Skill Forge: Broken Extra Character

"What do you mean, 'it's not that simple? He save you too didn't he?'" Rey asked, his voice edged with frustration. He was tired of the half-truths and complications—they needed answers.

The princess lowered her gaze, her expression turning somber as she prepared to speak.

"Although he saved me, there were witnesses..." she began, her voice quiet but steady. "Witnesses who testified that he ended my father's life."

A silence fell over the group as her words sank in.

"They say he was part of a plot to stage a coup," she continued with a heavy sigh, "but I know that's a lie. My father was..." her voice faltered for a moment, "But you all disappeared before any form of action could be taken so it was concluded that he really was plotting our kingdom's demise even though I tried to clear his name."

The weight of her loss hung in the air, and the group shifted uncomfortably as they realized the depth of her pain. Despite their mission, they had momentarily forgotten that the man Jett had killed was still her father. A wave of quiet regret washed over them.

"I'm... really sorry," Matthew finally spoke, his voice softer than usual. "You seem to be handling all of this... calmly."

The princess gave them a brave smile, though her eyes hinted at the grief still lingering beneath the surface. "It's alright," she said with a slight shrug. "I've had 15 years to grieve. And right now, we have more important things to focus on."

Her resolve was unshakable, and the group couldn't help but feel both admiration and sympathy for her strength. She gestured for them to follow, leading them through the gates. As they stepped outside, the tension in the air shifted again.

"Wait, what are we doing here?" Morrigan asked, her voice laced with suspicion as they stood near the entrance where guards had once arrested them.

The princess stopped, turning to explain.

"Some of the weapons you dropped during the... commotion can't be touched by just anyone," she explained calmly, nodding toward the ground where a pile of their weapons still lay. "I brought you back to retrieve them."

Aiden and Finn exchanged glances before a smirk crept across their faces.

"Well obviously, we're the only ones who can handle them?" Finn asked, a hint of pride swelling in his voice.

The princess nodded, smiling slightly. "Yes. I don't know why but one else was able to wield them as they seem to pass through people as though they were intangible."

Aiden chuckled, puffing out his chest as he and Finn stepped forward to reclaim their gear. The others watched as the two boys strode toward the pile of discarded weapons, unbothered by the scene around them.

"Oh, come to daddy," Finn muttered, his grin widening as he knelt down to pick up his spear, cradling it as though reuniting with an old friend. He hugged it tightly, his pride on full display.

"And this is mine," Aiden added with equal satisfaction, gripping the hilt of his sword with a wide grin. He twirled it in his hand, the blade catching the sunlight as if greeting him with a flash of brilliance.

The others followed suit, stepping forward to retrieve their weapons. Asher's dagger glinted as he picked it up with ease, his fingers brushing over the blade as if greeting an old friend. Matthew's massive axe and shield seemed to hum in recognition as he hefted them, the familiar weight bringing a sense of comfort to him.

Cedric picked up his hammer, resting it on his shoulder, the massive weapon balanced effortlessly in his grasp.

Rey, meanwhile, bent down and grabbed Jett's sword, his grip tightening as he lifted the blade. It felt heavier in his hand than it should have, as though the weight of Jett's absence had seeped into the steel. He held onto it firmly, a silent promise flickering in his mind, 'Just hand on a bit longer, this will all be over soon.'

"Since that's all been taken care of," the princess clapped her hands, breaking the moment. She stood tall, her regal posture commanding attention.

"I, Queen Alice," she began, her voice steady but filled with urgency, "request your help in defending Laxen from the kingdom of Vond. They are preparing for war, and without your aid, we may not be able to hold them off."

The group exchanged glances but didn't hesitate for long. There was an unspoken understanding among them.

"You can count on us," Rey spoke for all of them, his tone firm. The others nodded in agreement, their determination clear in their eyes.

Rey glanced at Jett's sword once more, his thoughts momentarily drifting. 'You just leave everything to us, Jett,' he thought. 'You can rest easy this time.'

*****

"So, you want to enlist the help of these guys as mercenaries?" a deep, gravelly voice interrupted as a man clad in golden armor approached. His presence was imposing, his eyes sharp as they scanned the group with skepticism.

The man, who stood tall with a hardened face, scrutinized each of them as if weighing their worth. His gaze lingered a bit longer on Rey, then Finn, before moving to the others.

"Yes," Queen Alice replied with enthusiasm, her confidence unwavering. "I believe their strength is exactly what we need to drive Vond back."

The man, John, narrowed his eyes slightly, his skepticism barely concealed. He crossed his arms, his posture stiff as he continued his inspection. The group could feel his doubt, the silent judgment hanging over them like a heavy cloud.

"Stop it, John," the queen said sharply, her tone holding an edge of authority. "You're being very impolite."

John blinked, seemingly caught off guard by the reprimand, and quickly lowered his head in apology.

"Apologies, Your Majesty," he said with a bow, though the hesitation in his voice lingered. He straightened, his expression unreadable as he shifted his focus back to the group.

Queen Alice turned toward the others, her expression softening once again. "I trust all of you, and you will be under John's command to help defend the castle. Please, follow his lead."

With that, she turned and walked away, leaving John to assess his new charges.

As she disappeared from sight, Cedric leaned toward Rey, his voice low. "Still hard to imagine she's the queen now, huh?"

Rey nodded slightly, his eyes following the queen's retreating figure. "Yeah... time changes everything."

"Pay attention!" John's voice boomed, cutting through the conversation. He squared his shoulders, his commanding presence filling the space. "You're all with me now. I hope you live up to the queen's expectations."

His words hung in the air like a challenge, but the group stood their ground, ready for whatever came next.