The Queen.

Chapter 26 : Lena

"You... you.. are the Phoenix?" Aedric muttered, loud enough for the Queen, Jacob, Tristan and for the girl that's in front of them to hear. Aedric was the one that was seemingly shocked the most. That can't be? A woman? how can a woman be a Gods' Beast? I sense everything I sensed in Tristan, in her. Aedric thought hard.

The girl looked just as surprised as Aedric does, but she snapped out of her trance and looked around the brothel, scanning the area. "Follow me, Quick!" she gestured the four to follow her as she unsuspectingly walked through all the drunk men and entertaining women. She turned to her right through a dark corner and opened a door that led to the back of the building. Throughout the whole process Jacob had one hand on his scabbard and the other holding the Queen's hand.

The girl slowly turned around to face the four that is now in front of her, wanting answers just as much as she does.

"How... did you find me?.. who are you?"

the four looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

"We... well me and Tristan we sensed you..."

"You're the Hydra, and he's the.... the bear?"

"Correct"  she looked as if she is in complete disbelief yet, its evident that she's believing them.

"I am Isabelle" The queen said as she removed the hood of her cape, allowing Lena to get a better look at her. Jacob quickly grabbed onto Isabelle's hand, showing that he is absolutely against what she is about to do.

"Your grace!! you shouldn't"

"Jacob, it's okay, she has to know" she said reassuring not only Jacob, but also the girl in front of her.

"Wait, you're the queen? what, what do you want from me? I won't serve ANYONE!" she retorted, taking a few steps back from Isabelle. All four of them looked at each other. So the girl is aware of who she really is and what she must do.

I suppose she doesnt know who I really am. Isabelle thought to herself as she slowly inched towards Lena.

"I'm not here to hurt you, we're not here to hurt you. I need your help. All of the Gods' beasts have come together to help me win this fight, fight for the safety of my kingdom and my people. And I can't possibly do this without your help" Isabelle looked longing, longing for some sort of a positive answer.

"but... why should I help you? what good does that do for me". there was a long pause that followed. At this point everyone realized this was a lot harder than they thought. Especially for Lena.

Isabelle slowly put her hand out in hopes of a simple handshake. Judging from what she's been told by Tristan and Aedric, first physical contact with Isabelle increased their Beast instincts.

Lena looked at the queen with a questioning look, but not long after realizing what it was about. Not having anything to lose, she hesitantly reached out to her hand and held it. And thats where it hit her.

This is her master, and she will serve her.

The blood inside her body is boiling, she can feel her insides move. And there is a voice in her head speaking in words she doesn't understand, and theres a ringing in her ear that says "obey" consistently. Is this what it's like to have her power fully awakened? Is the Queen really the master? The savior she's been waiting for ever since she found out who she really was. The pain was unbearable, it's something she's never felt before. And she's been exposed to all sorts of torture in her life. Tears started to well up in her eyes, she no longer have to suffer. she's finally free. Her master is here. She is free.

Lena quickly whisked her hand away, still in pain. not wanting anyone to know.

"i... I will come with you" She said, looking at the Queen's new delighted face.

Yes I will serve you.

"you will be safe I promise, No harm will come to you as long as I'm alive. You are a free woman" The queen looked deep into Lena eye's. Making sure she knows Isabelle means every word she says.

"What's your name?" she asked, hoping this girl will mean more to her than just her abilities.

"Lena.. Lena Brud" None of the whom was with lena has ever heard of that last name. So she's a commoner, succeeded by someone we've never heard of. And... the Phoenix is a woman. Aedric thought hard while he was watching Lena accepting her fate as a Gods' beast. Meark explained all the bloodlines of the Gods's beasts and everything to them before he set sail for the queen. But not even Meark could tell if a woman could ever succeed the Gods' beasts. He was truly amazed.

'Your majesty we must go back to the castle now, it's not safe" Jacob interrupted, gesturing everyone to leave.

"How will you be able to come...?" Isabelle asked, concerned about lena and her place of occupation.

"they... no one would even know I'm gone, I wanted to leave for so long, but I never had a purpose, or means for survival"  she gestured the four visitors to follow through a small path that leads to the main road, so they won't have to walk through the brothel, garnering any suspicions.

"your grace, now what do we do?" Jacob asked Isabelle, in almost a whisper, as the two were now in front of the three Gods' beasts, leading the way.

"I tell Richard, and we prepare for what's coming"

"We still need an army, I doubt ours would be enough"

"We have enough allies, don't we? this will do" Jacob was silent upon her reply. She's right, but how well could you trust these Gods' Beasts, what if they're fooling us all? Jacob was full aware and on edge. He fears for Isabelle's life more than anything. I think I need to start teaching her swordsmanship after all, he thought to himself. Making sure the queen is distanced away from the beasts.

"It must be horrible in there, with all those... men. My deepest apologies" Aedric was the first to break the silence within the beasts.

"I've met with worse... I don't cater to the men in there, so I suppose I have it easy than most" Lena's reply confused the two Beasts and instantaneously looked at each other with puzzling looks.

"what... what do you mean you don't cater to men..? What else Is a brothel there for?" Tristan asked in genuinely questionable confused tone.

Lena let out a small giggle

"I cater to the women.... we women have needs too you know? God forbid this world for thinking everything revolves around a man.... it's a little less aggressive and... well abusive with the women... although there have been times i've been forcefully taken by a man, or a few"

She takes a huge breath, realizing that she will never have to relive that nightmare again. She closes her eyes and takes in the freedom, she feels safe. There was no need for her go back to the days in the brothel nor even fret about it. This is her life now. Serving her master.

"Besides I prefer women" Lena replied smirking at the two men that went from confused puzzling looks to shocked looks. Aedric was the first to laugh as he slapped both Lena and Tristan in the back, his strong slap pushing both forward. He knew she was much stronger than she looked, the phoenix is just as strong as the hydra after all.

The queen and Jacob looked back at the three beasts that are already getting along, making Isabelle feel warm and happy again. Suddenly she feels safe, and there is a strong unavoidable feeling inside of her that knows that these four people with her right now, are more than allies or protectors, they are family. Although they've all met not so long ago. she knew it in her heart. Perhaps it's that part of Sager inside of her letting her know that this is her family. Nonetheless, the Queen is glad.