"I have brought Princess Natalia."
Little Man stood at the designated meeting place; his voice was filled with confusion as what he was doing right now. He got rejected by her despite him giving everything to her all these years. He couldn't quite meet her eyes…but at a small corner of his heart he was kind of happy because all this mess was created by Zack!! Little man took a sneak glance at her and saw her beautiful face and thought "Man I do love her" he clenched his hand tightly "If I play my role well then, I am sure I could get into her good side, she accepted me before so I am sure there is a soft spot for me in her heart, I will make sure she becomes mine!! Little man eyes glowed with renewed determination, he don't want to give his life long love.
On the other hand, Natalia looked out across the cityscape and saw the destruction those crazed animals were causing. Buildings were destroyed, people were screaming in fear, dead bodies spread all over the place. Her heart ached with a sadness so profound it felt like drowning. She couldn't do anything but watch her city get torn apart piece by piece.
Her eyes filled with fury as she clenched her fists so tight her nails bit into her palms.
"Oh my, Princess! Welcome, welcome! We were waiting for you, kekeke!" Guards appeared, their tongues flicking across their lips as they stared at Natalia with hungry eyes. Their gazes crawled across her body like insects, bringing shivers down her spine.
Both Natalia and Little Man were led through a long, winding route deeper into the 1st Rock. After some time, they arrived at an entrance where 1st Rock Leader Njala Borksdottir waited for them.
She stood there in her signature white tight-fitting full dress, golden gauntlets gleaming on her hands. Her sharp, short hair framed an angular face, and her eyes were like blades, cutting into Natalia's heart with the promise of what was to come.
As soon as Natalia stepped through the entrance into the structure beyond, a massive sound assaulted her ears.
"YEEEESSSSSSS! THE PRINCESS REALLY CAME!"
"LEADER NJALA IS AWESOME!"
"PRINCESSSS! WE LOVE YOUUUU!"
"PRINCESS! PRINCESS! PRINCESS!"
"THIS IS A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME EXPERIENCE! THE ALMIGHTY PRINCESS IS HERE! HAHAHAHA!"
"KEKEKEK! HER BODY IS SO ENTICING! CHECK HER CURVES, MAN!"
"HAHAHA! LEADER! YOU ARE THE BEST!"
"LET US SEE HER CRY!"
"SHE DARED TO DESTROY OUR PROFITS! NOW WE WILL DESTROY HER!"
"TAKE MY MONEY WHILE SHE'S STILL ALIVE! I WANT HER ON THE GROUND CRYING!"
"BEAT HER TO DEATH!"
"FUCK HER!"
"YEAAAHHHHHHH!"
"WHAT?!!!" Natalia looked around in shock. She found herself inside a huge dome where people swarmed like animals, all staring down at her with angry, twisted faces. Her eyes couldn't believe what she was seeing and hearing. She felt like she was being stripped naked in front of everyone, their gazes violating her with every second. Her body started shivering with fear. She wanted desperately to hold onto someone, anyone, but there was no one beside her.
Except...
Natalia looked at Little Man, who appeared equally shocked by the scene. He looked back at her, and his expression held only pity and sadness for her.
He seeing her desperate gaze formed his mind and came closer to her and whispered "Natalia this isn't looking good….. even if your troops put their 100 percent, it will only be able to stop the beast swarm after several hours…. But the damage will be done by then!!! We can't afford to waste any time! You remember what I said before right? I have already hired some strong individuals to help you out!!!! And with a Crown man who will help you in controlling Heart machine, we will be able to stand our ground!!.... Natalia, I know you are worried about him but this is way too much out of control!!
Little man words squeezed her heart in pain as she looked at his desperate eyes and spoke meekly "In return you want to marry me…. You want me, right???" Nat bite her lips in frustration.
"Of course!! Why I be doing so much if I don't want you? Little man looked at her with a ray of hope
"Can't you just help me like a good friend would? If you have the power to save us then please help us!!!! Do you not saw the condition of the place outside? Many people are dying as we speak, can't you help them just for the sake of Humanity? Nat pleaded with low voice trying to wake him up.
"HUH? NO!! WHY WOULD I DO THAT?? WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY AND RESORUCES I HAVE SPEND TO FIND THOSE PEOPLE? AND YOU WANT ME TO HELP YOU JUST TO STAY AS FRIENDS? NATALIA AREN'T YOU BEING TOO STUPID FOR SAYING THAT??...LIKE I SAID BEFORE…. EVERYONE WANTS SOMETHING OUT OF OTHER PERSON; THERE IS NO TRUE SELF SERVICE IN THIS WORLD!" Little man got a little angry as he was getting frustrated seeing her acting so meekly.
"Little man why are you doing this? I never thought you would go to such extreme! Zack would never ignore the cries of the people!" Nat looked sadly at Little man face.
"ZACK! ZACK! ZACK! ZACCKKKK!!! Can't you see, you are in this situation because of him!! Natalia… just few hours back you were shining so brightly, now look at you walking as a hostage in this garbage of a place! Natalia wake up!!!!!.... You are not a timid Princess! Remember how you gave your all to achieve your goals! You always put 200 percent in your effort to get what you want and you always succeeded!! But now….. LOOK AT YOU NOW!... You are acting like a poor weak woman with nothing to stand upon!.... Natalia accept me, I will make you shine brightly again! Just hold my hand….. then we will show these people, who is the true ruler of this land!! You don't have to do anything just accept her terms and hit her hard when the whole city cry for help to save them from her tyranny and from Overdose energy!!!!….. then you will make your entry and it will be MAGGGGIIIIINNNNFFFFIIIIICENTTTTTTT SIGHHTT TOOOO BEEHHOOLDDDD!!!!!" Little man crazed eyes brought shiver down Nat spine as she looked at a man who was completely lost himself, he got close to her trying to hold her hand.
"AGH! Don't touch me!... Yes, I was like that before but I want to change now! I will not follow the same path again! Zack is the only one I want in my life!... If you don't want to help then its fine! I will find a way on my own!" Nat stepped back, creating a distance between them as she clasped her hands together and put in front of her chest feeling the fear of being alone in this dangerous place.
"Heeehhh! Fine fine! Do as you wish!..... I hope these people will treat you well" Little man smirked and waited beside her not forcing her to do anything.
Natalia clenched her fists harder and tried not to look at the hungry faces surrounding them on all sides.
"Greetings, Princess. Welcome to my humble abode." Leader Njala approached with slow, confident steps making sure Nat felt the fear of being in her domain. "It's my honor to welcome such an important figure." She bowed mockingly, her movements graceful but laced with contempt.
"Leave it…. Just tell me why you attacked your own city." Natalia's voice came out strong. "Why are you killing your own people? Is your greed to control this city so overwhelming that you're ignoring your own people's cries?"
Princess Natalia forced herself to focus straight ahead, blocking out the shouting and cursing echoing from the crowd above.
"Some sacrifices have to be made," Leader Njala said with a casual shrug. "I wasn't really planning to do this today, but our dear Queen and someone called Master Zack ruined our plans….. So here I am, along with important officials and Crown house masters who are not really happy with your little reform plans….. Now they support me instead to lead this City…."
Leader Njala walked forward arrogantly, gesturing to the assembled crowd of powerful figures. She introduced them one by one. Even Little Man's father stood among them, his face carefully blank.
Seeing this, Little Man couldn't help but enjoy her predicament even though deep inside he was angry at his father, he shook his head while coming close to Nat again and whispered "Natalia you..
"SHUT UP AND STAND QUIETLY AT ONE CORNER!!" Nat glared at him angrily and shouted loudly making him move back in surprise.
Natalia bit her lip hard enough to taste blood. She didn't know all the details, but she had to find a way to stop this madness somehow. She looked at Crown house masters/madame faces carefully and saw reluctance in some, fear in others, and a whole spectrum of complicated emotions written across their features.
She calmed herself down with effort and stepped forward.
"Sirs and Madams, please listen to me." Her voice rang out clear as she did her best to hide her nervousness. "Whatever we are planning will be done properly, taking everyone into consideration…... You have to trust the Queen and..." She swallowed hard. "And Zack!.... He is a great man. I know him personally….. He will not discriminate against anyone. Those who deserve a good life will receive one. I am aware you're worried about your money and positions, but please, we can talk through all of this. Nothing good will come from this attack. People are dying in large numbers as we speak. We are all one family in this city. Please stop this madness!"
Natalia pleaded with them from her heart, but the assembled officials couldn't meet her eyes. They looked away, at the ground, at the walls, anywhere but at her face.
As she was about to speak more, Leader Njala's hand came from behind, settling on Natalia's shoulder casually. The touch made Natalia shiver with instinctive fear. Her eyes caught the shine of those golden gauntlets up close, and she looked up to see Leader Njala's sharp gaze and pale white skin.
Leader Njala smirked down at her.
"No need to give motivational speeches to them. I have lots of dirt on every single person here." Her voice dropped to a conspiratorial whisper that somehow carried across the space reaching Crown people ears. "If I show everyone what I know about these so called Higher Crown people, then their skin will crawl with disgust. Everyone here is rotten to the core. I've spent years gathering evidence on them. Kekeke, isn't that right, Mr. Crowns?"
Leader Njala's words made the assembled officials shiver visibly. They could only nod in silent agreement, their faces pale.
Little Man's father stood among them, his jaw tight with shame.
"HUH? FATHER? WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?" Little man eyes got big with shock as he realized his father was not here to save his family from extinction but was here because of his….
GRRRR!!!!! "FATHER….. I GUESS YOU WERE THE SAME AS OTHERS! I THOUGHT MY FAMILY IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU TAUGHT ME TO SERVE THIS CITY IN RIGHTEOUS WAY BUT YOU WERE JUST USING ME TO GET CLOSE TO HER, AM I RIGHT FATHER?" Little man clenched his hand in anger as he saw his father nodding.
Little man mind went blank because the way he thought was the best one to bring this city to greatness was just a play for his father. It's not like he never thought of that possibility but he could never doubt his family because he learnt everything from his father and now seeing him standing here in shame brought a heavy shame on himself. He mind was a chaos right now, he looked toward Natalia who didn't even glance at him, his mind went more chaotic, TSK! He just stood there and shouted at his father nonstop, hoping his anger would subsidize but it never did.
Little Man roared in anger at his father, his hands shaking.
"Hehe, isn't that your boyfriend, Princess?" Leader Njala's voice dripped with amusement. "I heard so much about you two. Ahh, sweet young love."
She traced her gauntlet-covered fingers along Natalia's face. The cold material scraped against her skin as Natalia forced herself to stand perfectly still, refusing to flinch away.
"Hey, boy, stop shouting. Your father have done a good deed supporting me. I'll give your family a great position." Leader Njala addressed Little Man without even looking at him. "If your dream is to serve the city, then serve under me. And don't worry, little boy. The 1st Rock isn't that bad of a place once you get used to it. Hehe."
Leader Njala giggled as she gestured to a burly man standing nearby. He brought forward a document.
"Here….. Sign it right here, then go do the other paperwork." Leader Njala handed the papers to Natalia with a smile that didn't reach her eyes. "This document basically states that you and the officials have chosen me as the new Top Crown for this city….. After that go to that fat bitch and take her sign, after that I'll stop those crazy creatures, and everything will be over. HEHEHEHHE…. With your single signature, everyone can sleep happily tonight."
The weight of the papers in Natalia's hands felt like holding chains.
"What if I don't?" Natalia glared at Leader Njala through the tears beginning to form in her eyes.
"My beautiful wife….. I think you should just accept the terms. You are useless anyway for this city"
A voice Natalia desperately didn't want to hear came from behind her. Her entire body trembled, and she started praying silently. "Please, Zack, come fast. Please, Zack, help me. Please, Zack, take me out of here!!!!!!!"
She slowly turned around and saw Kane Cox approaching happily. He held two women on his arms, one on each side. His hands grabbed their breasts openly, fondling them as he walked. A tired, wounded serving girl followed behind him with lifeless eyes that had long ago given up on everything.
"Kane! Is this your doing?" Natalia asked, her voice sharp with anger.
"Hey, hey, don't blame me for all this... I just said yes to her proposal." Kane shrugged carelessly. "You see, I don't care about this city. I just want you!!! Hehehe. I told her that our City of Dreath will support her fully with everything we have. In return, after your failure, you will be given to me. Or rather, sold to me. Kekekek."
His smile widened, showing too many teeth.
"You should sign those papers. If not..."
WHOOOOSSHHH!
Kane suddenly threw the women aside like discarded toys and rushed toward Natalia. He grabbed her face tightly, his fingers digging into her cheeks, and forced her to look at the surrounding crowd. He whispered in her ear, his breath hot and disgusting against her skin. His other hand was already touching her back in a way that made her skin crawl.
"Otherwise, today you will experience the life of a common, useless woman. Heheheh."
"HEY! WHAT THE HALT! LET HER COME TO THE CENTRAL STAGE!"
"PRINCESSSS! COME TO DADDY!"
"SHE'S SO SEXY!"
"COME! COME! COME! COME! COME!"
Tears started falling from Natalia's eyes. She pushed Kane away with all her strength, then clutched the papers tightly to her chest. Her other hand came to her front, trying desperately to defend her dignity.
"Zack, what should I do? What should I do?? Please help me!" she shouted in her mind, her thoughts spiralling into panic. "I'm scared. Please come to me. I'm really scared! I don't know what to do. I... I'm sorry, Zack. Please come to me!"
She looked toward Little Man, but he was unable to help her. She looked around at all the faces surrounding her, staring at her with various expressions of greed, lust, and anticipation. She couldn't see any roads ahead. The only thing visible was people's eyes, all focused on her.
Little Man sighed heavily and stepped forward.
"Natalia, just sign it….. We've lost." His defeated voice made her heart shudder. "The only thing that can save us now is your ability to control the Heart Machine. If you can do that, then the higher officials of the Empire will favor you... We can find a way forward afterward, but for now, just give them what they want and save as many lives as you can."
Little Man's words made Natalia's shoulders slump.
"What are you saying? Wasn't your dream to stand beside me and work for this city?" Natalia looked at him with eyes full of tears and disbelief. "Why are you telling me to give up on everything?"
"TSK! I WANT THAT TOO, BUT YOU CHOSE THAT MAN!" LITTLE MAN'S FRUSTRATION BOILED OVER. "AND SEE WHAT HE HAS CAUSED! IT'S BECAUSE OF HIM THAT YOU'RE IN THIS SITUATION! I TOLD YOU HE WASN'T SUITABLE FOR THESE KINDS OF RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT THE QUEEN TRUSTED HIM, AND SEE THE RESULT!"
Little Man's same words echoed in the surroundings with bitter anger.
"DON'T YOU DARE SPEAK ILL OF HIM!" Natalia glared at Little Man, her eyes blazing with sudden fury that cut through her tears.
"Huh? I'm not saying anything new. These are your own words from before." Little Man's voice turned cold. "Do you think that just because he came up with something different, he's suddenly suitable for you? You're being contradictory to your own feelings. This whole time, you chose me over him. Did you forget everything?" His words came faster with sharper edge. "Zack was never the one who stood beside you. All this time, it was I who stood beside you and guided you. It's because of me that you got good relationships with the higher Crowns. Well, that doesn't matter right now, I guess."
Little Man spoke arrogantly, his arms crossed.
Natalia put her head down, and her tears fell onto the ground, creating small dark spots in the dust covered rocky surface. When she spoke, her voice was broken.
"I know. I know what I did, and I will change myself. But this is wrong! I can't sell my own people to these greedy bastards!"
She lifted her tear-streaked face and glared at the smirking Leader Njala. Then her eyes moved to Kane, who had sat down in a chair. He was stripping the girl naked and licking her body while making her sit on his thighs. He gave Natalia a wink and pointed at her, indicating clearly that she was next.
"Change? Natalia, you seem to be forgetting who you are." Little Man's voice softened slightly. "You are the fiery Princess of this city! I know you better than anyone else! I loved you because of the way you are. That Zack doesn't know your true face. You've always been direct, a girl who will do anything to reach her goals and never hesitates to punish harshly when needed. You have the makings of a queen greater than your mother. Just accept her deal, and we'll figure out a way forward!" His voice grew more urgent. "Remember what I said before!"
Little Man tried desperately to talk her out of this messy situation.
Natalia looked down at the papers in her hands. Her mind spiralled in circles, thoughts colliding and fragmenting. At a time like this, she only thought of her family, her friends and her Zack... After several long minutes, she finally spoke.
"Maybe if I was like before, I would have chosen this path." Her voice started quiet but grew stronger with each word. "A path for the city. A path for myself to become the greatest Queen. A path... a selfish path of a princess. But NNOO!!!!!!"
Her head snapped up while looking at everyone with fiery gaze.
"I AM NOT A PRINCESS OF THIS CITY! I AM A WOMAN OF THIS CITY! I AM A WOMAN WHO HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THIS CITY! I AM A WOMAN WHO LIVES AND LAUGHS IN THIS CITY!"
Her voice rose to a roar that echoed through the dome.
"I DON'T WANT TO BECOME A PRINCESS OR A QUEEN! I WANT TO BECOME A WOMAN THAT I CAN BE PROUD OF! I WANT TO BECOME A WOMAN THAT MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN LOOK UP TO AND SAY SHE IS OUR FAMILY! I WANT TO BECOME A WOMAN THAT INSPIRE THE LITTLE KIDS SO THAT THEY CAN SAY WITH PROUD THAT THEY WANT TO BECOME LIKE ME WHEN THEY GROW UP!!!!! I WANT TO BECOME A WOMAN... I WANT TO BECOME A WOMAN ZACK COULD BE PROUD OF!"
Natalia's entire body trembled with the force of her conviction.
"I AM THIS CITY OF EIRS' WOMAN, AND I... WILL... NOT... SELL... MY... CITY... TO... FUCKING... WHORES!"
RIIIPPPPP! RIIIPPPPPP!
Natalia tore the papers into pieces and threw them into the air. The shredded documents scattered like snow around her. Her eyes blazed with new life as she stood proudly, no longer worried about anything. She looked at every single person's face in that dome and smiled with fierce pride. She looked up at the crowd in the stands and lifted her head high, telling everyone exactly who she was, who she wanted to become, and who she belonged to.
.
.
"TSK!"
SNAP!
"KKKYYYYAAAAAA!"
Suddenly, many men rushed forward and grabbed Natalia's arms. They dragged her toward the centre pit; an arena filled with sand and rocks far below. The men made her stand at the edge of the deep drop.
Leader Njala came forward, frowning at how the crowd had gone completely quiet. She brought her hand up, and her sharp gauntlets shimmered in the underground light.
RIIPPPPPP! RRRIPPPPPP!
She ripped Natalia's full sleeves off in two brutal motions, giving the audience a clear view of Natalia's naked arms all the way up to her shoulders. The torn fabric fluttered to the ground.
"PRINCESS, GIVE UP. OTHERWISE, TODAY YOU WILL BECOME A WOMAN FOR ONLY HUNGRY MEN AND WOMEN. KEKEKE."
THUMPPP!
Leader Njala kicked Natalia's back with vicious force, sending her flying over the edge.
Natalia remained calm throughout. Even though her sleeves were torn and her arms exposed, she stayed calm. As she fell through the air, she could only think one thing.
"Zack, I know you will come. You always have. You've never left me alone. I will wait for you. Please come. Please come to your Nat. I promise I will be a good girl. I promise I will love you this time with true feelings. Zack, please save me!"
THUMPPP!
She hit the sand pit hard. The impact knocked the breath from her lungs. Her hair became dirty with sand, and the beautiful flowery patterns on her clothes got smudged with dirt and grime.
Natalia smiled despite it all. She simply stood up, brushing herself off, and stood straight with her hands in front of her. Her sweaty, naked arms were covered with dirt that stuck to her skin, but she didn't mind. She just stood there with perfect elegant posture, waiting to see a face, waiting for someone to appear.
The crowd, which had been in a trance watching her defiant speech, suddenly woke up and started yelling again. But this time, there was slight hesitation in their voices, a crack in their certainty.
"FINALLY!"
"TAKE MY MONEY AND GIVE ME THE BEST SHOW!"
"PRINCESS, YOU WERE SO CO... I MEAN, YOU ARE SO SEXY!"
"WOOOOOOOOOO!"
"CHECK HER WHITE ARMS! SUCH A BEAUTIFUL BODY! I WONDER WHAT SHE LOOKS LIKE UNDERNEATH IT ALL! KEKEKE!"
"STRIP HER!"
.
SNAP!
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END OF CHAPTER
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Author Blabbering
In life there will be time when no one will stand with you. They will mock you, disrespect you, laugh at you.... But you have to stay strong and believe in yourself..... You have to stand tall and say that you are THE BEST PERSON EVER BORN IN THIS WORLD!!!
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