Within a giant void in space exists a large luminous marble door. The door opens and Queen Clockwork enters the void from what appears to be the inside of her castle. As she continues to walk into the void a large glowing clock made of blue light appears below her. Queen Clockwork kneels at the center of the clock. The clock’s dials show that it is nearly 12 o’ clock.

A giant black silhouette of the Queen of Queens appears before Queen Clockwork. Queen Clockwork doesn’t dare look up at the Queen of Queens.

Queen Clockwork: What is thy bidding oh exalted Queen of Queens?

Queen of Queens: Haven’t I granted you the gift of foresight? You should be quite aware of the reason I have called for you.

Queen Clockwork: My Queen, I am truly honored that you have deemed me worthy of this wonderful task.

Queen of Queens: Think nothing of it, Amelia. I am simply rewarding you for keeping silent of what transpired a thousand years ago. You may drink every drop from the cup of vengeance, but you are to spare my son’s life.

Queen Clockwork freezes, she tries to hide a look of frustration.

Queen Clockwork: But Exalted One, how do you expect me to satisfy my thirst for blood and spare that meddlesome king’s life?

There is a moment of silence as the Queen of Queens tarries to answer her.

Queen of Queens: Very well. You may seek to fulfill your lusts, but only if my son fulfills his.

Queen Clockwork: You speak of his search for the Witch Slayer?

Queen of Queens: Yes, I do. If he acquires this relic you may do everything in your power to destroy him. If he fails to find it within seven days from now, you may take his life.

Queen Clockwork looks pleased.

Queen of Queens: I know you have seen many possible futures with that beautiful eye of yours, but even I am aware that they begin to narrow in the outcomes of him acquiring the Vu-Zyrr.

Queen Clockwork: Then why not smite him now?

Queen of Queens: A gun without bullets is just a toy. And I am not a mother to deny her children a little fun and freedom from time to time.

Queen Clockwork smirks.

----------------------------------------------------------

Inside a beautiful underground cell rests Bethel on a decorated bed. She’s wearing plain clothes and a depressed face. She’s lying on her back with both of her arms raised up and comparing her missing hand to her healthy one. She sighs.

Standing outside her cell are two Arcane guards holding spears.

Bethel: When is someone going to update me on my nephew’s whereabouts?

Arcane Guard: Quiet! Feigning concern for His Majesty won’t get you anywhere, traitor.

Bethel: That’s no way to speak to royalty.

Arcane Guard: You’ve cast away your royalty long ago when decided to please the witches of the world.

Bethel pouts and rolls over on her bed.

Bethel: You’re just angry you’re a meager guard.

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Gideon is standing in a populated outpost on a hill that’s overlooking Massadah’s capital. Eithan and Joshua are with him. Gideon is carefully measuring Shekyls against a black stone on a scale. The capital city is mostly restored as well as the palace. A massive partially built temple is near the outpost.

An Arcane Architect holding a clipboard approaches Gideon.

Arcane Architect: Great Prince, at this rate it will take us approximately three months to erect the new temple.

Gideon keeps his eyes on the scale while he answers him.

Gideon: Those damn meddling Elders. It should only take us three weeks, not three months.

Eithan: Apparently they’re prioritizing the rebuilding of the palace over reestablishing Hezekiah’s Temple.

Joshua: The people need the temple now more than ever. The strength of our armies will greatly increase once we get it rebuilt.

Gideon: And that’s exactly the problem. Something needs to be done about the Twelve Judges.

Eithan: But what can be done without the presence of the king? A regent lacks the executive power to remove the Elders without suitable replacements.

Gideon continues to fiddle with the scale. He takes a deep breath.

Gideon: Undoing Bethel’s mischief certainly has its complications. In some ways the Elders are far worse than her.

Joshua: The matters of Celestials. What can you do?

Gideon chuckles.

Eithan: Politics was always Hezekiah’s suited profession.

Gideon: Indeed. I much prefer battles that can be won with the sword.

Queen Clockwork: Then shall I entertain you?

Everyone pauses to look around as the sky darkens. Queen Clockwork appears before everyone through a white portal that resembles a clock. Joshua and the rest of the guards draw their weapons. Gideon is the only one who doesn’t appear to be surprised by the matter.

Gideon: Leave us.

Everyone hesitates in fear.

Joshua: But Your Majesty…

Gideon: Leave us!

The outpost is quickly emptied. Queen Clockwork chortles as she picks up and examines a model of the temple. Clouds cover the kingdom and Queen Ervyka is visible riding a large Quatan dragon called Raikra. Her eyes flash and heavy rain falls. She looks down at the outpost and circles around it from above.

Queen Ervyka: (This is it. This is my chance to prove myself as a worthy queen for Her Majesty Hrist. I won’t let you down.)

Ervyka examines the citizens of Massadah below who all look up at the sky anxiously.

Queen Clockwork: Enjoying the labors of being a regent?

Gideon casually continues to measure the weights on the scales.

Gideon: I wasn’t informed I’d be having guests today.

Queen Clockwork: Oh pardon me for the sudden visit but I believe we still have some unfinished business to take care of.

Gideon: You’re not the first damsel to trouble me with the past and I’m sure you won’t be the last.

Queen Clockwork: Oh I am the last. I’ve come to avenge what you’ve stolen from me.

Gideon: Look Miss, I know you must get lonely being held up on that cold castle all day and night but I can’t be Mister Clockwork’s replacement.

Gideon gives her a smug look. Queen Clockwork bottles her ire.

Queen Clockwork: Don’t get cute with me you Sagi scum. It was by your hand that my first and only love perished. It just so happens that you’re the only Witch Tier man alive. And I’ve been privileged to rectify that problem.

Gideon: Oh that isn’t true. I’m not the only Witch Tier man alive, I just happen to be more handsome than the others.

Queen Clockwork slams her hand on the table Gideon is using, breaking it in two. She looks him dead in the eye with a stern look.

Queen Clockwork: Lets see how well you jest now, little man.

Ervyka raises her hand and the rain over the palace forms into giant ice shards that hover over the kingdom, sending it into a major panic.

Queen Ervyka: (I sure hope he falls for the bluff. There’s no way I can actually go through with this.)

Gideon hesitates with a straight face.

Gideon: Are you sure you want to do this, Amelia? I am no mere man to be tempted.

Queen Clockwork: Don’t you ever address me in such a manner! I’ve patiently waited fourteen years for this day. Either your life, or your precious kingdom! And your big brother isn’t here to save your cowardly hide this time!

Gideon expresses a brief look of anger as his eyes flash black. A tremendous gust of wind sends Queen Clockwork soaring hundreds of miles away into the air and the outskirts of the capital city. Gideon materializes on armor as he pursues her with a thunderous leap. His eyes flash again.

The ice shards hovering above the kingdom shatter and turn to vapor to the astonishment of Ervyka. She and Raikra are swept to Queen Clockwork’s position by a violent gust.

Queen Clockwork reaches the end of her flight and lands on her feet in a peaceful meadow. Gideon descends down with steam spewing from his Steam Gauntlets and Grieves. Queen Clockwork blocks with a produced Lightning Impaler lance. She laughs.

Queen Clockwork: Have I pushed a button now?

----------------------------------------------------------

Yinyah cuts down two Arcane that were guarding Bethel’s cell. Alerted, Bethel races to the gate, amazed to see Yinyah.

Bethel: Yinyah?! I don’t believe it, what are you doing here?!

Yinyah: I’m here on behalf of the Elders to rescue you, Your Majesty.

Bethel turns away.

Bethel: You shouldn’t have come Yinyah. This is my place now.

Yinyah looks slightly taken aback.

Yinyah: But Your Majesty…

Bethel: You shouldn’t have come. Leave me. You’re free now. You’re your own master now.

Yinyah: I could never find a greater replacement Your Majesty. Please, come with me.

Bethel looks stern.

Bethel: You heard me Yinyah. I’m not leaving. Now you better go on before the prince learns of your trespassing--

Arran, a well built Quatan Tahlyan man with long hair walks into view. He’s wearing a white mask and is girded with light armor. Bethel freezes upon seeing him, terrified. She backs away from the gate. Yinyah looks at Arran, then at Bethel, intrigued by her response.

Bethel: Did, did she send you?

Arran: Yes she did.

Yinyah: He’s the reason I was able to rescue you, Your Majesty.

Bethel hesitates.

Bethel: V-Very well.

Yinyah appears to be pleased by her words but confused by her fear.

----------------------------------------------------------

Gideon, Queen Clockwork, and Queen Ervyka are squaring off in the meadow of Massadah. Gideon is panting and looks roughed up.

Queen Ervyka: (He’s strong, but we still have the advantage.)

Queen Clockwork: Have you decided to forfeit your life yet?

Gideon smirks.

Gideon: I’m just getting warmed up.

Queen Clockwork: Don’t get too pomp old man. I haven’t even released my crown yet.

Gideon: Old man? I’m only fifty-one. You’re beginning to sound like my nephew.

Queen Ervyka: (Fifty-one?! He looks no older than thirty-one!)

Gideon stomps the ground and three giant boulders form in front of him from the ground and levitate. Gideon thrusts his palm forward and the boulders chase Queen Clockwork. She dodges by leaping high into the air and thrusts out a spiraling bolt of electricity from her lance.

Gideon waves his arm overhead and a large dome of gravel blocks the attack.

Queen Ervyka: Quaega!

Ervyka charges at Gideon from behind on Raikra as it shoots a torrent of water. She’s holding a beautiful steam spewing staff. Gideon quickly turns and directs a bolt of lighting from the sky at her. Raikra roars in pain and recedes into the sky.

Queen Clockwork: Careful Ervyka. His mastery of manipulating the planet’s vyrkra is his greatest asset. The further we are from the planet the weaker his connection to it is. So stay in the air and force him to use his steam.

Queen Ervyka: Right!

Queen Clockwork releases steam from her Lightning Impaler and directs a hand at Ervyka.

Queen Clockwork: Oizargmos!

Large gold glyphs of clocks briefly appear over the queens. Queen Ervyka looks at her body in wonder.

Queen Clockwork: Now you should be able to handle his speed. So take heed and keep your distance Ervyka.

Queen Ervyka: Y-Yes Your Majesty!

Gideon grunts.

Gideon: (Damn! She was already a handful just as a Vuardra, but now I have to deal with Magi level Tygyk Arts too?)

Queen Ervyka: Qualo-Tornyrmos!

Ervyka holds her staff up as a multitude of steam expels from it. A giant water cyclone forms around Ervyka and speeds towards Gideon. Gideon’s body quickly forms into a bolt of lightning as it travels through the cyclone and directly at Ervyka. Ervyka and Raikra barely dodge the attack and Gideon reforms into his normal body a half mile past them in mid-air. Ervyka looks highly alerted.

Queen Ervyka: (I really am faster now!)

Queen Clockwork flies at Gideon thrusting her lance. Gideon’s eyes flash and a gust of wind blows his body back down to the ground, causing him to dodge her attack. Queen Clockwork grunts.

Queen Clockwork: Let’s see how you fare against my new Zuuwl attack you Sagi scum!

Queen Clockwork creates a sonic boom as she flies high into the air at a blinding speed. Steam spews from her Lightning Impaler as she comes crashing down on top of Gideon.

Gideon produces a Sigil Greatshield, a giant gold shield that’s eight feet in length, and blocks Queen Clockwork’s devastating attack from over head. The impact causes a massive electrical explosion, erupting like an atom bomb and rattling the city nearby.

Queen Clockwork flips away but remains airborne. Gideon grunts in pain as the now ruined shield dematerializes. He holds his now broken left arm.

Queen Ervyka: You did it Your Majesty! He really felt that one.

Queen Clockwork looks angry and disappointed.

Queen Clockwork: (I don’t believe it. Has he…has he actually improved since we last fought?! These damn Arcane really are getting their sovereign strength back.)

Steam emits from Gideon’s right gauntlet and he aims it at Queen Clockwork.

Gideon: Lyrkeaga!

The steam around Gideon quickly forms into a yellow beam of light that travels straight at Queen Clockwork. Before she can be hit a giant opened golden parasol blocks the blast. It’s Queen Titania.

Queen Titania: Time is money and money is time. Let’s be done with this pathetic man so I can return to my affairs.

Queen Ervyka: Queen Titania!

Queen Clockwork: I was perfectly prepared to intercept his attack, Titania.

Queen Titania: Of course you were Amelia.

Gideon looks surprised to see Titania but he is quickly hit in the back by a giant lion’s paw made of sand, causing him to slide several yards.

Queen Nubia, a beautiful young Kaigan that looks like a pharaoh, approaches them while riding on a giant sphinx. She looks happy to be there.

Queen Nubia: I’m going to enjoy this execution.

Queen Ervyka: Queen Nubia!

Queen Nubia: Ah, young Ervyka. How are the people of Quatace treating you?

Queen Ervyka: Uh, v-very well Your Majesty!

Queen Nubia: Just remember that if you ever run into any trouble I’ll always be more than happy to lend you aid.

Queen Ervyka: Thank you, Your Majesty!

Bitter cackling is heard. Gideon slowly rises and looks up at Princess Helda who is floating high above him on a beautifully crafted broom. She’s wearing a regal gown and a witch hat. Ervyka looks awestruck to see her.

Queen Clockwork: Greetings, Your Majesty.

Queen Ervyka: G-Greetings, Princess Helda!

Gideon: (Shit. Just one queen is enough of a hassle but now I have to face four of them and Princess Helda?)

Gideon smiles.

Gideon: Well don’t I feel special. All you witches came out to visit me.

Princess Helda: Yes, we’re here to commemorate Gideon, the lowly coward. Now all that’s left is to send him off to the realm beyond time.

Gideon gets in a wide stance and surveys his surroundings.

Princess Helda: We’ve come to finish what you and your meddlesome brother have started. But I’m sure you’ve guessed that by now.

Gideon: (Of all the princesses. Why did it have to be one of the stronger ones?)

Gideon: You call me the coward but it’s five on one.

Princess Helda: Oh don’t flatter yourself Sagi. I alone can easily finish you off, however some of these ladies would like to take revenge on what you and your brother did fourteen years ago.

Gideon glances at Queen Nubia.

Gideon: (Queen Nubia, the bloodthirsty maniac…)

Gideon then glances at Queen Titania.

Gideon: (Queen Titania, the most heartless of the bunch…)

He eyes Queen Clockwork.

Gideon: (Amelia. You once had a small heart but you’ve cast it aside for vengeance.)

He looks at a nervous Ervyka.

Gideon: (And that must be Queen Tetcha’s replacement. Strange, I don’t sense any malice in her vyrkra. She should be much easier to subdue than the others then.)

Helda chortles.

Princess Helda: Look at you trying to assess the situation. You should know better than anyone that the situation is more than dire. You were never near Hezekiah’s strength. As much as I hate to admit it he was a true man. He had the heart of a warrior, and the deadly gaze of a vicious predator. Try all you might Gideon, but you will never replicate his strength. Not you or Loc. And if by some bizarre circumstance one of you two manages to reach that level we’ll simply take care of it, just like we did Hezekiah.

All of the queens except for Ervyka chuckle. After a delay she awkwardly joins in on the laughter to fit in.

Queen Ervyka: (Just why is it five on one? This man doesn’t even possess half the vyrkra I do and I’m the weakest one here. I wish we would just end this and be done with it already.)

Queen Clockwork twirls her lance.

Queen Clockwork: Just remember to leave the finishing blow to me. Her Majesty promised me that much.

Princess Helda: Don’t worry, I’ll let you have your petty vengeance, just so long as you let me castrate him first--

Gideon flies at Clockwork and swings his good arm. Titania blocks the attack with her parasol. She swings her parasol but Gideon dodges by flying back. Nubia’s sphinx spits out a multitude of boulders at Gideon. Gideon retreats higher into the sky to evade.

Queen Ervyka: Qualo-Tornyrmos!

Ervyka unleashes another gigantic cyclone at Gideon who is caught within the attack and grunts in pain. Queen Clockwork follows up by impaling his shoulder with her lance, sending Gideon crashes to the ground. All of the queens laugh.

Gideon slowly rises to his feet. He’s a bloody mess.

Queen Nubia: He’s lost the use of both of his arms.

Queen Titania: Then it’s high time we’ve settled this matter. I have important affairs to attend to right now.

Helda points her finger at Gideon.

Princess Helda: This is your end, you Sagi scum.

Her broom expels steam and she fires an intense red hot stream of fire from her finger. Gideon reacts by stomping his foot to erect a thick wall of rock from the ground before him. The stream of fire hits the wall but quickly melts through it and burns right through Gideon’s torso, causing him to vomit blood and fall face first into the dirt. All of the witches laugh hysterically, except for Ervyka, who looks away in dismay.

Princess Helda: Oh my look at that! A fallen prince! Hahahaha!

Queen Nubia: We should feed his body to the dogs.

Queen Titania: Not even a starving dog would eat that filth.

Queen Clockwork lands next to Gideon. Gideon reaches his hand forward, struggling to move. Queen Clockwork impales his hand with her lance, pinning it in place. Gideon yells in pain.

Queen Clockwork: You pathetic human. This is recompense for the crimes you and your creed have committed. And as your kind says, dust to dust.

Queen Clockwork’s eye glows and aims an electrically imbued hand at Gideon. The sky darkens and the ground begins to violently quake, leading her to pause in concern. Gideon looks up at her with his entire eyes completely black and glowing. Everyone looks taken aback.

Gideon: First you trespass my kingdom, then you pull me away from doing The Will’s work, and now you have the audacity to call me human?!

Gideon looks incensed as he slowly stands upright. Lava erupts all around Gideon and a ferocious storm brews around him. The queens are frozen in disbelief.

Gideon: You wenches think you can just waltz into the kingdom of the Celestials and do as you please?! You forget who the true regents of creation are! And your day of judgement swiftly approaches!

Gideon gets into a wide stance and lets out an intense shout.

Gideon: Gaiiagos!

Rainbow colored mist swells around Gideon for thousands of miles. The entire planet quakes as trees, shrubbery, lava, rock, ice, electricity, and ocean water from all over the rural regions of the planet surround Gideon and partially heals his wounds. Cities from all across the globe are sent into a mass panic.

The queens look terrified, Princess Helda looks livid. Queen Clockwork reacts by desperately thrusting her lance. Gideon is completely unfazed and it shatters into pieces upon hitting him. Gideon responds by kneeing Queen Clockwork in the stomach, breaking her rib cage in the process. She doubles over grunting in pain.

Gideon flies to Nubia and directs a giant fist formed from the planet’s elements at Nubia, launching her miles away. He flies to Queen Titania at blinding speeds and uppercuts her, launching her out of sight. Helda fires another stream of fire from her finger. A geyser of lava shoots out from the planet and intercepts her attack.

Gideon counters by getting into a wide stance and charging up a small storm of elements within his hands.

Princess Helda: You Sagi Scum! Don’t think you’re so high and mighty because you’ve mastered a new technique! Your power is still far inferior to a princess!

Gideon grunts and the charging elements grow in intensity. Ervyka looks on in complete terror.

Queen Ervyka: (This is no mere man, this is a monster! No wonder the other queens want him dead.)

Helda forms a giant raging ball of fire above her head. She looks down at Gideon with pure rage. She looks desperate. Queen Clockwork and Ervyka look at her with great concern.

Queen Clockwork: No, Your Majesty! You’ll kill too many people if you hit the planet with that!

Princess Helda: Then I’ll have Mother revive them. I just want him dead! No man has the right to treat true royalty like this!

Gideon: Don’t try it Helda. You’re vyrkra isn’t greater than the planet’s.

Helda shrieks as she launches the destructive ball of fire at Gideon.

Queen Ervyka: No!

Gideon releases the attack. A massive rainbow colored stream of multiple elements leaves his hands and completely engulfs Princess Helda. The cosmic sized stream of vyrkra travels beyond the planet for light years before dissipating, completely ignoring the laws of physics. Miraculously, only Helda was affected by the blast as she is nowhere to be seen.

The two queens that are left look completely flabbergasted. Gideon begins to gather more vyrkra in one hand as he aims it at Queen Clockwork.

Gideon: Since you’ve come seeking to avenge your late husband I’ll do you the honor of sending you to him.

Gideon smirks as rainbow colored mist swells around him.

Gideon: It’s the least I can do.

Queen Clockwork looks at him with eyes of terror. She reaches for her crown.

Queen Clockwork: (What is this man? He was no where near this strong fourteen years ago. And my crown... Without the use of my crown I’m nothing against him. And even then I’ve never learned to properly utilize it over the years.)

Queen Ervyka: No! Don’t do it!

Gideon glances at Ervyka. His eyes flash and she’s blown away several yards.

Gideon: Begone you filthy strumpet.

Gideon releases the attack. Queen Clockwork looks panicked. The blast completely dissipates and Arran appears before Queen Clockwork to everyone’s astonishment. He kneels before her.

Arran: The deed is done, Your Majesty.

Queen Ervyka: (It’s that scary Tahlyan servant, Arran!)

Queen Clockwork: What are you doing here, Tahlyan?!

Arran: Her Majesty sent me.

Queen Clockwork grunts in frustration and looks away in embarrassment.

Queen Clockwork: Very well.

Queen Clockwork’s eye flashes and several portals in the shape of a clock appear over everyone present but Gideon.

Queen Clockwork: Don’t think this is over you Sagi scum.

They disappear into the portals.

Gideon takes a deep breath and his eyes return to normal. The rainbow colored mist surrounding him ceases and the planet’s elements return to their original positions. The sky brightens and Gideon looks and sees a Massadan airship swiftly approaching him. The ship lands nearby. Gideon sits down in exhaustion.

Two female Arcane Iynvyk Casters rush to Gideon and go to work on healing his wounds. Eithan, Joshua, and a regiment of soldiers rush to him.

Joshua: Your Majesty!

Gideon: I’m alright. I’m alright.

Eithan: Why would they attack us so suddenly?

Gideon: A better question is just how powerful is that Tahlyan. I’ve just witnessed enough to be convinced that he’s at least as strong as a princess. Possibly stronger.

Eithan and Joshua appear to be taken aback.

Joshua: A princess, Your Majesty?! But no Tahlyan is capable of that level of strength.

Gideon: I find it difficult to believe the Queen of Queens would grant the level of power to rival one of her daughters to an Innokian.

Eithan: Something is certainly amiss.

Gideon: Indeed. Well, on top of Bethel’s escape.

Eithan: Her escape?! What may I ask do you mean, Great Prince?

Gideon: This whole fiasco was simply a diversion. I’m almost certain Bethel isn’t where she’s supposed to be right now.

Joshua: If that’s so then shouldn’t we--

Gideon: Bah! Her fate is in The Will’s hands now.

Eithan: The Elders won’t appreciate your apathy on the matter.

Gideon: Let them squabble. As long as I am regent their power is no greater than mine.

Eithan: I understand Your Majesty. But I humbly caution you that they hold the power to sway the mind of Massadah.

Gideon: Find me twelve replacements for the Elders. Seek out the wisest men in Massadah that are loyal to The Will, you two. The more time passes the more their stench reeks of this matter.

Eithan and Joshua salute with earnest smiles.

Eithan: As you wish, Great Prince.

Joshua: It will be done, Your Majesty.

Gideon: Eithan.

Eithan: Yes, Great Prince.

Gideon: I’m getting old.

They all chuckle.

Chapter End