Chapter Text
Alcor appeared in the main hallway with a roar and a swirl of shadows and a flare of blue fire, an entrance designed to startle and shock and give him a moment to see what was happening.
Five demons hovered around King Cipher, the same five Alcor had been forced to flee from that terrible day eighteen years ago.
People stood in the hall, across from King Cipher and his demons, surrounded by his guards. People armed with whatever they could find, citizens of the city, people who looked at Alcor with sudden hope.
King Cipher looked down at Alcor where he hovered between him and his prey, and frowned deeply. “Can't that boy of mine do anything right?” he said, shaking his head. “Never mind. It looks like I'll have to take care of it. Pets, capture him for me. Men, help them!”
The humans hesitated while the demons, emotionless and forced to obey, converged on Alcor.
Who smiled tauntingly before lunging.
---XXX---
Mizar and Woodsman pounded up the stairs, their harsh breaths echoing off the walls.
The halls were deserted, but rang with noise, all of it coming from the main hall. It was confused babble from this far away, slowly growing as they raced towards the front of the castle.
They hit the double doors at the end of the hallway, throwing them open with a bang that echoed around the hall.
Down below, everything stopped, and a hundred sets of eyes looked up at them.
Of the five demons King Cipher had bound, only two remained. They couldn't tell what had happened to the other three – they were simply gone, whether their bindings were broken or they were dead they couldn't tell.
Usually, a demon with a broken binding would attack the one who had bound them, but with King Cipher still holding others...
Alcor – Mizar's father – hovered between Cipher and his demons and the people of his daughter's kingdom. His clothes were disheveled and ripped, in a state Mizar had never seen her pristine father in, but not a scratch marked any of the mortals behind him.
Guards lying on the ground ringed the room, many of them clutching some portion of their anatomy or lying still, only their breathing showing that they still lived.
Then Alcor took the chance provided and threw himself at the closer demon.
There was a sound like rope snapping, like a chain being broken, and King Cipher yelled in fury. The other demon lunged, but Alcor was ready, and the sound was repeated.
Both demons collapsed, moaning softly.
“Cesar is a statue,” Mizar announced, her voice carrying across the room and echoing through the open doors to the courtyard. “You are outnumbered, and your demons are defeated. Surrender now, Cipher!”
“No!” Cipher shouted back, his cape whipping about him as he reached for his sword. “This kingdom is mine, and I will do whatever it takes to keep it! The Queen is still mine, and I will raise more demons! My son may have failed to bind Alcor, but I will not!”
His free hand reached for something else under his tunic, and Alcor moved.
Just enough to release the freed demons.
They looked at him, then to the king, and back to the stronger demon.
None could hear what Alcor said to them, but the shrank away from him before looking at the former king.
One licked what passed for lips, and the two shared a nod before lunging at their former captor.
Cipher had time for a single scream before the three of them disappeared in a blaze of fire.
---XXX---
The room was deathly still, everyone staring at the spot where King Cipher had stood a moment before.
Then the room erupted with cheers, cries of victory and chants of Mizar's name, interspersed with Alcor's.
Alcor disappeared from the hall, reappearing on the balcony with Mizar and Woodsman. He drew his daughter in for a hug, squeezing her tightly.
“I'm so proud of you,” he whispered. Mizar scrubbed at her eyes, smiling up at him.
“Not bad yourself, old man,” she laughed softly.
He ruffled her hair and let go. “Better go address your people,” he said. “They're waiting for you.”
“My mother...” she said uncertainly.
“I'll go and free your mother,” he said, floating backwards. “Go on now.”
Mizar smiled at him again and stepped forward, looking over her people. Down below, Wendy caught her eye, giving her a thumbs up, and Mizar burst into delighted laughter.
She threw her arms up into the air, and cried out, “We won! We won, everybody!”
The chant was taken up with a roar, and the city cheered for its freedom.
---XXX---
Mizar was crowned two days later, her mother and Alcor at her side and the Woodsman standing by her throne. As the crown was lowered onto her head, the city rejoiced, and a wave of color swept over the room.
Gold light shimmered over the castle as grey stone lightened, brightening to shining white. Statues and tapestries brightened, changing from terrifying gargoyles to playful ones, from scenes of conquest to scenes of peace.
The light spread across the land, colors brightening as it passed, and the statues it touched softened. Cold stone dissolved until smooth skin was revealed and one by one, the people trapped in stone awoke, helped down from the pedestals by their rejoicing friends and family.
Peace and the rightful ruler had returned.