Twisted Empire - Episode 77&78

 

TWISTED EMPIRE

Twisted Empire - Episode 77&78

(Her Blade, His Neck )

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No part of this publication may be reproduced, copied, or reposted in any form, or by any means without a written permission from the author.

Copyright © 2025 

by Naomi Cindy B.

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[Four's Private Mansion]

By the time Four got back inside, Teal was already at the small, table-for-three dinning, but there's no particular cooked food in sight.

Just toasted bread and cups of tea.

Teal is sitting on one of the three chairs, arms rested on the desk and eyes fixed on Four till he settled on the chair beside her.

"You were gonna cook"

"I wanted veggies, but there's no vegetables in the freezer." She explained.

"I'mma get you the needed groceries,"  He stood.

Teal stood too. "No—"

"I'm getting you the groceries, or i order veggies. You want veggies? You get." He was serious as he talked, and she had to hold him back.

"Chill, it's just veggies." She smiled, wondering why he's so stubborn about it.

"But you want it," he frowned.

"Fine, I don't want it anymore. Just stay here." She stroked  his brows.

"What?" He groaned the question.

"What what?" 

"You have something to say, you're a bag of emotions, you can't hide." He replied, and she blinked.

"Wow, Sergeant Kash actually said the same thing the other time, calling me a bag of emotions who can't hide how I feel. I can't mask my emotions like you, I'm loud and open, and it's unfair." She muttered.

Four lifted her by the hips, placing her on the table. He stayed between her wide legs, holding her thighs.

"What's your definition of unfair?" He asked, his eyes unraveling her.

"You can see through how much hold you have on me. Damn, you even understand my body more than I do, but I barely know anything." She stared back at him, the emptiness making her knees buckle in a weird kinda way.

Four reached for her hair with his right hand,stroking.

"I'll answer three questions." He said.

"Just three?" She rolled eyes.

"I found out the things about you without asking, so you should be glad I'm willing to take questions from you, Asteri." He mused.

"How did you get your scar?" She asked, resting her palms on the table surface to touch his phone.

"My scar shouldn't be a question for now, I already told you this." He replied flatly.

"My parents paintings in your room at the base, why?" She asked.

"Cos the're mine" He smirked.

"But whenever they were going to the DeVille Castle, mum always said they were going to deliver paintings for the DeVille couple, not the son." She replied.

"Every painting my parents ever bought from your parents were for me. I came across their painting on a graffitied street wall when I was six, and I took a great liking to it. Told my parents, and they traced your parents down. Since then, my parents began inviting them over to paint pictures for me. Rivers, trees, birds, rocks and landscapes, sunshine—"

"Moonlight, and stars—especially the big dipper." Teal interrupted him, finishing the list.

Four went silent, watching as emotions swam in her eyes again as she talked about her parents.

"They painted so many big dippers for the DeVille Castle, and when I was 4 yrs old, I insisted on painting one big dipper too which I did. It was childish, but my parents took it to the DeVille Castle. Surprisingly, it was bought at a higher price than their own paintings, and that money was what my mum opened my first bank account for me with. Then I started wondering who these rich DeVille couple are. I mean...they bought an ugly big dipper painting for that much money?"

She sniffled, getting more emotional at this point.

"I wanted to follow them to the castle so many times, but each time I tried to follow, they declined, saying the first son of the house hated noise, and I'm a loud person right from the beginning. Then I'd cry and roll myself on the ground in rebellion." She sniffled again, looking up at him with glassy eyes.

"You're the reason my parents paintings got popular. They got all their VIP recommendations from the DeVille Castle, from you." She touched his face, leaning in to kiss him deeply on the lips.

He stayed, but he didn't shut his eyes till she pulled back gently.

"Thank you, Eros. You're a jerk, but you're actually not that bad." She whispered, caging the tears in her eyes and stopping them from falling.

He collected the tears from her eye sockets using his thumb, then he wiped them before they could fall.

She suddenly held his hand, and his eyes slammed on hers...

"Uncle Paul is being so inclined that you have something to do with their deaths even though you were just 12 during the accident, but you've got nothing to do with it, yeah?" She asked in a low whisper.

"I won't say yes or no, Teal. It's your choice to believe whatever you wish." He returned his hands to her laps.

"I'll just keep it inside," She shrugged. "Question three..."

"There is no question three." He cut her off.

She tried to jumped down from the table, but he pushed her back with his crotch, his middle grazing hers.

"You only answered one question." She leaned back.

"But you asked three," He smirked knowingly.

She pushed his head back, scoffing... "You're so cheap."

"Cheaper than cheap. A bottle of gin, and I'll be between your legs." He replied.

Teal grinned out, her laughter contagious.

--

[Military Base, Family Housing~Axel's Suite]

As newlyweds, Axel moved out of his Unit with Cassie, and they got a new suite here, spacious and comfortable.

Axel didn't come home last night, so it's just Cassie. She woke up late, expecting to meet him beside herself already, but the other side of the bed was still empty when she opened her eyes.

She sat up, quickly pushing herself down from the mattress.

She pulled up her PJs pants and was brushing her hair with her fingers as she walked to the living room, but Axel is still not here.

She gave him a call. He didn't answer.

She was placing water on gas for tea when Axel finally entered.

He's still wearing his suit, and he looks worn-out.

"Axel!" She took fast steps to him.

"It's our wedding yesterday and I was dreaming of a beautiful honeymoon at Santorini or something, but you left me here all night. You didn't call, didn't pick your calls. Didn't text! I slept alone on that cold bed and—"

She paused, moving closer when she saw lip prints on his undershirt.

"Were...you..with a woman last night?" Her voice was shaking as she asked that.

"Yeah, three sluts in a hotel. They were pretty good, and I couldn't resist. I mean... their butts are BBL, but ass is ass. We did foursome, and they were more than happy to take care of the incoming General." Axel said unfiltered.

Cassie stood frozen for a second, and then like a swing chair, she threw her hand at his face, slapping him.

Axel was wide-eyed for the first one minute, then he looked up at her.

"It was our wedding yesterday and you slept with sluts? You're the same person who tried to force yourself into Hera! How shameless can you seriously be? How!!" She yelled.

The next scene? She didn't see it coming.

Axel dashed into the kitchen and grabbed the kettle of water on the gas. Cassie ran for her life, but she couldn't run for long before the hot water poured on her back.

"Arhhhhhh!!!!!" Her yell was sonorous, shaking the suite as she fell on the soaked tile, trying to reach her peeled back but she couldn't.

"Ax... Axel....how could you..."

She was stuttering, wriggling like a salted worm.

"You really don't know the reason I married you?" Axel muttered, laughing.

"Geez, you must really think you're special. I merely layed a trap, and you fell effortlessly. You better get up and start preparing for tomorrow. You're becoming the General's wife." He laughed, standing up.

He walked in, leaving her on the ground with a stinging, peeled back.

--

[Yulia's Suite]

It feels empty now without Pedro.

Yulia didn't realize how much void he fills till he was gone, and no matter how much she tries to shawl the pain by looking impenetrable, it still stings than battalion bees.

She's currently looking at Pedro's portraits on the wall, smiling sadly as she ran her fingers across.

"It's new year tomorrow, too bad you were too shy you ran away before the year could come." She sighed, dropping her hand.

"But don't worry, I'll hunt down your murderer, and I'll give them a fate worse than death, so sweet you'd wanna wake from the dead to hug me." 

The doorbell rang, and her face squeezed when she opened the door to see Paine.

He's holding her breakfast package, straight from the kitchen.

"Ma!" He chested.

"Are the chefs dead?" Her face squeeze persisted.

"I offered to come. We worked mostly as partners in Kalynda, ma'am. I might have have grown used to it." He explained.

Yulia left the door open, and he came in with the food in the black basket which he emptied on the table.

First plate contains pasta, second is Cole'slaw, and the third is shredded beef just the way she wants it.

"Have a taste from the three plates, Private Paine." Yulia said.

"Ma?" He blinked.

She didn't repeat the words, so he picked the fork and ate little from the three plates, swallowing and drinking water.

He had to go get another cutlery set for her in the kitchen, and the moment she began eating, he left the suite.

When he got to the door, he looked back for a sec before leaving completely.

From there, he went to to get Sergeant Kash's breakfast too, taking it to his suite.

"Sir!" He chested immediately the man showed up by the door.

"You're everywhere these days, boredom is bad. Geez. Let's hope you find a new friend like Abbey from the new recruits tomorrow." Kash said.

Paine set the breakfast basket on the table before facing him.

"Does that mean we Privates would get promotions tomorrow too?" Paine said.

"Yeah.. some Privates should get promoted to Specialists, and some Specialists to Sergeants." Kash shrugged.

"Tomorrow needs to come, now!" Paine fell on the couch.

"I didn't tell you to sit," Kash said.

"C'mon sir...we are one now." Paine grunted.

Kash punched his head, and he stood reluctantly with another grunt.

"Let's eat," Kash said, taking the basket and heading towards the dinning.

With a little smile, Paine followed.

--

[Communal Dinning]

The laughter of Brent and Shannon filled one part of the hall, and they nearly choked on their foods.

Rook is currently feeding Theo.

April's fork is down, she watched with a frowned face.

"Coming here to eat was a mistake," she shook her head.

"Seriously? Theodore has hands, let him eat!" Brent said when he recovered from his laughter.

"It's Theo to you, wuss. And I do whatever the fûck I want with him." Rook rolled eyes.

"Aww!!" Shannon laughed with Brent again.

"Now what's funny?" April rolled eyes at the two.

"They need to get married at this rate. Their personalities match." Theo said.

"Baby boy" Shannon chuckled.

"Right, i'm his baby boy." Theo replied, and Rook kissed him publicly.

"Ouuu!!" Shannon and Brent sounded.

"New recruits will start coming in tomorrow I swear!" April suddenly picked her phone.

Everyone else picked their phones, checking out the base news.

"I just hope the guys are handsome like our set." Shannon gushed.

"I hope the ladies are hot and tattooed." Brent said.

"I'm only bothered about our next mission and the reshuffling. Things would grow hectic again." Rook said.

"I'm more worried about the Swearing in tomorrow. I swear if it's Sergeant Axel, I'll die." Brent said.

"Then just prepare to die tomorrow cos he's definitely the General." Morgan replied, sitting with them suddenly.

"Wait...when did this start? You sitting with us? You're in Stormy's gang the last time I checked" Shannon queried.

"You and Specialist April dragged me out of the room last night, so the least  you can do is allow me sit here." Morgan replied.

April looked around and saw Stormy sitting across that table.

"Oh I get it. Stormy is around, so you want her to think you're over your friendship by sitting with us?" 

"You're using us." Brent said.

"No no no..." Morgan shook her head, though they're right.

She needs to show Stormy that her life doesn't revolve around Quentin. Yes, she was obsessed with him, but it got cut the moment he choose Allegra.

"Leave this table," Rook said.

"Please..." Morgan begged, bringing her head low to her plate of food.

"Please?" A different voice boomed behind, and she looked back to see Paine standing there.

"Morgan Hall? At the count of three, vanish from this table. 1!" He snapped.

Brent and Shannon chuckled.

"Bastard..." Morgan muttered and was about to get up when two more people arrived at the angle.

Sierra and Allegra. 

Stormy quickly joined them, making three, the hall grew silent.

Everyone else stood and saluted Sierra respectfully, so the squad had no choice but stand to salute too.

Paine did it with difficulty, he just can't stand bowing.

Now he has to find something against Sierra and Allegra, and Stormy.

"I choose to eat on this table. Move, everyone." Sierra ordered.

"Let's go," April said, and they all took their food trays, leaving the table. Morgan followed them.

The three witches sat, and they were served the best meal in the kitchen.

"Hmm, I love how the chicken is tender." Stormy nodded.

"Did you see the look on Paine's face earlier?. He didn't even want to salute." Allegra said.

"But he did," Sierra picked her fork.

"You should pick one guy from the new recruits tomorrow and make him your seggz toy. Give up on Rook already." Allegra told Stormy.

"I'll try, but how are things with Quentin?" Stormy leaned closer.

"Spicy, we went to a orgy club after I left the wedding yesterday, and we did threesome with another strange guy. Quentin fucked me from the front , and the guy did it from the back. I was overly full, but it was exciting." Allegra explained.

"F+ck" Stormy wet her p+nties.

"I wish I can split Four into two, would love to have him in my front and back someday." Sierra said.

"You don't look happy" Stormy blinked.

"That's because I'm too eagar for tomorrow." Sierra sighed.

--

[Marquis Mansion]

Hera managed to get down from bed, stepping the floor with her socked feet.

She hasn't felt her father for the past three hours, and it's unlike him.

Since she came back from the hospital last night, he checked on her every ten minutes, so what's wrong?

She opened her room door and stepped out. Her hair is messily tangled, and her eyes are lifeless.

Her arms are swinging on their own as she stepped the marbles till she got to the main lounge where the guards are stationed.

"Where's papa?" She asked weakly.

"He went to the President's Mansion, and he specified that he didn't need guards, so he was alone"

"Alone?" Hera's eyes widened. "Alone? Do you know how many people are after his position in this country? Why would you leave him alone!!" She pushed that guard back angrily, slapping him to crown it.

The man couldn't speak as she got the telephone and rang the president's mansion.

It was Xanthe who picked.

"Worried about your dad? He's here, making preparations for the swearing in with father. He'll return late." He said all at once and hung up.

"That was fast... weird?" Hera muttered, sitting, realizing she has a little energy in her system.

She called for a maid, and one came running.

"Yes miss?"

"Prepare my dress against tomorrow's ceremony." She ordered.

"Yes ma'am." the maid rushed back inside.

--

[Therapeia Mental Institute]

Empress planned to clock out very early today, and that's why she's already taking off her coat at 12noon.

She's already planning against tomorrow, and everything is bound to go well.

She already put everything in place, but left with finishing touches.

She was about to grab her bag when her phone buzzed, and she took it out with a sigh.

It's an unknown number, so she swiped green with reluctance.

"Who's this?"

A loud, ear-splitting laughter filled the line immediately, and she froze beside her desk.

That shrillness.

That foreboding vibe.

The darkness woven with it.

"Usman?" She muttered.

"Oh...she knows a royal voice. How long have you been searching for me, Emily?" Usman laughed again.

Empress swallowed.

"Aren't you Emily the frog-face? But you changed to Empress cos you wanted to feel special. I only have to say a word and boom! Everyone will know Sierra isn't a DeVille, she's the daughter of...."

"Stop!!!" Empress yelled, breathing irregularly.

"Scared to hear the truth? Huh? You see, Emily...this is only a hello call. I don't have much time to spare at the moment cos I'm planning my next launching.... attack. Till then..." Usman said.

"No no! Don't hang up, we need to meet. Let's make a deal I need your help, I need—"

Usman hung up at this point. 

Empress dialled him again, but the number does not exist, so she angrily crashed the phone and slammed her own head on the wall furiously.

She stayed there, bleeding, but then she suddenly barged out and snatched a phone from a nurse.

She dialled a line, panting.

"Tell me everything is ready, tell me Four is going six feet tomorrow."

"More than ready, chief." The voice returned, and she smiled.

--

[Four's Private Mansion]

Four sat on a couch at a corner of the lounge, his phone in hand and buds intact in his ears.

He's currently on a call connected to Fez—the HackLord, Jason the Biker, Yulia Black Widow, and Sergeant Kash.

"I'm halfway through the hacking process, but what if they change the projector tomorrow? I'm not so sure." Fez said.

"If they change projector, we can start trying again tomorrow morning before it commences." Four replied.

"That's what I thought, but this is risky. So fuckin risky." Kash said.

"Risks are beautiful. Ever heard that before, Kash?" Yulia replied in her usual unhinged tone.

"After manipulating the projector, then what about the written statement on paper?" Jason asked.

Before Four could reply to that, another call came in, and he had to disconnect from the others.

He connected to the new call, and the voice he heard made him frown.

"Xanthe Dimitris?" 

"Yeah, devil." Xanthe replied coolly.

They talked for two minutes, and then the call ended.

Four connected back with the others, smirking...

"We just got a new Intel, things might be much more easier." 

Meanwhile, inside the kitchen... Teal's phone is on the cabinet, and her earpiece is on.

She actually installed a hidden bug app on Four's phone earlier, so she heard every call he took.

Every plan.

She smirked, smiling hotly.

"Think you can cut me out? I've not even started driving you crazy, Eros." She muttered.

--

[Next Day]

The new year started with rainfall.

At 5am, the shower started, and it's still pouring.

It's 9:30am, and the swearing in ceremony is by 10, so armies are already leaving the base.

The ceremony is at the country's outdoor ceremonial platform that's only used for important national functions like this.

The platform is just ten minutes drive away from the base.

New recruits are already arriving in planes and helicopters at the airfield, and this set already looks like spoilt brats cos almost everyone has tattooed bodies and rings, and most of the ladies are wearing makeup.

They must think the base is like the outside world, but their issue is not even a now thing.

The base buses moved in batches, taking the armies to the platform which is already filled.

It's a thousand capacity platform, and because of the rain, the transparent roof was used, so it's safe inside.

Sergeant Kash led in the squad members, and they all look so anxious except Paine who's frowny.

Even Sergeant Kash is anxious. Despite being part of the plan, he's panicking.

Axel came in with Cassie who has to pretend that everything is fine with her Peele back. She's smiling beside Axel, and Axel himself is grinning.

"General DeVille the II" 

"General DeVille!!"

Some armies were already screaming his name, and his smile just swelled.

Cassie's eyes met with Kash's, and he just easily turned away.

Hera is here, too. At the back. She's surrounded by her maids and guards, and she's just awaiting today's saga.

Empress is seated at the middle, shades on as she chewed gum slowly, also awaiting what's to come.

Sierra is seated specially as the Major, and she looks anxious even though she's trying hard to hide it. It shows.

Stormy and Allegra are inside too, both chatting anxiously about possible outcomes.

Suddenly, everyone stood. Silence fell in the platform as Xanthe came in, accompanied by Mrs. Katerina, flank of suited guards and several members of the security sector.

He looks smartly hot in his tailored suit, and Mrs. Katerina looks greatly nervous beside him, her steps matching with Xanthe's.

The silence continued till Xanthe was about to climb the podium stage, then it crushed, getting replaced by a low noise from the back.

"The President?"

"It's the President."

"The Marquis?"

Xanthe turned around with a sharp twist, and his eyes couldn't stop widening when he saw the two men, coming in with another set of guards.

Weren't they supposed to be asleep at home? In the President's bedroom?

Why are they—

He faced Mrs. Katerina, and the guilt he met on her face was enough to explain.

             • Yesterday, Curcus •

The President and The Marquis sipped their coffee at the same time, and Xanthe left the circus with a low snicker touring his whole face.

The old men spit their coffee at the same time. They didn't swallow.

"I got your signal, why isn't it safe to drink?" The Marquis asked.

"My most trusted guard reported to me that Xanthe secretly bought alpha potency sleeping pill. I was wondering why, but here it is." 

"Are you saying he's siding with Four?" The Marquis said shockingly.

President Spyros just took the two cups and poured the coffee away, then they both pretended to be asleep till Xanthe came back to order Mrs. Katerina to take them in.

The moment they got to the bedroom, the two opened their eyes and sat up.

Katerina shifted back shockingly, her heels twisting her ankle.

"Mr. President? Your honor? You weren't... asleep?"

The two men just stared emptily at her, so she quickly fell on her knees.

"I'm so sorry, I just wanted to do what Xanthe wanted for once and—"

"Enough." The Marquis interrupted.

"You'll pretend we're asleep, I'll speak to the presidential office from here till tomorrow." President Spyros said.

"And you'll arrange a screen meeting with the security sector, make sure the head of security is not in attendance." The Marquis said.

"You...want me to deceive Xanthe?" Mrs. Katerina swallowed.

                • Present Time •

As the president walked past Xanthe and climbed the stage, Xanthe's eyes remained on Katerina, and if guilt could kill right now, she'd be dead.

"I'm sorry..." She mumbled.

Xanthe stormed out of the hall.

The Marquis sat specially, and Hera came to sit silently with him.

"Shit, shit..." Kash got his phone and was about to go out to call Four.

"No one can exit the hall at the moment. Rise on your feet, armies. A three minutes silence for the druggie... Late General Pedro DeVille who passed away in judgement. He might be an addict, but he was a good General to the base throughout his tenure. Honour the dead." President Spyros addressed from the stage.

Hush fell in the hall again, thicker than the first one. Kash's hand wrapped tightly around his phone.

--

Four left the base a little late cos he was making sure Fez manipulated the right projector.

The projector was indeed changed, so Fez had to manipulate the new one again.

Four made sure it was right before leaving the base, driving his was to the platform alone.

He already told Teal to join the other Privates, so she's probably at the platform already...or not.

He was speeding excessively on the pouring rain, using his wipers as fog threatened to cloud his windscreen.

He was just three minutes into the drive when another car suddenly crossed him from the front.

Four stopped his car with a screech, then another car stopped behind him. The cars kept coming, front and back like they were sent which is really true.

They're twenty in total, and they blocked the road completely, trapping Four in the middle.

With a jaw screw, he came out of the car. The rain wet him and glued Gus uniform to his skin immediately.

The road is just as slick as the streets, and the patters of the rain strokes splashed his trousers.

Men came out of the cars, wearing black masks on their black gears. They look like warriors, but judging by their eyes and build, they're surely Albanians. They're madly huge.

"Death wish? Hot." Four commented, keeping his gun before motioning for them. They came for him at once—all hundreds of them.

The fight was tough, and the fact that it's raining made things worse cos the bodies of everyone is slippery, but Four had his grip and locked his footings though. He was tougher.

A violent jab crushed the windpipe of one, pumping blood out of his mouth to the rainy road.

A gut punch threw another one to the tarred road, and Four kicked his head to the soaked tar, breaking the skull.

A skin hit gave another one a forearm gash which tore his flesh to the road.

Within three minutes, bodies littered the road, and as he offed them, they attacked him behind, but he focused on the ones he's thrashing.

He has 40 bullets with him, so he only has to continue offing them till he's left with 40 of them, then he'd fire.

That was the plan, till one of them from behind stabbed his back.

Not just his back—his scar.

They stabbed his scar, and his arms dropped weakly as blood soaked his uniform behind.

His eyes took the hit too as it reddened so fast, and that snaky vein stretched on his neck, darker than usual.

Before he knew it, a blinding blow landed on his jaw, and he fell on his knees, then he fell on his face.

But before they could continue with him, a brown bike rode into the road, hitting some of the men away.

The bike rider didn't park it before coming down, taking off her helmet.

It's Teal.

She was rushed by the men, but she has no time for fights at all. She just threw two flying kicks to two of the men, then she used her gun, firing 3 of them before she got to Four who's still on the ground.

She knelt beside him, the rain drenching her too as she raised his head to her laps.

"I told you, didn't I? You don't keep secrets from me and expect me to stay still. And you better stand up! You gotta reach that platform right now and claim your father's seat. Eros! Eros!!" she shook him.

No response.

The men came for her as a whole, and this time with weapons to actually end Four, so she stood, covered him and blocked the hits alone,  using every usable part of her body. She handled them all, throwing bodies around the road with her fists,  kicks, elbows, head, knees and toes.

It was bloody, and she was about to switch to gunshots again when another bike screeched into the middle.

Jason jumped down from it

A new car rode in, and Yulia stepped down, wearing that wrestling gear and gloves.

"Master...." Jason muttered when he saw Four on the ground.

"I should have known someone was gonna pull a trick like this. But it's all good, I smell like death right now." Yulia said.

At the same time, she marched forward with Jason.

--

[Platform]

The three minutes silence finally ended, and Kash started heading out again to call Four...

"Before the new General would be sworn in, I'll take some minutes to announce the promotions of some dedicated officers. Kash Graham." President Spyros said.

Kash stopped in the middle of the hall, turning back.

"Master Sergeant Kash Graham." President Spyros smiled, and the hall roared loudly, the rain on the roof adding to the sound.

Kash couldn't believe his eyes, he just stood there speechlessly...

Master...what?

"Master Sergeant Kash Graham?" President Spyros repeated, and Kash went forward amidst the loudness.

"April Brooke." President Spyros continued.

April spranged up.

"Sergeant April Brooke." President Spyros smiled, and she was crying too as she rushed up the stage.

"Paine Wills, Rook Fletcher."

The two stood at the same time.

"Specialists." President Spyros smiled.

"F+ck." The two chorused, going to the front with wide eyes.

"And here's to the new General of the Greece core base..." President Spyros continued.

Axel took a deep breath, buttoning up his uniform and getting ready to rise.

Now is the climax of the ceremony, and people are moving uncomfortably on their seats.

President Spyros checked his written statement, smiling when he saw Axel DeVille on bold letters.

But then when the projected statement came out on the front LED for everyone to see, it's Four DeVille.

Axel spranged up from his seat with a slamming heart, Cassie stood with him.

• Four?

• Snowman?

• Holy cow, how's that.... possible?

The murmurs were low, but still clear as the name stared right back at everyone, rendering the one with the President useless.

The Marquis tried standing, but Hera pulled him back.

"Sit still, papa. I don't think you can stop fate from occuring."

Every single sitting army is on their feet right now, eyes and mouth wide.

President Spyros was speechless. The LED projection has never been wrong.

But then Four ain't winning this, so he tried to use his voice, but the head of security came in with Xanthe.

Xanthe actually went to get the man—Mr. Yuri.

"Why isn't anyone applauding to the president's projection? Four DeVille it is!" He shouted.

"Head of security, a newly appointed General who comes late to the first ceremony is automatically stepped down." President Spyros said.

"I'm not late, just bleeding out my bad luck." Four boomed from the back, and necks turned again, in sync.

In the middle of the platform, Four stood, drenched by the rain and bleeding from the back.

The neck vein is gone, but his eyes are still madly coloured.

Teal is beside him, like a dedicated wife. She's drenched from the rain too, and she has a slight scratch on the arm from the fight.

They're both holding wet guns.

Rainwater dripped from them, soaking the floor as thousand eyes fell on them.

Empress shockingly removed her spectacles.

How did they survive that much men?

It was Sergeant Kash who started clapping first, then April joined, then Rook and Paine, then the rest of the squad, then armies...

Then... EVERYBODY.

President Spyros had to force a smile, and Hera forced The Marquis to clap with her, too.

Cassie fell back to her seat, and Axel fell back too, but his bum mixed his seat, and he fell on the ground.

In shame, he fainted.

Four and Teal moved at the same time, marching in sync to the front with practiced steps in the midst of the thousands of armies.

Their steps not only dripped water, but also Aura.

They're the real force of nature, the unbendable motherf+ckers.

TBC.

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