Everyone stared stunned, wide-eyed and slack jawed at the Chrysalis’s actions. Rarely in the history of the entire hive had a monarch instigated a duel. Usually it was the other way around. As anyone can challenge the monarch for rule in combat. Though few were brave enough or foolish enough to try. Councilman Fissure touched his struck cheek bewildered.
“The stakes are as follows: if I win you must give your seat on the council to a successor of your choice; if you win you get my crown.” She stated.
If their audience was shocked before they were breathless now. Especially Councilman Fissure whose heart had stopped from the shock and anticipation.
“Well Fissure will you run from my challenge or will you accept?” She asked crossing her arms under her breasts and stepping forward. Her foot planting just between his legs invading his personal space ever so slightly.
Fissure stared up into her domineering eyes. He could turn it down. Sure some may question his bravery but she’s the queen, only a fool would try. However, the tantalizing idea of becoming king was keeping him in from running. The nonchalant eyebrow raise from Chrysalis was what he needed to take the jump.
“I accept your challenge.” He replied.
“Excellent we will meet in the old colosseum in two hours. Prepare yourself.” She responded turning around. “Ebony, Ivory, Proteus. Let’s go.” She ordered. The three quickly scurried behind her and followed her out of the gardens and to the castle.
There was an uncomfortable silence in the air as the group walked strolled through. The twins mindlessly followed their mother but were petrified by guilt to do much else. What if she lost the crown to Fissure it would have been all their fault. Then their mother stopped and the three came to a dead halt. Chrysalis slowly turned her eyes ice cold as they were before. She slowly stepped over to Ebony. Ebony looked into his mother’s frigid eyes using every ounce of energy to not shake like a leaf or weep before her.
“Ebony let me see your hand.” She said. Ebony did as he was told and shakily showed his hand to his mother. Like he was about to touch a very unhappy and possibly hungry tiger. His burns had mostly all healed from the guards magic. Though there was still some crimson red in places and stung like rope burn. Chrysalis gently took his hand and wrapped the remaining burns in her veridian magic. With his mother so close and with that icy stare apparently gone Ebony dared to speak.
“Um mom I’m sorry.” He whispered.
“Sorry? Sorry for what?” She asked still focusing on the wound.
“Well because of what we did. You might lose your crown. Everything you worked for.” He whispered. He expected her to get angry and yell at them. He expected her to say she shouldn’t have adopted them in the first place. Though he did not expect her to burst out laughing.
“Ebony do you honestly think I would have staked everything unless I was at least 90% confident I would win?” She giggled. As her magic evaporated from the now fully healed hand.
“Wait you’re not mad at us?” Ivory asked.
“Why do I have any reason to be mad at you? All you did was defend yourselves. I am furious at that blockhead Fissure, though.” She muttered. The three of them breathed a silent sigh of relief as their bodies thawed.
“I am concerned with you though Ebony.” She continued. “So correct me if I’m wrong but you tried to use the concussive spell but your rage at Chasm turned it into something else, a bolt spell of some sort.” She affirmed. Ebony gave a crestfallen nodded.
“I’m sorry, mom.” He muttered.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. It’s my fault. I thought our training was enough but I was wrong.” She conceded. “You’re not a changeling, you’re not even like your brother. In comparison to a normal changeling your magic potential and power is monstrous.” She explained. Chrysalis didn’t see it but at the mention of his magic being monstrous Ebony winced. “You need more training to control your magic. If you were a bit stronger you might have killed Chasm. You might have even injured Ivory. So from now on you will be meeting with me and Alexandrae everyday of every week.” She continued.
“Yes mother.” Ebony replied with a disheartened look to the floor.
“Ebony, look at me.” Chrysalis cooed tilting his head up with her finger. “This is not a punishment. This is to help you or else you may horribly injure yourself or others one day.” She expressed. Ebony nodded looking a little better.
“Alright now you three go find your Aunt Alexandrae what is happening. I need to prepare.” She smiled before leaving the atrium.
“Oh and Ebony remember this while watching. I will be furious the entire time.” With a wink she left the three.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ebony looked down upon the massive colosseum from his vantage point in the royal booth at the top of the structure. While the days of changeling vs changeling gladiatorial combat are left in the history books. The massive colosseum stayed standing and was well maintained. Now it was used for various events and spectacles. Such as sports, festivals, and any other excuse to use the beautiful building. Even though the duel had been accepted only a few hours ago the stadium was already packed with excited changelings. While those that couldn’t find seats fluttered overhead. Some were there to watch a good duel while many were there to root for their champion. Their reasons for selecting their fighter varied. Political opponents of Chrysalis rooted for Fissure on the slim chance he could take the crown and usher in a more conservative rule. While others simply placed bets on the underdog councilman. Their mother had her share of fans as well. Though most were confident in her victory they hoped for her safety.
Oddly enough while the crowd below them was electric the feeling in the booth was lethargic. Everyone was in attendance but it looked like they could have cared less. Arthemis was reading one of her books, Papilia was eating some popcorn, Priamus was doodling in her notebook and Alexandrae was catching up on some sleep. Needless to say the children were confused by their apathetic attitudes. Don’t they care? What if something went wrong or if she lost everything would change. Or maybe the adults knew something they didn’t.
“Hey aunty Papilia. Is mom’s magic really strong?” Ivory asked. Papilia put a finger to her chin in thought.
“Hmm, no, not really.” She answered. “Alexandrae’s magic is definitely stronger, I’m pretty sure Arthemis’s is too. Now that I think about it I’m pretty sure this Fissure’s magic might be stronger.” She responded. The boys’ hearts sank.
“Wait if he might be stronger than my mom how come you’re all so calm?” Ebony yelped.
“Simple, Ebony, your mother might not be the strongest mage but she’s probably the smartest mage with her magic.” A now awake Alexandrae answered. “She has an uncanny ability to get into her enemy’s head. Then predict almost their every move and plan accordingly. She’s like a spider and he’s the fly that’s going to run right into her trap.”
Just then the gates across the dusty field opened and Fissure walked out from it. He was clad in old steel armor scratched and worn from years of battle. A single long sword clung to his side. Changelings cheered and jeered as he strode out to the middle of the field. The gates below them opened next and Chrysalis entered the battlefield. Though you wouldn’t be able to guess it from looking at her. She was wearing the same dark green dress from before rather than any kind of armor. In fact the only thing that had changed was the removal of her high heels and jewlery. She also wielded no weapon confusing her sons.
“Umm did she forget a weapon or…” Ivory started.
“Relax, trust your mother she knows what she’s doing.” Yawned Alexandrae.
“Okay…” Ivory muttered.
The two combatants stared each other down waiting for the other to make the first move. Chrysalis was the first to answer.
Her horn lit up and a ball of green energy jetted into the sky. Coming to a stop just overhead. Fissure drew his sword eyeing the glowing ball ready to counter. Though as he stared at the glowing orb the world around him turned green. Reflexively he brought his sword up just barely blocking a bolt from Chrysalis. Though the second his eyes left the orb it exploded raining shards of energy down upon the field. Fissure quickly raised a shield above him with his magic. The shards bounced harmlessly off the blue translucent shield.
Fissure growled as the last of the shards fell. Raising his sword it was wrapped in his cerulean magic. Fissure swung his magic enveloped blade upward. A blue geyser erupted forth streaking across the field towards Chrysalis. While powerful it was slow and easy for the queen to sidestep. As she stepped a much faster horizontal slash neared her neck. Lighting up her magic she crafted a small shield around her throat. Cutting the attack in half. The now divided spell continued slamming into the high walls of the arena. Cutting into the stone.
The children in the booth were awe struck they had never seen spells cast like this before. Something stirred within Ebony. Watching them fight like this made his stomach twist and his heart burn.
Chrysalis responded by firing off two arrows of emerald magic. The two bolts rocketed through the air at alarming speed. Fissure knew he might block one of them but the other would surely strike him. Seeing no other option and with the agility of sliding stone block he dodged to his left. Right onto Chrysalis’s trap. The second his heavy foot stomped onto the dirt a brilliant light erupted from the ground. Piercing upward it speared into the councilman’s side breaking his armor.
‘How the hell did she do that?’ He pondered clutching his bleeding side.. ‘When could she have placed down any traps? Before the match or…’ Then it clicked. Looking around he realized he was trapped. ‘That spell that rained down on us was a trick. She turned this field into an active landmine zone.’ He realized
“I see you’ve figured out what happened, Fissure?” Chrysalis asked with a haughty smirk. Fissure growled and used his magic to stitch up his wound. “I suggest you surrender now before things get worse for you.”
“Not on your life my Queen. Do you honestly think you're the first one to try and trap me like this?” He smirked. Raising his sword to his face he charged a another spell. His cerulean magic enveloped and spiraled around the sword.
Taking her moment Chrysalis shelled the stationary changeling with bolt after bolt. But while the first few bolts chipped at his armor the remaining ones bounced harmlessly off the heavy plate.
“Damn I was hoping that land mine spell would have convinced him to surrender. Perhaps I underestimated him a tad. Oh well.” She huffed ending her assault.
Finally Fissure’s spell was complete. Raising his long sword high above his head he plunged it into the hard earth. A blue shock wave radiated out from Fissure setting off all the mines it came in contact with and stopping just shy of Chrysalis. The multiple landmines going off created a blinding light that enveloped the arena. Fissure raised his arm to cover his eyes from the blinding light. As he did so another bolt from pierced through the blinding veil narrowly missing Fissure. Several other bolts pierced through each one barely missing their target. As the lights faded Fissure was greeted to a worn out Chrysalis huffing for air. Fissure was too shocked to respond at first. For here was their mighty queen tired and low on magic. While he certainly had taken a beating he was still had power and stamina to spare. As he slowly began to realize that he had actually done the impossible a great big wicked smile grew on his face. He began fantasizing what he would do as king how he would right all the wrongs she had done. Starting with banishing those sons of hers.
Careful to not let the moment slip from he raised his sword for the final blow. Except he couldn’t. He tried to raise his arm but he couldn’t. He tried to move his legs but he couldn’t. It was like his whole body was bound. Turning around the delightful thoughts of kingship that had just danced in his head. Were crushed by the weight of despair. Behind him were five green orbs each one had a tendril that latched onto his limbs and one on his horn. His heart sunk as he grasped what had happened.
‘Damnit she got me again. Those bolts were another trap and she got me all over again.’ He thought bitterly.
He tried desperately to raise his sword arm one last time but it was no use. The tendrils had him trapped. They then twisted his arm causing him to drop his sword and pushed his arms behind his back. The other chains yanked his legs from under him dropping him to his knees, and the last pulled on his horn back. Forcing him to watch as Chrysalis slowly strode towards him.
“I must say the tales of your exploits on the battlefield were not exaggerated.” Chrysalis smiled. “You were more trouble than I thought but not enough to best me, darling.” Chrysalis dragged her finger under his chin.
“I have a proposition for you Fissure. If you get on your knees and apologize to my children and me for your transgressions I will let you retain your seat on the Council or you can honor our agreement and give it up now. Your choice.” Chrysalis offered.
Fissure looked up at her. Playing out the two options before him. Then he started to laugh.
“You really are a cruel Queen.” He smiled. “Even if I do take your offer I’ll lose my position later. Bowing to you or your sons is political and social suicide in my district.” He sighed.
“Perhaps, you can look at it as a lose-lose situation. Or you think of it as choosing between the past and the future.” Chrysalis responded. “Whether you or others like you like it or not Ebony and Ivory are my sons and nothing is going to change that. So you can either continue to fight against the future and lose your seat to your own ignorance. Or you can accept my offer and join the rest of the hive and possibly lose your seat to other’s ignorance.” She explained.
Fissure looked up at her and pondered her words. “Alright my queen I will take a look at this future of yours for as long as I can. Doesn’t mean I’ll agree with it but I’ll at least give a very small chance.” He sighed. “I will apologize.”
Chrysalis turned to the booth and nodded. Without warning Papilia grabbed Ebony while Priamus picked up Ivory. The two fluttered down with their bounties to their sister’s side and dropping them.
Ebony and Ivory looked up at their mother, confused. “Boys Councilman Fissure has something he wishes to say.” She said pushing them to the kneeling man. Letting go of his restraints the councilman stayed on his knees and looked at the two princes.
“Prince Ebony, Prince Ivory and Queen Chrysalis. I am deeply sorry for my insulting words and wrongful accusations. I humbly ask your forgiveness.” He stated bowing his head to the floor.
“Councilman Fissure you are forgiven.” Chrysalis responded. Ebony and Ivory said nothing at first unsure on if they even wanted to forgive him. His words still stung in their minds. But a sharp look and nod from their mother told them to follow suit.
“Councilman Fissure we forgive you.” They said in unison.
Fissure rose to his and picked up his sword. “When my son is fit to leave the hospital I will have him apologize to you as well, my princes.” He said with another bow before leaving the arena. As Fissure entered the massive archway. Most of the crowd cheered while others lamented and groaned but refrained from any jeers.
“Come boys.” Chrysalis smiled as her horn flashed dismantling the remaining land mines in the field. The family turned around and left the field through gateway on the other side of the stadium.
“So boys. Do you understand why that happened?” Chrysalis asked as they walked down the tunnel.
“No not really. I mean shouldn’t he be punished and lose his position?” Ivory asked.
“Maybe, but you see Ivory by giving him the chance of redemption and forgiving him we have possibly changed a mind. He will not forget that we gave him a chance.” Chrysalis responded. “You see as leaders you will come across many foes and issues you cannot simply beat with violence. Racism, ignorance, xenophobia all of these are issues you especially will have to tangle.. All of these issues cannot be beaten through violence or combat. Remember only kindness can break the never ending spiral of unreasonable hatred.” She continued. “And that is what we did today. Hopefully by showing kindness to Councilman Fissure we have begun to break that cycle against non-changelings.”
Ebony and Ivory nodded to their mother’s words. Repeating them under their breath so they may not forget them.
“By the way Ebony do you understand what I meant from before?” Chrysalis asked again. This time Ebony had more of an answer.
“I think so. Even though you were furious it didn’t affect your spells or your casting. You stayed in control despite your anger. That’s what you want me to learn right?” Ebony asked.
“Very good, Ebony you were obviously paying close attention.” Chrysalis beamed.
“Oh I was. Because if you said that my magic might be even stronger than I need to get better.” He stated a fire in his eye. “Because one day I want to be able to fight like you and be even more powerful.” He smiled.