Jince stood before the crowd that had gathered to see him challenged once more. As per usual, they were rooting for his downfall, praying that this would be the end of his bigoted reign. It was just shy of noon, the warm sunlight just creating over the dusty battlefield.

Jince had insisted this battle be shown. In his bigoted his mind he would show everyone the degeneracy that had to be destroyed. However, he was merely showing an evil that didn't exist. For he was a bigoted fool. A fool who was given ample chance to change and chose to STAY evil. That would be his undoing. The knowing refusal to be better removed any need for sympathy for the bigot.

The family watched, Isabeau waving to them as he walked onto the battlefield. He bore no weapons on his person. Odile gave a confident, supportive nod, as the rest began to cheer.

They had complete confidence in Isabeau's victory. Yancy had joined them to watch on this day in the stands. There was a crowd not unlike a gladiatorial colosseum. The last dying gasp of a bloodthirsty Ka Bue tradition of fighting for power. That tradition would die with the fall of Jince.

Vel held his partner's hand, seated above the crowd with Nincy. Nincy inquired to Vel, "You sure this will finally rid us of him?"

Vel's eyes glowed blue as she reassured Nincy. "Trust me."

Jince raised his hand, and the crowd went silent. The spectacle was soon to begin. He declared, "Ladies and gentlemen!"

"What about non binary people?" Isabeau heckled with a smug grin.

"I know what I said," Jince growled.

Isabeau wasn't having any of it. Mockingly he continued, "Oh I'm so scared." He slowly walked up to Jince. Maintaining a cool confidence. "You're nothing without that armor. No one respects you save for what, some antiquated tradition of false power?"

"Can it degenerate!" Jince snapped back.

Isabeau continued his mockery, reducing Jince to no more than what he was at his core. Pathetic and weak. A jester. A fool. "I don't know much about Ka Bue culture. But I know that the old ways of power have been fading the last few years. Parliament established by Nincy and Vel. Most people who gained their positions through strength regained their power via election I presume yes? I take it they don't talk to you anymore."

"Not my fault that they're cowardly fools!" Jince continued. "I-"

"Am the real fool," Isabeau continued stoking the flames of Jince's anger. This was all part of the plan to defeat him. "The last gasp of outdated immoral traditions. A final candle burned out. I don't even need to play by your rules and best you with strength. In fact..." Isabeau placed his hands behind his back. "I can beat you without lifting a finger."

This pushed Jince over the edge into a blind rage. He charged with his gauntlets, surging with Craft energy. Isabeau leapt out of the way, sending sand flying to the air. Jince coughed as he tried to move the sand lingering in the air away from his face by fanning his hand.

"This is the best a bigot can muster?" Isabeau taunted.

Hands still behind his back, Isabeau gracefully dodged beams of pure Craft fired by Jince. He gradually closed the distance as explosions sent sand flying into the air behind him. Jince began to gasp and pant for air.

"You know Aster mentioned you were winded by such a short battle," Isabeau elaborated.

Jince began frothing at the mouth, gasping and snarling. He threw a weak punch that Isabeau sidestepped. A wild haymaker he easily ducked under. Jince staggered and fell to his knees. Isabeau continued. "That's when I realized something. That armor of yours must be so heavy. You wished for the ultimate defense, yes. However, you did not wish for infinite stamina. You didn't wish for the ability to fight forever. All anyone has to do is tire you out."

Jince collapsed on the ground. Isabeau sneered, arms outstretched. He declared to the crowd, "Didn't even throw a punch."

There was stunned silence for a few seconds as everyone realized.

Jince had fallen.

They were free.

The crowd erupted into roaring. Cheers could be heard for miles. Isabeau raised his open palm to address the crowd. "OK so as the head of the Bodycraft division thing. I have three declarations. In this order. 1: All those imprisoned for Bodycraft related charges are hereby pardoned and freed. They will receive compensation for their time in prison. A memorial is to be made for any who died in prison under these charges. They were the true heroes here. Fighting for the rights of the people. 2: Bodycraft is hereby fully legally. 3: My position is to be dissolved immediately. That is all."

The crowd was frozen in shock before cheering once again. Many would see imprisoned loved ones again. Others were free to be who they truly were without hiding. Jince could never regain power again.

Isabeau left the arena to meet his family outside. He clutched his chest, and let out a deep exhale. "Hoo boy."

"You good bro?" Mirabelle inquired.

Isabeau let out a big sigh of relief. "Yeah. Yeah. Sorry just... relief now that it's over. Crab. What an ordeal."

"Good riddance if you ask me," Yancy added. "The flesh is fluid. We've won."

"Guess now we just wait for the festival," Bonnie added. "We're gonna see our sibling again!" They put their arms up in the air excitedly. "That was the last issue we had to handle!"

Aster turned away, avoiding eye contact. Odile noticed this and placed a hand on their shoulder. "Hey. They're not gonna replace you OK?"

Aster almost revealed the truth. They felt they had to. They had to tell everyone that Vel wasn't going to cooperate. They knew Siffrin wasn't coming back and that they were to soon be...

They brushed it aside. Maybe... maybe they could talk Vel down tomorrow. After all they had done for her. Maybe they could talk her down...