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Chapter Text

Attilan, a sprawling city filled with people and technology beyond any seen on the rest of Earth. Or Earth in general, because Attilan was not a city on Earth.

It was a city on the blue area of the moon, created eons ago, gleaming with a beauty thought to exist only in works of fiction.

People were seen working in the lower levels that were filled with smoke and dust and sounds, an Inhuman using her power to basically sweep the area with a small burst of water, as that was her power, summoning a small burst of water at a time, which dehydrated her, while another used his power to lift a large piece of debris, at a 90 degrees angle, walk forwards with it, and then keep it at the site where the construction was going on, as he could lift decently heavy things, but only walk with them at a 90 degrees angle.

Like that, the Inhumans in this part of the city toiled and worked, as one by the name of Taran said to them. "This structure has nearly been formed. Let us try and finish it soon, and rejoice, since this would be done."

Hearing his words, they seemed to feel more hopeful, as that was his power, inspire people with his words, which caused the female one with the water power named Daris to smile, before it faded, as she asked. "But then there would be another after this, right?"

"Yeah, and then another", the lifted by the name of Naros added. "This never seems to end. Why is it that we have to do this, toil forever, while they", he pointed towards the palace, "get to enjoy sitting in there."

"Because our powers aren't too great, and come with major drawbacks", Daris pointed out.

"But does that make us lesser?" Taran asked, causing some other workers to look at him. "No one questions a waterfall that cleaves through the mountains, as to where its source is, because its strength is its identity." He looked up, then at the rest of them. "So why is it that our identities are reduced to being nothing but workers in this level of the city? Because our powers aren't too great?"

"Its that Royal Family, and the Genetics Council", Naros said with a scoff. "The Council especially, deciding how to govern this city the way they deem fit. I am surprised they let the King sit on the throne, considering what his power did."

The rest paled a little, before Taran pointed out. "From what we know, there is conflict between the Council and the Royal Family, as the Council has never been in favor of the King, but they had no choice at the time." He shrugged. "Either way, it does not matter, even if the King and Queen want to change things, the Council has too much power, and won't let them."

"And that is if they want to", Daris muttered.

"We never know, they've only been ruling us for two years now, and have only finished consolidating", Taran pointed out, before frowning. "But….you do speak true. Would they truly care?"

The Royal Palace was the most beautiful and glamorous building in this great city beyond the humans of Earth. Constructed ornately, with intricate carvings all over, everything gleaming like they were the stars seen in the night sky.

Inside, the Royal Guard, consisting of Gorgon, stood on duty, and in the hallway, the young Inhuman Crystal was seen playing with the Inhuman dog known as Lockjaw, Crystal chasing him as he teleported away, causing her to laugh.

"Lockjaw, no teleporting, otherwise I'll use my ice-slides!" Crystal said with a chuckle as he appeared behind her, and barked, causing her to turn and chase him, passing by the Royal Guard, including Gorgon, who looked at them, then shook his head.

"She still does not grow up", he muttered to himself while standing still, hands behind his back.

In his room, Karnak sat, his eyes closed as he meditated, trying to concentrate and focus his mind.

And then, there was the bedroom of the Royal Couple, where Medusa, the Queen, sat on the bed contemplatively, looking down, her hair subtly moving, the weight of the realization hitting her.

Her husband, Black Bolt, the King, stood at the balcony, looking down on the city, his face showing his conflict.

Ever since he had been born, Black Bolt had been confined in a sound-proof chamber, being tutored to control his voice.

At the beginning, he had understood why it was necessary, but did they really have to wait sixteen years before letting him out? He had understood the reason for keeping him inside much earlier than that, and would not have spoken a word while outside.

So, he understood the unfairness of it, being judged on the basis of your power, and being put in a place where you didn't want to be put.

The caste system did the same thing to the other people, confining them to the lower levels so they could toil for all of their lives with no hope of anything else.

Medusa had started visiting him when he was in the cell, learning to communicate with him via sign language, and during these meetings, they'd fallen in love, Medusa coming to very much agree with his point of view about the unfairness of it all.

Yet, they had not been rulers for too long, and the Genetics Council was opposed to them, due to the great power Black Bolt wielded, which clearly frightened them, yet at the time, there was no other choice to be made by them.

Still, it was risky to make moves that changed things with the Council breathing over their necks, especially due to certain rules that were biased towards them, as the Genetics Council had been created to keep the Royal Family in check, but the one who'd drafted these rules clearly had not thought about the part where the Genetics Council needed to be put in check too.

One wrong move, and the Council would try to use it as an excuse to depose them. They might be the rulers, but they were trapped too.

And Medusa knew things were about to get even worse when the Genetics Council found out what she'd just realized.

As her hair continued to move subtly, she looked down at her stomach, putting her shaking hand over it, her face showing just how tense she was, before she smiled, because no matter what happened, this was hers, and her husband's.

"My King", she called out, making him turn around to face her, as she looked at him with her smile, letting a tear of joy roll down her cheek while she stood up, walking to him, finally breaking the news.

"I am with child."

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

Black Bolt looked at Medusa, and then at her abdomen, a happy smile crossing his face while his eyes were filled with joy, as he knelt and grasped her abdomen gently, embracing it, Medusa smiling as she embraced him back, before he stood up and they shared a loving kiss.

After that, they parted, Black Bolt looking towards the balcony, then back at Medusa, using sign language to talk.

"This is a moment of joy for all of us."

Medusa nodded. "Indeed it is, my King, but…." She trailed off, grasping her abdomen again, her smile turning into a little frown. "The Council….."

The good mood instantly evaporated, Black Bolt shaking his head as he looked down, nodding glumly.

"They have never been on our side due to us wanting to reform the caste system", Medusa noted grimly, then sighed. "And now that I am with child, they might try to use their own authority to do to him what was done to you."

Black Bolt's eyes widened in utter horror. That was something he would never allow to happen! He shook his head vigorously, assuring her nothing would happen, and Medusa nodded, holding his hand, even as both were unsure of what to do now.

"Things have not been easy recently", Medusa said as they sat down together. "Your cousin Triton reports that there are more like us on Earth, and there is persecution of them down there too."

She sighed. "Of course, even if somehow, they are allowed to come here, it won't be much better, considering here we persecute them based on powers."

Black Bolt nodded sadly, pointing at his own mouth, Medusa agreeing. "Indeed. While it was understandable to keep you in the chamber when you were younger, you should have been let out sooner." She looked ahead at the city's high buildings herself. "And now, they too suffer because their powers are not as great as ours, all because these rules were made years ago, and our previous generations did not dare to go against the Genetics Council. Already, they hate us, because Triton got sent to Earth on this mission to observe ones like us since we first heard that they arose."

Her hair moved a little, and she shook her head. "What will we do?"

Black Bolt grasped her hand tightly, and she grasped his, the two looking into each other's eyes, an understanding passing between them. Whatever happened, they will be with each other till the end of it.

And then, Medusa finally said. "Let us tell the rest of them."

Black Bolt nodded in agreement.

A while later- Crystal, Karnak and Gorgon were gathered with Black Bolt and Medusa as well, Lockjaw standing nearby.

Crystal looked quite excited. "This is joyful news! Our family is getting another little member." She looked down at Medusa's abdomen and made a cooing sound, causing the rest to chuckle, Black Bolt simply smiling. "I look forward to meeting you."

Lockjaw barked, seemingly in agreement, as Medusa agreed. "I can feel it, the life inside of me, and I can't wait to bring this life into this world." And then her expression turned grim. "Yet…..there is a pit of unease inside of me."

"Because of the Genetics Council, right?" Karnak asked, Black Bolt nodding in response. "Chancellor Arcadius shall try to find an excuse to start a conflict over this."

Gorgon scoffed. "As if, he can start a conflict over looking at him too long. I will rip his head off right now if I can."

"Now, now", Karnak said, Black Bolt raising a hand, causing Gorgon to roll his eyes. "Let us exercise caution. They are not on our side, but trying to incite violence is nothing but a flawed strategy."

"Only thing flawed here is taking what they throw at us", Gorgon snarled.

Black Bolt looked at Gorgon and shook his head, making him shrug and look down, as Crystal asked. "What will the Council try to do?"

"Nothing good, I fear", Medusa said, before holding her husband's hand. "But that does not mean we will take it lying down. They may have the laws biased towards them, but we are the Royal Family of the Inhumans."

Mahabharat soundtracks 34- Pandavas All Together Theme plays

"And we shall face this", Gorgon added. "Together, always."

Medusa smiled, keeping her hand forth, as Black Bolt put his over hers, then Crystal put hers over theirs, followed by Gorgon, and finally Karnak, with Lockjaw barking in support.

"Together, always."

They lowered their hands, Karnak noting. "I believe it is best to get in front of this already, as the Council will try to cause problems even if not told soon enough."

"You speak true", Medusa agreed, looking at Black Bolt, who nodded in agreement again, while Gorgon walked out to join the Royal Guard again. "Let us meet the Council, husband." She shrugged. "Besides, we want to fight for change in the caste system, so let is begin by fighting for this child."

Together, Black Bolt and Medusa started making their way to the Council chambers, when someone walked towards them from the other side, making them pause due to who it was.

Black Bolt acknowledged him via sign language and a nod, Medusa translating for the person in front of them.

"Brother."

Maximus the Mad looked between husband and wife, a smirk on his face as he did a mock bow. "Greetings, my King and Queen."

Black Bolt just nodded, as Medusa asked him for her husband. "How are you?"

"Just living, which is not possible in this palace", Maximus shrugged, Black Bolt shaking his head, trying to assure him he could be part of them if he wanted.

He started moving his hand to grasp Maximus' shoulder, but Maximus moved away. "I just needed to meet a worker of mine, which is why I'm here."

Medusa inquired. "And what is of the utmost importance between you and this worker?"

"Oh, can't really say..." Maximus replied slyly. "But I appreciate your concerns." With a smirk, he leaned in closer and added. "My congratulations on the child, by the way."

The King and Queen shared a surprised look at the fact that he knew, before Medusa thanked him on both of their behalf. "Thank you, Maximus."

Maximus then walked past them, the two watching after him, as Medusa said to Black Bolt. "I always feel he is scheming."

Black Bolt looked at her, Medusa adding. "You and I both know what he is capable of. Remember the Kree emissary?"

Black Bolt nodded sadly, hoping Maximus took his offer, and stopped scheming, before the two walked to the Royal Guard, consisting of Gorgon himself, the gold-skinned and white-eyed Alaris, the reptilian-winged Asmodeus with green skin and scales, the suited Drive who'd super-speed, the glowing white-eyed Nahrees, the reptilian Neifi and the lion-like Flaidermaus with fangs, claws, fur and wings.

There was also one called Chynae with gills and water-generation abilities, but she'd been sent to Earth alongside Triton.

"We are proceeding towards the Council Chambers, to speak of important matters", Medusa said to the Royal Guard, before ordering. "Accompany us!"

The Royal Guard all bowed to the two, before standing on either side of them as they started walking towards the Council Chambers together.

Very soon, the King and Queen, alongside their Royal Guard, were in the Council Chambers of the Genetics Council at last. There was the center of the chamber, where the one giving a statement stood, to allow the rest to hear them.

Tapestries were there in the background, on the walls, showing past Council members, with the ground shining, the reflections of the ones standing visible on it, while there were statues of the past Council Members as well as the past rulers surrounding them.

At a large table raised to a height, right next to the center itself, sat the Genetics Council, led by none other than Chancellor Arcadius, who looked at Black Bolt and Medusa with narrowed eyes, clearly trying to scrutinize them, and gold fillings in four of his teeth could be made out.

On his left side sat Targon, a being who looked like a were-lion, having the mane and face, but the body was of a human.

On Arcadius' right side sat Porcal, who was like a porcupine, sharp quills sticking out of his body.

Then on Targon's side sat Cynas, a one-eyed Cyclops-like lady, while on Porcal's side sat an alien-looking blind creature named Videmus.

After that, at the corner was Furgar, a bulky and green figure who resembled a frog, and on the other corner was Sapphiras, her entire body made of gold.

This was the entire Genetics Council, whose power was to some extent greater than even the Royal Family, as they decided who to put in which spectrum of the caste, and even made rules for the Royal Family to follow.

Rules that had not been followed.

The Royal Guard took their positions on either side of the room, as Black Bolt and Medusa stood together in the center of the chamber, looking up at the Council at their table.

"Greetings, Genetics Council of Attilan", Medusa began the proceedings with a little bow, Black Bolt bowing alongside her, as the Genetics Council lowered their heads in greeting too, before lifting their heads up.

Arcadius then replied. "Greetings, King Blackagar Boltagon and Queen Medusalith Amaquelin-Boltagon."

Cynas finally made her inquiry of them. "Why do you come before us today?"

Black Bolt took a deep breath, sharing a look with Medusa, before looking at the Genetics Council, and gesturing to Medusa's abdomen, placing his hand upon it, the Genetics Council instantly realizing what he meant with that gesture of his.

They shared looks of concern, some of them whispering amongst themselves, before Arcadius raised his hand, gesturing them to stop. He looked down upon the King and Queen intently, his gaze lingering on the Queen for just a longer, in a manner that both Black Bolt and Medusa clearly did not like.

Arcadius then began to speak. "I believe the Genetics Council told the two of you to not bear a child. You were forbidden to do this!"

Medusa decided to speak now, shaking her head as her hair waved. "Is it not expected that a husband and wife will procreate? I believe that was an unreasonable burden put on the two of us." With a little smile, she added. "Besides, it was not written as a rule that the Royal Family cannot procreate if said so by the Council, only given to us as an advice by you, which we did not follow."

Arcadius showed no reaction, but it was clear that he was fuming internally, as were the rest of the Council. True, their words had to be written up to be considered the law, and there had been no written law forbidding the Royal Family from procreating if the Council forbade them.

But they had expected their words to be followed either way. The Royal Family had always done that.

How dare these two not follow?

Sapphiras spoke now. "You speak true, in that this was not a law, and simply given as an advice, but if we gave the advice, it was done for the good of the people, and we expected it to be followed."

Medusa shook her head once more, her hair fluttering. "I say again, it is only natural that a husband and wife would procreate, expecting us to follow an advice such as this is simply putting an unreasonable burden on all of us."

Targon growled. "The burden was put on you because of the people!"

As Black Bolt and Medusa stared at the Council, Arcadius took over once more. "The two of you wield great power, some of the greatest that our world has known."

Black Bolt shook his head. His power might be great, but the cost at which he had it meant it was ultimately not worth it, unless they were in a threatening situation.

Arcadius continued to speak. "And because of that, you were given this advice, for an offspring of yours would wield even greater power, and the balance we have shall be shaken." He declared. "This child could tip the balance of power, my King. We must ensure he serves the greater good of Attilan… not just the interests of the Royal Family."

Medusa had it with him and replied as her hair seemed to lash out for just a second before being pulled back in. "He is our child, Chancellor. Not a tool for the Council's ambitions."

That made the Council glare at her, especially Arcadius, while Black Bolt looked at her in concern. He agreed with her, but he did not think she would say something like that to the Council, since they did have power, and had been here for as long as the Royal Family.

Gorgon wanted to say many things himself, but he was only here as part of the Royal Guard.

"We have no ambitions but to serve the people of Attilan, my Queen", Arcadius finally said after recovering himself. "That is why we have castes, to make sure the people work and live according to their powers, but a child like this, his power might be beyond all of us and threaten this balance we have maintained for centuries."

Black Bolt shook his head, then used some sign language, while Medusa translated what he was saying. "How exactly do we decide whose power is more useful and whose is not?"

For a few seconds, the Council were silent, then Arcadius asked finally. "What do you mean by that?"

Black Bolt continued to use sign language, and Medusa translated for him. "All of us have powers, some wield greater power, others wield lesser power, but how does that decide what place do they have in our society?"

Arcadius looked stricken on hearing that, and they noticed he was almost shaking. Furgar began to say. "This is an ou-"

Arcadius lifted up his hand before Furgar could finish his sentence, deciding to keep words like 'outrage' and 'disrespect' out of this for now. While they did have some power over the Royal Family, it was clear the two of them were not going to back down so easily either.

Against them, they had to act calmly, and not give in to anger and lash out, which would make it clear that they were rattled by what Black Bolt and Medusa were saying, and that in turn would increase support for the Royal Family since they seemingly asked the right questions and that enraged the Council.

Arcadius finally said. "This meeting is ended for now. We hear what the two of you are trying to say, and I say unto you that we need more time to ponder upon what was discussed here, before continuing the discussion upon these matters and making our final decision."

Black Bolt nodded, Medusa saying. "We accept." They did a low bow that the Genetics Council returned, after which Black Bolt and Medusa walked out of the chambers, holding each other's hands, the Royal Guard walking with them, three including Gorgon in the front, the remaining three in the back, and the Council watched as all of them went out as one.

Gorgon whispered to Black Bolt and Medusa. "They are riled, I would say keep pushing."

They shared a look, wondering how to proceed now.

Arcadius looked at the rest of them, and said. "This is quite the troubling news." None of them seemed to disagree.

Karnak was meditating in his chambers once more, and heard a knock, opening his eyes and walking to his door, opening it to see Black Bolt on the other end. He stepped aside, letting Black Bolt enter, then closed the door.

"How did the meeting with the Council go?" Karnak asked Black Bolt, who looked down sadly, shaking his head, and Karnak knew what that meant. "This was to be expected, truly." Black Bolt nodded at that; they all knew what the Genetics Council was like.

Karnak gestured to a chair, and Black Bolt walked to it, sitting down upon it, while Karnak sat down on a chair opposite from his. "What did the Council say?"

Black Bolt used his sign language, explaining it. "The Council said they forbade my Queen and I from procreating for our child would have great power and threaten the balance of Attilan."

Karnak looked almost amused by the Council's argument. Balance of Attilan? When had they cared about things like that?

He then asked Black Bolt his next question. "And what did you and Queen Medusa say in reply?"

Black Bolt smiled, using sign language to convey the rest of it. "She said the Council only said that as an advice, it was not a law, so we chose to ignore it. Besides, it is natural that a husband and wife would procreate."

Karnak had to chuckle at that, commenting. "That is just what I would expect from Queen Medusa." His face then turned neutral as he analyzed the argument of the Council, and easily saw the flaws in it. "The Council might say they care about Attilan and the balance, but truly, they care only about their own power."

Black Bolt or Medusa could not publicly criticize the Council like this (well, in his case, he also could not speak due to what his power was capable of), but Karnak was not wrong either, and Black Bolt nodded in agreement.

"The caste system has been part of Attilan for centuries, but we both know the flaws there too", Karnak commented. "It is not about power, it is about how someone uses the power. Your power is great, but you exercise control upon yourself so as to not use more than needed."

Black Bolt looked down sadly, remembering a certain incident, as Karnak put a hand to his shoulder. "I know why that incident still troubles you. But you were only trying to stop the Kree with whom Maximus was associating. The deaths were a tragedy, but you are not that kind of person anymore."

Black Bolt gave Karnak a grateful look as Karnak continued. "But either way, the Council wants to hold onto the power they have, and they are afraid that the great power this child would wield will threaten that power, as such a child can change things." He looked at Black Bolt with a fierce gaze. "But of course, it is us who must begin the change if we want to be an example."

The fire in Black Bolt's eyes matched the one in Karnak's, who added. "The Council is afraid, cousin. A child from the Royal Family threatens their control. The flaw in their arguments… is that their true fear is the fear of losing their power."

Black Bolt nodded, and then the two looked ahead, knowing this was only going to get worse.

At the same time, Medusa was walking outside the palace, some of the Royal Guard behind her, those being Asmodeus, Drive and Nahrees as she took the long winding paths that led downwards, to the lower-caste sections, which surprised the Royal Guard.

"My Queen", one guard who was Drive said. "Why are we here?"

"This section is part of Attilan, is it not?" Medusa asked, her hair waving subtly in the direction, and Drive nodded, acknowledging that. "Besides, if there is truly trouble here, you are all here to protect me, are you not?"

Drive nodded as Medusa added. "And then there are these." Her hair waved briefly, after which she walked into the lower-section, the Royal Guard following her, and they saw children playing with their powers, one of them throwing thorns at the other as that one raised a barrier to defend himself, the thorns shattering, both laughing at that.

Then, they went further into the industrial section, feeling the thick air filled with dust, and smelling the scene of machinery oil, which was when Medusa ended up seeing Taran and some other workers about to finish their construction, as Medusa looked at what they'd done, making quite a decent-looking structure.

"Your hard work is much appreciated", she said to Taran, who turned around to see who it was that had complimented him, and when he and the rest saw Queen Medusa, they bowed to her, before she commanded. "Rise."

They did just that, as Taran said. "It is an honor to be graced by your presence here, Your Highness."

"I am just here to meet the people", Medusa said to him, looking at the other workers. "How are the conditions here treating you?"

"Like they always have, Your Highness", Naros replied to her. "There is no change at all."

Medusa nodded, her hair moving subtly. "We hear what you are saying….."

"I am Naros, Your Highness", Naros gave his introduction.

"And I am Taran, Your Highness", Taran told her his name.

"My name is Daris, Your Highness", Daris gave her name to Medusa as well.

Medusa nodded, getting their names, then told them. "Like I said, we hear what you are saying."

"What does that mean?" Taran inquired.

"I have heard of the discontentment that the people of Attilan have", Medusa told them all, "with the caste system."

Their smiles turned slightly into frowns as they exchanged looks, before Daris asked her. "And?"

"I can understand why you all feel in such a manner", Medusa assured all of them. "And my husband, the King, he understands your plight himself."

Regardless of their cynicism, they could agree to that, considering he'd literally been locked up for most of his life due to his powers. He might be the King now, but he knew what hardship was like, and how one's own power could cause one to be put in a place where they did not want to be.

Of course, in his case it was more understandable due to the destructive effect his voice had, which they'd all seen, but they could imagine how he felt about it all as well.

But in spite of all this, these were people who had faced the injustice of the caste system for a long time.

"Even if he does understand", Taran began. "Will there be any changes?"

Medusa held Taran's gaze, reading the tension and the quiet yearning that had hardened behind his eyes. She had always seen the caste divide from her side of the throne room, from a distance — but here, among the workers in the grit and smoke of Attilan's industrial district, the weight of their struggles was tangible.

Taran sighed heavily, lowering his gaze before he spoke to her. "The Council doesn't care about us, Queen Medusa." His voice was edged with weariness and exhaustion. "We need things to change for the better."

Medusa glanced at Naros and Daris, catching the quiet nods of agreement. She could see in their faces a bitter acceptance — one built over years of knowing their fates were bound by a system that rarely rewarded their labor or dreams. These were not merely subjects; they were people, longing for a better life, and Medusa felt that ache deeply.

"They will…" Medusa said, a note of determination in her voice, "if I have anything to say about it."

The workers' expressions shifted subtly, doubt flickering with a cautious hope. They had been told many things by those who ruled above them, but promises were often whispered down from high and seldom materialized. Yet here was their Queen, standing not in the splendor of the palace but among them, her words resolute, her tone devoid of royal pretense. She met their gazes, one by one, wanting them to feel her sincerity.

Daris spoke up, her voice hesitant but slightly bolder than before. "Forgive me, Your Highness, but words aren't enough. We've heard many promises over the years, but the Council —" she stopped herself, almost as if weighing her next words. "The Council doesn't listen. They don't understand the cost of their choices… for us."

Medusa nodded, understanding the burden of Daris's words. The Council only had their own interests in mind, considering they were trying to control the future of hers and husband's bloodline, all to keep their own power. And they were trying to control the caste system in the same way.

"Daris," Medusa said softly, "I hear you. And I won't turn my back on you, or any of you. My husband and I both know what it's like to feel as though your voice is silenced…" She trailed off, deciding to not talk more about that for now, because regardless of the Council trying to make life harder for her and her family, they were still better off compared to these people, so she stopped herself.

Yet, a quiet murmur moved through the crowd of workers. Some exchanged glances, as if daring to let their guard down, while others seemed more skeptical. But Medusa could feel the shift.

Taran crossed his arms, brow furrowed, but there was a touch of curiosity in his expression. "And what will you do, Your Highness, when the Council opposes you? They have kept the caste system intact for as long as any of us can remember."

Medusa's gaze did not falter. "The Council is powerful," she acknowledged, "but we are not without our own power." She felt the weight of her words, knowing they implied a choice that might set her and Black Bolt against some of their long-time advisors, if not all of them. But if change was to come, they would have to be willing to stand up for it — for the people, for Attilan.

Naros, who had been quietly watching, spoke up. "We… we want to believe you, Your Highness. But we've had nothing to believe in for so long."

Medusa took a step closer, her voice soft but unwavering. "Then let us give you something to believe in." She reached out, resting her hand lightly on Naros's shoulder. "If we do this, it will not be easy. It will take time, but change must come."

For a moment, there was silence, and then, one by one, the workers began to nod. It wasn't an outpouring of applause or cheers, but Medusa could sense the beginning of something — a fragile hope, a spark that could grow. And as she looked around at the faces in the crowd, she felt it: the beginning of a promise she intended to keep.

She and Black Bolt had to make a better Attilan, an Attilan that their child would rule justly one day.

Maximus was pacing in his own stone-lined chamber of his private quarters while looking at a chemical in a tube as he passed it from that tube to another, already knowing of the Council's argument with Black Bolt and Medusa, as well as Medusa going out to meet with the lower-caste people.

All because of his trusted aide, Varek, who could hear sounds from any direction if he put his ear to the ground, or to the wall, and focused in that direction. Varek usually hid himself while wearing a robe around his body and crouched to the ground in various corners where such sights would be considered normal, and then he listened to everything, before giving the information to Maximus.

Maximus knew just in what direction the winds were blowing, and he intended to ride with them, because the apathetic Council and his silent brother were both unfit.

Mahabharat Star Plus l Mahabharat Jukebox l All Characters l All Mantra l Mahabharat 7:59 to 9:26 (Shakuni theme) plays

"Too much power in the hands of these fools," he murmured to himself, a faint smile pulling at his lips while he analysed the chemical fluid, leaning his face in closer to inspect it. "Perhaps it's time to share a little more… with those who want to make the right choices."

There was a knock at his chamber, and he opened the door, allowing entry to Varek himself.

"Are they ready?" Maximus asked, his tone low but filled with anticipation.

"Yes, my lord," Varek replied. "The representatives from the industrial section and agricultural section. The ones who have been vocal about reform. They've been trying to address the Council, but…"

"But they've been ignored," Maximus finished, a look of satisfaction crossing his face as he put the tube with the chemical back in place. "Good. Bring them to the lower hall." He then asked. "And what is Medusa doing?"

"She has spoken to some workers in the industrial section, and reassured them", Varek informed him. "But we can still pull them to our side."

Maximus nodded.

Soon after, Maximus descended into a smaller, secluded chamber beneath the main palace, where the representatives — workers' leaders, most of whom had endured years of hard labor without a whisper of relief from the Council or the Royal Family— waited with anxious looks. There was Kivar, a stoic man who had organized various peaceful protests in the city's industrial section; Shaya, a fiery orator from the agricultural sector, known for rallying her people for fairer treatment; and Ryn, a craftsman who had once petitioned for representation on the Council only to be denied without explanation.

The murmurs died down as Maximus entered, and they eyed him with suspicion, while also bowing to him. They knew of his royal status but had never been addressed by a member of the Royal Family outside of official appearances. They watched him, unsure of what to expect.

"Rise, and I thank you for coming," Maximus said, nodding in mock respect as he took his place at the center of the room, looking each of them in the eyes while they rose up. "I know that the Council has… refused to listen to you, and that you have felt abandoned."

Kivar, with his jaw clenched, took a step forward. "It isn't just that they won't listen, my Lord. We've been made to believe that nothing will ever change. We've been trying to address the issues for years, but they ignore us. What do you want from us, Prince Maximus?"

Maximus gave a sympathetic nod, carefully keeping any hint of his true intentions out of his expression. "What I want is to see justice done. My family claims to rule with wisdom, but if they ignore the people of Attilan, are they truly wise? Are they truly just?"

Shaya, her gaze fierce, crossed her arms as she replied. "With respect, my Lord, we know well enough not to expect charity from the throne. Many of us have tried. We've been dismissed and silenced."

Maximus's smile was thin and cold. "The Council fears change. They cling to an ancient order, unwilling to consider a future where everyone has a voice. But I am not afraid of such a future. I believe Attilan should be a place of opportunity… for everyone."

The three representatives exchanged uncertain glances, intrigued but wary. They'd been met with empty promises from the upper echelons before. But as they watched Maximus's sincere expression, they sensed a rare opportunity — perhaps, finally, a crack in the castle walls they'd been knocking against.

"You say you believe in opportunity," Ryn said cautiously. "And what do you gain from this, Prince Maximus?"

Maximus met Ryn's skeptical gaze and leaned forward, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "My loyalty is not to tradition. It is to Attilan. To the people. Attilan deserves a leader who listens to the people. I believe our city needs change — bold change. The Council and my brother will never change things. But with your help, I can, and if I am to help you, I need to know you are willing to stand with me."

There was a moment's silence, and then Kivar nodded. "If you stand with us, we'll stand with you, my Lord. But this change we seek… it cannot be half-measures."

"It won't be," Maximus assured, his voice smooth as silk. "Together, we can build a new Attilan, one where every citizen has a voice and a fair share of power. But I will need your support — your loyalty." His eyes flashed with conviction. "For only with unity can we break the chains that bind us to the past."

Slowly, each of them nodded. Despite their reservations, they felt something different in Maximus's words, a resolve that was rarely seen among those in power. Here was a prince, they thought, who might actually care about their struggles — and they found themselves daring, perhaps foolishly, to hope.

"You may go now, but I shall be speaking with all of you once more, as well as others, because all of us together shall build the united Attilan", Maximus said, and they bowed once more.

Then, as the representatives left, Maximus allowed himself a moment of satisfaction, his lips curving into a smug smile. The seeds were planted. Soon, his own name would carry the weight of change, of revolution. And once the throne was his, all of Attilan would answer to him.

In his chambers, Black Bolt stood, silently contemplating his position. He loved Medusa dearly, and he already loved the child they were going to bring into the world. He also distrusted the Council, and yet…they had served with the Royal Family for centuries, and the Royal Family was supposed to be loyal to them. That was the law.

"Being King is quite the burden", Black Bolt mentally said to himself. He stood on the balcony, overlooking the city, and Medusa walked towards him, standing by his side, her hair fluttering.

"I know what you're thinking", Medusa said to him. "You worry for our child, and you think of the change we both want to bring, yet, you also think of the Council."

Black Bolt nodded at that, using sign language. "You are my wife, Medusa. And I will stand by you, as well as the rest of our family. And while I distrust the Council, I do not wish to make them lose faith in us just yet."

Medusa put her hand to his shoulder, her hair fluttering a little more as they looked at each other. "You're torn, I know. But this is our child. He will change Attilan, one way or another. And it is we who must begin the change."

Black Bolt used sign language. "I will protect our family. But I cannot ignore the Council… not yet."

Medusa could see his point, and spoke. "Whatever happens, we will face it together." They smiled, and shared a loving kiss, before looking down the balcony together, holding hands.

The Council stood together in the ancient temple of Attilan, made out of ancient and powerful stone, carvings all over it, and statues of the ancestors of the Royal Family, which now included Black Bolt's own parents.

Ancestor-worship was what they practised in Attilan, and that was what the statues of this temple represented.

But the Council was not here to worship any ancestors, especially considering they won't be getting any blessings or the sort, due to their opposition to the Royal Family to keep their own powers.

A young boy sat in the center of a temple on a pedestal, meditating, an empty plate near him, with some crumps of food left, meaning he'd eaten before falling into meditation.

"He shall tell us more", Videmus said as they looked at the boy. "And then we shall decide what to do."

Arcadius nodded, and called out to the boy. "Oracle Ulysses!"

Ulysses opened his eyes, seeing it was the Genetics Council.

"Oh! Greetings Genetics Council", Ulysses said awkwardly as he stood up and bowed to them, and they bowed back.

"Greetings, Oracle", Arcadius said in reply. "We are here for your advice regarding a matter of grave concern."

"What is it?" Ulysses asked, wondering what had the Genetics Council so rattled.

"The Queen is expecting", Arcadius said, and Ulysses blinked once in mild surprise.

"Right."

"We forbade them from bearing children, unfortunately our advice was not followed", Arcadius said to him.

"I mean…." Ulysses began. "They're in love and married, so-"

"We are just concerned of the great power such a child could have. It would be unprecedented", Arcadius tried to say to Ulysses. "Just…Oracle Ulysses, I request you- use your powers and tell us what you see regarding the child."

Ulysses could absorb information and energy from the entire world into his brain, and generate visions of a possible future, while speaking about it as he went into a trance. Of course, the future he mentioned was only a possible one, but an Oracle's words were always taken seriously.

Ulysses looked up, and then down, before raising his hands to either side and closing his eyes, his mind gathering all of the information and energy as he breathed in and out deeply. Then, he opened his eyes, and they were glowing red, Ulysses seeming to be possessed.

After a few seconds, he finally spoke.

"Born of silence and strength, the child will rise. The future of Attilan rests upon his shoulders, but beware: he will bring both creation… and destruction."

At that moment, the Genetics Council shared looks of horror, Sapphiras saying. "Attilan is in trouble, as are we!"

"What do we do now?" Cynas wondered.

"Those insolent fools!" Targon snarled about Black Bolt and Medusa. "How dare they defy us?! Now look- because of them we are all doomed."

Arcadius then raised his hand, a smirk crossing his face. "This is good for us. We can use this against the King and Queen. We can prevent such a future too." He turned to face the rest of them. "You know how."

All of them looked at him, as he said. "Do not worry, Attilan shall continue like it always has." Ulysses came back to normal, as Arcadius gave him a slight bow. "You have our gratitude, Oracle Ulysses."

Night had now fallen on Attilan, as Black Bolt and Medusa sat on their bed, looking at each other.

Karnak stood outside the palace, in the shadows, seeing the Genetics Council walking to their chambers, his arms crossed as he scrutinized them with his gaze, all of them whispering amongst themselves.

They walked off to their chambers, not noticing him, as Karnak stared ahead, knowing the storm that was coming, as he thought of how to protect his family and the kingdom.

Black Bolt and Medusa continued looking at each other, her hair fluttering a little, as they held hands, and Black Bolt then put his other hand on too, looking down at her abdomen, his eyes saying he was going to be there for her and their child.

Medusa smiled, and then they lay down on their bed to sleep.

Ending credits play.

Chapter Text

It was daytime in Attilan, yet the sky seemed just a little darkened. People worked in the lower-levels, including Taran, Daris and Naros, as Daris swept away some waste, and Naros kept a huge boulder nearby. "Do you believe the Queen will fight for our rights as she had said?"

Taran pondered over it. "I have learnt not to believe much of what the people above us say, however…" Medusa had come down here to meet with them, and even spoken to them and gotten their names. They weren't just lower-caste to her, but people with names, and thoughts and feelings, "….Queen Medusa seemed like she genuinely wanted to help us and improve our situation."

"I felt the same way", Daris noted, as they turned to look at the palace, while others continued to work behind them, one Inhuman using his powers to slightly expand a flame. "However, they still live up there, and we live down here. So let us temper our expectations."

Taran wanted to argue, but a lifetime of being stepped on and not having any promises fulfilled prevented him from saying anything.

Because either something would happen, or nothing would.

In the palace, the attendant to Queen Medusa named Druna walked out with a plate in hand, Medusa sitting on the bed, wincing a bit as she put a hand to her stomach on feeling something, then removing it as it passed, while Druna closed the door, with Black Bolt simply looking down from the balcony, seeing the distant sections like the industrial and agricultural ones, where people toiled just because their powers weren't as good as those who lived up here, regardless of the skills they had.

He looked at the letter in his hand, having been sent to him and Medusa by the Genetics Council, telling them of the prophecy regarding their child, requesting them to make a decision for the better of all of Attilan.

Black Bolt looked ahead at the distant sections housing the lower-castes once more, wondering if this prophecy really was true. But…..it couldn't be! It just couldn't!

Medusa walked up next to her husband, looping her arm around his while glancing down at the letter in his hands, her hair flowing up briefly before coming down.

"It is a prophecy, yes, but Oracle Ulysses has told us before that he sees possible futures", Medusa reminded him of this little characteristic in the young Inhuman's powers. "So, regardless of what he saw, it may not even happen at all, and he only gets brief visions anyways."

Black Bolt nodded, seeing her points, while her face turned grim.

"However, the Council will oppose us over this", Medusa sighed. "Our child….and our want to reform the society of Attilan, the Council do not want either of those things. And this will only get worse for us."

Black Bolt looked down, knowing she was right, then looked back up at her with the fire of determination in his eyes, and she smiled, knowing he was going to do his best to make this situation better.

"We will face this together", she said to him in agreement, her hair fluttering as well at that point.

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

In the Council Chambers, the Council were discussing their next steps, with Arcadius in their center, Sapphiras noting. "There has been no response to our letter where we told them of the prophecy."

"Are they trying to defy us?" Targon asked in a growl. "They wouldn't dare!"

"It hasn't been too long", Cynas pointed out, even if she would feel better if Black Bolt and Medusa followed what they had to say. "I would say let us give them some more time."

"But they are rulers!" Porcal said to the rest of them. "They should make such important decisions efficiently and quickly if they are to be seen as the heads of this country."

"We know that they are not, not truly", Arcadius finally spoke up, causing the other ones to turn to him now, his teeth with gold fillings glistening in the light. "Which might be why they are not responding to us promptly."

"What are you trying to say, Chancellor Arcadius?" Videmus inquired.

"They want power, and the child will have great power", Arcadius told the others in the Council. "I am sure all of you can tell where I am heading with this."

"Do you really believe they would dare to do that?" Furgar asked of Arcadius.

"In want of power, people can do anything, even virtuous ones", Arcadius said, addressing the entire Council, the irony clearly lost on him. "King Blackagar Boltagon may be a strong and wise leader, but even he can lose his senses in want of power, or due to love for his and the Queen Medusa's child, whom we know would bring chaos with the power that he or she would wield. They must do something about the child, or we will have to."

"What is necessary, you mean?" Sapphiras asked, and Arcadius nodded, smirking.

"Quite necessary", he told her. "Because if the King and Queen are blinded by attachment to their child instead of thinking of Attilan, they cannot be fit enough to rule this country."

"I believe they are unfit already", Targon said with a snarl. "They questioned our methods and division of caste, which has been around since Attilan existed!"

"Clearly, they have their own agendas, and the child will play into that", Sapphiras noted, Arcadius sighing.

"The child may be a key to unlocking power… or our downfall. We must ensure the Royal Family does not act against Attilan's best interests."

"You mean their interests."

Arcadius responded with a shrug. "Is there a difference anymore?"

"No…." Videmus sighed, shaking his head. "I do not think there is a difference now."

"Even then", Cynas said, causing the rest to turn to her. "Before taking drastic action, let us send them someone to remind them of this, and ask what their course of action. If there is still no response, or no appropriate response, then we will do what we deem fit."

"That is a good suggestion, Lady Cynas", Arcadius agreed with her. "Let us send a messenger."

Karnak was meditating in his chambers once more, thinking of all that the Council was planning, and their arguments, already having a feeling of the mess that they were all about to be part of.

They would definitely attempt to manipulate Black Bolt, using their knowledge of the written rules to try and make him follow them. He wanted change, but even he would not try to truly defy everything about the written rules of the Council.

And then there was Medusa, who was opposing them more openly, perhaps because she could speak without consequences, unlike Black Bolt. The Council would see her as an even bigger threat as of now, and might even attempt to move openly against her.

Of course, the flaw in that would be earning the ire of many in Attilan. Not just the Royal Family, but even the lower-caste citizens, since Medusa's reputation amongst them had risen significantly after having spoken to them.

The Genetics Council would be fools to try anything against her, but pride always came before the fall, and pride was the biggest flaw of pretty much everyone in the Genetics Council, especially Arcadius.

He heard a knock on the door, and opened his eyes. "Come in."

The door opened to reveal Gorgon, as Karnak stood up, walking to him. "I take it you heard of that letter."

"I did", Gorgon said with a sigh, closing the door. "What should we do about the Council?"

"Waiting and watching is option for now, because neither side has escalated things as of now", Karnak pointed out, turning away and looking ahead. "These are serious matters, Gorgon. We want to change the caste system, and now Blackagar Boltagon and Medusa are having a powerful child who seems to threaten the hierarchy of power. The Genetics Council do not like either of these developments. They will try to push."

"Which is why I asked what to do about them", Gorgon tried to make his point. "Why don't we just push them back first and teach them a lesson, so they do not try any tricks with us?"

"If we are the aggressors, this situation will look bad on us", Karnak put forth his point. "I want to protect our family as much as you do, but this is what I do, Gorgon. I analyze everything, from objects to people to situations, so that I can find flaws before making my move. Right now, any move the Council makes is going to have flaws, I know it, but if we move before they do, our plans will be no less flawed, which is something we cannot have."

"I hate it when you're right", Gorgon said with a groan. "And that is every time pretty much."

Both of them chuckled, before turning serious as Karnak told Gorgon. "Besides, you are also part of the Royal Guard, who serve both the Royal Family and the Genetics Council, if you make the wrong move, it will reflect badly on the rest of the Royal Guard."

"I do not care about that. I have nothing but respect for my position, and my fellow Inhumans in the Royal Guard, but my greatest duty in life is to protect my family!" Gorgon declared passionately. "If my duty to the Royal Guard comes in the way of that, then let it be said that I am no longer one of the Royal Guard!"

Karnak folded his arms. "And what if a situation arises where the Royal Family, that is us, are in the wrong?"

Gorgon froze, realizing what Karnak was trying to say. "I mean…..that is a different situation, I was talking about when we are in the right but still treated unfairly. Which is what seems to be happening as of now."

Karnak nodded. Gorgon was right, they were being treated unfairly by the Genetics Council, who considered their written rules to be the law, and would do anything to make sure they remained in power and upheld their own law. But he was right too in that this needed to be treaded carefully, because if they tried to be aggressors, they would just become dictators, and not saviors.

Gorgon could sense Karnak's unease, and commented. "I don't like when you get this quiet."

Karnak shook his head. "It's not the quiet that concerns me, Gorgon. It's the silence before the storm."

Gorgon smirked. "Then let's make some noise...when the time is right."

Karnak's eyes lit up. "Perhaps, we should, but before that, it is necessary to see which way the wind blows."

With that, he opened the door and walked out, Gorgon walking with him, as Karnak walked through the halls, only to see Maximus in the way.

"Greetings", Maximus said with his usual smirk, as Karnak nodded at that, and Gorgon did too.

"Greetings."

"Greetings."

"How is your day going, if I may ask?" Maximus inquired, as if trying to get them to spill what they were thinking about the situation that was going on as of now.

"Nothing of note, Maximus", Karnak replied to him. "Why are you here?"

"Just going to meet my worker", Maximus said in reply.

"Why is your worker here instead of in your chambers?" Karnak inquired with folded arms.

"Because I am part of the Royal Family too, and so his work is not limited to here", Maximus replied casually, even though his smirk seemed to have cracked for just a moment.

"True", Karnak shrugged, even though he clearly did not believe Maximus.

Gorgon snarled at him. "Now, if you are thinking of trying anything-"

"I am part of the Royal Family, and you are a Royal Guard", Maximus sneered at Gorgon, getting into his face. "You are obligated to obey me. So be silent!"

Gorgon was about to retaliate, but Karnak put a hand to his shoulder, making Gorgon turn to him. Karnak shook his head, and Gorgon sighed, backing off, Maximus smirking at the sight.

"I hope you have more workers than just the one who hears things", Karnak commented to Maximus, whose eyes widened at that, causing Gorgon to cover his mouth so his laughter won't be seen, and then the two of them walked past Maximus, who turned around to glare at them, before walking off.

"Oh seeing his face like that was so pleasing", Gorgon said to Karnak, the two coming near the rest of the Royal Guard. "What do you think he is going to do now?"

"You and I both know what Maximus is like, he has always wanted the throne, and with that worker of his, I imagine he already knows about the situation at hand", Karnak warned Gorgon grimly. "He is going to try and make a move to benefit himself. I know it."

"So, what should we do?" Gorgon asked.

"Nothing for now", Karnak said firmly as he put a hand to Gorgon's shoulder, Gorgon now near the rest of the Royal Guard as he took his position. "I understand your concerns, and I feel the same way, but we are not great Heroes of old who battle monsters and other enemies. We are Royals, and this is politics, regardless of intentions, good or bad, thinking is needed before acting."

Gorgon sighed, clearly not liking this, but accepting it for now, as he stood firmly in position, while Karnak walked off.

"Royal Family talk?" Nahrees asked with a smirk, Gorgon nodding.

"Yes, yes it was."

Medusa was walking with Crystal, with Lockjaw walking alongside them, Crystal asking her older sister. "So, Oracle Ulysses made a prophecy about all of this?"

"He did", Medusa said to her. "Said this child will cause both creation and destruction."

"But that doesn't sound possible. Your child can never be like that", Crystal denied it, just not believing it. "And really? Creation and destruction at the same time? Makes no sense."

Medusa shrugged alongside her hair, the two continuing to walk as Crystal held her sister's hand. "But don't worry, I'll be protecting the child, no matter what happens, I'll be their overprotective and loving aunt." She smiled. "And I'll protect you too."

Medusa smiled back, cupping Crystal's cheek lovingly. "But you are the youngest, if anything, it is I who should protect you."

Crystal shook her head. "I am not a child anymore; I don't need protection." Lockjaw barked at that point. "See? Even Lockjaw agrees with me."

Medusa had to chuckle a that, with both of them continuing to walk with Lockjaw, Crystal saying. "Besides, I mean, the Council has been here for years, they can't be that bad, right?"

Medusa shook her head. Crystal was not a child, but she was still young and had not yet understood how the world worked. She could not fathom that the Genetics Council could be that bad unless she saw something for herself.

And Medusa did not want her to see anything of that sort, to keep her innocence intact. But Crystal was part of their Royal Family, so it was impossible to shield her from such things forever. Still, Medusa hoped such an incident happened later rather than sooner.

"Let us hope you are right, dear sister", Medusa commented, grasping Crystal's shoulder, looking down. "And then there is the people."

"You met them yesterday, didn't you?" Crystal asked, Medusa nodding, the three of them walking out to the palace gates as they opened to allow the two of them to look out and at the distant view of the other sections. "So that means they know we're trying to help them and things will get better, right?"

"I convinced them, but they have been having hard lives for a long time now", Medusa warned Crystal. "It is actions that will move this matter forwards, not just words and empty promises."

"But either way, the Queen walking amongst them, I imagine that had to have helped with their perception of us", Crystal pointed out while raising her finger. "And I am sure you will come up with ways to help them all really soon, you and King Blackagar both. Change is coming, I know it."

"Let us hope so, because this is a fragile time. I believe if the situation of the lower-caste does not improve soon, they might just revolt", Medusa said, to the shock of Crystal. "They believed me, yes. But their efforts have been rendered meaningless for a long time, and they have been stepped on by the ones up here. They will need to see actions and results, because if the promise turns out to be empty, they will start retaliating now, and I cannot say it is not well-deserved." She just hoped she and Black Bolt could do something quickly enough before any of this actually happened, the people deserved better, as did the country of Attilan itself.

"Well, you had a good start", Crystal shrugged, Lockjaw barking again. "I am sure if we keep this up, we will win over the people of this country completely in no time." She added. "Besides, the people do still love us, Queen Medusa. If we show them the truth, and our overall efforts, they'll side with us."

Medusa nodded, her hair waving a little, but her face was grim, as while Crystal had the right idea, she wasn't understanding the gravity of the situation and the political landscape fully.

"Love isn't enough. Power and fear rule Attilan, Crystal. We must be ready for what comes next."

That was when someone walked up to them from behind. "Your Highness." Medusa and Crystal turned around with Lockjaw, Medusa nodding at him, gesturing that he could go on.

He bowed and gave her the message. "I come with a message from the Genetics Council- they want you and the King to make a decision on the child as fast as possible, and it should be a decision that benefits all of Attilan."

Hearing that, Medusa's hair rose up and stood for a while, and she was shaking in rage, with the messenger looking scared.

Crystal got annoyed, glaring at the messenger. "Do the Council not realize everyone needs time to think about such matters?"

Medusa looked at the messenger, then said. "I have made a decision now, and I'm going to tell the Council about it directly to their faces!" With that, she stormed off, her hair waving and lashing behind her, and the messenger just seemed to cower.

Crystal looked at him and shrugged. "Well, you don't want to make her angry." She narrowed her eyes and added. "Or me, for the matter." Lockjaw did a little growl at that, and the messenger quickly got up and walked off.

Maximus twirled the tube with the chemical in his fingers, then put it in place, after which he walked the quiet corridors beneath his own chambers, where the ancient stone felt damp, and the air was thick with the sense of secrecy. The hidden meeting hall that he'd secretly gotten created for his own use was seldom used by even him, reserved for clandestine discussions and matters best kept from the Council's and his family's sight. Tonight, it served his purposes perfectly, and he was glad to have it created.

Inside, a handful of dissidents from the lower castes waited, watching him with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity. These were not just workers; they were the movers and shakers of Attilan's underground resistance — organizers who had been quietly working to unite the people against the oppressive caste system. Most wore plain, worn clothes that marked their humble origins, but the determination in their eyes betrayed their fierce commitment.

Maximus stepped forward, spreading his hands in a gesture of goodwill. "Thank you for meeting with me," he began, offering a warm smile that softened his sharp features. "I know trust is difficult to come by in these times."

A woman with a steely gaze stepped forward. Her name was Lia, a well-respected leader among the dissidents, known for her pragmatism and her distrust of those in power. "We've been disappointed by promises before, Lord Maximus," she said carefully. "Why should we believe this time is different?"

Maximus nodded, his face the picture of understanding. "I don't blame you for being cautious, Lia. You've risked much for your people, only to be ignored by those who sit on the Council." He paused, letting his words sink in. "But the Council… they don't understand the reality of life for people like you. They've grown too comfortable."

Lia and the others exchanged glances. Maximus could see their wariness fading, a spark of interest kindling as he continued.

"The Council thinks they hold the reins of power," he said, his voice soft but insidious, "but they've forgotten the people who truly make Attilan work… people like you." He let the words hang, watching as they absorbed this new possibility. They were used to feeling invisible, their concerns dismissed. To have a royal acknowledge their importance, their power — it was intoxicating.

A younger man, Darrek, stepped forward, his face eager, though hardened by years of struggle. "You would fight for us?" he asked, his tone filled with equal parts skepticism and longing.

Maximus leaned forward, his eyes sharp, his voice a near whisper. "I'll fight for Attilan," he replied, the faintest edge of conviction in his words. "And when the time comes, we'll break the chains that bind us all."

His gaze moved over each face in the room, watching the impact of his words. Darrek and Lia, along with the others, were tense but intrigued, drawn by the vision he painted — a vision of freedom, of power shifted to the people. Of course, he had no true intention of sharing that power, but they didn't need to know that.

Lia crossed her arms, her posture softening ever so slightly. "If you're true to your word, we will be with you. But we can't afford to be deceived."

"Nor can I," Maximus replied, his tone so earnest that even he nearly believed it. "This isn't just your fight, Lia. It's mine, too. My family clings to tradition, to a world order that no longer serves our people. They've grown complacent, blind to the suffering beneath their feet."

"But we heard Queen Medusa had met with some of the lower-caste just yesterday", Darrek said in reply, as it was being spoken about all over. "And she promised us change."

"It is a plot, my young friend, to win all of your love so their power can grow", Maximus instead told him, planting doubts about her intentions on the mind of Darrek as well as the rest. He took a step closer, his expression shifting to one of solemnity. "But unlike her and the rest of them, I see you. I know your worth. You are not the first dissidents I have met with. Yesterday too, I met with three representatives who'd been turned away by the Council, or completely ignored, time and time again, for I truly believe in your cause. And when the time is right, we'll forge a new path for Attilan — one that values all its people."

The silence in the room felt charged, as though the air itself had thickened with the weight of his words. They were listening now, truly listening. And in their eyes, Maximus saw the flicker of allegiance beginning to form, the faith that he could turn their struggles into something more.

"What do you need from us, then?" Darrek asked, his voice cautious but steady.

Maximus clasped his hands behind his back, assuming a thoughtful stance. "For now, I need your strength. Your unity. The Council won't listen to the people's voices unless we make them see our numbers, our resolve. Continue gathering allies, quietly, steadily. Spread the word that change is coming."

Lia nodded slowly, the light of conviction beginning to fill her eyes. "We'll do our part, but we need your help to ensure this isn't another empty promise, Lord Maximus."

Maximus placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his touch surprisingly gentle. "I promise you, Lia. This will be the start of something new. Together, we will shape Attilan into a place worthy of its people."

As the dissidents filed out, Maximus watched them, a faint smile curving on his lips. They had no idea that his vision for Attilan was one where only he would stand at the summit, where he alone would command the loyalty of all. By the time they saw the truth, it would be too late.

Turning back toward the shadowed halls, Maximus's gaze hardened. The seeds of rebellion were sown, and soon, they would bear the fruit of his ambition.

The doors to the Council chambers burst open as Medusa stormed into the room angrily, and Arcadius began. "Greeting, Queen Med-"

Medusa's hair actually lashed in his direction for half a second, to his shock as he backed slightly, before she took her position in the center of the room.

"Where are the Royal Guard?" Sapphiras asked, wondering why Medusa was here without them.

"These whispers and plotting of yours need to stop!" Medusa said immediately, getting down to business pretty much and not wasting any time with pleasantries, with the Council seeming surprised of all things.

"Whispers and plotting regarding what exactly?" Targon inquired, sounding quite offended.

"Our child, Council member!" Medusa snapped, her hair going up for a second before going down. "All these plans you seem to have for our child, it is not acceptable to me or my husband, the King!"

"But we have no plans, Queen Medusa", Cynas spoke up now, causing Medusa to look at her. "We just want you and the King to make the right decision for the betterment of Attilan, to make sure balance is maintained, and to make sure Attilan remains as it is."

"You and I both know that Oracle Ulysses' powers do not see the exact future", Medusa pointed out, causing some of them to share looks, wondering how to respond to that, while Arcadius instead looked at her, with that look she did not like, as if he wanted to not just oppose her, but break her down to nullify her stand. If she could, she would drag him with her hair right now, but he had not done anything yet, and was the Chancellor in the Genetics Council, because of which she was going to respect his position, as long as he respected hers.

Did not mean she could not oppose all of them over their nonsensical views of HER and her husband's child though.

She felt something in her stomach again and grasped it with a wince, before it passed and she sighed in relief.

And so, she continued. "His powers only predict a possible future, and it is based on what he sees using his powers at the time that his prophecy is born. For all we know, nothing will come of what he has spoken."

"But the Oracle is an important part of our tradition, Queen Medusa", Videmus said to her. "And even if his words prove to be false, we cannot take it any other way unless it has been proven false."

"Then why not wait?" Medusa asked, folding her arms as her hair folded alongside them too. "Let the child be born and actually work for the people. And then we will see if this prophecy is true or not."

"That is a risk which we cannot take, Queen Medusa", Porcal now spoke for the rest of them. "This warning prophecy needs to be treated with respect and care, so you and your husband the King must make a decision for the betterment of Attilan."

Medusa replied. "We are treating this prophecy with respect and care, and also caution." Now that silenced the Genetics Council for the moment. "As I said, the Oracle's powers do not predict the exact future, just a possible one. Unless we have surety that he is speaking something that will truly happen, we are not going to do anything regarding this child, other than letting our child be born. And I believe we will not have such surety anytime soon, if at all."

"You are not seeing the gravity of the situation, Queen Medusa!" Arcadius finally spoke, as she glared at him, while he stood up, opening his mouth to reveal his four teeth with gold fillings. "We have been here in Attilan for a long time, since it began, and helped the Royal Family in governing Attilan. Our advice has always been taken, the rules we have written have been followed. And Attilan still stands because of all these reasons. Do you really believe trying to change something that has always worked will benefit Attilan suddenly? How are you sure it will not ruin our country and everything we've stood for? You cannot disregard the advice we've given so blatantly, otherwise….."

"Otherwise what?" Medusa asked with a glare, daring him to continue.

Arcadius gave her that look and snarled. "There will be consequences."

Medusa was not having any of it. "We will not let you decide the future of our child. We will not let Attilan be ruled by fear."

Arcadius said in reply. "Fear… is what keeps Attilan strong. You and King Blackagar Boltagon should understand that better than anyone."

Medusa looked at the entire Genetics Council one by one, and then her gaze settled on Cynas as she smirked. "Council member Cynas, I believe I should follow what you have just said to me."

"What do you mean, Queen Medusa?" Cynas asked, confused.

"I and my husband the King will make a decision for the betterment of Attilan", Medusa told the entire Council, before turning around and walking off. "Just wait for it."

She walked out of the chambers, as Arcadius snarled. "How dare she behave like that with us?" He slammed his fist on the table, the statues around moving just a tiny step forward each. "How dare she?!"

"Now what should we do about this?" Furgar inquired.

"We will soon show them that such defiance will always have consequences", Arcadius said while glaring at the spot where Medusa last was.

Black Bolt stood alone in the throne room, thinking about what to do next, and what move to truly make. While he did not agree with the Genetics Council and wanted change, he was still respectful of their power and authority, as well as the written laws.

Yet, he would not let any of them play with the life of his and his Queen's child. That was not something he was ever going to allow. Politics and power were one thing, the life he and Medusa were bringing into this world was another.

The Royal Family had been helped by the Genetics Council since the beginning, yet this caste system was prevalent because of the Genetics Council, not that the Royal Family had done anything to change that until now.

But even then, if they were around for so long, was it right to oppose them this much? Perhaps they knew how to govern Attilan the best.

Yet, they were trying to have a say regarding the life of HIS and his Queen's child. Regardless of the power their child would wield, this was not something he was going to just accept. The Council should have no say in such matters.

He was their child, not a tool to be used in schemes.

"With a whisper, I could destroy the city. With a word, a country. My child, what curse will you bear? What power will make you so feared? Is there a way to stop this paranoia, or like me, will you be burdened by what is beyond your control?"

The Council were powerful, but he had to bring change, and he had to protect his family, until the end of it all.

"Their authority may have my respect but they do not. If they attempt to harm my family, I will no longer stay silent. My child may have great and terrifying power, but I and my Queen will teach the child how to use it wisely and govern like a true ruler should."

The air in Attilan's lower districts was thick with dust and the scent of machinery oil. Grit coated the walls of the industrial zone, where machines chugged relentlessly, tended by workers whose weary faces bore the weight of their lives within the rigid caste system. It was in this specific that Maximus found Taran, hard at work beside an old conveyer, repairing a damaged beam with a focus that bordered on desperation, while nearby, Daris swept away more waste, and Naros kept blocks down slowly, one by one.

Maximus approached quietly, pausing a few feet away to watch Taran's skilled hands move, reinforcing the structure one careful motion at a time, while Daris and Naros joined him after their work was done.

Mahabharat Star Plus l Mahabharat Jukebox l All Characters l All Mantra l Mahabharat 7:59 to 9:26 (Shakuni theme) plays

After a moment, Taran sensed someone behind him, turning with a wary expression, alongside the other two. Recognition flickered in their eyes when they saw Maximus, and they inclined their heads respectfully, though their postures remained tense.

"Lord Maximus," Taran greeted cautiously as he bowed, and Daris and Naros did too, followed by the other workers in the area. "We are graced to have you amongst us."

Maximus let a small, approving smile spread across his face. "Rise." They rose, and he continued. "I come here because I wanted to see the heart of Attilan," he told all of them, gesturing around them. "I wanted to see the people who keep our city alive. People like you…."

"My name is Taran, Lord Maximus", Taran said with a bow, while Maximus looked at Daris and Naros.

"Daris, Lord Maximus."

"I am known as Naros, Lord Maximus."

Taran shifted, glancing at his hands, which bore the calluses of hard labor. Even after the meeting with Medusa yesterday, he wasn't used to attention from royalty this much, let alone a visit from someone so close to the throne, because it wasn't a regular occurrence. "We appreciate that, Lord Maximus," he replied. "But… if I may speak…."

"Speak freely", Maximus shrugged, wanting to show that he was caring and thoughtful of what they spoke of.

Taran sighed. "I doubt anyone else up there cares much for what we do down here."

Maximus's smile faded, replaced by a look of understanding, even sympathy. "I can't disagree. The Council ignores you. They see you only as workers — as tools to be used, rather than people with lives and dreams of your own."

"We have always felt that way, Lord Maximus", Daris did not deny it. "And we have been unheard."

Taran frowned, conflicted. "Maybe… But Queen Medusa visited us recently," he said, sounding almost hesitant, as if testing the words on his own tongue, while the rest seemed to not in agreement with him. "She spoke with us. She listened to what we had to say about the caste system. She promised she'd try to make things better."

"We usually don't trust, but the Queen sounded genuine", Naros added.

Maximus's face shifted, just a shadow of skepticism, but enough for Taran to notice. He shook his head slowly. "Medusa may have listened, my friends. But how many others have listened before her? How many empty promises have we all heard over the years?" His gaze bored into Taran's, steady and intense. "She's royalty, through and through. Do you really believe she can see the reality of your struggles?"

Taran clenched his jaw, his eyes dropping to the dusty floor. "I don't know. I want to believe her… but the Council, the caste system — it's all been the same for as long as I can remember. For my parents, too. It's hard to think one visit will change that."

Maximus placed a hand on Taran's shoulder, his grip firm. "Exactly, Taran. They're comfortable with the way things are. Medusa's heart may be in the right place, but she is only one voice against a Council determined to keep things as they are. They will not relinquish their power willingly. They never do."

Taran's face grew stormy as the frustration he'd kept buried rose to the surface.

"Then what should we do, Lord Maximus, if we want to truly change things?" Daris inquired, Maximus turning to look at her. "If the Council does not listen, and if the Royal Family do not listen, what can we do?"

Maximus turned back to Taran and saw the crack in Taran's resolve, and he pressed forward, his voice low and persuasive.

"The Council will never change, Taran, Daris, Naros. Not for you, not for Medusa, not for anyone," he continued. "But you — the workers, the people — you have more power than they realize. They only keep it because you allow them to. Imagine if you decided not to follow their rules. If you refused to accept this fate that's been forced upon you." He stepped back, gesturing around them. "The Council thinks they hold the reins of power, but they've forgotten the people who truly make Attilan work… people like you."

Taran's eyes lit with a fire that had been smoldering quietly, waiting for a spark, with Daris, Naros, and the rest having similar expressions. Taran looked down at his hands, the hands that built and maintained the structures of Attilan, the hands that held the strength of the city. But the doubt lingered, as did the memory of Medusa's promise.

"You would fight for us?" Taran asked quietly, meeting Maximus's gaze with uncertainty, but also with a glimmer of hope.

Maximus smiled, warm and understanding. "I'll fight for Attilan," he replied. "For the people who deserve better. And when the time comes, we'll break the chains that bind us all." His voice held a magnetic conviction, a certainty that seemed to breathe life into Taran's doubts, transforming them into something dangerously close to resolve.

Taran stood still, considering the words. In his mind's eye, he saw Medusa's compassionate face, but he couldn't ignore the growing frustration that simmered beneath it all — frustration at the Council's refusal to change, at their cold indifference to the people's suffering. The promises had always felt hollow, and here was someone, a prince no less, who not only saw their struggles but also offered a way to fight back.

Maximus studied Taran's conflicted expression, the hint of doubt mingling with hope, and he saw similar expressions on the faces of Daris and Naros, as well as the rest. He knew that Taran and the rest weren't entirely swayed yet, but that doubt would fester. In time, it would grow into something strong enough to push Taran and the others toward his side.

"Think on it, my friends," Maximus said quietly, releasing Taran's shoulder. "The time for change will come. And when it does, I hope you'll be ready to fight for a new Attilan."

Without waiting for a response, Maximus turned and walked away, leaving Taran, Daris, Naros and the rest of the workers standing by themselves in the dusty, dimly lit space, with their thoughts a churning sea of hope, doubt, and an unfamiliar yearning for rebellion.

Black Bolt sat on his throne, having just adjourned a meeting with the Treasurer, when he saw Karnak walk in, taking his seat as the Chief Minister of the Court.

"King Blackagar Boltagon, we need to speak", Karnak said, and his tone told Black Bolt that this was only for his ears.

Looking at the rest of the court, Black Bolt did a gesture with his hands, pointing to the door respectfully, then gestured to himself and Karnak, indicating that the two of them be left alone.

The other courtiers stood up and slowly walked out, as Karnak stood up, Black Bolt doing the same, using his body gesture to ask what piece of information Karnak had now.

"The Council is insistent as you and I both know, but they are not the only trouble we are facing now", Karnak revealed, and Black Bolt looked down, before looking up and gesturing at Karnak to continue, Karnak nodding and doing so. "As you and I both know, Maximus is being seen outside of his private chambers much more nowadays. He ran into you and the Queen once yesterday, and then he ran into me and Gorgon today, and I am pretty sure this was not a coincidence."

Black Bolt would want to say that Karnak was being paranoid, but regardless of Karnak's exceptional deductive skills and his ability to find flaws everywhere, he himself knew Maximus very well. He wished Maximus was different, but unfortunately, Maximus was who he was.

So, he nodded in agreement with Karnak, and Karnak continued. "I also know he has a worker with an ability to hear things in any direction he focuses on when he puts his ear to the ground. So I am sure that he already knows what is going on between us and the Genetics Council, and I imagine he knows of our attempts at wanting to reform the caste system as well."

Black Bolt could not deny Karnak's point there either, and used his hand gesture to ask what he thought Maximus was planning.

"He does not like any of us, but I have my doubts about him siding with the Genetics Council either. If anything, I doubt the Genetics Council would want to do anything with him either", Karnak gave his unbiased assessment of a potential alliance between them. "But he will try to use this situation to his advantage, perhaps by speaking with the people of Attilan." Black Bolt looked alarmed. "However, it is the Council that worries me more, for they have more power than him or even us and are not pleased with yours and the Queen's actions."

Black Bolt nodded, looking away, wondering what move should be made next. "Enemies from both sides. I wonder, father, if you kept me inside to protect me from those snakes more than you did so to contain me and my power."

Karnak put a hand to Black Bolt's shoulder. "Maximus is dangerous, but the Council? They're more immediate. Don't let your silence become your weakness."

Black Bolt gave another firm nod, knowing that he had to do something even if he could not speak to argue his points the way his wife did.

Black Bolt smiled and used sign language, 'saying' to Karnak. "Some consider how you never underwent Terrigenesis to be a weakness."

Karnak shrugged and replied. "Power often lies not where it is most obvious." Black Bolt smirked at that, Karnak smirking back.

And that was when Medusa arrived, not looking pleased at all. Seeing her face, Karnak inquired. "What is the matter?"

"The Genetics Council, they tried to push me into making a decision regarding our child quickly", Medusa revealed, Black Bolt's eyes widening in shock and horror, as Karnak groaned, looking down. "Chancellor Arcadius even said that there will be consequences for disregarding their advice."

Now Black Bolt clutched his fists in anger, while Karnak shook his head, though he was at least partly pleased in a way, because the Genetics Council was the aggressor now, and they would only come off as the defendants.

Of course, that did not mean he wanted this to escalate too much. If things could somehow be resolved peacefully (it was impossible, but hypothetically speaking), then he would not mind in the least.

However, with this, they had an advantage when viewed from an outside lens, so when the clash between them and the Genetics Council happened, they would not look bad, while the Genetics Council would.

Black Bolt did a gesture with his hands, saying. "They haven't done anything yet, but they are going too far trying to invade our lives, and the life of our child, all because of a prophecy which is only a possible future."

"Indeed, we cannot let the Genetics Council play with our lives or the lives of our child", Medusa declared passionately, and then held Black Bolt's hand. "As we've agreed upon before, we must start the change we want our child to be. Our child deserves to live, to be loved, and to choose. The people of Attilan deserve the same, all of them." With a smirk, she added. "Council member Cynas told me to make a decision for the betterment of Attilan." Looking between Black Bolt and Karnak, she revealed. "And I have just made it."

Black Bolt nodded, indicating that he was listening.

Just a few hours later, the court was full of people, with Black Bolt and Medusa sitting on their thrones, while the Royal Guard, including Gorgon, stood at their sides, with Karnak and Crystal on their seats, as well as other courtiers, and the Genetics Council too.

But what surprised many was that even the lower-caste representatives were here, including Kivar, Ryn and Shaya, all of them having been accorded seats too.

The courtiers looked unsure about it, but the Genetics Council looked outright angry, looking like they'd been insulted to their faces.

Considering how much they supported the caste-system, they most likely had been insulted to their faces with this action of Medusa and Black Bolt.

Medusa then shared a look and nod with Black Bolt, before standing up and walking forth, the Royal Guard stepping aside slightly to give her space, though Gorgon still kept himself close to her, glancing at the Genetics Council members, especially Arcadius, every now and then.

"Greetings, citizens of Attilan", Medusa began addressing everyone present in the room, making no distinction at all by addressing everyone as 'citizens of Attilan', "You all must be wondering why all of us are gathered today, in this court."

Looking at their interested faces, Medusa revealed the reason. "Me and the King have called upon all of you to make an announcement- that we are not supportive of the caste system ourselves, and are looking into it to make a change."

The courtiers exchanged surprised whispers. They did know the Royal Family wanted to change the caste system, but announcing it boldly in front of everyone, from the lower-caste representatives to the Genetics Council, that was something no one had expected.

The lower-caste representatives were whispering amongst themselves too, wondering what this meant, and if it was true or just an empty promise.

The Genetics Council looked completely enraged as Arcadius started. "This is an-"

He was cut off when Medusa continued to make her speech instead. "Now, my belief is that regardless of power and skills, we are inhabitants of Attilan, and all of us deserve the best that Attilan has to offer. Which is why, I believe the so-called lower-castes deserve more rights to be offered to them, equal rights."

The lower-caste representatives looked shocked, wondering if this was a dream, or reality, and if it was the latter, was it a joke?

Arcadius was about to talk again. "You canno-"

Medusa instead continued her speech. "All of us know that we are not alone in this Universe, there are many out there, such as those who are responsible for our existence." Whispers continued amongst the people, all of them. "And now there are reports of more like us rising on Earth, which is why Triton, and others, including Chynae of the Royal Guard, have been sent to look into it."

There were many who did know this, but there were others who thought all of this was a rumor, until now.

Then, Medusa said. "There can be friendly people beyond Attilan, but there will be many threats too. And a society that divides itself based on powers is not a society that can stand against those who would destroy us."

The whispers were stopping now, and Medusa saw people nodding in agreement, even some courtiers.

"While change cannot come immediately, we are going to start the change now, for the future of Attilan, and for our child."

Mahabharat soundtracks 38 - Tittle Track (Instrumental Version) plays

Now that shocked the lower-caste representatives even more, as this was not something they were aware of until now, while Black Bolt nodded, and Karnak smirked on seeing the looks of the Genetics Council, Crystal having to cover her face to prevent herself from laughing out loud at how they looked.

Gorgon kept himself close to Medusa in case any of the Genetics Council or a courtier or even one of the Royal Guard lost their senses and tried anything.

Medusa finished her speech.

"Only united, can Attilan stand against threats to us in the future. We are all Inhumans of Attilan. And the time for division is over."

The Genetics Council would have said something, but the lower-caste representatives all stood up in cheers and applause, everyone happy to hear what their Queen had said, with even a few of the courtiers joining them, while those that didn't looked like they were at least considering the validity of Medusa's arguments.

Medusa smiled and nodded, Black Bolt doing the same, as Medusa's gaze fell upon Arcadius, who was giving her that look again.

Smiling, Medusa did a light gesture with her head that said 'bring it on'.

Arcadius frowned and did the gesture himself.

This had just begun.

Ending credits play.

Chapter Text

Murmurs and whispers spread all across Attilan, the lower districts tense, as there were messages being spread about equality, and in some cases, rebellion as well if equality wasn't provided after Medusa's speech.

In the industrial district, Taran brought a hammer down upon a block Naros had kept down for him. "I am still not sure of what will happen as of now, but at least there are talks."

"Which is more than what we've seen in our entire lives", Daris noted, sitting down next to Taran, as he kept his hammer away for now, Naros sitting too, the three taking a short break for now.

"I do believe something is going to happen", Naros said to the two of them. "If our demands are not met this time, there is going to be a revolution for sure, because the fire has been lit, by the Royal Family themselves, whether they like it or not."

"Prince Maximus seems to have the same idea", Taran said, remembering their meeting with him a while ago. "Remember how he said we're the true power of Attilan?"

"Because he knows the truth", Kivar said, now stepping forth as he used his powers to reshape a stone. "He knows what it has been like for all of us, and would fight for people like us."

"Would he?" Daris wondered. "At the end, it was Queen Medusa who gave the speech to rally us all."

"Does not mean Prince Maximus does not care", Kivar pointed out, remembering back to the conversation with him. "He invited me, Shaya and Ryn to speak with us over these matters."

"He actually invited you all, even before Queen Medusa and King Blackagar Boltagon did?" Naros asked, surprised on hearing that, as were the other two. "To speak with him?"

"He did", Kivar confirmed.

"Some of us were invited too", Darrek said from a corner, warming a block with his heat powers. "He listened to our concerns about the Council, and promised to fight for us."

"So, if the rest of the Royal Family do not help us, do you think he will?" Daris inquired, Kivar nodding.

"I believe he can", Kivar said to her. "Having said that, I shall also be fair regarding Queen Medusa and King Blackagar Boltagon, they did invite us to the court as well when Queen Medusa made her announcement, and provided seats for us to sit on, proving that they do believe in the equality they are preaching."

Taran shrugged. "I do not care who sits on the throne as long as our conditions remain the same. If King Blackagar Boltagon and Queen Medusa bring change as they have promised, I will support both of them. And if Prince Maximus is sincere and will do what he said, I will support him."

"Even then, right now, who do you believe more?" Naros had to ask.

"While Prince Maximus raised some good points, there is something about him", Taran noted, thinking on it, then sighing. "But I am not sure yet. Meanwhile, I believe Queen Medusa is more sincere, as is King Blackagar Boltagon, though in his case I'm only guessing for he does not speak."

"Yes, that is one reason to doubt him", Darrek spoke up. "He cannot speak, so we do not know what he truly wants or thinks. Which is why, I am not sure if it is wise to put our full trust in him."

"Well, you'd do better to remember that the King would be much more untrustworthy if he actually spoke", Naros reminded, causing Darrek to sigh, since Naros was not wrong about that either.

"And they have a child coming", Kivar noted, this bit of information having been a surprise to them all. "Considering their own powers, I fear how powerful their child would be."

"As long as they change things, and raise their child with a similar mindset, I do not believe we have anything to fear", Taran said in response.

In the palace, in the royal chambers, Medusa held hands with Black Bolt, the two looking at each other intently, ready to face whatever was going to come their way next, Medusa's hair flowing.

Black Bolt did a gesture, basically asking Medusa what she felt about the course of action that the two of them had just undertaken.

"I called for change, because I believe in it, and you do as well", Medusa said with a flutter of her hair, Black Bolt nodding at that. "But both of us also know that change is more than just calling for it. We have to take responsibility for this initiative."

Black Bolt agreed with another nod, using sign language of gesturing in both directions with his hands in a way that said. "Change is a double-edged sword. It can be good, and also bad. We must steer things in the right direction to make sure Attilan does not crumble because of this change."

Medusa could not deny that point either. Any kind of change, including change with good intent, could be bad if not thought-out properly, and could cause society to crumble. So, they had to be careful regarding how they did all of this.

"You speak true, my King", Medusa said as they walked to the balcony, looking out and down once more while Medusa's hair fluttered a little. "But either way, we have begun this, not just the two of us, Karnak, Gorgon and Crystal as well. Even Triton, though he is not here, for he is with us in this matter too. Now we cannot back down, and it is up to us to see this through to the end."

Black Bolt nodded in agreement, giving her a look which said that he would be with her on this every step until the end, just like she would be there for him.

"I know", Medusa said with a smile, before sighing. "Still, I am scared, about our unborn child, and the fate of Attilan."

Black Bolt knew who she was referring to, and used sign language. "The Genetics Council will oppose us even harder than they have now, considering the speech was given in front of them, with those lower-caste representatives seated amongst them too."

Medusa nodded, and her hair did the same thing. "Them, and also Maximus." Black Bolt looked down, his face glum. "Karnak's analysis is always correct. Maximus is someone else we need to worry about." Black Bolt nodded, as Medusa confessed. "I don't know if we can change this alone. The Genetics Council grows bolder by the day. And Maximus… I can tell that he'll use this unrest for his own gain." They shared another look, then kissed, before looking down the balcony once more as Medusa told him. "But regardless of what we can and cannot do, we have started this, so we will stand our ground against everything that comes our way."

Black Bolt looked at her, but his silence was deafening. He gently took her hand, conveying his determination without any words, and she smiled as her hair fluttered once more.

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

Later, Medusa was walking to the throne room, and felt something in her stomach for a bit, causing her to grasp it and wince before it passed, after which she walked forth when she saw Karnak standing there. She gave him a nod, gesturing that he could walk with her, and he did, the two of them walking side-by-side.

"What do you wish to tell me?" Medusa inquired of him, her hair also moving a little in gesture that seemed to inquire the answer to a question.

"We both know the Genetics Council is very displeased by what you did", Karnak told her in a whisper. "And I believe they will try to act soon, against both of you, and even the rest of us if they can."

"I know they will, and that was something we accepted the moment my husband and I invited the representatives of the lower-caste to sit in the courtroom", Medusa told him, while not liking how the sound of 'lower-caste' sounded on her tongue. She was calling them that for now because the system had not been changed, and that was the only way she knew how to refer to them, but she hoped that when (not if, when) the system was reformed, there would no word as 'caste' in Attilan anymore. "But we cannot convince the people that we stand for them if we do not take a stand to show them that. Which is why this was needed."

"I know, and I agree with your actions", Karnak told her, the two continuing to walk through the halls towards the courtroom. "However, it will take me a while to analyze their next step, as there are many possible steps they could take now to try and keep a hold over you two as well as the rest of us using the power that they wield."

"I imagine they are going to bring up old rules not mentioned for centuries to try and justify themselves", Medusa commented, and Karnak shrugged while shaking his head, knowing that was a possibility as well, unfortunately.

"All I am saying is, regardless of what they do, you two need to tread carefully", Karnak warned Medusa. "And be prepared for any kind of outcome." He added. "Our intentions are good, but this is a fragile game of politics too, and we need to think about each and every move we make, because a single mistake would help our enemies win over us."

Medusa could not deny his words, nodding in agreement with a grimace, her hair rising and falling in a bit, as she inquired. "You say there are many possible moves they could make, what are the more likely ones in your opinion so far?"

"King Blackagar Boltagon", Karnak said, confusing her.

"Meaning?"

"He is the King of Attilan, and he is bound to the royal duties of the throne", Karnak noted grimly as he turned to look at Medusa. "And something like that can always be used as a weapon against him by Chancellor Arcadius and the rest of the Genetics Council."

Medusa's eyes widened and her hair completely stood up for a few seconds in alarm before falling back down as she realized the implications of what Karnak was saying, and he added. "Not just him, but you too, Queen Medusa, the Council will try to use your loyalty towards the throne and the royal duties to try and make you side with them, and crush you if you do not do so."

"They can try, but we will not let them", Medusa said with a snarl while her hair waved in determination, and Karnak nodded in agreement with that course of action, both of them near the throne room itself now. "We started this, and we will see it through until the end."

As they stepped inside the throne room, the members of the Royal Guard other than Gorgon, who were on either side, knelt before them, and they nodded in acknowledgement before the Royal Guard stood up, and the two walked in, seeing Black Bolt already on the throne, as Medusa made to walk towards him and sit beside him, before realizing something.

"Where is Gorgon?" She asked both Black Bolt as well as Karnak, and it was Karnak who gave her the response.

"Let us just say he has another task today", Karnak told her, and she looked quite interested in hearing about it. "The details do not matter as of now, it is only a little task, of walking around the city to hear any whispers of what the response of the people is to our initiative, as well as any whispers of our enemies who are trying to cause these cracks in the moon." And by that, he meant Maximus, as he'd implied to Black Bolt before that Maximus might try to use the people to make his move. "Crystal is with him."

Now both Black Bolt and Medusa looked shocked as Medusa asked. "Crystal? But she is just a child, she is so you-"

"I know, but this is what she herself wanted to do, to try and be more than just the young one of the family", Karnak said with a sigh. "Which is why I asked Gorgon to accompany her, since she is a member of the Royal Family, but so is he, and he is part of the Royal Guard too, meaning he is following his duty."

Medusa sighed as she took her own seat beside her husband. "I hope the two of them are all right."

Karnak shrugged. "They should be, the city is in a state of unrest, but there is no outright violence just yet."

The industrial districts were alive with the hum of machinery and the muted chatter of workers trudging through another endless shift. The air was heavy with the smell of metal and grease, the streets crowded with carts and crates stacked high with tools and parts. Among the crowd, a man dressed in plain, dust-streaked clothes moved unnoticed, his sharp eyes taking in every detail. Maximus had always prided himself on his ability to slip into places where others would not dare tread — and now, he was here to sow the seeds of revolution.

Stopping at a small gathering near a communal well, he struck up casual conversation, his tone warm and approachable. "Long day, eh?" he said, his voice carrying the faintest trace of exhaustion, as if he shared their burdens. The workers, intrigued by the unusual sight of a well-spoken stranger in their midst, nodded warily.

"Every day's long," one of them muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "Doesn't seem to end."

Maximus smiled faintly, leaning against the well. "And for what? You toil endlessly, yet does the Genetics Council see? Does the Royal Family act beyond their own spoken words? Or do they sit in their pristine halls, blind to your struggles?"

The murmurs began, soft at first but growing in intensity as his words hit their mark. He raised his voice just enough to cut through the noise, but not enough to draw undue attention.

"You deserve better," Maximus said firmly, meeting the eyes of the workers. "You build this city with your hands. You keep it running with your sweat and your blood. But what thanks do you get? Nothing. They sit atop their thrones and let you bear the weight of it all while making empty promise after empty promise."

Nearby, Taran emerged from a shadowed side street, his attention caught by the familiar voice. His brow furrowed as he approached the growing crowd, now hanging on Maximus's every word. Daris and Naros, who had been unloading supplies nearby, also edged closer, curiosity drawing them in.

Maximus noticed them but did not break stride. "Medusa speaks of change, but when has she ever truly fought for you? When has she risked her life, her comfort, for your freedom?" His voice was laced with quiet intensity, his eyes scanning the faces before him. "I will. When the time comes, we will take back Attilan. Together."

Taran stepped forward then, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "And what of the King? Black Bolt?" The question carried both challenge and genuine curiosity.

Maximus turned to him, his expression shifting to one of feigned disappointment. "A man who doesn't speak," he said, his voice dropping, "can't be trusted to act. How can you rely on a King who can only remain silent and not do a thing while you suffer? While the Council keeps you shackled?"

Taran's jaw tightened, his conflict evident. "Queen Medusa seemed genuine," he said, though his voice was less certain now. "She came here. She listened. And then she gave that speech."

"She invited us to be part of it too", Kivar pointed out to Maximus. "Just like you did. She invited us to the courtroom itself, gave us seats."

Maximus softened his tone, stepping closer to Taran and Kivar. "And what did she promise? Words, my friends. Words are wind, easily scattered. You all don't need words; you need action. Real change requires sacrifice. Risk." He glanced at Kivar. "Inviting you to the courtroom was just a way to anger the Genetics Council who are after their lives due to their child. But I am ready to take that risk — for you, for all of Attilan."

Around them, the crowd murmured in agreement. Daris and Naros exchanged uncertain glances, while Lia and Darrek, who had also been drawn by the commotion, stood silently at the edges, watching Maximus with a mix of skepticism and intrigue.

Maximus pressed his advantage, addressing the group now. "You've been patient long enough. You've waited for change that will never come. The time for waiting is over. When the moment is right, we will stand together, and we will take back what is ours."

Taran's fists clenched at his sides, the weight of years of frustration and hardship warring with his newfound hope in Medusa's words. "If you're wrong…" he began, his voice tight, "if this only brings more suffering—"

Mahabharat Shakuni Theme song plays

"I am not wrong," Maximus interrupted, his voice a quiet but unyielding force. "I've lived in their shadow too long to be mistaken. They will not change unless we make them." He placed a hand on Taran's shoulder, his touch firm but not forceful. "You don't have to decide now. Just… think about it. When the time comes, you'll know where to stand."

He looked at the rest too, especially Kivar, who seemed to be agreeing with him more, and then he saw Darrek and Lia too, and nodded at them with a smirk.

Taran nodded reluctantly, the seeds of doubt taking root despite his lingering faith in Medusa. Around them, the other workers began to murmur their agreement, their resentment bubbling to the surface. Maximus stepped back, his smile returning as he addressed them one last time.

"Remember this," he said, his voice carrying over the crowd. "You are the lifeblood of Attilan. Without you, the city cannot stand. The council forgets that. The Royal Family forgets that. But I will not."

As Maximus turned and walked away, blending once more into the crowd, he felt the familiar thrill of control. Taran might not be fully his yet, but the cracks in his loyalty had begun to spread. Soon, he would have all the pieces in place.

Behind him, Taran watched his retreating figure with the rest, his heart heavy with uncertainty. For all Medusa's kind words, he couldn't ignore the truth in Maximus's accusations. The struggle for Attilan's future had begun, and all of them were caught in its grip.

In their chambers, the Genetics Council were all in deep conversation, trying to decide what their next move should be.

"This defiance has gone too far!" Cynas said with a snarl. "Inviting those little people to sit in the courtroom, with us?"

"It was clearly a ploy by them to insult us", Videmus scoffed angrily. "Well, they succeeded. Let us hope they are ready to bear the brunt of the consequences now that we are going to hold them accountable for all of this."

"Drastic measures are needed", Arcadius said in a levelled tone while rubbing his chin with his hand in what looked to be deep-thought, but he was really only thinking of Medusa, how fiery and determined she'd sounded while giving her speech to the assembled people, believing herself and her husband to be the leaders who would bring about a new era into Attilan.

They'd forgotten that they were nothing but puppets who were supposed to dance when the strings were pulled by the Genetics Council. They'd loosened the strings, but not cut them off just yet.

And they won't, because Arcadius was going to remind them just who was truly in control, especially that Medusa, who was going to be broken down from the proud Queen to nothing, and he'd a grin on his face as he thought that, a grin that would make Medusa want to choke him with her hair were she present here and aware of his thoughts, and even Black Bolt would have actually opened his mouth to utterly destroy Arcadius if he was here and privy to what Arcadius was thinking.

But it wasn't just Queen Medusa who needed to be put in her place, or King Blackagar Boltagon for the matter. The child, he was going to be powerful, and that power would be a threat, but there were better ways to handle the situation.

Of course, by defying them, Black Bolt and Medusa had brought the consequences that awaited them upon themselves.

"Chancellor Arcadius", Furgar then spoke up uncertainly, as Arcadius turned to look at him. "While I agree that we need to punish the King and Queen for their defiance, what if they find out what we truly want?"

"What do you mean?" Targon inquired.

"Chief Minister Karnak is a brilliant analyst", Furgar pointed out grimly to all of them. "There is a good chance he can find out why we are so concerned about what to do with this child. And then, if King Blackagar Boltagon finds out of our plans, he is going to-"

Arcadius raised his hand, which made Furgar stop talking, while Arcadius looked ahead. "The mind of Karnak is a threat, yes, but because of that, he also does not act very quickly, because he prefers to sit back and look at everything in full detail, and only after that does he follow a course of action." With a smirk, he then added. "We are not going to give him that opportunity, we will push back against these arrogant Royals with all of our might and power, and come down upon them. They will not be able to defy us when we remind them of their royal duties and how they're bound to those, and those include listening to the Genetics Council on matters such as these. All their arguments have done are make it easier for us to show them who really has the power in Attilan."

"The King will not defy us if we take drastic measures", Sapphiras now said to Arcadius. "Regardless of what he wants, his sense of duty will not let him go up against us if we do something like that."

"Well, what drastic measures are we planning?" Porcal asked the rest of them. "So far, trying to push back against their defiance has not worked out, considering they insulted in response by making us sit alongside those vermins." He spat out that last word in anger, shaking in rage as the memory flashed through his mind.

How dare they insult him and the rest of the Genetics Council, who'd helped rule Attilan as its true power for centuries now, in such a manner?

"There is one measure that I have in mind", Arcadius noted as he thought of it with a grin, knowing that was going to take away the power of the Royal Family, and then before there was any chance of getting it back, he would have humiliated them like they'd done to him and the rest of the Council, they would be broken down, and be unable to resist anything that came next.

All he needed to do was make sure Black Bolt could not defy him, and after that, the rest of it would work out just fine.

Looking at the others of the Council, Arcadius spoke to all of them.

"Blackagar Boltagon is a weapon. The greatest weapon that Attilan has ever known perhaps, which is why he remains silent. But weapons must be wielded by a steady hand. We will ensure that his hand does not falter. We know he must follow his royal duties."

"And if Medusa resists?"

Arcadius' grin returned, as he thought of what he was going to do once more.

"Then she will fall. As any who defy the Genetics Council must."

Mahabharat Joyful music Funny and refreshing music plays

The narrow streets of Attilan's lower districts buzzed with activity, the air filled with the sounds of churning machines and low murmurs of conversation. Crystal pulled the hood of her simple cloak tighter around her head, glancing back at Gorgon, who followed closely behind. Despite his gruff demeanor, his eyes were constantly scanning their surroundings, alert to any danger.

Trailing them was Lockjaw, his massive bulk awkwardly concealed beneath an oversized, patched tarp that failed to hide either his sheer size or his glowing, otherworldly eyes. The occasional snuffle or wag of his tail caused heads to turn, drawing more attention than Crystal would have liked.

She sighed, whispering under her breath. "Gorgon, he's standing out too much."

Gorgon grunted, barely hiding his annoyance. "Oh, now you notice? If you wanted to sneak around, maybe don't bring the one dog in Attilan who can teleport the entire Royal Family." He shot Lockjaw an exasperated look as the creature huffed innocently and wagged his tail, narrowly missing a passing worker.

Crystal frowned, crossing her arms. "Well, I wasn't leaving him behind. He's part of the family."

Gorgon raised an eyebrow. "Family or not, he's about as subtle as me when I am in battle."

She rolled her eyes, muttering. "At least he listens to me."

Lockjaw snorted, as if in agreement, while Gorgon muttered something under his breath. They continued down the dusty streets, drawing less attention as they weaved through narrower alleys. Crystal tried to ignore her cousin's grumbles, focusing instead on the snippets of conversation floating through the air.

It wasn't long before they reached a small courtyard where workers gathered in quiet groups, their voices hushed but tense. Crystal held up a hand, stopping Gorgon and Lockjaw just out of sight. She gestured for Gorgon to lean closer.

"Listen," she whispered. "They're talking about something important."

Gorgon's ears perked up as they both focused on a nearby group. Among them, Crystal also spotted Darrek, who was speaking in low, urgent tones.

"The man speaks the truth," Darrek was saying, his hands gesturing animatedly. "He's right about everything. We've waited too long for change, and nothing's happened. The Genetics Council doesn't care about us."

Another worker nodded. "But what he's saying is stirring people up. The unrest is growing. It's dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Darrek shot back. "Or necessary? He said we're the ones who make Attilan work — and he's right. Without us, this city would collapse."

Crystal frowned, leaning closer to hear more. Gorgon, however, reached out and tugged her back slightly.

"Easy there, young one," he murmured. "We don't know how friendly they'll be if they catch us eavesdropping."

Crystal gave him a sharp look. "I'm not that young now, Gorgon. And you know what my powers can do. I can handle myself."

"Sure, sure," he replied, his tone laced with sarcasm. "That's why I'm here. Because you're perfectly fine on your own."

This was supposed to be about eavesdropping, not standing out, which Lockjaw was making quite difficult.

The dog in question let out a soft, questioning bark, tilting his head. Gorgon sighed. "And because someone decided to bring the giant teleporting dog into a covert investigation."

Crystal ignored him, focusing instead on the conversation continuing ahead. Another worker, this one older, chimed in.

"His words are true, Darrek, but the unrest will only grow. The Royal Family won't stand for this. There'll be consequences."

"Then let there be consequences!" Darrek's voice rose, though he kept it just low enough not to attract attention. "The people are angry, and they have every right to be. This isn't just about what's fair. It's about survival."

Gorgon pulled Crystal aside, his expression more serious now as Crystal noted. "We can't wait. Maximus is up to something. If we don't act soon, we'll have a full-blown rebellion on our hands."

Gorgon met her gaze, his brow furrowed. As much as he agreed with Crystal, he was surprised by what he himself said. "If we act too soon, we might start the rebellion ourselves. We need proof."

Crystal huffed, but he could see that she agreed. "Proof or not, we're running out of time."

They both turned as the group began to disperse, some workers heading back to their tasks, others slipping into nearby buildings. Darrek lingered for a moment, his frustration clear, before walking off in the opposite direction.

Crystal bit her lip, her determination hardening. "We need to figure out exactly what Maximus is doing. He's stirring them up, and it's working."

Gorgon nodded, his earlier teasing replaced by the protective concern of a Royal Guard. "Yeah, well, don't think for a second I'm letting you wander off on your own. You're headstrong and powerful, and that's great — but you're still a part of the Royal Family."

Lockjaw barked softly again, looking between the two of them as if waiting for the next move. Gorgon gave the massive dog a flat look. "And you. Try not to look so conspicuous."

Lockjaw tilted his head innocently, his tongue lolling out. Crystal stifled a laugh, her earlier tension easing just slightly.

"Let's keep moving," she said, her voice firmer now. "We have a lot more to uncover."

Gorgon sighed but followed, his eyes scanning the streets as they moved deeper into the lower districts, Lockjaw trailing behind like a not-so-stealthy shadow.

Black Bolt and Karnak walked together, some of the Royal Guard in front of them, and some behind, Karnak telling Black Bolt. "While I would not do this usually, this has become necessary. It shall help formulate a plan for the near future, so let us see what these snakes will say this time."

Black Bolt nodded in appreciation, knowing that the best person to have on your side while playing a game of politics was none other than Karnak himself, considering how he could analyse anything to find the flaws and take advantage of them.

With that, Black Bolt pushed open the doors of the Council chambers, looking at the Genetics Council in deep discussion, but they stopped on seeing the two Royal Family members with their Royal Guard.

Black Bolt and Karnak walked further inside slowly, with the Royal Guard taking their positions on either side of the chamber, as Black Bolt and Karnak reached the center of the place to stand before the Genetics Council at their high table, while looking at the Council members.

And then, Karnak greeted the Genetics Council in a neutral tone. "Greetings, Genetics Council of Attilan." He and Black Bolt did a little bow.

"Greetings, King Blackagar Boltagon and Chief Minister Karnak Mander-Azur", Arcadius said in reply as the Council did a little bow too. "What brings you two here this time?"

Karnak shared a look with Black Bolt, then paced around in the center, as he began. "The meaning of 'greetings' is a formal expression of goodwill." He shrugged and looked at the Council members. "However, I am not greeting you all because there is goodwill amongst us." The Council members shared strange looks, before Karnak said. "I am greeting you all because there can be goodwill amongst us via one act." He raised a finger. "The act which shall be responsible for this goodwill will be a great one, and make Attilan stronger as well as united, with the establishment of a long-lasting peace."

Raising his hands to either side, Karnak said to the Council members. "There is unrest in the city, the lower-castes want better opportunities and equal rights. And we know that if the promises made to them are not fulfilled, it won't go well in the near future. Then there is the matter of the child of the King and Queen." Arcadius and the rest of the Council leaned forwards, listening with interest. "The interference in this natural matter is another cause for conflict. I know all of you can see the instability all of this will cause to Attilan if we do not put an end to it here, and I believe none of you want that. I will be extremely joyful, if all of you can help us in ending all of this."

As he finished talking, he looked at Arcadius, who was clearly fuming in anger. Not even Black Bolt and Medusa ever had such an effect on him.

But, controlling himself, Arcadius finally said. "Go on."

Karnak looked at Black Bolt, who gave him a nod, and smirking, Karnak looked at the Genetics Council again and continued.

"The greatest issue for any country is…when a conflict arises amongst its ruling council", Karnak now began, everyone listening to him intently. "A ruling council is the group of people that govern their country, realm, world. The ruling council, they speak on matters together, make decisions together, and are the foundation of their realm." He looked at Arcadius and continued. "If one tree starts cutting off the branch of another tree, then that ends the existence of the tree, Chancellor Arcadius." Arcadius fumed again. "When the ruling council works together, only then- progress is possible." He then gestured to the Genetics Council subtly and told them. "I believe that just because of the stubbornness of one side, putting the entire realm at risk is not appropriate." He caught Arcadius, Targon and Sapphiras smirking a bit while trying to hide the smirks, knowing he was talking of them, and revelling at the damage they might do to the Royal Family. "Because even if that side's stubbornness wins, the realm will lose its foundation."

With that, Karnak declared. "And that is why, I, Chief Minister Karnak Mander-Azur, have come here to speak on behalf of King Blackagar Boltagon and Queen Medusa Amaquelin Boltagon." He continued speaking. "This conflict is not just a struggle between the Royal Family and the Genetics Council, but also between progress, and archaic values." Arcadius shook with rage once more, and the other Council members did not look very pleased either. "The people of Attilan are all part of this struggle. Which is why, it won't be just you or us who suffer, but all the people! And that is why I am here, to ask you all, to help me in ending this conflict right now." For a few seconds, they were all silent, Karnak and Black Bolt locking gazes with each Council member one by one.

Then, Arcadius chuckled, looking at Karnak. "You truly are unique, Chief Minister Karnak." He looked almost pleased. "I have forgotten the last time I listened to such gentle words." He chuckled again. "I feel as if its not words, but flowers coming out of your mouth." He continued. "And truly, I am in agreement with you, Chief Minister Karnak. I also do not want this conflict to continue."

Furgar looked at him in shock. "What do you mean, Chancellor?"

"Yes, Furgar, Chief Minister Karnak is right, we should all make efforts to end this conflict right now", Arcadius said to Furgar, before turning back to Karnak and Black Bolt. "The greatest conflict is one that gets resolved. And to resolve it, I am sure you will give us your word, that you will never act defiantly again and follow what we say, to make sure Attilan continues to stand like it always has." He glared at Karnak and asked. "Can you give us such faith in yourselves, Chief Minister?"

Karnak shook his head. "You talk of not acting at all, but I talk of ending the conflict."

"Ah, ah, is that it?" Arcadius asked, feigning ignorance, and laughed, his four teeth with gold fillings glistening in the light. "If this is the case, then we all want to hear your proposal." He shared looks with the rest of the Council, then looked back at Karnak and Black Bolt. "Yes, you say you came here to speak, so I am sure you have a proposal. And besides, you want to establish peace and end this unrest. So, I know, that to end this conflict, you must have a solution." Pointing his finger downwards, Arcadius inquired. "So…..what is this solution?"

"Within the foundation of every struggle hides injustice, Chancellor Arcadius", Karnak started saying in response. "And injustice only has one solution." Karnak raised his hands to either side. "And that solution is justice!"

As the Council all glared at Karnak, he continued. "That justice, on which only the people and one child who has not been born have a right. The justice for not fulfilling the promises made to the people. The justice for not hearing the voices of the people." Karnak gestured to Black Bolt briefly. "The justice that the future child of the King and the Queen deserves for the injustice being done towards them." He looked at the Council and said. "I am here to ask for justice on behalf of the people and this child, due to the injustice done to them."

Sapphiras spoke up now. "What injustice, Chief Minister?"

"That injustice, which judges people only based on how effective their power is, but not based on their other qualities", Karnak said, now pacing around. "That injustice, which a child is facing because politics and power-play are being involved in this child's birth. That injustice, which is now causing cracks in the moon." He declared. "If that injustice is corrected, then this conflict can be resolved."

And then, Karnak said to Arcadius. "Chancellor Arcadius, I am here to ask for justice regarding this injustice." He warned. "And keep in mind, that if you do not impart justice, then either the people will continue to make demands, or….they will snatch what is theirs."

The Council all had their jaws dropped at this as they glared at Karnak, and then Porcal cried out. "Chief Minister!" But when Karnak turned to look at them, he involuntarily softened his tone. "Are….are you here to resolve this conflict, or to threaten us?" He started to say. "Everything that is happening, it has not caused Attilan to crumble yet. The people are just complaining. And the King and Queen should have listened to our advice, what is happening is their own fault."

Black Bolt now glared at Porcal, and shook his head, while Karnak said. "Injustice bound by deception cannot be called justice, Council member Porcal."

"This justice, injustice, what justice, what injustice?!" Arcadius snapped in anger, as the statues in the room took a step forward, the Royal Guard almost taking fighting stances, thinking he was about to attack via his statues. "There is no injustice!"

"A child growing in a womb is a new hope, Chancellor Arcadius", Karnak said in response. "A future, for not just the parents, but everyone. And trying to interfere with the birth of this child due to a possible future, that is not injustice?" He added. "If you do not believe me, remember the anger that the Queen carried when she last walked in here. Remember the fury of a mother." And then he finished it. "Remember the joy amongst the people when it was declared that eventually, they will get equal rights."

He assured them all. "If you want, all of this can be resolved peacefully. All of you just need to realize that you are at fault, and give the people and this child what they are owed."

"What manner of justice is this, Chief Minister Karnak?" Videmus now asked him. "In such a proposal, both sides talk about equality, one side does not burden the other with conditions and demands."

"The want for justice is neither a condition, nor a demand, Council member Videmus, just a request", Karnak said with a shrug. "Besides, we are talking about equality, aren't we?"

That made the Genetics Council fume in rage, while Black Bolt shared a smirk with Karnak, and even the rest of the Royal Guard were struggling to control their laughter.

But then, Arcadius spoke. "So, listen Chief Minister, the thing is, that we could have resolved this, but you are trying to threaten us, so now, the King and Queen have no right to ask us anything, and they have no right to even think of…raising this child." Black Bolt clutched his fists, but Karnak caught something in his voice. 'Raising this child'? So he wasn't against the child being born, just the child being raised by Black and Bolt and Medusa?

"And so, I, Chancellor Arcadius, declares, that the Genetics Council rejects your proposal!" He snarled. "In my sight, there is no question of giving you all anything. I agreed to hear you out for an understanding, not to give up my own rights!" He declared. "If I will not stop voicing my concerns about this child…..then, I will not stop that!"

Seeing that Arcadius had dropped all pretenses of diplomacy, Karnak did the same. "You've been playing your little games for too long, Chanceller Arcadius. King Blackagar Boltagon and Queen Medusa see through it. We all do."

Arcadius scoffed in response. "You see conspiracy where there is none, and try to start things up. We have only ever served the King's will until now, and insinuating otherwise is insulting to all of us!"

Karnak said with narrowed eyes. "We shall see how long your loyalty lasts when the King's will turns against you."

Black Bolt nodded in agreement, glaring at Arcadius, who fumed.

"The child is a concern is all", he finally said.

Karnak asked with a raised eyebrow. "A concern because of their power, or because you believe their destruction will be of old ideas?"

At that point, Arcadius started sputtering, and the rest of the Council were too dumbfounded to speak anything in response.

Smirking, Karnak said to them. "Farewell, for now." He shared a look and smile with Black Bolt, and then the two walked out together, flanked by the Royal Guard on either side.

"The hesitation in their voices when speaking of the child, I believe their intentions run deeper than we thought", Karnak whispered to Black Bolt in concern. "It is time to mull over this new piece of information."

Black Bolt nodded, all of them walking out, as Arcadius fumed angrily behind them alongside the rest of the Genetics Council.

The deeper Crystal, Gorgon and Lockjaw ventured into the lower districts, the more oppressive the air became. The faint hum of machinery was replaced by the clang of metal and muffled voices echoing through narrow alleys. Crystal kept her hood up, her youthful curiosity driving her forward. Gorgon trudged behind her, grumbling under his breath as he carefully scanned their surroundings. Lockjaw followed, still disguised under his comically ineffective tarp, occasionally sniffing at the ground and wagging his tail.

"Do you think he actually knows where he's going?" Crystal teased, glancing back at the dog.

Gorgon rolled his eyes. "You're the one who brought him. But I'd still say he's doing better than you. At least he's not trying to 'prove himself' to the Royal Family by wanting to go out and investigate bunch of suspected revolutionaries."

Crystal smirked, unbothered. "You're just mad because I'm better at blending in."

"Blending in?" Gorgon gestured dramatically to Lockjaw, who let out a small bark. "You brought him. He's the size of a hovercar and glowing. Yeah, real subtle."

She stuck her tongue out at him before ducking around a corner. Gorgon sighed, muttering to himself. "How did I get stuck with this duty? Should've let Karnak handle this one."

As they moved closer to a small gathering near a dimly lit workshop, voices filtered through the clamor of the district. Gorgon held out an arm, stopping Crystal in her tracks. "Hold up. Someone's talking."

Crystal strained to listen. Among the voices, she noted one that stood out: Lia. The middle-aged woman's tone was quieter than Darrek's had been earlier, but her words carried a mix of doubt and conviction.

"I want to believe them," Lia said, her voice tinged with frustration. "Queen Medusa spoke like she truly understood us. And King Blackagar Boltagon... he has lived through hardship too. But how much can they actually change? The Genetics Council won't listen."

Another voice chimed in, harsher and angrier. "That's why the man's right. Change won't come from the palace. It has to come from us."

"But what if he's just using us?" Lia countered. "What if he doesn't care about us either? What if we're just pawns in his game? He is Royal too after all."

Crystal leaned closer, but Gorgon grabbed her arm gently, pulling her back. "Easy," he murmured. "Let's not get spotted."

She frowned, whispering back, "They're not even looking this way."

"Doesn't matter. We're here to listen, not get into an argument."

Crystal bit her lip, her curiosity warring with caution. Meanwhile, Gorgon's own frustration began to bubble as the conversation continued.

"I'm tired of waiting," another voice said. "The man promises change. Real change. If we follow him, maybe we can finally get out from under the Council's thumb."

"Or end up worse off," Lia replied firmly. "If we act out of anger, it could destroy everything."

Gorgon clenched his fists, his usual impulsiveness threatening to take over. He hated hearing people talk about Maximus as if he were some sort of savior. The man was a manipulative snake who influenced minds, and Gorgon knew how easily he could twist their desperation to serve his own ambitions. Not to mention, given enough time with these people, he'd influence their minds quite easily too.

Crystal noticed his tense posture and whispered in request. "Gorgon, please don't."

"I'm not—" He stopped himself, exhaling sharply. His protective instincts screamed at him to act, but another voice in his head — Karnak's, annoyingly enough — reminded him that rushing in without a plan would only make things worse.

Instead, he took a deep breath and stepped back, pulling Crystal with him. "We've heard enough."

"But—" she began, her eyes pleading.

"No buts," Gorgon said firmly, his voice low but steady. "We're going back to the palace."

Crystal frowned, her frustration evident. "We can't stop now. There's more to learn. Don't you want to find proof of what Maximus is doing?"

"I do," Gorgon admitted, softening slightly. "But not at the cost of your safety. Or his." He gestured to Lockjaw, who had been sniffing at a pile of crates and wagging his tail obliviously. "Even without his help, we know Maximus was here, and he is trying to rile these people up against us. But we need to do more before we can act, especially with the Genetics Council being an immediate threat."

Crystal hesitated, torn between her determination and her cousin's rare moment of wisdom. "I just... I want to help. I want to show everyone I'm not just the 'young one' of the family."

Gorgon sighed, his usual gruffness giving way to something gentler. "I get it, young one. I really do. But you're not just 'the young one.' You're Princess Crystal. You're important. And with people like Maximus and the Genetics Council playing their games, you've got to tread carefully."

She looked away, biting her lip. "I just want things to be better. For everyone. For the caste system to end."

He placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch both reassuring and protective. "So do I. And that's why we need to be smart about this. If we mess up, we might make things worse. But if we do this right... we can actually help."

Crystal nodded reluctantly, her expression softening. "All right. Let's go back."

Gorgon gave her a small smile, grateful for her trust. "Good. Now let's get out of here before someone recognizes us."

He turned to Lockjaw, who perked up instantly, sensing their intent. Gorgon grumbled, "Alright, big guy. Do your thing."

With a wag of his tail and a low rumble, Lockjaw's forehead antenna began to glow, enveloping them in shimmering light. Just as they vanished, Crystal caught a last glimpse of the district, hoping that, somehow, things would work out for the people of Attilan, as they reappeared in the palace courtyard.

Medusa was in the Royal bedchambers, as she looked at her attendant Druna. "You can leave me now."

Druna nodded and left, as Medusa sighed, about to rest, for everything with the child, and the caste-system reformation, and Maximus, and the Genetics Council breathing over them, was making the pregnancy quite stressful even for an Inhuman Queen like her.

She sighed, sitting on the bed, about to lie down, when suddenly, she winced, running a hand over her stomach, before putting her other hand on the bed, as if to support herself, and started breathing hard and fast, before getting off the bed, staggering away in pain, as she put a hand on the wall to support herself.

And then, she cried out in utter pain, falling to her knees.

"HELP ME!" She screamed, before her voice lowered. "Help…."

The door burst open as Karnak rushed in, trying to support her. "Queen Medusa!"

And then Crystal rushed in too, grasping Medusa from the other side. "Sister! Sister!"

Medusa continued to scream as Karnak and Crystal tried to help her.

Ending credits play.

Chapter Text

Medusa continued to writhe in pain on the bed, her hair lashing around, Crystal and Karnak both trying to hold her down and help her, but to no avail.

"What are we gonna do?!" Crystal asked Karnak with helpless eyes, begging for something, anything, any way she could do anything, and that was also when Gorgon and Black Bolt rushed in too, both looking just as shocked and horrified as the other two.

"She just started screaming!" Crystal explained to Black Bolt and Gorgon hysterically, tears of frustration and helplessness in her eyes. "We found her like this, I'm not sure what's going on!"

"HELP!" Medusa cried out, her hair rising and falling, as Black Bolt knelt near her and held her hand with both of his, looking completely lost, and helpless, having no idea what he was going to do now, because this was not something he had expected to happen to his wife.

Why could have he not been better for her?

"Do you know what's going on?" Gorgon asked Karnak, who looked grim.

"Everything that is happening with the Council and Maximus have taken their toll on her", Karnak replied sadly, causing the rest to look at him as he gave out a long and despondent sigh due to this situation they'd found themselves in. "And the stress of everything is affecting her pregnancy."

Black Bolt shook his head in despair and frustration, while Crystal snarled. "No! I can't let this happen!"

She noted. "Her body is hot, I need to reduce it!"

As Medusa continued to writhe and scream with her hair lashing around, Crystal's hands glowed, and then she put them to Medusa's head, her hands going ice-cold as ice appeared on Medusa's forehead from Crystal's hands, and she tried to bring down her older sister's body temperature.

For a few seconds, Medusa's writhing and screaming stopped, her hair stilling as well, and she seemed to calm down, panting, Crystal sighing in relief as the rest shared looks.

But their relief was short-lived, because within seconds, Medusa began to scream again. "AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGHHH!"

Crystal increased the amount of ice, but it did not seem to work, because Medusa screamed just as loudly as she was doing so before, and Crystal's method did not work at all, with Medusa's hair beginning to wave around wildly as well.

"NO!" Crystal screamed in frustration as she stood up, groaning in anger due to her inability to do anything. "It is not working, I thought I could reduce the heat with my cold, but it has no effect at all!" She looked like she was going to just lose it and break down any second.

"What else can we do?" Gorgon wondered. "If Crystal's powers do not cool her body down, is there any other way?"

Black Bolt closed his eyes, then opened them, looking at Medusa sadly, wondering what he could do, as Medusa writhed more, and her hand was grasped by both of his still, with Crystal looking very angry.

"If not helped, the stress this is all having upon her, and her blood, shall be disastrous", Karnak said with folded arms. "And there is only one way I believe we can help her now."

The other three looked at him, Crystal asking desperately. "What is this way?! Let's use it."

Karnak looked at her, then turned to face Black Bolt, his face grim as an understanding passed between them.

"You know what it is."

Black Bolt instantly knew what it meant, and looked down, his face showing his conflict, while Gorgon was confused. "What exactly do you mean?!"

"A Terrigen Chamber", Karnak revealed what he was thinking, Black Bolt nodding a little, remembering that he too had undergone the procedure of Terrigenesis as just a fetus in the womb, when his mother was having issues.

His powers had led to fear, intense training, and isolation.

He loved Medusa dearly, and already loved their child with all his heart, and would do anything for them. Yet….was the fate of their child now going to be the same as his own? Would he too be needed to kept alone and isolated to control a great power that could otherwise cause untold amounts of destruction?

Would he too be feared just because he was borne of great power which would be nothing but destructive? Would he go through intense training sessions by himself where the only interaction he would ever be able to have would be the ones who trained him?

These questions passed through Black Bolt's mind, while Crystal asked. "What are we waiting for then?!"

"It is not an instant way that can solve all of our issues", Karnak warned her. "She will be stabilized, but it will not be the end of this, it will take time to recover, and then there is the effect this will have on our overall situation."

"Does all of that matter though?" Gorgon asked, and Medusa screamed really loudly once more. "What matters if her life and the child's life!"

Black Bolt, his face still conflicted, gently grasped Medusa's cheek, and she briefly lowered her screaming, her hair going still for a bit, as she turned to look into Black Bolt's eyes.

His eyes asked the question. Medusa gasped, and then, she gave a little nod, which was all the answer that Black Bolt needed, as did the rest of them.

He closed his eyes, accepting the fate. Regardless of what happened, he would make sure their child did not befall the same fate as them.

"Then it is decided", Karnak noted grimly.

A few minutes later, Black Bolt and Crystal supported Medusa to the outside of the Terrigen Chamber, with Karnak and Gorgon walking just behind them, the outside of it visible to all of them, and they braced themselves, knowing what would happen once Medusa would be placed inside of it so that her condition could get better and the child could also be saved.

And once this happened, that would be it, there would be no do-overs, and no going back from this for any of them, especially not the King and Queen, and their future child.

Medusa screamed in pain again, grasping her abdomen, as her hair grasped the door of the chamber.

"Let go", Karnak said gently, and Medusa did, slowly, after which Black Bolt pressed the button, allowing the chamber to open, as some mist inside was felt by them all.

"Come on", Crystal said, as she gently placed the writing Medusa inside of the Terrigen Chamber, and then Black Bolt pressed another button, the doors slowly closing as Medusa looked at them all, sharing a nod with Black Bolt.

"So, should we begin?" Gorgon asked them, and after some hesitation, Black Bolt nodded, pressing one more button.

A bright glow came out of the Terrigen Chamber, making them all avert their eyes briefly, after which the sound of a release was heard, as the mist was slowly flooding the Terrigen Chamber.

The four watched from outside, the Terrigen Mist filling the entire chamber.

Inside of it, Medusa's writhing slowly lowered in volume, and eventually, it halted, as she sighed in relief, her entire body surrounded by the Terrigen Mist that she inhaled, and it even entered through her skin, while she felt the heat inside of her body reduce, the stress upon her blood leaving her.

Her hair also slowly stopped lashing around, and went into position behind her back, while she felt something in her stomach, and had a feeling it was her child, who was undergoing Terrigenesis now, all because of what the stress had done to her body, and how it would have affected the child too, had this not been done. She mentally apologized to the child for being so weak that this needed to be done, but also assured the child that regardless of what it made the people feel about them, she would always stand up for her child, and she knew her husband would too, with everything that he had.

Outside, the other four Inhumans of the Royal Family watched grimly, waiting, as soon, the Terrigen Mist in the chamber reduced, fading away, until there was nothing left, and now they knew that the procedure had been done. Medusa would be better now, but the child had undergone Terrigenesis in the womb itself because of all of this.

Karnak looked at Black Bolt, and gave him a nod, as he pressed the button he had pressed at the start, and that caused the doors of the Terrigen Chamber to open up once more, revealing Medusa inside of it, now sighing in relief with her eyes closed.

Black Bolt and Crystal rushed inside, helping her stand up as she opened her eyes, and then they supported her out, Crystal asking frantically. "How do you feel now, sister?"

"Better", Medusa said after a long breath with her hair slowly rising and falling due to how tired she clearly looked. "Much better than before."

Unbeknownst to them, Druna, who was watching from a corner, slunk away into the shadows, having her own reasons and agenda in mind, something not known to the rest of them for now, while Medusa was helped to a chair, on which she sat, Black Bolt grasping her hand gently once more with one of his, and she grasped back, assuring him she was all right, and here with him, while his gesture assured her that he would be with her throughout all of this.

"The battle with the Council has taken its toll", Karnak said, his tone very serious as he folded his arms once more. "Then there is the matter of Maximus too." With that, he added. "And now, with the child having undergone Terrigenesis even before birth, the Genetics Council are going to be even more forceful."

"What will they do?" Crystal asked with a little gulp.

"They were already against the birth of this child due to the great powers that this child's parents possess", Karnak said to them all. "And now, to add to it, this child has undergone Terrigenesis while in the womb as well. They will be fearful of his power, and take even more forceful measures than they have until now. Not to mention, after our last meeting with them", he shared a look with Black Bolt, "they seem quite ready to use their force and power against us."

"Well then, let them!" Gorgon said with a snarl. "I am not going to let them do anything to us or this child, they will pay for even attempting anything."

Crystal nodded in agreement, her young face and innocent but frantic eyes making it clear that regardless of how young she was, she was not going to let anything happen to her sister as long as she was around, and anyone who attempted to do anything would pay for it very dearly, because she was not going to leave such people be. "As long as I'm here, those people are not doing anything to my sister!"

Black Bolt looked at Medusa, and talked to her through their telepathic link. "No matter what happens, we will be in this together. We will face everything together. And we will protect this child from the Genetics Council with everything we have. They will see our true power, and the sincerity we carry in our determination to make things better."

Medusa nodded with a sigh, communicating back via telepathy. "Yes, yes we will protect our child. They can try to break us as much as they want, but we will not bow down to them no matter what they do to us."

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

In the chamber of the Genetics Council, Druna was bowing before them, having just told them of what had happened to Medusa and what had been done to her to help her through the times of stress in this pregnancy.

Maximus was not the only one who used spies, though his spy was the only one who didn't need to actually be in the exact location to find out what was going on, courtesy of his powers.

"You may leave", Arcadius said to Druna, and she straightened herself before walking out, while the Council were exchanging looks of concern, very fearful for the situation had only gotten worse for all of them.

"This is why we should have been more forceful in trying to stop them earlier!" Targon said angrily with a scoff, Arcadius sighing.

"Now, having undergone Terrigenesis, the child would wield great power, just like the father", Sapphiras noted grimly. "Meaning all of us are under even more threat than ever before."

"If this child is born in this manner, then we truly are in danger", Cynas commented to the rest of them. "Born of those two parents, who want to change things and question the stability that our rules have given to this realm for a long time."

"Why are we tolerating these upstarts?" Furgar asked with a scoff. "The previous generations of the Inhumans Royal Family respected the Genetics Council, and never questioned our say in any matter, our authority on such important rules and decisions. Who are these to think they can devise a better system for Attilan when what we already have has helped the realm stand for as long as it has for centuries? And then accusing us openly of being fearful because we do not want change, when we're just concerned for the stability of Attilan?"

"The power that sitting on the throne and other positions of power has given them has clearly given rise to mighty egos for all of them", Porcal commented with a shake of his head. "So now they think they know better but are just little children trying to play a game they have no idea has already been set in our favor."

"Indeed, we have tried to be reasonable with them but all they have given us in return is more and more disrespect as well as accusations, with questions about our integrity and authority." Chancellor Arcadius was practically spewing venom with his words at this point, and the rest of the Council members did not blame him one bit, for they were of the same mind as he was.

"But, if things escalate, is there any way we can protect ourselves?" Targon asked just to be sure. "Because based on how things are going, these insolent fools might even stop following the rules that have been written and obeyed for a long time, all because they think know better than all of us."

"The King will not, because while he is trying to change things, he does have a loyalty to the laws that are written", Cynas pointed out. "And the Queen, as much as she hates it, also has a loyalty to all of these laws. They will have to follow them."

"If they don't, you know what we have", Arcadius reminded the rest of the Genetics Council with a little smirk at that point. "But either way, this insolence has been unchecked now, especially that of Queen Medusa due to how she barged in that other day to argue with us, and then she gave that speech where those vermin from the lower districts were invited to sit with us!" He scoffed, still not having forgotten that insult, or at least what he perceived as an insult to himself.

His face had a little smirk again as he thought of his plans, before he controlled himself once more and took a deep breath, knowing that he had to play this right if all of their plans were to succeed.

"At least they do not know what Druna truly is", Videmus commented to the rest of them. "That is one of the many advantages we have over them."

"Are we sure they are not aware though?" Targon asked at that point. "Considering how well Chief Minister Karnak analyzes everything, he just might know."

"If he did, why has he not done anything about it yet?" Porcal inquired, not realizing that Karnak did something about any situation only when the situation was ripe and perfect for him to do so and damage the enemy completely.

"Ah, that is a good point", Cynas said in agreement. "So that is another advantage we have, and we can be more forceful with our authority over them to make them do what we want to do. We've let them defy us long enough now in all of these matters."

Nods of agreement went all around, as the Genetics Council were sick of being played with and having their authority questioned and even defied by this generation of the Royal Family, who thought the caste system that had been upheld for centuries, right from the start, was somehow wrong.

And this child, whose power would be too great and affect the balance of Attilan, something had to be done regarding that as well, and make sure that things remained how they wanted things to remain, with the Royal Family not being able to affect anything more.

"So, what is our play now?" Videmus finally asked Chancellor Arcadius, whose fist was clutched, and he had that look again briefly before controlling himself.

"This has gone on far enough now", Arcadius finally declared quite firmly. "All of these talks are getting us nowhere, for they do not listen to us for the betterment of Attilan." With that, he declared. "Now there is only one way we can teach them a lesson and also remove them from power just long enough to make sure Attilan remains standing like it always has, and they will not be able to change anything."

The dimly lit streets of the lower districts hummed with quiet anticipation as word spread that he would be speaking once more at this time, due to having important things to tell them, and he'd chose to come here in person because he was going to be one of them in this.

Varek was the one who'd spread the message to some, and secretly, they'd spread the message to others, making sure only those of the lower castes knew anything about this.

The people gathered in a large industrial courtyard, their faces shadowed by the flickering light of makeshift lanterns and the faint glow of Attilan's distant skyline. Among the crowd stood Taran, Daris, Naros, Kivar, Shaya, Ryn, Darrek, and Lia, their expressions a mixture of doubt, hope, and apprehension.

Maximus appeared, dressed plainly to blend in, but his commanding presence drew all eyes to him. He climbed atop a stack of crates, raising his arms to hush the murmurs of the growing crowd.

Varek had told him of the complication Medusa had endured in her pregnancy, and what had been done to save her.

While he did not care about the latter part of the matter just yet, he knew just how to use all of this to his advantage and help himself with his own plans, using these people.

"My friends," he began, his voice warm and inviting, "I come to you today with heavy news. News that speaks to the very heart of our struggle. Our Queen—Medusa—has faced great peril during her pregnancy. A complication, they say, nearly took her life."

Gasps rippled through the crowd. Taran frowned, exchanging a glance with Daris, while Lia's hands instinctively went to her mouth in shock, and the rest all looked surprised too, some of their eyes widening, as others were murmuring amongst themselves about all of this.

Maximus continued; his tone heavy with feigned sorrow. "And where was our King during this time? Where was King Blackagar Boltagon, the great protector of Attilan? Silent. Powerless. Unable to protect even his own family."

He let the words hang in the air, the weight of his accusation settling over the crowd.

"And if the King cannot protect his own family," he said, his voice rising, "how can he protect you? The Genetics Council grows bolder, tightening their grip on our lives, while the Royal Family falters under the weight of their failures. This is the moment we have waited for."

He gestured broadly to the people, his eyes alight with calculated fervor. "Soon, we will reclaim Attilan—not just for the powerful, but for all of us. For the workers who build its walls, for the families who live in its shadows, for every soul crushed under the weight of the caste system. Together, we will rise."

The crowd murmured in agreement, their unease giving way to cautious enthusiasm.

Taran, who had been listening intently, stepped forward. "And what about the child?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with uncertainty.

Maximus turned to him, his expression softening into one of practiced empathy. "The child," he said slowly, "is a symbol of a dying dynasty. But we will make sure the child does not fall with them. No, my friends, the child will rise with us. A new Attilan will be built, one where no caste binds us, where no Council rules us. The child will inherit a better world, the one we create together."

The crowd murmured louder now, his words sinking deep into their hearts. Kivar crossed his arms, his face set with determination, while Darrek nodded subtly, clearly swayed. Lia hesitated, torn between her belief in Medusa's promises and the allure of Maximus' vision. Shaya and Ryn shared looks then, looked at Kivar, who gave them a nod.

Maximus stepped down from the crates, walking among the crowd now, his voice quieter but no less powerful. "I do not come to you as a Prince, but as one of you. A man who sees the injustice and knows the pain it causes. The Genetics Council thinks they hold the reins of power, but they've forgotten the people who truly make Attilan work... people like you."

He stopped in front of Taran, placing a hand on his shoulder. "The time will come, my friend, when we must act. When we must take back what is ours."

Taran hesitated, his thoughts a swirl of loyalty to Medusa's words and doubt about the system that had oppressed him for so long. "What if we fail?"

Maximus smiled, a hint of danger behind his charm. "Then we will fall fighting for freedom, as heroes. But we will not fail. Together, we will build something greater than the council could ever imagine."

Lia finally spoke, her voice soft but clear. "And what if Queen Medusa truly means to change things? What if we're wrong about her?"

Maximus' smile tightened, but he quickly masked it with a look of understanding. "Then let her prove it. But ask yourselves this: how much time do you have to wait? How long will your children live under this system while we wait for promises to become action?"

Shakuni Theme Song Shloka Pratishodh Atal & Shadayantra Atal HD Mahabharat plays

The crowd murmured again, and Maximus knew he had them in the palm of his hand. He stepped back, raising his voice for one final declaration.

"The moment is near. Stay strong. Stay ready. Together, we will make Attilan ours."

The crowd erupted into a mix of cheers and scattered applause. Maximus turned and disappeared into the shadows, his satisfied smirk hidden from view. Behind him, the seeds of rebellion had taken root, their growth inevitable.

Among the crowd, Taran remained silent, his heart heavy with doubt, as Daris and Naros looked unsure too. Lia looked conflicted, while Darrek, Shaya, Ryn and Kivar whispered quietly, their eyes filled with fire. The lower districts buzzed with energy; unaware they were being pulled into a carefully orchestrated game where Maximus was the only one holding all the pieces.

In the Council Chambers, Chancellor Arcadius had finished drafting his message, which he held up, and then folded into a parchment, the messenger kneeling in front of him.

"Deliver this to the King and Queen", Arcadius told the messenger, holding the folded parchment out, allowing the messenger to take it, who walked out of the chamber of the Genetics Council, while Arcadius smirked, sharing looks with the rest of them.

"Now they will realize how much power it is they truly hold", Arcadius declared with a laugh.

Black Bolt, Medusa, Karnak and the other courtiers were all in the court, with the Inhumans Royal Guard standing at the ends, all in position.

After the treasurer was heard, they saw the messenger come in.

"Hail the King and Queen!" He declared with a bow, Black Bolt gesturing to Gorgon and the other guards to allow him inside, and so they stepped aside, the messenger walking in, holding the parchment in his hand.

"What brings you here?" Medusa asked, and he gulped a little due to remembering his last meeting with her and Crystal, but hoped it won't get that bad this time.

"I have been sent here by the Genetics Council, with a message", he revealed, and held the parchment up. Seeing that, everyone in the court had nothing but astonishment on their faces.

This was a formal parchment, and usually only contained very serious verdicts about the Royal Family from the Genetics Council, when they had something to say about how the Royal Family were handling things.

And what they had to say was usually not good at all.

MAHABHARAT AUDIO JUKEBOX ALL SONGS IN ONE FULL SONGS NON STOP 9:15 to 9:40 plays

Karnak stood up and took the parchment, before unfolding it, deciding to read it out loud to everyone present in the court, his face already telling everyone that this did not look good at all.

"Greetings, King Blackagar Boltagon and Queen Medusalith Amaquelin Boltagon", Karnak began reading what was on this formal parchment. "We did not want it to come to this, but unfortunately, there is no other choice now. We now no longer have faith in your ability to rule the country of Attilan, for you are trying to change age-old systems and traditions which have helped Attilan stand for so long."

He stopped, looking around at the faces of the others, seeing them absorb this information. Medusa looked almost pale, and even Black Bolt's eyes were wide in horror, and Gorgon was shaking angrily, the Royal Guard sharing looks of disbelief and whispering amongst themselves about 'unfair' and 'misuse'.

After that, Karnak looked back down at the formal parchment, knowing that the next part of this message would clearly be even worse than what he had read out from it so far.

"Then there is the matter of this child, whose power is so great that is threatens all of Attilan, and the balance that we have established here from the start, the balance that we wish to maintain in the future, for centuries to come, until the end has come."

He stopped again to see the reactions, and now, Medusa was no longer pale. She looked absolutely livid, and truth be told, he could not even blame her for it, for he was quite angry himself, even if he was not showing it outwardly.

Black Bolt's face was a mix of anger and despair, while Gorgon looked like he'd go charge into the Council Chambers, but Karnak subtly shook his head, making Gorgon look down with a sigh, after which Karnak decided to continue, with what he read next being a shock to the rest of the Royal Family, not to mention the other courtiers.

"And now, we also know that the pregnancy has become quite stressful for the Queen."

Medusa's jaw nearly dropped and her hair lashed out in anger due to the fact that the Genetics Council was aware of this, while Black Bolt held her hand, looking quite angry himself, with the courtiers whispering amongst themselves at the same time.

Karnak continued to read. "Which is why, she needed to be put in a Terrigen Chamber so that her critical condition could be stabilized. However, this also increases our doubts about this child and what this child's power will mean for the future of Attilan. Born of two powerful members of the Royal Family, and now having undergone Terrigenesis in the womb itself, we are afraid of how great and destructive the power of this child would be."

The courtiers murmured amongst themselves still, some of them seeming to actually be in agreement with this, while others had doubts, and then there was the King and Queen, both looking shocked and furious at the same time.

"Our advice has not been followed, and authority has been questioned and defied time and time again by the Royal Family now. And because of that- we declare a Verdict of No Faith in the King and the Queen!"

The murmurs turned into gasps of shock and horror, while Medusa stood up in anger, her hair lashing out, though she stopped before they could touch the frightened messenger, who backed off with a little gulp.

She was not going to hurt him; he was only the messenger after all.

The 'Verdict of No Faith' was when the Genetics Council lacked any faith in the ability of the Royal Family to handle things, and would put them through a test to see their capabilities.

If they failed, then they would be removed from power. If not, then they could stay.

However, for the duration of this 'Verdict of No Faith', any power the Royal Family did have would be reduced. They could still govern, but anytime the Genetics Council overruled a decision, then that was to be followed, and they would have to follow pretty much everything the Genetics Council did and say at this point.

Karnak finally got to the next important part in this parchment. "So, here is our condition, laid out for all of you- Let us let fate decide the outcome. If the Queen survives and bears the child, we will honor the reign of the Royal Family. But if she does not, the Royal Family must abdicate, giving up their power and status, after which the throne passes to us."

Karnak looked at everyone again, and Medusa's hair were gripping the armrests of her throne due to how angry she was, and those armrests were even cracking.

"As is the norm during such a Verdict, the Royal Family can continue to govern, but all of their decisions will be brought forth to us, and we can overrule them as we like. They must follow whatever we say, without any questions asked, because if that happens, then they automatically lose this Verdict, and have to abdicate at that very moment."

With that, Karnak finally read the name of the person who'd written up this parchment, pretty much spitting the name out in anger.

"Chancellor Arcadius of the Genetics Council."

MAHABHARAT AUDIO JUKEBOX ALL SONGS IN ONE FULL SONGS NON STOP 14:39 to 15:11 plays

Medusa's hair finally shattered the armrests of her throne due to her anger (they could have done that in an instant but Medusa was still recovering from the stress the pregnancy had caused upon her blood, and the procedure she'd then underwent in the Terrigenesis chamber to overcome all of it), while Gorgon looked like he was going to stomp his foot on the ground, but stopped himself at just the last moment, with the Royal Guard looking dumbfounded at this turn of events.

And then there was Black Bolt, clutching his fists in anger, before he got up, and walked out of the court in anger that could be felt by the rest of them.

Black Bolt was alone in the private chambers of himself and Queen Medusa now, looking around, his eyes showing how frantic he seemed, unable to think about how it had gotten this far, wondering if he could have done something to prevent this and mitigate the situation earlier.

Now, not only was his Queen having pregnancy problems, but the Genetics Council had made that the point upon which this 'Verdict of No Faith' stood, with her health leading to the ultimate outcome in all of this.

Why? Why couldn't their child just be born in peace? Why could they not change the system and give fair chances to the people of Attilan?

Why did the Genetics Council have to use their power to interfere in everything, from the birth of their child to even their Royal Power and authority?

Looking at the balcony, Black Bolt opened his mouth and let out a silent 'scream', not truly using his throat for any sound, but making the expression which made it seem he was screaming. No noise came out, but his mouth was open and the tension and rage on his face evident, his face even turning red.

He used his sheer concentration and focus to not make a noise at all, but displayed the unstoppable emotions that he was going through with this.

This was a technique he'd learnt long ago, to allow him a way to display his rage without endangering the people who lived in Attilan.

And because of the power of his voice, this was the only way that he could let it all out. At the end of the silent scream, as his body was shaking, he lashes out and punches through a wall, causing a huge hole in it, and of course, he had not even used his full strength, otherwise there would be nothing left of this wall.

So many things he needed to take care of, and hold himself back, because if he lost too much control for even a moment, there would be nothing left of the country of Attilan, which, in spite of all that he had gone through, and was still going through, was his home, and the home of the rest of his family, and he wanted to make things better here, for everyone.

That was when Karnak came in, Medusa trailing behind him, her face showing how angry she was still.

"They know there is no other option for them", Medusa said with a growl in her voice. "So now, they are using their power and laws to force us to bow to them."

"This is a trap", Karnak told the both of them. "They know the risks are too high now." He added with a sigh. "But considering your power will reduce due to this Verdict being in effect, they will try to undermine you at every turn now, and perhaps take away your power already."

Medusa started. "And my-"

"That is just an excuse, for after this Terrigenesis, you will be recovering soon enough", Karnak pointed out to her. "You will survive till the end, and that would cause their loss, so they will try to come after you before."

Black Bolt nodded solemnly, his jaw now clenched, knowing what the Genetics Council was trying to do but having no choice other than playing their game.

Looking up, he shared a look with Medusa, then walked out into the hallway, trying to clear his thoughts, which was when he saw one person whom he did not want to see at all.

"I heard about that Verdict, brother", Maximus said to him, and Black Bolt just glared at him, Maximus feigning concern. "But I believe you need not worry."

Black Bolt tilted his head, while a smirk crossed Maximus' face. "After all, you and your Queen are so bold, challenging the Genetics Council and even trying to reform the caste system, you can face this."

Black Bolt clutched his fists and made a gesture, which Maximus could make out. "Oh! But I am trying to offer you words of comfort, brother. Why don't you ever appreciate what I try to do for you, huh?"

Black Bolt shook his head, making it clear he was not going to fall for Maximus' false reassurances, for he knew exactly the kind of person Maximus was.

"Oh! You reject me! I am hurt, brother, truly hurt", Maximus told him, feigning injury as he even put a hand to his chest. "Well, if I react to this, you have only yourself to blame."

Black Bolt glared at him, making a gesture which resembled bars, and Maximus knew what he was referring.

"But that was just a harmless prank, brother."

Black Bolt did another gesture, posing like a Kree.

"I was not going to resign myself to mediocrity when such a great offer was before us!" Maximus snapped, but Black Bolt was not buying his justification, having been there himself. "And then of course, you did see him, and then our own parents died because you could not stop poking your nose!"

Black Bolt almost lashed out in anger, about to grab Maximus by the throat, but felt a hand to his shoulder, turning to see Karnak there, Medusa lingering at the back.

Karnak shook his head, and Black Bolt calmed himself down, as Maximus smirked, and turning around, walked off. "Well, you have the Genetics Council to deal with." He added sarcastically. "I wish you well in your efforts."

Karnak sighed, and then told Black Bolt. "It is time to accept it formally."

A while later, all of the Royal Family were in the Council Chambers, with Crystal lingering in the back alongside Gorgon and the rest of the Royal Guard, while Black Bolt and Medusa stood at the center, Karnak standing just a little behind them, with the Genetics Council looking down at them, but they glared back with equal determination, none of them willing to back down from their stances for they believed those to be righteous.

"This is the condition of the Verdict of No Faith", Arcadius declared to the Royal Family with a smirk, and eyed Medusa briefly, before turning to Black Bolt. "You must accept this, or you can leave the throne, the palace, even the country, today itself."

Black Bolt and Medusa shared a look, then looked at Karnak, and then Crystal, then Gorgon, and even their Royal Guard, who'd seen them up-close and knew the kind of people they were.

After that, Black Bolt nodded at Medusa, and she looked up at the Genetics Council, especially Arcadius himself.

"We accept your Verdict, Chancellor Arcadius of the Genetics Council", Medusa declared in the center of the chamber, holding herself high as her hair briefly rose. She might be feeling the stress, but she would hold herself high till the end.

"I will survive, and I will give birth to our child."

Sapphiras nodded. "And thus, the Verdict is now in effect."

Arcadius lifted up a ceremonial dagger, and put it down in the center of the table. "This dagger represents the power of the throne. If you lose, you shall use this to strip yourself of your power, and leave. If we lose, then you are allowed to use it on us."

Medusa looked up defiantly, took a deep breath, and then spoke with power in her voice.

"You want our kingdom? Then take it. But you will never take our spirit. I will survive. Our child will survive. And your treachery will not be forgotten."

Arcadius simply chuckled in response.

"Then let the fates decide."

A while later, Karnak was in his room, meeting with Gorgon and Crystal, the latter looking quite scared and desperate, while the former was very angry himself.

The chamber was dimly lit, the air tense with the weight of unwelcome news. Karnak stood at the center of the room, his sharp gaze fixed on nothing in particular, already calculating. Crystal perched on the edge of a table, her face pale with worry. Nearby, Gorgon paced, his heavy footsteps echoing in the confined space. At Crystal's feet lay Lockjaw, the family's loyal and massive teleporting dog, his head resting on his paws but his ears alert to the tension in the room.

"So this is it?" Gorgon growled, throwing his hands in the air. "The Verdict of No Faith. A pretty name for a dagger in the back."

Crystal reached down to scratch behind Lockjaw's ears, her touch comforting herself as much as the dog. "But they've left us a chance, haven't they? If my sister Medusa survives, we keep the throne—"

Karnak cut her off, his voice cool and precise. "Don't fool yourself, Crystal. The Genetics Council has no intention of honoring that condition. This is a delay tactic. A smokescreen. They'll move against us long before the child is born."

Lockjaw let out a soft whimper, his big, expressive eyes turning toward Crystal as if sensing her unease. She gave him another reassuring pat, though her own hands trembled.

"They're cowards," Gorgon spat, slamming his fist against the wall, causing a crack, as he held back his full strength for good reason. "Hiding behind politics and schemes. Let's strike now, before they can act."

Lockjaw's ears perked up, and he gave a single, emphatic bark, as if agreeing with Gorgon.

Karnak turned sharply; his tone unyielding. "We can't strike first. Not yet. We need proof."

Gorgon stopped pacing and glared at Karnak, his fists clenched. "And when we have it?"

"Then we bring down the Genetics Council with one blow," Karnak said, his voice steady as stone. "But until then, we watch. We wait. We prepare."

Crystal leaned forward, her voice soft and trembling. "But what about Maximus? He's already stirring up trouble in the lower districts. What if he—"

"He will," Karnak interrupted again. "Maximus has never hidden his ambition. He's a wild card, dangerous because he thrives on chaos. But the Genetics Council is the greater threat right now. They're organized, entrenched, and playing a longer game."

Crystal looked down at Lockjaw, who nudged her gently with his massive nose. She smiled faintly, her voice tinged with hope. "But what if we're wrong? What if the Council doesn't act, and we've spent all this time preparing for a fight that never comes?"

Karnak's expression softened, just slightly. "Hope is not a strategy, Crystal. If you want to protect your family, you must see the truth for what it is."

"She's still right to hope," Gorgon said, stepping closer to Crystal, his voice quieter now. "The Genetics Council might be a threat, but that doesn't mean we should give up on believing things can work out." He glanced at Karnak. "We're not just strategists. We're family. If they push us too far, we'll push back harder. Together."

Lockjaw barked again, this time with a cheerful wag of his tail, and Gorgon couldn't help but crack a small smile. "See? Even Lockjaw knows we've got this."

Crystal giggled faintly, her tension easing just a little. "He always knows how to make us feel better."

Karnak allowed himself a rare, almost imperceptible smirk. "Family is important. It's why the Genetics Council will target us where we're most vulnerable: Queen Medusa and King Blackagar Boltagon. That's where we need to focus our strength."

Crystal's voice was steadier now, but still filled with youthful earnestness. "I just want sister Medusa and the baby to be safe. I want all of us to be safe."

"We all do," Karnak said. "And that's why we have to be smart. The council's scheming, Maximus' plotting—they're waiting for us to make a mistake. We won't give them that satisfaction."

Gorgon folded his arms, his anger simmering but contained. "Fine. We wait. But if they so much as look at Medusa the wrong way, they'll regret it."

Lockjaw gave a deep, affirmative bark, his jowls flapping comically with the effort. The sound broke some of the tension in the room, and even Karnak's rigid demeanor seemed to relax slightly.

Crystal looked down at her furry companion, her smile returning. "At least we've got you, Lockjaw. You'll always be ready to protect us, won't you?"

Lockjaw wagged his tail again, his large tongue lolling out in a doggy grin.

A brief silence followed, the three of them standing united in purpose. Karnak spoke again, his voice quiet but resolute. "If we stand together, we can survive this. But we have to be careful. No missteps."

Crystal glanced at Gorgon, her youthful hope tempered but not extinguished. "We'll protect each other. No matter what."

Gorgon placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his voice softening. "That's right. They can throw everything they've got at us, but we're not breaking. Not now. Not ever."

Karnak nodded, already planning their next steps in his mind. For now, they would wait, watch, and prepare. And if the Genetics Council made its move, the Royal Family would be ready.

The industrial plaza in the lower districts buzzed with an uneasy energy. The harsh glow of overhead lamps reflected off dusty walls, casting shadows that danced like restless spirits. A crowd had gathered, drawn by the words of Maximus, who stood atop a makeshift platform of crates after having come here once more. He wore simple clothes to blend in, but his commanding presence was anything but ordinary.

"Brothers and sisters," Maximus began, his voice smooth and resonant, "we stand at a crossroads. The Royal Family and the Genetics Council, locked in their endless power struggle, care little for the people who toil to keep Attilan alive. They bicker and scheme while your children go hungry, while your homes crumble."

Taran stood near the edge of the crowd, Daris and Naros flanking him. Kivar, Ryn, Shaya, Lia, and Darrek were also scattered among the gathered workers, their faces a mix of curiosity and cautious hope. Taran listened intently, but a shadow of doubt flickered in his eyes.

Maximus raised his hands, and the crowd murmured with anticipation. "Who will speak for you in their halls of power? Who will ensure that your voices are heard? Queen Medusa? She promises change, but where is she now? Fighting for her own survival. King Blackagar Boltagon? Silent, as always. And the Genetics Council? They see you as nothing but cogs in their machine."

Taran shifted uncomfortably. Maximus' words struck a chord, but something about his tone gnawed at him. Was this truly about justice, or was Maximus using them for his own gain?

Maximus paced the platform, his voice rising. "The Royal Family and the Council are at war with each other. While they squabble over their crumbling empire, we have an opportunity. This is our moment to rise, to take back what is ours, to build a new Attilan where no caste defines your worth!"

The crowd erupted into cheers, their hope rekindled by his fiery rhetoric. Darrek, Daris and Naros joined the applause, their faces alight with possibility. Even Kivar, ever pragmatic, nodded in agreement, and did Shaya and Ryn, while Lia looked unsure.

Taran, however, leaned toward Naros and whispered, "Is he really for us? Or is this just another way to grab power?"

Naros shot him a skeptical look. "Who else is fighting for us, Taran? Queen Medusa talks, but Prince Maximus acts. That's what matters."

Maximus seemed to sense the hesitation. His sharp eyes scanned the crowd until they landed on Taran. He stepped forward, his voice softening but remaining magnetic. "Taran, isn't it?"

Taran hesitated before nodding and bowing. "Yes, my Prince."

Maximus descended from the platform, walking toward Taran with measured steps. "I see the doubt in your eyes. And I understand it. The world has given you every reason to distrust men like me. But tell me, who else is offering you a way out?"

Taran swallowed, struggling to find the words. "Queen Medusa… she's trying. She's listening, as is the King."

Maximus gave a sad smile, shaking his head. "Listening. Such a noble thing, isn't it? But while they listens, your people suffer. Queen Medusa speaks of change, but when has she and the King ever truly fought for you? When have they risked their lives, their comfort, for your freedom? Even when she came down here, she had her Royal Guard with her. I will risk it all. When the time comes, we will take back Attilan. Together."

The crowd murmured their agreement, swayed once more by Maximus' impassioned plea. Even Taran felt his resolve falter under the weight of the words.

"And what of the King?" Taran finally asked, his voice cautious. "Blackagar Boltagon?"

Maximus' expression darkened; his voice sharp. "As I said before, a man who doesn't speak can't be trusted to act, regardless of his reasons. He is as much a prisoner of the system as you are, and he will do nothing to change it."

The crowd erupted in cheers again, emboldened by Maximus' defiance.

"And what happens when the fighting starts?" Taran pressed, his voice firming up despite the rising fervor around him.

Maximus leaned closer, his tone dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that still carried to the crowd. "The fighting has already begun, Taran. It's just that the first blows aren't struck with fists or weapons. They're struck with ideas, with unity. You feel it, don't you? The shift in the air. The Royal Family is faltering, the Council is faltering. Together, we can finish what they've started and build a better Attilan."

Taran's doubts lingered, but they were buried beneath the wave of cheers that erupted from the crowd. Naros clapped him on the shoulder. "He's right, Taran. This is our chance."

Maximus turned back to the crowd, raising his arms like a savior. "The King cannot protect his own family. How can he protect you? This is the moment we have waited for. Soon, we will reclaim Attilan—not just for the powerful, but for all of us."

As the cheers echoed through the dusty streets, Taran stood silent, the weight of his uncertainty pressing down on him.

In the hallways, Medusa looked at Black Bolt, her fear showing properly now that it was just the two of them. "I know that all of us and our child are being played as pawns in this game by the Genetics Council." Black Bolt nodded sadly in agreement. "But I will not let the Council decide any of our fates, we must make our own."

Black Bolt nodded, and then, to her surprise, he knelt before her, taking her hand in both of his, and kissed it, before giving her a look of determination, promising, without words, that he would protect her and the child, no matter the cost.

Medusa smiled and nodded. "I won't let them win. Not over our child."

Black Bolt communicated telepathically. "We will fight. Together."

Mahabharat Joyful music Funny and refreshing music plays

"Oh! How touching!"

They turned to see Gorgon and Crystal chuckling, Karnak behind them as he shook his head, Lockjaw barking too, causing Medusa to chuckle with a blush as Black Bolt stood up too.

"Oh no, carry on, I was loving the sight!" Crystal said, and Medusa's hair moved towards her a bit.

"Come here you!"

Crystal backed off with a giggle, as Medusa's hair returned to their original position, with even Black Bolt smiling at the sight.

That was when Druna came with a plate in hand to attend to them, but the messenger appeared too, and seeing him, the good mood evaporated.

"What do you want?" Gorgon asked him.

"The Genetics Council order you to come to their chambers, Queen Medusa", the messenger said with a bow, shivering in fear, as they all shared looks of outrage, the Royal Guard standing around too, finding this shocking.

"Order?" Crystal asked, now looking angry. "How can they order the Queen?!"

"Because the Verdict is in effect", Medusa noted grimly, sharing a look with the rest. As much as she wanted to win this, this game needed to be played carefully. With a sigh, she said. "I will go."

"I do not like the look of this", Karnak said to her.

"She does not have to go alone!" Nahrees declared at that point. "I will accompany the Queen, as it is still my duty."

Medusa started. "Nahrees, you don't need to-"

"I will be with you, Queen Medusa", Nahrees said to her.

Gorgon started. "Look, I think-"

"I do not fear them, and we need to play this carefully", Medusa pointed out, and walking to Black Bolt, shared a look with him, and then a kiss, before parting. "I will be back, my love."

Black Bolt nodded, trusting her that she knew what she was doing, and with that, she shared looks with the rest, also patting Lockjaw on the head briefly, and then walked off with Nahrees.

If only they knew what Arcadius was truly planning.

Medusa pushed open the doors to the Council Chambers, seeing Arcadius standing there with a smirk she did not like, and the other Council members were standing too, other than Furgar who was absent.

Medusa made to step in with Nahrees but Targon pointed at the Royal Guard. "You are not allowed to enter!"

Nahrees started. "But I am part of the Ro-"

"And we have power over the Royal Family now, so it is us you listen to!" Videmus now declared, causing Nahrees' eyes to widen. "You are not allowed to enter."

Before Nahrees could answer, Medusa put a hand to her shoulder. "You can leave."

Nahrees sighed. "I do not like the look of this, my Queen."

"Neither do I, but depending on what happens now, we will make our next move", Medusa said, Nahrees nodding as she walked off, and then the door was shut.

Having a bad feeling about this, Nahrees rushed back to the rest of the Royal Family.

"What do you think the Council is planning?" Gorgon asked Karnak.

"Why don't you tell us…..Druna?!"

With that, he turned to Druna, causing the rest to turn to her too, as the attendant looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

"What?" Druna asked, feigning confusion. "But…..I…"

"You're a traitor. The Queen gave you arrangements to live comfortably even though you were just an attendant, and in return, you slept with the Chancellor and took his bribes", Karnak snarled in utter disgust, as Gorgon now clutched his fists, glaring at her, with Crystal looking utterly enraged, and Black Bolt shook with rage, and Lockjaw growled at her, as Druna tried to back off.

"I….he threatened…."

"If you'd told us before, we could have solved the situation, but you backstabbed you Queen", Karnak declared to her.

As she shook in fear, Gorgon demanded. "TELL US THE PLAN!"

Medusa started. "Council members, I want to know why I have been summoned."

"Let us just get to the point, shall we?" Arcadius declared as Medusa tilted her head, and then her hair fluttered a little. "While the Verdict is in effect, you wield little power, and we want to drive that in, so you do not get any ideas."

Before Medusa could say anything, Arcadius pointed at her and declared. "STRIP HER OF HER ROYAL GARMENTS!"

MAHABHARAT AUDIO JUKEBOX ALL SONGS IN ONE FULL SONGS NON STOP Sad music 2 21:52 to 22:38 plays

Medusa's jaw dropped in utter shock as her mind processed it, when suddenly, Furgar leapt down from behind, leaping onto her hair like a frog and trapping them underneath his feet as she gasped in pain and shock.

Usually, her hair would easily shove him away, but right now, she was still weakened.

"Sapphiras", Arcadius said, turning to her, who produced a golden knife at her hand from her golden body, Medusa's eyes wide as Sapphiras moved closer, and Arcadius stepped down too with that smile, and now Medusa knew what his lecherous mind truly wanted.

Lockjaw barked at Druna, preparing to leap at her, and that was when she finally confessed it. "Chancellor Arcadius lusts for the Queen, and he plans to strip her completely in the Council chambers using the Verdict as an excuse!"

Black Bolt angrily punched a wall so hard the entirety of it shattered, as Gorgon just tapped his foot on the ground, causing it all to shake, with Karnak clutching his fists, and Lockjaw barking angrily at Druna, as the Royal Guard surrounded the terrified traitor.

"You will pay for this", Gorgon snarled. "They will all pay!"

And then, suddenly, Druna was hit on the face by a lightning-empowered punch, burning half of her face as she was sent flying off and crashing to the ground, some teeth broken, with her eyes closing as she lost consciousness.

Crystal glared at the unconscious Druna, her fist still cracking with lightning.

"This….has gone too far!" She declared as the lightning cracked harder. "I will not let the Council carry on with this anymore!"

Medusa paled, waiting for it, as Sapphiras' knife hand slowly moved towards her.

The rest of the Genetics Council laughed, while Arcadius said. "Strip her of her crown, of her royal dignity."

Even in the face of this, Medusa declared defiantly. "You can take my crown. You can take my royal garments. But you will never take my spirit."

Arcadius laughed and struck her crown with his left fist, sending it falling off from her head to the ground with a clatter sound.

Nahrees stopped near the Royal Family, having run to inform them. "The Genetics Council did not let me enter. I fear they've something evil in mind for the Queen."

"They plan to strip and humiliate her!" Karnak declared, to her horror. "We need to act now." Black Bolt nodded, his fists clenched.

Crystal turned to Lockjaw. "You know what to do!"

Lockjaw barked in agreement.

Inside the chambers, Sapphiras swung her knife, and Medusa's royal garments fell to the ground, cut from around her body, leaving her naked in the Council chambers, amongst the Council members, who laughed at her condition.

"Make way for the naked Queen!" Porcal declared with a loud laugh.

Medusa felt shock, horror, shame, everything inside, but did not show it on her face, refusing to let them see her weak.

They could take away everything, but not her dignity.

Arcadius chuckled while staring at her breasts. "Well, Queen Medusa, today you've truly impressed the Council, especially me, with what you have."

Medusa glared, as they all continued to laugh.

Ending credits play.

Chapter Text

Medusa glared at the Council (minus Furgar who was holding her hair down), especially Arcadius, as they continued to laugh, with Arcadius eyeing her shamelessly.

But at that moment, the locks of her hair hanging in the front, which Furgar hadn't trapped, started growing, slowly covering her body, which made Arcadius stop laughing, and the laughter of the rest slowed down too, with Arcadius now frowning.

Medusa was still not at her best so she couldn't use the frontal locks to take Furgar down just yet, but she was going to protect her dignity.

However, Chancellor Arcadius wasn't having any of it. Pointing at her with a scoff, he said. "The Royals also should not have any power while this 'Verdict' is in effect." With that, he declared. "Cut off her hair!"

Mahabharat soundtracks 89 – Shloka plays

Medusa's eyes widened once more, as the frontal locks of her hair waved vigorously, with Arcadius saying. "Her crown has been taken, her Royal garments are in tatters and she is bare, now let us see her power stripped away."

The frontal locks of Medusa's hair were ready to attack as they became pointy, and she declared defiantly. "You cannot take what I refuse to give."

Sapphiras' hand blade edged closer towards Medusa's frontal locks, ready to cut them, while Medusa's hair was ready to defend her from any further assault.

CRACK!

A powerful blast of lightning hit Furgar as he was thrown off and crashed into the wall, making Sapphiras stop in her tracks, with Arcadius and the rest turning to the direction the lightning had come from in horror.

Crystal screamed in rage, a tear rolling down her cheek, and didn't stop, Furgar convulsing violently from the lightning as the wall shattered, but Crystal continued her assault.

Before anyone else could do anything, Lockjaw suddenly appeared in the space right before Sapphiras, and the good dog put his big mouth around her blade-hand, before biting it off as Sapphiras screamed in agony, falling to the floor while Lockjaw spat the blade right into her shoulder, stabbing into it, the motion making her roll away in pain.

Gorgon put a hand to Crystal's shoulder. "You can stop now." He whispered to her. "Don't be like them."

Furgar was nearly dead now, smoke rising from his body, but deep down, she knew Gorgon was right. She was not going to kill just yet.

Didn't mean a lesson couldn't be taught.

So, she stopped herself, as Furgar stopped convulsing, lying still on the ground beneath the shattered wall, smoke emanating from his body.

Arcadius glared at Lockjaw, then Crystal, then Gorgon, and then Karnak and Black Bolt, as did the rest of the Council, and began. "This is-"

"Tssk."

And with that, the chamber shook, the floors cracked, and a shockwave rippled through the entire chamber, throwing Arcadius off by many feet as the rest of them fell down too, and Arcadius was about to animate the statues in the room to defend himself, but the power shattered all statues present one by one, making him scream in utter horror, as windows shattered too, and the table of the Council met the same fate pretty much.

The blowback made Medusa kneel to the ground too, but Crystal ran to her sister, supporting her, with Medusa's now freed hair elongating to cover her entire bare body, while Crystal grasped her by the face.

"I am so sorry", Crystal said with tears, wishing she'd come sooner, as did the rest of them. "I didn't want any of this to happen."

Medusa, controlling her emotions, gently grasped Crystal's face. "The fault is not yours, little sister."

Black Bolt knelt nearby, looking at her with guilty eyes, wishing he had come sooner and stopped it from going even this far, but Medusa held his hand, assuring him that she did not blame him.

He had come, all of them had, the moment they had realized what was truly going on. And that was all that truly mattered.

Arcadius groaned from where he lay on the ground. "He…..he spoke!" One tiny and controlled whisper from Black Bolt had thrown the entire Genetics Council off their feet and destroyed all the statues that Arcadius would have used as a weapon, alongside shattering windows and the table, their symbol of power.

Medusa telepathically said to Black Bolt. "You've saved me. I knew you wouldn't let them win."

Black Bolt assured her telepathically. "We have let them walk over us for too long, it is time to fight back and do whatever we can to take a stand against these unjust rules."

Arcadius staggered up, tripping around, the rest of the Genetics Council looking to be in the same state.

"This…this is an outrage!"

The five Inhumans of the Royal Family were kneeling on the ground, Medusa due to recovering, and the other four to support her.

PANDAVAS THEME MOST BEAUTIFUL BGM /Mahabharat\\ plays

Karnak held out his right hand to Gorgon, who grasped it with his left, and then he held out his right hand to Crystal, who grasped it as well with her left, before holding out her right hand to Black Bolt, who grasped it too with his left, and then, he held out his right hand to Medusa, and she grasped it with her left as well.

Then, all five of them stood up together, Lockjaw standing by their side and growling at the Genetics Council to warn them to stay back.

Pandavas angry theme BGM / MAHABHARAT \\ plays

With that, all five of them glared at the Genetics Council, as Arcadius looked at Karnak's eyes and saw anger, then looked into Gorgon's eyes and saw nothing but fury, while in Crystal's eyes too lay a burning rage, while Black Bolt glared at him with eyes that screamed 'revenge', and Medusa's eyes had defiance in them as well, and Lockjaw continued to growl angrily.

In that moment, he knew, that the rules were not going to save him or the rest of the Genetics Council from the wrath of the Royal Family anymore.

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

Gorgon declared angrily to the Genetics Council. "Now you've crossed all lines and overstepped your authority! This shall not be tolerated any longer!"

Arcadius screamed. "Blasphemy! Blasphemy! How dare you defy the Genetics Council?!"

"Mark my words, you will all pay for this!" Targon declared in rage. "You shall suffer!"

"It is not the heir you need to fear", Karnak said calmly as he walked forth. "But the King's ire!"

Targon suddenly charged and slashed Karnak across the face, turning his head a little. The rest made to intervene, but he raised his hand, indicating interference was unneeded, as he turned back to look at Targon very coolly, while putting a finger to his lips, as some blood was pouring out of there, and he wiped his lips.

"My ire too, for the matter."

"How dare you?!" Targon sliced at Karnak, but he easily dodged with a smirk. As Targon struck again, Karnak grasped his arm and twisted, making him scream as he backed off.

He struck with his other one, but Karnak grasped his wrist, stopping him, then gave him rapid punches to the chest and punched his face really hard, making him spit out blood as he was dazed.

But before he could recover, Karnak charged and kicked his neck, sending him flying off and falling down, groaning in pain.

Arcadius could only look around in anger and fear. Targon, Sapphiras and Furgar were all down now.

Videmus made to charge Karnak but he spun Videmus and threw him onto Targon instead, making Videmus attach to Targon as he began to see through him now, and see his memories.

"Get off!" Targon groaned as both staggered up, Videmus trying to part from Targon to stop himself from seeing his memories.

Cynas aimed her eye at the Royal Family, about to fire, when Lockjaw teleported behind her and literally bit her ass off, making her scream in pain as she bled and the beam from her eye hit Targon and Videmus instead, wounding them badly as they were thrown to the ground, scorched and burnt, with Targon rolling into a corner as Videmus lay on the ground.

Cynas continued to scream in pain as Crystal raised her hands to either side, wind blowing, causing the Genetics Council members to sway and stagger around on their feet, before a sharp piece of ice sprouted from her hand, and stretched itself until it was right under Arcadius' chin, drawing a trickle of blood, making him shiver in fear.

"Forg….forgive…."

"That's my sister you tried to strip, you think we're letting this go?"

"The laws by which the crown and the Genetics Council have governed are flawed and outdated. Created ages past by men and women whose names are forgotten. Yet you seem to forget, for all your pride, who it is that truly rules Attilan." Karnak gestured to Black Bolt and Medusa. "Your pride has guided your actions for too long."

The industrial districts were buzzing with activity, the people whispering amongst themselves while continuing to work. But they'd heard things, word spread around by someone, perhaps Maximus himself, which had led them to gather in clusters.

In the heart of the industrial quarter, Maximus once again stood before a growing crowd. The air was tense, heavy with apprehension, as the people looked to him for answers.

And answers he had, courtesy of Varek, who had heard all that had gone down, and told him about it quickly.

And of course, he was going to tell the people about this incident too. Just the parts that he wanted to tell them about, that is.

Maximus stepped forward, his expression grave yet tinged with determination. "Friends, brothers, sisters of Attilan," he began, his voice carrying above the murmurs. "I bring news that confirms what we've feared all along."

The crowd fell silent, drawn in by the weight of his words. Among them were Taran, Daris, Naros, Darrek, Lia, Kivar, Shaya, and Ryn, each watching him with varying levels of trust and doubt.

"The Genetics Council," Maximus continued, his tone measured, "has been stripped of its authority. Do you know why?" He paused, letting the question hang. "Because they dared to question the Royal Family."

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

"What do you mean, stripped of their authority?" Naros asked, his brows knitting together in confusion.

Maximus sighed, his face, posture, his entire body, a picture of reluctant regret. "The Royal Family claims to be reforming the caste system, to be bringing justice. But in truth, they're consolidating power for themselves. When the Genetics Council raised concerns, when they asked simple questions, the Royals silenced them. Not with words—but with violence. Many of the Council members were left wounded, powerless to stop them."

The crowd erupted in murmurs of disbelief and anger.

"Silenced?" Kivar repeated, his voice tinged with outrage.

Maximus nodded solemnly. "The Genetics Council—those who were meant to oversee balance and fairness—were attacked and arrested. Why? Because the Royal Family doesn't want balance. They want absolute control. And now, they've used this opportunity to seize power for themselves."

"That can't be true," Daris said, her voice wavering. "Queen Medusa and King Blackagar Boltagon have been working to change things."

Maximus scoffed, his expression twisting with mockery. "Queen Medusa? King Blackagar Boltagon? Change? Tell me, Daris, what has actually changed? They've used the promise of reform as a distraction, empty words to keep you all complacent. And now that they've gotten rid of the Genetics Council, they no longer have to pretend. The caste system will not be abolished—it will be tightened. The chains on your lives will grow heavier, not lighter."

Shaya clenched her fists, her voice rising above the crowd. "So, they've betrayed us? They've been lying this whole time?"

Maximus nodded gravely, gesturing toward the crowd. "Why do you think they've been so desperate to silence dissent? They want no opposition, no questions. They want complete control over Attilan. And what of the child they speak of? Their so-called heir?"

He paused dramatically, scanning the faces before him.

"What about the child?" Taran asked, his tone wary but curious.

Maximus' lip curled into a disdainful sneer. "The child is a symbol of their madness—a dynasty so drunk on power that they'd rather destroy everything than let it go. They claim this child will bring peace, but look around you! Has their rule ever brought peace? Their heir will be raised to rule as they do—to oppress, to dominate, to keep us all in chains!"

Daris frowned. "But what if the child does bring peace? What if it's different?"

"Peace?" Maximus scoffed, his voice sharp with derision. "Under their boot? Don't be a fool, Daris. This is not a family of peace; it's a family of power. And now, they've shown their hand. They've deposed the Genetics Council. Do you think they'll stop there? No. They'll crush anyone who stands in their way. This child is their excuse to tighten their grip on us forever!"

Naros, emboldened by Maximus' fervor, shouted. "So what do we do? How do we stop them?"

Maximus raised his hands, his voice booming with righteous fervor. "The Council are weak, the Royal Family is losing control over themselves, and the child will rule over us like a tyrant. This is our moment—to rise and take what is ours!"

The crowd roared in agreement, but Taran's voice cut through the din, hesitant but firm. "But what if the Royal Family truly wants to change things? What if they are right, and this child brings peace?"

Maximus turned to him, his gaze steely and uncompromising. "Peace? Under their rule? Don't be naïve, Taran. They've used promises of peace to keep you quiet, to keep you all hoping for a day that will never come. But where has hope gotten you? Nowhere." He jabbed a finger in Taran's direction. "We take control now, or we live in chains forever. There is no middle ground."

The crowd's fervor intensified, drowning out Taran's lingering doubts. Naros, Darrek, Shaya, and Ryn cheered loudly, their loyalty to Maximus cemented. Daris, Lia, and Kivar exchanged uncertain glances, but even they found themselves nodding along with the tide of emotion.

Maximus stepped back, his arms outstretched as if embracing the crowd's energy. "With parents such as them, what can we expect from their heir? Madness. Tyranny. We will not let that future come to pass. Stand with me, and together, we will reclaim Attilan for the people!"

The crowd erupted into chants of his name, their voices echoing through the lower districts like a rallying cry.

Taran, standing at the edge of the crowd, clenched his fists. Doubts gnawed at him, but the tidal wave of belief around him made it hard to think clearly. As Maximus stood before his adoring followers, a triumphant gleam in his eye, Taran couldn't help but wonder if the man who claimed to fight for the people was truly their savior—or their undoing.

The Council chamber was a grim sight. Once a place of calculated deliberation and manipulation, it now bore the aftermath of the recent clash. Broken furniture from the table littered the marble floor, and the once-pristine walls were marred with scorch marks and most of them were broken now, as were the windows. Targon, Videmus, Sapphiras, Furgar, and Cynas lay strewn across the room, groaning or unconscious, their injuries severe, with Targon having bruises while he and Videmus were scorched too, Sapphiras was still grunting due to having one hand bitten off, Furgar was alive but unmoving with smoke still emanating from him, and Cynas was crying while her rear was bleeding badly.

Only Arcadius and Porcal stood, though both were visibly weakened. Beads of sweat ran down Arcadius' face, and his ornate robes were damaged as well. Porcal leaned heavily on a shattered podium, glaring at the Royal Family with wary eyes.

Opposite them stood Black Bolt, silent but commanding, his gaze a steady storm. Medusa, regal despite the faint pallor of her face, rested her hand lightly on her growing belly, her fiery hair writhing faintly, a silent warning, even as they covered her naked body. Karnak's sharp eyes roved the room, dissecting every movement and word before they happened. Gorgon loomed like a stone monolith, muscles taut with restrained fury, while Crystal stood with the ice shard pressed firmly under Arcadius' chin, still drawing blood. Lockjaw stood beside all of them, growling softly, his massive body tense as if ready to leap at the two remaining Council members at any moment.

Arcadius' voice cracked as he tried to maintain composure. "This—this is an outrage! The Royal Family has no right to storm into these chambers and attack the Council. This chamber is sacred!"

Crystal leaned in slightly, the ice shard pressing further into his skin. "And you have no right to interfere with my sister's pregnancy or strip her of her dignity. Care to explain yourself, or would you rather taste the pointy end of this shard?"

"Enough, Crystal," Karnak said coolly, stepping forward. "Let him speak. He'll dig his own grave."

Arcadius' eyes darted nervously between Karnak and Black Bolt before settling on Medusa. "The 'Verdict of No Faith' is in effect! By law, the Queen has been stripped of her power, her crown, and her royal garments. She is to be treated as a commoner until the verdict is resolved!"

Medusa's hair lashed out, cracking the marble floor beside him, making him flinch. "You justify your humiliation of me by hiding behind archaic laws that you twist for your own ends."

Arcadius' lips trembled, but he pressed on. "It is not a personal attack. It is about balance! The Council exists to ensure that no one, not even the Royal Family, oversteps their bounds. The caste system, the foundation of Attilan, must be maintained for balance and order. Without it, chaos will reign!"

Black Bolt shook his head, his fists clutched tightly, looking like he'd rip Arcadius apart with his bare hands, without even needing to use his voice.

What scared Arcadius was that Black Bolt was perfectly capable of doing just that.

Karnak took a step forward, his voice cutting through the room like a blade. "Balance? You call this balance? Tell me, Arcadius, what balance is achieved when the lives of the lower castes are treated as disposable? When innovation is stifled, and progress is denied to preserve your power?"

Arcadius opened his mouth to respond, but Karnak continued, not giving him the chance to defend himself. "You speak of balance, yet the Council has maintained this caste system not for order but for control. It ensures that the lower castes remain subservient and that you and your ilk remain comfortable in your privilege. This isn't balance—it's oppression dressed up in tradition."

Gorgon's voice boomed, his anger barely restrained. "You hide behind the word 'balance' because you're afraid of losing your grip. Admit it—you've been keeping people down for centuries because you can't handle the idea of change. And when I can tell, it shows you are not as intelligent as you make yourselves out to be."

Arcadius snarled, his calm veneer cracking. "The caste system is necessary! Without it, Attilan will collapse! The lower castes lack the strength, the discipline to maintain order."

Crystal's eyes flashed with icy fury. "The only thing collapsing is your argument, especially since Karnak is here to dismantle it piece by piece. From what I've seen and heard, the lower castes have shown nothing but resilience, creativity, and strength despite everything you've done to keep them down. The only chaos here is the one you've created."

Porcal finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "Enough! This isn't about the caste system alone. It's about the child! That unborn monstrosity could bring ruin to Attilan. Oracle Ulysses' prophecy—"

Karnak's hand shot up, silencing him. "The prophecy? Let's address that, shall we? As has been mentioned before countless times, Oracle Ulysses sees possible futures, not certainties. Every decision we make shapes the future. You cling to his vision of a destroyer because it suits your agenda. But tell me, Arcadius, how many futures did he see where this child brought peace? Hope? Prosperity? How many did you choose to ignore because they didn't fit your narrative? Especially considering the words of the prophecy said both 'creation' and 'destruction'."

Arcadius stammered. "We—we can't risk it! The child's power could tip the scales irrevocably!"

Karnak's gaze was unrelenting. "And yet, you did not do as much to King Blackagar Boltagon, whose power is just as destructive. If this is truly about balance, why not interfere with his birth or his rule? Sure, he was locked in the room for a long time, but even after the incident with the Kree, you had no choice but to let him be King for regardless of your opinion on him, there was no other choice, and you could not convince anyone that he was unworthy. The truth, Arcadius, is that this isn't about balance or prophecy. It's about fear. Fear of losing control. And that fear has driven you to commit atrocities, hasn't it?"

Black Bolt nodded in agreement, glaring at Arcadius in anger, as Lockjaw barked at him angrily, making Arcadius jump a little, which caused the ice shard to pierce his chin just a little more, making him gasp in pain, blood trickling down, and Crystal looked satisfied about it.

Medusa stepped forwards, her voice steady but fierce. "You claim to uphold Attilan's laws, but your actions against me were personal. You didn't strip my King Blackagar Boltagon of his crown or his authority, did you? You targeted me, a pregnant woman, a mother, because you see me as weaker. But let me assure you, Arcadius, I am anything but weak. Your lust and lecherous intentions for me have failed, and yes, all of us can tell that is what your true desires were, and not any laws that you were trying to implement or uphold."

Arcadius' face turned a deep shade of red, and he began to shout. "You twist the Council's intentions! We acted for the good of Attilan!"

Karnak's eyes narrowed, the pieces falling into place. "For the good of Attilan? No, Arcadius. For the good of the Council." He tilted his head with a smirk, having figured their true plan out now just by talking to them and listening to them here, plus all the thinking he had done up until now. "Your plan was never to oust the entire Royal Family—it wouldn't make sense. You know we'd retaliate, and come back to fight for our rights." He shook his head, glaring at both Arcadius and Porcal, while gesturing to Medusa. "No, you planned to oust most of us, but keep Queen Medusa alive to give birth, to keep her and the child as hostages. You wanted to raise the child as your puppet ruler, a symbol of legitimacy while you pulled the strings from the shadows. And both the Queen and the child being here would ensure that me, the King, Gorgon, Crystal, Triton or Lockjaw would not try to do anything against any of you, thus keeping you safe from us as well. In fact, I believe you might have tried to use the life of the child as a bargaining chip to force even the King into performing any tasks you would want him to do." He added. "That day, during our argument when you said the King and Queen shouldn't even think about raising this child, I caught onto your true intentions from that slip in wording alone. You wanted the child to be born, but you wanted to raise the child as a puppet ruler. You hid your true intentions well, but not well enough."

Arcadius froze, his eyes widening in panic, while he gritted his teeth, the four teeth with the gold fillings visible now as well to the Royal Family.

Black Bolt was shaking in utter rage now, and Medusa's hair threatened to rise and grab him, dignity be damned, while Crystal looked like she was considering stretching the ice shard into his chin, Gorgon seeming like he was going to raise his hooves, and Lockjaw just growled in anger, baring his teeth.

"The Genetics Council's games have gone on long enough," Karnak continued, his voice cutting through the tension like a razor. "You seek power, not for the people, but for yourselves by using this child. Here's your proof." He added. "Everyone in Attilan is aware of my capabilities, so my deductions are proof enough of your true intentions and treachery."

Arcadius screamed; his voice desperate. "Lies! These are all lies!"

Karnak's expression didn't waver. "You can try to deny it, but the truth always finds a way."

Gorgon took a step forward, his hooves striking the marble with ominous force. "You disgust me. Using an unborn child as a pawn? If it were up to me, you wouldn't walk out of here. In fact, I would stomp upon you right now."

Crystal tightened her grip on the ice shard, her voice shaking with anger. "You talk about chaos, but you're the one tearing Attilan apart with your lies and schemes. How dare you?"

Medusa's hair whipped through the air, cracking like a whip as she stepped beside Black Bolt. "Enough of this charade. Arcadius, the Council's time is over. The people of Attilan deserve better than your cowardice and corruption."

Arcadius' knees buckled, and he collapsed backwards and then to the floor, his arrogance crumbling under the weight of the Royal Family's wrath. Porcal looked around, his gaze darting between the broken Council and the united Royals, before he, too, sank to his knees.

Black Bolt raised his hand, signaling for silence. The room grew still, the weight of his presence suffocating. Medusa spoke, her voice carrying his authority.

"The Council will answer for their crimes. Attilan will no longer suffer under your rule."

Lockjaw barked sharply, as if to punctuate her words, his growl a warning to anyone who dared defy them.

Karnak folded his arms, his voice calm but resolute. "You thought yourselves untouchable, Arcadius. But you underestimated us. And that was your first mistake."

As the Royal Family continued to glare at them, Arcadius' voice trembled as it spoke to them. "You'll regret this! Attilan will regret this!"

Medusa didn't even hesitate to give her response. "The only regret is that we didn't stop you sooner."

Porcal began to stand up, Karnak looking around at the broken windows and walls, knowing they'd try to escape through there, and turning to Gorgon, gave him a nod.

"Just what I was waiting for!" Gorgon declared, and lightly tapped the ground with his hooves.

BHEEMA THEME VIDEO SONG || MAHABHARAT plays

Everything shook, making Arcadius and Porcal scream in horror, while the screams of the already wounded Cynas and Sapphiras grew louder, and then the ground and ceiling cracked further, debris collapsing all around them, covering the broken windows and walls through which escape for the Genetics Council was possible.

Getting desperate, Porcal suddenly hurled a quill right at Medusa, as it made way for her shoulder. Her hair made to deflect, but never got a chance.

Because at that very moment, a force field surrounded her, and the quill was deflected off of that, making its way back at Porcal who barely dodged it, and the rest of the Royal Family stared at the force field in awe, with Arcadius, Porcal, Sapphiras and Cynas staring at it in horror, realizing they were facing even more opposition than what they had realized up until now.

Crystal asked in awe. "What…what is this?"

Medusa whispered while sharing a look with Black Bolt. "It is our child! Our child is protecting me."

The force field dissipated, as she and Black Bolt shared a loving smile, happy that even their child, while not yet born, had supported and protected them under dire circumstances.

Just like they'd tried to protect him from these snakes. Just like they'd protect him after his birth, and yes, he would be born, and the two of them would raise their child, alongside his very loving uncles in Karnak, Gorgon and Triton, and his overprotective, loving aunt in Crystal. Not to mention, he'd have a canine like Lockjaw as his companion, and Lockjaw was the greatest companion that anyone could wish for.

Gorgon then turned back to glare at the Council members. "You've had your chance. Now, you face the consequences."

Arcadius protested in fear, not having any argument now and just wanting to save his own skin. "You… you can't do this!"

Black Bolt used sign language, pointing at them while he made his silent statement.

"You've already done it to yourselves."

"Porcal, now!" Arcadius screamed desperately.

"Stop him!" Karnak cried out, knowing what was going to happen.

Lockjaw was about to teleport, but Porcal released his quills and a gas emitted from them, spreading quickly throughout the room as all of them were blinded by it.

Lockjaw tried to teleport around to get to Arcadius and Porcal, but the gas had affected even the good dog's sense of smell.

When it dissipated, Arcadius and Porcal were both gone.

"Cowards!" Gorgon yelled in anger, tempted to just slam his hooves on the ground, but considering it was just them and the other, beaten-up members of the Genetics Council in this chamber, that was not going to be of any benefit to them.

"Should have stopped Porcal sooner", Karnak said sadly. As good he was at analysing things, situations and people, even he was not perfect, and had let his emotions while speaking his deductions get to him, so he had not considered stopping Porcal in time.

Sapphiras and Cynas had lost consciousness too by now. Lockjaw whined, seemingly sad that he had not been able to stop Arcadius and Porcal from escaping, but Crystal patted his head.

"You did your best, Lockjaw", she assured him. "We got the rest of them."

"And they are all going to pay", Gorgon snarled while punching his fist into his palm, Black Bolt holding hands with Medusa as he tilted his head, and Medusa glared at the fallen Council members.

"They tried to take away my dignity, and my powers", Medusa said with a snarl. "But all of us are together, always."

"Let us lock them all up, as well as Druna", Karnak said, just as lightning destroyed the debris around (some of which had already been taken out, clearly by Porcal's quills to make way for their escape), with Nahrees coming in, followed by the rest of the Royal Guard.

They looked horrified on seeing Medusa's condition, and bowed, with Nahrees saying. "Apologies, my Queen, it is my failure that I could not protect you."

"It is a failure of all of us", Alaris said sadly, but Medusa shook her head.

"You are not at fault, all of us underestimated what the Genetics Council could get up to", Medusa assured them, and then said. "Rise."

They did, with Drive glaring at the fallen Genetics Council, then speeding around before all of them were chained to a broken but still standing column.

Targon groaned, starting to regain consciousness, only for Flaidermaus to stab his own claws into Targon's shoulder, making him scream in pain.

"Looks like we both know who is the greater lion."

He ripped his claws out and slashed across Targon's face, knocking him out once more.

Medusa suddenly remember what Karnak had just said, and turned to him. "Druna? What did she do?"

"Apologies, my Queen, but she was a spy for the Genetics Council, and she was aware of this plan of theirs", Neifi informed her, Medusa looking stricken, betrayal written across her face as she looked down, with Black Bolt putting a hand to her shoulder for comfort.

"I am sorry", Crystal said to her.

"We will lock up all of them", Asmodeus now said. "As well as Druna."

"And even if Arcadius and Porcal have escaped, they are not going to remain hidden for long", Nahrees said with a scoff.

The Royal Family gave nods, with Medusa saying. "Those two might have escaped, but the Genetics Council no longer have any power, and their plans have been crippled."

"Speaking of", Karnak noted. "As much as my deductions can be considered proof, I believe we should find some more tangible evidence as well."

Lockjaw barked in agreement, and the rest nodded.

The Genetics Council had been dealt a major blow, but this was not over just yet either.

Ending credits play.

Chapter Text

The courtroom was full of chatter due to the events that had just taken place, with Black Bolt on his throne once more, and Medusa, wearing another set of royal garments, sat down next to him, her crown back on her, while her hair had reduced in length to their usual size, the length they had when not being used for offense or defense.

Karnak and Crystal sat on their places too, with the Royal Guard standing all around, as the other courtiers continued to talk amongst themselves regarding what had just gone down between the Royal Family and the Genetics Council.

And no one could even blame them. While everyone had known of the friction between both factions ever since Black Bolt and Medusa had become the rulers, no one would have ever thought that it would end up going this far.

But it had, and now, Attilan was going to be changed because of an incident such as this. But good or bad, the other courtiers couldn't tell right now, since while most of them weren't fully opposed to the reformation of the caste system, they weren't that sure about it either, since they too were of the mind that Attilan had stood just fine for all these centuries with the caste system being the way it was.

But unlike the Genetics Council, they could only give advice to the King and Queen, not oppose them or even try and downplay them using greater power, because their power was not greater than the Royal Family at the end of the day.

Medusa, regardless of how she was feeling inside due to what the Genetics Council had put her through, managed to keep a strong face in public.

As the talking amongst the courtiers continued, Black Bolt finally raised his hand, causing all of them to stop, and turn to his direction, with any chatter pretty much freezing at that point.

It was pin-drop silence now.

"You all must be wondering why a fight broke out between the Genetics Council and all of us", Medusa herself began addressing the court, briefly looking at Black Bolt, who gave her a nod of encouragement, and she continued to address them. "It is because they tried to misuse their power and authority, all so they could humiliate me."

The shock of the courtiers increased, and they started whispering amongst themselves even more. Medusa was not going to tell them how exactly the Genetics Council had tried to humiliate her, that was something only the rest of her family, and the Royal Guard, were aware of.

Plus the Council themselves and Druna, but none of them were on their side.

Black Bolt raised his hand to silence them again, as Medusa spoke. "The 'Verdict of No Faith' that they put in effect was nothing but a trick by them, a ploy to weaken us. The test that was put forth was also part of it, it did not matter whether I lived or died, for they would have used our weakened position to kick us out of our positions of authority anyways."

The courtiers did not reply, just listening to what Medusa had said, and absorbing the implications of her words, all of them quite shocked at this, as none of them had expected the Genetics Council could be this bad and use tricks such as these to step over the Royal Family of Attilan itself.

Karnak noted. "Most of them were injured in their scuffle with us, and have been kept prisoner. Chancellor Arcadius and Porcal are on the run, but they lack any power and connections as of now, and we shall be able to find and imprison them soon too." With that, he gave out a sigh. "However, the Genetics Council were just a symptom. The true disease that festers in Attilan runs much deeper than just them."

Black Bolt nodded in agreement there. He would have said more but the courtiers did not understand sign language, unlike his family.

"The power balance was one-sided when the Genetics Council was in power", Karnak said to all of the courtiers. "For all their talk of balance, they did not mind that the balance of power always tilted to their side, and they used that to step over us every time we had a disagreement with them, and we had a lot of those times recently." With that, he declared to all of them. "Because of this, while we will eventually appoint a new Genetics Council, it shall not be keeping an eye on genetics anymore."

The courtiers were shocked again and started talking amongst themselves while Karnak continued to speak. "No, we have decided they shall be called just 'The Council', and the power balance between us and them shall be equal. And, this new Council shall be appointed based on the suggestions of the people. Not just the courtiers like all of you, but all the people of Attilan."

Now they stopped talking, realizing what Karnak meant, as one courtier asked. "Are you saying the entire Attilan will have a say in who gets recruited into these positions?"

"Yes, that is exactly what we are saying", Medusa said in reply.

"But wouldn't that be a hassle?" Another courtier asked.

"We shall take care of that", Karnak shrugged.

"What if the ones chosen by the people turn out to be selfish and corrupt?" One more of them asked.

"And the Council we already had wasn't selfish and corrupt?" Medusa asked with a slight edge to her voice, which made that courtier shut up.

"This new Council shall work alongside us, and sometimes opposed to us, depending on how things go, for the betterment of Attilan, for its people", Karnak announced to the entirety of the court. "But the important thing is that the balance of power shall be equal, and we will try our best to always arrive at a reasonable decision that is for the best of Attilan and its people."

With that, Medusa then declared. "This court is adjourned."

Soon enough, the only ones left in the Court were the Royal Family themselves, plus Lockjaw, who was lying down and being petted by Crystal.

"Some of them are in disagreement, but we will have to show them the results when the time comes", Karnak told the rest of his family. "They will see that this shall start the development of Attilan soon."

The rest of them nodded, while Karnak said. "Still, with the Genetics Council done for, there is a power vacuum that exists right now, so we need to tread carefully for now."

Crystal had some doubts herself. "If what you say is true, then Maximus would be waiting for a chance like this. How can we fight when the battle is already rigged?"

"Maximus will not find us such an easy conquest", Medusa said in reply quite strongly.

But all of them stopped as the King's hands began to move in sign language.

"When the time comes, we will fight, and my brother will fall. This I swear."

"That is exactly what I like to hear!" Gorgon said with a grin, Lockjaw barking lightly in what seemed like agreement too.

And then, Black Bolt did a sign which seemed to join all of them together, placing and treating the entire Royal Family as one.

All of them were aware of what this little sign meant, having seen it many times, and being in agreement with it.

"Together, always."

And then, all of them said it together as well.

"Together, always."

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

The Darkward End of Attilan was a world apart from the towering spires and glistening domes of the city's upper districts. Narrow, shadow-choked alleys twisted in impossible mazes, the air thick with the scent of decay and desperation. Crumbling structures leaned against each other as though sharing the burden of their disrepair. The streets were alive with whispers and murmurs, people huddled in corners, their faces etched with hunger and hopelessness.

This was where Maximus had chosen to make his next move.

The flickering light of makeshift torches cast jagged shadows on the walls, illuminating a gathering of lower-caste citizens. Darrek stood tall among them, his strong frame tense with anticipation. Beside him were Lia, Kivar, Shaya, Ryn, Naros, and Daris, all drawn by Maximus' promises. Taran lingered at the edge of the group, his arms crossed, his expression a mix of unease and intrigue. He couldn't deny the truth in some of Maximus' words, yet doubt gnawed at him.

The man himself stood atop a broken column in the center of the square, his plain garments blending with the crowd yet somehow making him stand out. His voice, rich and magnetic, carried over the gathered masses. Locking eyes with his audience, he exuded a sincerity that masked his calculated intentions.

"Brothers and sisters of Attilan," Maximus began, his arms spread wide, "look around you. Look at the homes you struggle to keep standing, the food you struggle to place on your tables, the sickness that claims our children because we lack the resources to save them. Is this the greatness Attilan promises? Is this the future we deserve?"

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd, some nodding, others whispering to their neighbors. Maximus' words were like oil on a fire, stoking the simmering anger and despair in their hearts.

"Yet," Maximus continued, "while we scrape by, the Royal Family enjoys untold luxury. They stand above us, untouchable, dictating our lives, deciding who we are allowed to be. And now, their true colors have been shown. As I told you all before, they have overthrown the Genetics Council—not because they sought justice, but because the Council dared to question their rule."

Darrek clenched his fists. "So they did attack the Genetics Council? Is all of that true?"

Maximus turned his piercing gaze on him. "Oh, it's true. The Council asked only for answers—to try and gain more clarity on these reforms and discuss them, and also on the child of the King and Queen, to get a better idea. And for these questions, they were struck down, their chambers left in ruins. Does that sound like justice to you? Does that sound like the actions of rulers who care for their people?"

"No!" Shaya shouted, her voice trembling with fury. "It sounds like tyranny!"

Maximus nodded solemnly. "Exactly. Tyranny. Blackagar Boltagon is no King; he is a tyrant who uses silence to mask his disdain for us. And Medusa? She is no better—a manipulator who hides behind her husband's shadow and a veneer of compassion, using words as weapons to keep us docile."

"But what about the Genetics Council?" Lia asked, her voice hesitant. "They were no saints either. They upheld the caste system too."

Ryn nodded at that. "You and I both know that we tried to meet with them for discussions on the caste system, but nothing ever came of that."

Maximus leaned forward, his tone shifting to one of practiced sympathy. "Ah, Lia, Ryn, you're not wrong. The Genetics Council was flawed, yes. And they too upheld the caste system. But they were a check on the Royal Family's power, a necessary balance, and at least they did not fool us regarding their true intentions. Now, with the Genetics Council destroyed, who is left to stop the Royals from trampling us underfoot? Who will ensure that the tyranny of the Royal Family is put in check?"

Naros stepped forward, his voice edged with bitterness. "They've done nothing for us. Look around! Our lives haven't changed. If anything, they've gotten worse."

Maximus gestured dramatically to the crumbling buildings and desperate faces around them. "Indeed, Naros. Look around. This is their legacy. They claim to be saviors, yet they allow this suffering to continue. And now, they aim to solidify their power by bringing a child into this world—a child born of tyrants. As I have said before, the child will be just like the two of them, and the child is already influencing them from the womb, making them worse than they are."

The crowd stirred, anger bubbling to the surface. Ryn shouted, "Another tyrant, the child truly is! Just like all of them!"

Taran, still lingering at the edge, raised his voice. "I hear you, Prince Maximus." He looked at the rest. "I hear all of you too." But then he said. "However, as was pointed out earlier, the Genetics Council did not care about us either, while I still want to believe that Queen Medusa and King Blackagar Boltagon did." He looked at Shaya, Ryn and Kivar. "The three of you were invited to sit in their court, alongside some others. Some say it was only to insult the Genetics Council, but if they truly were as bad as it is claimed, would they even go that far and give any time to the likes of us?" He asked. "What if they truly want peace?"

His words had an effect on everyone, and they seemed to listen, trying to see his points and considering them, and finding him sincere.

Then Maximus turned sharply, his expression one of practiced incredulity. "Peace? Under their boot? I have said it before- Don't be a fool, Taran. They promise peace while holding the reins of power tighter than ever. They'll tell you whatever you want to hear, do whatever you need to see them do, so long as you don't question their authority. Is that the kind of peace you want?"

With that, the effect of Taran's voice on the people was gone, a fleeting moment of doubt, swept away by Maximus' words like a wave.

Taran faltered, his doubt growing. "But... they did promise to reform the caste system. Maybe they—"

"Empty promises!" Maximus thundered, his voice slicing through Taran's hesitation. "They've had a good deal to change this system, yet here we are, in the Darkward End, living in filth and squalor. If they truly cared, would we still be here?"

The crowd roared in agreement, their anger a living thing now, feeding off Maximus' words, too taken in by his charisma to point out that he himself lived in luxury and not in the Darkward End.

Daris stepped closer to Taran, placing a hand on his shoulder. "He's right, Taran. Look at where we are. Look at what we endure. We can't trust the Royals anymore."

Maximus spread his arms again, his voice softening into a coaxing tone. "This is our moment, my friends. The Council are weak, the Royal Family is losing control over themselves, and the child will rule over us like a tyrant. This is our moment—to rise and take what is ours!"

Shaya raised her fist in the air. "For the people of Attilan!"

"For our freedom!" Ryn echoed, his voice hoarse but fervent.

Maximus smiled, his work nearly complete. "Together, we will rise. Together, we will reclaim Attilan. No more castes, no more tyranny. Just equality and freedom for all."

The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices echoing off the dilapidated walls of the Darkward End. Taran remained silent, his heart torn between the despair Maximus highlighted and the hope he still clung to for the Royal Family's promises. As he looked at the faces around him, alight with newfound determination, he wondered if he was the fool Maximus claimed—or if he was the only one seeing through the cracks in the man's words.

The Darkward End was the last place anyone would expect to find members of the Genetics Council. It was precisely why Arcadius and Porcal had chosen it. The two men huddled in the corner of a damp, crumbling tenement, the stench of decay and rot making them both wince with every breath. The dim glow of a sputtering lamp cast flickering shadows across their faces, etched with desperation and fear.

They could hear the cheering from Maximus' manipulated and controlled crowd all the way till here.

Arcadius' once-imposing figure seemed diminished, his robes torn and stained with dirt, his usual air of superiority eroded by their circumstances. Porcal, who had always been meticulous about his appearance, including his quills, looked even worse. His fingers twitched as he brushed at his sleeve, as though trying to rid himself of invisible filth, while his quills were filthy and some were even twisted.

"This place," Porcal muttered, his voice thick with disdain, "it's unbearable. How do these people live like this?"

Arcadius sneered, pulling his cloak tighter around him. "They live because they don't know better. They've never tasted true power, true luxury. It's just like this lot to wallow in this... filth."

Porcal grimaced, his gaze darting to the sagging ceiling above them. "And now, so must we. Do you realize how far we've fallen, Chancellor Arcadius? From ruling Attilan to hiding in the shadows of this wretched pit."

Arcadius' jaw clenched. "Silence, Porcal. We are not defeated. Not yet."

Porcal scoffed, his voice trembling with anger. "Not defeated? We've lost everything! The Council is broken and imprisoned, our chambers are desecrated, and our authority is stripped away. The Royal Family has won."

"For now," Arcadius said, his voice cold and calculating. He leaned closer to Porcal, his eyes gleaming with a flicker of defiance. "But they have not crushed us completely. They underestimate us, and that will be their downfall."

Porcal shook his head, his fear overcoming his anger. "You think we can recover from this? We planned everything—everything—to perfection. The child would have been ours, a puppet to control Blackagar Boltagon and Medusa, to bend the Royal Family to our will. Now, we're nothing more than fugitives!"

Arcadius' lips curled into a bitter smile. "True power doesn't die, Porcal. It adapts. They may have forced our hand, but they've left us alive. That was their mistake."

Porcal frowned, his brow furrowed. "And what now? Without the Council, without our resources, what can we possibly do? Blackagar Boltagon and Medusa will hunt us down."

Arcadius' expression darkened, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "We are not without options. The lower castes are rising, stirred by discontent. The chaos is fertile ground for allies... even unlikely ones."

Porcal's eyes widened, realization dawning. "You mean... him?" The cheering in the distance seemed to echo in their ears. "Him?"

Arcadius didn't answer immediately, his silence speaking volumes. Instead, he looked down at the cracked stone floor, his fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee. Finally, he said, "We may despise him, but he understands power—and how to wield it. If aligning with him serves our purpose... so be it."

Porcal's face twisted in distaste. "That madman? He would sooner destroy Attilan than see it ruled by us. He's unpredictable, Chancellor Arcadius. Dangerous."

Arcadius nodded, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Yes. But he is also desperate, just as we are. Desperation can be a powerful motivator. And by joining him, we can also look like Champions of the people. Besides," his voice dropped lower, "As you know, I have a... contingency plan. One that might ensure Blackagar Boltagon never stands against us again."

Porcal froze, his gaze sharp now at this point. "Ah, yes, that, which we created."

Arcadius leaned back, a sly smile creeping onto his face. "Yes, and let's just say I've it as I've prepared for this eventuality. Blackagar Boltagon is a King, yes, but even a King can be brought to his knees with the right leverage. And now, we have just the thing for him."

Porcal swallowed hard, his voice barely a whisper. "Do you think this will work?"

"It will," Arcadius replied smoothly. "For it is insurance. The kind we'll need if we're to strike a bargain with Maximus—or anyone else, for that matter."

Porcal's unease deepened, but he didn't press further. Instead, he looked around the squalid room, his expression grim. "And if he refuses? What then?"

Arcadius' smile faded, replaced by a steely resolve. "Then we adapt again. We will survive, Porcal. We will see the Royal Family brought low, and Attilan remade in our image. It is only a matter of time."

Porcal nodded reluctantly, though his discomfort remained. "Let's hope you're right. Because if you're wrong... we'll end up as corpses rotting in this cesspool."

Arcadius' eyes burned with cold fury. "I am never wrong."

The two men sat in tense silence, the flickering lamp casting their shadows on the crumbling walls like specters of a bygone age. Outside, the muffled voices of the impoverished residents of the Darkward End echoed through the streets, as well as the cheering crowd, both a constant reminder of how far they had fallen—and how far they still had to climb to reclaim their power.

As the lamp sputtered and dimmed, Arcadius' mind churned with schemes, his fingers brushing against the concealed device in his cloak. Whatever it took, he would ensure that Blackagar Boltagon, Medusa, and their child would never see the throne again. And if it meant making a deal with him, so be it.

For power, Arcadius would pay any price.

Medusa stood in hers and Black Bolt's private chambers, looking ahead at the balcony as a tear rolled down her cheek, but when it fell, her hair caught it.

Mahabharat (Flute & Humming Version) Sad BGM plays

It didn't do much though, as the scene of that hand-knife of Sapphiras cutting her robes flashed through her mind, and she could still hear the clatter from her crown falling and hitting the ground.

The laughter of all the Council members echoed in her mind.

"Make way for the naked Queen!"

The tears continued to fall, more rapidly now, and she screamed, her hair lashing out as they hit the walls, forming cracks at first, before she struck the walls harder, and the cracks deepened, the walls even breaking now, more holes forming, before she screamed once more and fell to her knees, her tears continuing to fall.

She was like that, and did not care how many seconds, minutes, or hours passed.

Until she felt a hand to her shoulder, and looked up to see Black Bolt, looking at her, sadness and guilt in his own eyes.

As she looked at him, he embraced her, his head over where her baby bump would be, and she could feel his body shaking with misery due to the fact that he had arrived just a few seconds too late, and his guilt at this was affecting him.

Tears rolled down his cheeks, and she knew that if he had the ability to speak without destroying, he would be screaming himself right now.

For a few minutes, they were like that, not King and Queen, but husband and wife, comforting each other, for what she had gone through, and for his failure in not being able to stop it in time, all because he had thought at the start that they could perhaps resolve things diplomatically with the Genetics Council.

What a fool he had been!

While Arcadius and Porcal were on the run, they would not be spared either, just like the ones who were already in custody.

They parted, looking at each other, as Black Bolt told her mentally. "I'm sorry. I should have come sooner."

Medusa patted his shoulder. "I do not hold any anger towards you. We all underestimated them."

Black Bolt looked down sadly. "I should still have come sooner."

"If we underestimated them, the greatest fault lies with me."

They turned to see Karnak at the doorway, looking glum himself. He walked inside, sighing. "I am the one who analyses everything for flaws, from structures to situations, to people. And even I did not realize what Arcadius wanted to do to you." He knelt down near them. "And for that, I am sorry."

Medusa knew this was gnawing at him, and assured him. "Apology accepted." Regardless of their failures, the culprits were the Genetics Council. They were the criminals and the root cause of all of this.

And it was them that she blamed for everything.

"But this does mean we need to make our reforms as quickly as possible", Karnak said, putting a hand to Medusa's shoulder. "And catch both Arcadius and Porcal. If the Genetics Council could do something like this to the Queen herself, just imagine what they would do to the common people." The two paled on imagining that as Karnak added. "If they would do this to their Queen, who knows what other violations they have committed in the past."

He was right, they could have easily done horrible things in the past, then used their power and authority to hide the fact that such things had even happened.

Medusa nodded, wiping her tears, as Black Bolt did the same, and she said. "You speak true, Karnak. The time is to start doing what we have kept promising the people, and secure the future of Attilan."

Black Bolt nodded, as did Karnak.

The gardens of the palace were quiet. Crystal sat near the stone bench by the central fountain, her knees pulled up to her chest, her arms wrapped tightly around them. Her normally vibrant features were shadowed, her eyes rimmed red, and tears streaked her cheeks. In public, she had put on a mask, but now alone, it crumbled. The faint hum of the fountain's cascading water was the only sound until Lockjaw padded over to her, his tail wagging faintly as he pressed his massive, warm head against her leg.

She reached forth and stroked him absently, her fingers tangling in the soft fur behind his ears. Touching Lockjaw, her lifelong companion, offered a fleeting sense of comfort.

For a moment, she could almost pretend things were as they had been.

Almost.

But the memory of what she'd done to Furgar burned brightly in her mind—his screams, the way his body convulsed under the sheer force of her lightning, and the overwhelming rage she'd felt when she unleashed it. The thought made her stomach churn. If Gorgon hadn't intervened…

The heavy thud of footsteps approached, and she looked up to see Gorgon standing there, his expression unreadable. He held a large jug of water in one hand and two cups in the other. Without a word, he sat down behind her on the bench and poured a cup, handing it to her, gesturing to his side.

She took it but didn't drink, simply holding it in her hands as though she didn't know what to do with it, while she stood up and sat on the bench. Lockjaw climbed up beside her, his bulk pressing close as he rested his head on her lap.

For a moment, neither spoke. Then Crystal broke the silence, her voice shaky and quiet. "Am I a monster, Gorgon?"

Gorgon's brow furrowed, his head tilting slightly. "What? Why would you say that?"

"I... I nearly killed him," she whispered, her eyes wide with disbelief at herself. "If you hadn't stopped me, Furgar—he might be dead. And for a second... I wanted that. I didn't care. I just wanted to hurt him, to make him pay for what he did to my sister Medusa."

Her voice cracked, and the tears came again, spilling over as her body trembled. "That's not who I thought I was. I thought I could never do that. I thought I was different. But I wasn't. I'm not."

Gorgon set the jug and his cup down on the ground and leaned forward, his large hands clasped together. He took a deep breath before speaking. "Crystal, listen to me. What you felt back there—that wasn't wrong. It wasn't evil. What the Council did to Medusa... to all of us... it was unforgivable. Of course you were angry. Of course you wanted to protect her. That's natural."

"But the way I did it..." she said, her voice barely audible.

Gorgon sighed, his gaze softening. "You're not a monster, Crystal. You're someone who loves her family deeply, someone who has a heart big enough to carry all that pain and anger and still feel guilty about it after. That's not the mark of a horrible person—that's the mark of someone with compassion."

She shook her head, her tears falling onto Lockjaw's fur. "But it doesn't feel right. It feels like something inside me changed and broke, Gorgon. I've always believed that things could be better, that if we worked hard enough, we could fix everything. But now..."

He put a hand on her shoulder, his voice firm but kind. "You've seen the truth of this world, Crystal. Politics—this whole mess with the Genetics Council and then Maximus—it's a game for schemers and cynics. They twist the rules and exploit the innocent. It's ugly, and it's cruel. But that's the world we live in."

Crystal looked up at him, her eyes searching his face. "Then how am I supposed to survive in it? How do I fight people like that without becoming like them?"

Gorgon gave her a small, sad smile. "You fight them by remembering who you are. You're strong, Crystal, stronger than you know. But strength alone won't be enough. You'll need to steel yourself for what's to come—to harden your resolve."

His hand moved to rest over her heart, his voice softening. "But don't lose this. Don't lose your compassion, your kindness, or your hope. That's what makes you who you are. That's what makes you better than them."

Her lower lip trembled as she looked down, her hand coming to rest over Lockjaw's head. The giant dog gave a soft whine, pressing closer to her. She ran her fingers through his fur, anchoring herself in the simple, unyielding love he offered.

"I don't know if I can do this," she admitted. "What if I fail? What if I can't be strong enough?"

"You're already stronger than you think," Gorgon said. "You faced down all of the Genetics Council alongside when it mattered most, and even threatened Arcadius himself. And when it became too much, you stopped. You let me pull you back. That's strength, Crystal. Not just power, but knowing when to use it—and when to hold back."

She let out a shaky breath, nodding slowly. "I'll try."

"That's all anyone can ask of you," Gorgon said, pulling her into a gentle hug. His large arms wrapped around her, holding her as she cried against his shoulder. "You'll get through this. We all will. And when the time comes, we'll stand together—like family."

Lockjaw barked softly, his tail wagging as though in agreement. Gorgon chuckled, rubbing the dog's head. "See? Even Lockjaw thinks you've got this."

Crystal managed a small, watery smile, wiping at her eyes. "Thank you, Gorgon. I needed that."

"Anytime, young one," he said, giving her a reassuring squeeze before pulling back. "Now, get some rest. We know we are going to be having more long days."

Crystal nodded, leaning down to hug Lockjaw tightly before rising from the bench.

Gorgon added. "Besides, Lockjaw mauled two of them too, we don't see him as a monster, do we?"

"Nope", Crystal said while shaking her head, and petted his head, while he wagged his tail. "He is the best boy."

Then, she began to walk off. As she walked back toward the palace, Lockjaw following close behind, she glanced back at Gorgon. For the first time since the Council's attack, she felt a flicker of hope. It wasn't much, but it was enough to take the next step.

Karnak then appeared in front of them, as Crystal turned to him. "Oh, hello Karnak."

Karnak looked down at Lockjaw. "Would you mind if I borrow your friend for some help?"

Crystal looked down at Lockjaw, who barked, and she shook her head. "No, I don't think I will, or him for the matter."

Targon, Videmus, Sapphiras, Furgar, Cynas and Druna were all restrained to chairs, cuffs around the wrists and legs, with a ring of sorts that was a few inches away from their neck coming from the back of the chair.

Cynas, Furgar, Sapphiras and Druna had been treated for their wounds, just enough to keep them alive, not to alleviate their pain, as they didn't deserve that. Even now, groans escaped them every few seconds, especially Cynas, as her ass had been bitten off.

Targon and Videmus weren't as injured as the rest of them.

Karnak was crouched on his own chair, looking between each one, his trained eyes focused on the panting by Druna, gulping by Cynas, the scorched Furgar's blinking, Videmus rubbing his index and thumb together, and the corner of Targon's lip twitching.

Each a microexpression that let Karnak read them like an open book, lasting less than a second, but enough time for him.

Sapphiras was harder to read, being made of metal meant her expressions were different from one made of flesh, but Karnak liked to learn. Many had mocked him for never undergoing Terrigenesis.

They were about to learn why he never needed it.

"I think I'll spare us all about ten seconds by forgoing what you're sitting in." All five clenched their fists, Targon and Sapphiras pulling as they did, though the latter cried out in pain. Druna was too ashamed to respond.

Anger in the rest of them.

Karnak almost smirked, they were so simple.

He knew he'd get nothing from Druna, she was only used by Arcadius for information and sex, and paid in like. The little she did know, she'd already told them earlier when confessing of what the Genetics Council wanted to do to Medusa.

"Let's cut to the chase and talk about what all you will lie about until your throats are dry and our children succeed us. The truth."

Karnak hopped off the chair to his feet and paced across from the prisoners, keeping each one in view.

"We'll never talk." Targon, always so impulsive.

"That's alright," Karnak waved him off, "I never had much faith in words. In my experience, everyone lies, only some are better than others, and very few of those others know what to look for."

Targon was all talk, information from him would be irrelevant, Aracdius would know not to confide to him, knowing that, Karnak casually stopped by his chair and leaned on the Inhuman's chair. "And very few of our people know of the secrets the Genetics Council have tried to keep to themselves. Their plans, tools, all to usurp the power of the Royal Family." Karnak's eyes scanned the remaining four for weaknesses. They all had them, some more than others.

Time to see which one cracks first.

"We know Arcadius would prepare data, recordings, anything he can get his hands on to give him the edge in turning Attilan against us. It's why the Royal Guard scoured every inch of his and Porcal's rooms."

Two of them tried to hide their smiles. Karnak tilted his head and walked from the immobile Targon to stare at Sapphiras and the scorched Furgar.

"But we got it wrong." Karnak crouched again to look up to both of the bound Council members. "We should have started with one of your rooms."

"You're not making sense." Furgar snapped before crying out in pain, but Karnak's eyes saw the one shoulder shrug by the scaley Inhuman.

Nodding, Karnak agreed. "I'm not. To someone like you." Someone not bound by their laws that they made up to control them. "How about we move on and take a look in your rooms, see whether I'm full of it or not."

No reaction, the Inhuman left unchanged by Terrigen tilted his head. "No, not in your room, above it."

He took a chance and got what he wanted.

The scaley and burnt lip of Furgar moved for less than a second, as did his burnt brows, it was all Karnak needed to know.

A chuckle left the Royal cousin as he patted Furgar's knee, making him scream again due to the pain it caused him.

"Thank you for everything."

"What?"

"He didn't say anything!" Videmus shouted.

Still grinning, Karnak looked at the Inhuman with no eyes.

"He didn't have to." Without even a second to respond, Videmus and the rest of the Council were left to rage as Karnak strolled to a wall before it opened and shut behind him. The Inhuman looking up at his taller and hooved cousin waiting on the other side for him, alongside Lockjaw.

"Okay, how'd you do it?"

"You weren't watching?" Karnak teased Gorgon, who already was annoyed by him. "He told me everything."

"All I heard was denial."

"The lips say one thing, but the body contradicts the words. I'll show you the trick one of these days." "Absolutely not."

Gorgon walked faster than his large frame implied to get away.

"Last time gave me nightmares about reading eyebrows."

Lockjaw barked as Karnak chuckled, and said to the good dog. "Now this is where you come in, my friend."

He barked again and wagged his tail.

The first light of day was just breaking over Attilan, casting a muted glow across the city's towering structures. Medusa and Crystal stepped out of the palace gates, the air between them quiet but heavy with unspoken thoughts, the former's hair flailing time and time again.

They made their way down toward the lower districts, the vibrant opulence of the royal grounds gradually giving way to narrower streets, crumbling stone facades, and the unmistakable signs of neglect. The market square, which should have been bustling with activity, felt subdued. Traders muttered among themselves, their eyes casting wary glances at the Royal Family. Groups of citizens lingered on street corners, speaking in hushed tones that quieted further as the sisters approached.

Medusa's sharp eyes caught the resentment in their stares, the barely veiled distrust etched in their faces. Whispers floated through the air, just loud enough to be heard by them.

"First they destroy Council, now they come here?"

"They've never cared before. Why now?"

"It's all for show."

Crystal winced at the words, glancing toward her sister. "They hate us," she said softly, her voice tinged with hurt.

Medusa stopped walking; her hands folded in front of her as she surveyed the scene. "They don't trust us anymore," she said, her voice steady but low. "And why would they? We've ruled over them, but we've never truly ruled for them."

Crystal nodded, her expression hardening with determination. "Then we change that. We make them see we're on their side."

Medusa turned to her, her lips curving into a faint smile. "That's exactly what we need to do. But words won't be enough, Crystal. The caste system has been here for centuries, and has driven a wedge deeper than anything else. No grand speech will fix that."

Crystal looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers slightly as if testing her own resolve. "So, what do we do?" she asked. "How do we make things right?"

"Radical reforms," Medusa replied, her tone decisive. "We'll need to go beyond what's comfortable—beyond what even the Council or the nobles would tolerate. It won't be easy, and it won't happen overnight, but it's the only way. We need to show them, not just tell them, that we're different."

Crystal tilted her head thoughtfully, her gaze drifting to a child sitting on a stoop nearby, clutching a worn blanket. The child's hollow eyes watched them cautiously, as though unsure if the Royal Family of Attilan were friend or foe. "Do you think they'll believe us?" She asked.

"They'll believe what they see," Medusa said, following Crystal's gaze. "If we're truly on their side, they'll feel it in their lives. In their homes. We can't just promise change. We have to bring it."

Crystal nodded, her earlier doubts receding as Medusa's resolve bolstered her own. She glanced at her sister, hesitating before speaking. "Medusa... what they did to you—the Council—are you all right?"

Medusa's expression softened, a flicker of vulnerability breaking through her regal composure. "It was... difficult," she admitted, her hand unconsciously resting over her stomach as her hair rose for a bit due to the memory before going back down. "For a moment, I thought—" She stopped, shaking her head, her hair also shaking vigorously. "But I'm here now. And so is the baby. That's what matters."

Crystal reached out, placing her hand over Medusa's. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You didn't deserve any of it."

Medusa smiled faintly, covering Crystal's hand with her own. "And I saw what happened with Furgar, and what you were thinking about it. Gorgon told me."

Crystal's cheeks flushed with shame. "I... I didn't mean to lose control. I just—when I saw what they did to you—I couldn't stop myself."

Medusa gently cupped Crystal's face, her expression tender. "You stood up for me, Crystal. You fought for me when I couldn't fight for myself, just like the rest of them. Don't let guilt overshadow that. You're stronger than you know."

Crystal's eyes filled with tears, but she managed a small smile. "Gorgon said something similar. He told me to hold on to my compassion. To be who I am."

"And he's right," Medusa said, brushing a stray tear from her sister's cheek. "You have such a good heart, Crystal. Don't ever let anyone take that from you—not the Council, not Maximus, not anyone."

Crystal threw her arms around Medusa, hugging her tightly.

When they pulled apart, Medusa looked out over the streets, her expression resolute. "We have a long road ahead of us," she said. "But we'll walk it together."

Crystal nodded, her own resolve mirroring her sister's. "Together."

As they continued their walk, the whispers and wary stares followed them, but the sisters stood taller, their bond stronger than ever. They had a city to heal, a people to win back, and a future to fight for—together.

The dim corridors of the Genetics Council's compound loomed eerily quiet. Furgar's quarters lay in a secluded wing, seemingly untouched since the Council's arrest.

Karnak led the way, his calculating gaze scanning every surface, every crevice, his thoughts racing ahead of him like a game of chess. Gorgon followed close behind, his powerful frame tense with anticipation. Lockjaw trotted beside them, his tail wagging, though his nose occasionally twitched as if detecting something unusual.

"Furgar's quarters are this way," Karnak said, his voice as precise as his movements. "And based on his reactions, I believe what we find lies near here."

Gorgon scoffed. "Typical Council nonsense. Always hiding the truth from the rest of us and pretending to care about the wellbeing of Attilan."

Lockjaw barked, the sound echoing faintly in the empty hallway. Karnak glanced back, the faintest twitch of a smile on his lips. "Let's also hope Lockjaw's sense of smell is better than Furgar's sense of secrecy."

They reached the ornate doorway to Furgar's quarters. Despite the grandeur of the gilded carvings, a heavy padlock secured the entrance. Gorgon stepped forward without hesitation, gripping the lock and snapping it apart with a single twist of his wrist.

"Subtle," Karnak remarked dryly, pushing the door open.

The interior was lavish, with datapads and cabinets. Karnak moved swiftly, his sharp eyes scanning every corner, while Gorgon used brute force to pull aside heavy furniture. Lockjaw sniffed at the walls, occasionally pawing at a specific spot before growling softly.

"It's here," Karnak murmured, noticing Lockjaw's consistent focus near the far wall. He stepped closer, tracing his fingers along the grooves in the paneling. "A secret chamber."

"How do you know?" Gorgon asked, stepping up beside him.

"Because Furgar wasn't clever enough to build something I couldn't see, or Lockjaw couldn't smell," Karnak replied, pressing a concealed latch. A faint click echoed, and a section of the wall slid open, revealing a narrow staircase descending into darkness.

Lockjaw barked excitedly, wagging his tail as if to say, I told you so.

"Well, this isn't ominous at all," Gorgon muttered. "Let's see what the Council's been hiding."

Karnak patted Lockjaw, who wagged his tail harder. "Good boy." He barked happily.

The stairs led to a hidden room filled with rows of sleek consoles and holo-projectors. The air was cold and stale, and faint hums from dormant machinery punctuated the silence. Karnak immediately moved to the central console, brushing off a layer of dust. Lockjaw sniffed around, growling softly at the machinery, while Gorgon kept watch, his eyes scanning the room for any hidden threats.

Lockjaw suddenly started pawing at another wall, and Karnak touched it. "A fake wall. Must be how they escaped." So this place hadn't been untouched since the Council's arrest. "They must have a mechanism to shut everything off after escaping, hence this place looking untouched."

"They really did try to cover all their bases", Gorgon noted, then gestured to the console. "What's that about?"

Karnak activated the console with a few precise touches. The holo-projector whirred to life, casting a pale blue light across the chamber. Dozens of recordings appeared in mid-air, their titles scrolling in an alien script. Karnak's fingers danced over the interface, selecting one at random.

A holographic meeting materialized before them. The familiar figures of Arcadius, Furgar, Sapphiras, and the other Council members appeared, seated around a table.

The first recording, with a very recent time-stamp, began, with Arcadius saying. "The Royal Family grows complacent. Blackagar Boltagon's reign has softened them, and Medusa's... condition presents an opportunity."

Furgar replied. "Her pregnancy is unprecedented. If the child inherits powers beyond control, it will threaten the balance of Attilan, as the prophecy itself says."

Sapphiras added. "Which is precisely why we must act. We cannot allow another uncontrollable element within the genetic pool."

The recording ended abruptly, transitioning to another, more detailed discussion, with an older time-stamp, about a year back.

Karnak's sharp eyes narrowed as he read the accompanying files, opening a set of documents labeled Project Ascendant.

Sapphiras was saying. "Our studies suggest that offspring of the Royal Family are likely to possess multiple genetic anomalies. Beyond Blackagar Boltagon's destructive voice or Medusa's hair manipulation, their child could exhibit entirely new phenomena. Perhaps even Maximus' abilities could be seen in the child."

Cynas replied. "Triton's powers have unfortunate drawbacks but are useful. If bred strategically, similar powers could benefit us. The same applies to Gorgon's ability to generate shockwaves and Crystal's elemental control."

Arcadius finally said. "Any child of theirs must be controlled. Raised under our guidance, it would ensure loyalty—and give us leverage over the Royal Family."

Videmus nodded. "Agreed. If Blackagar Boltagon or Medusa or anyone else resists, the child's life can be... negotiated."

Karnak's jaw tightened as he listened. "They've been plotting this for years. The child isn't just a target—they see it as their key to controlling the future of Attilan."

He pulled up another document, scanning the lines of text. It outlined specific genetic projections for each Royal Family member's potential offspring:

Crystal's children: Potential mastery of dual elemental manipulation—fire and ice.

Gorgon's children: Enhanced durability and strength, capable of generating and withstanding seismic force.

Blackagar Boltagon's and Medusa's children: Hair manipulation intertwined with sonic destruction, and perhaps mental abilities, amplifying each other's power.

"They're not just targeting King Blackagar Boltagon and Queen Medusa," Karnak said grimly. "They're targeting all of us. Any child begotten of the Royal Family is a potential pawn in their schemes."

Gorgon clenched his fists, his voice thick with rage. "So, this was their plan all along? To steal our children and turn them into tools? Weapons?"

Karnak nodded; his expression unreadable but his eyes blazing with quiet fury. "They see the Royal Family as a threat—not just now, but for generations to come. And they're willing to do whatever it takes to ensure their dominance."

Lockjaw barked sharply, as if in agreement, his tail thumping against the floor.

Gorgon paced the room, barely containing his anger. "Then we need to expose this. All of it. Let the people see what the Council really is—liars and manipulators."

Karnak turned to face him, his voice calm but firm. "We will. But we must do it strategically. If we act rashly, Maximus will twist this to his advantage."

Gorgon huffed, his hands tightening on his mace. "Strategic or not, these bastards are going down."

"They will," Karnak assured him, shutting down the console. "This chamber and its evidence are the Council's undoing. The truth always finds a way."

As they ascended the staircase, Lockjaw trotting faithfully at their side, Gorgon glanced at Karnak. "You're sure this is enough?"

Karnak's expression was grim but resolute. "It has to be."

Black Bolt, Medusa and Crystal looked at the documents and recordings, eyes wide in horror and fury, looking like they wanted to go down to the prison and rip apart all of the Council members, then find wherever Arcadius and Porcal were hiding, and shove Porcal's quills up Arcadius' rear.

"Those evil scum…" Medusa said in a growl, her hair lashing out and cracking some columns, before she restrained them.

"They are not going to get away with this!" Crystal snapped, Lockjaw barking in agreement.

"So, should we get ahead of this?" Gorgon inquired, looking at Black Bolt.

Black Bolt gave a nod, and that was all the answer the rest needed.

"How did you figure out it would be hidden in Furgar's quarters though?" Crystal asked Karnak, wanting to know.

"I looked for how they reacted based on my words", Karnak explained to them. "The impulsive Targon was the quickest to deny, and the first to be ruled out, as he'd nothing to hide. Then I mentioned secrets, which they all knew about, and reacted." He smirked. "I just needed to say the right thing."

"And then…" Medusa trailed off.

"Two hid their smiles as they were happy the Royal Guard looked in the wrong place, meaning they knew what we needed wasn't in those rooms", Karnak continued to tell them. "And then the one shoulder shrug alongside the denial by Furgar indicated the contradiction between words and body. That was the only chance, looking within his quarters to find the secret, which Lockjaw helped with." Karnak patted the dog's head as he barked happily, Crystal smiling. "I knew I was right by that upper lip curling like a snarl for less than a second. Barely concealed scorn."

"I have to learn how to do that!" Crystal said excitedly, causing Medusa to chuckle.

"Trust me, you don't", Gorgon said in reply, before asking Karnak. "Why did you target Sapphiras though? Not that I mind, she deserved it." Medusa had a dark look on her face briefly at Sapphiras' mention. Arcadius was the instigator, but she was the one who'd done the evil deed.

"She knew about the information, but not where it would be", Karnak said to them.

"How would she know?" Crystal wondered.

"Because she and Furgar are sleeping together. Passion and excitement tends to loosen the tongue, unless your good at it."

"Can we just back up to how you just said they were sleeping together?" Crystal asked in revulsion. "I mean, how..."

"Isn't it obvious?" The interactions between Furgar and Sapphiras when they weren't fighting against the Royals, how he would smile at her, flash her a glance and then shift his gaze, and she would raise her chin, revealing her embarrassment at his actions."

"No, I mean, not how you knew, I mean...how..." Crystal trailed off, but Karnak got the idea, and went, "oooh".

How could they have sex when they're...like they are.

"Oh that...yeah I got no idea. I only find the flaws."

"Yeah….I think I don't want to learn that", Crystal agreed with Gorgon.

"Anyways, I believe it is time to tell everyone", Karnak now said with a smirk that was matched by Black Bolt's own.

The courtyard of Attilan was alive with murmurs. A rare gathering of nobles and commoners stood shoulder to shoulder, filling the expansive stone plaza. At the front, a raised platform served as the stage where the Royal Family would address their people. Black Bolt stood at the center, his imposing presence silent but commanding, Medusa by his side, her gaze fierce and resolute. Karnak, Gorgon, Crystal, and even Lockjaw flanked them, each with a role to play in what was about to unfold.

The Royal Guard was there too, on either side of them, with Gorgon standing at a position between them and the Royal Family, signifying he was part of both. Other soldiers were present behind them.

The air was tense, charged with anticipation and doubt. The nobles whispered among themselves, their robes shimmering under the pale light of Attilan's artificial sky, while the commoners eyed the Royal Family warily. The divide between the classes was palpable, a chasm that no mere words could bridge—at least, not yet.

Medusa stepped forward, her voice carrying the weight of a queen and the vulnerability of a mother. "People of Attilan, we have gathered you here not as rulers speaking to subjects, but as one part of this society addressing the whole. Today, the truth must be laid bare."

The murmurs grew louder. From the back of the crowd, someone shouted. "What truth? More excuses?"

Crystal stepped forward, her face pale but determined. "You've all heard the rumors. It is claimed that the Genetics Council simply questioned us, to protect Attilan from us. But what they've truly done is far darker."

Karnak nodded to Lockjaw, who teleported away with a low growl, only to reappear seconds later carrying a device from the secret chamber beneath Furgar's quarters. Karnak stepped forward, connecting the device to a holographic projector. The light shimmered, and the first recording of the Genetics Council meeting came to life.

The holographic forms of Arcadius, Furgar, and Sapphiras appeared, their voices echoing across the courtyard.

"The Royal Family grows complacent. Blackagar Boltagon's reign has softened them, and Medusa's... condition presents an opportunity."

"Her pregnancy is unprecedented. If the child inherits powers beyond control, it will threaten the balance of Attilan, as the prophecy itself says."

"Which is precisely why we must act. We cannot allow another uncontrollable element within the genetic pool."

The crowd gasped, their eyes widening as the Council's voices betrayed their conspiracy.

Medusa stepped forward, her voice being heard over the crowd. "This is the same Council that you were told simply questioned us. But hear this—they never cared about you or us. They only cared about keeping power for themselves."

Karnak activated another file. This time, schematics and documents filled the air, detailing Project Ascendant and the genetic projections of the Royal Family's offspring. The accompanying audio played, the cold, calculating voices of the Council filling the air.

"Our studies suggest that offspring of the Royal Family are likely to possess multiple genetic anomalies. Beyond Blackagar Boltagon's destructive voice or Medusa's hair manipulation, their child could exhibit entirely new phenomena. Perhaps even Maximus' abilities could be seen in the child."

"Triton's powers have unfortunate drawbacks but are useful. If bred strategically, similar powers could benefit us. The same applies to Gorgon's ability to generate shockwaves and Crystal's elemental control."

"Any child of theirs must be controlled. Raised under our guidance, it would ensure loyalty—and give us leverage over the Royal Family."

"Agreed. If Blackagar Boltagon or Medusa or anyone else resists, the child's life can be... negotiated."

The commoners began to murmur angrily, while the nobles exchanged uneasy glances.

"They planned to steal our children for a long time," Crystal said, her voice trembling with barely-contained fury. "Not just Queen Medusa's, but any child born to us. They wanted to raise them as tools. Weapons."

A noblewoman stepped forward, her face pale. "But why would they do this? We thought the Council has always upheld the balance of Attilan!"

Medusa turned her fiery gaze to her. "They upheld their power, not balance. They used the caste system to divide us, to weaken us, so they could rule unopposed."

A commoner shouted. "And what about you?"

Medusa nodded. "We have sat on the throne, yes, and we did not act fast enough in your interests, which is on us, but we want to change that"

The murmurs grew louder, but this time they were less accusatory and more contemplative. Medusa stepped forwards; her voice raw with emotion. "I've walked through the lower districts. I've seen your pain. Your anger. You deserve better. And we can't undo the past, but we can fight for a better future. Together."

A middle-aged man from the crowd stepped forward. His clothes were patched and his face lined with years of hard labor. "And what about the caste system? You say you'll change things, but how?"

Karnak spoke, his tone even. "Radical reforms. Equal representation. The Genetics Council used the system to create division, but we will dismantle it to build unity. Now of course, all professions must be carried out still, but we will make sure the divide is not based on power, rather a person's skills and interests. Not to mention, regardless of what work anyone does, they will be given basic amenities and a comfortable lifestyle. Because everyone living amongst us has a right to that."

The man hesitated, but then nodded. Others around him began to murmur in agreement.

Black Bolt raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent. Then Medusa spoke. "The Council has betrayed all of us—nobles and commoners alike. They sought to control us through fear and lies. But together, we can rise above their schemes. The truth is on our side, and so is Attilan's future."

The final recording played, showing the Council discussing their plans to use the unborn child to manipulate the Royal Family.

It was Arcadius himself.

"If Blackagar Boltagon resists, we'll use the child's life as leverage, even Medusa's. He will serve us, or he will lose everything."

Medusa's voice was heard across the courtyard. "These are the people who claimed to do this for the good of Attilan! They wanted to use an innocent child to control us all. Is this who you want leading Attilan?"

The crowd erupted, shouts of anger and outrage filling the air. Cries of "No!" and "Down with the Council!" echoed across the courtyard.

Mahabharat soundtracks 38 - Title Track (Instrumental Version) plays

Lockjaw barked, his massive form bounding to Medusa's side as if to punctuate the moment. Medusa knelt and placed a hand on his head, her voice strong and clear. "We need you now more than ever. Not as rulers over you, but as allies beside you. Together, we can make Attilan stronger than it has ever been."

The crowd roared its approval, their anger at the Council now shifting to cautious hope. The Royal Family stood united, a symbol of change, as the people began to rally behind them. The chasm between the classes, though still wide, had begun to narrow.

And for the first time in a long time, Attilan felt the stirrings of unity.

Ending credits play.

Chapter Text

Two years ago, Attilan

The grand hall of Attilan was alive with tension, its crystalline walls reflecting the light of the sun in refracted rainbows. King Agon and Queen Rynda sat atop the throne dais, their regal forms poised yet stern. Members of the Genetics Council stood to their right, their austere robes marking their authority. To the left, the younger generation of the Royal Family watched intently—Blackagar Boltagon, Medusa, Maximus, Triton (with a water circulation system consisting of tubes around his body) and Karnak—each wearing expressions ranging from curiosity to disdain.

In the center of the court stood the Kree emissary named Vorak-Kal, tall and imposing, clad in armor that glinted with a metallic sheen. His skin was a pale blue, his angular features betraying the cool arrogance of a species that viewed itself as superior to all. His voice carried the weight of centuries of dominance as he addressed the assembly.

"You have prospered," the emissary Vorak-Kal began, his gaze sweeping across the chamber, "under the shadow of the stars, but your potential remains unfulfilled. The Kree gave you life, power, and purpose. And now, we offer you something far greater—a chance to reclaim your heritage as warriors of the cosmos."

The murmur of the Genetics Council rose briefly, though none dared interrupt.

Vorak-Kal then continued. "The Skrulls are a plague upon the galaxy, spreading chaos wherever they tread. The Kree Empire stands as the first and last line of defense against their menace. But even we, mighty as we are, require allies."

His gaze turned to Agon and Rynda. "The Inhumans are our children, born from our genius. We offer you a seat at the table of galactic power. Your people will then work for us, yes, but only to serve a higher purpose. In return, we will share technologies that will lift Attilan from this primitive state into a golden age. Prosperity. Power. Immortality."

The main member of the Genetics Council, Chancellor Arcadius, took a step forward, his voice sharp. "Primitive? Do not mistake our isolation for ignorance, emissary. We are  not  your pawns, nor will we allow our people to serve as soldiers in your endless wars."

Another Council member, Porcal, added, "The Kree created us, yes, but we are no longer your slaves. Attilan will not bend the knee to an empire that abandoned us millennia ago."

"If you want us to serve you, prove your superiority!" Targon dared to Vorak-Kal. "Otherwise, these are just meaningless words."

The court erupted into murmurs of agreement, the disdain for their shared history as experiments of the Kree bubbling to the surface, as Vorak-Kal glared.

Agon stood, his imposing figure casting a long shadow over the Kree emissary. "The Inhumans are no longer beholden to the Kree. We have carved out our destiny here on Attilan, free from your meddling. We do not require your technologies or your wars to define us. My answer is no."

Queen Rynda, standing beside him, added. "And it is not just the Genetics Council who rejects you. It is all of Attilan. We will not betray our people for promises of power and prosperity that come at the cost of our freedom."

The Kree emissary's expression hardened even more from when he was glaring at Targon, though he then masked his displeasure with a thin smile. "I expected resistance. It is only natural for those who have forgotten their true nature."

His gaze shifted to the younger generation, lingering on Maximus. "But your kind remains… limited. If you refuse to rise to your potential, you will stagnate, as all Terrans do. You crawl while you could fly."

He turned back to Agon, his tone turning sharp. "We can unlock the true power of the Terrigen Mist. Your genetic potential is but a fraction of what it could be. We could make your people Gods among mortals."

Black Bolt, silent as always, narrowed his eyes, his fists clenching subtly at the emissary's words. But it was Maximus whose face betrayed intrigue. His head tilted slightly, his lips curling in a faint smirk as he leaned forward in his seat.

Black Bolt noticed the movement, his gaze snapping toward his brother.

Agon's voice boomed through the hall, cutting through the tension. "Enough! Your words are poison, Kree emissary. I will not allow them to seep into my court any longer. You will leave Attilan at once."

The Kree emissary gave a low bow, his smile never reaching his cold eyes. "Very well. But know this, King Agon and Queen Rynda—when the stars come calling, your isolation will not save you. You will need us. And when that time comes, the Kree will remember your insolence."

As the emissary turned to leave, he cast one final glance at Maximus, a knowing look passing between them.

As the court dispersed, Medusa approached Black Bolt, concern etched on her face. "Did you see that?" she whispered.

Black Bolt nodded solemnly, his gaze still fixed where Maximus had been. Their brother had already left the hall, a shadow trailing behind him.

"I believe it is for the best that Vorak-Kal leaves Attilan soon", Karnak noted with folded arms.

"Yes, he is not welcome here", Triton commented.

From the dais, Agon and Rynda shared a troubled look. Though they had dismissed the Kree emissary, the seeds of his visit had been sown. And some, they feared, had already begun to take root.

Present Day

Black Bolt looked up from his throne, brought out of the memory, and then looked to Medusa, so she could start addressing the court.

She stood up, her hair waving a little.

"As all of you have seen, we now have evidence of the Genetics Council's treachery amongst us. Which is why, the reforms to the Council's functioning will be implemented soon. If anyone has any opposition, speak now."

The courtiers all shared looks amongst themselves, then shook their heads, causing Karnak to smirk a little.

Anyone of them who did hold any sympathy for the Genetics Council's point of view had lost it after the revelation of those recordings and projects.

All that was left was to catch the two who were still on the run.

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

The tension in Attilan could be felt clearly by this point, after the revelations regarding the Genetics Council.

"The King and Queen truly do care about us!" One citizen was saying. "I believe change is quite near."

"Do not be a fool!" Darrek said to him with a scoff. "They are just manipulating us with false promises, they are no better than the Council."

"Really, who do you think can lead us then?"

"Prince Maximus shall be our liberator!"

"Yes, Prince Maximus has our interests in mind, and has shown he truly cares", Shaya said to another person she was arguing with.

"Prince Maximus seems shady to me", the person said in reply. "Not to mention, he only seems to care now, all of a sudden."

"That can be said about the rest of the Royal Family as well."

"But they did become rulers not too long ago", the person Ryn was arguing with countered while speaking with him. "If anything, I would say they started faster than we would have expected."

"Yet, Prince Maximus wants to do away with the old methods and establish a new order very quickly!" Ryn argued back.

In the palace, the court had been disbanded as Black Bolt, Medusa, Karnak and Gorgon walked together.

Medusa noted to the rest. "The people are beginning to see the truth, but that may not be enough. Maximus won't let go of his dream."

Black Bolt looked saddened by that, but there wasn't anything that he could do.

Karnak said in reply. "It's not a matter of truth anymore. It's about who strikes first."

Gorgon started. "And I believe you will say I should not strike fir-"

"No, you shouldn't", Karnak said while shaking his head as Gorgon groaned.

"Knew it."

Black Bolt used sign language. "The state of the people is fragile. Any action by us even slightly off the mark", he showed two fingers of his missing a target in the center of the palm barely, "shall only serve to alienate us from them."

The rest had to agree to his point.

Maximus was walking with Varek, telling him. "Soon, it will be my-"

Varek suddenly heard something, and put his ear to the ground, sensing the direction it was coming from, before raising his head up and looking there.

"What is it?" Maximus inquired of his right-hand man, who stood up, turning to look at him.

"Some people want to meet with you, my Lord."

A few minutes later, Maximus touched the door of an old, rundown house, clearly abandoned, dust on it as he pushed the door open, before shaking his hand to remove the dust from it.

The house was occupied by two more people- Arcadius and Porcal, both having fallen far from the glory they had just a few days ago.

All because of their own foolishness.

"Greetings, Lord Maximus", Arcadius said, and, to Maximus' amusement, knelt before him, with Porcal doing the same.

"Greetings", Maximus muttered with a shrug, then decided to get to the point. "Why did you summon me here?"

"We come here to offer you our loyalty, Lord Maximus", Arcadius said immediately, then held out his ornate dagger that had been placed as a symbol of the 'Verdict of No Faith', presenting it to Maximus. "All we ask for in return…..is your protection."

"What am I supposed to do with this dagger? Hmm…." Maximus muttered, turning it over as he eyed it, intrigued.

"That is not all, Lord Maximus."

And then, Arcadius produced a device, which he presented to Maximus, who took it and examined it, figuring how it worked with his own brilliant, scientific mind.

It was an elegant yet ominous piece of technology. It was small enough to fit comfortably in the palm of a hand or slip discreetly into a pocket. The device was a dark metallic orb, about the size of a golf ball, with a smooth, matte-black surface that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, giving it a sleek, almost predatory appearance.

Around its circumference were faintly glowing, concentric rings etched into the surface, pulsating with a dim blue light that grows brighter when the device is activated. Embedded at the core was a crystalline node, visible through a small, circular window, which shimmered faintly like liquid starlight. This crystal seemed attuned to sonic vibrations and acted as the core mechanism for suppressing Black Bolt's scream.

Tiny vents around the device would emit a soft hum when powered on, a barely perceptible sound that suggested the complex internal workings of the engineering. A single, recessed button sat at the device's top, surrounded by an intricate pattern of glyphs that would glow briefly when the device was primed.

Impressive, most impressive.

"This is a good weapon, and can definitely stop my brother", Maximus praised Arcadius. "I thank you for it."

The two nodded happily, while Maximus said. "Rise."

They did, with Arcadius saying. "We shall also support your rule once you take over, Lord Maximus, and you will have our-"

SLASH!

Whatever Arcadius was going to say, he couldn't finish. A shower of blood splattered on his face, while next to him, Porcal convulsed, a hand over his slashed throat, the ornate dagger's features now marred with the blood of the former Council member, with blood on Maximus' face too, while he started laughing.

Arcadius gasped, as Maximus then reared his hand back, and stabbed Porcal in the chest, as Porcal's blood continued gushing out of his slashed throat, with him trying to speak but the blood in his mouth preventing him.

Arcadius tried to intervene, but Maximus backhanded him hard, sending him crashing into the corner of the place, before he retracted the knife, and swung it, cutting off some of Porcal's quills, increasing his pain as tears were streaming down his cheeks now, with Arcadius watching helplessly from the ground, too shocked to even scream, with Maximus' laughter being the only sound in the room.

Maximus then stabbed Porcal repeatedly while continuing to laugh, pushing him back while doing so, before lifting the near-dead Porcal up.

"Make way for the dead Council member!"

Porcal's eyes widened, remembering that time he'd said something similar when Medusa had been stripped, and Maximus's blood-covered face was the last thing he ever saw.

With that, Maximus hurled Porcal's corpse where Arcadius lay, and he rolled away to avoid it, the corpse crashing where he'd been, while he gasped and shivered in horror, looking up at Maximus.

Maximus held up the knife to his lips, and, to Arcadius' shock, licked Porcal's blood off of it, and Arcadius' face contorted to one of disgust at the sight.

Then, Maximus slowly marched towards Arcadius, who crawled back in terror.

"Wh…Why?! We were ready to supp-"

"You are nothing but weaklings, and snakes", Maximus taunted Arcadius, lifting up the knife as Arcadius gasped while raising his hands. "I would never need people like you to support my rule!"

Then suddenly, Maximus lowered the knife, even as he continued laughing a little.

Grabbing Arcadius by the collar, Maximus forced him to stand up. "Tell me, do you want mercy?"

Arcadius nodded frantically and vigorously, making Maximus chuckle. "You should beg for it; do you know that?"

The former Chancellor began. "Please, I-"

"But not from me", Maximus cut Arcadius off, then pulled him closer till their eyes were barely apart, and both stared into each other, Arcadius terrified by the madness he saw, and Maximus amused by the terror he saw, "from the rest of the Royal Family."

That just increased Arcadius' terror before he tossed Arcadius out of the house. Arcadius fell onto the street, rolling away as some people saw him.

Quickly picking himself up, Arcadius lowered his head and ran off, pushing people out of his way, while Maximus resumed his laughter.

The sun filtered through the domed sky of Attilan, casting a pale glow over the city streets. Medusa and Crystal walked side by side through the lower districts, Lockjaw trotting behind them. The streets were narrow, flanked by crumbling stone walls and makeshift stalls. Children played in the dirt while their parents worked or gathered in small groups, speaking in hushed tones. The discontent in the air was obvious, like a storm brewing just beneath the surface.

Medusa, dressed in simple clothing to appear less regal, nodded to a passing vendor. Crystal followed her lead, her youthful face strained with the effort of maintaining composure. The sisters had chosen to walk here openly, unguarded, but every step they took was met with wary eyes and guarded whispers.

As they passed a group of women gathering water from a public fountain, one of them pointed at Medusa, her voice sharp. "Look who finally decided to show up. Where were you when my husband was breaking his back in the mines? Or when my daughter couldn't afford treatment after her Terrigenesis?"

Medusa stopped, meeting the woman's gaze. Her voice was calm but resolute. "I am here now. I will not ask for your loyalty—I will earn it."

The woman scoffed, turning away, but others watched with curiosity. Crystal stepped forward, her hand brushing Medusa's arm in silent support.

Further down the street, a group of children ran past, laughing as they kicked a makeshift ball between them. One boy tripped, falling into the dirt. Crystal knelt beside him, helping him up and dusting off his tattered clothes. "That was a good save. You almost had it."

The boy stared at her wide-eyed. "You're… one of them."

Medusa crouched beside Crystal, her long, red hair coiling around her like living ropes. She extended a tendril of it toward the ball, scooping it up and spinning it gently in the air. "And who says a Queen can't play?"

The boy hesitated, then grinned, reaching for the ball. Another child, a girl with bright eyes, tugged at Crystal's sleeve. "Can you make ice? Like in the stories?"

Crystal smiled, raising her hands. A gentle breeze swirled around her fingers, and with a flick of her wrist, a small ice slide formed. The children gasped in delight, clamoring to climb it as Crystal created another. Medusa used her hair to steady the smaller ones, laughter ringing out as they slid down the shimmering ramps.

Then there was Lockjaw, who barked happily, letting two kids pet him, and they laughed while he wagged his tail.

The joyful moment was interrupted by a man stepping forward, his face lined with anger. "You play with the children now, but what about the rest of us? You say you're different from the Council, but where were you when we needed you? You lived in a palace while we starved. How is that any better than them?"

Crystal froze, the slide melting into a puddle at her feet. Medusa stood; her expression solemn. Even Lockjaw stopped.

"You're right," Medusa admitted. "For generations, we've lived in comfort while you struggled. The caste system was built to maintain balance, but instead, it has only caused division and pain. And while I cannot change the past, I can fight for the future—for all of us."

Another voice rang out, this time a woman's. "The Royal Family implemented the caste system when Attilan was founded. Your ancestors are responsible for this mess!"

Medusa's hands clenched at her sides, but she kept her tone even. "And we will be the ones to undo it. We are not our ancestors, and we will not let their mistakes define us any longer."

The crowd was growing now, drawn in by the spectacle. Some faces were skeptical, others openly hostile. One older man, his voice rough from years of labor, shouted, "Even those of you without powers—like the Chief Minister Karnak—you lived like Kings and Queens! What do you know of our struggles?"

Crystal stepped forward, her voice trembling but firm. "You're right. We don't know what it's like to live your lives, and that's why we're here—to listen, to learn, and to change." She looked around at the gathering crowd. "But change takes time. It takes trust. And we can't do it without you."

A younger woman crossed her arms. "And why should we trust you now? After all these years?"

Medusa's voice rose, steady and commanding. "Because I am willing to stand here, unguarded, and hear your anger. I am willing to face your doubts, your accusations, and your pain. I am willing to fight for your future, even if you doubt me now. The Genetics Council wanted to control you. We want to stand with you."

The children, sensing the tension, ran back to Medusa and Crystal, tugging at their hands, with the two who were petting Lockjaw doing it again, and he barked in delight.

The girl who had asked for ice before looked up at Medusa. "Will you make another slide?"

Medusa knelt, her hair curling around the girl's shoulders like a protective cloak. "Of course."

Crystal smiled softly, raising her hands again to create a new slide. The children's laughter cut through the tension, and some of the adults softened, their expressions shifting from suspicion to curiosity.

An older woman in the crowd stepped forward, her voice gentle but firm. "Words are easy, Queen Medusa. But actions are what we'll judge you by."

Medusa met her gaze, nodding. "Then judge us by what we do next. By how we rebuild Attilan—not for us, but for all of you."

As the crowd began to disperse, some muttering skeptically, others quietly hopeful, Crystal leaned towards Medusa. "Do you think they will believe us?"

Medusa sighed; her shoulders heavy. "It's a start. Trust is earned, not given. We'll need to do more than this to prove we're on their side."

Lockjaw barked, nuzzling against Crystal's leg, the children petting him from behind. She smiled, running a hand over his fur. "Then we'll keep fighting. Together."

Medusa nodded, determination hardening her expression. "Together."

The sisters walked on, Lockjaw following them, their resolve firm, even as the weight of the people's doubt pressed heavily on their shoulders. Change was coming—but it would not come easily.

The Darkward End of Attilan was alive with whispers and tension. Shadows danced under the faint light of hanging lanterns, their weak flames flickering in the polluted air. The crowd had gathered once more in the heart of the district, their faces a mix of anger, hope, and desperation. Standing on a makeshift platform, Maximus surveyed his growing army, with Varek by his side. His piercing eyes swept over the crowd, lingering on the familiar faces of Taran, Naros, Daris, Kivar, Shaya, Ryn, Darrek, and Lia, each of them now fully committed to his cause—or so he believed.

The device that Arcadius had given to him, Maximus had now slightly modified, to strap it to his wrist.

The hum of murmurs died down as Maximus raised his hand. He stepped forward, his dark cloak billowing slightly as he began to speak, his voice commanding yet soothing, carrying an air of camaraderie with the oppressed.

"Citizens of Attilan," he began, his tone solemn, "I come not to praise the Royal Family, but to bury their tyranny."

The crowd murmured, some nodding in agreement, others murmuring doubts. Maximus continued, his voice rising like the tide.

"Blackagar Boltagon, my brother, the silent King who rules with his mighty power, would have you believe his silence is wisdom. But what is wisdom, my friends, if it cannot speak to the suffering of its people? And Medusa—ah, the Queen with her cunning locks—would charm you with her beauty, her regality, her supposed compassion. But tell me, what has her charm brought to your homes? Has it filled your stomachs? Healed your wounds? Given your children hope?"

Taran shifted uncomfortably, his brow furrowed, but the crowd's energy began to rise, swept along by Maximus' words.

"Do not mistake my words as hatred for them as individuals," Maximus continued. "No, I once loved my brother and his Queen, as I love all of Attilan. But love is not blind, my friends. Love does not turn its face from injustice. And when the Genetics Council, flawed as they were, dared to question the Royal Family, dared to demand accountability, what did your 'noble rulers' do? They destroyed them, arrested them, silenced them!"

A wave of anger rippled through the crowd. Naros clenched his fists, and Shaya muttered. "He's right. They just wanted answers."

Maximus nodded, as though hearing her. "And now, my friends, the Royal Family will tell you they fight for you. They walk through these streets, playing with your children, smiling at your pain as if they've only just discovered it exists. But where were they before? Were they not seated in their palace, feasting and laughing while you toiled and bled?"

Kivar, a little skeptical, raised his voice. "But they've exposed the Genetics Council. They've promised change."

Maximus laughed, the sound cold and sharp. "Promises? Words? Are you so easily swayed by their empty breath? The caste system you despise—they built it! They sustained it! And now they claim they will undo it, as if to say, 'Forget our centuries of tyranny, for now, we are benevolent!' Do you truly believe their change will come?"

The crowd roared in denial, even Kivar finding himself swept into the current.

Maximus stepped forward, his voice lowering but losing none of its intensity. "And so, my friends, we find ourselves at a crossroads. On one side, the Royal Family, clinging to their crumbling throne, using their unborn child and promises for change as a banner to rally your loyalty. The child, as I have said, will grow to be another tyrant, molded in their image."

He said to everyone. "With parents such as them, and a family like that, we all know just what to expect from their heir. They will not raise a savior—they will raise a tyrannical ruler. One who will use power to keep you in chains!"

The crowd murmured in agreement, even Taran's resolve faltering. Maximus extended a hand, his voice softening just enough to sound almost brotherly.

"They have lied to you. Exploited you. Turned your struggles into their luxuries. But now, my friends, the power is in your hands. The Council are weak, the Royal Family is losing control over themselves, and the child will rule over us like a tyrant. This is our moment—to rise and take what is ours!"

The roar of approval was deafening.

Maximus raised both hands, calling for silence. "So now, we will strike. We will begin our battle in the streets. We will go to the key parts of the city: the public Terrigen Chambers, the Palace Gates, the High Communal Hall. Let their walls crumble beneath the weight of our fury! Let them see the power of the people!"

Darrek stepped forward, his voice filled with fire. "We're with you, Prince Maximus! Just give the word!"

Shaya, Ryn, Daris, Naros, and Lia echoed him, their faces alight with determination, same for Kivar. Even Taran, torn as he was, nodded reluctantly, unable to resist the tide of emotion sweeping through the crowd.

Maximus smiled; his expression triumphant. "Then let us march, my friends. The time has come, we do not fight as castes. We fight as one. For freedom. For justice. For Attilan!"

As the crowd erupted in cheers, Maximus stepped back, his face shadowed by the flickering lanterns. His smile twisted into something darker, more calculating. The seeds of rebellion had been sown, and the storm was about to break.

He exchanged a look with Varek, who nodded, and Maximus nodded back.

This time, he would not be stopped.

Two years ago, Attilan

The chamber was dimly lit, a stark contrast to the crystalline brilliance of the court of Attilan above. Holographic panels cast an eerie blue glow on the walls, reflecting off the metallic surfaces of the Kree emissary's armor. Vorak-Kal's imposing presence dominated the space. Maximus stood across from him, his expression alight with curiosity and hunger, the shadows emphasizing his sharp features. This was a chamber he'd made underneath his own quarters secretly.

On the central table, a hologram flickered to life. It displayed a vial of shimmering, golden liquid, its ethereal glow almost hypnotic. Vorak-Kal gestured to it with a flourish, his voice low and persuasive.

"This, Maximus, is Primagen," Vorak-Kal began, his voice smooth, almost reverent. "The original mutagenic substance from which Terrigen was derived. Where Terrigen was unstable, imperfect—a shadow of what it could have been—Primagen is purity itself. It is the key to unlocking perfection."

Maximus stepped closer to the hologram; his eyes wide with fascination. "Perfection…" he echoed, almost to himself. "And you say this is the original? The source of all our abilities?"

Vorak-Kal inclined his head. "Indeed. When the Kree first experimented on your ancestors, Primagen was the catalyst. But when it was lost, we sought to replicate its effects through Terrigen. The results, as you know, were… unpredictable."

Maximus's lips curved into a sly smile. "Unpredictable is a kind word. Some of us"—he gestured to himself—"were left wanting."

He had intelligence and could control minds of small groups, though with large groups he needed time to fully influence and control them, while his brother's voice could cause entire countries to crumble.

Where was the fairness in that?!

Vorak-Kal stepped closer, his voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Imagine, Maximus, a world where every Inhuman reaches their true potential. No flawed transformations. No mediocrity. Only power, refined and absolute. With Primagen, your people could ascend to heights beyond their wildest dreams. You could lead them there."

Maximus's fingers hovered over the hologram, his expression one of reverence. "Lead them…" he murmured. His mind raced with possibilities, visions of a new Attilan, one molded in his image.

Vorak-Kal continued, his tone firm now. "But Primagen is rare, and what little remains is hidden, scattered across the galaxy. It would require resources, manpower… and loyalty to the Kree."

Maximus straightened, his smile returning with an edge of cunning. "And what would the Kree gain from this alliance? I doubt altruism drives you, Vorak-Kal."

The emissary chuckled, a cold, hollow sound. "We require soldiers for our war against the Skrulls. Your people, enhanced by Primagen, could become the ultimate warriors. In return, we would share the fruits of our search with you. A fair exchange, wouldn't you agree?"

Maximus turned away, pacing the chamber as if weighing his options. "The Genetics Council and my dear family would never agree to this. They cling to their old ways, their fears of repeating history. But I…" He stopped, turning to face Vorak-Kal, his smile sharp and confident. "I've always believed that past mistakes should not dictate our future."

Vorak-Kal raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Then you would bring them to see reason?"

Maximus nodded. "Leave that to me. My brother may be next in line for the throne held by our parents, and the Council may hold their laws, but I hold something far more powerful—the vision to see what Attilan could be. They will understand. Or they will be made to."

Unbeknownst to the two conspirators, a silent observer stood in the shadows above. Black Bolt had followed Maximus, suspecting his brother's growing restlessness. Now, he crouched silently, his piercing blue eyes locked on the scene below.

His fists clenched as he listened, his heart heavy with the weight of what he was hearing. Maximus was not just a schemer—he was playing with forces far beyond their understanding. And worse, he was willing to sell out their people to the Kree.

Black Bolt's gaze lingered on the hologram of Primagen, its golden glow almost mocking him. His thoughts churned. He would not let his brother's obsession bring ruin to Attilan.

Maximus reached out, his fingers brushing the hologram. "It's beautiful," he whispered, more to himself than to Vorak-Kal. "And it will be mine."

Vorak-Kal smirked, deactivating the display. "Then we are in agreement?"

Maximus nodded; his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Completely."

Vorak-Kal turned to leave, his armored boots echoing in the chamber. Maximus remained behind; his thoughts consumed by the promise of perfection.

Above, Black Bolt slipped away, his mind already turning to how he would confront his brother—and protect their people from the dangerous path Maximus had chosen.

Present Day

The rebellion had already erupted into chaos. In the winding streets and alleys of the lower districts, Maximus' forces moved like shadows, emboldened by his rallying words and their shared desperation. They struck with purpose, their coordination bolstered by their unique powers and their sheer numbers.

The first target was The Communal Hall, a place where the middle-caste citizens gathered for deliberations. Its symbolic significance was too tempting to resist.

Naros stood before the heavy stone doors, his broad shoulders squared. His resolve was firm as he bent low, gripping the base of the doors. With a grunt, his muscles swelled, and he lifted the massive slab of stone off its hinges, but his legs bent awkwardly as he could only maintain his balance at a 90-degree angle. Sweat dripped from his brow as he tried to shuffle forward, the heavy doors groaning in protest.

Behind him, Shaya's wind whipped up, carrying her voice through the clamoring crowd. "Push forward! The time is now! No more waiting, no more fear!" Her words cut through the chaos, amplified by her controlled bursts of air, but she staggered slightly, catching herself on Darrek's shoulder.

Darrek's hands glowed faintly as he pressed them to the hinges of a smaller door in front of the stone ones, heating the metal until it twisted and fell apart, rendering it unusable. "They won't be fixing this anytime soon," he muttered, flexing his sore fingers.

With that, the rest rushed in, passing by Naros, who kept the heavy stone doors held up, until the last person had gone through, and then he let go while staggering forwards as it fell back down behind him with a thud.

Inside, Lia heightened her senses, running her hands along the stone walls. "There's someone hiding over there," she whispered, her enhanced touch detecting faint vibrations. The rebels surged toward the indicated corner, flushing out a few guards who had been too frightened to fight due to the large number of people.

Daris stepped forward, summoning a burst of water from her palms to sweep the guards off their feet, sending them sprawling. She winced as the effort left her throat parched, but she waved off concern. "Go! Secure the Hall!"

Ryn duplicated simple tools—a crowbar, a wrench—passing them to those who needed them to dismantle barricades and secure entrances. He panted as the duplicated items began to flicker and vanish one by one, the strain evident in his trembling hands.

Yet, with their coordination, the people all managed to get it done quickly, before the tools could fully disappear.

Within minutes, the Communal Hall was theirs.

"Great work, my fellow people of Attilan!" Taran said, taking up position as they looked at him. "We have taken over the Communal Hall, and our next target will be the public Terrigenesis Chambers, and then the Palace Gates. The Royal Family shall see where power truly lies."

Everyone cheered, the effects of his speech fleeting yet strong as he continued to speak.

"Our power is going to establish a new rule in Attilan! Down with the caste system!"

"DOWN WITH THE CASTE SYSTEM!"

In the palace, Crystal looked out of the windows, when she suddenly saw many giant figures moving towards the palace grounds, and narrowed her eyes.

"What is that?" She wondered, as the steps of the giant figures caused the ground to start shaking, and as the figures came close, Karnak and Gorgon came up behind her.

"Those are statues!" Gorgon said in alarm.

"We do not need to find Arcadius", Karnak said in a low growl. "He decided to come back and grace us with his presence himself."

"How very nice of him", Gorgon said sarcastically.

Outside, the guards were trying to hold back the statues with moderate telekinesis, though a statue whacked some of them away.

Another hurled powerful fire at a statue, destroying it, before one more stepped on him from behind, crushing him.

One more guard leapt at a statue, claws sprouting in place of his fingernails, but the statue punched him back, sending him crashing to the ground as he groaned in pain.

It prepared to crush him, only for Lockjaw to teleport next to him, grab onto his sleeve with his teeth, and teleport away, the statue now stepping on empty ground, before being struck by lightning as Nahrees glided through the air, and blasted two more statues, reducing them to nothingness.

As four more statues charged forth, Crystal flew in the air, lightning cracking in the sky while the wind picked up, and it was strong enough to make the statues leave the ground and spin in the air, as she formed a small tornado, making the statues spin violently in it.

The statues tried to reach her, but to no avail, as she fired powerful ice blasts from her hands, freezing all the statues quickly, before hurling blasts of fire which melted the four statues into nothingness.

Gorgon was surrounded by five statues, but instead of being scared, he laughed. "That's it?" With that, he slammed his foot on the ground, causing it all to shake due to his legs being bull-like hooves, and the statues staggered around before falling into each other and breaking.

Gorgon rolled away to avoid being hit by the breaking pieces of the statues, and laughed once more.

Alaris easily dodged a statue attempting to whack him by ducking, and as it tried to step on him, he leapt up to the top of its foot, before leaping high and punching it on the face, sending it staggering back and falling to the ground.

Meanwhile, Flaidermaus flew high, avoiding the swipe of a statue, and then used his claws to strike at its face so hard it shattered, the rest of the statue falling to the ground, after which he held up his legs via the knees and flew hard, kicking and throwing another statue to the ground.

Drive sped around a statue, which was too big and slow to even come close to tagging him, and his speed generated a mini-tornado, which made the statue fly up in the air, then crash to the ground, breaking into pieces.

Neifi blocked a statue's blow, then whacked it hard with his arm as it fell and shattered into pieces.

Asmodeus flew and crashed into one statue, making it fall back into another as both statues fell to the ground and shattered due to his strength.

Lockjaw bit a statue on the arm hard, and the strength of his canines shattered the arm. The statue tried to punch him with the other arm but he bit that one too, and shattered it.

Then there was Medusa, lashing out with her hair. One strand of her hair shattered a statue's arm, after which she grabbed its leg with another strand, and tripped it, before dragging it towards another marching statue and throwing it into that one, destroying both statues.

Having recovered her strength, she was enjoying taking out her frustration from before at these statues.

As one more came close, Medusa wrapped her hair all around it, from arms to legs to neck, and it could not even move half an inch from the position it was in.

She smirked, and then used her hair to shatter the statue into tiny pieces, though the effort made her pant, as being pregnant tired her out easier.

Meanwhile, Black Bolt looked at the remaining seven statues which were all marching right towards him.

He just smirked, then opened his mouth, doing a very low, barely hearable 'huh', just making the faintest sound from his throat (even someone standing next to him would have only heard it lowly).

And then, the hypersonic wave came out of his mouth. The seven statues stood no chance at all.

Within half a second, the statues were nothing more than little dust particles in front of the King of Attilan.

And those were the last statues.

Karnak marched towards Arcadius, who was shivering and covered in blood, as he backed off from Karnak in terror.

"FORGIVE ME!" He screamed desperately, and threw a punch, with Karnak leaning back to avoid, as he smirked.

Arcadius tried to attack again but one punch from Karnak to the face dropped him, as he groaned in pain, holding his broken nose.

Getting up, he tried to attack one more time but another punch dropped him, as he stared at Karnak, dazed, who knelt to look at him closely, the rest of the Royal Family behind him.

"It is time for you to face justice now."

A while later, Arcadius had been seated at a table, and on his other side sat Karnak, as Arcadius started. "Please, I beg for-"

"This is how it will go", Karnak began while raising his hand. "We will lay every charge against you, one by one, and if you cannot defend yourself from it, you receive justice for it."

"What manner of justice is this?" Arcadius inquired, terrified. "Maximus! He killed Porcal! I gave him a device that can nullify the King's screams!"

That made Black Bolt, who was standing nearby, narrow his eyes, concerned, but Karnak said. "We will deal with Maximus in time. But it is not he who is facing justice right now. It is you."

As Arcadius looked around, he realized they were in the courtroom, with Gorgon and Crystal standing nearby too, Lockjaw standing next to Crystal.

But there was no one else present.

However, at that moment, Medusa walked into the courtroom, glaring at Arcadius, who now shivered under her gaze.

Medusa's royal garments fell down after Sapphiras cut them, leaving her naked.

A tear rolled down her cheek as she angrily glared at Arcadius, her hair catching the tear.

"STRIP HER OF HER ROYAL GARMENTS!"

"The first thing on which we shall do justice is….your robes!" Karnak declared, making Arcadius shiver in terror.

"What…what manner of justice is that? To my robes?!" Arcadius asked, trying to cover his chest with his arms.

Medusa turned to Crystal. "You don't need to be here for this."

"I do", Crystal said with a growl as she glared at Arcadius, while exchanging a look and nod with Gorgon. "I don't want to lose who I am, but for people like these…." She snarled, "I have steeled myself."

Karnak then began. "You had Queen Medusa stripped of her royal garments. Are you guilty of that or not?"

"The Verdict was in effect!" Arcadius screamed desperately, making Medusa's hair lash out and tap the table, cracking it as he backed off in terror, but continued. "She had no right to wear royal garments!"

"In which case you all could have requested her, and eventually, she would have removed those privately and wore something simpler", Karnak pointed out the flaw in this defence. "Meaning it is time for justice to your robes."

Arcadius started. "What does that-"

Gorgon pointed at him and screamed. "STRIP THIS CHANCELLOR OF HIS ROBES!"

Arcadius' jaw dropped in horror as lightning cracked in Crystal's hands.

"NO-"

He was cut off when Crystal fired some very weak lightning at him, which was still enough to completely destroy his robes, while he fell down from the chair, some of his body scorched as well, while he screamed in pain.

Crystal lowered her hand, as the screaming and shaking Arcadius tried to cover his naked and scorched body, only for Gorgon to lift him up by the back of his neck and shove him back into the chair, where he continued to gasp and cry in pain while covering himself, Medusa watching in satisfaction, as he tried to cover his dignity.

Arcadius looked at Black Bolt in tears. "King Blackagar Boltagon….what is this?"

Black Bolt just used his hands to sign. "Chancellor, next accusation."

"The trial has just begun, Chancellor Arcadius", Karnak said, making Arcadius' head snap in his direction in shock. "Stay seated. What should we do justice on next?"

"He has four golden teeth in his mouth", Crystal of all people said. "Let's do justice on them."

Arcadius covered his mouth. "No…."

"You used that same mouth to order my disrobing", Medusa said with a snarl, clutching her fists. "How do you plead?"

Arcadius began. "I was just giving an order to Sapp-"

"So you did use your mouth to say that", Karnak commented with a shrug. "I believe it is time for justice."

Gorgon slowly walked towards Arcadius, who covered his mouth with his hand, only for Gorgon to grab him by the face and make him stand up, looking right into his eyes.

"You were laughing a lot when disrobing Queen Medusa, weren't you?" Gorgon asked, Arcadius just staring at him in horror. "Now show your teeth. SHOW!"

Slowly, Arcadius bared his teeth, including the four golden ones.

"And what was that? Then let the….."

"…..fates decide", Arcadius finished in pain, just as Gorgon threw a strong punch to his face, making it hit the table, Arcadius' eyes closing due to the pain.

Gorgon looked up at the rest and nodded, as they nodded back with smirks, while Arcadius opened his eyes, seeing a trail of blood pouring out of his mouth onto the table, ending right at his four golden, blood-stained teeth.

Gorgon shoved him back into the chair and said. "Not very enjoyable. We do not want the gold that is stained with your blood." Arcadius was in tears as Gorgon asked. "How about we do justice to your right arm? That is valuable, isn't it? You use that to write all those letters and decrees."

"No…" Arcadius whispered while grasping his right hand.

"So, are you telling me you did not write those letters?" Karnak inquired.

"Oh no, I did-"

"In that case, justice needs to be done."

Arcadius folded his hands in front of Medusa, now begging. "Queen Medusa, I made a mistake! I made a grave mistake! Forgive me, please, Queen Medusa!"

"You have been found guilty, let justice be done to your right arm, Chancellor."

Black Bolt then marched towards Arcadius, who tried to shift in his seat, hiding his right arm behind his back. "No…"

Black Bolt grabbed his arm, then put his foot on Arcadius' body, and pulled, glaring at him hatefully.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGHH! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHH!"

And with that, he pulled Arcadius' right arm off, leaving a stump in its place as Arcadius continued to scream in pain and tears, blood spurting out of the stump. Crystal actually did turn away at this, with Gorgon even covering her eyes.

Black Bolt threw the arm off, as Medusa declared. "Next accusation, Chief Minister."

"I do not think there is anything we can do justice on now, Queen Medusa", Karnak noted with a sigh.

"His left arm, Chief Minister", Medusa snarled as Arcadius looked up in horror. "He used his left fist to knock my crown off of my head."

Arcadius laughed and struck Medusa's crown with his left fist, sending it falling off from her head to the ground with a  clatter  sound.

"No!" Arcadius tried to run, only for Black Bolt to stand in his way, and kick him back into the chair.

"Now justice has been done upon your two hands with which you caused this conflict", Karnak told the shaking Arcadius.

Then, Lockjaw grabbed Arcadius' left arm with his teeth, growling as Arcadius screamed in pain.

And then, Lockjaw ripped it off, Arcadius screaming again as blood spurted out of Arcadius' left stump, Lockjaw spitting the arm out.

Arcadius slumped in his chair, blood spurting out of both stumps as he cried, while Black Bolt and Gorgon shared a nod and smirk.

"The fault was less in your hands, and more in your head, in your mind", Karnak said, the rest looking at him as they listened to his words. "In the disrobing of Queen Medusa, in the plans to use any of our children against us so you could rule Attilan through them." Arcadius continued to cry as he looked at Karnak, and then the rest of them. "It is time to end this mind of his, Queen Medusa."

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRGHHH!" Arcadius screamed in agony and desperation. "HEEEELLLLLPPP!"

That was as far as it went, as Medusa stretched her hair, and they wrapped around Arcadius, trapping him completely, preventing him from making any sound, and all he could do was stare at her in fear.

Then, Medusa's hair tightened, and soon, Arcadius' body exploded in a shower of blood due to being constricted by Medusa's hair, his blood now drenching her hair, while Crystal looked away again.

Chancellor Arcadius was dead! Justice had been served.

The next target of the rebellion was the public Terrigen Chambers. The air was thick as they approached the imposing structure.

Two guards tried to stop them. "What is your-"

They were cut off when Darrek grabbed them, and heated up their bodies as they screamed, getting burnt, before he threw them down.

Kivar then took the lead, his hands pressing against the rocky surface. The stone groaned as he reshaped it, forming a narrow passageway through the side of the structure. Sweat poured down his face as he worked, his energy depleting rapidly. "This is as much as I can manage," he said through gritted teeth.

The rebels slipped through the opening. Taran stepped forward, his voice booming with fervor as he addressed all the rebels standing with him. "This is not theft! This is not destruction! This is reclaiming what was always ours! The Terrigen belongs to all of Attilan, not just the elite!" His words had the intended effect on the rest of them.

As the rebels entered, the few guards inside tried to stop them but a wind from Shaya blew them all off, though she staggered from using it.

Darrek used his heat to melt the locking mechanisms as well. "There. If they want it back, they'll have to rebuild from scratch."

In the chaos, a spark turned into a blaze. Darrek had heated a pile of metal tools, intending to use those to fight anymore guards, but the fire spread faster than anyone expected. It licked at the wooden beams of nearby structures, casting an eerie orange glow over the city.

Shaya tried to contain it, summoning bursts of wind to blow the flames away from the rebels, but the effort sent her tumbling backward. "It's too strong!" she gasped, coughing on the smoke.

Daris, though weakened, summoned a desperate spray of water, dousing the edges of the fire to slow its spread. "We have to move! Leave it—it's out of control!" Her skin started shrivelling up due to her use of her power as Naros pulled her back.

In the courtroom, Drive rushed inside, sparing the puddle of blood that used to be Arcadius just a brief glance.

"The Terrigen Chambers are on fire!"

Hearing that, all of them rushed away together to where the windows were.

A while later, Crystal's hand grasped tightly around the sill. "They're spreading! They're rebelling against us!"

"This was Maximus' plan", Karnak realized, noting Maximus could try and keep up with him. "Distract us with Arcadius while his rebel forces move through the city."

Medusa's expression was steely, though her hands trembled faintly. "He knows how to manipulate the people. He's been feeding their anger, and now they're acting on it;  they are under his control."

Karnak analyzed the movements below, his sharp eyes tracing the chaos. "They've taken the Communal Hall and the Terrigen Chambers. Strategic points. Maximus is positioning himself to control the city."

Gorgon growled in frustration. "We should be down there, fighting back! Sitting here makes us look weak!"

Medusa shook her head. "Not yet. We need to make a proper strategy before we attack. If we strike blindly, we'll only make things worse."

Black Bolt stood silently at the edge of the room; his face impassive. Then, as if sensing something, he turned toward the flames rising from the lower city.

There, standing atop the captured structure, was Maximus. His dark cloak billowed in the fiery wind as he raised his hand in triumph. Even from this distance, Black Bolt could feel the smug satisfaction emanating from his brother.

Their eyes locked across the burning city, two brothers divided by ambition and ideology. For a moment, the world seemed to still, the chaos fading into silence as the two regarded one another.

Two years ago, Attilan

The air was heavy with tension as Black Bolt and Maximus stood alone on a high balcony overlooking the sprawling city of Attilan. The crystalline towers shimmered under the pale light of the moon, a tranquil scene that stood in stark contrast to the storm brewing between the two brothers.

Black Bolt's piercing gaze locked onto Maximus, his fists clenched at his sides. He began signing with sharp, precise movements, his frustration evident.

" This path will destroy you—and Attilan with it ," his hands conveyed. " You don't know what you're dealing with."

Maximus leaned casually against the railing, a smug grin on his face. "Oh, brother," he said, his tone dripping with mockery. "I've just about heard enough from you." He punctuated the jab by leaning closer, his voice low and dangerous. "Isn't it exhausting, always being the silent martyr? The obedient son? The benevolent prince who says nothing, does nothing—because he can't?"

Black Bolt's expression tightened, the pain of the words clear in his eyes. But he didn't flinch.

Maximus took a step back, gesturing to the city below. "Look at them. All of them. Our people. Do you think they'll survive another century, clinging to these outdated traditions? Stagnating while the Universe evolves around them?"

Black Bolt began to sign again, his movements pleading now. " We can change without betraying who we are. Without bowing to the Kree."

Maximus scoffed, his grin twisting into a sneer. "Betraying who we are? Oh, you mean the noble, proud Inhumans who cower in this bubble, pretending we're better than the rest of the galaxy while the Universe passes us by?"

He stepped closer, his face inches from Black Bolt's, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "I've just about  heard  enough from you brother." The hurt in Black Bolt's eyes gave him satisfaction. "We either evolve, or we die. And I plan to be part of the former."

Black Bolt's jaw tightened as he stared down his brother, his broad shoulders squared with silent resolve. His hands moved once more, deliberate and powerful.

"If you take this path, you will face me. And I will not yield."

Maximus's laughter echoed against the crystalline walls. "Face you? What will you do, brother? Glare at me until I surrender?" He tapped his temple with a mocking smirk. "I've thought this through, you know. You don't have the luxury of making a mistake. One wrong word from you, and you destroy everything you've ever sworn to protect."

The smirk faded into something colder, more calculating. "That's the difference between us. You're a prince of silence, bound by your fear of what you might unleash. But me?" His eyes gleamed with manic determination. "I am not afraid to speak. I am not afraid to act. That's why I'll succeed where you will fail."

Black Bolt took a single step forward, his imposing presence forcing Maximus to falter, if only for a moment. His eyes burned with unspoken words, a promise of what he would do if pushed too far.

Maximus raised his hands in mock surrender, backing away with a grin. "Don't worry, brother. I know where the line is. For now." He turned his back to Black Bolt, gazing out over the city as if it already belonged to him.

"But the line is shifting," he said over his shoulder, his voice softer now, almost wistful. "And when the time comes, you'll see that I was right all along."

Black Bolt remained motionless, watching his brother walk away into the shadows. The weight of Maximus's words lingered, a dark cloud over the serene city below. He knew this confrontation was only the beginning.

Attilan, Present Day

And then the moment passed, and the fires raged on.

Medusa looked at Black Bolt. "It's time. Are you ready?"

Black Bolt looked ahead and signed.

"I have no choice."

Ending credits play.

Chapter Text

Attilan, two years ago

The Kree emissary stood at the edge of the landing platform, flanked by his contingent of guards. His ship hummed with energy, ready for departure. Agon and Rynda, resplendent in their royal attire, stood tall as they saw him off. Medusa, Karnak, and Triton all stood nearby, their expressions guarded, while Black Bolt and Maximus lingered further back.

The air was tense, thick with unspoken animosity. Agon's voice was firm but composed. "Your offer was made, and it was refused. Attilan will not be a pawn in your war, nor will we bow to those who enslaved our ancestors."

The Kree emissary Vorak-Kal smirked; his arrogance unshaken. "A shame. I had hoped your people would embrace their destiny rather than remain shackled by pride and fear." He turned to board his ship, the entire meeting now completely over.

But Black Bolt stepped forward. His hand rose, signaling for attention. Agon and Rynda paused, their faces turning toward their silent son in curiosity and concern.

With deliberate movements, Black Bolt reached into his robes and withdrew a small recording device. Activating it, he held it up for all to see.

The hologram flickered to life, displaying the secret meeting between the Kree emissary and Maximus. The room fell silent as the conversation played.

Vorak-Kal was seen saying. " We require soldiers for our war against the Skrulls. Your people, enhanced by Primagen, could become the ultimate warriors. In return, we would share the fruits of our search with you. A fair exchange, wouldn't you agree?"

And Maximus replied. " The Genetics Council and my dear family would never agree to this. They cling to their old ways, their fears of repeating history. But I…I've always believed that past mistakes should not dictate our future."

"Then you would bring them to see reason?"

"Leave that to me. My brother may be next in line for the throne held by our parents, and the Council may hold their laws, but I hold something far more powerful—the vision to see what Attilan could be. They will understand. Or they will be made to."

Gasps rippled through the assembly. Agon's expression darkened, his voice a low growl. "Maximus... what have you done?"

Maximus's confident façade cracked. "Father, I only sought—"

"You sought to betray us!" Rynda's voice was sharp, filled with both fury and heartbreak.

The Kree emissary's smirk twisted into a snarl. "Enough of this." He raised a weapon and fired without hesitation.

Agon and Rynda moved as one, their regal poise giving way to the reflexes of battle-hardened leaders, as they both tried to dodge the attacks. But the blasts struck true, slamming into both of them in quick succession. They crumpled to the ground, their royal garments scorched, their breaths shallow, while Vorak-Kal rushed into his ship with his people shutting it as there was frenzy all around, people running or trying to prepare for a fight as all were pushed around.

"NO!" Maximus cried, pushing through the crowd and rushing to his parents' side. As he knelt between them, his hands trembling, his mind reached out instinctively. His mental powers latched onto their fading consciousness, their final thoughts cascading into his own.

Agon's last coherent thought echoed: "Protect Attilan, no matter the cost."

Rynda's voice followed: "Our family must endure."

The overwhelming connection drove Maximus into a state of mental frenzy, his face twisting in agony as he absorbed their pain, their regrets, their fear, and he began to scream as it all rushed through his mind.

Black Bolt stood frozen; his gaze locked on the lifeless forms of his parents. The world seemed to slow as grief and rage surged within him. His hands balled into fists, his entire body trembling with restrained power.

The Kree emissary Vorak-Kal barked an order to his soldiers. "We're leaving. Now."

The ship began to rise, its engines roaring to life.

But Black Bolt would not let them escape.

His lips parted, the first sound in years forming in his throat. His voice was low, barely more than a whisper, but it carried the weight of his unbridled fury.

"Kree."

The single word unleashed a cataclysmic shockwave.

The platform shattered instantly, fragments of stone and metal spiraling outward. Guards and onlookers were thrown through the air like leaves in a storm. Maximus, still cradling his parents, was hurled backward, his cry of anguish lost in the roar of destruction.

The Kree ship disintegrated mid-flight, torn apart by the sheer force of Black Bolt's voice. The debris rained down on the city, sparks and fire lighting up the night sky.

The shockwave rippled through Attilan, its force felt far beyond the platform. Buildings in the lower sections cracked and swayed, walls crumbling, and windows shattering. Hundreds of citizens were thrown to the ground, their cries of fear and confusion mingling with the echoes of the blast.

When the dust settled, the once-pristine platform was a ruin of jagged stone and broken bodies. Black Bolt stood in the epicenter, untouched but visibly shaken. His chest heaved as the enormity of his actions sank in.

Maximus dragged himself to his feet, his face a mask of both horror and awe as he stared at his brother. "Do you see?" he whispered, his voice trembling. "Do you see the power you've always feared to use?"

But Black Bolt didn't respond. His gaze fell on the lifeless forms of Agon and Rynda, their crowns now covered in dust and ash. The cost of his fury lay before him, and it was too great to bear.

Medusa arrived moments later, her hair whipping around her as she surveyed the devastation. She approached Black Bolt, her expression filled with both understanding and sorrow.

Attilan had witnessed the true might of its Prince—and it would never forget.

Inhumans intro plays as a flash of Lockjaw teleporting is shown, followed by a flash of Crystal raising her hands to either side as wind blew around her, and then a flash of Gorgon slamming his hooves on the ground as everything shook, and then a flash of Karnak meditating, after which there was a bit of Maximus standing as a wave emanated from his head, followed by a flash of Medusa's hair moving, and then a flash of Black Bolt, slowly opening his mouth, and at the end, all of them except Maximus standing together before the title screen is shown at the end of it.

Attilan, Present Day

Black Bolt looked ahead, then down, seeing all the population with their powers and makeshift weapons such as mining tools, all getting closer, but there was a line of soldiers in front of them now, standing with erect riot shields that were rectangular energy shields, connected to each other.

With them were a row of men holding up pulse rifles, with the setting on 'stun' as of now.

Black Bolt looked to Medusa and signed. "Stay inside." She looked like she wanted to protest but he added. "That is one order you must obey, my Queen." While his signing was firm, his eyes were soft, and she knew why he wanted this.

"Yes, my King", she said, walking to him as they shared a loving kiss, then parted, while Black Bolt gestured to Lockjaw as he signed.

"Lockjaw shall stay with you, just in case."

The large dog woofed, knowing he was being talked about. Medusa walked to him and petted his head as he barked happily, while Crystal petted him too, and he wagged his tail, before Crystal and Medusa shared a loving hug.

"Be careful."

"You too."

They parted, as Medusa shared nods with Karnak and Gorgon, telling the latter. "Take care of everyone."

"You have my word, I will."

She looked at Karnak. "I know everything will be all right when you are here, standing by my King's side."

Gorgon gave Karnak a look, as Karnak just chuckled. "I will not disappoint."

She looked at the Royal Guard as well, who bowed to her. "Defend the palace, but without oppressing them. We know Maximus is using them to attack us."

They nodded, rising, and all walked off to prepare themselves so they could control the rioting crowd properly, while Medusa walked away with Lockjaw.

Gorgon chuckled, seeing Karnak wrapping his hands next to him. "Ah, so you come to join our humble few, Chief Minister."

"Well, I just figured if they had you fighting, then we must be getting really desperate", Karnak said to Gorgon in reply.

The others of the Royal Guard had to stifle their laughter, especially at the moment where Gorgon's face lost all its humor, even though Karnak's grin grew wider.

"If we don't die, then I shall kill you."

"I'm sure you can try", Karnak said, continuing to smile, with Gorgon resisting the urge to stomp on his face by just walking away.

Sensing something, the Chief Minister turned around to face the King. Both of them shared a look, knowing what was about to come, and what it was they needed to do.

"Part of me is saddened it has come to this, but another part of me is kind of relieved", Karnak confessed to Black Bolt, surprised himself. "With everything that is happening, I have been urging to really use my fists over my words, and not for small moments of time."

"From what I have seen with Targon and Arcadius, your skills have not faded at all, my friend", Black Bolt signed to him, before offering his hand.

After a moment, Karnak smirked and clasped it.

"Fighting together, it's always an honour, my King."

Karnak then inclined his head slightly, in a manner that Black Bolt returned, before both turned to look to each member of their family and the Royal Guard.

Black Bolt shared nods with each of the Royal Guard, appreciating everything they had done for him and his family so far, and everything they were going to do against the rioting crowd.

Yet, this was all his fault, his regret. Had he acted sooner, things would never even have come to this. Had he gone after his brother for the traitor Blackagar knew he was, the people would not have caused that fire in the public Terrigenesis Chambers, and they would not be here in the courtyard, ready to fight his soldiers and break the gate.

One of the hardest lessons that the son of Agon and Rhynda had learnt was to differentiate the various parts of himself in order to be a good monarch: the good man, the good husband, the diplomat, the warrior and the King.

'It is time Attilan truly sees their King.'

With that, he turned around and walked away, causing Crystal to frown. She made to speak up, but Gorgon saw and raised his hand in order to stop her.

His only answer to the young one's unspoken question was the hooved Inhuman's confident nod. He clearly knew where Black Bolt had gone to, and why he had gone there as well.

Black Bolt walked through the halls, purpose in each step of his, his ears listening to the screaming and marching people outside, hoping the soldiers, the Royal Guard and the rest of the Royal Family could handle it until he went out as well.

He would not make the same mistakes this time as he'd done the last time. Maximus would not be guilting him again.

Two years ago, Attilan

The throne room was eerily silent, the air heavy with grief and tension. The ornate banners of the Royal Family fluttered weakly in the draft from the shattered windows, the once-proud chamber now marred by cracks and debris from the devastating shockwave Black Bolt had unleashed, as his power had reached even here, that's how great it was.

The King and Queen's bodies had been laid to rest in the royal crypt earlier that day, their crowns removed and placed on an empty pedestal. The throne stood vacant; a stark reminder of the void now left behind.

Black Bolt stood at the edge of the room, his head bowed, his hands clasped tightly behind his back. His shoulders were tense, the weight of guilt and responsibility bearing down on him like never before. Medusa watched him from a distance, concern etched on her face, but she didn't approach. She knew he needed a moment.

However, Maximus had no such restraint.

He stormed into the room, his movements sharp and deliberate. His face was a twisted mask of rage, grief, and something darker—an insidious intent.

"Are you pleased with yourself, brother?" he spat, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

Black Bolt turned to face him; his expression heavy with regret. He raised his hand, trying to sign something, but Maximus wasn't interested in listening.

"No. Don't you dare try to explain yourself to me," Maximus snapped, his voice rising with each word. "You just had to interfere, didn't you? You couldn't leave well enough alone."

Black Bolt froze, his hands lowering slowly as Maximus closed the distance between them.

"This is all your fault," Maximus continued, his voice trembling now, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "They're dead because of you! Do you understand that? Mother! Father! Gone! And why? Because you couldn't let them handle it. Because you thought you knew better!"

Black Bolt's eyes narrowed, but the pain in them was unmistakable.

Maximus laughed bitterly, the sound hollow and cruel. "Oh, don't give me that look. You know I'm right. You just had to stick your nose in where it didn't belong. And now look at what you've done." He gestured wildly around the room, to the cracks in the walls, the broken windows, the lingering signs of destruction visible even from here.

"All of this—this chaos, this ruin—it's on you. You did this. Not the Kree. Not me. You."

Black Bolt took a step back, his hands trembling as he raised them to sign again, but Maximus surged forward, his voice turning venomous.

"And let's not forget the people. Do you even realize how many of them you hurt? How many homes you damaged with your little... outburst?" Maximus leaned in, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The great King-to-be, the savior of Attilan... and all you've done is bring it to its knees."

Black Bolt's jaw tightened, his chest rising and falling with controlled breaths as he fought to maintain his composure.

Maximus straightened, his voice softening, but only to twist the knife deeper. "You may wear the crown soon, brother, but don't think for a second that they'll ever forget. Every time they see you, they'll remember the destruction you caused. The lives you shattered. You'll be a King, yes—but you'll rule over a kingdom of ash."

Black Bolt turned away, his gaze falling to the ground. His silence was deafening, but the anguish in his eyes spoke volumes.

Maximus watched him for a moment, his expression a mixture of triumph and bitterness. Then, with a final sneer, he turned and walked away, his footsteps echoing through the broken chamber.

Medusa approached Black Bolt cautiously, placing a gentle hand on his arm. He didn't look at her, but the slight tremble beneath her touch told her all she needed to know.

"You're not alone in this," she whispered, her voice steady despite the turmoil in her heart. "Don't let him make you believe otherwise."

But Black Bolt remained still, his grief and guilt a storm he could not yet escape, as he stared at the throne.

Present day, Attilan

Black Bolt stared at the throne, then took a deep breath before walking towards it, and pressed a button on the arm of his seat, causing the floor that was in front of him to rise, unveiling a chamber that opened with a hiss.

Black Bolt stared at the contents inside this chamber with a steely eye.

The time had come.

Outside, Maximus walked through the crowd, who respectfully parted, making way for him, their leader, until he was in the front, looking at all the guards ahead with their connected energy shields.

"This is OUR city! It is time we take it back!" Maximus declared, and with a final, mental push, added. "CHARGE!"

All the people charged into the energy wall, trying to push against it as it hurt them, making them gasp and screech. No matter how hard they tried, the soldiers and the shield wall barely budged, while they were pushed back, and some fell down.

A few strong ones came forth, and started punching at the shield wall. Their punches did nothing, the soldiers still stood in positions, holding up the energy shields, and pushed the people back, sending them stumbling.

Some with makeshift weapons charged forth, striking at the shields with their weapons as they screamed, but their weapons broke upon the energy shields, to their horror, as they were all pushed back as well and fell down to the ground, the soldiers still in position, not having moved even a little.

One Inhuman threw thorns from his hand, but they shattered upon the energy wall, as Shaya tried to blow some wind, but even that did not budge the soldiers a little, who held firm.

Daris summoned a little bit of water to try and sweep any soldiers away, but they stood their ground, the amount too little to sweep any of them.

Darrek ran up to the shields and touched them, trying to heat them the wall up with his fire, but that had no effect at all, as one soldier pushed him back and he fell down, groaning, before he rolled and picked himself up, glaring angrily.

"What do we do now?" He asked no one in particular, which was when Kivar stepped forth.

"I can break it up", he said, before smashing his hands on the ground right next to the energy wall. At that moment, a small semi-circle type of stone rose up from the ground….from underneath a soldier!

That caused the soldier to be raised up, and the connection was disrupted, as that part of the shield wall disappeared, and then Kivar pressed his fist as the soldier was trapped inside the stone.

Before any of the soldiers could react, Kivar repeated it two more times, and two more parts of the ground rose up as semi-circular stones, raising up two more soldiers, whom Kivar then trapped inside, the energy shield completely disrupted now.

At the same time, Shaya decided to use her hollow and light bones to her advantage, using a gust of wind on herself which sent her flying up over the shield wall, after which she landed right on the other side.

Before any of the soldiers could react, she sent two condensed balls of winds into two soldier's heads, dazing them as they stumbled and staggered away, breaking the formation even more due to those two bumping into others.

The soldiers weren't sure what to do now, as Shaya was behind them, ready to attack with more wind, while the other rioters were not backing down either.

Shaya would obviously tire out, but she could dismantle the formation even more before she did.

One soldier suddenly twisted his head at a 180 degrees angle, turning his head to face her, and spit out acid from his mouth. Shaya panicked but managed to deflect it barely with her wind and it struck that soldier's armor, making him gasp as he was sent staggering away in pain.

Meanwhile, one Inhuman turned into a man-sized ball, and then another large and strong one, with hands of metal, pushed him forwards, making him roll towards the soldiers.

They didn't even have time to think of any counter-strategy, as the ball-Inhuman barreled into the gap that had already been made, throwing more soldiers off with his power, as the gap had now grown wider.

Gorgon came up behind the gates of the palace with the rest of the Royal Guard, and announced to all. "Misguided as they are, these are still our people. Incapacitate, bruise, break bones, but there will be no death here!"

"AYE!" The soldiers cried out together.

Karnak stepped up with Gorgon, at a higher level which had windows, his eyes scanning over the wide-open courtyard, over the men and women everywhere, and over the reinforced gates that would not hold them for long.

Meanwhile, the rioters had gained the upper hand by now, as Darrek managed to grasp the hands of two soldiers, burning them as they went down, while Lia magnified her hearing as she went to the ground, trying to hear further, but it caused her to lose focus on what was happening nearby as one soldier kicked her away, and she rolled off.

The soldiers who'd raised their blasters had now started firing, paralyzing some of the rioters, but when Kivar was fired at, he raised rocks in front of himself, which were broken, but he used the opportunity to get away.

After that, Shaya used her wind to blow some of those guards off, even though she staggered back and fell down from the effort too.

Taran had a shovel in hand that he used to whack at a soldier, sending him down, and then was fired at by another but threw himself down to avoid, as an ice Inhuman with pale snow-white skin and hair jumped at that one and grabbed his face, using her ice to freeze him as he screamed and gasped until he stilled.

Meanwhile, another Inhuman literally climbed up one of the few remaining energy shields, then scratched the guard's face from top of it, making him gasp before the Inhuman leapt and kicked him away, before rolling to avoid a shot by another, until a telekinetic push from a soldier sent him off.

The civilians had barged through the ranks at this point, and started charging at the gates now, with Daris summoning a burst of water. She started shriveling, and had to be supported, but she managed to soak the metal of the gates.

Then, the ice Inhuman stomped the ground as ice surged from her foot to the water, and then the gates, freezing all of it fully.

Soldiers fired at them from above, from blasters, as well as their powers like some fire and telekinetic blasts, but Kivar formed stronger rock formations for protection, even if the efforts weakened him.

With that, the Inhuman with the metal hands sprinted forwards, and punched the frozen gates. It sent a crack through the gates, but they remained standing firm, so he punched again, forming more cracks, then punched once more, to the same results.

The rocks were shattered, but Kivar quickly formed more, and was then supported by Ryn as he threatened to fall over.

Then the ball-Inhuman joined the one with the metal hands, rolling at the gates as he struck them and caused more damage, with other Inhumans all joining in as well, some using their makeshift weapons, damaging the frozen gates more and more with each strike that was performed upon them.

"Their strength is in their numbers. Ours is in our might and skill. Break them up, that's where we win." Karnak advised Gorgon.

Nodding at the Chief Minister, Gorgon turned to the Royal Guard. "Crystal, Nahrees, we use your powers to break them up, herd them. Alaris, Neifi, and Flaidermaus, pick a group and keep them down. Drive and Asmodeus, hit and run whenever and wherever they look to be reforming. Soldiers, engage but keep everything on stun. Understood?"

"Yes, sir!" They said, roared, and growled in unison.

"As for you," Gorgon looked at the Chief Minister, and smirked knowingly. "Kick ass."

Karnak smirked back.

"I always do."

The Inhuman with the metal hands punched the frozen gates one last time, and finally, they shattered into nothingness.

"CHARGE!" Taran cried out, and they started running forth, others climbing up the walls or jumping, only for soldiers both above and on the ground to throw smoke grenades.

That caused many of the Inhumans to cough as they inhaled the smoke, and more of them went down after their coughing fits, before Shaya came forth, and used her wind to start blowing the smoke away.

Some more went down during her attempt, but she managed to succeed. However, the ones who were climbing up the walls were all down now.

As the Inhuman rioters tried to charge again, Gorgon stepped forth.

BHEEMA THEME VIDEO SONG MAHABHARAT plays

Gorgon stomped on the ground, causing a seismic shockwave that uprooted the ground, sending masses of the rebels scattered all over from the gates to the courtyards.

With that, the ground started rising up, splitting off parts of the army as they screamed and parted in fear, while electricity then shot at the ground, making the Inhuman rioters scamper out of the way with gasps due to fear of being shocked.

Maximus casually leaned against the remains of the gate, watching as his army was discombobulated due to the powers of Gorgon, Crystal and Nahrees.

After that Alaris, Neifi and Flaidermaus charged into the horde, with Alaris punching one away as Neifi swept a few more away with his large arms, and Flaidermaus flew forth and threw some down before landing and kicking one more away into another.

He looked up and saw Asmodeus flying too, before flying downwards towards a group of rioters and striking them down with his wings, deadlier than any punch or kick, as they groaned in pain.

Drive was blurring through the crowds, easily knocking them out with his punches.

It was all as Maximus expected, even the soldiers combatting the rebels. Between their training and the ingenuity of his rebels, Maximus could say it was a toss-up on who would be the victor, but he had one distinct advantage.

The rebels weren't restrained by thoughts of morality; Maximus had ensured that.

One soldier tried to fire his blaster, only for Naros to rise up and grab it, lifting it at the 90 degrees angle before throwing it off, as he then tried to tackle the soldier to the ground, only for the soldier to grasp Naros and spin him around, staggering him away, as he brandished a baton, ready to strike the Inhuman of the lower caste, while another tried to attack but he turned his other fist into a rock and smashed that Inhuman's face, sending him to the ground.

Only, a blaster just like the one Naros had taken from the soldier whacked him in the head, knocking him out. Naros stood up properly and saw it was Ryn, having made a similar blaster, and he was shooting down a few more soldiers before his own blaster disappeared, and he panted, clearly tired.

The ice Inhuman spread her ice towards Alaris, freezing his legs as she smirked, only for Alaris to budge a little and break out of it, kicking some shards of ice away.

She sprouted more ice as spikes that made their way towards him but just broke against his golden skin, before she tried to encase his entire body in ice, and succeeded.

Before Alaris could break through it, Darrek grasped the ice, his hands glowing red as he was trying to melt it, and Alaris with it, only for the ice to completely melt away on its own, to Darrek's and the ice Inhuman's shock.

They looked up to see Crystal smirking, having melted the ice herself.

That was when Darrek was grabbed by the head by Alaris, and the ice Inhuman tried to run but Alaris rushed forth and grabbed her by the head too, before slamming their heads together, knocking them out.

Neifi swung his large arms, sending scores of rebels flying here and there effortlessly, as they fell down and were knocked out.

Kivar used his powers, raising a circle of stones that orbited around Neifi, after which Shaya sent out gusts of wind, the stones being launched like small bullets.

Neifi growled, deflecting some and being unaffected by others slamming on his skin, before reaching up when they started making for his eyes, and swatted them away, to prevent them from impacting too close to his eyes.

However, this had distracted him long enough for many of the Inhumans to climb up on the eight-feet tall reptilian Inhuman member of the Royal Guard.

Drive ran through the crowds, easily sucker-punching the Inhuman civilians out very quickly, and sometimes, he pulled soldiers out of harm's way, the attacks going nowhere or hitting the sides of other rioters instead, damaging them and causing them to fall here and there.

Tiring out, Drive stopped and supported himself against a wall for three seconds, panting quite a bit, before he made to run once more, only for an Inhuman to spit a massive amount of saliva onto the ground, making a large disgusting pool, that the tired Drive could not dodge, as he slipped upon it instead.

And that damaged his suit, as he was sent crashing into rebel and soldier alike, groaning in pain and wounded.

Karnak was just casually checking his nails when he saw a group running right at him.

"Finally."

As one Inhuman threw a thorny punch, Karnak dodged, grasped his wrist, and twisted, making him scream while he kicked another rocky Inhuman down behind him so hard that one cracked, while also tossing the thorny one to the ground, ripping out one thorn in the process.

Seeing an Inhuman walking around with a duplicated blaster, Karnak threw the thorn, striking the blaster as the Inhuman rioter was thrown back.

Karnak then grabbed the blaster, before grabbing his head and pulling him into it, then slammed both into a pillar before kicking him away as he snatched the blaster.

He then spun and aimed it right at one Inhuman's face, terrifying her, only to slam it in her face instead as she staggered and then he spun and struck her with its back, knocking her out.

Another attacked but Karnak knocked him out with the blaster's back, before blocking one with a makeshift hammer using the blaster, only for it to get trapped in the hammer.

Karnak let the blaster drop, then spin-kicked the hammer so hard in the air it broke into two, the Inhuman dropping too.

As another attacked, Karnak dodged and smacked him out while sweeping another's feet from underneath her as she was taken out too.

One more tried to spit acid at him but Karnak kicked his chest, downing him, then kicked one swinging a sword hand down, after which one attacked with a makeshift baton but he grabbed it, lowered his hand, and made him whack himself with the baton before knocking him out.

Another aimed a blaster but Karnak easily kicked him down, and then used the baton to whack more down. Then an Inhuman attacked him with her knife hand, swinging as he dodged.

Then he blocked her next swing before whacking her down with the baton, and then whacked two more down quickly.

Then he leapt and kicked two away, before spinning and swinging the baton, knocking three down. Hearing a roar, he turned around as the Inhuman with the metal hands leapt, and threw a punch.

He put the baton in the way to block but his chest was struck and he staggered back, falling, only to get back up, prepared to fight.

The Inhuman swung his fists as Karnak dodged, grasped one wrist and lowered it, then decked his face, only for him to strike Karnak's stomach with the metal fist, making him gasp as he staggered back, and he was punched again.

He then ducked to avoid a strike before throwing a kick but the Inhuman's chest became metal now, though the metal left his arms, and because of that, he was unaffected.

His arms became metal again and he grabbed Karnak's leg, while Karnak tried to punch his forehead, only for him to make that metal briefly, as Karnak shook his wrist in pain.

But that made the Inhuman's arms normal as Karnak flipped out of his grasp while kicking his chin, staggering him back and making him bleed.

The two were about to fight again, when an electron energy blast struck the metal Inhuman, knocking him out, before the blast cut around the ground, making many rioters scamper away in fear.

Mahabharat soundtracks 99 - Pandava Theme 2 plays

And then, Black Bolt landed on the ground, on one knee, his body covered by a black, armored suit, including a helmet, that had a tuning fork glowing on his forehead.

For a few minutes, all paused as they stared at the Silent King, with Crystal hovering up in the air behind him, Karnak and Gorgon standing to his sides at a distance as well, all four of them looking ahead, with everyone's attention now on Black Bolt.

Some rebels, too brave, too stupid, or both, decided to actually charge at him.

One rushed him but Black Bolt grasped him, spun, and threw him down, then spun and kicked another with a silver body so hard he was thrown off. And then he spun and kicked another Inhuman, this one with a wooden body, to the ground, before spinning around and sweeping another one's feet from underneath him, knocking him out.

He stood back up, all attention upon him still, as he stared down at the rest of the rebels who were clearly getting scared now.

Some more walked at him, Black Bolt walking forth as he punched one who was trying to strike him with his tongue out, then punched out another who was about to fire lasers at him via his eyes, and then he elbowed out one more who was about to kick him with pointy feet.

Then, he kicked out one more who was going to hit him with lightning, before punching out another with a blaster for a hand, after which he spin-kicked out one Inhuman and a clone he'd produced in quick succession.

Then he looked ahead and saw four more of the same, realizing he'd only taken out the clones right now. The four charged him but he leapt into the air and kicked all four out in quick succession, with all but one of them, the real one, disappearing into nothingness.

Karnak flipped and kicked out another Inhuman who was attempting to turn molten, before he stood back-to-back with Black Bolt.

"Show-off."

Black Bolt smirked in response.

Taran was attempting to charge forth with his weapon, only for Flaidermaus to elbow him as he was sent flying off and fell down, rolling away and spitting out blood.

Staggering up, he saw Maximus still leaning against the remains of the door, and as an animalistic looking Inhuman fell near him and tried to get up, Maximus literally kicked him back into the fray.

"Get back in there!"

"Lord Maximus!" Taran called out, causing Maximus to look at him. "Why do you not join us? You are the one who leads us!"

Maximus chuckled in a way that sent chills down Taran's spine. "Kings don't lower themselves to grunt work."

Taran felt something break in him, and change, as he glared at Maximus. "You said you were going to fight for us! And change things! But all I'm seeing is you are letting us do all the work and die for you while you stand back!"

Maximus did not reply, he just gave a mad grin in response, causing Taran to turn around and run, right towards where the fighting was going on.

Taran pushed his way through the fighting people. "Make way!" They seemed to stop due to the effect of his voice as he reached the center of the place, and then he began to talk, increasing his volume.

"PEOPLE OF-"

It got everyone's attention, but he couldn't do more than that. Maximus already had Taran in his mental sights.

Taran gasped as he found himself paralyzed, unable to do a thing, while his entire body started convulsing, and his eyes were bleeding as well.

Some of them stopped, seeing what was happening, Drive picking himself up as he saw what was happening to Taran, and knew it was Maximus.

Looking around, Drive saw Maximus looking at Taran intently, with Varek walking up next to Maximus. Knowing what he needed to do, Drive started running.

Due to his suit being damaged, he braved the friction burns from going too fast, but reached in time, first punching out Varek, then sucker-punching Maximus, who was thrown into the air, and then fell to the ground, rolling away as he spit out blood.

Tired himself, Drive went down to his knees, then lay on the ground, while Taran was freed as he started panting, but quickly regained control of himself as he began to speak.

"People of Attilan, lend me your ears!" Taran cried out, causing all to stop as they looked at him. "You all call for freedom, for justice—but this? This is not justice!"

The rebels, who were trying to fight back, paused. Their anger dulled as they listened to him.

"You have fought for a man who does not fight for you," Taran said, gesturing toward Maximus, who staggered to his feet in the distance, still wiping blood. "Look at him! He stands while you fall. He speaks of liberation but gives you only bloodshed. You're pawns in his game."

The murmurs among the crowd grew louder. Taran pressed on.

"We were promised change, but not like this. If we tear down the palace only to build another one of tyranny, what have we gained? Nothing but ashes."

Taran turned toward the palace, where Black Bolt, Karnak, Crystal and Gorgon all stood here and there now. "The Royal Family may have wronged us in the past, but they are here now. They are fighting—not for power, but for Attilan itself. For all of us. As you can see, they, their Royal Guard, and the army, they did not kill any of us regardless of what we have done."

The tension in the courtyard shifted. Weapons lowered, and some rebels stepped back, their anger giving way to doubt.

"The evil people do lives after them, while the good is buried with their bones." Taran gestured to Maximus. "He told us the King and Queen were ambitious, which would be a grave fault, but we should not make them answer for it gravely. Not for someone who does not want to fight for us. Not for someone who is just controlling us as his pawns. We need to stop!"

And that had the desired effect, as the rebellion crowd all threw their weapons down, or stopped glowing with power.

Maximus, seeing what had happened, simply shrugged.

"So that's how it is? Fine then, I always knew I'd have to do everything myself."

With that, he pulled out a syringe that had a glowing blue serum inside, the thing he'd been working on all this time.

Maximus was pacing in his own stone-lined chamber of his private quarters while looking at a chemical in a tube as he passed it from that tube to another.

Maximus twirled the tube with the chemical in his fingers, then put it in place.

Maximus injected it right into his neck.

As the rest watched, his veins became visible while he grunted, and his eyes became bloodshot, the entire body tensing while the serum did its work.

After a whole minute, Maximus' body relaxed, and he briefly closed his eyes, grinning madly, before opening his eyes.

And so it began. The day Maximus the Mad unleashed his fury.

Mahabharat soundtracks 03 plays

His eyes first fell upon Drive, who'd gotten up, and he tried to run and strike, braving through the friction, landing one blow upon him, only for the strengthened Maximus to grab Drive by the head and lift him up, slowly squeezing.

Before anyone else could even process what was going on, a pop sound was heard.

Drive's head was crushed, his eyeballs popping out as Maximus' face was splattered by Drive's blood, which, combined with his reddened eyes and sick grin, sent chills down everyone's spines.

Seeing that, Taran cried out. "TAKE HIM DOWN!"

"No!" Gorgon screamed at the same time, knowing Maximus was going to kill them.

Kivar formed big rocks to throw at Maximus, only for Maximus to use his newfound tactile telekinesis to simulate strength as he pushed two of them right at Kivar, throwing him down and damaging his head, before slamming them upon him as his head was crush and blood splattered all over, to the horror of the rest.

"YOU KILLED HIM!"

"YOU'RE A FRAUD!"

"YOU NEVER CARED ABOUT US!"

Lia suddenly grabbed Maximus by the head, trying to use her powers, but Maximus' mind overwhelmed her as she screamed, before stilling, his madness too much for her, and he threw her down, Taran's jaw dropping.

Shaya tried to blow wind at him but he powered through it, forming an invisible shield via his powers as he punched her and she was thrown off by many feet before she fell, knocked out.

Ryn tried to blast at him but Maximus defended himself, then punched through his chest, drawing blood, and pulled his fist out as Ryn fell down, dead.

Daris tried to drown him but Maximus used his shield to deflect the small amount of water back at her and she fell into it, knocking herself out, as Naros lifted a big block and charged him, only for Maximus to slam his palm upon the block as it hit Naros hard on the head, breaking his skull as he started bleeding, and then Maximus snapped his neck.

"NOOO!" Taran cried out in horror, as the rebels charged him but Maximus used his power to split them all.

"YOU'LL PAY!" Nahrees screamed as she fired lightning at Maximus but he defended himself via his shield, the lightning deflected and striking her as she fell down, while Neifi rushed at him but Maximus attacked his mind via his powers as he screamed in pain, holding himself by the head and rolling around, damaging the place.

Flaidermaus flew at him but Maximus punched him away, Alaris tried to punch but Maximus grabbed his fist, then twisted, before making him punch himself as he was thrown back.

And then Asmodeus flew at Maximus from behind, but Maximus side-stepped at the last moment, then leapt, landing on Asmodeus' back as he was thrown to the ground, and before he could do anything, Maximus grabbed his wings…and ripped them off!

Asmodeus screamed in pain as he bled, Crystal firing lightning at Maximus, only for him to block with his mental invisible shield, as he then stomped on Asmodeus' skull, killing him, to the horror of all.

Maximus then attacked Crystal, Gorgon and Karnak mentally, making them grab their heads and scream in pain as they went down, only for Black Bolt to step in the way as he signed.

"Stop it!"

"Of course", Maximus said, and then stopped it, the three gasping as they tried to rise. "For you…ANYTHING!"

With that, Maximus flew at Black Bolt and rammed into him, the two crashing through a wall right into the courtroom with the thrones, both rolling away before standing up, glaring at each other.

"You will never stop me, brother!"

Black Bolt shook his head, and signed. "This time…I will."

Two years ago, Attilan

The dim light of the royal archive cast long shadows across the room, the flickering holograms dancing like ghosts on the walls. Black Bolt sat alone at the central console; his fingers poised above the controls. The image of the Kree emissary Vorak-Kal and Maximus played before him, a damning record of his brother's betrayal.

The holographic figures moved with an uncanny clarity—Maximus leaning forward eagerly, the Kree emissary speaking to him of Primagen. Each word they spoke was a dagger to his resolve.

"Then you would bring them to see reason?"

"Leave that to me. My brother may be next in line for the throne held by our parents, and the Council may hold their laws, but I hold something far more powerful—the vision to see what Attilan could be. They will understand. Or they will be made to."

Black Bolt's hand hovered over the controls, his heart warring with his mind. He knew what had to be done. Maximus had betrayed their family, their people. This evidence was undeniable. Yet his hands trembled, hesitation binding him like chains.

He thought of his parents. Agon's unwavering strength. Rynda's gentle wisdom. Their loss was still an open wound, raw and aching. And then there was Maximus—his brother, the last thread of family he had left.

Black Bolt closed his eyes, his chest rising and falling with slow, deliberate breaths.

If I reveal this to all... I'll lose him too.

The console beeped softly, awaiting his command. One press of a button, and the recording would be preserved, ready to bring Maximus to justice. But another press, and it would vanish, erased from existence.

His fingers moved slowly, trembling as they hovered over the delete command. He couldn't bear it. The weight of his brother's betrayal was heavy enough. The thought of condemning him—of seeing him stripped of everything, of being forced to cast him out or worse—was unbearable.

The silence of the room was deafening. Black Bolt's face twisted in anguish, his decision tearing him apart. With a final, shaky breath, he pressed the button.

The hologram flickered once, twice... and disappeared.

Black Bolt sat back, his hands falling limp at his sides. The room seemed darker now, the glow of the console dimming as if in mourning. He stared at the empty space where the recording had been, his heart heavy with the knowledge of what he had done—or rather, what he hadn't done.

Tears welled in his eyes, spilling over as he leaned forward, his elbows resting on the console, his head in his hands. The weight of his guilt, his grief, and his love for his brother crushed him, leaving him trembling and silent.

He didn't hear Medusa enter. She stepped quietly into the room, her expression softening as she saw him. Without a word, she moved behind him, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder.

He flinched at first but then stilled, the warmth of her touch grounding him. Slowly, she slid her arms around him, resting her chin lightly on his shoulder.

"You carry too much," she whispered, her voice low and soothing.

Black Bolt turned his head slightly, his tear-streaked face meeting hers. The pain in his eyes was clear, but so was the unspoken gratitude.

"I know you want to save him," she continued, her voice breaking slightly, "but you can't save someone who doesn't want to be saved. Don't let his choices destroy you too."

He leaned into her, his silent sobs shaking his frame. She held him tightly, her hands threading through his hair as she tried to anchor him to the present.

For a long time, they stayed like that—two figures in the dim light, bound by shared grief and an unspoken understanding. Black Bolt didn't need to speak for Medusa to understand the depth of his pain.

And in that moment, though the weight on his shoulders didn't lift, it became just a little easier to bear.

Present day, Attilan

Mahabharat soundtracks 126 - SWABHAVA Dharma plays

"TALK TO ME!" Maximus screamed as he used his powers to hurl an invisible force towards Black Bolt, only for Black Bolt to focus his energy around himself and form an impenetrable force field upon which Maximus' attack broke.

Black Bolt's force field went down, and then he used his power to fire the electron energy blast at Maximus, the tuning fork glowing, only for him to use his own force field, and expand it as Black Bolt's blast fell upon it, and couldn't get through.

Eventually, Maximus' force field caused the blast to dissipate, as Black Bolt glared, Maximus snarling. "You can only defeat me IF YOU TALK!"

With that, he punched Black Bolt, his newfound strength actually drawing blood, before he leapt and kicked him back, then used his powers to hurl Black Bolt back by many feet, crashing into the thrones, shattering both of them.

Black Bolt staggered up, glaring at Maximus, who screamed. "YOU HAVE TO TA-"

He was cut off when Black Bolt held out his arms, the tuning fork glowing, and concussive blasts of energy shot out of his hands, striking Maximus and sending him rolling on the floor, as he groaned in pain.

Staggering up, Maximus fired his own concussive blasts, Black Bolt countering with his, the two grunting as the energies clashed against each other, the result being the rest of the courtroom started breaking down more, with the ground and walls cracking.

Ultimately, both were thrown back by the powers, and staggered up, Maximus roaring. "WHY DON'T YOU SPEAK TO ME?! I WILL SHOW YOU I AM GREATER!"

Black Bolt suddenly flew forth and fired the electron energy beam at Maximus' feet right before he could form his shield, striking him and sending him flying off as he crashed into the wall near the doorway in, breaking it before falling down, groaning due to the pain.

But he picked himself back up as Black Bolt marched closer to him, while he held something with a smirk.

Just as Black Bolt came closer, Maximus suddenly swung something right at his throat, only for Black Bolt to barely lean backwards and avoid while holding out his hand, grasping Maximus' wrist.

It was the ornate dagger!

Maximus snarled, trying to use his mental powers on Black Bolt, but he could only watch angrily as Black Bolt gritted his teeth, resisting the mental attack.

He struck Maximus' wrist with his other fist, making him let go, and then, taking up the ornate dagger, he crushed it in his hands.

With that, he threw three strong punches, breaking Maximus' armor, only for Maximus to blast at Black Bolt's armor at close range, breaking some of it too as Black Bolt gritted his teeth.

Then, he headbutted Maximus, staggering him back, before giving him a strong uppercut as Maximus flew and fell down, rolling away, before picking himself back up slowly.

"As long as you don't speak, you cannot defeat me", Maximus taunted Black Bolt with a mad grin. "And as long as you don't speak, I will not look superior when I defeat you."

Maximus pressed a device that filled the entire room with gas, only for Black Bolt to use his electron abilities, firing the energy beam which again dissipated the gas, Maximus growling angrily as he flew at Black Bolt with a punch, only for Black Bolt to grasp his wrist, spin, and throw him to the other side.

Maximus rolled on the ground, then picked himself back up, and struck forth with his concussive force, trying to push Black Bolt back, only for Black Bolt to use his concussive blasts, overpowering Maximus' force barely as the two attacks struck each other and the resulting concussive explosion broke more of the walls and sent them both flying off by many feet and falling to the ground.

Still, they picked themselves up, glaring at each other.

Maximus then pressed the device as fire spewed out of it, right at the King, only for Black Bolt to counter with his electron energy beam, the clash causing a small explosion which made the flames dissipate.

"SAY SOMETHING IF YOU WANT TO SAVE YOUR WIFE AND CHILD!"

Realizing there was no other choice, Black Bolt made to open his mouth, only for Maximus to press the device on his right wrist, and Black Bolt was shocked when no sound came out of his mouth.

Maximus chuckled. "I came prepared. Surprised you didn't even after Arcadius told you about it. I'm sure he did." Black Bolt pressed his throat as Maximus hurled the powerful force at him, making him fly up and fall down.

He was about to get up when Maximus rushed him and punched his face twice, dazing him, then hurled him away.

Medusa was watching the fight with Lockjaw by her side on a monitor. Seeing what Maximus was doing, she said to the good dog. "We need to go."

Lockjaw barked in agreement.

Maximus marched towards Black Bolt, only for Lockjaw to suddenly bite him on the arm, and that included the device, making Maximus scream in pain as the dog was strong enough to bypass his telekinetic aura.

"YOU CUR!" Maximus screamed, trying to strike Lockjaw with his other fist as his arm in Lockjaw's grip began to bleed, only for Medusa's hair to bind that arm of his, while another strand of them appeared before his eye, blinding him.

"GET OFF WHORE!" Maximus screamed, flicking his arm as Lockjaw was thrown off, whimpering, while he grabbed Medusa's hair, and pulled, slamming her on the ground, though a force field appeared to protect her from the impact, before disappearing, Medusa smiling as she knew it was their child, while she lay on the ground.

"You….walking around all high and mighty with that thing inside of you! I AM GOING TO-"

Medusa lifted up her head, gesturing to Maximus' wrist. He looked down and saw the device was broken, as Medusa looked behind Maximus with a smirk, and his eyes widened.

Lockjaw teleported next to Medusa, and she grasped him as he teleported away, while Maximus turned around to look at Black Bolt, who was glaring in anger.

He opened his mouth, the faintest of sounds being produced.

"You've lost."

The sonic wave from Black Bolt's mouth struck Maximus hard, sending him flying into the wall above the destroyed thrones, breaking the wall, before Maximus fell down, bleeding all over as he groaned in pain.

A shadow came upon him, and he looked up to see Black Bolt looking down at him sadly, tears in his eyes.

"Go on! DO IT!"

Black Bolt just stared at Maximus as Karnak, Crystal, Gorgon, Nahrees, Alaris, Neifi and Flaidermaus all entered the courtroom, all glaring at Maximus for what he'd done, including all the deaths.

Black Bolt just gestured at him, signaling to the Royal Guard to take him into custody.

They ran forth, Nahrees shocking him a little out of anger as he gasped while she and Alaris picked him up roughly, Flaidermaus grasping his shoulder as the claws hurt Maximus, while Neifi towered over him.

They started leading Maximus away, who glared at Black Bolt.

"I could have ruled."

Black Bolt used his hands to sign, gesturing at Maximus, then himself.

"You could have been my brother."

With that, Maximus was led away, the Royal Family all standing together, having emerged victorious.

But they knew this was not a real victory. The real victory would be them finally bringing about the changes they'd been promising all this time.

A week later

The funeral took place in the somber tranquility of the central courtyard, the ceremonial grounds draped in shades of black and deep blue to honor the dead. The air was heavy with a shared sorrow that transcended caste or station, a moment where grief united all of Attilan.

Two distinguished gravestones stood prominently in the foreground, adorned with the insignias of the Royal Guard. One for Drive, whose unmatched speed had made him a symbol of the Guard's might, and one for Asmodeus, whose wings, resilience and courage had earned him respect among peers and citizens alike. Beside these were four additional graves, crafted with equal care and honor.

The graves of Naros, Kivar, Ryn, and Lia stood as solemn testaments to the Royal Family's acknowledgment that the value of sacrifice transcended the divisions of caste.

The Royal Family gathered at the forefront of the mourners. Black Bolt stood silent, his hands clenched tightly at his sides, his stoic visage betraying the turmoil within. Medusa, her fiery hair subdued for once as they too were grieving, rested a gentle hand on her husband's arm. Her face was a mask of strength, but her eyes glistened with unshed tears. Crystal stood beside her sister, her hands clasped tightly in front of her, her head bowed in silent tribute. Karnak's sharp eyes scanned the graves, his ever-analytical mind unable to shield itself from the futility of this loss. Gorgon, towering over the others, struggled visibly, his jaw clenched tightly as he mourned the two of the Royal Guard who had been his comrades-in-arms.

Lockjaw sat silently beside Crystal, the massive canine sensing the gravity of the moment. He nudged her gently with his snout, his own form of comfort as she blinked back her tears.

The remaining members of the Royal Guard stood together in a line: Nahrees, her hands trembling as she fought to maintain composure; Alaris, his golden skin glistening faintly in the sunlight, his head bowed in respect; Flaidermaus, his leonine visage betraying a deep sadness; and Neifi, whose reptilian features seemed oddly subdued, his eyes glinting with unshed tears. For them as well as Gorgon, this was a loss that cut deeply—Drive and Asmodeus had been brothers-in-arms, their absence leaving a void in the Royal Guard that would not easily be filled.

In the background, the lower-caste mourners stood together, their grief no less poignant. Taran, his usual fire subdued, stood with his head low, his shoulders trembling as he clenched his fists tightly. Daris leaned against him, her face streaked with tears as she clutched Naros' favorite tool in her hands—a keepsake that now seemed unbearably heavy. Shaya and Darrek stood nearby, their expressions grim as they struggled to process the enormity of their loss.

Taran finally stepped forward, his voice raw but resolute, his power lending an unspoken weight to his words that drew every mourner's attention.

"We stand here today not as nobles or commoners, as guards or workers, but as one people—bound by the sacrifice of those who gave everything for Attilan. Naros, Kivar, Ryn, Lia... Drive, Asmodeus... These were not just names. They were brothers. Sisters. Friends. They stood for something greater than themselves. They fought for a future we must honor."

He paused, his voice trembling. "Naros was my brother in spirit, and Daris' too. He carried our burdens on his shoulders, both literally and figuratively, always lifting us up. Kivar carved a path forward, both in stone and in spirit. Ryn created solutions when none seemed possible. Lia saw what others could not, felt what others missed. Drive... Asmodeus... they were warriors in every sense, protectors of Attilan and all it stands for."

His voice cracked, but he continued, raising his eyes to meet the crowd. "Let their memory remind us that unity is not just a word. It's a promise. A promise that we will carry forward their dreams, their hopes, and their sacrifices."

The crowd murmured their agreement, the air heavy with shared mourning. Even the Royal Family seemed moved, Black Bolt lowering his gaze as a single tear slipped down his cheek. Medusa placed her hand over her heart, her lips trembling as she nodded in solemn acknowledgment.

As the funeral drew to a close, the mourners began to leave in silence, but the impact of the moment lingered. The graves stood as monuments to both grief and resolve, silent reminders that the fight for Attilan's future came at a cost. Black Bolt lingered a moment longer, staring at the graves before Medusa gently placed her hand on his arm. They turned together and walked back toward the palace; their steps heavy with loss but resolute in their purpose.

Few days later

The Royal Family sat in the great hall of the palace, a space that usually exuded regality and formality. Today, however, the atmosphere was tempered by an air of sincerity and purpose. Medusa and Karnak sat at the forefront of the gathering, with Black Bolt positioned between them, his calm but commanding presence grounding the conversation. Crystal, Gorgon, and Lockjaw lingered at the back, along with Nahrees, Alaris, Neifi and Flaidermaus who stood guard by the main entrance.

On the other side of the chamber stood representatives of the former lower caste, Taran and Shaya at the forefront. Behind them stood Daris, Darrek, and several others, all attentive but carrying an air of cautious hope.

Medusa began, her voice steady but warm. "We have called you here today to discuss the future of Attilan. The events of recent weeks have proven to us all the known flaws in our old ways. The caste system has caused division, resentment, and suffering. It has perpetuated inequality in a society that should thrive on unity. That ends now."

Karnak leaned forward, his analytical gaze fixed on Taran and Shaya. "We understand that professions and roles must still exist—mines must be mined, crops must be grown, the city must be governed—but we will no longer divide based on powers or heritage. Professions will be chosen by interest and skill. And regardless of profession, every citizen of Attilan will be compensated fairly. No more exploitation. No more hierarchy of value."

Black Bolt raised a hand, signing fluidly. Medusa interpreted for him. "Your work—whether in the fields, the mines, the laboratories, or the palace—will be honored fairly. And everyone will have access to decent, comfortable homes, a right that belongs to all, not just a privilege of the few."

Taran stepped forward; his expression respectful but thoughtful. "These reforms are welcome, Your Majesty. They are long overdue. But we ask that the promise of fairness be not just in words. Ensure the resources reach us, and do not let those in power hoard them."

Medusa nodded firmly. "Your concerns are valid. To ensure accountability, the Genetics Council will also be reformed. They will no longer dictate or divide based on power, or try to control the entire Royal Family line. Instead, they will become simply the Council—a governing body that aids us in improving conditions for all."

Karnak added, "Each Council member will oversee a sector of Attilan. They will be responsible for ensuring its prosperity, making and enforcing fair laws, and addressing complaints directly. Every decision they make will require the approval of the Council as a whole and the Royal Family, to ensure no abuses of power."

Medusa smiled faintly, her voice carrying a tone of encouragement. "Taran, your work and your voice for the industrial sector have not gone unnoticed by us. We ask you to be the Council's first member and oversee the industrial sector."

Taran's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself and nodded. "It would be an honor, My King and My Queen. I will do my best to serve all of Attilan."

Medusa turned to Shaya. "Shaya, your contributions to agriculture and your insight into the needs of the people there have been invaluable. We ask you to oversee the agricultural sector."

Shaya hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward with a resolute expression. "I accept, My King and My Queen. Thank you for trusting me with this responsibility."

Taran added respectfully. "My King, My Queen, Chief Minister, may I suggest that we include frequent public forums, so citizens can voice their concerns openly? This would strengthen the bond between the Council and the people."

Black Bolt nodded, as Karnak inclined his head. "A wise suggestion. We will implement it immediately."

The discussion continued briefly, with the representatives offering small points of consideration, all of which were met with thoughtful responses from the Royal Family.

Eventually, the conversation came to a close, with the reforms agreed upon and accepted.

As the former lower caste representatives began to leave, Medusa addressed them warmly. "This is only the beginning. Together, we will build a better Attilan."

Taran and Shaya bowed respectfully, and the group exited the hall, leaving the Royal Family and the remaining guards behind.

As they left, Nahrees, Alaris, Neifi and Flaidermaus approached from their positions. Medusa turned to them. "How is Maximus?"

Nahrees hesitated before responding. "The effects of the serum and its powers have worn off, but... part of those powers remain. He is stronger, faster—but more unstable than ever."

Alaris added, his voice somber, "His sanity has deteriorated further, My King and My Queen. It's... unsettling."

"Best to keep him there only, My King and My Queen", Flaidermaus said with a sigh.

"Yes, he remains a threat", Neifi finished.

Black Bolt's gaze lowered, and a shadow of sadness crossed his face. Medusa touched his hand gently, understanding his turmoil. Black Bolt signed slowly, and Medusa spoke his words aloud. "He wasn't stable to begin with. He is my brother, and he will stay in his cell, for he belongs there."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the days pressing on them all. Medusa broke it with quiet resolve. "We will face the future, whatever it holds, together."

She gestured to her stomach, causing the rest to smile.

And with that, they turned their focus back to rebuilding Attilan, and the baby, determined to honor those they had lost and to ensure a better world for those who remained.

In his cell, Maximus sat, hugging his knees to his chest as he looked ahead, madness in his eyes, and laughed maniacally.

Seven months later

Medusa screamed as she lay on bed, holding Black Bolt's hand, as Karnak, Crystal and Gorgon stood nearby, Lockjaw sitting on the ground, with a healer Inhuman next to Medusa too.

The lights in the place flickered and dimmed, then came back on, everything shaking in a way that was scary, Crystal commenting. "I hope they don't completely go out. Or the palace collapses, ya know."

"Just a little more, Queen Medusa", the healer Inhuman said, as Medusa screamed loudly, her hair rising and wrapping around Black Bolt's wrist tightly due to everything, making him grit his teeth a little.

And then, she sighed in relief, feeling it had been done. The lights stabilized, the shaking stopped.

Medusa's hand and hair let Black Bolt go, and then, the sound of a baby crying was heard as smiles broke out on the faces of everyone, Black Bolt and Medusa smiling at each other while the healer Inhuman wrapped a cloth around the newborn son of Black Bolt and Medusa.

And then, she handed the baby to his mother, who held him, as he cried, and she cooed at him, her hair stroking his face as Black Bolt smiled and stroked his face lovingly too, with Karnak, Crystal and Gorgon crowding around them.

"Hey little one, we've waited for you!" Crystal said happily as she stroked his face a bit. "Now I'm not the youngest anymore!"

Everyone chuckled, Black Bolt smiling.

"We've all waited for you", Karnak commented happily. "Your birth brings joy to us all, but most of all your parents."

"Nice meeting you, young lad", Gorgon said to the baby too, who'd stopped crying and seemed to be sleeping now, while Lockjaw barked happily.

Black Bolt and Medusa shared another kiss, and then, Medusa held up their son.

"Hello…son Ahura."

Few days later

Medusa, now recovered enough, walked with Black Bolt to the balcony, holding Ahura in her hands as they looked down, and saw the people rebuilding the public Terrigenesis Chambers.

Only, this time, Crystal was using her powers to hold the structure in place while she hovered in the air, as the people worked on it, including Taran, Karnak and Gorgon, with Daris nearby sweeping the waste away.

Looking up, Crystal saw Black Bolt and Medusa on the balcony, and waved, as they waved back, with Medusa cutely having Ahura wave too.

"Wave to your aunt Crystal."

The two shared a smile, and another kiss, before hearing a knock, and Medusa said. "Come in!"

The door opened, Nahrees walking in as she bowed. "My King, My Queen. Prince Triton and Chynae of the Royal Guard have returned from Earth."

Black Bolt and Medusa shared a look, then turned to Nahrees, Black Bolt signing.

"Let us welcome them, then hear what they have to say."

Nahrees nodded as she rose, and walked off, with Black Bolt and Medusa walking after her, Medusa holding Ahura.

Down below, the city of Attilan was being rebuilt by all the people together.

Ending credits play.