>>5256536"NO!" Jumping at this height would make the ice crack further thanks to the weight of Griffith's jump, but disregarding all known laws of gravity, the layer of ice does not crack or even move as Femto effortlessly lands in an invisible shard of ice who crystallises at his feet, effectively walking on water to save Benny from imminent danger.
"Take my hand, child. To change the world with the sound of your songs is a noble wish, indeed."
As Benny is saved by Griffith and taken into his arms, you point the tip of your weapon to both him and Zodd.
"What the HELL are you doing here?" You nearly bust a vein in your forehead from seeing Grififth here.
"A familiar face lies present with his private army ready for the taking. After being warned of our activities when fighting in the capital, the master gladiator should be arriving at any moment." Zodd responds to you, while Griffith ignores you completely.
Your worst nightmares have been proven correct: They were waiting for Barnham to show up so they would know at which side he would fight for between The Falcon and the Kushan Empire.
"D-Do you mean it, M-Mister? Can someone with no use to an army stay strong to their side." Benny falls further into the swirl of manipulation schemes Griffith has under his tongue.
"Certainly. The best way to enforce that peace stays strong, is that the people stay diligent inside their autocracy. The civilians are the ones who suffer the most falling down the rabbit hole of war, while only a few on top stay happy in their power trip. Feeling validated on their accomplishments is what keeps the populous hopeful and loyal."
"YOU ARE ON YOUR WAY TO STARTING A WAR YOURSELF, MISERABLE FIEND! WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT THE SUFFERING OF THE LOWER CLASS?!" Your weapon stays raised against the two towering enemies. With Griffith's alien look into the stars making he remind himself of what happened to a child when he was once a human leader.
"Long ago, I recruited a young child under the falcon's wings, much like you, he had no prior proficiency with the sword, but it did not mean I didn't see value on him. No one remembered his name, he did not stand out from the crowd, but he treated me as some sort of deity when I was around... Seeing as I found his body clutched to a plush toy of a knight, I wondered if he died happy that day, for being part of his own story. Or perhaps, if I was the one who took his life."
"My dream was always to get out of poverty, to ascend into noblehood and have a castle of my own. But ensnaring non-combatants to my throne would be a mistake I would not repeat, after realising that not all are capable of holding their dreams on their own palms. You might not be a fighter, but you still have a place in the society I will aspire to create."
