Chapter 12
Cynthia swung her glowing green aura like a whip, slamming Uncle Den against the banquet hall wall. The force shattered the stone, sending him crashing into the banquet room. Gasps rippled through the crowd as dust settled and the gaping hole revealed Den, rising from the rubble.
Before Cynthia could strike again, thick black smoke erupted from his body. It curled around her like chains, choking the air from her lungs. Den stepped forward with a dark, mocking smile.
"My little princess... much has changed. You have two choices: comply—or join your parents."
Suddenly, a sharp gust of ice burst through the smoke, hitting Den square in the chest. The darkness dispersed instantly.
It was Eric.
Without wasting a moment, Eric surrounded Cynthia and Philip in a swirling shield of ice, teleporting them out of the banquet hall and into the city streets.
As soon as they appeared, Cynthia cried out, her voice ringing across the town square:
"Hear me, my people! I am Cynthia—your princess!"
All eyes turned to her.
"You've seen the truth. You've heard the lies. If you wish to remain in bondage, swear loyalty to my evil uncle. But if you want to fight for freedom—if you want to protect our green land—follow me!"
She raised her hand, green power radiating from her fingers, and slammed her palm against the cursed Thorn Gate that sealed the city. With a thunderous crack, it crumbled.
The people hesitated for only a breath—then rushed toward her, cheering.
Den stood frozen, watching his subjects slip through his fingers. His face twisted in rage.
"All of you who follow this child walk toward your graves!" he bellowed. "I will build my new world on your bones!"
Cynthia turned with fire in her voice.
"Your days are numbered, darling Uncle—you and your dark crew!"
The people roared in support.
Eric ran to her and embraced her. But to his surprise, she kissed him on the lips—then slapped him hard.
"Why did you let that freak choke me?"
Eric blinked, then laughed and held her hand. Together, they led the people to Esther's mountain.
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Arrival at Esther's Mountain – Meeting the Fire Nation
When they arrived, Esther and the elders of the Fire Tribe were already preparing to leave. But when they saw the massive crowd marching behind Eric and Cynthia, they stopped in awe.
Old Esther rushed over, pulling the two aside.
"What happened? How did you escape—and with almost everyone?"
Cynthia breathed heavily. "It's a long story, but all you need to know is: the people don't want to live under my uncle and the Dark Tribe. They want freedom."
She looked over the crowd. "But wanting freedom isn't enough. They need hope—something to believe in."
Old Esther placed a hand on Cynthia's shoulder.
"My princess, they're here because they believe in you. They love you. They loved your parents. Now go—address them."
Cynthia looked nervously at Eric. He gave her a firm nod, squeezed her hand, and guided her toward a ledge where the entire crowd could see her.
She stepped up.
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Cynthia's Speech
"My people," she began, voice shaking at first, then growing strong, "thank you for following me—even after all these years. Your courage has shown me that we all want the same thing."
"We don't want to live in the shadow of darkness. We don't want to be ruled by fear or betrayal. We want our freedom. We want to enjoy our magic—without the stain of dark power."
The crowd stirred with passion.
"It's time to take back what belongs to us. It's time to drive the enemy back into their tunnels and reclaim our land!"
Her eyes blazed. "A wise man once said: no one kills a king without a plan to rule. So we ask—if our kings were killed... who's really ruling now?"
"Time to free our people!" she shouted.
The crowd erupted.
"Time to free our people!!!"