Chapter 30 Sense Dawned

Yani was lying on the floor as if she had lost consciousness as the black man stood from her and smiled wickedly.

Jethro immediately made a way to escape and turned the ground around his body into ice and broke it immediately so he escaped and immediately made large icicle spears and attacked it on the black man but he blocked himself with black soil. Jethro jumped and punched the black guy on his face so he fell to the floor and because of that, everyone escaped. Jethro landed on the stage and immediately turned away from the black guy to approach Yani.

“Don't you dare go near her,” said the black man and made a black fire and attacked him

“Jethro look out!”

Jethro immediately turned around and blocked himself but it was a powerful attack so he was hit and fell down the stage.

“Jethro!” Eaux ran towards Jethro while the others tried to attack the man but all he did was block their attacks and anyone who tried to go near Yani, he always push them away. This went on until they again defeated the black man and surrounded him.

“Looks like you are all strong when you work together,” the man said, smirking.

“It's called teamwork, asshole,” Flare replied.

“Hahaha,” he again evilly laughed. “Teamwork? Let's see where your teamwork will go,” he looked at the stage at the same time. “Oh, looks like she's awake.”

They were surprised and amazed at what he said.

“Who are you talking about?” Kyrie asked in astonishment.

He gave them a smirk. “Why won't you see it for yourself?” at the same time he disappeared in his place.

“Yani?”

Everyone immediately turned to where Yani was and saw her sitting on the stage as she was surrounded by a black aura. She slowly stood up.

“Yani—”

They stopped and were surprised when Yani raised her head because her eyes were pure black. The black man appeared on top of Yani.

“Now, the Real Battle Begins.”

With Yani's speed, they did not realize that she was in front of Jethro and punched him hard while her fist was wrapped in fire. With great force, he hit off the wall so they were surprised.

“Jethro—”

Fuego did not finish what he was going to say because there was ice blocking in front of him so he faced and saw Yani that he was about to be punched with ice wrapped in her fist but Callie immediately made a barrier so Yani looked at Callie and attacked her with fire from the palms of her hands. Flare went in front of Callie and blocked Yani's attack with a fire wall.

“Yani, what's going on with—”

She did not finish what she was going to say because Yani attacked her with water but Donna immediately made a barrier in front of Flare and Callie so Yani looked at Donna and punched the ground so everyone was hit by the force.

“What’s happening to her? Why is she attacking us?” Eaux panicked. She kept on attacking everyone while they were just blocking her attacks.

“Yani, we are not the enemy!” Kyrie shouted.

Yani immediately looked at Kyrie and attacked her with a strong wind so she flew and fell hard on the ground.

“It's no use talking to her because she won't hear any of you at all,” said the black man so they all looked at him.

“What have you done to her?!” Flare asked angrily.

“Well let's just say she's under my control now so she only listens to me like for example, Yani…” and smirked at them. “…kill them all.”

Everyone immediately looked at Yani and she made a powerful attack so everyone jumped out but others were able to get up.

“She’s strong. We can't beat her,” said Edmondo as he got up.

“I can't even lay my hands on her,” Fuego said.

“Hehe. I told you, I may lose to all of you but there's one person where all of you will lose to.”

They fell silent and looked at Yani again as she was surrounded by a strong aura. “You all know I'm a bad guy so you can easily lay your attacks on me but you are all fighting a precious person so you cannot lay a single attack on her. So where's the power of teamwork now?”

They could not speak and just gave glares to the black guy.

“You may not give me this nation but I will use her not to change your little minds, but to destroy this nation instead.”

They were surprised and all the black guy did was evilly laugh at them. Yani kept attacking them while everyone just kept blocking her attacks. They kept fighting until everyone was exhausted. All the girls are sitting and panting while the others are lying down and trying to get up and they have no strength left.

“Getting a little tired are we?” smirking question of the black man. “But don't you worry my dears because this is not yet the end. To my dear princes, I have an option to propose that I know you've all been waiting for.”

The princes looked at each other. “Yes, this proposal is only for the princes since…” he looked at the women lying down. “…all the pests are already weak and exhausted.”

“What are you proposing?” Fuego promised angrily.

He looked at the princes and smirked at them. “Actually, you all can still turn Yani back…”

They were shocked.

“…but by only means of killing her,” he added.

All the princes were surprised and seemed to stop in their places.

“Why are you all hesitating?” the black guy said. “Isn't it that this is the best option? First, she won't be able to destroy your nation. Second, just by killing one, you will be able to save a hundred innocent lives. And lastly, you have no more worries about melting the ice on your brother's heart, am I right?”

Everyone was left shocked and looked at each other while Eaux just bowed his head. Jethro sat in his weak spot with many wounds and looked at his brothers. He heard everything the black man said so he tried to move but he could not.

“Guess we have no choice,” said Eaux the reason for Jethro to be surprised.

“What? Wait! What are you talking about?” Jethro shouted. “There must be another way!”

“That's unusual for you, brother,” Fuego said and looked at him. ”We know how you feel but we are talking about the whole nation here. I think if you were in our shoes right now, you would do the same,” he added and rushed as well.

The seven of them rushed in while Jethro remained in his place. He just bowed his head because of what Fuego said.

Pssh, you don't know anything...

Jethro just watched their fight until Yani was defeated, lying on the floor. He closed his eyes and with the rest of his strength, he disappeared from his place.

... since then, I have decided... even if the ice in my heart completely melts...

He arrived in front of Yani.

... as long as I can always be with her and her being the reason why it melted...

The princes were surprised and he slowly stood up.

... I am satisfied and happy that even if I die I will...

He raised his head and glared at all the princes.

“If you're going to kill her, you have to go through me first,” he promised seriously.

... I love Yani.

~~~

They backed away after Jethro did that.

“Jethro, get out of the way,” was Eaux's command.

“You have to kill me first before you will kill her.”

They were speechless and Eaux bowed his head. ”Jethro, please stay out of this. We are doing this for your own good,” Eaux said anxiously.

Jethro didn’t say a word. “Get out of the way Jethro before she wakes up,” Eaux ordered.

“Then beat me,” Jethro promised coldly.

“Don't be stubborn Jethro! You're all alone so we can easily—”

“He's not alone,” Fuego did not finish what he was going to say because a voice entered. They turned to see where that voice came from and were surprised.

“I'm with him,” Callie replied coldly as she walked towards Jethro with her whole body full of wounds.

“Hey lady, don't just suddenly get into other people's business! Look at you, you can't even fight,” said Fuego.

“So what? Again, it's my business to protect our leader and you're not the boss of me,” Callie replied coldly.

“You really are an annoying lady!” Fuego shouted angrily at Callie.

Callie just smiled at Fuego. ”I know,” she said. Fuego suddenly blushed and backed away. Feesy approached Eaux.

“What should we do now Eaux?” he whispered to him.

“We need to get to Yani without hurting Jethro and his assistant.”

“And his assistant's teammate…”

Flare also appeared wounded but confidently stood in front of them while glaring at them. “Don't you dare lay a hand on Yani,” she seriously promised that they were surprised.

“Flare don't do this. You are fighting on the wrong side,” Feesy said full of worry.

“Who said that you know which one is the right and wrong side prince?” Flare replied.

Feesy paused. “You're badly wounded Flare and you're just going to end up hurting more if you kept fighting.”

“So what? Why do you care? All I know right now is I'm fighting at the right side and I'm going to give my all…” she glared at Feesy. “…even if it means hurting you.”

Feesy fell silent and in fear, he backed away.

Turuki turned around as if he was looking for something. Yes he's looking for a way to get to Yani and he knows that flying to her is the best way so he made a cloud immediately and boarded,

“Where are you going?”

Turuki was shocked and turned around and saw Kyrie wounded while glaring at him. “Are you also planning to get near to Yani?” Kyrie asked.

Turuki just looked at her and quickly approached right in front of her which surprised Kyrie while Turuki was smiling at her. “Good thing I found you.”

Kyrie was surprised by what he said. “Wha-What are you talking about? You're looking for me?”

Turuki just smiled and carried her so Kyrie was even more surprised. “Hey! What do you think you're doing?! Put me down stupid prince!” Kyrie shouted.

“Stop squirming. We need to treat your wounds,” replied Turuki.

“What?! Are you insane?! Is this also a part of your plan?!”

“No,” replied Turuki and laid Kyrie on the floor. “I just want to treat your wounds, that's all. Besides, Eaux can handle that.”

Surprisingly Kyrie looked at Turuki. “And you're not going to help them?”

“Isn't it you plan to push me back?” Turuki smiled at him. “Well congratulations because you already did.”

Kyrie was surprised by what he said and just avoided looking at him. “Pssh. Weird prince.”

Edmondo also looked for a way to get closer to Yani but he also stopped when he saw Jessy trying to stand up.

“Oh God! Are you okay?” at once he ran towards Jessy.

Jessy was surprised as Edmondo ran closer to her. She gave him a serious look. “I'm fine. I don't need your—”

Jessy did not finish what she was going to say because Edmondo had already carried her up which surprised her. “Hey! What are you doing to me?! Where are you taking me?!”

Edmondo did not answer and kept walking.

“Hey Prince Edmondo, I know you're a respected prince but you have to put me down right now or else I will be forced to hurt you!” Jessy made a strong promise but Edmondo is ignoring her.

“You may not know it but I heard what that black guy said that you princes are planning to kill Yani because she is under the control of that black guy. And even though you helped me in the challenge and I started to have a crush on you I will still—”

Jessy stopped not only when she realized what she said but because Edmondo laid her on the floor.

“I'm sorry I wasn't listening to you. You were saying?” Edmondo asked.

Jessy was surprised. “Nothing. You heard nothing “

Edmondo just looked at her and gave her a smile. Jessy started to blush but she restrained herself. “You are not going to fool me Prince Edmondo. I know you're a bad guy now because you wanted to kill Yani—”

She was stopped again because Edmondo applied medicine to her facial wounds. “Yeah I know. It was a bad idea on planning to kill Yani but we're just stuck and can't think through because a lot of things are happening today,” he gave Jessy another smile. “Good thing you came. You're going to stop me right?”

Jessy looked at him for a while and at the same time avoided looking at him. “Yeah,” she replied.

“Then good. I have a reason to back down then,” said Edmondo and continued treating Jessy's wound.

Eaux looked at Aes. “Aes, do you have anything in mind in what to do?” Eaux whispered to Aes.

“I'm trying to calculate the possibility if we can kill Yani…” Aes replied while looking at his arm and pressing buttons. “…now that it's just you, Zoltar and me are the only ones left who had the intention to kill her.”

“What?” He looked back and was surprised because what Aes said was true. “Where are they? What are they doing?”

“I don't know. But based on the calculations I have here—”

“Stop.”

Aes stopped because he was able to hear that faint voice so he turned to see where it came from. He saw Donna who was struggling to get near them and looked at Aes with a serious look.

“Please don't kill her or else…” Donna didn't finish what she was going to say because she fell down which surprised Aes.

“Aes, what's the results of your calculations?” Eaux asked again.

“Looks like the results are, you two will not have a chance to kill her.”

Eaux was surprised and looked at Aes. ”What? We two? “

“Yeah. I have a more priority task to take care first other than killing Yani,” Aes replied while running away.

“Wait Aes come back!” Eaux shouted.

“You two are bad princes.”

They turned to where the voice came from and saw Femme wounded and her blue hair loose but she was looking at them seriously.

“It's bad to kill someone who is innocent and not aware of what she is doing right now,” Femme promised seriously.

They were just stunned by Femme, especially Zoltar.

“I know she's hurting us all but killing her is not the best option. You're letting the bad guy control you!” Femme added.

Zoltar looked at her. “Then what choice do we have? What should we do?” he asked.

Femme just looked at them then suddenly fell on her knees and was about to collapse but as fast as lightning, Zoltar caught Femme which surprised Eaux.

“Zoltar—”

“Don’t worry Eaux. I'll take care of this girl.”

“No Zoltar. That's— “

“Don't... move.”

Eaux stopped because even though he could not see it, he knew there was a gun pointed at his head.

“It's your turn to back down now, your highness,” Hera said while pointing the gun at him.

Eaux glimpsed at her who is also badly wounded but manages to point a gun on his head. “Hera, I know what all of you are thinking but—”

“Prince Eaux…” Hera cut him off. “…you're a very important person here and mostly everyone respects all of your decisions being the eldest prince but I think this is your worst decision now. I know that I'm just an ordinary metal person but please just this once, listen to what we want. Please don't kill Yani.”

Eaux just bowed his head and sighed.

“Why did I wait for you to show up and tell me those things before I stop?” at once he looked at Hera.

Hera was left surprised while Eaux raised both his hands in surrender. “Fine. I surrender. You guys got me,” he surrendered while looking at Jethro. “Even though she's trying to destroy us, you will still protect her huh?”

Jethro looked back at him seriously. “Because Yani would never do this,” he confidently answered.

Eaux just gave him a look and smiled at him. “Yeah. I guess you're right “

Jethro also smiled but his chest immediately hurt so he knelt in extreme pain.

“Jethro!”

“I'm okay,” he said immediately while holding his chest. “Don't worry.”

“Oh how dramatic.”

They all stopped at once to look at the black man who was still floating in the air. “So you girls manage to change their minds? All of you are really pests,” annoyed the black man said. “Well then, if that is all your decision…” he gave them an evil smile. “…then have a taste of your own medicine.”

Suddenly Yani stood facing them while bowing her head. Everyone faced Yani.

“This is not good…”

Yani raised her head and her eyes were still pure black.

“Okay, change of plans. We will never hurt Yani but we will do whatever it takes to bring her back,” commanded Eaux.

“Oh don't you worry young water prince. She will take care of you later after she finishes…” looks at Jethro at the same time. “…him.”

They were surprised and did not realize that at high speed, Yani was already in front of Jethro again and at the same time kicked him to the side but he blocked it using ice.

Yani disappeared in front of him and Jethro saw her shadow so he looked up and Yani was about to punch Jethro but with his remaining strength, he jumped immediately so what Yani punched was the ground. With great force, the pieces of stone spewed out so Jethro covered his face and he did not realize that Yani was in front of him again and kicked him in the stomach so he jumped off and hit his back on the wall at the same time he was bleeding.

“JETHRO!” Eaux shouted and ran towards him. The others followed but they were halfway there when they collided with a barrier that they could not see.

“What's the meaning of this?” Eaux asked angrily as he tapped the invisible barrier.

“A barrier, dear prince. Don't try and ruin the scene,” replied the black man.

In anger, he tried to smash the invisible barrier while shouting Jethro's name. The other prince and girls saw the whole thing and did what Eaux is doing while the girls were shouting Yani's name.

Yani walked closer to Jethro while an ice spear formed on her hand. Jethro could not move and started to get scared as he watched Yani approaching him.

Jethro could do nothing but stare at her face. Even at the end of his death, he still managed to smile because all the memories of them being together came back.

Even though I'm going to die, I know in myself that I'm satisfied and happy because…

He slowly closed his eyes.

…your face is the last thing I will see and you know…

Jethro closed his eyes and whispered…

“I love you.”

Jethro waited to feel the stab but the only thing he felt was a drop of water on his hand. He immediately opened his eyes and saw Yani as if she’s stiffened in her place in a position that she was about to stab him.

Tears flowed from her eyes and gradually the blackness surrounding her disappeared. Yani lowered her hand and the spear immediately disappeared as her head bowed.

Jethro is just in the state of shock and goes back to reality when Yani raises her head while tears are falling from her eyes. Jethro smiled weakly knowing that she was back to normal.

“Is that true?” Yani asked, sobbing.

Jethro was surprised at her question but managed to still answer with his eyes closed and smiling, “Since the beginning.”

Yani kept crying and also at the same time wiping her tears. ”It's good… that I heard you…” Yani smiled while crying.

Jethro opened his eyes and was surprised at what he saw.

“Jethro—”

TSSSKK!!

YANI

I stumbled on the floor because he pulled me. I slowly got up as I shook my head. Why did he pull me? I looked around to find out why… but I wish I hadn't done that because I stiffened in my place from what I see now.

Jethro...

... was stabbed. His body was full of blood and his head was bowed down. All my tears eventually fell because of that. He raised his head with his mouth full of blood and looked me straight in the eye.

He raised his left hand and wiped my right cheek to wipe the tears with blood on his hand at the same time he smiled, and it was not forced.

“Don't... cry... I don't want... that... the last thing... I will see… is you crying...” he said intermittently.

I was speechless. “Finally...” he continued. “... I did something... without... mixed... doubt... or... numbness... It was... just… love...”

Toosh. After he spoke, he laid down to my left. I was stunned and my tears kept falling out of control.

Those are probably the most tearful words I have ever heard. I looked at him and just bowed as my whole body trembled with mixed emotions.

“Well, I didn't expect that,” said the black man so the silence was broken. When I heard that from him, I immediately stood up, raised my head and looked at him as my tears flowed. I attacked him immediately out of anger and even if he avoided it, I would look for him and attack him. I will not let him escape.

I punched him in the face and he landed on the floor. I immediately went closer to him and took the collar of his clothes. I looked at his pitiful face but it had no effect on me.

“Why do you have to kill him?!” I shouted at him while crying.

He didn't say a word and just looked back at me seriously. “Answer me!” I shouted.

He sneered at me before answering. “It's because of you.”

I stopped for a moment by his answer but because I was so annoyed, I would have punched him but he disappeared like dust on my hands. I was shocked and immediately looked around just to find him. He is really gone. My gaze stopped at the prostrate body in the distance.

My knees weakened and I just sat down and my tears flowed again. I got the strength to go to him. I sat down next to him and took his hand. “Jethro... look… He’s gone now... Wake up... please…” I sobbed.

He didn’t respond. “Hey... speak up... I know I'm used to it... that you always ignore me... but just for now... please... speak up.”

He is still motionless. “Please… at least just one… just one word…” I continued to sob.

I didn't get a word out of his mouth. I just cried next to his lifeless body.

It’s so painful to be able to catch the last breath of your loved ones. First, King Gabi now... Jethro. Why is life like this to me? Why?!