S3:CH10

Kindred’s hood deepened on his face. It was as if all the light from the room avoided his eyes. He took a small breath of air while sitting, with the silence growing in the room. Lynx slowly turned towards the assassin. No one knew the truth about the past, and he was going to say it now. There was no other way to coat it.

“At the start of the year of 1570… We were ordered… It was… It was me who led the…”

Kindred tried to force his mouth, but his heart pulled his throat from trying to speak the truth about it. For years he hid this fact, even to the ones he loved. Even to his comrades. Even to his bestfriends. Even to his wife. He took an oath to the Black Valkyrie Regiment to never speak about this, yet here he sits to face what he has done.

“In order to bring justice, I will need to pay for what I’ve done, along with the other leaders, like Lady Astrid, Duke Adrien-”

“Even Geralt Magrin???” Lynx said, now standing up.

Gold’s eyes widened, making Aida look at him. His body shook, after hearing that name. He started breathing heavily, and he slowly backed out of the room.

“Gold?” Aida asked, but slowly and surely, he was trying to move out of the place. Gold suddenly walked away, moving out of the castle. Walks turned to strides. And strides turned to jogging. Until he started sprinting away from the castle.

“Gold wait!” Aida shouted, trying to chase her best friend. They sprinted across the town, with the people seeing a tall armored knight, making them step back and scurry across. Gold saw the scared eyes of the people. Everyone was trying to avoid him, and everyone was trying to steer clear off his path. 

“Gold!!! Talk to me!!!” Aida shouted, but she was shouting at a moving wall. She could tell that he was breathing quickly and heavily, not because of exhaustion, but because of something else. Fear. Panic. Anxiety.

They ended up in The Camp of Freedom - The Karthusian Camp of The Red Blood Regiment. For some reason however, there were members of the Clan of Aeryth. The Red Blood Regiment guards saw Gold running towards the gate, and everyone screamed as they feared the Crimson Knight. It was Gold anyways, and they did not want to mess with him.

They soon bumped into a very familiar face. Artemis saw the reaction of Gold and immediately held him. “Artemis?” Aida said, puzzled by the expression of the two.

“What happened?” Artemis asked, prompting Aida to immediately search for answers in her head. But the words dodged her mind, and her memories pulled her to the situation at hand. Something was wrong about Gold, and it was all she could think of.

Gold’s helmet started to leak with water, and he was starting to breathe in a shaking manner. Artemis’s face was taken aback. No. It could not be. They wouldn’t do that?

“Hey hey-hey! Sssshhhhh! It’s ok!” Artemis said, holding Gold’s hand and face. “Like I said before, you are not a monster. It’s over. That’s the past!”

“Sister.” Aida said in a stern voice, although her face was becoming paler than before. “Tell me what the hell is going on.”

Artemis stopped talking, but held her hand on Gold. She kept looking at her man, and to her, she knew she had to say the difficult answer. “I… I can’t.” The Aeryth member stood up, and held Gold gently to move him somewhere safe. “I’m sorry, sister.”

“What do you mean!?” Aida said, raising her voice, and slowly making the other Red Blood Regiment soldiers look at them. “Blood is thicker than water!”

Artemis stopped, then turned around to face Aida holding her stomach. Aida remembered, and felt the recurring shock enter her mind again.

“But love is unbreakable.” Artemis said, before turning again to walk away with Gold. The words hit Aida like a sprinting horse. Her comrades who were behind her saw everything, and saw how Gold kept on sobbing while being held by Artemis. The comrades felt guilty for being afraid of him. He was not a monster, but they feared him. Although they could not explain why that fear was present, they felt sorry.

—--

“Geralt will be an exception.” Kindred said, putting his hand on the table “He is long gone. There is no justice if we keep on bringing him back despite everything he has done to pay that debt.”

Minthe could not believe what she had just heard. The leader of the Gold Order. The primary general. The one who led the Ravenian knights to kill as many shifters in Ravena. She heard the tales. And after all that, he was not the one to pay for the crimes?

“Duke Adrien was the one who ordered the directive. Me and Geralt were only pawns who thought that we were doing what was right.” Kindred said, looking at Lynx in the eye. Kai’s eyes suddenly looked at Kindred. All his life, he thought it was a famine that killed the shifters. He has heard rumors that it was a genocide yes, but he usually brushed them off as conspiracy theories from people who have never studied in the academies of Karthus. Yet, this new knowledge was something uncharted to him. And Kindred participated in it? The one who led The Red Blood Regiment? The one who protected innocent shifters in Ravena against the Black Valkyrie Regiment and The Clan of Aeryth? The one who freed the north from the orcs? The one who fought for Democracy?

“We were young, and we didn’t know any better. I was 15 during that time, and I thought I was doing what was necessary for the greater good. Geralt was 14, and wanted to prove to the Magrins that he was worthy of being a prince.”

Kindred stopped, as if he ran out of things to say. There was no use in explaining it all now. He was going to be the monster that people paint him to be despite what he says. He tried to look at Kai, but he could see everything. The disbelief, the confusion, slowly turning to disgust. Kai was his student, his comrade, and his best friend. He trusted him, which is why he trusted his presence to be the next general of the Red Blood Regiment. But now, something was changing. He was not looking at him anymore. Kindred felt a crawling pain reach within his chest. It was starting to happen, even in this room. It was a stark revelation on what was to come for his life.

“Well then we better make this alliance quick now.” General Kai said while looking elsewhere, refusing to look at anyone in the room, especially at Kindred. “It’s only a matter of time before this…” He showed an empty glass bottle which still had a hint of green dust inside it. “...starts to consume us one by one.”

“Agreed.” General Lynx said, before turning to her side to hear someone walk towards the planning room. It was a man with a black mustache and a dark robe. He looked to be a nobleman, but he had hints on his clothes that he came from The Black Valkyrie Regiment. Wait no. The animal fur on his back. The embroidered jewelry on his arms and chest. This was not a soldier. It was a member of House Deschenel. As he took off his hood, it was clear who it was.

“Duke Adrien Deschenel?” General Lynx said, a bit confused about everything.

“You already started? I was supposed to be the one who represented The Black Valkyrie Regiment.” The Duke said, smiling while a bunch of BVR assassins walked to encircle the table. One of them was someone familiar. It was Ailyn. Minthe slowly reached for her bow, but Kindred put a foot on her leg to stop her. He then slightly shook his head, telling her that it was not worth it.

“Not anymore.” Kindred said, looking at him. “You were late. I had to be the one in charge.”

“Well certainly I should be. Not just because I am the Duke, but I can’t just leave my arrest in the open, can I?” Adrien said, while more and more BVR Assassins moved. “I read the agreement. I am not letting this one slip.”

“You are willing to fight against House Magrin for this?” Kindred said, making General Lynx stare at the assassins surrounding the table. “Suit yourself.”

A group of White Knights and Golden Eagle Guards moved inside, making the assassins back off for a bit. Duke Adrien smiled, and slowly chuckled. “You’ve learned how to use power well. I’m proud of you, son.”

“I am not your son.”

Adrien scoffed, before walking forward. The knights at the other side reached for their swords, but were immediately stopped by General Lynx when she raised her hand. “Don’t worry. I am not here to fight.” The nobleman said, before walking towards Kindred. “I am only here to be civil for my arrest.”

The Duke put his hands forward, offering them to Kindred. The leaders on the table were puzzled, but soon, Kindred took a rope and tied it on the Duke’s hands. Adrien then looked at Ailyn, who he then smiled at. “Oh! Silly me!” He said, before looking at the table. “How crude of me to not participate in the current topic of discussion.”

Everyone looked at him, and they saw his smirk as he was finished being tied up. The Duke however, was focused on Kindred.

“You were talking about not compromising who Geralt Magrin truly is? Well… I heard there was an individual who already knows who he is! She is a beautiful young woman working at the university….”

Kindred looked up, only to see the sickening grin of the nobleman. “By the name of Vivian Eldevoir Osiris.”

Kindred stared at his eyes, and slowly moved back. Vivian already knew he himself was involved, but he did not know that he knew that far.

“I will now order my forces for the 4th Directive Decree, to kill everyone who knows who Geralt Magrin is.”

Kindred immediately put a dagger near his throat, but hesitated to continue further. “Go on then, do it.” the Duke said. “Show them how the Crimson Hood of Ravena truly kills!”

Kai watched as he saw Kindred’s face in rage. He had fought with him against Ichikari, against Ebony, against the shifters, but this was new to him. It was not a battle or a war, but he saw Kindred lose his composure for the first time. But even through that, he somehow still held his emotions. The slight shock was over when the assassins encircling them started to run outside.

“Time’s running out, Mr. Osiris.” Adrien said, as he gleefully looked at Kindred breathing heavily as he watched the assassins sprint towards the direction towards his wife. A rumble suddenly erupted, causing the knights to suddenly look around. This was when General WIlliam suddenly came in and called everyone.

“The CSS is here!”

—--

"A few days ago...” Nathaniel paused for a second. He looked at the CSS soldiers inside the mothership, all dressed in olive green, with vests filled with crossbow bolts and other needed materials. They were ready for anything, and it showed with their discipline in remaining in an orderly fashion even in standing to listen to their general. Nath then continued, “The Acer Squadron, together with the CSS special battalions, engaged in combat with the Red Blood Regiment deep within the Eastern Forests. The unexpected battle hit the Red Blood Regiment soldiers hard and lost.” 

He could hear the screams of the people from afar, people who were shocked, and also puzzled by the sheer size of the airship. It was simply gigantic compared to the airships that most wealthy Selyrians are used to, It was also more metallic, and looked to be made not for trade, but something more nefarious.

War.

“As I speak, they are in the Capital of Karthus. Vendeaux. Most of their forces are guarding the castle and city, where they will rally all of the Selyrian Alliance’s Regiments. While they are regrouping, we will enact an operation whose sole purpose is to ward them away.” He continued, now walking to the side of the airship to see the changing landscape below.

“While we do this, Our glorious Nation must build up our economy, logistics, and army. All of you must do your parts in order to keep everything afloat for the coming war while the Military, Air Force, and Navy protect all of you to the best of our abilities.”

—--

“Gather all the soldiers. I’ll take care of Vivian, you take command of the BVR.” Kindred said, walking towards the door of the planning room as William saluted him in response. “Lynx. Make sure to defend the castle and let out as much of the White Knights as possible.”

Lynx nodded and proceeded to stand up and move.

“Minthe. Your bird shifters are able to infiltrate any wyverns they have on their arsenal. Can you help us?”

“Yes.” Minthe replied.

“Kai, I need you to defend the cit-”

“Don’t order me around.” Kai suddenly interjected, and refused to meet Kindred’s eyes. “I know what I need to do to protect as many people as we can.”

Kindred stopped, and looked at his eyes. “Kai…” he said, while his voice fleeted for a bit.

“I joined the Red Blood Regiment to protect the people. Not to serve under a killer.” General Kai said, before standing up and signing the contract. “I will lead and finish this war with Jericho, but I had enough of your lies.”

Kai stormed out and left Kindred. Duke Adrien chuckled and went to Kindred. “Perhaps it’s better to put me in the dungeon now?” he snarkingly said. There was no time to process everything now. The conflict was starting, and everyone needed to act quickly. Kindred pulled him as they immediately moved to their posts.

—--

“Surrender now, knight, for we have surrounded you!” said a child, who was smiling in the castle grounds. “We serve under the evil Monster Ichikari, the demon girl!”

“You dare enter my domain!!” Commander Pekorra said, while acting like the children were shifters. “I will defend this kingdom against all of you furries!”

“We will eat you all, like we always do with our enemies!” One of the children shouted, as they picked up a stick to fight ‘the defender of Ravena’. Minthe, who was running towards the gate, saw what they were playing as. It was a clear sight as to what the stories will be in the future. She gulped, as she felt something stuck on her throat - not something, but a thought inside her. Words. The need to correct the children that Ichikari was not a monster, but a rebel fighting for freedom. No. Wait. This was not the plan. She needed to serve her part. The shifters are already this close to getting it. She just needed to push through.

Captain Uriska looked at the children and chuckled at the sight. He also noticed a bunch of Black Valkyrie assassins were already jumping the towers and the houses. The White Knights were also being deployed as well. From afar, he could see General William and former General Ailyn splitting up into different directions. He then pulled out something from his backpack. It was a giant corn. He proceeded to munch on it.

“Uriska. Lunch time is later.” Commander Erwin said, looking at Kai who was now gathering around the Red Blood Regiment for some orders. The crumbs from the giant corn fell down beside him, while some small parts hit his head. “General Lynx will kill you once you get caught.”

“Just one cornz. Iz good.” Uriska replied.

A man in silver armor suddenly appeared. He had a purple cape, and he was shouting at the children, who suddenly went behind Commander Pekorra. “Stop! In the name of our almighty father Solev, and the blessing of The High Priestess! I say what you are doing is heresy! Heresy!!!”

“A member of the Order of The Holy Knights? What’s he doing here?” Commander Erwin said, looking at the man cautiously. The children grabbed Pekorra as they screamed and had their faces become pale. Some even started to tear up. General Lynx suddenly appeared behind them. “Jericho’s attack weakened the order so much. He may be the last of his group in Karthus.” she said, causing Uriska to throw the giant corn into the tall grass beside the castle walls.

“Poor knight.” Commander Erwin said.

"I AM SIR NIKEPHOROS, OF THE HOLY ORDER! NOW DIE!"

“It’ll be worse if we let the CSS delay our search for him. Come on now. We have a situation.” she said.

—--

Explosions, fire, and destruction riddled all throughout The Sovereign University of Vendeaux. Throughout the flames were the Committee of State Security, pulling out SUV Staff members.

“Show me where the Pyromancers are or I will shoot.” General Nathaniel said, pointing his crossbow at one of the SUV Staff. As some of the Red Blood Regiment reached the halls, the men in green uniforms shot them on sight. The reds were no match for their bolts, and they had to be creative in forcing them to fight in close range.

The teacher Nath was holding pointed towards a tower. They then moved forward to its entrance. A burst of flame erupted near the entrance. Then came a man who went down with his feet, causing a slight thud to the ground.

“Enough of this.” General Kai said, before the door to the Pyromancer academy opened to reveal more pyromancer students, ready to defend the university.

“We need those pyromancers to restore honor to the nation of Vontur.” General Nath said.

“By waging a war that kills innocent people?” Kai said, as the Red Blood Regiment showed up on the roofs and doors, creating a standoff between the two.

“You Karthusians are still as naive as always.” Valheim said, patting General Nath’s shoulder. “In order to bring progress, sacrifices must be made.”

Meanwhile, the pyromancers were slowly being let out of the university and were slowly being evacuated. The 2 sides looked on, as they were about to make their move.

—--

“Well, while we’re all here, let’s discuss the plan.” Sergeant Yudma of the CSS said, going over to a floor and placing a map.

“Our Objective is to destroy the gate levers of the castle so that the pyromancers that evacuate the castle cannot get inside. we are not here to commit war crimes unless they are absolutely necessary.” he said, following with: “Vairion, You’ve the floor.” 

“We’ll use either the Red Blood Regiment Uniform, because they are gigantic in numbers, recruits come in monthly.” Vairion replied. The rest of the CSS nodded.

“Alright.” Yudma said before standing up again. “We need to hurry, suit up, and get in formation.”

—--

As The afternoon sun came to display itself, the Mothership Increased its altitude in order to show its size to the Red Blood Regiment. A squad of CSS soldiers mounted on their wyverns and exited the Hangar Bay. The Red Blood Regiment saw all the wyverns exiting the ship and prepared to use their arrows, but many more would die by the rain of metal fletchers that the wyvern riders used.

“Let’s go.” Nathaniel and Valheim ran towards Kai, but the red general immediately jumped up and used his fire magic to thrust himself upwards before sending a flurry of fireballs towards the CSS soldiers. “Take cover!” Valheim said, before reloading his crossbow with a crystalized ammunition - crossbow bolts that have a green mana nullifier crystal attached to it. Kai saw this and immediately flew sideways for cover into the roofs and sent more fireballs towards the wyverns. When he saw Valheim aiming at him, he knew he had to bail as quickly as he could.

“I got you!” Lieutenant Leon said, immediately firing several arrows to suppress Valheim. “The pyromancers are secured!”

Kai nodded and proceeded to jump down. The last remaining students of the university started to run away as flocks of wyverns scattered the sky. Martinus himself was there, trying to decide whether to join the battle or not, but he was overrun by the stampede of scholars.

—--

In the castle, Commander Flor and Commander Chiron of the Black Valkyrie Regiment looked at the giant corn that Uriska threw. Since the screeches of the wyverns were heard from afar, they were high alert for everything that was happening. They specifically were tasked with guarding the castle gate.

“A giant corn. Wonder who that is from.” Commander Chiron said, before looking at Captain Uriska. “I thought it was someone sneaking around.”

Commander Flor hugged her lover from behind. “Well it looks like nothing dangerous is here. We could return as soon as possible, but it is a shame because with this situation right here, we have a lot of time to… Investigate.”

Chiron dashed to the side and looked at her in shock. “Right here!? Really!?” he said. His whisper was loud, but not heard by anyone other than Flor. “We still need to do our guard duty. Our post is at the gate!”

“And we’ll have time to return once we finish…” she said, with a wide smirk on her face before putting her fingers on Chiron’s cheek. “Come on. We need a break from all this.”

Chiron gulped as he felt his entire face go red. He slowly realized that she was right. This situation with the corn and tall grass was entirely too convenient to not lay to waste. He felt his heart beat faster and faster like a drum, and it was growing worse as Flor moved to his face slowly, aiming for a kiss.

Meanwhile, the gate was wide open. A group of soldiers from the Red Blood Regiment moved to the castle gate. A Black Valkyrie soldier jumped down and asked who they were.

“It’s classified.” the red soldier said.

The Black Valkyrie soldier looked at them with a cautious manner. He had no way of knowing whether to trust them or not. But then again, new Red Blood Regiment soldiers come and go like migrating Ravenian Oxen. He wanted to call his commanders, but they were both nowhere to be found. William was far in the dungeon, and Kindred was out in the city. He had no way of contacting a higher up for this.

“State why you’re here.”

“Guard Duty. The firefight is Danger Close to the castle. We’ll rendezvous with the rest of the forces as soon as the coast is a green zone.”

The terms and words struck the Black Valkyrie Regiment soldier. *’firefight’? ‘Danger Close’? ‘rendezvous’?* Their accents as well. It was more direct. More upfront. Hold on… these were-

A bolt punctured his skull as the rest of the red soldiers threw their molotov cocktails at the gate lever. The wood that kept the gate still burned as they started to run away. Pretty soon, the Black Valkyrie assassins fired their arrows and chased down the soldiers. “It’s The CSS!” an assassin shouted, causing every guard in the castle to be on high alert to chase down the running men. Yudma and Vairion immediately called for their wyverns and moved to the walls. As they jumped to their steeds, they each flew and tried to dodge several arrows. Many of the spies died, but when they looked back, the gate was closed. The first part of the assault was now a mission success.

—--

It worked, but that meant that the long ranged comrades were exposed. Aida and Leon were one of them. While most of the Red Blood Regiment needed help, the two archers seemed to not be bothered by their targets.

"23! Now we're even!" Leon shouted to Aida.

"24! Now we're not!" Aida said, smiling at Leon.

The new lieutenant then put 3 arrows on his bow. He immediately pulled it and let it loose, hitting 2 wyverns in the air. Leon was now in the lead. But this was followed by Aida throwing a small fireball to distract a wyvern and using her arrows to shoot it down. They were now tied, and they kept on shooting.

"You don't wanna give up?" Leon said, still shooting some of the wyverns in the air.  "26."

"To let you take the win? I don't think so." Aida replied, before putting fire in her arrow and using it to kill two wyverns. "27."

"Hey! No fair! No magic!" Leon said, then immediately pulling his bow as strong as he can, then letting it go. The arrow pushed through the air at such a speed that when it hit one wyvern, it kept on going to hit another one in the eye, which led to it falling down. "28!"

"You're the more accurate shot than me, and I'm the faster one thanks to my magic. We all have strengths and weaknesses." Aida said, before stopping her firing and looking at him. Leon got his 29th kill as she spoke,"Besides, I know you're more capable thanks to your intuition and strategic thinking."

Leon nodded, as Aida got back to her firing, getting her to fire 2 wyverns again, causing her to tie the score. Leon then looked at her eye. Studied it for a bit, before looking back up. He then smirked slightly as Aida focused her target on her bow.

"So about Keith..."

Aida flinched and let go of the string too early and she found herself missing her target, before seeing another arrow hit the wyvern she was looking at. "HAH! You missed!!!" Leon said, laughing as he realized he ran out of arrows.

"NO FAIR, YOU DISTRACTED ME!" Aida shouted, as she both tried to look as angry as possible, but could not contain her smile and red face. She could hear the loud giggling that Leon had in his voice. "You said I had 'strategic thinking', my comrade."

"BUT NOT LIKE THAT!?" She shouted before laughing and smiling at him. Although they both grinned while they took another bag of arrows from behind them, it was suddenly stopped by General Kai propelling up to the roof with his fire magic, and landing on the roof along with the rest of the Red Blood Regiment Mages.

"Enough goofing around, you two. We will need to find a way to get as many people inside the castle grounds as possible while we hold off the CSS." he said.

"WOOOOHOOOOO!!!" Advisor Oliver shouted as he jumped to the air and threw some fireballs to some of the wyverns as well. This was followed by Gold throwing some as well, while Sergeant Steven threw medium sized rocks using his Geomancy powers.

"Oh great, the mage division is here." Leon said, before finally finishing in resupplying his arrows. He looked to be relieved, but also a bit disappointed. Even though they finally have reinforcements, that also meant that he won't be able to stay with Aida anymore, as well as to goof around with her. But still, he knew what needed to be done.

But someone was...

"Goner help!" An orc said, as he lumbered and pushed through the peasants with his sheer size. The peasants fell down, but he pulled them out once he passed through. Then, he got to the metal gate and inspected it. It was forged and molded in a way as if it was woven. The small holes created a good way to grip it and hold it in. Goner looked at it and studied it.

Commander Erwin looked at Goner in a very cautious fashion. "You don't think he's actually going to..."

"I willz help himz." Uriska said, but was immediately blocked by Lynx. "Our mission is to protect the Royal Family. If we let you - one of our best men, become overrun and too occupied with dealing with peasants, then we will risk losing the lives of Queen Rose and her family."

Uriska looked on, but still wanted to help. Commander Erwin sighed, but did what was necessary. The White Knights arrived using a secret passage, and they brought with them many students and staff members from the SUV. Lady Dawn Sitia saw the battle first hand. She felt scared and immediately went inside, but Martinus saw the flashes of war slip within his eyes. Many people shouting reminded him of his life in the past. And the memories soon arrived slowly but surely.

-----

"Jim. We don't have to do this." Lake said, before standing at the roof, seeing the countless wyverns and airships about to head to the castle. "ENOUGH!" Henrik shouted, as the mothership stood far behind him. But it was evident as it was getting closer and closer. "YOU'VE KNOWN NOTHING OF MY PAIN!"

"They're using you, Jim. They're trying to mold you to become 'Henrik', the soulless shifter killer of Vontur!" Lake said, but this only made Henrik pull up his crossbow pistol and aim it at him. "What do you know about death? You never experienced someone dying in front of you, someone you truly loved!" Henrik said, before slowly lowering his crossbow down, and throwing it away. The pistol fell to the roof, just inches away from the edge.

"I don't need this anyways. May wanted a man that she could be proud of. I would have given her a kingdom. I would have given her the world." He said, while Lake listened and felt his words as he saw arrows flying beside him. "Now you're standing in my way to give her the gift she never had while she was alive. I won't hesitate to kill you, even if you're my younger brother."

Henrik took out his axe. Lake then hesitantly took out his sword. He tried his best, but it was to no use. The older brother jumped forward with a strike downwards, but Lake immediately twisted to the side to do a front flip behind him. Henrik was surprised to see his brother's moveset. But nevermind, he had his own that he learned from Vontur as well.

Lake turned around to swipe Henrik's feet, but the Vonturian jumped and kicked his brother's face. Lake was pushed forward, and almost fell down the roof, but he grabbed on to the edge, and tried to recover. However, Henrik was already there.

"That's it? That's the only thing you learned that was new?" Henrik said as he raised his axe. "Pathetic."

A cloud of red smoke suddenly erupted from Lake's body. It caused Henrik to cough and back up. Then, Lake jumped from the smoke and into Henrik, with a powerful kick to the stomach. Henrik took the blow with great demise, even losing his weapon as it got tossed on the roof, but maintained his standing. The older brother punched right, but it was redirected by Lake to take him to his left. He then used his left hand to punch Lake again, but it was redirected to push him to the side again. Lake thought he was gaining ground, but he realized he wasn't. He realized that he was slowly walking backwards as Henrik used the distance to get his axe and swing it from his right. Lake ducked and immediately used his scabbard to hit his liver, which made him groan. And soon, this made Lake throw a strong punch to Henrik's face. It was a direct hit, but Henrik countered with him swinging the axe from his left and hitting Lake's eye. The younger brother immediately fell down screaming as the blood from the wound seeped out. He tried to parry his older brother's second strike with his sword, but it was immediately knocked away by Henrik. The sword crashed to the city floor.

"You were holding back." Henrik said, as he slowly. "WHY?"

"I don't wish to kill you, brother! I wish for peace!" Lake said as he crawled backwards nearing the edge of the roof.

"You and your Red Blood Regiment's idea of peace! It blinds you! Makes you weak!" Henrik shouted as he walked back to put his arms out to present the current conflict. "This! - This right here! - This! This is what happens to your peace when all you think of is that. I know your movesets. Kindred taught them to you. Yet even though he is one of the greatest duelists and assassins in all of Selyria, he still suffers the same fate as you. Being injured in the name of peace."

"I didn't come here as a Red Blood Regiment soldier. But as your brother, Jim. My injury is a small price to pay for our peace."

Henrik stopped, before looking at his younger brother in the eye. He saw the damage he did, and saw the pain in Lake's eyes. It was like-

"Henrik!" Valheim shouted, as he hanged just beside the giant dragonfly. Henrik looked up to see Valheim and Nath still looking at him and the battle. "You're hesitating again. Open for weaknesses!!!"

Henrik stared at his superiors and proceeded to think. Lake could see his brother being conflicted. He looked around to see the battle surrounding him, and that the mothership was now just above him. He looked to his right to see something. A tool. Wait. It was the crossbow pistol that Henrik used earlier. He then looked back to see his brother staring at him.

"Jim. Don't listen to them. Please." Lake said, but his brother never even reacted to his words.

"I'm sorry, little brother." Henrik said, before slowly lifting the axe to strike his head.

"Wait. No no NO NO!" Lake shouted, before his instincts kicked in. It was instant. A second. A moment. A flash of light. He didn't even think, but he grabbed the crossbow pistol and aimed it at Henrik. For an instant. A second. A moment. A flash of light. He pulled the trigger and the arrow flew away. He could swear that he tried to pull the arrow back mid air as he regretted his act. But it was all too late.

The bolt hit Henrik in the chest, just below the neck. It was a sharp pain that erupted near his throat as he tried to speak, but only blood came out. Lake screamed, and cried his name. He quickly got up and embraced his brother. Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain as well. This time, it was in his stomach. Henrik stabbed him as well with a dagger while he embraced him.

Nath looked on from the dragonfly with Valheim. "He's gone." the general said, as he moved his eyes from Henrik to the mothership. "Let's go with our next plan."

Lake looked at his brother in the eye. "It's ok big brother. I'm here now."

Henrik looked as the dragonfly flew away towards the mothership. "They.... left me... like... like May..... left me...." he said, in slow whispers.

Lake sighed with tears in his eyes. "But I won't" he said, as he embraced his brother even more tightly, putting his face near his ear. "Not anymore."

Henrik closed his eyes and smiled. His eyes then teared up as well. He knew what was coming next, but he was glad he had his brother on his side to see it.

-----

Goner began to lift the gate. It wouldn't budge, but it was enough for the people to hear that there was a creaking sound on the gate. Slowly and slowly, it was lifted, but time was running out. Lynx looked at Goner and the peasants who were desperately trying to raise the gate. So many people were there. Probably at the hundreds.... or thousands. But then again, the castle has many rooms, and the towers could provide good cover. But that would mean that the BVR would have a hard time navigating through, creating a bigger target.

Lynx ran to the walls to see the crowded people pushing through each other. Some were stuck on the ground, and couldn't stand back up again. The more they tried, the more feet that stepped on them. They couldn't breathe as the people stepped on their chest and nose, and all they could do was to desperately scream for help. The problem was, everyone was already screaming for help.

"Guardians! Bring the ropes. The officers must help Goner at the gate." General Lynx said, causing Commander Erwin and the rest of the gold knights to put down ropes on the walls. The peasants scrambled to climb the castle, as some stepped on one another. "What are you doing?" Captain Zen of The Black Valkyrie Regiment said.

"If we let the gates to be closed, then the people will flood the castle grounds. We still need to move down there if the CSS enters the castle." Lynx said, making Zen nod and helping with the ropes.

Uriska, Erwin, and Pekorra then tried to help with opening the gate, and it was starting to move up. The spiked anchor below the gate was now starting to show itself, and the peasants were starting to crawl downward. Many started to swarm Uriska's feet, and this made Uriska fall down, causing the gate to fall down as well. For Goner, this suddenly spiked his adrenaline, and quickly pulled up. A peasant was almost stabbed by the spikes, but Goner was able to pull back up in time.

Uriska got back to his feet and pulled the gate up. The space on the gate was now the size of a human, and most of them started to run towards the castle. The first citizens got inside, and made it to safety, but more were coming.

The Giant Dragonfly landed on the mothership. Nath and Valheim got down and looked at the smaller airships parked inside. One of them was the notable airship of men covered in thick metal armor. They looked to be trained for heavy fighting, and seemed to be ready for the toughest battles. They were The Steel Vanguard, who were all getting excited to start killing.

"They're opening the gate!" Valheim shouted, making Nath look below as well. "We need to deploy them."

"What?" Nath said, before meeting his eye. "Right now?"

"We do not have much of a choice." Valheim said, grabbing Nath's collar.

-----

A whistle sounded, and the area where the Steel Vanguard's airship started to cheer. "This is it boys!" Commander Lecarius said, as he punched the shoulder of one of his men. "A chance to spill Kartusian Scum Blood! Our mission is to bring all the pyromancers we can. But whoever brings me a shifter's head will receive the honor of getting extra payments!"

"Heil Lecarius!!!" All of the soldiers said, raising their arms forward to the direction of their leader. They soon started to ride the airship and continued with their preparation. Lecarius himself smirked at Nathaniel, who was looking cautiously at him. The CSS general was trusting him. Good.

In the castle grounds, people were now starting to run towards the gate, and ignored the ropes altogether. This was perfect for the Golden Eagle Guard to relocate to the main entrance to prepare for any CSS soldier. They were expecting men in green, but instead, they were met with soldiers covered in steel armor. Their airship descended from the bigger mothership, and started to fly towards them. One by one, they jumped from the airship, causing thuds on the ground.

"This doesn't look good." Commander Erwin noted, but Lynx was steadfast about this.

"Remember what we trained for." the gold general said, grabbing her sword and preparing to strike. The Steel Vanguard smirked as they looked at her and the rest of the guards. Lecarius peeked through the knights and saw the peasants.

"Give us what we need, and I won't take that head of yours out of your disgusting body." Lecarius said, as more men behind him started to prepare in a wedge formation.

"Nath is allying with Fascists huh?" General Lynx said, making Erwin and Pekorra look at her in confused looks. "I didn't know he'd be this desperate."

"Shut it, animal scum." Lecarius said, before pointing his halberd at her. "You beastlings are all the same. Much like the shifters."

Pekorra and Erwin had a disgusted face looking at the Vonturian Commander. Lynx didn't react however, and only ordered a shield wall. Lecarius smiled, and ordered his men to charge. The two sides clashed together, like 2 plates colliding and breaking. The wave of silver almost penetrated, but the strength of the gold wall was too strong. However, the Fascists were determined. Night had arrived, and they needed results.

"More on the western entrance!" Commander Pekorra shouted, before running towards its direction. Because of this change in priority, The Steel Vanguard had the advantage on the main entrance, driving the knights back. Lecarius fought fiercely as his halberd struck each knight on their armor. It didn't cut, but the force of each swing was like a hammer to the skull. As The Black Valkyrie Regiment saw the forces on the west, they tried to fight them, but were no match for the armor of The Steel Vanguard. This was the role of The Golden Eagle Guard, but because of the wave of peasants, they were not able to provide all the help they needed.

As the shield wall was finally broken, Lecarius took his chance to keep fighting towards his primary target. He never felt anything when he killed the humans. He did not care. It was his mission. But killing the *others...*, the 'beasts' as he called them - it was something to be excited about. To him, he felt like a predator finding the rat inside the house.

Lynx was fighting 3 steel vanguard soldiers at once. She had 4 hands, each with swords and a spear, and she was doing good with it. The problem was, all of these Vonturians were good. They were not the simple bandits you would see in the rural areas. They were different. She still had to protect the castle however. With the peasants swarming inside the interior, she was running out of time. She had to ensure the safety of Queen Rose as soon as possible. She killed the first soldier in front of him using her sword. Then parried the second one's strike, to then throw her spear on the third. Once she dashed sideways, she-

Lecarius...

The Vonturian Commander suddenly appeared on her left. His strike was sudden, and it was towards her head. His roar rumbled through the battle between the two forces, and she had no time to even react to anything. She forced her body to jump backwards, but there was no time. His halberd was just too long to dodge fully. The blade scraped her left eye, giving her immense pain.

"General!" Erwin shouted, before charging towards Lecarius. However, the Vonturian Commander had already done what he came here for. He looked ahead and saw the Steel Vanguard crossing the Western Entrance to grab the Pyromancers and kill the peasants trying to stop them. Now he just needed to grab the rest that were running to the castle gate.

-----

"Looks like The Steel Vanguard's doing their job well." Valheim said while inside the mothership. "We won't need to do *it* then.."

"No." Nath strongly replied. "We will **never** do it. That is not why we came here."

"Ok ok!" Valheim said, putting his arms in the air to shrug. "Just giving you options."

2 Wyverns screeched inside, while 2 pilots struggled to control them. They seemed to be more fierce-looking than the other wyverns. Not to mention, their color was different as well. With their eyes glowing purple. "Looks like we forgot to train one of these wyverns back in New Haven." Valheim said.

"Or you forgot that those wyverns aren't originally from Vontur?" someone's familiar voice said. When they both looked, it was none other than the hooded man himself. The two CSS Officers instantly aimed their crossbow pistols at him. The clicking sounds erupting from their weapons.

"What are you doing here, Kindred?" Nath said, putting his finger on the trigger to show him that he will not hesitate to shoot. Kindred however, didn't answer immediately, and only looked at Nath in the eye.

"Answers." Kindred said, as he looked at him straight in the eye. "Is this really what you want?"

"The Kingdom of Hreinngar never really gave us a choice, did they?" Nath replied, before slowly walking towards Kindred.

"And your course of action was to murder innocent Karthusians and kidnap SUV Pyromancers?"

"That was not our plan."

"Really now?" Kindred said, walking towards the edge of the mothership as he pointed down below. "Then I suppose it also wasn't your plan that some of those agents of yours are doing that?"

Valheim put down his pistol and immediately pulled up his VA-Crossbow. It was far stronger than the mere pistol, but Kindred only raised his palm in front of him and spoke...

"Oh please - Nath and I had been friends for far longer than you. Pushing him in his own airship is not something I do."

Valheim grunted, and Nath walked closer to the edge. "Unless they were putting a crossbow on my face." Kindred followed.

Valheim grumbled and lowered the crossbow, and Nath saw the carnage on the streets. It was filled with corpses of peasants and soldiers as the CSS advanced towards the castle. "That. That's your idea of spreading peace?"

"Peace?" Valheim immediately said, before looking at the edge as well. "You Democrats never succeed in getting it with your way. Who are you to speak about peace?"

"And you don't suppose your method is far better?" Kindred replied.

"Enough." Nath said, before looking at the two. "We came here to set a precedent to not attack Vontur. This may not be what you wish to happen, Kindred, but this was necessary."

Kindred looked at him, and sighed silently. He then walked back inside to where he first appeared. "I came here to try to change your mind, risking my life to be here with you." he said, looking at Nath in the eye. "I've lost too many friends today. I wish I wouldn't lose you as well. But I cannot change something you have already decided." 

"I've had enough of this." Valheim said, before grabbing his VA-Crossbow once again. Suddenly, a screech was heard from the back. Then, screams from the pilots followed. When Nath and Valheim turned around, the wyverns were biting the humans. Valheim fired his crossbow at the wyvern, but it immediately shifted into a human. Nath quickly looked back at Kindred, but he had already jumped out of the edge of the mothership and fell to the sky. This was followed one of the wyverns who bit a pilot. Although the other tried to follow, he was shot down by several CSS soldiers.

Kindred fell to the sky, then was caught by a wyvern shifter. Nath realized this and quickly went to the pilots of the mothership. "Signal everyone that the COA are here."

-----

A horde of birds, mammals, and reptiles went towards the streets of Karthus. The CSS wyverns battled the shifters that had arrived, and it caused them to stop attacking the Karthusian castle for a bit. Someone however, had a different reaction.

"SHIFTERS!" Commander Lecarius shouted with a smile. "FINALLY! Fresh Meat boys!!!"

The Steel Vanguard Commander blew his horn, followed by a cheer from his forces. They then regrouped towards the streets of Vontur as they fought the shifters on top of the dead Karthusian corpses. "Die, Furry Scum!"

The Golden Eagle Guard saw this as an opportunity to defend the castle more, and keep the peasants from not creating a stampede. This also made Pekorra and Erwin move to the gate to help Goner, who by now had his arm grow sore and red, with hints of blood due to the weight of the gate. Uriska could try to help, but Dwarven Steel was no joke. The peasants still swarmed the castle, as more and more took refuge in the halls and made themselves safe. The corpses of The Black Valkyrie Regiment piled up on the western entrance, but it stopped adding once the gold knights finally reinforced the area. For a while, it seemed as if they had taken control of the castle, but much more had to be done.

As the Steel Vanguard took control of the streets while fighting the shifters, Commander Liam, from the Committee of State Security had finally landed on one of the towers. His comrades shot down any Black Valkyrie Assassins nearby, and he finally pulled out his trusted VAC-A2 - A sniper crossbow with a very long shaft, and very wide arms. He had one target. He put the sniper crossbow on the wall, aimed his sights at the scope, and finally took a small breath.

"Sorry Goner..."

A long arrows struck Goner deep into his arm. The power of the arrow was so powerful that it tear through his muscle. Goner growled loudly at the pain, as his bleeding bicep weakened, making the gate move down a bit, causing the peasants to panic and scramble more.

"Please! Do not panic!" Commander Erwin said, before getting pushed by the crowd into the castle. All of the peasants started to violently push forward, desperate to get in, making Uriska start to lose his balance.

A second arrow, now on Goner's right shoulder. Stuck, causing him massive pain. "Just a few more adjustments." Liam said, putting his scope a few nudges to the left.

"Someonez needz to protectz big orc manz." Uriska said with his deep booming voice, prompting Pekorra to let go of the gate and raising her shield to cover Goner's back. Another arrow flew towards Goner, but this time, it was blocked by Pekorra, who raised her shield up, but the force of the impact sent her arm a bit back. She almost lost her balance, but at least now she knew how powerful the crossbow was.

"Dammit!" Liam whispered loudly. Don't mind it. He still had a few more bolts. He reloaded his magazine as he took his time to prepare.

-----

"General, this is becoming a stalemate. We have to use it." Valheim said to Nath. He was becoming erratic as he looked at both the struggles of The Steel Vanguard, and the failed attempts to stop Goner at the gate. "We have to."

Nath looked closely as he saw the progress that was being made.... or... lack thereof. He'd already come this far. If he turned back now, then all the struggles of Vontur were for nothing. They'll just be a forgotten nation once again. A forgotten people. Even when they freed Ravena back then, and even if they helped the Selyrians. Nath finally looked at Valheim.

"You're right."

-----

A siren sounded from the mothership. It was loud, and boomed throughout the city. The Golden Eagle Guard could see The Steel Vanguard retreating with their airship towards the mothership, and the other CSS soldiers were seen to be calling their wyverns to fall back.

"We're winning?" General Lynx said, while staring closely at the mothership, seeing a small light of yellow erupting from the hangar.

"Wait." Captain Tarrick of The GEG said. "Wait, no. No. I don't think they're retreating for good."

-----

Liam heard the grand siren from the airship. His eyes widened, and his body shivered. "30 SECONDS! FIRE AT WILL ON THE TARGET!" he shouted, causing his men to fire at Goner at record speeds. General Nath said not to commit warcrimes, but knowing what that siren could do, there was no use in being precise anymore. Pekorra could not keep up with the arrows raining down on her, as most of them started to hit Goner, **and** the civilians rushing to the gate. Goner's arm ached even more as the gate lowered more than before, with the space now the size of a dwarf. Uriska tried to pull up, but without the strength of Goner, lifting the gate would be impossible. Pekorra was stuck on the outside, as he saw the desperate people trying to crawl below, risking themselves being crushed by the gate Goner ever failed to lift it up. Pekorra however, saw someone from afar.

"Help! Help please!" a small squeaky voice was faintly heard from the wave of adults clampering around the bottleneck. Pekorra looked hard as she saw a small girl in the crowd. But this was not just any small girl. This was one of the girls she was playing with earlier. Pekorra pushed forward, fighting the wave of people running to the gate. "Goner, hold on!" Pekorra shouted as he forced herself against the tide. The small girl was crying, as the people older than her started to step on her. She sobbed, as all she started to see where backs, clothes, legs.... feet.... darkness...

A metal hand suddenly grabbed her, pulling her up to the crowd. Panic started to ensue, as a scream from the gate signalled that Goner had let go of his grip. When the gold commander looked back to where she pulled the girl howeber, she was horrified at the sight that the little girl's friend's were there as well.

*eyes open. lying on the ground. pale skin. not breathing.*

She pushed forward to the gate and arrived at Goner taking heavy breaths. His arms were swore. His palms were now callous, and had blood on them as well. He took raspy breaths, and it looked like he was running out of strength. It was until Commander Pekorra came, holding the child she was pulling from.

"Goner. Please. Even if it's just this child." she said, before trying to pull the gate up with all her strength. The child looked down only to see a screaming man, who had his body cut off in half. She screamed at the sight of it, and Goner felt lost in the battle. She looked at the child, and saw who she looked like.

White pale skin. White hair. Blue eyes. An elf, and a student of the Karthusian Youth Academy. she reminded the orc of someone. Someone he dearly loved as if she was his sister. Goner felt a surge of emotion reach his chest, and all he could do was shed a tear in his eye. He put his hand on the gate, and Pekorra immediately got behind him to cover him to shield him from the arrows. With all his stength, he pulled the gate up, roaring as loud as he can, even getting the peasants to fall back in a bit of fear. Uriska helped, and got his ground as well. The gate opened, and the arrows started to hit him again. This time however, Pekorra was behind him. No one was going to-

A large flame erupting from afar...

-----

Lake held Henrik tightly as he felt his older brother breathing slower and slower. A large flame erupted far from them, heading towards their direction.

"It's....time..." Henrik said, before looking at Lake in the eye. "I'm sorry..... brother..."

"Sssssshhhhh" Lake said, trying to comfort him, with blood seeping out of his mouth. "You said.... I never experienced... someone.... I truly loved...dying in front of me..."

Henrik closed his eyes, tears rolled down to his cheek as he sighed, and coughed up more blood.

"Well now.... here it is..." Lake said, before holding his face. The wave of gigantic flames now only a couple of meters behind them "And I'm glad.... my last moments are.... with you...."

Henrik hugged his brother tightly. "I'm.... scared...."

Lake patted his older brother's back. "Father would be proud."

And the flame engulfed them...

-----

Goner felt a large push behind him as the peasants saw the massive flame from afar. The stampede had finally started, and there was no stopping it now. The peasants screamed as they pushed Uriska more and more. The clumsy giant could only hold so much as the peasants pushed his feet. He ended up being pulled by the waves, and this resulted in him being sent to the castle despite his best efforts to push through hundreds of peasants. This left Goner as the sole lifter of the gate. Pekorra turned around and saw Goner suffering. This made her want to help him, but arrows from the wyvern riders just kept on coming. "I'll help!" Pekorra shouted, but Goner only shouted "NO!"

"Goner protect from arrows!" he said, as she nodded and held her shield up. Liam and the others now jumped from their towers and into their wyverns. When the Red Blood Regiment arrived to the castle, they were directed to go to the BVR Headquarters. Many of them ran towards them, but General Kai saw Goner on the gate. He tried to fly towards them, but he saw the glowing veins in his arms. They were on his chest already. He was almost out of mana. But the people were still running through the gate.

Screw it...

He used his fire magic to propel himself towards the castle gate area. He landed on the walls to see the wave of peasants scrambling to the castle. "Goner! All of the comrades are already in the BVR Head-"

He saw Goner shivering as he suffered to keep his strength. He saw the peasants continuously scurrying to the castle. He had no choice. He could not help. Pekorra was the only one who was protecting Goner from the bolts that were trying to hit him. He was almost out of mana, and he saw the wyverns attacking Goner.

He grunted at himself and started to cast fireballs. This made the wyverns be distracted, but they were too much in numbers. His glowing veins were now on his neck. Once it reaches his eye, it will be the end for him. But he needed to protect his comrade and the people. The massive fire was now at the castle entrance, burning the last stragglers of peasants. He tried to throw another fireball, but he started feeling dizzy, and his nose was starting to bleed. The wyverns just kept on coming, and the arrrows were just raining on Goner. The fire was now moving quickly towards the castle, and it was now on a quick pace. He needed to act. He couldn't run to the BVR headquarters anymore. He couldn't go to the packed castle anymore, as General Lynx was now closing the castle door, locking the peasants outside. He was trapped with Goner and Pekorra. The fire was now a few meters from them. It was now too late to run.

"IGNIS TOLERANTIA!" General Kai shouted, and the blinding light of the great fire illuminated everything in the castle gate. He saw everything. He saw the process of burning. Not just on the wood, but on the clothes. On the trees. On the metal. On flesh. He saw how the flesh of the people started to wither away in a fast pace. They could feel their flesh quickly being ripped apart from them by a plasma of hot air grazing their skin. Green, white, black, or brown, everyone showed their inner color that all of them had in common.

Silver. Bone.

Kai saw the process of which the peasants' bones were beginning to get exposed. He was used to seeing people killed. But hundreds of innocent people getting their flesh melted to expose their bones was something... it was...

It was over...

Martinus and the rest of the SUV staff did their best to close the castle door to prevent the fire from entering the castle. When the GEG knight arrived to finally take hold of it, they were met with the screeches of the people from the outside. 

"No! Let me out!" The girl that Pekorra helped finally went to the gate, banging on Lynx's armor. "Sister Pekorra is still outside!!!"

The gold general grabbed the girl, but she was then stopped by Erwin, who then carried the crying child back to the crowd of peasants. He comforted her, telling her it was alright, but deep down inside, the commander knew what was happening.

The roaring heat stopped, and the peasants grew silent. Soon, the sound of ravens and other birds flocked the outside. Lynx tried to open the door, and she was met with a silent burning field. Some of the Pyromancers inside the castle started to absorb the fire on the castle gate area, and they soon saw the countless bodies lying dead in the field. All of them had their flesh evaporated, and their bones were exposed. General Kai was on the middle of it, staring at Goner and Pekorra. The Commander was standing, but she was not breathing. Goner however, had his entire arm stripped off of their flesh. What remained was almost just bone, with hints of muscle keeping his structure intact. The miraculous thing about it however, was that he was still breathing, and what remained of his organs still worked, at least for a bit. The little girl that was saved by Pekorra went to the castle gate, only to see the carnage in front of her. When Commander Erwin saw it as well, he immediately covered her eyes and went back inside. The Red Blood Regiment then arrived, seeing Goner still lifting the gate. Anno and Oliver watched as Anno specifically put his hand on his mouth in shock.

"Goner..." Aida said, as she walked closer towards him. "No..."

Goner only looked at the elf child that Commander Erwin was escorting in. He took a deep breath inside, a hint of a voice reeked as his throat was all burned. "Elf is.... safe." the orc said, as the gate slowly lowered. "Goner happy.... Goner will see.... Emilia again...."

His arms fell down, and the spikes from the Dwarven Steel Gate stabbed Goner's body, putting him to sleep. When Kindred arrived on the towers, he saw watched as his former comrade dead. He was the strongest person he knew. And lived for years in the Red Blood Regiment. He died sacrificing his life for the people. Just like Emilia.

Anno looked at General Kai from the other side of the gate. Kai's face was pale, blank, and expressionless. His entire body was glowing in yellow, but he was safe.... at least physically. More sounds of animals started to reach the outside. When they turned around, the COA was attacking the airships currently. They watched as these small airships started to move to the castle again, but this time, CSS soldiers rappelled to the burnt corpses, pulling out some people. They were pulling the ones who had a yellow aura around them, just like General Kai. They were pulling the pyromancers, the ones who used *Ignis Tolerantia* - the spell of fire resistance for a short while. Most of these SUV students were unconscious, but some were struggling. When the rest of the RBR soldiers got out, the Black Valkyrie Regiment assisted them in fighting off the CSS.

"We got company!" a CSS soldier said.

"Grab the targets and do an immediate exfil! Go, go, go!" another shouted.

Anno couldn't even try to move anymore. Is this what war is? Fighting for the corpses of people who are not from your homeland? Using what's left of the ones alive to fuel your weapons? To fuel your nation? He looked at Oliver, who was entirely quiet now while still looking at Goner. Aida however, immediately took her bow and shot the CSS.

The airships started to move as quickly as possible back to the mothership. The rest of the Selyrian Alliance could try to hunt them down, but the more they got their distance, the more dangerous it became to the ones who chased them.

"Where are they going?" General William said, arriving at the scene.

Aida checked the stars and saw which direction they were going to. She saw that the airships were going to the Northeast. It was much to low to be in Hrothgar, and it seemed like it would be too high to go to Trost.

"They're heading Northeast, either through Mt. Ulfenheim, or The Kingdom of North Cast-"

"That's where John is..." Anno said, looking at Oliver and the others. "Nath already had Tiffany and Alvin."

"So he's getting us one by one..." Oliver said, in a saddened face.

The rest of the forces soon knew what was happening, and all they could do was grief and prepare. 

Commander Izana then arrived from the Black Valkyrie Regiment Headquarters. Her blade and whip was bloody, with hints of flesh attached to it. She saw something on the ground. It had a bunch of fur in it. They seemed to belong to a mammal's fur. Small, cute, round looking. Like kittens...

...

Commander Flor and Commander Chiron jumped down from the castle gate to see what was going on. Izana looked at them, as she started to breathe rapidly. She walked towards them and grabbed Chiron by his chest. "YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO GUARD THE GATE!"

Flor immediately pulled her back. "Enough." she said. Izana could feel the pain crawling to her head, clouding every sense of sanity she had. She could feel the pain her kittens must've felt when they were stuck under the people's boots, only to then be burned alive.

Captain Char of the Red Blood Regiment arrived, running before stepping on something sticky. "Hey! I think the coast is cle-" he noticed what he was stepping in. Those were burnt kitten corpses, and he stepped on them, turning the animal carcass into mush. Izana turned around, saw Char's feet, then had her eyes widen. Her eyelids dilated, and her focus turned to Char and Char only. The Red Blood Regiment captain felt a slight chill reach his spine, and this prompted the other Black Valkyrie soldiers to prepare for Izana. The Commander with purple hair brought out her knife with the full intention to kill Char. "Izana. Don't." Flor said, but Izana only continued to walk, making Char burn his hands to be in a stance to defend himself.

Flor immediately ran, as she tried to pull Izana's hood. Izana jumped, but felt her body pull itself back to where she started. Frustrated, she then pulled her knife back and spun to strike the one pulling her. It turned out to be Flor, and the blade of her dagger sliced through the neck, with a solid cut, making blood gush out of her.

"NO!" Chiron shouted, before immediately grabbing Flor and covering her wound. He called for a medic, to try to hand him a healing potion, but the markets were burned, and there was no stock of healing potions left to try to help her. He cried, as he saw Flor slowly close her eyes. "No, no, no. Flor please!"

Chiron stopped, seeing that Flor was now staying silent. He looked at Izana, who now let go of the dagger in shock of what she had done. Chiron only felt fire grow on his heart, and he wanted blood this time. He reached for his sword, but suddenly, he felt a grip stopping his hand.

It was Flor, on her final course of action. She didn't speak, but her lips still moved. Chiron read her lips.

"I love you." it said.

The eyepatched commander looked down. He never looked at Izana again, but took some small breaths.

"Get out of this regiment." he said.