Embedded Files
Chapter 12
Chapter 12
The winds of North castle treaded lightly on the skin of Jericho Meril. He stood on the edge of his airship as he checked his back full of glass bottles. Surprisingly, the winds became less and less untamable and cold. This was due to the countless geothermal vents found in the area. This also meant that he was near.
“Clear the sails. We’re here.” Jericho said, looking at the people in his vicinity. They were Vonturian men, who seemed to be tired and fatigued. Their fingertips were as dark as obsidian due to the frostbite that they endured while crossing the frozen north. He looked at them with a glaring look. Since they were humans, the pain was more immense compared to a cervidian like him. He smiled, knowing that the pain they were experiencing now was just a sliver compared to the years of shifter oppression that his friends had to endure.
“Lower the anchors.” he said, looking at the people, as they struggled to even walk. However, they had no choice. They thought that he was going to take them to Hreinngar, but the chaos that was the frozen north made it so that they did not know where they were even going anymore. Supplies were low, and they had to endure the cold for months on end. But as long as Jericho was here, they felt like he could guide them to Hreinngar soon. And now that the winds were getting warmer, their hopes were now high up.
The airship arrived at a misty port town. It was busy. People in brown and gray fur clothes walked through the gray and fine sands. A lot of food has been prepared, and many ships from other nations visited them for different things, especially for the place’s crops that are crucial for making Nortic Gelatin.
“Where are we?” asked a foreman, shivering as he fumbled his words over “I would die for a Sanamancer right now. My hands are dying of frostbite.
“North Castle.” Jericho replied, as they finally landed at an available dock.
“What!?” the foreman asked aggressively. “You said you would take us to Hreinngar. That is more than a thousand kilometers from here!”
Jericho smirked, then put his hand on his bag. The foremen saw him and expected gold coins. However, they all saw Jericho taking out a bottle, filled with green liquid.
“I know…”
Jericho threw the glass at the ground, releasing the smoke. He then quickly turned around and put on his Vonturian gas mask. The summoning has begun, and the virus shall spread to the North.
—
Ash, debris, ember, and smoke. Those were the words that could describe the fallen clan of Morheim. Burnt bodies littered all over the place, but it was overshadowed by the mothership, hovering around the area, looking for any sign of survivors. All the CSS members were sitting at the edge of the mothership, basking in the cold winds while watching the slow movement of the mothership.
“For Elizabeth’s sake, we’ve been here for 2 weeks.” Specialist Red Asteri said, holding his stomach due to his hunger. His fair white skin was turning red due to the cold, and he was shaking a bit even.
“Sssshhhh.” Specialist Uki said, sitting beside him. He just finished cleaning his sword, before putting it on his back. “The mothership got pretty damaged during that fight.”
“Well we can’t just sit here, right?” Red said, before turning around to see Valheim bringing a box of tools towards the hull. His eye then caught Yudma, who was walking towards them, carrying a bag of rations. Yudma arrived, offering them a bag of grub worms with chocolate - High in protein but…. Yuck.
“N-no thanks.” Red said, while an audible stomach growl formed.
“You can try to eat that instead.” Uki then spoke, grabbing one can of grubs and getting the other can of chocolate. The fried worms crunched on his teeth loudly as he tried to ease the disgust in his face. These grubs were high in protein and carbohydrates, but it tasted like mud… if it was mixed with cow manure. Well, he might as well have eaten the mud around him. It would’ve been more bearable. But that was why there was the chocolate. Although it was full of fat, that fat was needed for the cold environment. Eat them together and you have a stale ration. Not as unbearable, but also not a full course meal. Red only grabbed the chocolate… again, and this always annoyed the older members.
“Protein is good.” Yudma said, his voice deepening, almost sighing in frustration. But Red did not care. He was young anyways. He didn’t want to eat such filth like that. Absolutely disgusting…
A whistle sounded from below. For the first time, they heard that sound. They looked below to see a couple of men shouting along the snowy tracks of the camp. Something was moving below the snow. While the white frost covered the landscape, the shaking thing below made it seemed like it had something hard below….like a cage. And there it was. The more the snow moved, the more it revealed a wooden box.
General Nathaniel and Commander Lecarius hopped into their wyverns and immediately glided towards the shaking box. CSS soldiers ran towards the shaking thing and saw that it had something glowing to the side, like a crystal.
As one of the CSS scouts went closer, he took the crystal from the cage and investigated it. When he saw Nathaniel and Lecarius gliding towards them, he immediately ran towards them. Nathaniel looked sternly as the soldier went to him for a report. “Sir! I found a green mana nullifier in the shaking box sir.
Nath looked at the crystal, before looking at the cage. “Why in the name of Ekaj did you take out the mana nullifier from the ca-”
An explosion of fire ripped the cage into pieces, as the impact sent the other soldiers flying back into the snow. A draconian roar echoed through the field, as the smoke from the fire only revealed shadows of a winged creature. Perhaps a wyvern. No, it was bigger than that.
“DRAGON!” shouted one of the men from the CSS. a gust of flame shot through the sky, before the creature flew up, escaping from the scene.
“How the hell could a dragon fit inside a cage?” Nath muttered, as he looked down towards the mana nullifier that the soldier was still holding.
“That’s not a dragon!” yelled Lecarius, before standing and whistling to The Steel Vanguard. “That’s a shifter!”
The commander jolted in energy, as he pulled his wyvern to fly away. A squadron of TSV Soldiers rushed in with their wyverns, and the three CSS members at the mothership looked at them in anxiety.
“This doesn’t look good.” Specialist Uki said, before standing up to inspect his katana, before walking to his wyvern. “He’s gonna get himself killed.”
“What?” Red said, suddenly standing up and following Uki. “Lecarius is THE man. Do you doubt him?”
“We’re in The Frozen North. We’re not in Vontur anymore.” Uki replied, while still walking to get to his wyvern. “We still don’t know what lies ahead of us until we finally get to North Castle.”
“Good point.” Yudma said, looking at the two, as Uki got to ride his wyvern. The rest of the squadron saw Uki flying quickly with his Wyvern along with some of the other CSS members.
They arrived at a mountain pass where the dragon was restrained by several TSV knights. They were enjoying the battle, as several ropes attached themselves to the dragon, making a game of tug of war.
“HOLD HER DOWN PROPERLY!” Lecarius said, smiling as he took off his helmet. He grabbed a halberd from one of his brothers-in-arms, and walked closely to the dragon. With the knight getting closer, his green mana nullifier got into effect, and made the dragon transform back into its normal form. A Draconian girl with pale skin, similar to white stone. She had streaks of fresh cuts all over her body. Shifters have the ability to heal quickly, but this does not mean that they heal instantly. Looking at the cuts, they seem to be scars already, meaning that she has been enduring these cuts for days now. Her fidgety actions were not looking good as well. Everything that happened to her seemed to affect her mental state as well. Whatever The Clan of Morheim did to her, it was not good.
The commander however, was too busy grinning at his fresh catch. All that mattered to him was that he could finally kill a shifter again after all these weeks of no action. He let go of his helmet so that he could hold the halberd in two hands. He then pulled the halberd up to the air and began to…
“Enough.” Uki said, arriving as he dropped to the ground with a loud thud. Lecarius groaned as he looked at them.
“Tell Nath that the girl fought back.” Lecarius said, looking back at the girl.
Uki pulled his crossbow pistol out and aimed at Lecarius. “Don’t.”
With the realization, Lecarius looked back again to see Uki aiming his crossbow at him. That was cute. A single pistol against his full plate armor? Goodluck trying to defeat that. But then again, he wasn’t wearing his helmet. Uki was aiming for his head. Really? He would kill him right here, right now? Just for a shifter that isn’t even someone they knew? He then looked at Uki’s eyes however, and the answer only revealed itself.
If that was the case, then he should probably just get his helmet then. Slowly and slowly, he crouched and slowly reached his hand for the helmet…
A shard of steel, and a gust of wind. A 2 feet arrow lodged itself deep into the helmet of Lecarius, stabbing the snow from below. The commander flinched, then looked to see where the arrow was launched from. His eyes saw Liam, reloading his Modified Spear Crossbow - a limbless crossbow with a powerful range. He knew that even though Liam could never penetrate his armor, his exposed head was enough for him to use as a target. After all, he was a high ranking sniper of the CSS.
“Fine…”
Uki immediately went to the dragon shifter and settled down. The girl was obviously afraid and confused, trying to let go, but Uki kept his composure.
“Let go of the ropes and back off.” the CSS Shifter said. The Steel Vanguard hesitated, but when they saw Lecarius unwillingly signal them, they proceeded to follow Uki. The dragon lady, confused, tried to walk back, preparing to fly again, but suddenly…
“Wait!” Uki shouted, putting his palm forward, before shifting into his giant spider form. The lady raised both of her eyebrows and widened her eyes. A shifter? But he is not wearing the same colors as her people.
Uki transformed back to his human form. “I am Uki. Do you know the people who put you in that cage?”
The girl remained silent, still shocked at what she was looking at. Then, she shook her head slowly. Uki sighed, then looked at The Steel Vanguard. From afar, he could see General Nathaniel with his wyvern flying towards the situation. Uki then looked back at the woman.
“I know the people who put you in this cage, who tortured you. The people who made you suffer.” he said, walking closer to the scared girl. Nathaniel arrived, and Uki finally reached the girl, with her looking more relaxed.
Uki spoke, “Are you familiar with The Kingdom of North Castle?”
—
Shards, fragments, headaches. Think. Many memories attacking her at any single point. Think. A lot of wires and lines all over her visions. Think closely. Focus. Focus. Focus.
Everything was a haze. Lady Valerie Deschenel was trying her best to focus, but everytime she looked at Kindred, she felt her mind go into a state of panic, despair, and sadness. However, her mind also told her to feel anger and resentment. According to the Duke, he was the reason for her demise. She was supposed to live her life as a simple maiden of House Deschenel, but Kindred almost killed her for power… at least that’s what her father told her…
Her father…
Duke Adrien…
Pain. Disorientation. Lines. Lines. Scratches and bells all over her ear. She could feel that anytime now, her head would explo-
“Hey.” a voice went out behind her, and she immediately turned around and stabbed him. STOP. She stopped. She jerked her hand back to prevent her from… stabbing. No. No stabbing. Stop. Stop.
It was Chiron. Commander Chiron. Commander of the Karthusian Order. Commander. Yes. His eye looked surprised, almost ready to fight her. Fight her? Kill her? Was he about to… no. no. no. Not this time. No. He’s an ally.
“Are you alright?” he said. Funny. Why would he care? Wasn’t he supposed to kill her? She looked closer. Eye. His eye. Looked very feminine. Her head tilted down to his body. She didn’t know. What. Who. Why.
Chiron gently sat beside her. His stature was…. Interesting. He did not mean any harm. No harm. Yes, no harm. He did not want to kill her.
“Her pain will continue if you don’t give her Carzinophyte Potions.” Duke interjected, while talking from his prison cell.
Chiron stopped. Then, he looked back. “Do you mean the inhalant drug used by addicts in The Bridge of Pleasure?”
Adrien nodded. “It helps her relax.”
Chiron turned his head towards Valerie. So this girl has been given depressant drugs to ease her mind? Making her drunk more and more? Chiron felt something wrong inside of him. As if this was not right. Well, drugging a girl who has a mental health issue was not right. He would know. Sometimes he felt like a man. Sometimes a woman. Everything always felt like a massive conflict for him. He shed a bit of tear on his eye, empathizing with the unstable girl.
“Valerie. Follow me.” The Commander said, offering his hand in a kind gesture.
Hand. Offer. No weapons. No. What did he want? He said to follow him. Trap? Attack? Deception? Her head was… aching. But wait. She didn’t want to be here. No. No. No.
“We’re going outside.” the commander followed.
Outside? For a mission? No. No missions today. No targets. “Huh?” she said. She was… confused. Why? What’s the purpose of this?
“Heh.” the commander scoffed. “Don’t you want to just walk around elsewhere instead of… just staying here?”
Staying here. Head hurt. Hmmm. Maybe he was right. Hmm.
Agreed.
She stood up with such speeds that made Chiron jump in fear.
“Oh-o..k. Easy there. Let’s not…rush ourselves ok?” Chiron said.
‘Ok’? That sounds a bit…
“He was from the Vonturian Order, Valerie. Don’t worry.” Maria arrived with blood all over his hand. She then realized that one of her sharpened fingers had an eyeball. She then tossed it to Duke Adrien, who looked disgusted at the woman in round glasses. “Thanks to that eyeball, we found out that there’s a group out there about to attack a CSS Camp near the capital. I already sent Kindred to go to the SUV since another CSS spy is there.”
Chiron gulped. He was supposed to be a standard assassin after all. He wasn’t an interrogator. Only Solev knew what outlandish things Maria could have done to extract that information. He continued to walk with Valerie until they were about to pass by the interrogation room when Maria suddenly slammed the door shut. Chiron jumped a bit, then looked at Maria.
“I do not wish to let you guys see my… homework.” she said, smiling in a very sadistic manner. Suddenly, blood started crawling out from below the door. Slowly, it revealed the brutality of her work. “I’ll… clean that later. Have fun outside! Buh-bye!” she said, beaming as if she was caught doing something embarrassing - which is something you should not do when working on a person who.
The man inside the interrogation started screaming loudly, jerking out of control.
“I…. have to go.” Maria said, before slithering back to her ‘office’ in a smooth manner. Chiron couldn’t even see what was inside. But he supposed that it was for the best. He looked at the other assassins, like Master Yukira, who didn’t mind anything at all. *These damned Karthusians.*
—
“We’re here.” Nathaniel said, as he held onto the beams of the mothership. They expected heavy artillery, or at least a little bit of fight coming from the Nortics. They had mages, archers, or even slingshotters (strange. Centuries of peace without war could do that to a nation whose only experience in war was during its split from The Empire of Trost), however, they were not using them. The entire town was silent actually, and the dreadful wind was the only one that greeted them.
CSS Scouts went down from the mothership, as several airships flew to the capitol entrance. Buildings were destroyed, dead bodies were sometimes found - wait… they were still breathing. Uki jumped to his wyvern and descended from below. He could see the area was riddled in chaos. Someone was here, and they did not come all alone.
“I don’t like this.” Red said, looking at Yudma, who was getting his wyvern to be ready. “Aren’t we supposed to be running now?”
“Stay close, kid.” Yudma said, checking the straps on his wyvern. “Sometimes, we don’t get the results we expect. Keep your eyes open.”
Red Asteri gulped. This was never in the manual. Then again, invading countries was never in their manuals. The quiet environment was all he could hear, and maybe perhaps the wyvern screeches, but since there was no battle, they needed to have a different strategy.
“Rangers.” Nathaniel called, walking to check and prepare his VAC. “The nearest garrison is 4 clicks from here. We’ll get the Steel Vanguard to attack that garrison, while the next battalion will be pushing forward from this part of the town to the castle. The Wyverns will be close for air support if needed. We don’t know what to expect, so send a flare if you need any help.”
“Yes sir.” the CSS replied, before splitting into 2 teams. The airships descended, while some followed. Uki and the rest of his team went down to inspect the surroundings, and he saw how empty all the houses were. Traps might have been all around the place, so he had to be careful. The rest of the team arrived, along with Red and Yudma, while their medic named Vivian stood close to them.
The airships left, and a silence formed all around the place. Even the wyvern screeches were not heard anymore. The gray clouds didn’t help it either. The whole experience seemed eerie.
Uki suddenly raised a fist, telling the squad to stop. The rest of the battalion continued, but Uki was up to something. Before Red could even speak, Yudma shushed him and proceeded to wait for Uki’s signal. Uki then ran forward to move away from the CSS’s mana nullifiers before shifting into his giant spider form. He climbed up the building and listened closely. With his enhanced eyes, he could see in almost 360 degrees. There was no silence. Only anticipation.
“1st Squad, get to the houses.” Uki said immediately after he shifted back into his human form. Yudma and Vivian nodded and ran without hesitation. Red and some of the other newer members became confused at first, but immediately followed as they saw their seniors running. The rest of the battalion became confused, but some began to secretly follow Uki’s command. Most of the squad started to enter the house, while Uki crawled to follow them through the window. Vivian always hated Uki’s form. Spiders. But she also knew that something was up.
The ground shook, and a shrieking sound followed. The shrieking sound became sounds, and soon, more began to follow.
“INCOMING!” a CSS Captain said, as the rest of the battalion got ready. However, what followed was a surge of screams. Bolts flew everywhere, even inside the building that Uki’s squad was in. The ground rumbled, as if it was shattering, and the squad inside the building held on to anything to not knock themselves over. Then, it stopped.
“What in the world was that…” Red said, before Uki looked to see the windows. The battalion was gone. The rumbling could be felt from afar, and judging from the direction that those *things* were going…
“Nath’s in trouble.” Uki said.
“I’m not gonna ask again.” A hooded figure said, standing inside an office. It was in The Sovereign University of Vendeaux, so knowledge was the only thing that this fellow needed. “Where is the Ekajian Scroll of Hellfire.”
The figure was talking to a woman, who had round glasses and orange hair. Her red scarf almost covered her entire mouth, only hinting her lips to talk - the problem was, at least with the figure, was that she was unwilling to use those for good use. She only stared at the figure, and calmly drank her coffee, despite the two dead White Knights beside the man. She looked up, then suddenly flinched. She immediately looked down, and felt uneasy. Her fox ears flicked, and this made the figure stare at her. He then slowly looked up, but Sune immediately slammed the table, causing the figure to look back at her. Sune then grabbed a book, and opened it slowly. The figure then walked quickly towards her. It was finally the book he was looking for. And in that book was going to be the scroll of Ekajian Hell-
A man descended from the ceiling, with his swords plunging deep into the nape of the figure, pushing the blade into the ground and making his head hide the edge of the desk, taking off his head from his body. A hint of smoke erupted from the hands of the man. This was not just any other person. The man stood up and revealed himself to be Kindred, inspecting the man he just killed to see a tattoo on the figure’s shoulder.
“One wrong move and we both could have died.” Kindred said, looking at the shoulder and feeling his heart pump. “How in Ekaj’s name did you keep yourself calm, young lady?”
The girl stayed silent.
“Oh… umm..” Kindred awkwardly reacted. Maybe she was mute, and he just made a Karthusian witness a live murder. “I apologize.”
The girl nodded.
Kindred inhaled, then looked around. “Alright. I need to properly investigate this. But I need you first to seek shelter and to have yourself safe in the hands of the doctors. This must be… traumatizing for you.”
The girl shook her head.
Kindred flinched. “Oh. Very well then. I’ll just do my business now.”
“Kindred!” Commander Zen said, before seeing the dead bodies on the ground. “The target was supposed to be for capture.”
Kindred heard his name being called while in front of a Karthusian civilian. No.. no… that's… not good. He turned around, but only saw the girl continuing to write and drink her coffee. He turned around, then turned again in disbelief. Was this girl living under a rock? Word spreads fast in Karthus. Was she the exception?
“Kindred!” Zen said, waving his hand in front of him, before pointing at the dead figure. Kindred then knelt down and showed the tattoo of the man. It was nothing that they’ve ever seen before. Well, the BVR knew, but it was a symbol that was only used by a certain group of people.
Requiem walked back. But he saw Kindred looking at him. Soon, he sighed, then pulled his sleeve for the others to see his forearm. It had the same tattoo.
“It’s a reaper.” Kindred said, making Zen fall pale. “And this man is not alone.”
—
“GIGGS! COME BACK HERE!” a member of the SUV Staff said, chasing him through the hallways as the White Knights looked at them closely.
“I WILL NOT GO TO A BLOODY WARZONE!” Giggs shouted, until suddenly, he bumped into a knight and fell down. The staff member finally caught up to him and walked closer, panting.
“You… have… to… report because it’s Lady Dawn’s… augh..” the staff member said, jumbling his exhausted words. Giggs looked up, done with everything. He only sighed. This would either be one of the highlights of his career, or the only highlight attempt he’ll ever get to see.
—
Requiem and Zen left, leaving Kindred and the silent girl in the office. The dead bodies were about to be cleaned, because soon, there would be White Knights who would be suspicious about all of this. However, the girl heard Kindred’ s name.
“I’m sorry you had to meet me in this context.” Kindred said, while turning around to look at the girl. The Caninian girl however only shook her head and wrote in her notebook.
“It’s alright. My name is Sune.”
“Oh. Sune..” Kindred said, looking at the notebook. “I don’t think it’s alright. You don’t have to be so kind. I can try to say I’m not the monster you think I am anymore, but I cannot change your mind.”
“I understand.”
Kindred looked at her puzzled. A normal citizen of Karthus understanding such a matter? “How?” Kindred asked.
Sune looked at him, then smiled slightly. She then put her hand on Kindred's hand, and patted it slightly. In a beaming glow, she then let go of it and went back to her work. Kindred then realized that these things are not new to her.
*But how?*
—
In the castle of Vendeaux, news had spread that General Lynx had died, just before the newest supply of healing potions arrived. Because of this, House Magrin prohibited the Golden Eagle Guard from doing missions. Commander Lucius, a very prominent leader in the Karthusian GEG, was promoted to general, despite popular support that Commander Tarrick should be the leader, at least with the nobles - the Ravenian nobles to be precise. Lucius was Karthusian, and Lynx died in Karthus, so the Ravenians had no say on this matter. Queen Clara and the new Queen Saverine had already agreed to this. However, the newest agreement shattered after thinking about what to do with the unit. Queen Clara wanted the Golden Eagle Guard to stay, while Queen Saverine wanted to avenge Karthus from the wrath of the CSS. They were in Karthus, so this would be easy to…
General William arrived, delivering news from Queen Clara. Attached was a sigil that Saverine knew all too well.
House Deschenel.
It was an order to not interfere with the conflict and let the Red Blood Regiment lead the fight. Saverine looked at William angrily, but several other Black Valkyrie Regiment members arrived.
“Remember Your Majesty. You may be a Magrin, but you have the blood of the Allaires. Do not think you could use that as a way to stray from protecting this kingdom.” William said.
Saverine clenched her fists. Traditions. Perhaps it was the bane of social progress. Many such teachings were given to her by her father. About how to use power to the benefit of society and yourself. Power is key in determining a nation’s future, and it is who controls it that wields how strong or how weak that progress is. However, in exercising that power, one must know that there are things that will hinder it from being properly done. Corruption, and Tradition. One is worse than the other. The first one is easy to demonize, but the latter festers and creates complications in systems of governance. Eitherway, she was still a Magrin. She may have had the knowledge of being an effective ruler, but when tradition and culture rule the north, progress becomes a struggle, for wisdom, for truth, and for the future. The hooded assassins surrounding her throne room were the embodiment of that.
“Very well then.” Queen Saverine whispered.
One of her Golden Eagle Knights heard this and was shocked. Unlike the other knights, she only had one arm, which held her spear. The other had a very thick dwarven steel plate attached to a prosthetic forearm. It was heavy, and she would remember how her fellow guardians would use it as a weight when exercising. The memory only served annoyance - sometimes her arm would be missing, and she’d find it being used as a weight by another knight, or even worse…
“You’re still remembering how Sir Jaskier hid your arm to use as a pillow, Lady Anemona?” Queen Saverine said, smirking. The queen could see the anger on Anemona’s eyes. She knew that if she ever saw that knight again, her prosthetic arm would not be covered with his lips anymore, but it would be covered by something much more… red. But enough about that. There was a problem at hand.
“Yes, or maybe I’m just annoyed at how we’re here to sit for nothing.” the knight said.
Queen Saverine sighed. The Vendeuxian citizens were rightfully angry. Having them not acting would be something that they would need to justify a lot. Anemona was already an example. She was not willing to be idle. Saverine could already see her looking at the leaving BVR Assassins, and she was ready to move to her… ‘new post’.
“An, don’t.” Saverine said to her knight. The fire inside the young lady burned, and she was willing to disobey her queen. However, that would mean treason. Unless…
Saverine sighed. She looked at her bodyguard in a worried manner.
“Anemona, after your shift, go to my room. I have a mission for you.” the queen said.
—
The Camp of Freedom - the Red Blood Regiment’s base in The Kingdom of Karthus, was home to many people, including members of The Clan of Aeryth. However, tensions began to arise after the confusion with who Geralt Magrin was. It was not that evident, but everyone could feel the pressure from both sides. Most of the red soldiers did not know much, but the Clan of Aeryth was heavily suspicious, or maybe desperate. After the deal that legalized their group as a local militia and community, a lot of their members left. Anne continued her business as a chef, and traveled to Porthos, Artemis became a mother and was now busy with her husband Gold, but what angered most of the Clan was the betrayal from Uki. Joining the CSS, and letting their forces burn thousands of innocent lives, especially in a peaceful kingdom such as Karthus. All for a handful of Pyromancers. The lengths that the republic was willing to go through.
Thomas watched Minthe as she sharpened her blade. He saw the anger in her eyes, as if she made a mistake. The shifters of the north were free, but that also meant that the purpose of the group was gone. Many of the shifters in the COA transferred to the RBR anyways. The war was over, but some rights were always worth fighting for.
He then remembered Uki. After all this time, he thought that once he returned to the Aeryth Camp after traveling to Ravena, he would be back with Uki once more. But instead, the man joined Henrik’s forces after the assault, resulting in the death of…
Thomas clenched his fists. Ebony’s death will not be in vain. It will never be. He walked to Minthe, and got ready to join her to sharpen his zweihander as well.
“Aida, tell me what you have.” General Kai said from afar, while Aida followed him carrying multiple pieces of paper. Each paper was a file on a potential recruit or promoted member of the Red Blood Regiment. All of them applied, and Aida was there to scrutinize him on his choices. Especially since they were in Karthus. Many people here were smart, yes, but that knowledge drives them to criticize a lot of ideas, especially Democracy.
“Joseph Simone. Former knight of the Karthusian Royal Army…” Aida said, reading one of the papers.
“Cut to the chase, what is his experience in warfare?”
Aida hummed, looking closely at the paper, and inspecting all the words written in it. “It says here… none. But he is good with fenci-”
“Private.” Kai immediately said, before Aida got her pen to write something on the file. One of the RBR Soldiers then arrived to talk to Aida. It was Carnor. Aida almost groaned in annoyance. She almost thought that it was one of those Karthusian men again wanting to sign up for the RBR just to see her. Even though it helped them get more recruits in Karthus, have a bunch of men help you out in training everyday, and you may perhaps be more willing to just imprison yourself in your tent writing and checking documents.
Aida looked at Carnor running, and there was an angel at the back, leaning beside the blacksmith area. She waved at her, blushing.
*Oh great. Even the women…*
“Colonel Aida! May I help?” Carnor shouted with enthusiasm. Kai continued walking, but a small smirk erupted on his face. Aida almost did the same expression, but immediately felt sorry.
“O-ok…” Aida said, before giving the stack of papers to Carnor. It was a smooth landing, but Carnor suddenly found himself feeling the weight of the cluster, as if it was an entire log. A thump came out of his breath.
“Where… are… we heading again?” Carnor said, a bit exhausted already.
“Oh, we’re just going to encircle the entire camp to check on the new recruits.” Kai replied.
Carnor gulped.
The three red soldiers walked through the camp as the moon shone brightly. Everyone was busy feasting along with the peasant leaders, and enjoying their time, not knowing that they were being watched by the officers to know who they are as a person. However, there was someone who was not joining the party. It was a man wearing the Red Blood Regiment uniform… a bit informally. As he sat on one of the rocks leaning. His hair was the color near indigo, and he only stared at the campfire, where Steven was busy trying to burn himself. Strange.
Aida caught the general looking at the man. Aida checked one of the papers to see one of the names in the cluster. Carnor followed suit and saw the man sitting as well. As Aida finally got one of the papers, she then found herself widening her eyes and looking at Carnor. The other red soldier inhaled, and tightened his grip on the pile of papers.
“I wouldn’t advise accepting this man, general.” Aida said, looking at the man, and the paper.
Kai looked at Aida.
“Murder, theft. Although he is the best mercenary known to Karthus, we have a small problem.”
“Go ahead.” Kai said.
“Sire.” Carnor interjected, walking closer to the general to speak softly. “That is Luxe Erstio. The hidden blade of Karthus. I once saw him kill two bandits with one strike.”
“Sounds like a deadly person then. Why the hesitance?” Kai asked.
Aida pulled the paper up and showed the general a sigil of a group he was extremely familiar with.
“Reports suggest that he was a former member of The People’s Liberation Front.” Aida said, looking at Luxe from afar.
“A Communist?” General Kai said, looking at Luxe. “I thought they were gone. What are they doing in Karthus anyways?”
“We have no clear evidence of this.” Aida said, before looking at Carnor, giving him a side-eye “Although knowing Karthusians, they tend to love making a lot of conspiracy theories.”
“Wha- I- What are you looking at me for???” Carnor said, before running out of air upon realizing that he was still carrying a paper block the weight of which he had not been familiar with.
“Like I said, those are still rumors. The Black Valkyrie Regiment has not confirmed any of these yet.” Aida said.
“You have contact with the Black Valkyrie Regiment? But with whom?” Carnor said.
Aida did not say a thing, as she found herself slightly blushing.
“Cut it out you two.” Kai said, looking at both of them. “Whether or not that is real, people change. We need someone who knows a lot about how to fight actively. His background in mercenary work alone is worth looking out for. I will talk to him soon, but I might promote him to an officer role soon.”
The two nodded. Pretty soon, they will both be transferred to the role of advisor. Since this was a massive conflict, they needed the smartest people of the RBR to be prepared.
—
An angel started kissing a man in a hood. It was night, and most of the Red Blood Regiment soldiers were too busy drinking anyways, so no one could hear them. “I won’t continue this if you don’t give me the newest results for the hiring of the Red Blood Regiment, my dear Theadosia.” the man said. It was Kindred, and if he was on the right path, the Ekajian from earlier was planning to meet this other person in The Camp of Freedom. The problem was that there were a lot of recruits in The Red Blood Regiment. This was his 4th time visiting Lieutenant Theadosia’s tent. He had to find something quick, otherwise, this suspect would leave, spilling more blood than what was already there.
Theadosia gave Kindred 5 pieces of paper. It was what the commander could work with. Aida was too busy, so he could not go there right now since… he was busy as well.
Kindred sat on one of Theadosia’s drawers, as the dim light behind him was perfect to see the writing on the papers, but not perfect when the angel herself started to walk closer to Kindred for another kiss, with her arms wrapping around him. As Theadosia embraced Kindred, he took time to look at the papers at hand. *Lightseer, Cobalton, Blitz… so many people who have no connection to…*
“Sir Kazahri?” Kindred said, while Theadosia continued to hug him. Kindred saw the descriptions on the person. Thin body, pale skin, a tattoo of a hendecagram…
Kindred immediately bolted up and left Theadosia. The angel looked at him in a sad manner, as she saw the commander move out of the tent and run. Kindred sprinted as he saw multiple tents around him, while the party was still ongoing. There he saw Aida, who had just finished taking care of the papers from earlier.
“Aida, make sure to find Kazahri Nillek. He is one of our suspects.” Kindred said, as he looked around for clues on where this Kazahri person was. He looked at the top of the roof of one of the Blacksmith buildings, and nodded at one of the Black Valkyrie assassins surveying the area. He then ran to the top of the roof to give them information about this new person. Aida then walked to Kai’s tent to give him the document. As Kai saw the paper, and the description of the person, he then looked at Aida in a very surprised look.
—
Maria and the rest of the Black Valkyrie Regiment were on high alert. Most of the Vendeauxian Assassins immediately went to the Camp of Freedom after knowing the situation of Kazahri Nillek, who was confirmed to be an Ekajian. He had an Ekajian name, as well as a tattoo that only Ekajians know. However, something was going wrong with the communications. Most of the paradoves they sent did not return. Few did, but mostly, they were silent.
A paradove arrived, and it made Maria and Overseer Requiem feel the tension coming from a single bird. The wings flapped loudly, and feathers around it were burning. It was weak, and it crashed onto Requiem’s arms. Commander Zen had arrived, and he had just witnessed what had happened. The bird then opened its mouth to parrot the words that it was ordered to copy.
“THIS IS SIR JULIUS FROM THE OUTSKIRTS OF THE CAMP OF FREEDOM! KAZAHRI IS NOT A REAPER. I REPEAT. HE IS NOT A REAP-”
The bird’s message stopped, then it slowly closed its eyes to die. Maria, Requiem, and Zen immediately knew what troubles were about to unfold. The three of them jumped from the tower they were on and into a pile of hay. They ran and jumped from roof to roof, except for Requiem, as he only floated. Like a ghost. Like… a reaper.
Chiron made sure that Valerie felt welcomed. The stutters in her head were fading, and it seemed like she was enjoying her time eating Karthusian Baguettes and drinking coffee, even though it was already past midnight. Eitherway, it made him smile that Valerie was taking her break. Although she did scare some of the vendors, it was a good step in the right direction. Suddenly, he saw BVR assassins running on top of the buildings. There was something going on, and judging from the direction they were heading, it was towards the Camp of Freedom.
“I think we have to go.” Chiron said, as he looked up, then looked down at Valerie, whose face was stuffed with baguettes and cake. Chiron’s face flooded with concern, being surprised by how much she could put in her mouth.
“How-” Chiron said, but he couldn’t find the words to say.
Then she swallowed everything up in one gulp.
Chiron walked back. They were right. He should be afraid of Valerie.
—
Aida notified General Kai about the new information coming from the Black Valkyrie Regiment. Kazhari. What a unique name for someone who was from Ravena? Drasek?...
General Kai looked at the paper. It was a portrait of a man with black hair, which was a bit messy and hinted at a shard of gray. In the portrait, he was wearing a dark coat, and red eyes. Kai felt a rising feeling on his heart, as it began to pump more blood into his system faster than normal.
An Ekajian Tattoo on his arm, from the far-west, does not use a specific weapon, does not use a scythe so it would be impossible for him to be considered as a reaper, and according to the documents, he knows how to use… Pyromancy.
Kai immediately ran out and a surge of fire expelled from his hands, making him thrust up in the air. Aida felt shocked, seeing how Kai suddenly left without any explanation. Whatever it was, it made Kai feel a sudden urgency. He had to act quick, and that made Aida want answers.
“Who is Kazahri?” Aida asked, until Kindred dropped down from a tree.
“His real name is not Kazahri.” Kindred replied.
Kai flew upwards like a falcon hunting its prey. He saw a small burning tree, and the color of the flame was dark. He felt a strong pool of mana coming from it, which made him certain who it was. Around the tree was a group of dead Red Blood Regiment and Black Valkyrie Regiment soldiers, all being put on carts by a group of cloaked men. Reapers.
Kai prepared his words. “Ignis Tolerantia . Ignis Pila,” he said, before preparing the fireballs beside him. He created more, preparing to release it on the targets. The man in the center was wearing a cloak as well, but it was maroon in color. This man had already taken another comrade’s life in order to disguise himself. He had so much blood on his hands already.
The reapers looked up to see the general of The Red Blood Regiment flying towards them with several fireballs encircling him. They saw him head towards them like a ballista bolt finding its target. Like a burning paradove heading towards its enemy. However, this was not a simple opponent. This was General Kai Ellington.
Several balls of ember rained down on the reapers as well as the man in the middle. The incredible speed of the reapers made it possible to dodge the fireballs. General Kai landed, and a large trail of smoke scattered around his radius.
“Fa-” Kai said as he looked at the man still standing in the middle of the corpses, as if he himself knew that the general was not going to shoot him down. However, that was not Kai’s plan anyways. He wanted to talk. “Rowan Baldwin.”
“Rowan? No, no, my son, you should not address your father like that.” Rowan said, taking off his hood to reveal the face of the man in the document. It was him. Kai Ellington’s father. “Besides, haven’t you checked the document? I’m supposed to be Kazahri now! A lowly peasant coming from the Kingdom of Drase-”
“Enough.” Kai said, as the reapers began to move closer, encircling them while holding their scythes. Their pale skin could be seen by their hands. Unkempt, rotting, and filled with blood and mutilated bones. Their nails were incredibly long, and no one could see who they were from their large hoods. Kai saw all of this, and realized how far gone his father went after all those years. After…enough. His past already had happened. There is no turning back now.
“You are not my father. I am not your son. Not anymore.” the general said.
A couple of BVR assassins arrived. No one could care less that they were here. Many other corpses from that faction were there anyway. However, this time, it was different. Someone familiar had arrived.
“I see you brought a former friend.” Rowan said, as the reapers seem to be a bit afraid of the newcomer. “It is nice to see a familiar face, Requiem.”
Kai turned around to see The BVR Overseer, along with Commander Zen and the other BVR Officers getting ready to fight the reapers. A flood of torches could be seen from afar. The RBR was also getting ready to arrive anyways.
“You are outnumbered.” General Kai said as he looked his father in the eyes. “Surrender now, or I will not hesitate to turn my back and let the Black Valkyries manage you.”
Rowan looked at General Kai, then to Requiem, then to the reapers. He had his plan, but assuming the Black Valkyries had already arrived here, it would seem that Milton - the reaper who he trusted to get the Scroll of Ekajian Hellfire, was already done for. They could retreat now, but they would still need to return with the cart of corpses. Their fellow Ekajists still need food.
Rowan closed his eyes, and a trail of black veins started to form on his hand. The Reapers got to their fighting stances, while the Black Valkyrie Regiment gripped their weapons. Maria fixed her glasses, and looked at Chiron beside her. Valerie was also there, and she felt her heart beat faster by each moment they waited. Maria looked at Requiem. No Sanamancers were present. No Carnomancers were present. This was going to be a mage on mage battle. They had friendly mages, so it would not be right to have a mana nullifier on them at the moment. They wouldn’t want Kai to not be able to use his power while they stuck together. But then again, these were reapers. One strike from their scythe goes at approximately 160 kilometers per hour. And that is only from the ones they documented… which were two. These were 20 reapers.
“We’re going for Red.” Requiem said, making each of the BVR members grab their green and yellow mana nullifiers and get it ready to throw it behind them. They were only going to use red mana nullifiers. The ones that only nullify their body. Weak ones to be precise. Rowan saw the opportunity as he saw the glowing stones. This was his time to act.
“NOW!” General Kai said, prompting the entire BVR unit to throw their crystals behind them, as the group of reapers rushed towards them. Kai thrusted upward. Several reapers chased him up to the air, flying with their scythes. Kai immediately threw several fireballs at them. “Ignis pila! Ignis pila!” he would say again and again, but each time, the reapers would dodge it by becoming a ghost, turning their bodies into the wind. Kai would immediately change course, as he looked at his arm.
His veins were now glowing on his wrists.
Kai stopped forming his fire and used gravity to fall to the ground. The reapers followed and tried their best to get to Kai, but the general then used his fire magic to propel him slower as he touched the ground. That was when other Black Valkyrie assassins got to the reapers and cut them down. Requiem then got to Kai and nodded at him, as if it was to tell him that he got it.
The one left was Rowan in the middle, who was looking at Kai with a smile on his face, as his decrepit hands clapped while he walked. “I’m surprised you could keep up, Kai. You fended my men better than Ron.”
Kai stopped. How did his father know about his best friend, who died years ago due to insurgents… wait. It cannot be.
“Indeed.” Rowan said, looking at him while slowly backing up. “He screamed like a little girl as he tried to fend us off. He was full of meat however, and I assure you that nothing was spared of his body.. Well, except for some of the dirt we had to rub off on his skin. You are pretty good at burying people.”
Kai felt a strong disgusting feeling bleed in his stomach. Ekajists… killed his best friend, mutilated his body, to be used as a communal feast…
“Why…” Kai said, putting his hand close to his stomach as he looked around to see the BVR soldiers dying one by one due to the reapers.
“I could say that it was because it is our way…” Rowan said, before looking at the bodies below him. He took a while to think, before raising his head up again to meet with Kai. “But it is because you are a curse…”
Kai then saw his father prepare a spell by setting his hand on fire. The fire was black in color, and it had more smoke than any sort of typical fire. Kai prepared his stance as his father began to thrust upwards using a different variant of Dragon’s Hand.
“I did my best to stop your bloodline in Ekaj’s name, BUT YOU REFUSE TO DIEE!!!” Rowan screamed as he descended downwards to the general. Kai thrusted sideways and immediately yelled “Ignis pila!” However, this was easily dodged by Rowan, without even using any magic. He simply stepped on the side. Kai’s eyes widened, and he kept shouting “Ignis Pila!” to his target, but it always missed due to his father’s agility. More and more fireballs were thrown, and it would only be a futile effort. Kai looked at his arm.
His veins now glowed on his forearm…
Rowan cackled. “You think your spells can even touch me? I have studied the arts of your puny fire even before you were born. You will not defeat me with petty fireballs!”
Kai looked at his father. He knew that he could not defeat this man by spellbinding. It took time, and he had to be quicker than this. An idea popped into his head, and a sudden rush of anxiety reached out to his mind. He was not sure if he could continue by a lot if he did this. However, given the circumstances, he had no other choice.
His hands turned to fire. He looked his father straight in the eyes. He has finally had enough of holding back. He knew he was a pacifist, but he did not know if he could continue one. He felt the rush of anger reach out to him, reminding him of what his own father did to Ron. Years of suffering under his hand. He felt it all boil deep inside of him. He wanted blood.
Colonel Aida sprinted towards the forest along with the other Red Blood Regiment soldiers. Among the comrades was Gold, whose loud metal footsteps rang wild through the grassy field of The Camp of Freedom, and into the western trees of Vendeaux. He was strong, and he was beginning to become quicker than the other soldiers, surpassing the humans, and getting fiercer in each pace he was in. He was a half-demon after all, and the night time was enough for him to stay awake. Maybe he was indeed fast, but maybe it was because of his comrades refusing to keep up with him. At the end of the day, he was still Gold.
A large tree of flame, higher than the tallest trees erupted from the forest, lighting up the area in a blazing terror. “What in the…” Leon said, suddenly stopping to look at the others, before seeing that the Red Blood Regiment halted in utter shock.
“It’s Kai.” Aida said, before continuing to run.
“YES!” Rowan roared as he saw his son breathe out a massive gust of flame in front of him the size of several giants. Kai growled, letting out more flames from his mouth. The reapers looked at him and tightened their grips on their scythes. All of them stopped fighting the BVR and proceeded to lock their sights on the red general. “You cannot run away from your heritage, Kai. No one runs away from their past.”
Maria looked at Kai in horror, but she was too occupied with getting ready for the next fight. She had her red mana nullifier, but a scythe coming at you at 100 kilometers an hour is no easy thing to dodge. She checked her vials, and she saw that she still had 2 healing potions. She saw her arm, and it was covered in scratches coming from the reapers. She looked at the Black Valkyrie Assassins. Some of them were dead, while the others were already placed in the carriage. She took one vial and drank it, seeing her wound heal quickly. One last vial left, and this would be her last chance. She looked at her comrades. There were 50 of them when they got here, and now there are only 20. She looked at the reapers and counted them down.
19…
She looked around for weaknesses, and began to think of something. She looked at her throwing knife and looked at the reapers. She looked at the rope on her back, then she looked at her red mana nullifier. An idea popped into her head, and this would either save her life, or kill her.
Kai immediately rushed forward and dashed to throw a wave of flame to his father. Rowan thrusted upwards and threw a flurry of dark flames at Kai.
“Murus flammae!” Kai said, causing a wall of flame that disintegrated the fire.
“Oh no, you don’t.” Rowan said, before creating an aura of dark flames around him, making him push through the wall of fire, surprising Kai as he got punched in the face. “Your spells are nothing. Useless.”
Kai took that notice and immediately began to prepare himself. He now knew that his father also researched High Porthosian Pyromancy spells, and that made him sure of his theory. He was listening to his spells to adjust his attacks.
Kai thrusted sidewards, causing a gust of flame to follow him. He was followed by multiple balls of dark fire as he flew to the treetops, making the dark flames hit them, causing the trees to burn. Because of this, he finally had a bigger source to absorb fire from. He absorbed it and it created more glowing veins to pop up to his bicep. His father then began to thrust towards him at full speed, but this time, he knew what to do.
As loud as he could, he shouted “IGNIS!-” causing his father to go down to the trees. Kai however, was not going to continue, and erected a massive wall of flame, burning Rowan’s skin as he was thrown upwards. Kai then thrusted forward as he threw several fireballs without saying the spells, which caused a lot of mana, but he did not care anymore. The more he threw, the more he burned the skin of Rowan. His father tried a last ditch effort to let out a huge wave of fire to try to get to Kai, but the red general flew faster than him and appeared behind his falling body, with his eyes starting to glow bright orange. Rowan felt his hair rise up, but it was going to be of no use. Kai held his arm, and his hand began to melt through the boiling touch of his own son. Rowan screamed, but Kai did not say anything, and kept grabbing the arm to then twist his body mid air and throw him to the ground. Rowan fell down, and he felt a surge of blood come out of his mouth. Kai landed safely as he let out flames on his hand. The general walked to his father, seeing him beaten and coughing blood. Rowan pushed his body up until he knelt in front of Kai, who was glaring at him, veins glowing to his shoulders. Kai raised his hand, ready to end it all, but he saw his father’s state.
Burnt flesh, reaching to the bone. Similar to the peasants of…
Kai snapped out of his wrath. What has he done? He let himself go, and let his emotions conquer him. He was almost out of mana, and he was about to… kill…
Rowan saw Kai’s hesitance. His left arm was completely gone now, but his right hand tightened its grip. “You fool!” he shouted, with blood spilling out of his mouth. “You have the most powerful weapon known in this world, only few can ever have! You were born with magic! You have unlocked The Ring of Fire! You could kill so many enemies with one single snap of your finger, YET YOU DENY YOUR DESTINY!?”
Kai looked at him, and knelt in front of him, looking at his father as his jaw tightened on his mouth. He was having enough, but he knew his place in this world.
“Becoming the person who you are right now, will never be my destiny.” Kai replied.
The general stood up, turning around to face the reapers that were slowly backing away from him. Rowan growled, and stood up as well. He was going to attack, but he knew that it has no use now. “Very well then. If that’s what you think.” Rowan said, as his glowing veins began to move up from his elbow, to his bicep, as he kept on speaking…
“Dia.” the first word came, creating a ring of dark flames around him. Kai heard it, and felt his entire spine grow cold. “Duit.” he said, making the Black Valkyrie Regiment move backwards and was about to run. Kai was about to thrust upwards, but he knew that Maria, Chiron, and the other soldiers here would not be able to escape in time. The Red Blood Regiment was also arriving, and that means that if he were to complete this spell, everyone here would be engulfed in a massive explosion, including the reapers. Kai had to act. He had to save everyone, but he could not do anything but to…
“Eka-”
A sudden pause. Blood splattered across Kai’s face, as he saw the neck of his father explode in front of him. A throwing knife thrusted past Rowan’s Adam's apple, shattering his vocal chords, while the knife completely went through, with a glowing red mana nullifier on its handle, attached to a rope.
Rowan fell down, and the rope traced back to none other than Maria. “This is the difference between you, and us.” Maria said, as Kai saw the dreadful loss of life in front of him. His own father, dead at his face. The Red Blood Regiment arrived, along with some of the other Karthusian militias. Gold’s footsteps echoed through the forest, as the sound of shackling armor trembled the area. The echoes of smokey exhales rang through the ears of everyone, including the reapers. And as they saw the heavy breathing of the man himself, they started to run…. Fast.
Kai looked around him to see the Black Valkyrie Regiment assassins. He saw who they were and tried to remember their backgrounds. Requiem was a former reaper. Chiron was a former vagabond, William killed his way to reach the top, and then there was Kindred, still wearing the Black Valkyrie Regiment uniform, and looking at everything, trying to get the dead assassins to a safer place. He felt a fire burn inside him. He will never forget what he did. “I agree.” he replied to Maria.
“General! Are you alright!?” Leon rushed to Kai as they saw his face covered in Blood. The general only nodded, as he saw the Black Valkyrie Regiment chase the reapers beyond the forests. Everyone knew that most of them would not return, but these were reapers. One was enough to bring terror to the cities and peasants, and they would not let that happen while they were here. Kindred however, was the only person who did not follow the group, and stayed there, looking at his former comrades. His hood covered his face, but Aida, Gold, and Kai knew who was behind the veil.
“Go back to the camp. Get ready for tomorrow.” Kai said, followed by the comrades’ three finger salute.
Gold looked back, but his shoulder was tapped by Aida. “Come on.” she said, with a look of worry in her eyes.
Kindred looked at Kai, ready to speak. The general then looked at him as his glowing veins were evident to Kindred’s eyes.
“I’m sorry… I did not tell you.” Kindred said.
“Don’t.” Kai replied, looking away from him. “An apology is not enough for the damage you have caused.”
“Well then what should I do to atone for my sins?” Kindred said, looking at him, as he walked closer. “Should I kneel in front of you? Should I beg for mercy in the city? Should I revive all of them?”
“You should kill yourself.” Kai said, making Kindred stop and grow pale from the general’s words. Those 4 simple words felt like a stab to his heart, as he felt his left leg move back a bit. Kai then looked at Kindred straight in the eye.
“But even if you did, it would not be enough.” the general said. Kindred could not speak, as he felt a spike on his throat. If he even dared, it was a crack, as if he was holding back everything. Kai was his student, his brother, and most of all, he was one of his only friends. Kindred kept walking back, and Kai began to move forward to be close to him.
“I was a student of the SUV. After losing my friend Ron, I met so many students as my classmates. I kept hearing stories of my classmates who had bold eye colors, that their parents disappeared, but they kept on studying, because they believed that despite the discrimination they had, that they would have a second life if they just believed. Most of them died, and most of them could not take it anymore.” Kai said, pushing Kindred more and more, as the BVR Commander only looked down in agony. “All my life I thought that they abandoned me. Everytime I tried to make friends after Ron’s death, they would disappear. But it was all because of you. YOU LED THEM TO THEIR DEATHS!” Kai shouted, then punched Kindred on the face with a burning hand, causing the commander to fall down with a burnt face and a bleeding nose. Kindred couldn’t express anything, as he only accepted his fate, with tears falling down his eyes. He couldn’t even have time to notice the pain, as the emotions were too strong for him to even focus on. His face burned more and more, but immediately stopped once he hit the ground. Kai took out a bottle of red liquid from his pocket, and drank some of it, then closed it again to look at Kindred, still on the ground, refusing to even stand up. After he drank his healing potion, he then threw the remaining bottle at Kindred, shattering the glass on his skull. Kindred felt the pain, but it was immediately healed by the splash of the healing potion.
“You will never be enough.” General Kai said.
—
The Red Blood Regiment gathered around to get ready for their next mission. Aida checked the list on how much they were getting in terms of supplies. The food was ready, the weapons and armor were all fully stocked, and the healing potions…
Only a quarter full…
General Kai arrived at the camp, with his face now wiped off and clean, he looked at the soldiers training at night, which was extremely rare, but a new squad was forming in its wake. It was filled with… former Black Valkyrie Regiment assassins…
In the middle of the camp was Captain Steven, sitting in the middle of the campfire. With his body burning incredibly slow due to him being a tiefling, he had a potion in his hand. “Oh heyyyy, General Kai!” Steven said, but Kai was not in the mood to talk. Steven was confused, but just shrugged it off. He turned around to look for his comrades, but none were doing anything bad for him to be mad about. What he did saw was Aida, who was walking towards him… fast.
“Ignis Tolerantia.” Aida said, as she stormed towards Steven, with her eyes glaring at him while an aura of fire engulfed her body. She immediately snatched Steven’s healing potion and slapped his head. “YOU-” Aida shouted, as Steven suddenly scuttled and ran away to safety, but still looking at Aida. Aida got her bow ready and fired at Steven. The arrow landed on Steven’s cape, pinning him down to the ground. Steven tripped, and fell on his back.
“Listen Aida, I can explain!” Steven said.
“How many healing potions did you drink today???” Aida said, before taking out her arrow from his cape and pulling his collar upwards so he could stand. Steven couldn’t speak, and only gulped. Aida looked at Gold and said, “Check his tent.”
Gold walked towards Steven’s area and a sting of anxiety rattled within his bones. “Wait, wait wait. Aida please just give me a chance to-”
Gold ripped off the cloth from the tent, to reveal a pyramid of potion bottles, only to then fall down one by one on the floor.
“You better have an explanation for this before I write a report-” Aida said, before being stopped by a soothing voice coming from a woman behind one of the tents.
“He was giving them to the peasants who were asking for potions from the Royal family, but were denied.” Theadosia said, as she put her hand on Steven’s shoulder.
“I… I did? OW!-” Steven said, but felt a massive kick on his leg.
Aida looked at Theadosia as the tall figure looked at Aida’s eyes. She was an angel, and angels are usually from the Reedianite Order, meaning that they weren’t supposed to lie. Aida sighed, then let Steven go. “You know what? You explain this to the general.” Aida said before turning around along with Gold to meet with her sister.
“I thought Angels were holy and honest?” Steven said, as he looked at Theadosia with a smile. “The other angels at church were always kind, honest, and peaceful.”
Theadosia giggled then knelt to meet Steven in his eyes. “I’m not like other angels.”
Steven felt a sigh of relief as he then looked for anything around. He then realized that he ran out of potions. The craving started again, as if it was an itch on his throat. The taste of potions were so good, and he was beginning to feel like he was aching for the effects of the healing. Theadosia saw Steven palpitating and feeling upset, so she then said…
“Besides, I can manage.” she said as she held onto the grass as it withered around them both, then transferred the life essence onto Steven’s body through her magic. The burned wound slowly healed Steven, as he felt all the pain go away.
“Oh… thank you, Theadosia…” Steven said, as he then walked towards his tent, only to find out that his roof was long gone. When he looked around to see where it is, he saw the cloth roof in the middle of the camp… in the campfire…
“You like sitting in the campfire. Go sleep in the campfire.” Aida shouted.
—
Kai felt the anger go away when he finally reached his tent. This time, he needed to focus. Anytime now, the Committee of State Security would reach North Castle. The chaos that would ensue would be a good distraction for the two groups. But something bothered him about that fact. It was a distraction, sure, but people’s lives were at stake here. He had to act quickly.
“General.” Aida said, arriving as she swiped the tent’s entrances to the side, seeing Kai in a calm manner, thinking deeply about the events that happened earlier. “I checked everything and we are ready to move. The healing potions however…”
Kai turned his head to the side, then looked up to see the sky becoming clearer. No more clouds. Summer was here, and if they stayed for far longer, then more people would die by the hands of Jericho, or the Vonturians. “How many potions are left?” he asked.
“20 large flasks, sir…” Aida said hesitantly, with her notes going behind her back. A face of guilt and anxiety formed in her eyes. She wished it wasn’t true, but it was simply what was on the papers, whether she liked it or not. Kai looked down to see the new Red Blood Regiment soldiers training. He looked at Luxe, who was busy fighting with the other trainees. He was fighting 3 cadets at once, and each of them failed at landing a hit on the blue-haired mercenary. Kai then shifted his eyes to meet Theadosia, who was talking to a cervidian woman near the tents.
“We have new Sanamancers now, correct?” Kai said, while he was still looking at the two soldiers. He then turned around to look at Aida’s paperwork again, and grabbed one of the papers in the pile.
“Yes.” Aida replied, then immediately looked at Kai. “Don’t tell me- Are you sure?”
Kai didn’t answer, and only patted Aida on her shoulder, as he walked to the area where Luxe was fighting the three cadets. One was already knocked down, and was out of the fighting zone, while the two struggled to corner him. Luxe always seemed to reposition himself to be in front of the two soldiers so they could perfectly line up in front of him. It was a good trick, and Kai knew that this kind of fighting style was only familiar for those who wish to fight more than one royal guard when attacking a noble. He then sweeped the one in front to knock him down, while standing up to position his sword in front of the second man’s neck. He stopped. If the last opponent got nearer, he would be stabbed. Kai looked at the paper in his hand.
“Luxe Erstio.” Kai said, reading it allowed and grabbed the person’s attention. “It seems like you still have it in you after the many nobles you’ve killed during your days in…”
“I still have it in me to kill more if you try to humiliate me right now.” Luxe said, looking at Kai in a slight glare.
Kai smiled, then walked closer to the fighting arena, getting closer to the newly recruited soldier. He had his paper on him as he looked at it closely. “And what is Commander Luxe Erstio of the People’s Liberation Front doing in a Liberal Democratic military unit working for the richest nobles in all of the Selyrian North?” he said with a soft voice. No one heard it, except for Luxe himself. “I’m an Ellington, descendant of one of the most powerful pyromancers of Selyria. I am rich in a sense. Yet you choose to be in this group?”
Luxe walked close to him, with his sword now being sheathed. The sound of metal rang through the fighting area, as the soldiers began to fall asleep. “I always had something for rich men like you.” he said, while now being close to Kai. “I killed so many noblemen and royal guards that you will not see in that paper.”
“You’re supposed to be dead by now.”
“My journey has indeed run its course, general.” Luxe said, before looking at the peasants who were now preparing to go to sleep. “You may not believe me. I could care less. But you need someone who knows how to lead in a battle. I killed as many as I could, thinking that it was the way to bring equality to this world, but now I wish to save lives. Take that as you will, Ellington.”
“You… turned away?” Kai said, looking at his eyes.
“We killed nobles. You save lives. That itself is enough of a difference for me to leave that order.” Luxe said, and Kai only nodded. The general then turned back to go to his tent again.
“I’ll see you in the field… Commander Luxe.” General Kai said, suddenly making Luxe look up in shock. In a sudden turn of events, he was promoted. Perhaps Democracy has a place for former radicals like him. As for Kai however, his battle experience was enough for him to lead. If he ever tried to turn back, he knew what to do. Gold looked at Luxe in a serious manner, and Luxe looked back. He was given a sudden responsibility, and he knew that he needed to work hard for it.
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