My final decision

“Now, now, Layla; I know you’re going through a lot, but think about what you’re doing.”

Xander spoke with confidence; that commanding presence that almost made his decisions an irrefutable fact. Reyna saw what was happening and began to dash towards the platform herself, whilst Layla stared the king dead in the eyes, scared for her life, but still not backing down.

“I know he disobeyed you, and- and I know I’m disobeying you myself right now, but … he’s my dad, and I don’t want to lose him!”

“I respect your feelings, Layla, but there isn’t a choice in the matter, and I’d rather not lose two of my people today, so I’ll ask you this once; stand down.”

The king’s dark energy began to roar, engulfing him entirely in a terrifying dark aura, and causing his bright red eyes to dig into the souls of everyone around him; using that intimidation, he stared straight at Layla. Reyna sprinted up the stairs and stumbled in front of her, panting like crazy, but spinning around to face Xander and digging her feet down. Her own chest began to swirl with pure elemental energy as she stared back, struggling to keep her concentration as he dug into her, and she began to feel more and more fear.

“Reyna!”

Layla called out from behind, grabbing onto her shoulders and standing next to her, delivering a small, but earnest smile straight to her.

“I was only able to do this because your willpower was so strong! Strong enough that it even inspired someone like me to stand up for myself; to follow my feelings. The king’s magic is intimidation; making himself so strong that it even drives fear directly into people’s souls, but I know you can resist it, because that’s how amazing you are!”

The girl's eyes shone with gratitude and strength as she smiled at the person she looked up to, whose own eyes began to water.

“Layla …”

Reyna flashed Layla a knowing smile before directing her focus back towards Xander, hardening her gaze as the fear slowly faded from her body, her magic shining brighter.

“You’re right, I don’t let anyone else make my decisions for me, not anymore; not even if they’re a king!”

Colourless energy exploded around her, and simultaneously, Xander’s own aura faded, his eyes lost their glow, and he fell to his knees.

“You, you dispelled my magic!?”

Exhausted as he now was, Xander’s breaths were slow and heavy, but that didn’t stop him from flinging his head up to face the trio as dozens of guards began to surround them, brandishing their weapons.

“That’s all well and good, but it doesn’t excuse your actions in the slightest. You are all still going to face extreme punishment for this!”

Reyna was about to speak back, only for Layla to push on in front of her, taking charge and throwing her feelings forward.

“Give my dad a second chance, please! Ever since we joined the dark suns, he’s been invaluable to you! I don’t know how many times he’s saved everyone’s lives, and I know he made a mistake, but he can still save you all many times more! He’s still willing to work for you; all of us are! just give us the chance to!”

Layla quickly spun her head around to Reyna, realising all her adrenaline and haste had just accidentally put words in her mouth. Reyna nodded, reassuring her that she agreed with what she said; after all, it would be much easier to win against the light kingdom with another kingdom by her side. After glancing at her father, who gave a similar nod, Layla turned back to Xander, who slowly began to stand back up.

“Hah, you think you are in any position to make demands?”

He glared back towards them, only for all three of them to do the same back. He saw Zayden, Layla, and even the chosen one, all united as one group. He saw that conviction, and in that moment, thought about how he could use it to his advantage.

“Chosen one, you’re currently low on elemental energy, correct? You’ve been training all week.”

“Huh?”

Reyna held out her hand, summoning her crystal into it, and upon examination, realised that it only had a fraction of pure energy left within it.

“You’re right! Aw, man, I don’t think I’ll be able to keep fighting for much longer.”

Xander smirked to himself, realising things were now turning to his favour.

“Then, allow me to make you a proposition. We need your power; it could turn the tide against the light kingdom in many ways, and I would prefer you to be as cooperative as possible towards us. So, I’ll spare both Zayden and Layla from execution if you promise to work with us fully, no more disregarding my orders.”

Reyna turned towards the others, both of them giving a neutral look, encouraging her to make her own decision. Facing Xander again, she begrudgingly agreed.

“Alright, fine. If it will save their lives, then I’ll work for you.”

“Great. Now, Zayden and Layla. If you both wish to keep your positions in my army, I have a job for you.”

He extended his hand, pointing directly towards the crystal in Reyna’s hand.

“If you would, please put that away so Julian doesn’t hear.”

Reyna had completely forgotten about that; quickly concentrating, the crystal disappeared back into her body. Once he confirmed it was gone, Xander continued to speak.

“Advisor was discussing this with me the other day. Near the border of the light kingdom is a large tower made entirely out of crystals; the exact same that artificial elgrima are fashioned from. Since the chosen one is low on energy, and we have no means of procuring pure elemental energy ourselves, I would require you to go there and retrieve a fresh one for further use.”

Zayden pried himself free from the rope around his neck, moving next to Layla, exchanging a mutual look before they both responded.

“Alright, we’ll do it.”

“Perfect. Bring me one successfully, and I’ll allow you both to work for me once again.”

He gestured towards Serena, who stepped forward as she was commanded.

“If you would be so kind, Serena, I would ask that you provide them with a ride and subsequently accompany them there. Advisor will also be coming to show the way. However, neither of you are to provide assistance within the actual tower; this is for Zayden and Layla to prove themselves.”

Before any of them could agree further, Reyna stepped forward, making sure to get her word in.

“I want to join! I mean, if this is about getting a crystal for me, then surely you’d need mine there to compare, correct? Otherwise they won’t know what they’re looking for!”

Xander looked towards his advisor, seeking an answer as to whether that line of thinking was indeed correct or not. After a second to think, she answered.

“She has a point; they make slight adjustments to the artificial elgrima each time. If we want to get one that works directly with Reyna, we would have a higher chance of success with her there in person.

“Alright then, but the chosen one’s safety is top priority; she comes first above everything else!”

Everyone aside from Reyna herself nodded. Dark energy began to swirl around Serena’s chest, dripping down from her arm, and transforming into two winged beasts; the same kind Reyna remembered seeing when they first invaded the light kingdom to get her.

Advisor and Serena got on one, intending to lead the way, whilst Zayden, Reyna, and Layla got on the other. Everyone looked towards Xander, who gave his approval.

“I look forward to reaping the rewards of your success; until then, you may depart.”

The two beasts spread out their wings, flapping them up and down as they soared straight up, vanishing into the dark sky.