Walking down the broken-down streets, Duncan could not help but sympathise with the survivors as they rummaged through the rubble, trying to find the remains of their loved ones. Clutching his arms, Duncan's guilt nearly made it impossible for him to journey on. The thing that broke the horse's back was seeing how a young Fairy with a missing arm gave him a portion of his remaining food as a gesture of goodwill, even though he had done nothing for them.
Don't... Please don't...
I don't want to live with this guilt in my heart...
Just when he felt he could no longer hold on, Vidia came flying by. Despite having potholes in her wings, she, surprisingly, was able to fly with great ease. "Dunks...don't feel bad about it. This was a war, and in wars, there will always be death. It is our duty, our obligation, to stand back up, and rise from the ashes. Just like what our ancestors went through 500 years ago, we shall persevere, we shall survive, and we shall thrive! So don't worry Dunkie Pooh~ This is just an aspect of life..."
Sighing in defeat, Duncan turned his head towards Vidia, staring down. "Yes... I know this is war, b-but I didn't expect it to be this bad! I mean, look at him, he's missing a limb, and what, all he can do is smile! What does that make me look like as the prince of the nation!? All I have are some broken bones that will heal within a couple of weeks, days even, with the proper potions, but them? They have lost limbs that will never regenerate! What does that make me feel!?"
With a final cry, Duncan began crying his heart out at the scene of the devastation. Vidia stood by, for she knew Duncan needed this moment for himself, to release all his pent-up frustrations.
After a few minutes, she called back to Duncan. "Yeah, Dunks, I know how you feel, but you gotta move on. C'mon, let's head back to the Palace, where Her Majesty will tell us what to do next..."
With a heavy sigh, he picked himself up, trudging back to the Palace...
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"Alright, is everyone ready now?"
With a happy-go-lucky attitude, Celestina dragged the bandaged Smock and Roselina along with them, as she prepared the ceremony for summoning the ancient Spirit Kings.
Watching them argue as to how and who will do the summoning, Duncan asked Titus on the side how they will resolve the situation regarding the Union Treaty. "Man I hope the Spirit Kings are feeling generous today, and will allow us to negotiate for a better deal regarding how long they have to work in our factory..."
Watching the gung-ho Elf, Titus felt relieved inside, for he finally saw Duncan coming out of the shell, after witnessing the tragedies that struck the city. It's good that he's somewhat returned to normal. Though, I don't know how he'll react once he finds out what I did...
Wincingslightly, Titus watched as Celestine began the incantation (after begging him with a runny nose). Smock and Roselina stood to the side, curious about what the Spirit Kings looked like, seeing that it was the first time they had seen them.
Rwy'n erfyn ar elfennau cyntefig y byd...
I ddod a gwrando ar fy nghais...
A dangos dy bresenoldeb o'm blaen!
The four statues on each corner lit up, the elements rampaging across the atrium. As the winds grew wilder and wilder, Duncan found himself floating slowly into the air. "Help! I'm being carried UUUUUPPPPP!"
Grabbing ahold of the now panicking Elf, Titus watched the ceremony in a deadpanned manner, hisneyes revealing nothing. Just when Duncan felt that it was his end, the bright lights vanished.
The rampaging Magicles split themselves into their respective elements, squirming, morphing, until they revealed themselves to the world.
Four of the most beautiful beings Duncan had ever known stood in front of him, their regality and nobility radiating from their very beings. He could not describe them with clarity, for words could not give them their full due. As he stood by with an open mouth, the blue-haired queen opened her eyes, uttering her first words. "I am Aquilina, the Queen of the Water world. Who dares to summon me– Titus my old friend, its so nice to see you again! And I gotta say, thanks for giving us the idea about creating a 'Union' as you call it. Thanks to it, we Spirits finally have the respect we deserve..."
As Aquilina babbled on, she missed Titus slapping his face in resignation.
"You son of a bitch, that was YOU!?"