The gigantic menacing dragon that is Queen Bethel growls at the party. Loc, Rivna, Kenjiro, Smoke, Seth, Phoebe, and even Aldrog gaze at their opponent in hesitation. Smoke reloads a shotgun.

Smoke: If we somehow pull through kid, just know that it’s gonna cost you a fat bonus.

Kenjiro: This will be over before it will even begin, now that I have the blade worthy of vanquishing the Queen of Queens herself.

Loc: (So this is the true power of a queen. This is the same might father opposed before he passed. This is the force that must be purged from the world.)

Rivna: (So this is what we’re truly up against. And this is but a glimpse of the great evil that lies before us. If destiny has truly ruled in Loc’s favor then somehow, someway, victory will be achieved.)

Rivna steps forward holding one sword in her hand with a fearless look on her face. Loc looks over to her and the others. They give him a firm nod of confidence.

Loc: (I only have a few minutes left before I’m completely useless. We have to strike her fast and hard if we’re going to achieve a victory for The Will. Please, Great Spirit, give us the strength to conquer this demon.)

Loc: This is it everyone! Victory is within our grasp! Reach forward and seize destiny. Seize the bright future The Will has promised us! Together, all as one, we will strike!

Everyone lets out a resounding cheer as they swallow their fear and ready themselves to attack. Queen Bethel’s eyes flash--

Everyone falls. Kenjiro loses his Ogre State and drops his weapon. Smoke and the others do the same.

Queen Bethel: You fools! I am a god! A queen! You all can’t even begin to contest my might!

Everyone tries to rise. Bethel’s eyes flash and they’re brought back down again.

Kenjiro: Why can’t I move?

Loc grabs his chest in pain.

Loc: (Shit… This technique is taking its toll…)

Queen Bethel: Don’t you see now that your efforts were all in vain? And I don’t even have a fraction of the Queen of Queens’ might. This is what happens when you defy fate!

Loc: No…

Loc slowly rises. He grabs Rivna’s sword.

Rivna: Loc. Don’t…

Loc: Fate is on my side Bethel. The Will decides the victor…

Bethel blasts a quick stream of dark fire from her mouth at Loc that blows a hole right through his chest. Loc stumbles back but remains standing. His eyes begin to glow as he slowly approaches Bethel.

Loc: There is nothing, that will come between me and my destiny! Do you hear me?! Nothing!

Queen Bethel appears to be shaken by Loc’s resolve.

Queen Bethel: You are truly beyond help boy.

Loc charges at Bethel with an angry shout. Bethel unleashes a stream of fire.

Seth: Loc!

Phoebe: Loc!

Aldrog: Loc!

Rivna: LOC!!!

When the stream of fire disappears Loc finds himself out of harms way sitting against the wall and Gideon beside him. He and everyone else looks surprised.

Gideon: You did real well here, Nephew. I’m proud of you.

Loc: Uncle Gideon? How--

Gideon: Hezekiah would be proud of you too. But you still have a long way to go before you can start challenging queens kid.

Queen Bethel: What? How in Irikihl did you get here? Who are you?

Loc: Uncle, you shouldn’t have come. She’s damn near impossible to defeat.

Gideon smirks.

Gideon: Impossible eh? Well let’s put that to the test.

Gideon approaches Queen Bethel and takes a good look at her. He then looks back at Loc and the others.

Gideon: You mean to tell me that this dragon of a woman gave you a hard time?

Phoebe and Rivna quickly run to Loc.

Phoebe: Don’t worry Loc, I’m here to heal you.

Loc feels his chest. He looks surprised.

Loc: Wait, I think I’m fine. I’ve been healed somehow.

Phoebe: What? But how?

Bethel breathes a stream of intense fire at Gideon. Completely unfazed, he laughs it off.

Gideon: You call that heat?! It’s going take a lot more than that roast me!

Gideon materializes gauntlets that spew steam. The steam covers his entire body, hiding him from view. When the steam clears everyone marvels in shock as they see a tall chiselled man standing before them. Gideon appears to be slightly younger, but in his early fifties. He has a full beard, long braided hair, and appears to be tough as nails. He materializes on royal Massadan attire.

Loc: Uncle?

The silhouette of the Queen of Queens is watching the action in pure frustration through a crystal ball. She clenches her fists in anger.

Queen of Queens: He’s still alive?! So the wool was pulled over our eyes after all…

Back at the palace Queen Bethel roars in fury at Gideon.

Queen Bethel: You! How are you not dead?! The Queen of Queens killed you along with your fool of a brother!

Gideon ignores her and glances at Loc.

Gideon: Take heed Loc. When you fight a mighty foe you must always remain focused and in command. Never give in to emotion, no matter how much the enemy stirs your ire.

Loc stares on, flabbergasted at the entire situation, and unable to fully heed Gideon’s words.

Queen Bethel shrieks and stands on her hind legs. She roars out an intense flame from her mouth that causes everyone but Gideon to look panicked. Gideon’s eyes flash and a gust of wind continuously keeps the fire at bay.

Gideon: Remember to always be in tune with your surroundings Loc. Never rely on steam to perform feats with vyrkra. Draw strength from the very planet itself whenever possible. It is always here to serve us after all.

Queen Bethel: How have you been able to evade the eyes of the Queen of Queens for so long?

Gideon dashes to Bethel so fast it appears as if he teleported to her. While in a wide martial arts stance he backhands her abdomen, but in a subtle fashion as if he knocked on a door. His strike causes such a tremendous impact the entire palace behind Bethel is completely blown out, causing massive damage to the tremendous structure. Bethel spews out blood from her mouth as she’s launched to the now ruined palace gardens. Everyone slowly rises in complete awe. Gideon cracks his neck and works his shoulders as he casually walks to the edge of the now exposed throne room.

Gideon: You know that’s quite a fitting look for you Bethel. The form of a dragon is perfect to describe your ilk.

Bethel slowly rises, grunting in fury. She looks at Gideon.

Gideon: Ah, so you still have some fight left you in after all. Truth be told I never liked you Bethel. I only tolerated you because my brother was crazy about your sister.

Queen Bethel: You and your brother have brought death to my sister! And now your foolishness is going to bring about the death of her son! You two overzealous ingrates never knew when to quit while you were ahead! I should have known it was you who planted the seed of rebellion into Loc’s mind! Now it is all coming together…

Bethel lunges at Gideon, teeth first. Gideon uppercuts her, sending her into the stratosphere. He flies to her at an extreme speed and kicks her back down to the palace with the back of his heel. He follows up by flying past her. Before she hits the ground Gideon skewers her with a Steam Spear from below her. Black mist surrounds Bethel and she reverts to her normal, albeit slim self.

Gideon takes her scarlet crown and crushes it with his hand. It turns to dust and blows away into the now bright dawn winds. Queen Bethel is still injured from Gideon’s attack and is missing a limb from when Kenjiro’s blade made contact with it. A small amount of steam spews from Gideon’s gauntlet as he directs black mist from his body to Bethel. The black mist closes her wounds, but she’s still missing an arm. Gideon’s eyes flash and rubble surrounds and binds Bethel, preventing her from moving. She looks angry, but defeated.

Gideon: Normally under Massadan law I’d have you executed for your crimes against The Will. But I’ll leave judgement up to the rightful king of the land.

Bethel: This folly will haunt the future of this nation for generations to come. If it even has generations to spare.

Gideon: The future of this nation is in The Will’s hands.

Loc and the others are standing at the edge of the throne observing everything. Gideon smiles to them and gives them a subtle thumbs up. Loc smiles back both relieved and confused.

Chapter End