Shadow on the Wall

It was time.

After months of preparation. Over a year of this quest. It was time for the finale battle.

It was time to defeat Henry once and for all.

So here the queens were, gathered in that once small town that has become a full scale military camp and home for non-military.

The troops were ready to move out, set in four groups led by each lady. And they wanted the queens to make a speech.

Of course, it had fallen onto Catalina, who offered to do it.

And the woman was nervous and regretting it now. She paced the floor, already wearing her armor, muttering to herself. The other queens, accompanied by the ladies, had gone outside to wait for her.

All except one.

Anne carefully entered the room, taking in how Catalina paced back and forth. “You’re going to make a hole in the floor.”

Catalina paused at the teasing tone, turning to face Anne.

“Hi.” Catalina said simply.

“Hello.” Anne met Catalina and carefully took her hands before getting straight to the point. “You’re worried about this?”

Catalina hesitated before relaxing and nodding. “Yes… I just… I don’t want to screw this up.”

“Screw it up?” Anne tilted her head.

“If I fail then I fail the whole army. This is a morale boost and what if I can’t provide that… maybe I shouldn’t even be queen.”

“You know…” Anne looked considering. “You’re a natural leader, Ma Reine.”

“Perhaps…” Catalina agreed, slowly nodding. “But I’m still not so sure about this speech, Mi Alma.”

Anne smirked at her, reaching up to drape her arms over Catalina’s shoulders. “I heard you were really good at it.”

“That was years ago, Mi Alma.” Catalina replies, softening under the pressure on her shoulders and the shadow elf’s gaze.

Anne didn’t look convinced. “Then how are you so good at inspiring our group?”

“That’s just five of you. This… this is hundreds of people.” Catalina sighed, leaning forward to press her forehead against Anne’s.

“Then focus on us.” Anne told her, closing her eyes. “Don’t worry about the crowd. Give the speech to them but focus on the five of us. We’ll be right there to jump in if you need us to. The ladies and kids will be there too. All of us are cheering you on.”

Catalina released a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “Okay…”

The shadow elf hummed apologetically. “I’m sorry we pushed this on you, Ma Reine.”

“No, it’s okay… I offered.” Catalina returned. “I can do this. And all of you will help me if I need it. I know that.”

Anne smiled, neither still opening their eyes. “We’ll be just a few steps away.”

“I know.”

A few minutes later, Anne rejoined the rest of the group by the stage. The large crowd of soldiers and adventurers stood as well, gathered around. The ladies stood with the queens as well.

“Is she alright?” Anna asked immediately upon seeing the shadow elf.

“She’ll be okay. Just be ready to help her if she needs it.” Anne told them, smiling at the door Catalina was still behind.

The group nodded, relaxing with their own smiles. Some of the crowd pointed at them, sharing whispers. The queens truly had become legends.

And then, Catalina came out.

The former queen looked more radiant than ever. Her golden and black armor seemed to gleam in the sunlight. She stood tall and proud as she made her way to the stage.

The crowd was silent. And then, they broke into cheers as Catalina joined the other queens.

Anne couldn’t stop herself from staring at Catalina. She looked even more beautiful than back in the room…

She blinked and jolted upon feeling an elbow hit her side. Anne yelped slightly and looked over to Anna who was grinning at her. Anne grumbled and blushed but softened again immediately upon looking back to Catalina.

The paladin was surveying the crowd with a calm expression but slightly shaking hands. The crowd quieted.

Catalina took a deep breath and kept her gaze on the queens at the front of the crowd.

“People… I cannot tell you how proud of you all I am. All six of us are.” Catalina began. “I look out at all of you and see a united force. One fighting for the same cause. One of family and friends wanting to avenge each other.”

There were shouts of assent and pride that quickly died down.

“Henry… he’s a tyrant.” Catalina couldn’t stop the snarl in her tone. “A man who has killed people, those we care about, all for power. But… I have hope that we will come out victorious.”

Catalina locked eyes with a few Tieflings in the crowd. They were smiling at her and also looking at Anne in awe. The shadow elf had become a symbol of hope for the oppressed races. And Catalina couldn’t be prouder.

“I see races who have been oppressed… by not just Henry… but us as well… races who are still willing to fight for a kingdom that has pushed them down constantly. And I give them my utmost praise.” For a moment, Catalina locked eyes with Anne, who was beaming and even looked ready at the acknowledgment.

The Tieflings looked even more in awe and the Dragonborn let out rumbles of approval at her thanks.

Catalina’s eyes darkened as she took a sadder note. “Some of you will die. I am not one to dismiss that thought.” She paused, everyone was silent. “I truly wish none of you had to die. All of you deserve to be home and at peace with your families. But now… we are forced to look death in the eyes. Some of us will go on our way while some of us will take his hand and meet the gods.”

“But Henry.” Catalina swallowed, lips dry. “He’s already destroyed our lives. He’s hurt and even killed our friends and family. That’s what led some of you here. I have witnessed what he’s done first hand. I was one of his victims… my fellow queens… the ones who are now my family. He’s hurt them too.”

“I for one will be fighting him. Me and my family,” Catalina paused, gesturing to the other five queens. “We will be facing Henry head on. And now… we humbly ask for your help in defeating him.”

“I ask you now to fight with us. Help us rescue this kingdom. Please… we cannot do it alone.” Catalina gave a glance to the queens before looking out at the crowd. She took a deep breath...

“Are you with us?!” Catalina roared, pushing her sword in the air.

The entire crowd roared with her, every weapon being pushed to the air. The other queens and the ladies joined with beaming, proud smiles on their faces.

“YEAH!”

“WE’RE WITH YOU MY QUEENS!”

“WE LEAVE BY MORNING!”

~~||~~||~~

“This way!”

Anne led the group down the hidden passages of the palace walls. It was a unanimous decision for her to show them the path. She knew all of them.

They could already hear fighting outside the walls. Their own army having pushed through the outside walls into the city surrounding the castle. Demons could be heard shrieking.

The queens had no time to waste.

They raced through the halls, now in the castle itself. The halls were dark and barren.

“Anyone else worried about how… quiet it is?” Kat looked around nervously as they continued their run.

“Definitely.” Jane spoke everyone’s thoughts. “But we don’t have a choice.”

“It’s time to end this. Not just for us.” Anne also said. A glint in her eyes.

This… This was the moment the shadow elf had been waiting for.

Henry had cast her into the shadows. He had destroyed her as a person. He ripped her away from her daughter. He had hurt this little family she loved. He had done countless evil deeds.

And Anne was ready to watch him fall.

The words she had given the man controlling Mary rang in her mind. ‘When I make him suffer.’

Revenge was never a pretty affair. It was ugly and reared its head. Made even the smartest of people lose their cool.

Anne wanted revenge. She wasn’t going to rest until Henry suffered. Not even the panic rising within her at the sight of these familiar walls could stop it.

But unlike others looking for revenge, Anne wasn’t alone. She had queens who knew exactly what she could and would do.

They wanted revenge too after all. They had sat each other in a big group before the battle and talked about it.

The talk had been long and unsteady. Henry had wronged them so much. Kat had led the conversation, remembering the time they had encountered one of the men who hurt her in another town. Panic and revenge had both driven her back then.

So Anne wouldn’t strike out on her own. She would stay with the others and do her best to keep from being reckless. She didn’t make promises. None of them could.

But she thanked the others for that talk. It was the only thing keeping her open minded right now.

And besides… she could watch Henry suffer just as easily with her fellow queens.

Anne was snapped out of her thoughts by the large doors opening. They had reached the throne room.

The queens walked in warily, ready for any trap. As one, their eyes all locked into the figure across the giant room, seated on his throne and staring back at them with evil eyes. He was in his armor, ready for a fight.

“Henry…” Anna spat, hands on her axe. Everyone was gripping their weapons, knuckles white.

“My loves…” Henry spread his arms wide from where he sat on his throne. “You’re just in time.”

“We are not your loves.” Catalina replied coldly, eyes narrowed.

Henry looked all six of them over. “You all loved me once you know.”

“You’re really that naive?” Kat stood straighter, flute raised. “None of us loved you. We were forced to marry you by yourself and others.”

“Maybe so. But I think I loved all of you… and this is how you repay me?” Henry’s gaze became a glare.

“You didn’t love us! Why else would you have hurt us like you did?!” Jane demanded, in a fighting stance.

“Hurt you… I did what I had to do.” Henry’s eyes locked onto Jane. “Take you for example… you were going to try and stop me if you figured this out. Stopping me would have done nothing for this kingdom. It would have made it fall faster.” Jane only tensed further. That was his reasoning?!

He moved onto Anna. “I know now that you were figuring out more than Seymour ever did… but back then… well… a barbarian such as yourself wouldn’t do for the king and his kingdom.” Anna bristled, eyes narrowing.

He met Catalina’s eyes. “The great paladin fighting in wars? What would the kingdom have done if we both died… and without a male heir being provided to take the throne.” Catalina only glared back at him. (Both of them knew that the second part was the most of it.)

“Howard… What do you think the kingdom would have done if they knew just how many men you seduced?” Kat flinched back, hands shaking.

“Your sacrifice would have brought the kingdom to fruition, Parr! I would have had the power to bring this kingdom to its full power and greatness!” Cathy didn’t reply, hand only gripping tighter to her staff. “But instead someone helped you…”

Henry looked furious as he finally looked at Anne. “Anne Boleyn… you should have stayed where you belong. Do you really think the kingdom would have accepted a creature like you? I did you a favor… and you repay me by ruining everything!” He finished with a roar and Anne couldn’t help but flinch back even as she glared with trembling fury.

Henry took a deep breath and relaxed back into his throne. “But it’s fine… now we can fix it all…”

“What are you talking about?” Cathy questioned.

“That meddlesome rebel army of yours is here and the six of you are here as well… I have what I need…” Henry propped his head on his interlocked hands. “I had to make new arrangements… After all, you took my executioner away.”

Catalina stepped forward with a snarl. “My daughter is not your executioner!”

Henry tilted his head. “Isn’t she? She killed those people.”

“Under a brainwashing spell from you!” Jane protested immediately.

Henry simply shrugged. “Maybe. But she still burned their bodies to ashes. Ignored their screams of pain and forgiveness.”

All of the queens looked ready to lunge, Catalina especially. But they held themselves back.

Henry stood up from his throne, looking down at all of them. “But that doesn’t matter now.” He looked up at the window. “It is almost time. It’s a shame I’ll have to cut our talk so short… especially after so long.”

“You don’t have what you need.” Anne sneered. “We stopped Mary before anyone else could be killed.”

“And even if you do, then we’ll stop you.” Kat had her flute at the ready.

There was a moment of silence. And then a laugh came from Henry. A deep, evil laugh that sounded victorious. Chills ran down the spines of all six women.

“On the contrary, you brought me exactly what I need.” Henry raised his head, smirking at them.

“And what would that be?” Anna challenged, head high.

Henry vanished with a snap of his fingers. Before anyone processed this, he reappeared.

Behind Cathy.

He grabbed that wizard by the shoulder, giving her a dark smile. Everyone turned, panic clear in their eyes.

“Catherine Parr.”

And just like that, both Henry and Cathy were gone.

~~||~~||~~

When Cathy woke up, she found herself standing.

No. She wasn’t standing. She was suspended. Shackles on the wall held her trapped and no matter how hard Cathy tugged they wouldn’t come loose.

Around her was dark stone and prison bars, the air stifled and cold.

Cathy was in the castle’s dungeon.

Henry soon came into focus, smiling darkly at her. “Thank you for cooperating, Catherine.”

“Cooperating?” Cathy glared back at him, tugging sharply at the chains. “You kidnapped me!”

“Kidnapped?” Henry reached forward, hands resting on her cheeks so he could meet her eyes. “You’re assisting me, Catherine… we’re going to do something great.”

“I’ll never help you.” Cathy stated defiantly.

“You’ve already forgotten?” Henry tilted his head. “I need a sacrifice… I’m afraid you don’t have a choice, Catherine.” He pulled back with a dark grin, delighting in how she paled as he also gave her a swift smack to one cheek.

Cathy’s mind began to race as she recalled the plans she had seen written so long ago. The plan to sacrifice her.

Henry spoke again upon seeing that Cathy wouldn’t speak. “Don’t worry… if you don’t struggle it won’t hurt much at all…”

He raised his hand, magic sparking at his fingertips.

Cathy struggled. Of course she did.

She wasn’t going to let her life go just like that. She thrashed and screamed in the chains as the pain overwhelmed her.

“So you struggled… shame.” She could hear Henry say before the pain only intensified.

Cathy screamed and wailed as the pain became all consuming. It was indescribable. But if she had to put it some way… Cathy could say it felt like her soul was being torn out.

Pulling against the chains out of pain and desperation, all Cathy could think of was the others. She couldn’t leave them like this.

Between the blinding pain, she apologized to them.

She apologized to Anna. The loyal woman who would blame herself for this. Anna who stuck by her side through thick and thin, making sure she was just as safe and protected as the others. (Cathy wishes she could apologize for the times it felt like she held Anna back.)

She apologized to Jane. The woman was like a mother to all of them who always listened. She always listened to Cathy when she just needed to talk. And when Cathy needed to be silent, Jane was still there too. (Cathy wishes she could tell Jane just how grateful she was.)

She’s apologized to Catalina. Her godmother who always made sure to look out for her. The steady presence who always knew when something was wrong and rarely afraid to ask about it. (She wishes she could tell Catalina just how much of a mother she had been, even with her real mother gone.)

Cathy apologized to Anne. They had been together through all of this and Cathy knew Anne would be torn over this. Anne was protective over Cathy, maybe more so than the others in the group. And Anne… Cathy saw her as a best friend. She didn’t want to leave her like this. (Cathy would apologize for not freeing her sooner.)

And Kat… oh gods, Kat… there were so many things Cathy could apologize for… for not being there to hold her… for not being there to care for her. But Cathy wants to apologize the most for the soon to be failure of their marriage due to an outside force. She promised to be there and love Kat. Finally give her the right romance after so many wrongs. To be her equal. (Cathy just hopes the others looked out for Kat… she doesn’t know what Kat will do after this.)

Tears that had already been present from pain only fell faster and harder at that thought. Cathy didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to… she didn’t want…

Everything finally went numb. Cathy felt so tired and the pain still pulsed lightly...

Cathy went limp, her thrashing and screaming dying down. Tears streamed down her cheeks and rasped, sobbed gasps puffed from her lips.

A single, tiny whimper escaped her… And then, everything went black for a second, darker time.

This time… Cathy wasn’t sure if she would wake up.

~~||~~||~~

The other five members of the group reached the dungeons.

After Cathy vanished, the group became frantic, Kat especially. They began to search the castle for any trace of Henry or Cathy. The dungeons were the last place to look.

Anne slammed open the door after picking the lock, becoming a shadow and racing down the dark stairs ahead of everyone else. She could hear Kat right behind her, keeping pace.

Anne emerged once at the bottom, pausing. It was quiet. Eerily so.

Kat raced past her and Anne didn’t give it another thought, following after her desperate cousin. She could hear the others footsteps directly behind them. All of them were terrified.

Four members soon slowed down slightly, Kat rushing further down the hall.

“Do you think she’s okay?” Jane asked anxiously, one hand on the hilt of her rapier.

“She is. She has to be.” Anna replied, reaching over to take Jane’s hand.

Catalina inhaled sharply through her nose. She was clearly worried over her goddaughter. Anne looped their arms together, giving Catalina a determined stare.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to her. Not in my watch.” Anne stated.

Catalina knew just how true that was. Anne would do anything for them. But Cathy… Cathy was the one who made countless promise after promise to save Anne. More than any of the others did. And eventually… Cathy did free her.

Anne wouldn’t let anything happen to Cathy. Not after everything. And they all knew it.

“I know.” Catalina nodded with her own determination. “We’re going to get her back.”

“CATHY!”

The scream had all of them sprinting now, rushing over to where Kat stood, pressed against prison bars and tears on her cheeks. Her gaze was filled with horror.

And when Anne reached her side, also saw Cathy, her heart dropped into her stomach.

Cathy was limp. Dangling and slumped against the wall suspended by chains on her wrists. She wasn’t responding.

Anne was quickly pushing past Kat, pulling out a lockpick almost frantically. She could hear the others terrified whispers and Jane trying desperately to reassure both Kat and Catalina but Anne only had focus on the lockpick and Cathy.

The door swung open and Kat was darting past them as a blur, reaching Cathy’s side and cupping her cheeks. A sob bubbled from Kat’s lips and it was easy for Anne to register why.

Cathy looked dead.

Instead of pale, her skin was more ashen grey. Sweat was on her skin despite how cold the dungeon was (and how cold to the touch she felt). Her eyes were closed and she was limp and still. Anne didn’t think Cathy was breathing either…

They quickly got her down and to the floor after breaking and picking the chains, soon realizing that she was in fact breathing.

“Oh thank the gods.” Catalina breathed out once they realized that.

Kat only let out a relieved sob, holding Cathy’s body close to her chest and pressing her face against the wizard’s hair.

“Something is still wrong…” Anna pointed out. That was obvious to all of them.

“Let me see her, love.” Jane told Kat gently. The bard slowly held Cathy out a little more, letting Jane check her over. Jane didn’t even try to pull the wizard from Kat’s arms.

Jane began to look over Cathy further and everyone waited with hope, still relieved that Cathy wasn’t dead.

Jane paled and Anne felt a chill creep up her spine as the cleric turned to all of them with fear in her eyes.

“Liebling?” Anna asked warily.

“We need to find Henry. Now.” Was all Jane said, now on her feet.

“Jane, what’s wrong?” Kat asked, anxiety clouding her features. She clutched Cathy a little closer.

“... what do you know about magic cores?” Jane asked all of them. Kat paled, already understanding exactly where this is going.

“Magic cores… the part of our bodies that give us access to magic. Everyone has them, even non-magic users.” Catalina was standing straight, suddenly looking even more fearful than before.

“The stronger the magic user, the larger the core.” Realization settles in Anne’s mind and she suddenly felt sick as she remembered the plans she had shown Cathy so long ago. “Magic cores are connected to a person’s life force…”

“Oh shit.” Anna remembered too, eyes wide with fear. “The sacrifice.”

“We have to go.” Catalina was already at the cell door, looking back at the others expectantly. “Now!”

“I’ll stay with her. You need to go find Henry.” Jane told Kat. Kat stared at her, wide eyed before slowly nodding and shakily passing Cathy over.

They reached the dungeons entrance in a few seconds but Anne stopped, turning to stop Kat as well. The bard was still shaking, eyes wide with terror.

Catalina and Anna stopped too, turning back to check on the cousins.

Anne only gave them a nod and they went on ahead. Anne turned back to her cousin, gently taking her by the shoulders and pulling her into a deep hug. Kat’s sobs only intensified.

They stood there for a long minute, Anne letting Kat cry until she finally pulled back to look at Kat, keeping her hands on the bard’s shoulders.

“Look at me, Chaton.”

Anne tried to give her a confident stare when Kat did so but she knew that fear was still noticeable.

“We’re going to rescue her. Jane will keep her safe until we get back and when we get back we’re going to have her core with us. I promise you, you’ll get to have your wedding. You’ll keep Cathy in your life.”

“How do you know?” Kat asked, voice scarcely above a whisper.

“Because there’s no way in hell we’re going to let her go that easily.” Anne replied, voice calm and steel with determination. “She never gave up on any of us and we haven’t given up on her. Why would we do that now?”

Kat stared at her before nodding strongly, a glint now in her eyes that made Anne beam with pride as the elf in front of her wiped away her tears.

“You’re right. I refuse to let her go. I love Cathy. And I’m going to save her.”

Anne felt endless pride well up for the younger woman in front of her.

She’s seen Kat grow and thrive during this quest. The bard had started in the castle, quiet and obedient. Groomed to be that way. She then escaped and became strong even with the hell she had been through.

Anne remembered her surprise upon seeing just how much bright Kat had been in her new life in Holbein. Joyful and sarcastic. A person again instead of their plaything.

And along the quest… well, Kat only grew even stronger. She was one of the strongest people Anne knew.

Anne couldn’t be prouder of her younger cousin.

“We’re getting her back.” Anne gave Kat’s shoulder one more calming squeeze. “Now come one, we’ve got a time limit here!”

“Right!”

Anne led them down the hall now, the two pushing themselves as fast as they could go.

Cathy had given her a life back when she was nothing. She had been the first light Anne had seen since the shadows. (Even Elizabeth had become shaded over time, the more Anne had to watch her live her life without a mother.)

And Anne wasn’t going to let that go unrepaid any longer.

~~||~~||~~

The cousins quickly found Henry back where they started. The throne room.

Demons were gathered around now, standing guard. Kat crept along the shadowed banister and Anne was in the shadows at ground floor.

Henry stood in the center of the room. A large, blue glowing orb held in his hands. Cathy’s magic core.

In front of Henry was… some kind of portal.

It was large and red. Just looking at it made chills run down Anne’s spine.

But she remembered seeing it before. When she was still trapped in the palace.

Henry would go to the lower floors of the castle to talk to whatever being was inside this portal on an almost daily basis. More than once, Henry had been asked about her by the being. Henry always seemed too damn gleeful when he explained and the being seemed almost proud. Back then, the portal was much smaller.

In fact, that being was here now.

“Are you ready to ascend, my king?” The being rumbled, voice loud and deep.

Henry’s eyes glinted with evil and greed, a smile on his face. “Yes… give me your power…”

“Give me the core, and it shall be yours.”

Henry started to edge the core towards the hand. Kat let out a scream of panic right as Anne lunged forward.

The shadow emerged physically, dashing between the hand and Henry. She grabbed Cathy’s core, now clutching it close to her chest as she landed away from the two, turning back to glare at them.

“Boleyn.” Henry growled.

“Henry.” Anne hissed back with just as much venom.

She stood in front of the door now, Kat swiftly by her side. The two of them stared down the snarling demons and Henry. “And Howard too.”

Kat only squared her jaw.

“Did you think we would let you take Cathy away from us?!” Anne demanded, grip tightening slightly.

“You… the shadow…” The demon in the portal muttered thoughtfully upon seeing her. “A shadow elf. How fitting that the curse be placed on a shadow creature such as yourself.”

Anne bristled. “So says the demon.”

The demon let out a low laugh. “I would stay your tongue. I was the ruler of your descendants before they escaped.”

Ah, that’s right. Shadow elves became a race due to being trapped in the shadow realm hundreds of years ago. They had eventually been freed, but became a new race entirely. A mistreated and discriminated one due to that affinity with the shadow realm.

“Well you’re no ruler of mine. And there’s no way in hell you're going to hurt my family anymore.”

“Family?” It was Henry who asked, brow raised.

“Us.” Kat took a step forward, grasping onto Anne’s arm. “And Cathy’s part of our family.” Her eyes narrowed dangerously as she clenched the fist that her ring was on. “I refuse to let you take her from me.”

“And what makes you think I’ll let you get back to her alive?” Henry snarled. “I’ve worked too damn hard for this to lose it now! Especially to my damn wives!”

“My king… get me that core and all of my power will be yours.”

Both sides stared at each other, paying no attention to the furious demons surrounding them.

Anne spun, carefully passing Cathy’s core over to Kat. “Go. You have a fiancée to save.”

“Anne—!”

Anne shook her head, pushing the core further into Kat’s embrace. “No. Trust me… I can escape.”

“... you’ll be safe?”

“I’ll get out the moment I know you’re clear.” Anne took a step forward, eyes now trained on Henry. “Your fiancé needs you.”

There was a stretch of silence broken only by the low growl of the demons. And then, Anne heard footsteps, echoing and disappearing as they got further away.

Henry glared at her. “Go after her.”

As the demons rushed by her, Anne only huffed.

Tendrils of shadows tugged on the pillars, pushing and pulling them over until they blocked off the doorway Kat went through completely. Some demons were even crushed under the force.

Anne tilted her head to stare at Henry. “Did you really think I would let them follow?”

Henry surveyed her closely. “I thought you would be escaping with her.”

“You and I have unfinished business.”

“Oh?”

Anne didn’t seem to notice the growling demons around her, only staring at Henry. “You know that demon is using you, yeah? It’s going to destroy us all instead.”

“Don’t listen to her, my king.” The being in the portal hissed. “This creature has been against you from the start.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed.

“And I still am.” Anne shrugged. “I know for a fact there’s no saving you. Maybe for the rest of it you’ve been influenced. But that curse on me? That was all you.” Anne made a gesture with her dagger. “And I will never forgive you for it.”

“It was a mercy.” Henry snarled. “I could have beheaded you!”

“YOU MADE ME A SHADOW!” Anne roared, taking a step forward. “YOU MADE ME A SHADOW ON THE WALL! YOU MADE ME NOTHING! DEATH WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER THAN THAT HELL!”

“I DID WHAT I HAD TO DO BOLEYN!” Henry bellowed his own response. “THE PEOPLE DIDN’T NEED SUCH A DANGEROUS CREATURE OF SHADOWS AS THEIR QUEEN! YOUR HEIR WOULD HAVE MEANT NOTHING!”

“SO YOU CURSED ME?! PUT ME IN HELL?! YOU COULD HAVE SENT ME AWAY BUT INSTEAD YOU TRIED TO GIVE ME ETERNAL SADNESS!”

“I WAS PROTECTING THE KINGDOM!”

Anne growled, gaze dropping to the floor. “Protecting the kingdom… from a monster? If I’m the monster here… then you're the worst monster there could ever be. Even before you cursed me you were a monster. Only at that point you were still growing into one. We choose the paths we follow. And you chose the evil one.”

“I am trying to save this kingdom, Boleyn.” Henry said simply to her rant. Anne didn’t acknowledge his answer.

“I wanted to die.” Anne said blankly. “I wanted to be anything else then that damn shadow.” Then, a chuckle escaped her lips that grew louder as her teary eyes moved up to meet Henry’s. “You tried to make me nothing… you made it so I couldn’t die even if I wanted to… well, you didn’t fucking succeed.”

Henry only glared at her with the portal demon’s low growl reverberating through the room.

“I do have something to thank you for.” Anne tilted her head.

“Oh?”

“My family.” Anne’s voice suddenly dropped after that. “And this is for them.”

With that, she threw a throwing knife. Henry only stared at it as it passed by him. He put his fingers on his cheek and slowly pulled it away to find blood.

He stared at Anne for a long moment. Anne stared right back.

“Kill her.”

The terrifying amount of demons lunged for her. Anne wasn’t about to chance it. She spun on her heel, taking off in a sprint.

Right before she dove into the shadows, she felt claws graze her back, causing her to yelp as she quickly vanished into the shadows.

Anne fled through the cracks in the debris, escaping under Henry’s furious gaze and the rumble of the lead demon.

She rushed down the hall towards where her companions were waiting, the hissing and screeching of the demons growing fainter and fainter.

~~||~~||~~

Anne ran into more demons as she ran down the hall, but they were easy to sneak by as a shadow.

And soon, she was back in the dungeon, a safe point for the group.

Anne emerged from the shadows, leaning against the wall for a second as the gash on her back burned. Anne knew it wasn’t too deep, she had been too far out of the demon’s reach for that.

But damn that didn’t stop it from stinging.

She heard the others voices and quickly made her way down the hall, finding them in the cell with Cathy. Anne brightened immediately, a breath of relief rushing from her lips as she saw who sat against the wall.

It was Cathy. Awake and, most importantly, alive.

“Somnolente!”

Anna was by Cathy’s side in one quick lunge, pulling the wizard into a hug, which was quickly returned. Kat sat next to them, relieved tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. The others were around them with smiles of their own.

Cathy and Anne both closed their eyes in relief and content. The terror was only now fully hitting Anne.

“Thank you, Annie. Kat told me that you saved my core.” Cathy murmured.

“I’m just happy you’re alive.” Anne whispered back.

“Kat got it back just in time.” Jane replied with a relieved smile. But then her smile dimmed as she noticed something. “Anne your back!”

Anne felt the stinging return but she only let out a hum. “Yeah, a demon got me on the way out. I don’t think it’s that bad though… doesn’t feel like it anyways.”

“You said you’d be safe!” Kat stared at Anne as Jane moved to heal it.

“And I was. One lucky bastard simply grazed me on the way out.”

“You're lucky it was a graze, Mi Alma.” Catalina told her now next to the four on the floor and kissing Anne’s cheek.

Cathy looked understanding. “You talked to him… didn’t you?”

“I had to.” Anne said, not letting go of Cathy just yet. No one needed any further of an answer.

Jane soon finished healing the scratch on Anne’s back. Anne turned and gave Catalina a kiss and squeezed Cathy one more time before sinking into the writer’s shadow.

“I’m okay, Anne… promise.” Cathy said, exhaustion still in her voice.

But no one tried to force Anne to come out. They all only huddled around Cathy in a group hug. Anne needed to be in Cathy’s shadow and every one of them needed to be close.

(Anne doesn’t know why something like this comforts her so much… corpses can have a shadow too. But it still reassured her that they were there. Perhaps she could feel that they were fine in their shadow. That they were alive and well. And none of the queens were going to stop her from comforting herself.)

The queens couldn’t stay here long. Their army was still fighting outside and Henry was waiting above them. But for a few minutes, they remained where they were, huddled together.

They needed it.

But soon, they pulled back, Cathy having more energy than before and Anne slowly coming out of her shadow. They stood in a circle, looking at each other.

“You’re sure you’ll be okay?” Anna directed at Cathy, a concerned look in her eyes.

“I’ll be fine. We need to do this.” Cathy declared, a stare daring anyone to force her to stay behind.

“Then let’s do it.”

~~||~~||~~

He was waiting for them. Of course he was.

He stood at the end of the throne room, portal still behind them. The king glared at them, fed up with their games. He held a book in his hands.

Anne recognized it. It was the one Henry always held when casting spells concerning the shadow realm.

Demons were still in the room, growling and snarling at them but not yet attacking.

Henry sneered at them, gaze landing on Cathy. “So you lived…” Henry glanced at Anne. “You really do always ruin my plans…”

Catalina stepped in front of Anne slightly, shield raised. “This ends now, Henry!”

“Indeed it does… you have escaped for the last time, my loves.” Henry kept his gaze on the queens as he gave the order in a roaring voice. “Bring me Parr alive! The rest of them must die!”

The queens formed a protective circle, backs to each other. They struck down any demon that came near, all angles taken care of. But with the sheer amount of demons they were stuck in that position now, striking down all they could.

Eventually, Henry had enough. He found a spell in the book in half a second and was launching an explosion spell at the center of the queen’s circle.

Everyone was frantically jumping away from the blast.

“Split up!”

They did. There was no coherent plan besides getting that book away from Henry. If they took his power source, he wouldn’t have that power.

Anna and Jane ended up on the rafters above, sprinting along them. Catalina and Kat were on the right, Cathy and Anne on the left, both groups ducking behind pillars and dodging blasts.

Henry still wasn’t the only problem in the fight either. The demons were still after them, only empowered by them splitting up.

They leapt after Anna and Jane, claws making deep gashes on the stone and wood of the rafters. They leapt after the other four, curling around the pillars and staying behind them.

The queens all cursed under their breaths. They were quickly getting overwhelmed.

Cathy stumbled and Anne quickly grabbed her, pulling the both of them into the shadows. The demons stood over them with hissed as they waited and paced. Catalina and Kat were backed against the wall, Catalina covering the both of them with her shield as the demons clawed relentlessly, trying to get to them. Henry had launched a blast of magic at the rafters, causing it to crack and collapse, sending Jane and Anna falling to the floor where they were quickly surrounded and struggling to defend themselves.

They were all trapped…

“Don’t you see now?! I am stronger than you’ll ever be!” Henry let out a laugh, raising his hands.

No. They couldn’t let this end here. They had come this far, why should they fail now?! They had gone through hell and back, crafted a family, saved countless people fighting with them right now.

They weren’t going to fall like this.

As Catalina grew weaker Kat had enough. With a few notes, a tide of water was pushing the demons back while avoiding Catalina. A different note sent lightning through the water, shocking the demons. Catalina was following up and destroying the rest by raising her sword with a prayer to the gods. The demons were smited down after only a few seconds of waiting.

Anna pulled Jane into a dance. Jane eagerly accepted. The two became a dance of whirling blades striking down the demons who came near as they held each other close. The wives ended in a dip, Jane’s rapier through a demon’s chest and Anna’s axe in another’s stomach.

“Hold onto me!” Anne called to Cathy. The wizard clutched onto Anne and as soon as Anne knew she was safe and would keep hold, the shadow elf began their own escape plan.

She began to pull the demons into the shadows. One by one the demons vanished with a shriek. Anne would swiftly take them out with her dagger. Sometimes Cathy would use a spell. Together the two made their way through, taking out demons as they went until they reached their companions again.

“We have to end this!” Jane alerted the others. “If we get overwhelmed like that again I fear we won’t make it out a second time!”

“If we could just take out Henry it would all be over!” Anna huffed, striking a demon that got too close to Kat.

Cathy looked around, her eyes lighting up as she found an idea. “I have a plan!” It was simple and maybe it wouldn’t work… but it was all they had for the moment.

“Let’s hear it, Mija.”

Seconds later, Henry was watching the battle. His eyes widened upon realizing that Anna and Anne had vanished. “No! You won’t trick me like this!” He yelled, scanning for the shadow he knew to be somewhere.

He spotted it too late. They were already next to him. Henry called his demons back and they turned away from the other queens, turning to rush back towards their master. But they were just as late.

Henry’s eyes widened with panic as Anna was launched out of the shadows by Anne. She raced towards him, a hopeful, triumphant grin on her face.

Kat was playing her flute. Catalina had her sword raised. Jane was pointing her rapier at Anna. Cathy had her staff held out. All were casting either defense magic or power magic, giving Anna all the protection and force she needed.

Things went slow motion for everyone involved.

Henry began to say a spell but Anna reached him too fast. She slammed the flat side of the axe against Henry. The force sent Henry flying backwards and slamming into the wall.

The queens all let out gasps of excitement as he dropped to the floor. The adrenaline still burned in their veins as they huffed for breath.

The minor demons around them began to dissolve and fade away. Cheering began to ring out outside.

They all gathered around him quickly as Henry remained awake, glaring up at them. But he was trembling. (How had they defeated the demons? What kind of power—?)

“You… you all really believe you’ll be the best for this kingdom?”

The queens all glanced at each other. It was Cathy who spoke. “We’ll be better than you’ve ever been.”

“You killed people. You’re possessed by power. You have hurt millions in this conquest of yours. It’s over Henry. And I hope you enjoy prison.” Anne finished, glaring down at him. Henry opened his mouth to speak, only for his head to drop, now unconscious.

But it wasn’t over.

“You six… you truly have a knack for ruining plans, don’t you?”

The queens spun around to the speaker.

It was that familiar low, rumbled voice of the demon within the portal. The portal which wasn’t disappearing like the demons. It was steady and open, the arm and hand not reaching through.

The group stared in dawning horror. They had pushed all of their magic into that battle against Henry. It was supposed to be over. But the demon was still here… and the queens had a terrible feeling he was stronger than Henry.

“How… we defeated Henry!” Kat was the one who asked, fear in her eyes. They were all already tired from the fight with Henry.

“You defeated the king… but he is not the source of my power. He only opened this gate. He does not sustain it.” The demon answered rather ominously.

“Well we’ll defeat you just like we did Henry.” Anna declared, earning determined looks and readied weapons from the others.

The demon hummed, seeming intrigued by their response. “So you won’t give up the easy way… very well.” Then his voice took on a dangerous edge. “I will not be trapped here forever. I will have that core and I will rule! What makes you think six humans and elves can defeat me?”

“Because you aren’t at full power… You need my magic. The magic I took back from you. Get it if you can.” Cathy tilted her head challengingly.

The monster let out a roar, the giant hand exiting the portal reaching almost desperately for her. Cathy lunges out of the way, sprinting across the room. The hand only followed.

All six of the queens leapt into action.

All they could really do against the demon was spells and their weapons. Cathy kept distracting it, but it was clear the woman was still exhausted and the others had to step in to protect her multiple times.

The battle went on for a while. The group was getting more and more tired.

They needed to end this soon. And that thought led to them getting more reckless.

Anna was sent to the wall by a fist. Jane was slapped aside. Kat was sent to the floor. Catalina was hit away after defending Cathy with her shield.

Anne tried to grab onto the hand but was quickly thrown back. She went sprawling across the floor and could only lay there as the wind was knocked out of her.

After a moment, the rogue pushed herself up to sit and found herself in a mess of books and papers. Her eyes locked onto one in seconds.

Henry’s book.

She crawled over, the noises of fighting still blaring behind her. She flicked through the pages as quick as she could, looking for what she needed.

Surely there would be a failsafe—

And there was. One of the last pages Anne found the spell. She thanked the gods for the sheer luck shining down on her.

The spell required a shadow creature. Including shadow elves.

Anne quickly began following the instructions, sweat dripping down her brow at the pressure as she grabbed a blank sheet from a fallen stack of parchment.

She inhaled sharply at the next direction but grabbed her dagger. Anne pricked her pointer finger on her right hand. Not just a little prick either, enough so the amount of blood she needed would come out.

From there, she began writing on the parchment with her blood. She followed the design as written on the paper.

What was she making? A seal.

Anne looked at the next instruction and cursed. She needed to place the seal on an open wound of the demon’s.

First problem, she needed to get close enough. Second problem, she needed to place the seal before the hand could pull back into the portal.

But there was not time to think further. Anne finally brought her attention back to the battle and froze.

The others had been cornered.

Cathy was behind them, a magic shield covering the entire group. But it was close to breaking, the wizard still tired from having her core removed, only making it fade faster.

Anne scrambled to her feet, blood still dripping from her fingertip as she hurriedly hid the seal. She stood between the demon and the group right before the hand would have passed through the shield.

“STOP!”

The demon hissed, hand pulling back. “Who are you to tell me to stop, shadow creature?!”

“You forgot something!” Anne yelled out. She kept the seal carefully hidden from the demon’s sight.

The demon growled. “And what is that, creature?”

“You need a vessel.” Anne told him, eyes narrowed.

The queens behind her began to protest but were quieted by the demon growling. “What are you suggesting, creature?”

“Me.”

The demon paused, actually seeming taken aback. “I can easily take the king.”

“But wouldn’t a shadow creature such as myself suit your needs better?” Anne’s heart felt like it was about to explode from her chest.

The demon regarded her. “And why do you suggest this?”

“A deal.” Anne said clearly. “My friends get to go free and live happy lives. You don’t destroy the kingdom… only control it. Like the king you are… my…”

Anne hesitated for a moment before dropping to one knee and bowing her head. “My king…”

“ANNE!”

“ANNIE DON’T!”

The demon was quiet for a moment. “A deal… and what makes me know this isn’t a trick?”

Anne’s mouth felt dry as she spoke. She didn’t want to give this monster praises. But she would do what she needed to do. “My king. I swear to you that this is no trick. I have no way of proving it besides telling you that. I see now… your power. The sheer power you hold is infinite compared to ours, my king.”

The queens gave more protests, but Anne paid them no mind.

Anne kept her head bowed and stayed on her knee submissively. “I humbly beg of you. Spare my friends. I will be your vessel to allow you to rule this kingdom however you see fit. I know now I cannot win, my king… we… we have lost…”

The demon actually seemed pleased with this turn of events. A happy sounding rumble escaped through the portal as he took in the kneeling shadow elf. “You were so eager to fight against me earlier… but now you have seen the error of your ways?”

“Yes, my king.”

“What are you to me, creature?”

Anne inhales sharply. “I am a lowly servant, my king. The vessel that allows you to take this world you rightfully deserve. I plead again—!”

“Do not speak out of turn!” The demon bellowed, making Anne flinch. “You answered what you were asked. Now be quiet.”

“... yes, my king.”

The demon only seemed further swayed by this. “Good…” He looked to the other queens, who were wide eyed and horrified. “You ask me to spare this group? Let them live happy lives?”

“Yes, my king.”

“Yes… this is doable…” The demon rumbled. “The wizard… she will still have to be my sacrifice.”

Anne froze at that, but carefully managed to speak, eyes still trained on the floor. “Are you—?”

“Questioning me?”

“... no, My king. I understand. Thank you for sparing the others.”

The others were yelling again. But through the blood rushing in her brain and focusing solely on the demon’s words she couldn’t make out what they were saying. It was probably a good thing… Anne didn’t think she could go through with this if she heard their words exactly.

Now it was even trickier than before, if that was possible. Anne couldn’t let Cathy be killed first.

But an idea ticked in her brain… And Anne went for it. It was the only idea she had left.

“My king…” There was a low growl and Anne froze again, holding her breath.

“Speak.” The demon finally relented.

“The shadow realm… while you take the core, I want to see what it is like.”

Please please please please—

“... you have already made many demands of me, creature.”

“I know, my king. And I am grateful for all you will do for a lowly servant. One who fought against you at that… who insulted you. This is the last thing I request. I want to see my ancestor’s home. I want it to be the last thing I see before I become your vessel…”

The silence was deafening. Anne couldn’t see the queens, but she could feel their tension light up the room, mixing with the sheer anxiety and fear swirling within her.

“Very well.”

Anne carefully hid the relieved breath that left her lips. “Thank you, my king.”

The demon rumbled. “Yes… you have turned around. Realized your true calling despite your fighting. To serve me. I will give you your last wishes… what am I to you creature?” The demon either took sick satisfaction in hearing her answer or he was trying to make sure… perhaps both.

Anne felt two single tears roll down her cheeks now. The relief, the fear, the adrenaline was pushing into her with all its force now. “A lowly servant, my king… the vessel that allows you, my king, to reach his right to rule.”

“Good…” A dark chuckle escaped the demon. “Come. I will bring you to your home…”

The hand reached through the portal again. This was it… now or never…

Anne waited, her heart fluttering the rate of a hummingbird’s. She couldn’t screw this up. She had gotten this far. There was no turning back now.

Closer.

Closer.

Almost…

Now!

In a flash, Anne’s dagger cut across the palm of the demon’s giant hand. Shadow magic crossed with the dagger, making the slice bigger.

“TRAITOR!” The demon roared. The walls shook under the volume.

The hand began to pull back into the portal, but Anne leapt after it. She pulled the seal out and with half a second to spare, slammed it on the black blooded wound.

The demon howled at that. The hand spasmed as the seal in its entirety disappeared. The queens could only gape and move out of it’s range as the portal around the hand began to close.

The demon continued to curse and rage. “YOU DAMN CREATURE! NO! NO! ONE DAY! ONE DAY YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS! I WILL HAVE MY VENGEANCE!”

Henry was waking up. He slowly pushed himself up, taking in the scene before him. His wounds covered him head to toe but he quickly figured out what was going on as the shadows swarmed and the portal closed further and further.

“NO! THE POWER!” He roared, rushing forward.

But then, the demon turned on him. He hand grabbed him and Henry paled immediately, regretting it as he tried to claw from the grip.

“NO WAIT, PLEASE!” Henry shrieked as he was dragged back across the ground.

“You couldn’t keep your side of the deal, you will be my prisoner for eternity!” The demon roared.

The queens could only stare in shock as Henry was dragged down into the portal. He let out one final call for help…

And then the portal closed.

The six could only stare at the portal stunned.

“Holy shit...” Anne couldn’t help but whisper.

“Did… did we just win?” Anna finally asked, breathing heavy.

“I… we did.” Cathy was still staring at where the portal had once been. “We won.”

Anne let out a breath she didn’t know she had been holding and let herself fall backwards. She heard several yelps at her sudden fall and stumbled footsteps towards her.

“I’m okay… I’m okay… I just need a minute after that.” Anne mumbled, closing her eyes.

There were sighs of relief and then one by one, Anne felt bodies join her. Catalina holding her close but loosely. The group had quickly formed a pile, exhaustion taking over.

“Don’t ever do that again…” Catalina whispered. “That was so stupid… yet so, so brave.”

“I don’t plan on it… I swear…” Anne replied, already drifting off.

They laid that way for hours, until the ladies found them, simply resting and sleeping. That was all they needed right now.

It was finally over.