Animator vs Animation: The Dark Web

Chapter 4: The Return of The Dark Lord

Queen of Hearts, finally acknowledging the figures around her, let out a sigh. "Hm... now that reminds me..." Then, she sharply clapped her hands together. "Officials! Start the ceremony!"

The five figures acted immediately, falling out from their spot and heading towards the curtain of vines in a single line. One by one, the gray-shaded figures departed, leaving only the hollowheads in the room.

After the figures left, Queen of Hearts shifted her full attention to The Dark Lord. She leaned in closer, looking at the scars on his body and then his face. She hovered her hand near the scars with a look that seemed almost like pity.

"Look at your form... Once so menacing, so unmistakable; it is now scarred right to the very core—thanks to him." Her eyes flicked to The Second Coming, which earned him a jolt. "I know of the pain you've been through, but don't you worry. We will restore your legacy."

She took a moment before flicking her wrist. The Second Coming watched as red strings faded in, wrapping around him in the air like a snake. The Dark Lord seemed to not notice the strings, his eyes solely locked on his own scars, but The Second Coming could see it all.

But something made Queen of Hearts stop, like she had an idea. "But..." She allowed the strings to loosen before they could tighten, leaving The Dark Lord confused. "How about I let you prove your own legacy first?"

Queen of Hearts shifted her gaze to The Second Coming and The Chosen One, a knowing look on her expression. Then, she released them from the binding strings around their bodies. The Chosen One dropped on the floor as The Second Coming scrambled to him, frantically glancing at the exit. But before they could move, Queen of Hearts summoned a ring of fire, sealing them in. The Dark Lord recoiled from the sound of the roar of fire, turning to lock eyes with The Chosen One and The Second Coming.

The Dark Lord froze. He didn't know how to react—with rage seeing the friend that betrayed him and the kid who killed him, or sorrow for getting to see The Chosen One again after being gone for years.

"The Dark Lord..." Queen of Hearts said, kneeling next to him.

He looked to Queen of Hearts, as if seeking an answer, a direction. She tilted her head ever so slightly with her gaze fixated on The Chosen One. Then, with one final command...

"Get them, and prove your worth. I want them gone."

At her command, The Dark Lord tensed. His eyes locked on them, clenching his fist as a ball of energy crackling with green electricity formed in his palm. The Chosen One barely had time to brace, but The Second Coming dragged him away at the last second before The Dark Lord hurled his arm. The energy crashed into the ring of fire, detonating on impact. The explosion sent out a shockwave, trembling the cavern and shattering nearby crystals.

The Second Coming narrowed his stare to Queen of Hearts, who had a cruel satisfaction in her posture. If it was a fight she wanted, then a fight she would get. His body coiled, readying to strike, even when he was at a clear disadvantage. He knew that he'd have to pass The Dark Lord in order to reach to Queen of Hearts, but The Second Coming wasn't going to back down now—for him and The Chosen One's sake.

Just as he was about to launch himself, The Chosen One unsteadily rose to his feet and raised an arm out in front of him. He met The Second Coming's gaze with resoluteness.

This was his fight.

The Second Coming hesitated. He reluctantly lowered his stance, pleading to at least take on this battle as a team. If The Second Coming can't fight it alone, what if it could be their fight together? With The Second Coming by his side, maybe he could do something. But The Chosen One dismissed him, now with a little impatience in his expression. He knew The Dark Lord better than anyone, and whatever Queen of Hearts has done to twist him more than he already was, he can face it. Alone.