Fortitudo

It was night time when Jewels, Fenghuang and Roc returned to the Redwood Forest.  Roc changed into his hawk form and let Jewels and Fenghuang climb on.  He flew them towards the Brooks Estate.  As they approached the estate, the whole property lit up with torches and light.  Not knowing what was going on Jewels got off of Roc and hid her presence as she stealthy flew down into the shadows of the property.  She sneaked across the courtyard and saw her family sitting in the sitting room with Harvey and Lana. Several guards stood around them, looking disgusted.  Harvey and Unlce Jude were arguing back and forth.  Jewels wouldn't be able to get closer without them noticing, so she flew to her window and broke into her own house. 

From her room, she made her way down the stairs and listened to Harvey and Uncle Jude argue. 

"How could you do that to me?  We're brothers and you poisoned me for your own selfish reasons!" Jude yelled at Harvey. 

"It was they only way!  The only way to save the family." 

"No, it was the only way to save yourself!  You selfish bastard!" 

"Please, as if you never did anything that wasn't selfish yourself.  Did you think I would beg you for my life?  Or the life of my wife or children?  Does this mean that you are willing to kill your precious Jewels as well?" Harvey mocked him. "Is she the one who cured you? That trash that is now an amazing cultivator and fighter?  Who single handedly saved the Redbane army and is now known as the Demon Slayer? Hahahaha, don't joke with me." 

"You still won't apologize, even at the end?" 

"Apologize for what?  Saving your life by poisoning you?  I think not!  I did it to save you, to save the Brooks family." 

"For your crimes against me and my men.  Leaking information, espionage, breaking and entering, attempted murder and murder.  Do you have any last words before your punishment?" Jude said. 

"What would your precious Jewels say when she finds out you hurt her father?  Would she hate you?  Would she be angry at you?  Would she stop talking to you?  Would she forgive you?" 

Uncle Jude didn't say anything.  He cared a lot about Jewels.  He raised her like his own daughter.  If she stopped talking to him, it would break his heart. 

"I would be angry at Uncle Jude."  Jewels said as she walked towards them in her blue dragon scale armor.  Her hair was tied up into a ponytail and showed off her high cheekbones. Her eyes had a hard glint to them and her lips were pulled into a slight smirk. 

"I told you she would take my side." Harvey told them.

Jewels walks over to where her Uncle stood and stared at Harvey wanting to see his reaction when she wanted to say what she really wanted to say. 

"I would be angry with Uncle because he would have started the party with out me.  And Uncle knows how much I love having fun at parties." Jewels said. 

Harvey's face hardened and his smile disappeared. 

"So is Uncle going to kill him?  That would be too kind of you to do so.  He poisoned you and crippled you for 20 years.  I think the same kind punishment is more than deserving of someone who betrayed you and your men.  He is family after all, we should save his life."  Jewels smiled creepily at them. 

"What do you suggest?" Uncle Jude said tightly between his teeth.  He wanted to kill Harvey, but his beloved niece wanted to preserve his life. 

"Crush his dantians." Jewels said. 

"No." Harvey said as he slightly stepped back. "Kill me instead." 

"Make him trash for the rest of his miserable, disgusting life." 

Uncle Jude did not hesitate, he push forward with all his energy and within a second he was in front of Harvey.  Using his inner energy, he punched Harvey three times hitting each dantian once, crushing them irrecoverably.  Harvey spat out blood and fell to the ground while Lana cried out.  Blood dripped down his mouth as he clenched his middle dantian tightly.  Hate filled eyes stared back at Jude and Jewels.  

"Father are you just going to let them hurt me like this?" Harvey pleaded. 

"You betrayed the family and hurt our own people.  What is our family motto?" 

"Fortitudo." Harvey spat out. 

"That's right, 'Fortitudo', to our family means to have the ability of your physical, mental and emotional power to withstand adversity.  And you did none of that.  You did everything for your own selfish reasons because you did not want to get caught for stealing during the war!?! So you poisoned your brother, made a deal with the government, leaked information to the enemy, killed Madewell soldiers and all the while you wanted the world to think you were someone who is benevolent and strong.  When you are nothing but a greedy coward with no loyalties to anyone but yourself."  Pop pop yelled.  "You deserve to live the rest of your life however my only son sees fit. You are stricken from the family register.  You are no longer a Brooks.  Should you use my family's last name, you will live a sorrier life than death." 

Lana helped Harvey get up from the floor and turned to leave. 

"Why do you think you can just come and go as you like in my home?" Jewels said to them.  Making them stop and look back at her. "I bet the rumors about me have spread through out the 4 Kingdoms by now.  Rumors of my kindness, my immaculate manners, my beauty and grace, yes?" 

Lana nodded yes. 

"I bet you also heard about my strength, my ruthlessness, my power and my animals to call, yes?" 

Lana nodded yes again. 

"So, what makes you think I'll let you go so easily?"

"We've done nothing wro----" Lana started to say.

"Oh, so you've forgotten about all the offenses you made against me since I was a young child. How convenient that you to have amnesia at a time like this." 

"That's not what I mean, Jewels---" Lana said. 

"It's Princess Consort to you."  Jewels told her. "Besides, those who know what you and Harvey did to me, Uncle Jude and Pop pop are all here. Uncle Jude got his justice.  Now its time for mine." 

Jewels disappeared for a moment then showed up in front of them.  She punched their stomachs and as they opened their mouth to scream, Jewels threw in a pill into both of the mouths.  As soon as the pill entered their mouth, it melted and reacted immediately. 

"It's burning." Lana shrieked. "I'm burning! What did you give to us?" 

"I had to purchase these pills with the gifts of appeasement that was given to me by two spoiled brats who offended me. It costed me a good fortune, but it was well worth it.  These pills are called Internal Flame.  What it does is that it burns your bones slowly.  Melting them into nothing. First your legs, then your arms, then your body and lastly your head.  The burning feeling will never go away." Jewels told them.  "I suggest you go home right away or your legs would stop working." 

Harvey turned and started to walk away.  He has no power to go against them.  Lana on the other hand was furious.  

"You impudent girl, how dare you treat me this way.  You never knew how to act."  Lana shouted as she threw a punch at Jewels.  Jewels stood there with arms by her side and when Lana's fist came close to Jewels's face, instead of hitting her, Lana's fist hit a small fire wall that protected Jewels's body.  Screaming while holding her fist.  The burning feeling in her hand is more intense than the burning feeling that was spreading through her body. 

"You... you---"

"I what?"  Jewel said as she looked at Lana. "Should I spare you or kill you? I did waste a pill on you."  

Jewels took her fist and hit all three of Lana's dantians, crushing them as well.  Lana fell down to the ground with blood pouring down her mouth. 

"Thomas, have someone help you take the trash out, it's dirtying my floor with blood." 

Thomas and Liam step forward and drag Lana out of the house.  When they came back, Zeze, Chieko, Gina and Lieko were already cleaning the floor. 

"You're back."  Uncle Jude cried as he hugged Jewels.  Jewels hugged him back. Then went to hug Pop pop before sitting down.  

"Yes." Jewels said as Zeze poured tea into a teacup and gave it to her. "It's good to be back." 

"I'm glad you're safe and sound. You must have succeeded to be back right?"

"Of course. Why wouldn't I be back so quickly if I didn't succeed?" 

"Jewels, it's been a year to this day that you've left." Pop pop told her. 

Jewels sat there frozen with the teacup half way up to her lips.  A year? 

"How can that be?  I only spent two weeks in Nemea, but it's been a year here?"  Jewels set her tea down. "Raiden.  How's Raiden? I need to send word to him."  

Uncle Jude stopped her from standing up.  "The moment you got here, word had already been sent to Raiden.  He should be on his way here.  But there's something you have to know." 

"What is it Uncle Jude." 

"In the year that you were gone.  A lot of things has happened.  All the shadow spies were hunted and killed.  All three generations of the Masters of the shadows were killed and there was a boarder dispute with Theraland and it has now become bigger than anyone wants to be. With the shadow spies that Theraland released into Redbane for over 20 years now, Redbane will not back down, so a war between Theraland and Redbane is imminent.  Raiden has been preparing for it the last couple of months.  The other two Kingdoms sent peace talkers to try to settle the dispute with out war.  Theraland wants Raiden to marry their Princess and make her his Queen. King Michio, Queen Akane, the generals and the mininsters agree with the King and Queen, although they hate the thought of a Theraland Princess as the next Queen of Redbane. They don't want to subject their people to war.  They have been trying to get Raiden to accept the terms, but he has resisted. They even threatened to take his crown prince's title away and he still did not accept the terms." 

Roku showed up at the moment and bowed to Jewels. 

"My lady has returned safely."  Roku spoke quickly. "You must come with this servant right away.  My Prince needs your help." 

Jewels stands up and grabs his arms.  

"Where to?" Jewels asks. 

"The palace ceremonial hall." 

Jewels uses her inner energy to jump them from her estate to the palace's ceremonial hall.  When she appears, she is standing in the middle of the room full of generals and ministers.  The King and Queen sitting on their throne were scared for a second before they realized it was Jewels.  Raiden was on his knees, kneeling to his parents.  Jewels could see the situation already.  They have cornered Raiden and he had no way out but to beg his parents not to force him.  

"King Michio, Queen Akane.  This Princess Consort greets you and apologizes for this Princess Consort late return." Jewels said as she bowed to them. 

"Princess Consort will rise and speak." Queen Akane said. "Speak to where you have gone the last year.  Your house will not speak to where you went and my foolish son will also not divulge where you went as well.  We can only speculate that you have left to avoid the engagement to my son." 

"Queen Akane, please forgive this Princess Consort for not telling you where this Princess Consort went before leaving.   This Princess Consort went into seclusion to cultivate.  This Princess Consort will show you the fruits of this Princess Consort labor."  Jewels said as she commanded the Infinite Galaxy to show her true cultivation level.  When she did everyone in the room gasped in awe.

 "As you can see, this Princess Consort went into seclusion with the intention to break through and become Grand Master.   This Princess Consort was very close to breaking through when this Princess Consort received word that my heart.  My beloved. My intended, Crown Prince Raiden was going through a hard time and needed this Princess Consort's presence."  Jewels said as she walked towards Raiden. "Rise my love, do not kneel.  A mountain does not move, no matter how loud or hard the wind blows."  

Jewels cups his face with her hand and smiles.  He catches her hand with his and leans his head into it.  Relief could be seen in his eyes as he sighed heavily.  He stands up and holds her hand within his.  Standing side by side, united and strong. 

"Your Highness, you must forgive this Princess Consort for not saying my farewells before leaving for seclusion.  It has caused a huge misunderstanding, but this Princess Consort did not want to tell you, for this Princess Consort wanted to surprise you with this Princess Consort's growth.  Almost two years ago, this Princess Consort was a waste at a level 2 cultivator and in two years time, this Princess Consort is a level 10 cultivator with mere steps into Grand Master.  This Princess Consort wanted to become Grand Master, so this Princess Consort could be worthy to stand by Prince Raiden's side as his Queen and Queen of Redbane."  

"There is nothing to forgive since it is just a misunderstanding." King Michio said nervously.  The woman in front of him was strong, so strong that everyone knew if she wanted to kill everyone in the room she could and she would be able to do it without even sweating. 

"Since this misunderstanding is cleared up, let us clear up another misunderstanding." Jewels said.  Jewels called out Fenghuang and Roc and they come out in their human forms.  But their force together scared everyone in the room even more.  Those that were there in the Redwood Forest that she saved have sang her praises of her and her animals to call.  They described in detail how the four of them annihilated the whole shadow spies army.  

"What misunderstanding is there to clear up?"  King Michio asked. 

"The reason why this Princess Consort had to stop this Princess Consort's seclusion, of course. This Princess Consort was so close to breaking through when this Princess Consort was interrupted with word that the King, Queen, Generals and Ministers wants this Princess Consort's intended, Prince Raiden to marry a Theraland Princess and make her his Queen." Jewels said coldly. "Last time this Princess Consort remembers is that this Princess Consort is the intended of Prince Raiden.  It is this Princess Consort who is to be the next Queen of Redbane, am I not?" 

Jewels changed her tone and the way she spoke, letting them know that she was no longer going to be polite and cordial. The room was quiet.  No one wanting to go against her for fearing what she would do. 

"I was informed that Redbane and Therland is close to getting into a war.  Why not go to war? Are the Redbane government and its citizen's scared to get dirty and bloody to stand up for what they believe in? Is Redbane a kingdom of spineless men and women who will throw their Crown Prince to the wolves to save themselves?  Is the Redbane Kingdom so weak that they bow down to the traitorous and evil Theraland demands? Did you all forget how Theraland released the shadow spies into your land?  What makes you think they wont do it again when your Prince marries their Princess and makes her Queen.  By making her your Queen, Redbane will only be Theraland's bitch.  To even consider it was a joke.  I never thought the fearsome Redbane Kingdom would be so weak-willed." 

"You go too far." A minister yelled out. 

"Do I?' Jewels said as she lets go of Raiden's hand and  walked towards him. Fenghuang and Roc walking beside her. "Then why are we here?  Why is my love on his knees kneeling to the King and Queen? Answer me, minister.  How am I going too far, by saying the truth? Or was it you who convinced the whole room to accept the "peace" deal to avoid a war?" 

The minister shook where he stood but he did not back down. "It was I who wanted  Prince Raiden to accept the deal and convinced my fellow peers as well.  Why should we go to war for a little disagreement?  Why should we will shed so much blood for a little offense?"

"Why? Because, for the past 20 years, Redbane has lost several young men and women fighting the shadow spies.  Why are you speaking about not wanting to go to war as if you are going to be in the battlefield along with the soldiers who will be there. Besides if its not 'some little offense' now, there will be another one and another one and another one on top of that.  Those 'little offense' would build and grow and should the Redbane Kingdom keep turning their cheek the other way, letting Theraland getaway with every little offense.  Or should Redbane stand up for what's right.  Should Redbane fight back and tell them to fuck off? And show them how strong Redbane is.  Show them that they cannot mess with Redbane and its citizens.  That Redbane will crush Theraland should they try again to cause a 'little offense'." 

Jewels said as she looked at all the generals and ministers in the room. 

"But you never answered my question, minister.  Why are we here, if Redbane has already gave up and let Theraland do what ever they want to do? Why are we here, if Redbane is too weak to protect itself.  Why are we here, if Redbane is willing to throw their Prince to the wolves?" 

No one answered, too ashamed because she was right.  

"So, King Michio and Queen Akane, please clear this misunderstanding with me as to why I was pulled out of seclusion to be here today to attend this meeting?" 

They looked at each other then looked at Raiden.  Pleading with him to speak on their behalf and give them some face.  

"My heart, my King Father and Queen Mother only means well to Redbane and its citizens.  You know there is nothing I will do unless I want to do it."

"When is the time limit for you to accept the deal?" Jewels asked. 

"We have two weeks left." Raiden told her. 

"Give me two weeks and I'll break through.  Prince Raiden and I will meet the peace talkers and Theraland representatives.  And we will deny their peace deal and make our own peace deal that they will accept on the spot.  Or I will rain fire onto their kingdom, killing everyone there in an instant." 

"Sounds like a plan." Raiden said smugly. 

"Anyone has an issue with this?" Jewels asked as she turned around the room. 

Even if anyone had an issue with it, how could they speak up with such a scary woman saying those words?  King Michio thought to himself.  

"My son has chosen well to marry Princess Consort." Queen Akane said trying to get into Jewels's good graces back. "Princess Consort has just come out of seclusion, Princess Consort must be hungry.  Princess Consort should stay for dinner." 

"Princess Consort thanks Queen Akane for the invitation, however this Princess Consort shall go back into seclusion to cultivate.  Two weeks to breakthrough is not a long time.  This Princess Consort will leave first.  Prince Raiden walk this Princess Consort out?" 

Jewels bows to the King and Queen before leaving.  The moment they step outside, Raiden embraces her in his arms and kisses her.  The kiss told Jewels how hard of a time he was having for the past couple of months.  How he had missed her and how much he loves her.  It told her how much he was glad to see her and how happy he is to hold her. They kiss for a long time before he releases her. 

"You shall tell me all about your journey and I'll tell you about the mess here in Redbane." Raiden said. "Do you think two weeks is long enough for you to wake up from a coma?" 

"I have a plan." Jewels told him.  "I'll see you in two weeks." 

"I'll see you tonight." Raiden promised. "I'll visit you everyday.  You better wake up in two weeks!" 

"As if I would ever let you marry someone who's not me." Jewels tells him.

"As if I would ever marry anyone else other than you." 

"Should I not wake up in time.  Fenghuang and Roc will destroy Theraland in my place." Jewels says. Fenghuang and Roc heart dropped. 

"I'm kidding." Jewels said as she turned towards them.  "Should I not wake up in time.  You will stand my Raiden when he meet the peace talkers and Theraland representatives.  You stand there and look scary and should a war break out, you will protect him until I wake up." 

Fenghuang and Roc breathed a sigh in relief.  

"Keep an eye on that minister." Jewels tells Raiden. "He's suspicious." 

"Already am." Raiden told her.  

They kiss one last time before Jewels flies back to her Estate.

------------------

In her grey space, she entered the space by herself leaving Fenghuang and Roc watching over her as she prepares herself to breakthrough her current cultivation level.  Jewels gathers all the soul stones she has left.  Leaving three for her Pop pop so she can heal him with it.  She makes her way to her refining shed and takes all the rejuvenation potions with her.  She walks to the enchanted spring water healing pool and walks into the pool fully clothed. Jewels then sits in a lotus position and drinks all rejuvenating potions and quickly gathers the energy around her and inside her and proceeds to push them through the soul stones.  She clears her mind and pulls the mixed energies in the soul stones into her body.  Her veins starts absorbing and expanding the energy.  It flows through her veins to her dantians and one by one, they fill and over flow. 

Jewels could feel her body grow hot.  Hotter than she ever felt before.  Hotter than she could endure.  All three of her dantians flooded with energy and Jewels breaks through.