After some time, they eventually found out about the others' whereabouts and decided to prepare for the upcoming war.
...
"Everyone, follow the plan. I don't want any of my men to die out there." A blonde male sternly says, setting a map in the middle of a table.
"This is me." He places the white king chess piece onto the map. "I'll be on the front lines, engaging the commander in combat. You will all surround me." He then places knights close to his figure.
"The Queen and her subordinates will be here." He adds a black queen chess piece parallel to the white king piece. "We shall commence war tomorrow. I expect everyone's full ability to fight. Good luck."
Everyone saluted and howled his name. "And for the fallen bretheren, may we wish them peace." They all bowed silently.
"Dismissed." They all left and he was the only one. He takes a small parchment and a quill and starts writing.
Ara, I'll save you.
He finishes this, puts it in an envelope, and stamps a seal of Hamel. He leaves to prepare for tomorrow, the candle soon dying.
He lays on his bed, remembering his promise of ending her if she ever turned against him or anyone she loved.
His eyes water. "I... can't..." He takes the locket on his neck and holds it tightly.
"Please... Don't make me do this..."
...
"Chloe, prepare all of your troops for the battle tomorrow. We shall destroy Hamel and search for the missing guardian. Once we take him into custody, he'll be our ally from that point." She explains to the elf. The candle shines dimly on the dark room, making the atmosphere tense.
Strangely, her demonstration also used a map and identical chess pieces. She uses her rose-shaped piece to knock the blue cross-shaped piece over to the side.
"This will not be easy. The leader uses both guns and cannons, which makes him versatile in both short and long range combat. Be careful as his aim could end you." She nods.
"I expect every one of you to fight to your fullest to serve your queen. I wish you all luck and strength."
She bows and exits the room. "Thank you, Milady."
She sips her tea in silence. She then places a lone rose next to the map.
She heaves a sigh as she takes a quill and a parchment. She starts writing.
Chung, I'll find you.
As soon as she finished, she placed the letter inside an envelope and stamps a rose-shaped seal.
She stands up and marches to her room, leaving the letter beside the candle. Its flame glowing dimly.
She reads the codex once more, reciting all of the spells she will utilize for the war. However, she was interrupted by a thought.
'If I get defeated, will I surrender?' Another thought impedes.
'Of course you won't. You'll struggle to fight him until HE is the one dead. Unless, you don't have the guts to defeat him.'
She speaks aloud. "I do. I just can't... kill him..."
'I'll do the work of finishing him. You don't have to see him die.' The voice fades away.
She went silent and removes the locket from her neck. She looks at the image inside it once more, weeping over the decision.
"I'm... sorry..."
END
Midori: I made the scenes parallel. I'm sorry. *bows*