"What's body toss?" Elliott looked from Spike to Carnelian.The room was silent, the tension palpable. Spike stood frozen, his face pale, sweat running down his brow. He glanced from his mother to Elliott, searching for support. Elliott looked back at him, concern etched on his face. He took a step forward, but stopped short, not knowing what to do.Then, breaking the silence, Carnelian spoke. "Spike, you don't need to be afraid." Her voice was cold and emotionless, sending a shiver down his spine. "I promise, it's not as bad as it sounds. It's just a game."Spike swallowed.Elliott's face was ashen as Spike tied him to the pole. His eyes were wide, his breath coming in quick gasps. Spike tried to remain calm, but he could feel his own panic rising. "Everything's going to be fine, Elliott," he said, his voice wavering. "Just trust me."Elliott's lips trembled as he nodded. "I do trust you," he said. "But what if we can't get out of this?"Elliott's words cut straight to Spike's heart.
He took a deep breath, and slowly turned to face Carnelian. She was still standing there, her expression one of defiance. But for the first time, he saw something else in her eyes: fear."I'm not going to abandon my friends." Elliott said, his voice firm. "No matter what you say or do, I will stand by them. Because they've shown me that I'm worth something, that I have a purpose. And that's more important to me than any title or glory."Carnelian stared at him, her eyes filled with fury. "You're a fool, Elliott. You'll never be anything more than a waste of space."Elliott's hands balled into fists, his body trembling with emotion. But he knew he couldn't give in to his anger."I'm not going to let you hurt my friends." Elliott said, his voice steady. "I don't care what you think of me, I'm not going to stand by and let you harm them."Carnelian's face twisted into a snarl. "You think you can stop me? You're nothing but a weakling, a useless child. You don't even have a fraction of my
Elliott, Spike, Carnelian, Spike's mother, and Dahlia stood at the gates of New Arcadia, their journey at an end.Spike turned to his mother, a smile on his face. "It's been so long since I've seen you, mom. I have so much to tell you."His mother returned his smile, a tear in her eye. "I've missed you too, my son. I can't wait to hear all about your adventures."Spike's words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. The decision to ally with Markus was not an easy one, but Carnelian knew it was the right thing to do. She would have to give up the fame and glory she craved, but it was worth it to keep her son safe."I understand, Spike," she said, her voice calm and measured. "I will do what needs to be done, for the sake of our family."As she spoke, a shadow crossed her face. She knew that the alliance with Markus would come at a cost, and that cost would be her own ... identity.She would have to give up her individuality, her very sense of self, to become a part of Markus's regime. Bu
She was dressed in a leather tunic and pants, and her long black hair was pulled back in a tight braid. She had a stern expression on her face, and she held herself with an air of authority. As she approached the group, they could all feel the power and presence that radiated from her."Miss Fee," Mona said, bowing her head in respect. "It's an honor to have you here."Miss Fee gave a curt nod in return. "Mona," she said, her voice cool and even. "It's been some time."Talia and Franklin stood to the side, watching the exchange with interest. Cedric stood behind them, his eyes never leaving Miss Fee. Lucille sat on a nearby rock, her eyes narrowed as she observed the situation. And in the middle of it all was Elliott, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the meet and greet.As Cedric's words hung in the air, there was a tense silence that followed. No one dared to speak as they waited for Miss Fee to appear. And when she did, the air seemed to change. The tension was palpable, as if a storm w
The Amazon queen's gaze fell upon Dahlia, once a head advisor to the sprite king, a woman who had risen to the top of her field through sheer determination and hard work. But then, she had left it all behind to marry King Wyatt, and the reasons for her decision were shrouded in mystery. Some said it was for love, while others whispered of complications due to their workplace relationship.Whatever the case, Dahlia had become queen, and her life had taken a dramatic turn. She had gone from being a career woman to a royal wife, and her world had been turned upside down. But did she regret her decision? That was the question that lingered in Miss Fee's mind. Did Dahlia miss her old life, or was she content with her new role? Only she knew the answer, and Miss Fee could only speculate.Ah, King Wyatt, the bad boy turned ruler. He was known for his roguish ways and his devil-may-care attitude, but he had also shown a surprising amount of leadership skills and shrewdness. He was a complex a
Elliott turned back to face her, apprehension evident on his face. "Yes?" he asked, bracing himself for whatever she might say."I appreciate that you're respecting my decision to be more than just a princess," Robin said. "I know it must be difficult to see me in this new light, but I hope you'll accept me for who I am now.""I don't care about your journey Robin, you still are a princess and that's final.""How dare you!? I'll have my father hear about this_" She covered her mouth. She wasn't so independent from her father Roderick."How dare you?" Robin exclaimed, her voice laced with anger and disbelief. "You think you can just tell me what I am and what I'm not? You don't get to decide that for me!"Elliott's smirk only grew, and he gave a shrug that infuriated her further. "I'm just telling the truth, princess," he said, emphasizing the last word. "You can't change who you are."With a cry of frustration, Robin turned on her heel and stormed off, seething with rage. She wasn't g
The tension in the room was palpable as the king's gaze fell upon each of them in turn. He was clearly weighing the pros and cons of joining their cause, but it was hard to tell what he was thinking. Miss Fee shifted uncomfortably under his scrutiny, while Talia stood her ground, determined to make her case. Only Robin seemed unfazed, her expression calm and focused.After what felt like an eternity, the king finally spoke. "What makes you think I can be of any help?" he asked, his tone skeptical. "I'm a man of peace, not war."Talia took a stand. "In order for there to be peace, there must first be war. We are simply preparing for it.""It's not that simple," the king replied, a hint of frustration in his voice. "You're asking me to throw my people into the fire, with no guarantee of success. And even if we win, what then? Will we have truly achieved peace, or will we simply have set the stage for the next war? There must be another way."The room was silent as everyone considered th
Elliott and Robin leave the room.She steamed. "I'm still not talking to you."Elliott was used to harsh treatment. "You just did, princess."Robin frowned when she heard Elliott use the term princess in an affectionate way and not in a more factual way.As the pair continued down the hall, the tension between them only grew thicker."I'm not your princess," Robin said, her voice low and even. "You're nothing but a rude, annoying, pig-headed knight."Elliott chuckled. "Ouch, that's quite the insult. But I must say, you're quite good at it.""Why, thank you," Robin said, the sarcasm dripping from her voice. "It's a talent of mine.""You're welcome princess.""Stop calling me that," Robin snapped, her voice sharp as a dagger. "I'm not some simpering damsel in distress. I'm a warrior, a fighter. I don't need you to protect me."Elliott raised an eyebrow. "I never said you did. But that doesn't change the fact that you're a princess, and a beautiful one at that.""You're impossible!" Robi