16. the noble guardian

PROLOGUE | STOLEN MOON | WANING CRESCENT | SACRED SANDS | FALLEN SELENE | EPILOGUE

The Noble Guardian

Donofrey has ascended into near madness with his power proclaiming that he cannot be harmed and he fears nothing. John again observes that Donofrey seems out of breath as he speaks. His clothing has been ripped though allowing for his skin to show. Aletheia states this is their only chance to turn him to diamond. People watch in horror and he claims that they need not be afraid as he will soon rule over them. Aletheia runs behind him. John yells to her as she thrusts her hand at his back. The Black Jester cries out in pain as his arm is turned completely to diamond up to his shoulder with shards near his neck.

He swings his diamond arm and knocks Aletheia away and turns to her. Her left antler is broken. He looks at her and begins to see that she has no love for him. She does not love him as he has loved her. He tells her that he must show her the feelings that she has instilled in him. The pain that she has caused him. He advances on Aletheia but is tackled by John into the fountain. John removes the Jester's weapon and proceeds to hold his head under water. Donofrey fights back but to no avail. During brief moments above water Donofrey becomes increasingly desperate first asking for John to stop then pleading for him not to kill him.

John ignores his pleas and continues to drown him until he hears that Donofrey is clearly sobbing that he doesn't want to die. Donofrey is truly terrified of death as he is sobbing and crying. Aletheia puts her hand on John and he stops. He composes himself to see everyone looking at him including the townspeople.John throws the Jester out of the fountain where Donofrey falls coughing and hacking up water. The people of the city, the Soldiers, the King, Aletheia and John are around the area as Donofrey continues to cry pitifully. He looks up and recoils as John advances on him and in his madness he sees a black stallion with wings. He begins to cry out again as soldiers chain him and bind his feet when he falls to his knees begging. John is exhausted and is helped by Aletheia.

The King addresses the townspeople and states that they have nothing to fear from The Black Jester. He has been defeated by the High Champion of Selene. He looks to John Noble and declares him the Noble Guardian who will protect them from now on. Aletheia raises John's hand to them as they cheer. Outside of the city soldiers are still fleeing where a raven sits on a tree overlooking the city and the spectacle. It has a scar across its breast and wing where no feathers grow. It then flies off.

END OF FALLEN SELENE ARC