Chapter Text
Hasaude Cathedral
Hortensia lied on the ground, her eye black, her nose bleeding. Ivy shook her hand as she gave her half-sister a slap. The reason? The little bastard child had the gall to call her "Ivy". What a pathetic wretch. She's lucky she didn't sacrifice her to Sombron right then and there. Hell, she was lucky to be the second princess, despite being tainted with commoner's blood. Hortensia, to Ivy, was nothing more than a disgrace to the Elusian royal family. "How dare you call me 'Ivy', you little wretch! You call me 'your majesty' or 'my Queen' in my presence from now on!"
Hortensia tearfully looked up at Ivy. The mere sight of her made her sick. "Y-yes, my Queen... Understood..." she said as she was helped by Rosado and Goldmary.
Ivy despised Hortensia and her other half siblings. She had sent them to hereafter by execution, whether by hanging, beheading, or worse. They were aid in the resurrection of Lord Sombron. Since the Divine Dragon's demise, she had lost all faith in Alear. If the Divine Dragon was so Divine, why was he overpowered? Why couldn't he protect her favorite retainer, Zelkov, the man who always gave her pleasure when need, the man who save her hide more times than she could count, the man who died during his travels? And Kagestu? To hell with him. He never gave her any gratitude or appreciation, despite her being so kind to him. No matter how she tried to curry his favor, the man loathed her. But why would he risk his life if he hated her so? It made no since?
Her nerves calmer, now, Ivy stared out the Cathedral's windows where the graveyard was overflowing with the death. Somewhere in the Cathedral, she heard the constant screams of pleasure of Sombron's followers. Spilling their blood and offering their pain in tribute to the ritual. Every drop of tears and blood was worth it. Sombron would bring Elyos back to glory. The ritual must be completed, at any cost. If she must sacrifice herself or other nations, so be it. The largest grave in the distance was her father's. What a pathetic excuse for a King. He had the audacity to stop the ritual. And where did that land him? The guillotine. Ivy had then given her father's severed head as another offering to Sombron. The ritual was coming slowly into fruition.
She suddenly heard loud shuffles in the snow. She went to another window as she saw Queen Timerra and her forces marching toward the Cathedral. How could this be? The ritual was supposed to be secret! Ivy turned to see a guard. "Your Majesty, my Queen! Queen Timerra and her army are marching toward us. She plans to stop the ritual!" Ivy's eyes widened as she picked up her tome and summoned her wyvern. "That bitch! Get the other soldiers ready for battle! See to it they don't reach the Cathedral! Leave Queen Timerra to me!" The guard nodded. "Yes, my Queen!"
Outside the Cathedral, Ivy and Timerra came face to face. "Queen Ivy of Elusia! Your ritual is about to come to an end! If you don't surrender, we will stop you by any means!" Ivy laughed hautily. "Oh, really, my dear? You simply must have a death wish if you desire to end the ritual." Timerra stepped forward and put the tip her lance to Ivy's throat. "This is your final warning! End the ritual, or your unholy head lands on a spear!" Ivy smirked. "Hm. Fine. You will make a fine sacrifice for Lord Sombron..."