girl returned the smile, her eyes warm and welcoming. "Nice to meet you too, Chéng and Lucas. My name is Cozbi. What brings you to our village today?"
Chéng got straight to the point. "Well, we were wondering if we could get some supplies—"
"Impossible," Cozbi interrupted firmly.
Taken aback, Chéng frowned. "What?"
"I said that it will be infeasible for us to give you anything," Cozbi reiterated, her voice laced with a hint of sadness.
Chéng's confusion deepened. "But I can pay you."
Cozbi shook her head. "Even if you have something to pay for, we still wouldn't be able to provide you with anything."
"But why?" Chéng pressed.
Cozbi's expression grew sombre. "Have you seen where our village is located? Everywhere, there's just sand. No water. No crops. No food. We barely survive on the meagre resources we manage to scrounge up."
Chéng couldn't help but ask, "Then why build a village here?"
"It was never our decision to live here," Cozbi replied, her voice heavy with bitterness. "We were forced to relocate here by the surrounding kingdoms. They deemed our people undesirable and banished us to this desolate place."
Chéng felt a surge of sympathy for the young chief and her people. "That's horrible."
Cozbi nodded. "Indeed, it is. But we've managed to survive so far, and we'll continue to do so."
As the conversation between Chéng and Cozbi continued, Lucas couldn't help but steal glances at the young chief. There was something about her that he found captivating. Despite the hardships she and her people had faced, Cozbi exuded an aura of resilience and strength. Her eyes held a determined spark that fascinated him. He had seen many people in his travels, but few had managed to leave such an impression on him in such a short time.
She paused for a moment, then asked, "Tell me, Chéng, have you ever heard of Shirley?"
"The Medusa's Vessel?" Chéng responded, his curiosity ignited by the mention of the infamous title.
Cozbi's expression darkened. "That's correct. This village is under her control. She doesn't care about the people who live outside the kingdom. All that matters to her is whether we can supply her with what she wants. This land used to have actual soil, but because of her greed, she sucked it dry. Quite literally. So, my only suggestion for you is to try and find another village. Or..."
Chéng raised an eyebrow. "Or?"
Cozbi hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Help us in our rebellion against her."
Chéng's eyes widened. "Are you people crazy? You want to start a fight with The Numbered? The only thing that awaits you is death."
Cozbi's voice was unwavering. "I believe it's better to die free than to live under someone's control."
Chéng shook his head. "I'm sorry about your situation, but I can't let my people be a part of this. Lucas, let's go."
Disappointment flickered across Cozbi's face, but she said nothing. Chéng walked out of the house, and Lucas reluctantly followed. As he reached the doorway, Cozbi called out to him.
"Wait."
Lucas stopped in his tracks, turning to face her.
Cozbi's eyes implored him, her voice soft yet determined. "Lucas, right? Please, try to change his mind. I know it might sound selfish, but my people desperately need help. My parents died when I was seven, and I've been the only one looking after this village since then. I can see in your eyes that you've probably experienced something similar. If no one helps this village, our suffering will continue until we all perish."
Lucas's eyes flashed with memories of his own village and mother, the pain of loss still fresh even after all these years. He nodded solemnly. "I'll try."
As he stepped out of the house, Armen immediately questioned him. "Man, what took you so long?"
Lucas ignored the question and called out to Chéng. "Wait."
Chéng stopped in his tracks, a mixture of curiosity and irritation on his face. "What is it?"
Lucas took a deep breath. "We need to stay and help these people."
Chéng's face reddened with anger. "What are you nuts? I can't risk my people's lives like that. Besides, this isn't our battle, so we don't have to be a part of it."
Lucas's anger burned like a wildfire. "Can't you even muster an ounce of sympathy for these people?"
Chéng's expression tightened, his voice tense. "Of course I do, but not everyone can be saved."
Lucas's voice rose, laced with frustration. "If that's the case, then why did you save me and Jack? Why take care of us when you could have left us out there to die? Why go through all this trouble?"
Chéng hesitated, his eyes searching for the right words. "Lucas, I did it because you and Jack are special."
Lucas's face hardened with resentment. "Oh, I see. You only helped us because it would benefit you, right?"
Chéng shook his head, desperation seeping into his voice. "Lucas, that's not what I meant."
Lucas's eyes blazed with anger. "You only care about yourself."
Chéng's voice cracked, sadness colouring his words. "Lucas, I care about everyone. You, your brother, and everyone else here are like family to me."
Before Lucas could retort, Armen's hand gripped his head, forcing him to his knees.
"Apologise to Chéng, Lucas," Armen commanded, his voice steely.
"Let go of me, Armen!" Lucas protested, but Armen's grip only tightened like a vice.
"Say you're sorry," Armen insisted, pushing Lucas's head harder toward the ground.
Gritting his teeth, Lucas struggled against Armen's hold but to no avail. Finally, he relented. "I'm…sorry."
Armen released him with a nod. "That's better."
As Lucas stood, he avoided meeting anyone's gaze. Chéng turned to Armen. "You didn't have to do that."
Armen's eyes narrowed, his voice heavy with conviction. "I know, but the words Lucas was about to utter would have wounded you more profoundly than the sharpest blade ever could."
Chéng sighed, the weight of the situation heavy on his shoulders. He turned his attention back to Lucas, determined to mend the rift that had formed between them, even as the air crackled with tension and intrigue.
Chéng turned to the group, his voice sincere. "Everyone, do you also wish to help this village?"
Jack spoke up with determination. "If my big brother wants to help them, then I will help them as well."
Ben grinned, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "You know, I've been waiting for a situation like this to happen. Just imagine: a group of vagabonds becoming the saviours of this village. Women would swoon just hearing our names."
Ethan chimed in, smirking. "Women? Count me in."
Mike nodded solemnly, his voice steady. "I would certainly like to serve justice. These people undoubtedly deserve better."
Jack blinked in surprise. (Is this the first time I've heard him speak?)
Chéng glanced at Armen. "What about you, Armen?"
Armen shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm fine either way."
Lucas looked up, his eyes brimming with gratitude and amazement at his friends' support. "Guys," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Chéng nodded decisively. "Well then, it's settled. We will join them in battle."
Lucas's eyes shone with gratitude. "Thank you, everyone."
The scene shifted to the strategy room, where Cozbi spread a map out before the group.
"This is the layout of the kingdom: entrances, exits, and all."
Chéng raised an eyebrow. "Wait, you already have detailed information about the castle?"
Cozbi nodded. "That's correct. It took a long time to gather, but it's all here."
Chéng leaned in closer to the map. "That's great and all, but do you have any information about how many soldiers are guarding the kingdom?"
"According to our reports, there are about 400 soldiers protecting the kingdom." Cobzi explained.
Chéng frowned. "400? Are you sure? That seems like a very small number of soldiers. Why so few?"
"I was confused too, so I asked my people to double-check, but they all came back with the same result." She answered.
Chéng stroked his beard thoughtfully. "That is very strange."
Cozbi furrowed her brow. "So, with all this information, how do you plan to proceed? I've heard that you're a master strategist."
Chéng leaned back in his chair, a confident grin spreading across his face. "You might find this surprising, but there's actually no need for an elaborate plan."
Cozbi blinked in disbelief. "What?"
Chéng spread his arms wide. "I mean, 400 soldiers are far fewer than we can handle."
Cozbi frowned, her voice stern. "I understand that you have confidence in your abilities and those of your group, but this is a war. You should never underestimate your opponent."
Chéng smirked. "So you're saying I'm overconfident, right?"
Cozbi nodded firmly. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean."
Chéng laughed, and his comrades behind him exchanged knowing smiles.
Chéng leaned forward, his eyes serious. "Well, maybe I am a little overconfident. The soldiers themselves aren't a threat to us, but Shirley is an entirely different story. We don't know the full extent of her powers, aside from her ability to turn people to stone. We need more information about her: how she fights, how efficient she is in using her powers, and what number she has."
Cozbi frowned, puzzled. "Number?"
Chéng nodded. "Yes, you know. Every Numbered has a number marked on their body."
Cozbi furrowed her brow, still puzzled. "I know that, but why do you need to know her number?"
Chéng leaned back in his chair, a thoughtful expression on his face. "You see, I've discovered a way to gauge a Numbered person's strength based on their number."
Cozbi raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And how did you come by that knowledge?"
A wistful smile tugged at the corner of Chéng's mouth. "An old friend once shared this secret with me. The principle is quite simple, really. If a Numbered person's number is closer to 1 or 100, that means their abilities are exceptionally potent."
Cozbi nodded, a flicker of understanding lighting up her eyes. "So, the one bearing number 50 would be the weakest."
Chéng nodded."That's correct."
Cozbi sighed, her shoulders slumping slightly. "I'm afraid I have some disappointing news. We don't know what number she bears, nor do we even know what she looks like."
Chéng waved off her concern, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Don't worry about it. We'll just have to be adaptable and think on our feet."
As the conversation unfolded, the dimly lit room seemed to take on an air of anticipation. The pieces of their plan were coming together, and with each new revelation, the hope of victory grew stronger. The group was beginning to see the path that lay before them—a path that would lead them to defy the odds and challenge the rule of a powerful foe.
The following day, the Vagabonds arrived at the entrance of the kingdom in a wagon, where two soldiers stood guard.
"Stop!" the guard commanded, planting his feet. "State your reason for entering the Kingdom.
Chéng leaned forward, his grin sly and sinister. "How about your Queen's head?"
The guard's eyes widened in shock, and he reached for his weapon. "What?"
Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, both soldiers' heads were brutally detached from their bodies with a swift and powerful swing. Blood spurted violently from the open wounds, staining the ground beneath them as their lifeless forms crumpled to the earth.
Chéng nodded in approval. "Nice one, Armen. Now take care of the ones above."
Armen glanced up and spotted four archers readying their arrows to shoot. With a determined expression, he responded, "Got it."
Armen leaped into the air, wielding his greatsword with impressive agility. He managed to slice one of the archers clean in half as he soared upwards.
One of the soldiers gaped in shock, his eyes wide with disbelief. "How the hell did he do that? That wall is about 15 metres tall! And with a sword that massive?" He glanced at his fellow soldiers, searching for any hint of understanding, but their faces mirrored his own astonishment. "No ordinary human could pull off something like that," he muttered, his voice quivering with awe and fear.
Unfazed, Armen continued to cut down the remaining archers one by one.
Chéng grinned. "How was that for a warm-up?"
Armen shrugged nonchalantly. "Meh."
Chéng chuckled. "I see. Well, open the gates. This next part should be more interesting."
As the gates creaked open, Cozbi stood in the distance with her troops, peering through a telescope.
"I can't believe it," she murmured. "These people are actual monsters."
A worried giggle escaped her lips as she watched the Vagabonds advance.
Chéng and his group pressed on, their relentless assault leaving little room for their enemies to breathe.
Ben grinned as he fired his weapon, felling every soldier that dared to stand in his path. "It's been a long time since we fought like this!"
Lucas, his movements fluid and deadly, skewered an enemy soldier while keeping his attention on Chéng. "I hope I don't have to worry about my brother's safety."
Chéng, seemingly unconcerned by the chaos around him, merely sat back and enjoyed the view. "Don't worry. I left him back there with Cozbi."
An enemy archer noticed Chéng's relaxed posture and saw an opportunity to strike. He let loose an arrow aimed straight for Chéng's heart. But in an instant, Armen stepped in, using his massive greatsword as a shield to block the incoming projectile.
The archer's face contorted in shock as Armen, with a fluid motion, hurled his greatsword like a throwing knife. The weapon sailed through the air, burying itself in the archer's face and ending his life in a grisly display.
The battle raged on, but it was clear the vagabonds held the advantage, their relentless onslaught overwhelming the kingdom's defences.
Meanwhile, inside the castle, a panicked soldier burst into the throne room. "Lady Shirley!" he cried out, his voice trembling. "We are under attack. What should we do?"
Cloaked in darkness, Shirley's face was enigmatic and hidden from view. She sighed, her voice laden with a mixture of weariness and nonchalance. "Inevitable, I suppose. Instruct your soldiers to fall back and seek shelter. Let the intruders make their way to the throne room. I shall handle the situation personally."
Ethan glanced around, noticing the enemy's retreat. "Well, would you look at that! They're pulling back."
Chéng's eyes narrowed with intrigue. "Seems their ruler has decided to step up and face us personally."
Cozbi and her men entered the kingdom, taking in the aftermath of the battle with awe.
Cozbi shook her head, impressed. "Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the six of you could overpower nearly 400 soldiers."
Chéng corrected her with a playful smirk. "Ah, but there were only five of us in the fray."
Ethan chuckled. "True. Chéng prefers to sit back and observe, only jumping in when things really hit the fan."
Chéng's expression grew serious. "Speaking of challenges, we still need to confront Shirley."
Cozbi nodded. "My men can assist you in tracking her down. After all, we owe you that much."
Chéng sighed. "I suppose it would make our task a bit smoother."
As they made their way to the heart of the kingdom, Chéng's group realised that the people living there were suffering just as much as those in the village.
Lucas furrowed his brow, puzzled. "Hold on, something doesn't add up. Why are the kingdom's people in such dire straits too?"
Their progress was suddenly halted. Chéng raised an eyebrow, curious. "What's the holdup now?"
Cozbi pointed ahead. "A small child seems to have collapsed in front of us."
Lucas's eyes widened, concern evident. "A child?"
Drawn to the scene, Lucas approached the fragile, black-haired child with skin so dirty it nearly appeared grey, lying on the ground. Their small chest heaved with laboured breaths as Lucas realised the depth of suffering within the kingdom's walls.
Chéng stepped forward, concern etched on his face. "Allow me to examine the child."
Gently lifting the child's head, Chéng's eyes widened in horror at what he saw. He barked an order at his comrade. "Ethan, I need bandages immediately!"
Ethan compiled without hesitation, handing over the bandages. "Here you go."
Cozbi scoffed, her irritation evident. "Why bother with one of Shirley's subjects, old man?"
Chéng met her gaze, his voice firm. "Cozbi, this is just a child. He doesn't belong to anyone."
Cozbi rolled her eyes, her tone dripping with annoyance. "Fine, do whatever you want. Just keep that filthy little brat away from me. Who knows what sort of diseases he might be carrying?"
With that, Cozbi and her men continued on toward the castle, leaving Chéng to tend to the child.
Ben shook his head in disgust. "Man, what a piece of work she is."
Mike, puzzled, asked, "What's her problem?"
Chéng turned to Ethan. "Ethan, you're the only one I trust with this task. Please take care of this child."
Ethan nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry, he'll be safe with me. I'll make sure he gets the help he needs."
Chéng addressed the rest of the group. "You four should go and catch up with the others. We don't want to leave them hanging."
Lucas furrowed his brow. "What about you? We could use your expertise."
Chéng waved a hand dismissively. "Don't worry about me. I'll catch up soon. There's just something I need to look for first, and it might give us an advantage."
With that, the group split up. Ben, Mike, Armen, and Lucas headed toward the castle.
As they walked, Mike glanced around, puzzled. "Where are the others? Shouldn't they be waiting for us here?"
Armen looked at the castle entrance. "They're probably already inside. Knowing Cozbi, she wouldn't wait for us."
Lucas shook his head. "We should have stayed together. Splitting up could be dangerous."
Ben chimed in, trying to lighten the mood. "Relax, Lucas. We're all capable fighters. Besides, Chéng knows what he's doing."
Mike nodded. "Yeah, let's focus on finding the others and facing Shirley. We'll regroup with Chéng and Ethan later."
With determination, they continued toward the castle entrance, preparing themselves for the confrontation ahead.
Upon entering the castle, the group was struck by its grandeur. The high ceilings were adorned with intricate carvings depicting the history of the kingdom. Opulent chandeliers hung from above, casting a warm, golden light on the polished marble floors below. Grand tapestries lined the walls, illustrating scenes of mythical creatures and legendary battles. The sheer size and scale of the place were enough to leave anyone in awe.
Ben's eyes widened in amazement. "Holy cow, look at the size of this place!"
Mike pointed at the windows. "And is that coloured glass? I've never even seen regular glass before, and here we are with coloured panes right in front of us."
Armen, ever the practical one, snapped them back to reality. "Focus, guys. We need to hurry and help the others."
As they hurried towards the throne room, Cozbi suddenly appeared, running toward them, her face pale with terror.
Lucas stopped her, his voice filled with concern. "Cozbi, what happened? Where are the others?"
Cozbi stammered, barely able to get the words out. "All of them... Every last one of them... They..."
Without waiting for further explanation, the group raced to the throne room, only to find a chilling sight. An array of stone statues stood before the entrance, eerily lifelike.
Mike's voice shook. "Are these...?"
Armen's anger boiled over, and he shouted at Cozbi. "Why did you think it was a good idea to go in without us!?"
Lucas placed a hand on Armen's shoulder, urging him to calm down. "Armen, please."
A sudden voice echoed from within the throne room. "Oh, there are more of you?"
The group instinctively ducked behind the statues, seeking cover.
Shirley's voice carried a taunting edge. "What's wrong? Are you scared?"
Lucas cautiously peeked out from his hiding place, trying to locate her.
With an air of arrogance, Shirley continued, "You people never learn, do you? People like you can never stand against our power."
As Shirley stepped out of the shadows, her true appearance was unveiled. Her black, medium-length hair cascaded in gentle waves around her face, accentuating her piercing brown eyes that seemed to see straight into their souls. The number 7 was boldly etched on her left shoulder, its presence a stark reminder of her status as one of the feared Numbered. The air around her crackled with an unseen energy, and the very ground beneath her feet seemed to bend to her will, announcing her formidable power to anyone who dared to challenge her.
The group's resolve faltered, but they knew they had to face her. They couldn't let the people of the kingdom continue to suffer under her rule.
Shirley began to approach the protagonists, her stride confident and unyielding. Sensing the imminent danger, Lucas dashed toward the nearest pillar for cover. As he ran, his foot caught on something, causing him to stumble just as he reached the pillar. He braced himself against the cold stone, panting and trying to make sense of the situation. Glancing down, he noticed with horror that his leg had turned into stone, the petrification creeping up from his ankle. Panic surged through him as he realised the true extent of Shirley's power.
Seizing an opportunity, Armen emerged from his hiding spot and hurled his greatsword at Shirley with all his might. He and Ben sprinted to another pillar for cover. The throw was powerful, but not entirely accurate. Shirley managed to barely dodge the sword, leaving a shallow cut on her cheek. Armen and Ben successfully relocated to a new hiding spot.
Shirley touched her cheek and smirked. "You are different from the others. You even managed to injure me, well done. But if you think you can win, you're sadly mistaken."
As she was momentarily distracted, Mike saw his chance to strike. He charged at her with all his strength, hoping to catch her off guard. In her panic, Shirley's eyes locked onto Mike just as he was about to land a blow, and in an instant, he too was turned to stone.
Armen roared in anguish, "MIKE!" He and Ben burst from their hiding place, determined to avenge their friend. Armen's speed and agility allowed him to quickly pin Shirley to the ground, but he too fell victim to her power and was transformed into stone.
With his sword raised, Ben prepared to strike the final blow. In desperation, Shirley cried out, "WAIT! If you kill me now, all of them will be stone statues forever!"
Ben hesitated, torn between finishing her off and saving his friends. This moment of indecision proved to be his downfall, as Shirley seized the opportunity to turn him into stone as well. With great effort, she pushed the stone statue of Armen off her and struggled to her feet.
Shirley exhaled, her heart pounding. "Phew, that was close. Now, where's the other one?"
Suddenly, Lucas appeared behind her. He swiftly covered her eyes with a piece of his torn robe, forcing her to the ground with surprising strength. With his left hand, he held the cloth over her eyes to keep her blinded, while his right hand wielded a knife against her throat.
"Turn them back to normal!" Lucas demanded, his voice fierce.
"If you kill me, they'll stay like that forever," Shirley countered, panic seeping into her tone.
Lucas tightened his grip on the knife, his voice cold and determined. "That's where you're wrong. I know that if I kill you, I can gain your powers. So either way, this works for me."The pressure from the blade increased, causing a trickle of blood to appear on Shirley's throat. "Alright, fine," she conceded, her voice strained and fearful.
The stone encasing the statues began to crack and crumble with an eerie sound, freeing the trapped humans inside as they gasped for air.
Shirley had been neutralised, her eyes covered with a makeshift blindfold fashioned from a ripped piece of Lucas's robe. Her arms were stretched out to their limits, each one bound tightly to one of the two pillars that stood opposite each other. Helpless and unable to use her powers, she could do nothing but wait for her captors' next move.
As Cozbi confidently strode into the throne room, she took in the scene before her, smirking at the sight of the defeated Shirley.
Ben's anger flared. "Where the hell were you?"
Cozbi shrugged nonchalantly. "Hiding. Did you really think I'd be of any help in combat?"
Ben seethed internally. He knew that if anything had gone wrong, she would have undoubtedly abandoned them to their fate.
Cozbi sauntered past the group, settling herself onto the throne as if it were her rightful place. She addressed the room, her voice dripping with sinister glee. "Now that we have the place under our control, we can all have our bit of fun."
The protagonists exchanged glances of shock and betrayal as Cozbi continued. "Everyone, go! Kill, steal, rape – do whatever you want here. You've earned it." They couldn't believe that the person they had helped now encouraged such cruelty and violence. It was clear they had been used, and their sense of trust had been shattered.
Her soldiers cheered and began to disperse, following her orders. Leaving only two of her guards who stood next to her.
Lucas furrowed his brow, his voice filled with disbelief. "Wait, I thought you wanted to help people."
Cozbi smirked, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Yes, Lucas, my people. And just look at them now, revelling in the time of their lives."
Lucas shook his head, his voice firm. "But this is wrong. You can't just ignore the suffering of others; it'll only bring them down."
Undeterred, Cozbi coldly commanded her guards. "Bring that wretch to me."
She pointed at Shirley, who had been bound and blindfolded between two pillars. The guards hoisted her up by her arms and dragged her before Cozbi. Without a moment's hesitation, Cozbi delivered a vicious punch to Shirley's face.
Armen's voice rose with anger. "What the hell are you doing? She's no longer a threat!"
Cozbi merely smirked. "That's precisely why it's more enjoyable. Come on, I thought you were all killers. Didn't you feel pleasure after slaughtering all those soldiers earlier?"
Lucas furrowed his brow, lost in thought. He recalled the fear in the eyes of the soldiers they had faced, their weak grips on their weapons, their hesitation in battle. He had initially believed it was due to poor training, but now he realised that the people of this kingdom were suffering just as much as the villagers.
His heart ached with empathy and regret, realising that they had unknowingly perpetuated the cycle of violence and pain.
The scene shifted to Chéng, who stood alongside Ethan, deep in discussion.
Chéng's voice carried a tone of conviction. "I understand your concerns, Ethan, but this child needs our help too. We can't just abandon him or entrust him to anyone else."
Ethan sighed, looking at the injured eye of the sick child they had taken in. "I don't know how his eye got like this, but there's no way to completely heal it. He'll have to wear a bandage or an eyepatch."
The scene shifted to Chéng, who stood alongside Ethan, deep in discussion.
Chéng's voice carried a tone of conviction. "I understand your concerns, Ethan, but this child needs our help too. We can't just abandon him or entrust him to anyone else."
Ethan sighed, looking at the injured eye of the sick child they had taken in. "I don't know how that mark ended up on his eye, but there's no way to remove it. He'll have to wear a bandage or an eyepatch."
With delicate care, Ethan tended to the child's wounds as Jack sat nearby, observing the procedure with a mix of curiosity and concern. When Ethan finished, he nodded at Chéng. "You'd better get going."
Chéng straightened his back, determination settling in. "Right. I should join the others."
Ethan offered a supportive smile. "Take care, then."
As Chéng neared the building where the throne room was located, he was met with a horrifying sight: soldiers brutalising the citizens. His heart clenched at the injustice.
Chéng's thoughts raced. (What on earth is happening here?)
Reluctant to get involved just yet, Chéng hurried inside the building. As he drew closer to the throne room, a door unexpectedly swung open before him. Intrigued, he ventured inside, where he discovered a cabinet. Upon opening it, he found a stack of papers.
As he read through the documents, Chéng's face grew pale, and he began to sweat, more shocked than he had ever been before. The revelation sent a shudder down his spine.
With a growing sense of urgency, Chéng realised the gravity of the situation. "I must warn the others," he murmured, his voice filled with determination.
The scene shifted back to Lucas, who stood in disbelief alongside Armen and Mike. They watched helplessly as Cozbi brutally beat Shirley with her fists, each blow echoing through the chamber.
Cozbi paused, rubbing her sore hands. "Anyone have a stick?" she asked, scanning the room. Her eyes settled on a staff resting beside the throne, which she promptly picked up, ignoring the concerned stares of the four onlookers.
Grasping the staff with both hands, Cozbi prepared to strike Shirley once more. She swung it with all her might, but the blow never landed. Instead, the staff was halted mid-swing by a firm grip. Lucas held it tightly, his eyes locked on Cozbi.
"I think that's enough," he said sternly.
Cozbi turned to face him, a mixture of disbelief and anger in her eyes. "You're stopping me?"
"Yes," Lucas replied, not wavering. "Now put down that staff."
Cozbi's expression shifted to one of disappointment. "It's a shame, Lucas. I truly had high hopes for you. I thought you'd be on my side, given how eager you were to help me before. So tell me, what changed your mind?
Lucas stared at Cozbi in disbelief. "I wanted to help you because you said you were struggling."
Cozbi scoffed, a sinister smile spreading across her face. "Struggling? Oh, about that—I lied."
Lucas's eyes widened. "What?"
Cozbi continued, her voice dripping with contempt. "All of that was just an act, and you were too gullible to realise it."
"But I thought you said you barely had any food," Lucas said, his voice faltering.
Cozbi's laughter was cold and cruel. "That was also a lie. You see, we had more than enough supplies for the village to keep us alive, but for me, it simply wasn't enough. So, I hatched a wicked plan to become a queen. Naturally, the villagers resisted the idea at first, but I manipulated them into believing they were oppressed. I must admit, it took some time, but everything fell into place exactly as I had envisioned. And the cherry on top? You, so pathetically naive, played right into my hands." She cackled malevolently, delighting in her sinister deception.
Chéng burst into the room, his face flushed with panic. "LUCAS! ARMEN! BEN! MIKE!"
The three friends turned to him in confusion as Chéng continued, "WE NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE NOW!"
Armen furrowed his brow. "What are you talking about?"
"No time to explain," Chéng panted. "We need to leave this kingdom immediately!"
As the protagonists prepared to depart, guards blocked their path. Cozbi sneered at them. "Where do you think you're going? You belong to me."
Chéng's eyes narrowed in determination. "We don't have time for this. Armen."
At Chéng's signal, Armen unsheathed his sword. The guards charged, but Armen's swift swing sliced their weapons in half, leaving them dumbfounded. Cozbi's face paled in shock as she crumpled to the floor.
"D-did he j-just cut metal?" she stammered.
Armen glanced back at his friends. "Let's go, everyone."
The scene shifted to the protagonists sprinting through the chaos wrought by Cozbi's soldiers. They leaped onto a waiting carriage and urged the horses into a gallop.
"Chéng, we need to help them!" Lucas protested. "We invaded them for no reason. This is Shirley's castle, not theirs."
Chéng shook his head solemnly. "No, Lucas, you're wrong. It belongs to someone else."
The scene cut back to Cozbi, her face twisted with rage. "Those damn traitors!" she snarled. "How dare they humiliate me like that? I swear the next time I see them, I will execute them and make an example for everyone, so they'll know better than to cross me."
Amidst the chaos, Shirley laughed weakly in the background, her beaten form barely recognizable, blood seeping from her mouth and nose, her eyes still obscured by the blindfold. Cozbi stomped over to her and yanked her up by her hair.
"What's so funny?" Cozbi spat.
Despite her inability to see, Shirley turned her head toward Cozbi's voice, coughed, and wheezed. "You had your chance. You could have listened to them. You could have run away with them. But now… Now it's too late for you, I'm afraid."
Cozbi's brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about?"
Shirley's laugh took on a maniacal tone, further irritating Cozbi. Seething, Cozbi grabbed the staff from earlier, shoved Shirley to the ground, and raised the weapon, preparing to strike.
Cozbi: "Shut your damn mouth!"
With a primal roar, Cozbi swung the staff toward Shirley. But the impact never came. Confused, she stammered, "W-what…?"
A voice, oozing with arrogance, emerged from the shadows. "My, my. What were you trying to do back there?"
A man with dark hair and a rugged beard stepped out, his chiselled features and piercing eyes giving him an air of undeniable charisma. Clad in black leather armour, he moved with a sinister fluidity, like a seasoned predator stalking its prey. His mere presence demanded attention, as if he were a dark apparition from a twisted legend.
Shirley smirked. "About time, Logan."
The man, now identified as Logan, turned toward Shirley, his left cheek displaying the number 2 marked upon it. He carefully freed her from her restraints and removed her blindfold.
Logan asked calmly, "How on earth did you end up captured by these weaklings?"
Shirley replied, "It wasn't them who defeated me. If I'm not mistaken, they hired some highly skilled fighters who managed to decimate most of the army by themselves."
"Is that so?" Logan mused.
Shirley added, "And I think you should know that one of them had blood-red coloured hair."
Upon hearing this revelation, Logan's eyes widened in surprise, and a sinister smile spread across his face. "Very interesting indeed," he said, his voice laced with malice, clearly intrigued by the information.
Cozbi, gripped by fear, scrambled to her feet and bolted past the two, fleeing from the throne room. As she stumbled through the room in panic, her feet collided with the bodies of the disfigured guards. The battered and bruised soldiers, their faces contorted in pain, lay sprawled on the cold stone floor, their weapons discarded haphazardly. Cobiz's heart raced as she desperately tried to maintain her balance, but the tangled limbs of the fallen guards hindered her progress. With each step, she could feel the cold, clammy flesh of the injured men beneath her feet, their groans filling her ears as she struggled to put more distance between herself and the sinister duo in the throne room. As she finally managed to force open the door to the exit, a horrifying sight awaited her: her people were being mercilessly slaughtered by other soldiers, while flames engulfed the surrounding buildings. Overwhelmed by despair, she crumpled to the ground, her sobs echoing through the chaos.
"Why? Why? Why is this happening?" she cried out.
As she wept, Cobiz noticed her own shadow begin to move independently. It stretched and grew, sprouting eyes and a mouth, and her own shadow started to stare back at her, its grin menacing and cruel. Cobiz gasped her final breath as her shadow suddenly sprouted spikes, impaling her on the spot. Though she could no longer speak or breathe, Cobiz remained conscious, her eyes wide with terror.
Logan's words echoed menacingly through the chamber. "Did you really believe you could escape me?" he taunted, his voice dripping with contempt. "Know this – anyone who dares to defy me will inevitably meet the same grisly fate." The chilling threat reverberated off the cold stone walls, emphasising the gravity of his words and the absolute power he wielded.
Cobiz's vision began to fade as she choked on her own blood, her life slipping away to the sound of Logan's cruel laughter.
One of Logan's soldiers approached him, snapping him back to the present. "Sir, we've finished cleaning up the area."
Logan allowed a sinister smile to creep onto his face. "Excellent. Then it's time we begin the chase." His gaze seemed to pierce through the walls, as if he could see the desperate figures fleeing on a carriage, their shadows dark and distorted.
His eyes glittered with malicious anticipation. "I can't wait to see the depths of their despair when I finally bring them to their knees."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone