Papuru Star: Coalition Carnage

Chapter 4: Only the Strong

The cylindrical building known as the Tower of Laws stood hundreds of meters over its neighbors, its lack of roofing exposing all inside to the elements. Its stone composition looked weather worn but strong and its padded seating appeared comfortable, to the Dycordians at least. Over a million beings occupied the spiral structure, most of which were Dycordian, surrounding the holoview of their Superstar getting struck by a silver line of light. The once vibrant crowd was now silent except the few humans present who cheered their human counterpart's victory. Avia stood above them all at the edge of where the roof would have connected, her long black hair billowing in the stiff breeze.

Avia (thinking)
So the human wins. Doesn't matter. I can take them both when the time comes.

She turns to the view of the cityscape.

Avia (thinking)
So much metal. No wonder these people are so weak.

She steps into empty air and drops. The wind barely moved her stern features, but her long, pointed ears flapped as the curved roof of Assembly Hall rushed to meet her. Seconds from impact, she activated her Aura Cloak, which absorbed all the impact and left the roof with zero damage. She then starts to run over the roof and makes the incredible leap to the next building with ease.

Avia (thinking)
The designs of their buildings and its layout is kind of artistic. Non-linear, semi-pattern, beautiful like a painting. But tainted by an abominable substance. The Tower is the greatest of all their domiciles and bigger then even Zareil Castle.

Past

The capital city of the kingdom of Zareil, Zareil Castle, was more then just the three kilometer stone structure that housed the royal families, but multiple small towns that encompassed it on all sides. The castle's courtyard held intricate statues of semi-opaque glass depicting past royals. Four sisters of the king's blood sat on the soft grass beneath the castle keep, eating pastries.

Anya
Mom would have loved these.

Child Avia
Really? Did mom really like puffs?

Anya
Sure did. Ate them all the time. Her favorite was joval cream.

Child Avia
That's mine, too!

Pre-teen Zetori
Certainly is. You two even look alike.

Child Avia
Would mom have liked me?

Zella
She would love you, Avia.

Voice
We'll never know...

King Zareil, wearing his royal garb of red and black, his dark eyes staring daggers at his daughters. The four girls met his gaze.

King Zareil
...since you killed her.

Anya
Father! For the very last time, enough of this! You will not-

King Zareil
I will do as I please-

Anya
Not when it comes to Avia! Act like a true father and-

The ground began to shake, cutting her off. The glass statues began to topple, too durable to break. The girls tumbled about as their legs failed to keep them upright. Their father was steady enough in the chaos.

King Zareil
Another quake! Girls, away from the castle!

Avia was screaming and did not hear her father's command. She was stumbling toward the entrance to the keep. A large section of the keep's right wall crumbled down, landing several meters from her. Anya rushes forward and more stones started raining from the keep itself. Anya reaches Avia and uses her momentum to push her away from the keep but trips. Avia is dazed and grips her arm in pain. Her father picks her up and runs as the keep came down. Avia stares at the rubble that almost had her and saw her oldest sister's arm jutting from the stone and mortar. The quake was over seconds later. The two remaining siblings huddled together, crying as they look at their sister's appendage. King Zareil drops Avia where he stood and she lands hard on her rear. She screams in pain, her two older sisters, shocked out of their grief momentarily, rush to her side. Members of the royal guard came then, taking up defense positions. The king motions to the guard captain.