ɬɧɛ ɱąɖ ƙıŋɠ//℘ʝɱʄʄ

•19•

Walls cracked, ground shook, swords clanked. The combat arena was filled with tensed air and nerve-wrecking fights. Though the arena often used for fights like these, it was obvious that a particular new face had made those fights even more heated and sometimes even bloody. The girl in black armor held back nothing as she swung her sword at three red armored captains but none of them was able to even brush against her limbs much less hurting her yet she was causing damage to both her opponents and the arena.

"Move faster! Put your backs into it!", Xena yelled at the captains who were constantly stabbing the air with their swords instead of her. She could've slice them up for being so weak but she only hit them with the hilt of her sword and kick them with her legs. Then again, these are her captains now which means hurting them badly will only cause her trouble and she would also like to not get exiled again for killing her new army.

That's right. New army. After the day of her submission under the young king of Inferno, she was immediately enrolled into her role of their new General and it would be an understatement to say that they were happy to hear that. In fact, even the lieutenant who witnessed her submission was smiling victoriously behind them. The Infernos brushed off her previous identity as a Fern General and their enemy and now viewed her with utmost respect and admiration.

It was no different, really, as Xena received the same perspective from the Ferns back when she became the General. One major different, which was what pushed her into making the decision of submission, was the ruler, or rather, her ruler. Jimin was noticeably different from her previous rulers. King Uriel and Queen Nera did adore her very much, even loved her like a daughter. But Jimin did more than just adore her. He was mad over her, obsessed with her, such cosmic desire for her that he became possessive in the worse way possible.

When the King and Queen of Fern viewed her as a daughter, they also secretly saw her as a weapon and a possession of the kingdom, something to utilize to its full potential and take advantage of her loyalty. On the other hand, Jimin wasn't secretive at all. He was proudly announcing her as his subject and possession, he hid nothing from her, he shone his true colors of pitch black towards her, claiming her as his jewel weapon. As sickening as it sounds, Xena trusted Jimin more than her last rulers because he wasn't fake loving her at all, giving her no space for fake hope or lies.

Though Jimin's love was toxic and built solely on power-lusting, Xena still wanted it because she knew his thirst was enough to guarantee her a life in his kingdom. Unlike of the Ferns, she knew his thirst wouldn't be quenched and for that he will never let go of her, a silent promise that she shall never go through that trauma again. With Jimin, she isn't a toy. She a prize possession, a trophy, a golden crown, an ancient sculpture that she knew he would cherish like a mad man and if that's what she needs to be in order to be valuable then so be it. Let the mad king love her like a red diamond if it means her being wanted again.

Yes, indeed it was toxic but Xena was left no choice. She had gone mad within those 3 days of isolation and found shelter in that luxurious room of the young king, she sickeningly felt at home yet empty and lonely, drained of humanity and hope as she was left with a lifeless body and a facade. She had lost her mind when she lost her entire home kingdom. And now? Now she's feeding off Jimin's obsession with her. It's a win-win situation.

Speaking of Jimin, the young king had seated himself at the top of the arena with his eyes glued to his new General as they glowed in dark admiration. His smile was sinister, content at what Fern's mistake had rewards him as the saying goes, "one man's trash is another man's treasure", and Xena was his most precious treasure, one he had craved to possess since the day he received the words from his father announcing Fern's new and powerful General who turned out to be a female with strong mind and soul.