Orb's hair turns teal as he says, "What? Executed them?"
"Is that really surprising? They launched the biggest domestic terrorist attack in the country's history, all based on flawed ideology. In no way will I ever allow such a thing to go unpunished."
"But to end all their lives?"
Suzuka says, "Aren't there thousands of members of Blamator?"
With a smile pasted across her face, Dumitra says, "Yes, and they will all fall by my hands. A quick death in a single blow."
Dumnorix, turning to Orb, says, "It's rather normal for a situation like this, Orb?"
Maple, turning her head, says, "Dumnorix!"
"It's normal for criminals to be executed. Society is built on trust, and despite how it seems, highly coordinated mass killings don't happen by mistake, and let's not forget how much of an insult it is for those who have lost their loved ones to see the criminals who reduce their people to mere animals roam free."
"Even then, that punishment is too much. Blood for blood leads to an endless cycle."
"Why're you pretending like this is strange? To my knowledge, Aplos executed those who broke their privacy rules. If it wasn't for the tragedy of the infection that hit your village, I am pretty sure people would've been far more gun-ho about executing Orb, Leon, and you for breaking the rules. Besides, it isn't the job of this country to end the cycle of violence; it's their job to seek justice for those who have been wronged."
Iancu turns to the Queen and says, "Members of Blamator were misled by Dragoste, and the fear of your death. Not all of them would've done such actions without that. You hold some fault in this as well."
Ivana, Gheorghe and Wadim jump on Iancu, with Wadim whispering, "The Queen isn't someone to antagonise Iancu, it won't end well."
Willow, walking beside Iancu, says, "Aren't we all adults? What's wrong with pointing out her place in this? Or does that make her majesty want to rethink her actions?"
Looking down at them, Dumitra says, "Not at all, and I do claim full responsibility for not handling the Dragoste situation better. But slaughtering your people as you rob them of their sense of self and make them bloody their own hands is not something you do by mistake or misunderstanding. They knew of the horrors their actions would bring and still went along with it. The people of Blestemate will not take an action like this well if it goes unpunished, especially during a time when people think their neighbours are robbing graves and selling corpses for profit. We need a strong show of power and will towards the people."
Orb, glaring directly at Dumitra, says, "Don't simplify their feelings. They thought the soul protector of their country was going to expire, leaving them all vulnerable, for many of them it was life or death, and they chose to make a bet on other people's lives for that reason. It was a matter of perspective."
"And from a rapists perspective, they really want to have sex, does that mean it's valid? Would you forgive them solely because you understand how it feels to be sexually frustrated? A difference in perspective is a basic aspect of reality; it does not justify their complete lack of empathy for the lives they forced to end, that was their choice. I claim responsibility in allowing the innocent to slip their blood pointless, yet I do not claim responsibility for the complete lack of brains as the pride of Blamator overtook their brains. I should have them all eaten alive by dogs for the sins they have committed against us."
Orb clicks his tongue as his hair burns bright red, locks eyes with Dumitra and says, "Then I will have to stop you."
In that very instant, throughout all of Căderea-dracului, a large tremor moves through it all, as the intensity of the beating of the Queen's heart sends soundwaves reaching to the edge of the city.
Fear builds in the room as everyone feels the strength of her mere existence, priming itself to rush against them all. Dumnorix quickly stands up and reaches for his sword, yet as the pressure rings across his body, his muscles freeze up completely.
A deep fear awakens in everyone's body, yet Orb, fighting through the pressure, stares directly into Dumitra's eyes as she says, "Be careful before you speak next, or it might be your last word."
Cyrus, grabbing onto Orb's shoulder, says, "W-W-W-We can't win. Even if all of us attack her at once, we'll without a doubt."
"I know that, but right now, I can't just allow this to hap-."
Elia's heel smashes into the top of Orb's head, knocking him to the ground. "Did you really just threaten a monarch in their own land surrounded by their own guards, you moron?"
Turning his head, Orb says, "Don't threaten me like I am stupid. I know what I am doing, and besides, you haven't said a thing to me since I woke up, and this is how you greet me."
Confused, she says, "I allowed my heel to touch you? Isn't that a rush for a foot freak like you?"
"I AM NOT A FOOT FREAK ONLY, I APPRECIATE ALL PARTS OF THE HUMAN BODY. From the creases underneath your eyelids, to the tiny hair at the back of your ankle!"
With a disgusted look, Elia says, "It seems I was wrong to call you a freak. I should call you abhorrent, grotty, putrid, depraved, degenerate King Orb. Or does that get you going, you pervert?"
"IT DOES NOT DO THAT FOR ME!"
Suzuka stares at Orb's green hair and says, "I only think you're kind of perverted, Orb."
"THAT'S NOT HELPFUL!" He shouts as he rubs her head.
The beating from the Queen's heart ceases as she tries to hold in her laughter, and seeing this, Avram walks in front of Orb and says, "Emotions seem to be really high now for everyone, so why don't we hedge this discussion until later. We plan on leaving tomorrow morning, so let's enjoy the time we have in Blestemate for now."
"Agreed, I have had enough discussion for today, you may all excuse yourselves from my sight."
Orb and his allies all turn to leave the room, and as she walks out, Elia, with her eyes wide open, says, "State-sponsored murder in a Holy country like this? How faithless."
With a wicked smile on her face, Dumitra responds, "Then my husband the Messiah can sort them all out on the other side."
Elia turns and moves to walk out of the room with the rest, as Dumitra stares up towards a holy cross at the very top of the room.
-Break-
Location: Pinnacle ofSoarele Blestemat
Around the very top of Soarele Blestemat, Suzuka looks down, standing on a balcony into the city before her with a slight smile trying to form on her face, yet every few minutes a surge of pain moves through her brain, causing her to grab her head.
The surges get stronger and stronger, as she struggles to fight through their sensations that burn up her head. Yet a cool feeling passes through the side of her head, making her turn and say, "Orb?"
"The pervert is missing," Iancu says with a cold drink pressed up against Suzuka's head.
Taking it, she says, "This isn't poisoned?"
"Do you genuinely believe there is enough poison in that to take down a whale like you?"'
"Hmm!" she says, turning her head in disapproval, before she devours all the liquid in seconds."
Both of them stare downwards for a moment, and Suzuka says, "I thought you were helping the people with reconstruction."
"I was, but they told me to sit down. It seems they didn't want to stress one of their great heroes who returned their people to normal with such menial tasks. They also gave me some candy, which I ate."
"Hey, it was me who put everyone back to normal, though! Why didn't I get any candy?"
Iancu reaches into his pocket, revealing some candy, which Suzuka eats quickly, leaving saliva on Iancu's hand. Shaking it off, he says, "Gross, and it seems I was right to keep the rest in Elia's hands."
"You're a bully."
"Maybe, but you're used to that, you professional victim."
Suzuka, with her cheek puffed up, turns her head away in disapproval and says, "Did you come here just to insult me?"
"No, I came to check up on you." Surprised, she faces Iancu, who says, "Angra isn't eating up everyone's thoughts and emotions like before, so it's been flowing back over to you slowly. Are you okay?"
Smiling, she faces forward and says, "It's a bit intense after finally tasting what freedom was like for the first time, but it's not that bad. Through Radonitsa up till this point, everyone's emotions had a hint of despair in them, but now I can feel the hope embedded in all of their thoughts. It's painful but wonderful at the same time."
Staring into the city, Iancu places his hand on Suzuka's head and gives her a head pat. Confused, Suzuka says, "What're you doing?"
"A thank you for protecting my homeland, it means far more to me than you could ever have imagined. Are my head pats not as good as Orb's?"
With a smile strung across her face, she says, "Compared to Orb's technique, you are utter dogshit."
"Hey!"
"But the strange movement you make on my head, trying to figure out the best way to help me, is just as kind. I think your head pats are just as good, Iancu. And I am sure a man like you will have as many smiles as Orb does one day."
Iancu stares at the fox's face, enraptured by joy, and quickly turns his head away, and says, "I doubt it. I happen to be a vengeful person, and fully intend to butter you up so that I can wield you to destroy my enemies when you gain Angra's level of strength."
Suzuka freezes for a moment and stumbles upon her words. Iancu faces her and says, "Because someone like you can handle any challenge thrown at her with flying colours. So when you become the strongest creature alive, you better repay me for these head pats."
Her expression softens as she stares at Iancu and says, "Okay!"
Moving back from the balcony, she uses her tails to turn Iancu to face her, and then says, "I have something to tell you."
Laughing, she says, "What? Are you going to tell me you love me or something?" Her face turns red as she locks eyes with Iancu, making him step back and say, "No way?"
Flustered, he constantly looks around the area trying to avoid eye contact, and in that moment, Suzuka bows and holds out one arm, then says, "PLEASE LET ME BE YOUR FIRST FRIEND!"
Iancu freezes, then says, "What?"
Raising her head, she says, "You always say Orb isn't your friend; that means the position of your first friend is up for grabs, right? Then let me be it, let me be the first person you become friends with. I know I might not be the greatest of friends, but I can assure you that I will always be there."
A sigh bursts out of Iancu's mouth, and his finger moves directly into Suzuka's forehead, as he says, "You don't always have to be dramatic about everything, you socially inept mountain dweller." Grabbing her hand, he says, "But if I have to have a friend, I can think of few better than you."
A smile rings across her face, and she tackles Iancu, entrapping him in a hug, as she says, "Nice to greet you, bestie!"
"I only agreed to be your friend, not your bestie."
"He is right, are you trying to betray me, Suzuka!"
Turning their heads, they see Maple standing on the balcony staring down at both of them. "What is this?"
Iancu, waving his hand, says, "It isn't what you think; she is just being weird."
"It looks like she is cheating to me!"
"I would never cheat on you with Iancu, Maple! I can both of your best friends!"
"THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE, SUZUKA!"
"NOOOOOOOOO!"
Standing and grabbing the fox, Maple says, "But there is one way to do this."
"HOW!"
"If both of your besties are also besties, we can all be besties."
"I SEE, IANCU ACCEPT AS YOUR FRIEND!"
"No, I already have one of you crazy chicks as my friend is too much."
Standing up, Maple cracks her fist and says, "Then we just got to make you submit."
Suzuka, standing up, says, "Genius idea!"
Standing up and walking backwards, Iancu says, "Violence really!"
"You can do this the easy way," Maple says.
"Or the hard way," Suzuka adds.