Cornered

When we rushed back in the playroom, it didn’t really exist anymore.

A huge yawning chasm gave way to the night sky. Beatrice most powerful attack evaporated a decent chunk of the top part of the tower. This Black Destruction Beam was less powerful then the last time I witnessed it however. That was the only reason this tower was still standing.

Minerva was too, but she was looking rough. None of Beatrice’s attacks should really hurt her unless they connect at the exact time Femto managed to hit her.

And it appears that was exactly what had happened.

A human would be reduced to atoms, but a Dark Lord was capable to tank even the strongest spell in existence.

But not without taking significant damage. It looks like she just barely managed to protect her vitals by encasing them in black armor.

“Don’t tell me the Valkyrie lost too?”, the Dark Lord growled upon seeing us.

I nodded.

No one made a move. We probably could kill Minerva here, but that would gain us nothing.

“Weeeeell then!”, Beatrice cackled. “Are you about ready to negotiate?”

Minerva glared at us but still managed to keep her composure up. “Security will be up here any second.”

“Not with me jamming the elevator, they won’t”, Cassandra proudly announced.

“Cass”, Minerva growled.

“Cunt”, Cassandra gave back.

“Didn’t expect you to show up. Are you so eager to get new scars?”

“Yeah, fuck you too.”

“Yes, yes, very delightful!”, Beatrice made an annoyed face. “If we can skip the pleasantries and return to more important matters…” The ex-ex-witch cleared her throat, then cackled and flourished her staff. “Dark Lord Minerva! Pledge your loyalty to me! I will give you half the continent!”

…

THAT WASN’T PART OF THE PLAN YOU DELUSIONAL BRAT!

Even Minerva seemed genuinely taken aback by this, although definitely more annoyed then anything.

“It is a most generous offer”, Beatrice added with a smug smile. “You are in the presence of the future sovereign of the continent after all. Rejoice! I hereby offer you the once in a lifetime opportunity! Grasp your destiny and mppffff…”

I commanded Beatrice to shut up.

“Finally. Noisy brat.”, Minerva cracked her muscles, seemingly checking what still was working. From the way she acted probably not much.

“It’s over, Minerva. Free Valkyrie from her slavery and we leave you alone. I even withdraw from the tournament.”

“How generous”, Minerva responded calmly. “And if I refuse?”

“Then you die”, I stated coldly.

“Not likely. Your pet witch is almost out of juice and it looks like you also lost Sylphid. The rest of you is trash.”

“She isn’t though”, I nodded towards Femto.

...

“You sacrifice the Valkyrie?”

“If it comes to that.”

…

None of us said anything more. Minerva was cornered. But that only made her more dangerous. And we couldn’t let her stall for time. If she doesn’t agree to our terms...

The Dark Lord was studying us. Studied our faces, to see if she could call our bluff or not.

Finally, Minerva smirked. “I don’t think so, boy.”

And just like that she vanished.

“Shadow teleportation!”, Beatrice cried out. “Everyone be on your guard!”

I immediately readied my dirks, and prepared myself for a surprise attack but the Dark Lord was nowhere to be seen.

A few tense seconds passed.

“Is she gone?”, I asked.

I stared at the large gaping hole of the playroom. Perhaps Minerva decided that a retreat was the most prudent course of action.

If so...

“Shit”, Cassandra clicked her tongue. “The Valkyrie still has the fucking order!”

We rushed back in the living room. Sylphid had fainted but Valkyrie was just about to stir. Femto restrained her immediately.

“Sorry to say this now, folks, but deal’s only valid for eight more minutes”, the devil informed us. “So…”

This was bad. “Can you put her to sleep?”, I asked Beatrice.

“And what would that accomplish beyond stalling?”, the witch responded as she waved her staff to heal Sylphid’s wounds. “Do not worry, I have a more...permanent solution in mind for this predicament. I will need her awake for that however.”

“Oh yeah? Then stop blabbering and get fucking on with it, brat”, Cassandra cursed.

“First off, you two take Sylphid and leave via the elevator. In case this fails I don’t need any more bodies holding us back.”

“I stay”, I quickly responded. There’s no way in hell I’m leaving them alone. But it was certainly true that Sylphid was a liability now. Especially if Valkyrie goes after her first. “Cass…”

“Don’t need to tell me twice, Daddy.” She quickly propped Sylphid up and called the elevator.

Down there is probably crawling with security but I’m sure the huntress will manage.

“What are you planning?”, I asked the witch.

“Silence! This requires finesse”, Beatrice started to mumble something and the Kalar staff began glowing an eerie red.

Soon after, Valkyrie was screaming.

“Do not fight it!”, Beatrice shouted, now concentrating harder. “Focus on anything else! Empty your mind!”

I had no idea what was going on or if it was even working. Regardless, it clearly took a lot out of Beatrice as she was gritting her teeth with exertion. The Kalar staff trembled ominously as a bright dazzling light flew into the strongest Galmon. “Stop...being...so...stubborn!”

Finally the light subsided and Beatrice fell down to her knees. I quickly supported her. “Now….” the witch panted from exertion. “Do not attack any of us…”

Valkyrie responded to this with another grunt and closed her one eye. She struggled against Femto and even the devil had trouble holding her down. “Run...away…”

Shit!

“You will obey me!”, the witch shouted loudly.

Valkyrie roared and bulged her muscles.

“H-Hey, Bea! I’m at my limit here!”

“I am your master! Your sovereign! YOU WILL SUBMIT!”

And finally, after one more excruciating scream, Valkyrie seemed to have calmed down.

...

“D-Did it work?”, I asked.

“Who do you think you are talking to?”, Beatrice responded. Exhausted, panting, but still with a very smug smile on her face. “You may let her go now, Femto.”

Femto did and Valkyrie slowly stood up. Making no attempt to attack us.

...

“How are you feeling?”, I asked the Galmon.

“Somewhat...peculiar…”, Valkyrie responded. “Unnerved, unfocused, as if there was a battle raging within me.”

In fact, now that I take a closer look, it appears someone has drawn a crude mark on the strongest Galmon’s forehead. It looked a bit like a penguin.

“That is my mark of submission”, Beatrice elaborated. “I will not bore you with the intricacies of my genius magic as they are too sophisticated for your feeble mind anyways. To put it in simple terms, I put a spell of obedience of my own on the Valkyrie. Now she will have to obey my every whim!”

“What about Minerva’s orders?”, I asked.

“There will still be a desire to obey her. But by focusing her thoughts on only obeying me, the Valkyrie will be able to dismiss that voice entirely. Calling me my master and kneeling in front of me will also help.”

…

Sounds like you just wanted another ****. Well, I suppose between Minerva and Beatrice. Beatrice was the better option. Barely.

“I see..” Valkyrie gave a slow nod and then went on one knee. “You have my thanks, my master.”

“Don’t mention it, my loyal minion!”, Beatrice cackled and separated herself from me to stand upright in front of her new servant. “Be glad, for you get to serve the future Sovereign of the continent! This too was all part of my Operation Valkyrie! A pity Dark Lord Minerva eluded me, but beyond that everything went down exactly as I had predicted! My, I have to admit sometimes my own genius astounds even...”

Just as Beatrice was gloating, a loud sizzling sound was heard.

And then the entire room was engulfed in red flames.

And my vision turned black.