At the same moment, Isiea stabs him in the back.

Machina's lips gaped in a soundless scream. He arched his head back, still screaming, and green shoots erupted from his mouth, spreading down his neck. A strange pulse of energy, like an electrical jolt, coursed through Lise's body. The cable flung her away; the same went for Ash, his sword lying on the floor near Ethan's cage.

Isiea backs away immediately, staring at Machina with a look of pure hatred.

(bye yalls Lise is dead lmao)

Lise was somehow not knocked unconscious, buf she was quite weak. She looked up, watching Machina to make sure he died.

(Not dead, just hurt.)

Machina still writhed in his prison, but weakly. Branches grew from his chest, his cables turning into vines that bloomed with tiny white flowers. As they watched, he split apart, as the trunk of a brand-new oak burst from his chest, rising into the air. The Bluetooth phone dropped from the branches and lay, winking, at the roots of the tree.

That seemed pretty dead to her. Her eyes widened as she watched it.

She watches him silently.

Ash staggered upright, holding his shoulder, dark blood streaming down his skin. Behind him, the door burst open, and dozens of knights poured inside. For a moment, they froze in shock, staring at their king in the center of the garden. And Ethan was still in his cage, crying out

Lise glanced at the guards, then slowly climbed to her feet over to Ethan.

Isiea stares out at them calmly. She isnt sure whether or not they knew Machina intended to make them queens, but it seems like they probably didnt.