A Constellation That Kneels to No One

“Oh, bloody hell!” Eloi cried, gawking at his cyborg arm with smoke hissing from the hole in his palm. “Why didn’t Ren tell me I can shoot lasers out of this thing?!”

“Well, now you know!” said Clover, kicking away a henchman. “You better learn how to control it now, because I think you attracted a bunch of more people!”

More bullets and other projectiles showered through the forest, forcing Clover to shield himself and Eloi. He rained back blades of his own and targeted the aggressors’ weapons and arms. “Try doing it again!” he said.

Eloi raised his prosthetic arm again and tried to recollect how he pulled off the laser: by twisting his arm in a weird direction after his greatsword shattered apart during the fight and knocked it by accident. He tried turning it at his elbow before trying it at his wrist. When nothing worked, he clicked his tongue and repeatedly smacked it.

“Ugh, how did I even pull it off…?”

His palm shot out another glaringly bright laser, striking a tree and leaving it hollow at the center.

“Oh! Firmly grip the wrist. Got it!”

He aimed at a few trees and curved his fingers. A small orb surged in his hand, quickly growing in size. He flattened the fingers, and the orb shot out another, wider beam relative to the orb’s size.

“Okay, I think I’m getting the hang of this!” said Eloi.

“Good! Help me out here then, will you?!”

Eloi nodded and pressed his back against his. The two began to project a series of colorful lasers and blades, illuminating the battlefield as bright as the battle with the train at a distance. More and more henchmen flooded in, only to be struck down or back away from the show.

Those who got too close to the shield met Eloi’s silvery fist or Clover’s rapier, but even the experienced Chevolaire could handle so many opponents at a time. By the time the shield cracked enough to shatter, Eloi raised his arm and stood before Clover, shielding him in his stead.

Now greatly outnumbered, the two pressed their backs against a tree as more henchmen surrounded them.

“H-Hey,” Eloi stammered, clutching his throbbing chest. “C-Can’t we talk it out?”

“Nothing personal, Boss’s orders,” said one of them, toying with their sword.

“Ugh, why the hell are you all following that goddamn lunatic?” Clover hissed, baring his fangs. “Just what did he promise you?”

“A world where the true king of Theatreux shall rule this nation,” said another, pointing their sword. “Not like you youngsters would care.”

“And you’re goddamn right. I don’t give a shit about politics,” said Eloi. “But enlighten me. What the hell are you assholes talking about? Who’s the real king you’re talking about?”

“Are we buying time or getting information?” Clover whispered.

“Both,” Eloi whispered back.

“Isn’t it obvious?” another one spoke, extending their arms. “Who else could it be but the biggest, brightest, most beloved star of this kingdom? He who sits at the top of the charts belongs to the throne! Monty Starman is the true king!”

Clover and Eloi blinked and exchanged stunned looks.

“I-I beg your pardon?” Clover sputtered. “You seriously believe that psychopath deserves to be the king?!”

“Have you all lost your bloody minds?” Eloi spat. “How is he better than our current king?”

“What did that king do when more and more people disappeared into statistics? What did he do when more orphans appeared in the streets? That good-for-nothing does nothing but sit his arse on his throne while indulging in mindless entertainment! He only made our lives worse by establishing a whole organization to wipe us vampires into existence!”

The boys exchanged frowns saying, ‘They do have a point.’

“But Monty Starman is different. He promises us a utopia that shall bring us everlasting peace. Because he understands us! He shall bear it to fruition! His brilliance and hard work have led us this far!”

“Okay, we get it. Monty’s a smartass unlike our king,” said Eloi. “But how can you explain his insanity? That asshole ruined The Spectacular Theory!”

“Is one expected to be sane after experiencing gruesome work in the entertainment industry? Especially when all eyes were constantly on him? Especially considering how much work and dedication he brought to his former amusement park? He is but a victim, just like us.”

Eloi furrowed his brows. “Huh, I’m starting to see the disgusting brainwashes Monty carved in all of your brains!”

“Brainwash? You’re a fool to ignore Monty’s potential!”

“The only fools I see here are you losers and my brother!” shouted a familiar voice.

A shower of Crimoire arrows and electrical bullets rained around Clover and Eloi, forcing the rebels to back away. Everyone turned to the tree above the two, facing Theodore and Cherry aiming their weapons.

“Hell yeah! About time you guys are here!” said Eloi, waving a hand.

“Hey, who are you calling a fool?” asked Clover, squinting at his brother.

The two smiled and waved back. They fired another round of Crimoire projectiles, quickly giving enough distance for Eloi and Clover to breathe. The two beneath also began to throw their own lasers and blades, shooting in every direction they could see movement.

Someone threw a series of massive spears too large to block toward the boys on the ground. The targets in question flinched and prepared to dodge, only for their vision to be blocked by a familiar lady with a massive halberd.

Dorothy swung her battleaxe and sliced all the spears, parrying it with a blade of wind that sliced the nearby trees and blew a few people away. Charlie snuck behind a group and knocked them all out with a blow of his fists, dropping them like flies. He quickly regrouped with Dorothy and eventually with Clover and Eloi.

“About time you’re also here too,” said Clover, smirking.

“We can’t have you steal the spotlight now, can we?” Charlie smirked back.

Eloi frowned and looked around with concern. “That’s great and all, but where’s Penny…?”

“I’m here,” said a soft voice.

“Woah!” The four jumped and gaped their eyes at Penelope, standing behind them out of nowhere.

“Where the bloody hell did you come from?!” asked Charlie.

“I snuck around,” the master of stealth simply said, shrugging.

“Of course you did,” said Clover, sighing.

“P-Penny!” said Eloi, holding her shoulders. “Are you okay? Did anyone hurt you?”

She smiled and shook her head. “I’m alright, Loid.”

He sighed in relief and patted his chest. “Oh, thank goodness,” he said. “Alright! Now everyone’s here!”

“Oh, what a relief." Dorothy kicked a rebel away. "Then, are we starting the next phase of the plan?”

The group turned to the strategist perching on the tree branch. Theodore stared back at them, counting the scratches and bruises they collected, let alone their sweaty faces and heavy breaths. He briefly turned to the train fight at a distance and jumped down, Cherry following suit.

“You ready, Charlie?” asked Theodore.

Charlie pulled out a gray marble from his pocket and nodded. “Ready when you all are.”

Theodore returned the gesture. “On the count of three then. One!”

The group huddled up close and continued to shoot.

“Two!”

More cloaked figures emerged from the shadows.

“Three!”

Charlie smashed the marble into the tree behind the group, enshrouding them all into a massive fog.

“Go!”

The group broke into a sprint, closely following Charlie as they navigated with their filtered masks, and of course, the people followed after them. Charlie pulled out another marble and threw it next, creating more misty clouds.

“Ugh, I bloody knew Monty would bring too many of his damn goons!” Theodore hissed, clutching his chest. “Enough to wear us out before we can even help the other two against the train!”

Penelope coughed and clutched her chest. “I-I’m getting tired…”

“Hang in there!” said Cherry, holding onto her shoulder.

“Now that the mansion’s gone, Solomon’s cabin is our only chance to get our energy back!” said Charlie. “He should still have enough blood for all of us!”

“Right, we’ll start stage three there!” said Theodore. “Remember: Lure the remaining henchmen away from the train fight and replenish as much energy as we can, especially for you, Dorothy! No pressure or anything, but the success of our ‘ultimate attack’ relies on you!”

“Don’t worry, I’m prepared for it!” said Dorothy.

“I hope the rest of you are ready as well!” said Clover. “Because this might get dangerous!”

“As if this situation isn’t already one!” yelled Eloi. “But we can still win this! Let’s hurry and beat that bloody train!”

“Yeah!” the vampires roared, all grinning with shining determination.