Altina stood up.
"Surrender!" one of them ordered.
She looked up to face a young boy, leading the soldiers.
She looked over them to see many in clothing of Vaequilian tradition.
Our garments.
She looked down at the ground.
"You damned villagers..." she held her breath.
"Your reign is over." the young leader called.
It can't end like this.
But... I don't deserve to stay here.
"What is your name?" Altina asked.
"Arlo."
"Arlo... a long time ago, a girl was a laughingstock for being so weak, so helpless." she spoke suddenly.
There was silence in return.
"She was abandoned by her parents and couldn't do anything other than watch her own brother get beaten up every day. One day, she learned that she had an astounding talent for swordplay. With this, over the next twelve years, she fought relentlessly to prove her worth and to protect her brother. She eventually found herself at the top of it all..." she stopped.
"But the girl lost herself to greed over time and forgot the reason why she began fighting; to protect the most important person in her life." she finished.
"What is your point?" Arlo asked.
"My point is: that girl will not allow her reign to end like this." Altina pointed her dragon blade at him.
She frowned.
"I challenge you to a duel, one last time to prove my worth."
There was silence throughout the room.
If you won't let me keep my reign and ability to protect Serot,
I'll take you down with me.
"I accept."
