The woman was tall, imposing. She crossed her arms, fixing Alita with a resolute gaze.
"What I said about finding the priestess still stands," she declared firmly, "but only if we make it out of this alive."
Alita couldn't help but notice her height—she was much taller than the butler, Mok.
"Wow, Galatea, you really are tall," she remarked in awe. "Well, your daughters are too."
Galatea smiled with pride.
"Of course they are. They're my daughters, after all. That's how we Fuertelians are—tall and strong. The downside is, they didn't inherit my intelligence. They're reckless, just like their father. I told them not to try rescuing me… but you know how they are."
She shook her head, as if brushing the thought aside, and her tone grew more serious.
"Now, we need to free others."
Alita, who had been silently observing, pointed toward a nearby machine.
"Ma'am, I think those color-changing machines might be powering the cells."
Galatea nodded decisively.
"Good thinking, girl. Show me where it is."
Alita gestured toward a metallic structure flickering with intermittent lights. Without hesitation, Galatea grabbed the metal bars that had confined her for so long and, with a precise motion, hurled them like a spinning disc. The bars struck the machine, which exploded in a shower of sparks. The cell doors on the floor began to creak open, and the shackles binding the prisoners to a massive wheel clattered to the ground.
"You can stop now, my sisters," Galatea announced, her voice strong and clear. "Your lady is back in the fight!"
The freed women looked at her with admiration and gratitude.
"Good," Galatea continued. "Do the same on the other floors. I'll handle the first one."
Without waiting for a response, she scooped Alita into her arms and dashed down the stairs to the first level. There, they found another similar machine, surrounded by cables and glowing tubes. Galatea picked up a rock from the ground and hurled it with force at the device. It shattered into pieces, releasing the last of the prisoners.
One of them—a dark-haired woman with a fierce gaze, bound by a retractable rope—lunged at Alita, ready to attack. But Galatea stopped her with a commanding gesture.
"Easy, Nomak. She's a friend. She came to save us."
Nomak frowned, still wary.
"How so, ma'am? She's wearing the Yellow Shadows' uniform. She's the enemy."
Galatea shook her head and placed a reassuring hand on Nomak's shoulder.
"Look at her closely, Nomak. She's one of us. From our own kind—our own realm of avocados."
Nomak studied Alita more carefully, recognizing familiar features. Finally, she lowered her guard.
"I'm sorry, ma'am. I've been locked up for so long… I guess I've gone a little feral."
Galatea stroked her head gently.
"It's alright. It's understandable."
With everyone freed, the women gathered on the first floor. Alita turned to Galatea expectantly.
"How many soldiers are outside?" the leader asked.
"Well, there were ten, but we knocked one out. So that leaves nine," Alita replied.
Nomak let out a disdainful laugh.
"Bah! They underestimate us. That badger left only ten guards and these machines to keep us under control. A grave mistake."
Another woman chimed in eagerly.
"Come on, Lady Galatea! Let's take down those nine fools right now!"
Galatea raised a hand to calm them.
"Easy. It's better to use the element of surprise—just like Alita did. She took a huge risk coming here alone. Why did you do it?" she asked the young woman.
Alita lowered her gaze for a moment before answering.
"Your daughters told me you might help me save my friends… if I helped rescue you first."
Galatea nodded slowly, understanding.
"Ah, I see. And I suppose I know where your friends are, don't I? With that viper, Troba."
Alita clenched her fists, recalling what had happened.
"Yes. We got there, and they controlled them with their music… and that horrid voice."
Galatea's fists tightened, her knuckles turning white with restrained fury.
"Don't even get me started, girl. That's how they captured my husband and sons—just like they did to all the men in the realm," she muttered through gritted teeth, her tone heavy with resentment.
Alita nodded with determination.
"Alright, then. Let's head out… but with style," she proposed, quickly explaining her plan.
She donned the yellow uniform once more and stepped outside, feigning weakness. In a trembling voice, she called out:
"Comrade! I don't feel well… help me."
The guard assigned to watch her approached without suspicion, but as soon as he crossed the threshold, he found himself surrounded by all the women of Fuertelia. His eyes widened in shock as he saw them, ready for battle.
"We're not going to hurt you… not yet," Galatea said with a cold smile, crossing her arms.
The man took a nervous step back and, just as Galatea had instructed, shouted outside:
"Soldiers! I need backup! Something's wrong with the machines!"
Eight more soldiers rushed in, alerted by the call. But the moment they entered, they were too surrounded. They tried to fight, drawing their swords, but the warriors hardened their bodies like stone and struck back with precise movements. One by one, the soldiers fell, knocked out by the women's own hands.
"Done. Piece of cake," Galatea declared with satisfaction as she led the way out of the tower.
All the women stopped in front of Alita, looking at her with gratitude. One of them raised her arm and shouted:
"Hip, hip, hooray! For our friend who helped us escape—Alita!"
"Hip, hip, hooray! Hip, hip, hooray!" the others echoed, cheering for the young woman.
Suddenly, two figures emerged from the shadows, running toward them and shouting:
"Mom!"
It was Maxin and Ragil, who threw themselves into Galatea's arms, tears in their eyes.
From the rooftop of a nearby house, Pax watched the scene, unseen by the warriors. She murmured to herself:
"Not bad, girl. Not bad at all."
Maxin and Ragil approached Alita, thanking her for saving their mother and their companions.
"And your friend? Where is he?" Maxin asked curiously.
Alita chuckled softly.
"I don't know. Maybe he's hiding somewhere, acting like a coward… or maybe he's afraid of your mother and others."
A familiar voice rang out behind her:
"Ha, ha. I'm right here."
The warriors spun around instantly, surrounding Pax with threatening stances. He tensed his hand over the hilt of his sword, ready to draw it.
"No, no! Easy, ladies. He's with me," Alita intervened quickly, easing the tension in the air.
Galatea raised an eyebrow, still wary, but accepted Alita's word.
"Fine," she said simply.
As they walked, Alita shared her story—her search for the scepter pieces, her encounter with Pax, and everything they had been through up to that moment. Nomak listened intently and remarked:
"Well, that's quite a touching story."
Alita looked at her in surprise.
"I didn't think something like that could make you emotional."
Galatea interjected with a small smile.
"She has a good heart."
With everything cleared up, Galatea spoke firmly:
"We're not done yet. We need to free our men from the influence of that badger, Troba. It's time to strike."
"Yes!" they all responded in unison, determined.
Pax, ever sarcastic, asked with a sharp tone:
"And why didn't you attack earlier when you were all together?"
An older woman, dignified and wise-eyed, answered:
"Because Troba cast some kind of spell on our men. They turned against us, cornering us and calling that badger their mistress. That's why we let our guard down and surrendered… We weren't going to fight our husbands, fathers, sons, or our king."
Galatea added respectfully:
"She is Queen Strongia."
Alita looked at the elderly woman in astonishment.
"The queen?"
"Yes, my queen," Galatea confirmed, bowing before her. The others followed suit, kneeling in a show of loyalty.
Queen Strongia observed them calmly and said:
"Rise, daughters. Surrendering is not the way of warriors. Now we have a second chance. Let's go after that badger and show her who rules this realm."
"Yes!" they all shouted in unison, their voices filled with determination.
"Well then, girl," Strongia said, addressing Alita in a tone that carried both pride and trust, "you can make a plan. I'll teach you everything you need to know about the palace."
Alita felt honored. How could she not, after such a feat?
"Of course," she replied, blushing slightly under the admiring gazes of the others.
"Bah! Show-off," Pax muttered from behind, crossing his arms.
Ignoring his comment, Alita, growing more confident, took the lead.
"First, we need weapons. Then, we'll move in with caution and precision—take the bull by the horns, like that saying I learned. Troba won't even know what hit her."
Maxin and Ragil exchanged worried glances.
"You're scaring me a little," Maxin admitted, while Ragil wondered if success had gone to Alita's head.
Nomak, ever practical, led a group to gather weapons near a large barn. Though the people of Fuertelia were already strong and could harden their bodies to withstand blows, extra tools were always useful. Along with weapons, they brought ropes and other handy supplies.
Alita spoke with Queen Strongia, evaluating which entrance was the least guarded. The elder listened attentively before responding:
"That badger is cunning, but also naive. She thought bringing only a handful of guards to a city full of hand-to-hand warriors would be a cheap gamble—but now she'll see."
The queen paused, her gaze filled with determination.
"Normally, we focus only on combat and direct confrontation—we even hold contests for it. But after seeing what you did, girl, it's time to prioritize reason and strategy over brute force."
Alita peered through a pair of binoculars and pointed toward a side door.
"What do you think about entering through there? Hardly anyone is guarding it."
Galatea smiled approvingly.
"Those are the old royal catacombs. Perfect, girl."
"Alright, then we'll go in through there," Alita declared with resolve, "while another group, led by Nomak, creates a distraction at the front."
The distraction team was ready. Nomak led her group to the main area, hurling rocks at the soldiers. Seeing the freed women, the guards immediately called for reinforcements.
Troba, lounging comfortably on the king's lap—who looked more dead than alive—frowned in irritation. Beside her, the prince of the realm massaged her feet, whispering praises about her beauty.
"Take down those lunatics! I've had enough of them! Who let them out? Go, now!" Troba ordered her troops' commander, waving her hand dismissively.
Meanwhile, Alita and her group watched from the shadows as the soldiers rushed after Nomak's team. It was the perfect opportunity. Moving stealthily, they slipped into the catacombs.
Once inside, Pax lit a torch with his signature blue flame, illuminating the path. The catacombs were vast and majestic, filled with sculptures of Fuertelia's ancient kings and queens. The stone figures seemed to watch in silence, their carved eyes reflecting the torch's dim glow.
Queen Strongia walked alongside them, still vigorous despite her age. She wore a light outfit and carried a sword at her hip. Her presence commanded respect, and her knowledge of the palace was crucial in guiding them through secret passages and hidden chambers.
Finally, they reached the royal quarters.
Alita moved cautiously through the palace corridors, her mind torn between the unfolding plan and her concern for her companions.
"Where could Paltio and the others be?" she wondered silently.
Queen Strongia, ever perceptive, answered as if she had read her thoughts:
"Most likely, they're in the royal chamber."
Pax, impatient as always, scoffed in disdain.
"Bah! I'll go investigate on my own," he said before breaking away from the group, vanishing into the shadows without waiting for a response.
Meanwhile, Alita and the others continued following Queen Strongia through the royal corridors leading directly to the king's chamber. Upon entering, they found the king seated on his bed, nearly drained of energy—his body limp, his gaze vacant.
"Husband!" the queen exclaimed, rushing to his side. She tried to rouse him, but he was barely conscious, teetering on the edge of unconsciousness.
His son, the prince, lay sprawled on the floor, just as weak.
The queen clenched her fists, her rage barely contained.
"What has that wretched woman done to you?! Answer me! Please, be alright…"
Galatea, ever efficient, ordered her daughters to lift both men onto the bed. Then, the queen turned to them with firm resolve.
"Find that scoundrel, Troba. I will stay here and tend to my family."
Galatea nodded with determination, and alongside her daughters and Alita, set off to hunt down Troba.
Elsewhere in the palace, Paltio and his companions remained shackled against the wall, bound by heavy chains. Troba stood before them, looking restless.
"I'm losing strength… I need to feel young again," she murmured to herself as she prepared to drain Paltio's energy. "Time for my daily dose. Another day has passed…"
The device on Paltio's wrist marked seven days in total.
But just as she was about to act, a mocking voice echoed through the chamber:
"Ugly? So you're the one behind all this?"
It was Pax, who had been investigating on his own. He had stumbled upon a room with a large mirror, touched it out of curiosity, and discovered a hidden passage. Following that, he arrived at the chamber where Paltio and the others were being held—though he quickly realized they weren't alone.
Troba whipped around toward the source of the voice.
"Who's there?" she demanded, her tone sharp and threatening.
Pax ducked behind a nearby staircase, trying to stay out of sight. But, to his misfortune, Troba was faster than he had anticipated. In the blink of an eye, the badger appeared before him and, with a precise strike, knocked him out cold.
"Damn… she's fast," Pax muttered before losing consciousness, now at Troba's mercy.
The badger grinned wickedly as she studied her new victim.
"What are you doing here, Red Shadow? That suit of yours would raise too many questions if I killed you right now. Besides… where is the prince you came up with?"
Troba furrowed her brow, intrigued. She stepped closer to Pax, inspecting her carefully.
"You've seen what I can do, but something puzzles me… Why isn't my power controlling you like others? What are you?"
With morbid curiosity, Troba reached for Pax's helmet, attempting to remove it.
What she saw left her speechless.
"Well, well… This changes everything," she said, bursting into manic laughter, her eyes gleaming with a mix of surprise and delight.