Chapter 8: Chapter 7 - The Beginning Of The End
Protoss Empire, floating city…
Mansion A…
Living room…
- Grey (talking to Mr. A, excitedly): And then what happened?
- Mr. A (making gestures): He was in the air…
In the academy's courtyard, he was…
- Arthur Treadway (using Qi to reduce his density and float, sees Alander seriously injured, students and teachers, fighting, others injured, dead, looks at Jin, sees Hera covered in blood, being dragged by him, with veins on his face): Jin! I tried to ignore you, but now you've gone too far!
- Alfred (in Arthur's conscience) "Boss, if you continue to use your Qi like this your inner Qi will run out and damage the core."
- Arthur Treadway (his golden eyes shine, releases his aura and activates his domain, and in high-speed goes to the ground, begins to suck the Qi of the assassins, Hercules and Jin): Enough! Stop! (his voice echoing like thunder)
At that moment the table turned, and the killers lost strength. The students and teachers could fight them in equal foot...
- Hercules Olympus (his Qi fading, fear consuming him) "Who is this kid? Father didn't tell me about this monster…" (looking to the courtyard)
- Alfred (in Arthur's mind) "Alert! Alert! The heartbeats are reaching deadly levels!"
Students and teachers manage to eliminate and repel the attack as much as possible…
- Hercules Olympus (looks at the horses, feels the defeat in his skin, gets worried) "Damn! Damn it! Damn it!"
- Jin Olympus (releases Hera, laughing, tries to punch Arthur with his right hand)
- Arthur Treadway (grabs Jin's arm and rips it off, a storm of blood in the air)
- Jin Olympus (bleeding nonstop without his arm): AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!
- Temujin, Tristan, the students, and assassins (in combat, they stop to witness the act, a mixture of horror and pity in their eyes)
- Jin Olympus (feeling tremendous pain, tries another punch with his left hand): You trash! That hurts!
- Arthur Treadway (Overflowing with rage, crushes Jin's left hand, bones and hope breaking): You don't even know what true pain is…!
- Jin Olympus (releases a scream that tears the sky, bleeding, falls to the ground): You nothing! Son of a useless servant, you will pay! My father will hear about this!
- Hercules Olympus (taking advantage of the distraction, he runs away in a horse like a coward, abandoning his own)
- Arthur Treadway (enraged, looks at Jin on the ground, steps on his right leg, and crushes it)
- Jin Olympus (full of pain, bleeding profusely): You'll regret this!
- Arthur Treadway (sucking Qi, evolves into Grandmaster, crushes his left leg): Do you still think you're a god!?!
- All survivors (watching, they witness celestial blue dust envelope Arthur, and Jin being reduced to nothing)
- Jin Olympus (losing consciousness, no legs and no arms): You may kill me, but you will never be one of us, human!
- Arthur Treadway (puts his hand on Jin's face, carries him, and sucks out all his life force): A mere human that dreamed of being God… (throws the body away)
- Jin Olympus (as his eyes close, his life reaches its end)
Queen Andromeda, witnessing the apocalypse, sees the academy in ruins, Arthur executing Jin, and in tears, protects her daughter Allana from the sight of the horror. Everyone feared what they had seen, all eyes turned to Arthur, the executor of justice or the herald of death?
The academy turned into a grim reminder, nothing but ruins and tears. The queen commands her guards to help the injured, while Arthur, carrying Hera, hands her unconscious body to the nurses.
But then, like an army of angels, a battalion of soldiers in white and gold uniforms arrived, the belated saviors. The headmistress awakened and joined the rescue effort, and the majestic soldiers descended from their horses to witness the devastation, lighting a flame of revolt in the hearts of those who suffered...
- Student (helping the wounded, looking at the six main soldiers, annoyed): You are from the Council of Kings! Why are you here? Just to watch?!
- One of the six (wearing a white and gold military uniform with several gold insignias, hair down, attracts everyone's attention): Correct! We are the six war princes of the Union of Kings. I am Mara, one of the princes, this is Alucard... (points to Alucard, on his side)
- War prince Alucard Olympus (wearing his military uniform, sees Jin's body, his brother, on the ground without arms and legs, in anguish, runs to the body): My brother, what hapen…. Who did this? (enraged, full of veins on his face)
- Captain Mara (looking at Arthur, smiles, reads a warrant): Arthur Henry Treadway, you're under arrest! For the murder of Prince Jin Olympus, Brunhilde, Apolyte, and the death of several students from the Future Academy! (comes close to Arthur)
- Arthur Treadway (looks at the woman from top to bottom) "She must be at least a Supreme Grand Master, the six of them in fact. I'm no match for them, but I didn't kill Apolyte, and how do they know about Brunhilde?! About Jin? If they weren't here when it happened, what do you mean several students?! Someone framed me…" (holds out his hands to be handcuffed)
- One of the six (handcuffing Arthur, he places the chains on his hands and neck, sealing his core): Don't move, your core is sealed, any attempt to escape will be fatal!
- Tristan Ashura (surprised, seeing Arthur being handcuffed) "How do they know about Brunhilde? And they just arrived, they already know that Arthur killed Jin? How? They could only have orchestrated everything…"
- Temujin Yesugei (annoyed, runs towards Arthur): This is unfair! If it weren't for him, we would've died! All of us!!
- Some students (looking at Mara, annoyed): Yes! Temujin is right, let him go! He did your job, where were you?! You should have protected us!
- Alucard Olympus (furious, unleashes his colossal aura, looks at Temujin)
- Temujin Yesugei (being overwhelmed by his aura, is filled with fear, retreats)
- Alucard Olympus (furious, glares at Arthur): Treadway, you're going to die!!!
- Arthur Treadway (with chains around his neck, hands and core sealed, looks at Alucard): Is that so? (gives a sadistic smile)
- Captain Mara (holding Arthur's arm, looks at Alucard): Control yourself, Alucard! He's going to get the sentence he deserves!
- One of the six (looks at the director, reads a warrant): Odyssey Aesir, you are under arrest! For being an accomplice in the death and disappearance of several students over the years, for subjecting minors to labor, for inciting violence, and several other crimes, national and international! (handcuffs the headmistress, her arms, her neck and seals her core)
- Director Odyssey Aesir (handcuffed, smiles): Oh oh, you have to be joking, the academy is destroyed, students and teachers scared, dead and injured. We suffered an attack, we tried to defend ourselves, and you arrive late just to arrest us for crimes that we haven't committed? (laughing): Mara, Alucard, Alden, Roland, Drika and Laden, you don't even look like you were my students, did the titles of princes change your judgment? You know what? Great, I'm already old, I don't have many more years to live...
- Queen Andromeda (runs towards Arthur, drops the crown)
- Royal guards (they try to hold the queen back but fail and run after): Your Majesty! Queen, it's dangerous…!
- Temujin Yesugei (looks at the queen, blushes): S-She is so beautiful...
- Some students (looking at the queen, blush): Who is she? Is she a princess? She's so hot...
- Arthur Treadway (looking at his mother with contempt) "Of course, this woman!"
- Queen Andromeda (looks at Mara, with tears in her eyes): Can I speak to my son for a moment?
- Captain Mara (shakes her head in approval)
- War prince Laden (glaring the queen, blushes) "I've never seen this woman, I think I'm in love..."
- War prince Drika (looking at Laden, sighs): Control yourself prince Laden!
- Princess Allana Treadway (looking at Arthur, with tears): Why are you taking my brother? Leave him alone… (hugs her mother)
- Arthur Treadway (squats down, puts his hand on his sister's head, smiling): It's okay All, don't worry, I'm okay... (chained, hugs Allana)
- Queen Andromeda (puts her hand on Arthur's head, with tears in her eyes): Honey, I thought about paying you a visit, since you didn't come back... (face full of tears): Forgive me, forgive me for everything, I know you don't want to see me, but I had to come, and I'm glad I did, this will probably be the last time we see each other...
- Arthur Treadway (chained, takes the queen's hand off his head, annoyed): Don't touch me! Disgusting liar!...
- Everyone (surprised, looking at them): !!!
- Captain Mara (looking at Arthur, sighs) "This kid, she's your mother..."
- Queen Andromeda (crying bitterly, tries to touch Arthur): Son... (Arthur dodges)
- Captain Mara (looks at Arthur): Let's go! (takes Arthur to one of the carriages)
And so, the hero was imprisoned, while Zeus, in his palace, waited with a wicked smile, revealing to Artemis that Jin's death at Arthur's hands was just a piece in his cruel game. However, Hera's absence unleashed his wrath, and an imminent war against the amazons was declared.
A week later, the academy in ruins, the surviving students carried deep scars, and the island of the amazons became the focus of the world. Arthur, now a captive in the headquarters of The Union of Kings, awaited a trial that seemed more like a farce. The Ashura family, despite being devastated by the loss of their mansion and secrets, allied themselves with the amazons, preparing for the imminent war. Hera, still in a coma, fought for her life, while the queen and her advisors planned the defense of her people.
Jin's father, indifferent to his son's death, contrasted with the inconsolable pain of Ciria, his mother, who cried over her son's tragic fate. Alucard and his mother, driven by a desire for revenge, ignored the god of the underworld's orders, while in Camelot, the Ashura yearned for reconstruction.
Arthur, escorted by the war princes, who secretly doubted his guilt. Was taken deep into the council headquarters. There, he was confronted with the hypocrisy and corruption of those who were supposed to be his judges.
Hera awoke, and with newfound strength, began to organize the refugees, as the countdown to war echoed like a dark drum. The island became a refuge for the desperate, and the Ashura, revealing themselves as imperial guardians, joined the fight, bringing with them secrets that could change the course of the war.
- Grey (drunk of curiosity): Arthur hadn't arrived at the prison yet?
- Mr. A (Joyful, smiles): He arrived, and Zeus was notified, and ordered to bring him to the council meeting room, and...
Minutes later, Arthur arrived in the room, the kings began to debate among themselves...
- Queen of Alfmosis (in white linen royal robes and a golden crown, sitting at the table, seeing Arthur standing in chains, enchanted) "He is hot… And he seems to be my age, I think I have already found my husband…" (ogling him with a red face)
- Queen of Jinhan (looks at her, smiles) "This girl, she's devouring him with her eyes..." (looks at Arthur) "He is handsome..."
- King Aca (in blue royal robes and a bronze crown, sitting at the table, looking at Arthur, smiles) "That's your place, on the floor!"
- King of Vanain (in white royal robes and an adratium crown, sitting at the table and looking at Arthur, surprised): He's a kid after all? I thought he was a 30-year-old antisocial, well, a criminal is a criminal…
- King of the Forge Kingdom/King of the Dwarves (in brown royal robes, sitting at the table, looking at Arthur from top to bottom): You deserve to die! Your killing destroyed the families of those you killed, how do you think their parents are now? That woman's daughter, what's her name? (looks at Zeus): Ahh yes, Brunhilde. Did you know that her daughter is an orphan now? And you had the courage to kill the daughter of the god king!?! The girl Apolyte, so young and sweet, how cruel!!!
- King Zeus (daydreaming, smiles) "I'm glad I didn't talk about the Apollo issue, they can't know that this kid killed a god. They cannot know that mortals can kill gods, it will destroy the cosmic balance…"
- Arthur Treadway (in silence, looking at the twelve, annoyed) "What exactly did they call me for?"
- Emperor of Murim/King Liu Ming (sitting in royal robes, looking at Arthur): Young man, what do you have to say in your defense?
- Queen of Hiyunnis (in royal robes, sitting, looking at Arthur): Come on! Speak!
- Arthur Treadway (looking at the twelve, sighs): With all due respect and honesty, why did you call me here? To judge me according to my actions, or to judge imaginary acts? What I see here is simply a group of people with gold in their heads looking at their interests only, you don't understand the context in which these deaths happened! You didn't bring me here to judge me, you already condemned me...
- Captain Mara (standing by the door, wearing a white military uniform and loose hair, rubs her hand over her face) "This kid is courting death…"
- King Aca (enraged, looks at the kings): How insolent! How dare you talk to the Union like that?! For me, you die!
- Queen of Alfmosis (smiling, admires Arthur) "In addition to being handsome, he is bold, he is trying to make the kings fear condemning him, and being seen as unjust…"
- King Zeus (looking at Arthur, smiles): Is that all you have to say in your defense?
- King of Verias (sitting, looking at Arthur): If we don't know in what context you killed, enlighten us! In what context did you kill?
- King Liu Ming (looking at Arthur) "I don't think that this kid is guilty, but if he doesn't talk, I can't help him."
- Arthur Treadway (remains silent) "I shut my mouth up, I know that these cells won't be able to contain me for long!"
- King Zeus (smiles, exchanges glances with the kings, everyone shakes their heads in approval, some hesitant, but agree, happily tries to hide it): Right, right... So, if you have nothing else to declare. I, president of the Council of Kings, the god king, I declare you guilty, and sentence you to life imprisonment, he can be taken now…
Minutes later…
Corridor of the Union Headquarters…
- Captain Mara (going towards the cells, holding Arthur's arm, looks at him): You're an idiot, why didn't you say exactly what happened? And what exactly happened?
- Arthur (chained, walking) "These war princes must all be Supreme Grand Masters…": Do you honestly think they want to know what happened? Your council is corrupt, these students who they say I killed were assassins sent at the behest of king Aca to capture me, or I, or they would die. And about Apolyte, I haven't heard from her since I was nine, or ten years old. Brunhilde killed my grandmother, and I killed her, simple…
- Alden/ one of the princes (behind Arthur, walking): So, you're only guilty of killing one person, like I said, you're not a murderer...
- Drika/one of the princes (next to Arthur, walking): Murderer, or not, you have been condemned, we do as we are told just that...
He was taken to the floor minus two, in the underground cells…
- Arthur Treadway (Mara takes off the handcuffs, removes the core seal, and he enters the cell, looks at the 3)
- Captain Mara (closes the cell and locks it, looks at Arthur): We know that the Union is just a facade, but we still do our work, we are army commanders, not kings. Each of us represents a kingdom, I am the leader of the princes, the other six died in a battle, you civilians don't know what really happens in the world... (walking away)
- Drika (walking away, alongside Mara and Alden): Captain, I heard that we are going to war against an island of only women, which island is that?
- Arthur (listening in surprise): Wait, what do you mean by island?!
- Captain Mara (leaving, looks at Drika): It's true, but I don't really know either. Do you think our superiors tell me something? They only kill… (closes the door)
- Director Odyssey Aesir (looking at Arthur, in the cell ahead, smiles): What's up, my disciple...?
And Arthur, now confined to an underground cell, was left to contemplate the beginning of the end, while headmistress Odyssey, also imprisoned, faced the consequences of her own dark dealings...