The doors of the royal hospital slid open as Avastma stepped outside. The air was heavy, thick with ash and celebration alike. Just ahead of her stood Venku, rigid and unmoving.
"Elder Avastma," he said.
"Venku?" She studied his expression. "Congratulations on your victory."
He nodded faintly. "How is Sephiss?"
"He's still unconscious," she replied. "But stable."
"That's good."
She watched him closely. "What's wrong?"
Venku hesitated, his jaw tightening. "Can I show you something?"
Avastma "Unfortunately I am currently in the middle of something urgent."
Venku "This is more urgent."
Avastma registered his sinserity.
"It's... sensitive," he said. "We should speak somewhere private. Maybe the rooftop."
Avastma nodded. "How serious is it?"
"Very."
They returned inside and made their way to the rooftop. The wind swept across the open space as they stood in silence for a moment, the city stretching endlessly beneath them.
Venku spoke first. "What do you think?"
Avastma folded her arms. "I think whatever this is, you need to tell the other Elders."
"I don't know," Venku said. "Sephiss told me only to tell him. I only came to you because you're the second strongest among us."
Avastma's eyes narrowed. "Don't be foolish. Sephiss is not in a condition to lead right now. Even if he recovers, it could take weeks. Maybe longer."
Venku's eyes widened. "Damn, that's not good."
"There's more," she continued. "If what you're saying is true, then the King is our enemy. And he won't hesitate to eliminate both Royals and Zoners."
Venku clenched his fists. "He's heartless... He wants to kill us! How could this have happened? How could everything I dreamed of turn out to be one big nightmare? He wants to exterminate humanity. This isn't fair. France... Dakota lost their loves... he was strong enough to kill the El Lord, so who could really stop him now?"
Avastma studied him. "You sound shaken."
"He wants to wipe us out," Venku said. "All of us. And I'm supposed to stand by?"
Avastma's tone hardened. "Don't pretend this is about justice. You're shaken because now you are the one being hunted, don't forget all the Zoners who died under Royal rule."
Venku looked away. "I just... I didn't expect this."
"You should have," she replied sharply. "We built our power on blood. Did you think it would end differently?"
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Silence stretched between them.
Finally, Avastma turned. "Show the others what you showed me."
Venku hesitated, then nodded. "What will you do?"
"I'll do what I must," she said. "To save this island."
Down below, in the lower wing of the facility, Fanok and Domain stood outside the medical wing.
"How long do you think he'll be out?" Fanok asked.
Domain sighed. "Could be weeks. That old man is stubborn."
They turned to leave.
As they walked, Fanok muttered, "I thought we were going stay hear in the ficility untill he awakened?"
"Not with that witch doing what she wants" Domain scoffed. "Who does she think she is walking around with her boobs hanging out like she's some young hot badie, she's about as old as you and I"
Fanok 'You sure you're not just salty because Sephiss has rnarked her second strongest?"
Domain "Absolutely not, and Sephiss has no idea what he's saying, I could one shot that bitch in a blink of an eye."
They reached the elevator. As the doors began to close, a voice cut through.
"Elder Fanok. Elder Domain."
Both turned.
Venku stood there, eyes dark.
"Congratulations on your victory," Fanok said lightly.
"Thank you," Venku replied. "But I need to show you something. Something important."
The doors reopened.
Elsewhere, deep within the royal chambers, King Higan sat before a massive screen. Before him stood Debora, Nini, Edgar, and Maegan.
"I want to thank you," Higan said calmly. "You have ensured my rise as the sixth king of the surface."
Debora grinned. "We live to serve and eat."
Debora
ABI: 80,000%
"There is still work to be done," Higan continued. "The remaining Zoners must be erased. I will not allow survivors."
Maegan shifted. "The remaining territory is vast. There could be resistance."
"Let them try," Higan replied coldly. "The greatest threats are the Elders. Eliminate them, and the rest will crumble."
Edgar remained silent, eyes downcast.
Debora laughed. "I can't wait. I've been starving espeically for some Kellix."
Higan gestured toward the chamber doors. "The Kings has sent more enforcers from the surfcae."
The doors opened.
Seven figures stepped forward.
Gendora, the parasite sent by King Modoki.
ABI: 172.000%
Helldora, the Parasite sent by King Modoki
ABI: 120,000%
Wedgern, the bacterial abomination sent by Queen B.
ABI: 82,000%
Commander Smile of the Puppets sent by King Igris.
Ab 150,000%
Silly rat Jim Jim, the mechanical terror, sent by King Toy Master.
Abi Electro: 90,000%
Leduko, the Barrakudo QI, sent by King Barrakudo Kozuko.
Abi electro: 300,000%
And Rezuko, the Barrakudo QI, sent by King Barrakudo Kozuko.
Abi electro: 310,000%
Higan's voice echoed through the chamber.
Higan
Abi electro: 180,000%
"Go. Erase them all."