Chapter 32: Transparency

The arena was bathed in the dim light of the setting sun, casting long shadows across the broken remnants of the palace. Edith stood at one end, her ceremonial blade gleaming in the fading light, while Valentin, the president, stood at the other, his eyes narrowed with malice.

The air crackled with tension as they circled each other, each waiting for the other to make the first move. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, Valentin lunged forward, his blade flashing in the air. Edith barely had time to react, parrying his strike with a swift movement of her own blade.

Their swords clashed again and again, the sound of metal ringing out across the deserted courtyard. Edith fought with all her strength, her mind focused on one thing – bringing down the corrupt leader who had brought so much suffering to her people.

But Valentin was a skilled fighter, his movements fluid and precise. He pressed his advantage, driving Edith back with each strike. She felt the sting of his blade as it sliced through her defenses, leaving shallow cuts on her arms and shoulders.

Pain flared through Edith's body, but she refused to falter. She gritted her teeth against the agony, her determination fueling her every move. With a fierce cry, she launched herself at Valentin, her blade slashing through the air with deadly accuracy.

For a moment, it seemed as though she might gain the upper hand, but then Valentin countered with a swift kick to her stomach, sending her crashing to the ground. Edith gasped for breath, her vision swimming as she struggled to rise.

Valentin loomed over her, his sword raised high, ready to deliver the final blow. But then, amidst the haze of pain and exhaustion, Edith heard a familiar voice calling out to her.

"Fight Edith! Fight!" Zain's voice echoed in her ears, followed by the cries of her other teammates.

With renewed determination, Edith forced herself to her feet, her muscles screaming with effort. She locked eyes with Valentin, her gaze filled with defiance.

"You will not defeat me," she said, her voice filled with venom.

She launched herself at Valentin once more, her blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Their swords clashed with a resounding clang, each strike fuelled by the weight of their shared history and the countless lives lost in their struggle for power.

For what felt like an eternity, they fought on, the world around them fading away until there was only the sound of their blades ringing out in the silence. And then, in a moment of clarity, Edith saw her chance.

With a swift movement, she disarmed Valentin, sending his blade clattering to the ground. She stood over him, her sword poised at his throat, victory within her grasp.

As Edith stood over Valentin, her blade poised at his throat, doubt gnawed at her insides. She felt the weight of the sword in her hand, the cold metal a stark reminder of the choice she was about to make. She didn't want to kill anyone; she didn't want that blood on her hands.

Images flashed before her eyes – the faces of her fallen comrades, the innocent lives lost in the wake of Valentin's tyranny. She had fought so hard, and sacrificed so much, to bring justice to her people. But now, faced with the opportunity to end it all, she hesitated.

With a cruel smile, he lunged forward, his own blade finding its mark. Pain exploded through Edith's chest as the sword pierced her flesh, sending shockwaves of agony radiating through her body.

No! This was not what she had fought for, she’d studied, she’d fought and now she was going to kill. For the idea, the semblance of her nation, she now had to build. 

With a scream of agony, anger, and hatred, so she took her last ounce of strength and took her blade slicing it across Valentin’s throat. 

Blood sprayed across the ground as he fell, his life slipping away with each ragged breath. And in that moment, as Edith stood over the fallen tyrant, she knew that she had made her choice.

She had sacrificed everything for the sake of her people, and though the cost had been great, she had emerged victorious. With a weary sigh, she collapsed to her knees, the weight of her actions settling heavily upon her.

But amidst the pain and exhaustion, there was also a sense of peace – for she knew that she had done what needed to be done. And as she closed her eyes, she offered a silent prayer of thanks to her fallen comrades, knowing that their sacrifice had not been in vain.

Just as the darkness was about to consume her she felt hands on her face, and arms pulling her towards or maybe away from something. Pain radiated throughout her body, and she whimpered wishing that whoever was moving her would stop.

As Zain's hands pressed against Edith's face, he could feel the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips, a stark contrast to the cold, unforgiving reality of their surroundings. Pain radiated through her body, and he winced at the sound of her whimper, wishing desperately that he could take away her suffering.

"Stay with me, Edith," he murmured softly, his voice filled with desperation and fear. He could see the life slowly fading from her eyes, and it filled him with a sense of dread, unlike anything he had ever felt before.

“We did it, Edith, we did it and we need you to help us with the aftermath.” He said moving her bloodstained bangs out of her face, his finger going over the arch of her eyebrow.

With a sense of urgency, Zain glanced around, his eyes locking with those of his teammates. They had managed to take down the guards and secure the area, but their victory felt hollow in the face of Edith's immediate danger.

"We need help!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the chaos. "Get the medics, now!"

The rebel leaders sprang into action, rushing to call for medical assistance as Zain and the rest of the team worked frantically to stabilize Edith's condition. With each passing moment, her breathing grew shallower, her pulse weaker, and Zain felt a sense of panic rising within him.

Montana’s hands shook as he ripped off a piece of his shirt stuffing the wound. The blade had been ripped out of her, and now she was effectively bleeding out. Cian and Kasey were running around trying to block off the area from any rebels or overly excited civilians. 

Markus's jaw clenched tightly as he watched Zain cradle Edith in his arms. Anger surged through him like a raging storm. Edith was like a little sister to him, and seeing her so vulnerable, so close to death, ignited a fury within him that he couldn't contain. Without thinking, he let out a scream of frustration and anguish, the sound echoing through the wreckage of the palace. It was a guttural cry of pain and desperation, a manifestation of the overwhelming fear and helplessness he felt in that moment. He wanted to rush to her side, to do something, anything, to save her, but he knew he couldn't. All he could do was stand there, fists clenched at his sides, and watch as Zain gave Edith away to safety, his heart heavy with the weight of his powerlessness.

As the medics arrived and began to whisk Edith away to surgery, Zain moved to follow, his heart pounding with fear. But when they stopped him at the door, "Sorry sir, only family permitted." He felt a surge of desperation welling up inside him.

"I'm her husband," Zain blurted out, his voice hoarse with emotion. It was a lie, a desperate ploy to be by her side in her moment of need. But as he met the eyes of his teammates, he saw understanding and determination mirrored in their gaze.

As Zain was left in the waiting room, his heart raced with anxiety. He felt a mix of guilt and relief at his teammates' understanding, knowing that they trusted him to be there for Edith. Yet, as he sat alone in the sterile hospital waiting room, his mind was consumed with worry for her. Minutes felt like hours as he anxiously waited for any news.

Meanwhile, in the operating room, the medical team worked frantically to save Edith's life. She lay on the operating table, her body pale and still, surrounded by a flurry of activity. The surgeons meticulously assessed the damage, their skilled hands moving with precision as they began the delicate process of repairing her injuries.

One surgeon stepped forward, his voice calm and authoritative as he directed the team. "We need to reconstruct the damaged tissue around the heart," he instructed, his tone urgent. "Prepare for bypass, and set up the ECMO machine."

The medical team sprang into action, following his orders with practiced efficiency. Tubes and wires snaked around the operating room as monitors beeped rhythmically, tracking Edith's vital signs. With each passing moment, the tension in the room grew, the weight of responsibility heavy on the shoulders of the medical staff.

As the surgery progressed, there were moments of uncertainty, moments when it seemed as though Edith's life hung in the balance. But the surgeons pressed on, their determination unwavering as they fought to save her. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the lead surgeon stepped back, a look of exhaustion and relief on his face.

"We've stabilized her," he announced, his voice filled with quiet triumph. "But she's not out of the woods yet. We'll need to keep a close eye on her in the ICU."

With a collective sigh of relief, the medical team began to close up the incision, their movements methodical and precise. As Edith was wheeled out of the operating room and into the intensive care unit, Zain’s eyes watered with relief, as he took a seat next to her, taking her hand. “You’re okay, and it’ll be a bit until you’re one hundred percent, but the team will be here with you every step of the way.” 

With Edith still in the ICU, the team knew they had to act fast to maintain order and continuity in Crocaria. Kasey rallied their allies and contacts, pulling together teams to help clean up the wreckage of the palace and restore order to the city. Rebel leaders, military officials, and even some government sympathizers joined forces to assist in the cleanup efforts, all united in their desire to see Crocaria emerge from this crisis stronger than before.

Meanwhile, in a hastily arranged press conference, the team stood before a crowd of reporters and cameras, their faces grim but determined. Markus stepped forward to address the gathered crowd, his voice steady despite the weight of the situation.

"Ladies and gentlemen," he began, "as you all know, today has been a day of tragedy and upheaval for our nation. But even in the face of adversity, we remain steadfast in our commitment to restoring peace and justice to Crocaria."

He went on to explain the events that had unfolded, from Edith's duel with Valentin to her current condition in the ICU. The reporters listened intently, their pens scratching furiously as they took notes.

"Our priority now," Markus continued, "is to ensure a smooth transition of power during Edith's recovery. Legally, she is the president of Crocaria, but given her condition, an interim president will be necessary."

He turned to look at his teammates, a silent understanding passing between them. "We believe that Cameron Jones would be the most suitable candidate for this role," he declared, his voice firm.

A reporter raised her hand, her brow furrowed with concern. "How can we be sure that this won't just happen again?" she asked, her voice tinged with skepticism. "What's to stop another corrupt leader from taking power and leading us down the same path?"

Cian stepped forward, his expression resolute. "That's a valid concern," he replied, his voice carrying across the crowd. "But I believe we can prevent it from happening again by implementing a new system of transparency and accountability."

He paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing. "Under this new system, every scandal, every wrongdoing within the government will be made public knowledge. There will be no more covering up corruption or sweeping it under the rug. Instead, we will shine a light on it for all to see."

The reporter nodded, her expression thoughtful as she processed Cian's proposal. "But how can we ensure that this system is enforced?" she pressed.

Cian met her gaze, his eyes burning with determination. "We will establish independent oversight committees to monitor the government's actions and hold them accountable," he explained. "These committees will have the authority to investigate any allegations of corruption and ensure that justice is served."

As he spoke, a sense of hope began to spread through the crowd. It was a bold proposal, but it offered a glimmer of possibility – a chance to break free from the cycle of corruption and build a better future for Crocaria. As Cian concluded his answer, the reporter nodded in agreement, her skepticism giving way to cautious optimism.

The reporters erupted into a flurry of questions, but Zain held up a hand to silence them. "We understand that there are many questions still unanswered," he said, "but rest assured, we are working tirelessly to ensure a stable future for our country."

With that, the press conference concluded, and the team set to work on the next phase of their plan. As they stepped out into the bright sunlight, they knew that the road ahead would be difficult, but they also knew that they had each other – and that together, they would overcome whatever challenges lay ahead.

K.M Strunk