Rise and Fall- Fight of Faith

See You Again pt. 2

Grainger hadn't seemed to notice the change, though when he stood, his back was straighter, his jaw set with determination. "We're going to find them," he annouced, his gaze fixing on Valarina again. "If there's a possibility they're alive, I'm not leaving them here to rot."
Valarina nodded silently. After realizing that the darkness hadn't receded from Grainger's mind, she was too petrified to cross him.
Grainger turned sharply on his heel, striding down the hall and leaving Valarina to scuttle after him. She saw a smirk cross his face as she tripped over her own feet following him. Rage flickered in the pit of her stomach, but fear kept it quiet.
Three Accords came around the corner, laughing together. Grainger's steps didn't falter, his hand flying forward and enveloping the three in flames. They didn't even have time to scream.
Valarina swallowed hard, the fear
doubling in her heart.
"Don't be scared, cousin," Grainger says calmly from in front of her. "They're the enemy."
Valarina knows that, of course, but she's beginning to wonder.
"I'm not scared," she says, making her voice strong. "I'm just at a loss for how I could be that strong."
Grainger laughs. "Flattery will get you nowhere," he scoffed. "I do like it, though. Continue."
Valarina was spared this when more Accords came around the corner, and Grainger occupied himself with ending their lives.
Soon, the Accords left behind them reduced to ash on the floor and steam in the air, Valarina and Grainger rounded a corner and found themselves in a huge hall lined all around with small, cage- like cells. "Sofia!" Grainger called. "Malice!"
"Grainger?" Someone called back, voice shaking. Grainger followed the voice, dropping to his knees in front of one the cells. Inside, Malice was pale and shivering, eyes wide and haunted. "Where's Sofia?" Grainger asked urgently, assured with his mother's wellbeing. Malice hesitated. "Where is she?" Grainger yelled, springing to his feet and glaring down at Malice. "Where is my wife?"
Malice flinched back and pointed to the wall next to her. "Next cell over," she whispered, shocked horror lacing her tone. Valarina couldn't blame her.
Grainger used his mind to flip open the lock and shoved open the door, stepping inside. Valarina stood chained to the spot as dead silence flooded the room, before an ugly cry of grief and rage echoed, the cell door flying open as he stormed out. His hands dripped in blood - in Sofia's blood. He threw upon the door to Malice's cell, anger burning from every part of him. "What happened?" He roared, face white with horror and flushed with rage. "What did they do?"
"T-they tortured-" Malice was cut off as her son jerked her to her feet, screaming into her terrified face.
"Torture? They tortured my wife, your daughter in law, and you just let it happen? How could you be so weak? You, Malice Turner, whom everyone in the galaxy once feared!" He paused to take a breath, his chest heaving. Mother and son stared at each other, stuck in a stalemate of sorts. Both Grainger's and Malice's eyes were burning with rage. "She needs medical attention," Grainger finally growled. "But once she's safe, I'll be dealing with you." He turned his furious gaze to Valarina. "Stay with her," he snapped authoratively. "Malice and I are going back out to the ship to get help." Then, with clipped, sharp steps, he strode out of the room, a shocked Malice scrambling behind.
Grainger felt his hands tighten in fists as his mother caught up and walked beside, back straight and mouth set. Why wasn't she afraid?
"What happened?" Malice asked as they made their way through the complicated base's hallways toward the main door.
"We came looking for you and Sofia," he responded tersely. "Though I suppose only one of really matters."
"You may want to rethink which one."
"Take that back."
"Why? Who would you rather have? A powerful ally you can rule with, or an insubordinate little girl?"
"She's not a subordinate, she's my wife. And she can help me rule."
Malice scoffed as they stepped out in the midday sun. "Sofia Kappen may be a princess, but she couldn't rule to save the galaxy."
A streak of flame flashed across her face, jerking a shout of pain from her throat. A second fiery rope wrapped around her ankles, and she collapsed. She lay there petrified. She could smell her flesh burning.
Grainger smirked. "I," he declared loudly, drawing attention from the citizens who were passing by, "Emperor Grainger Turner, hereby address menace Malice, murderer of citizens, destroyer of Tempolia, terror of the galaxy. For punishment of your past crimes and your newest - treason, attempted murder of Queen Sofia - I revoke your power, and place it the hands of our queen, to whom it rightfully belongs."