All right everyone, this is where the BIG twist comes into play, read on and you'll see what it is.


Switching Allegiances

Well, this was a situation Rean and I found ourselves in. It was the evening and were in the main bridge with Rufus, Crow, Vita and Duke Cayenne himself.

"Rean Schwarzer...and Alex Lionheart." He said. "Truth be told, we don't want this war to drag on any more than you do."

"Really?" Rean responded.

I grunted silently.

"We only acted as we did due in part to our dearly departed chancellor's behavior being far too unreasonable to justify turning a blind eye." He continued. "He garnered the trust of His Majesty, and in turn, misused that trust. He flagrantly disregarded this nation's beloved culture and traditions, treating Erebonia as if it were his on personal property. Surely you two, noticed this."

"Well, I can't deny that here was something off about him, but that doesn't excuse the fact that you Alliance people had to take it to the extreme and get innocent lives involved." I responded. "You didn't have to take it that far."

"True...it was beyond reason. But as I said, the cause of our nation's ills is now gone. Now, all that remains is to turn back the hands of time just a touch, and the good old days of the Empire will be upon us once more. The key to this bright future lies in putting aside our differences and joining hands...am I wrong?"

"I'm afraid that yes, you are." Rean replied. "Do you honestly believe that people can so easily put aside their differences after all the alliance has done?! You occupied Heimdallr and effectively took everyone one of its citizens hostage, imprisoned the Imperial family."

"It hurts me to mention this, but let's not forget about that enemy group responsible for destroying Galleria Fortress and losing the only family relative I had." I clenched my fists. "How could the Imperial Army ever bow down after what happened, even if the civilians are forced to?"

"My word, I'm afraid there's been a terrible misunderstanding." Cayenne said. "The Imperial family is simply under our loving protection! They certainly haven't been imprisoned. But that does bring to exactly why I want you to help us."

"It does?" Rean asked.

"What does this have to do with us?" I added.

"The Azure Knight is already on our side, but if we had the Ashen Knight and the powers of the demon lord as well, that would mean we'd have two of the Great Knights of Erebonian legend and the powers of Revelio as you call it, to put into play." Cayenne answered. "Couple that with our Panzer Soldats, and the Imperial Army's armored divisions would cower before us. You may not find us winning the war ideal, but this union benefits everyone more than carrying on until our inevitable victory, hmm?"

I fell into silence.

"I don't think it's that simple." Rean said.

"I beg to differ. The presence of Soldat units on a battlefield makes a tremendous difference." Rufus intervened. "What they may lack in firepower and armor compared to tanks, they make up for in mobility and versatility. But more important than those factors is the psychological impact they have on our opponents."

"We're only human. As such, we are as captivated as we are terrified of giant beings bearing human form." Vita added. "And if that's true, even for mass-produced Soldats made with modern technology, it will be all the more true for the Divine Knights of legend you and Crow possess."

Crow rubbed his head. "Can't argue with that logic."

"So what about my powers, where do I fit in all this?" I asked.

"This is where my idea for a proposal will come into play." Cayenne answered. "If you and Rean agree to join us, you will be welcomed with open arms. The Divine Knights will have their tasks whilst you will undertake several missions to help release those powers from within you."

"Hmm...I'm afraid it's not as simple as that, I haven't come to terms with it yet and who knows how long it's gonna take before my true powers return, trying to force it out would do me more harm than good as well."

"We had that feeling too." Vita said. "But you won't be alone for those. You will be assigned partners for each mission and they will all take place on the west side of Erebonia."

'So I will be on the far opposite side of the capital? Well, at least it would keep me far away from everyone else.' I thought. "Well...this is sounding a little more like me..."

"Alex, I don't think you should..." Rean warned.

"I will say it once more, Giliath Osborne is dead." Cayenne said. "And with his death, all that's left to be done is end this ridiculous war and return order to the empire. Only then will everything be as it should. That includes both your pleasant academy lives and the peaceful days of darling Elise and her friend, the Princess."

Rena was taken back by this. "Are you trying to..."

"Whatever you ultimately decide, their safety is guaranteed." Rufus said. "I would ask that you promise him and Alex this if nothing else, Your Grace."

"But of course. I'm not a monster." Cayenne replied.

'You may not be, but I know I am.' I thought.

"We may sit on opposite sides of this conflict, but I still sit on Thor's board of directors." Rufus said. "And in that capacity, I suggest you both consider carefully the choice before you. After all, every solider must decide for himself whether a cause is worth fighting, perhaps even dying, for. I look forward to hearing your answers."

Cyanne, Rufus, Vita and Crow then left, leaving me and Rean a little lost at what to think over, two guards then came over.

"Please come with us, Master Rean and Master Alex." One of them said.

"You will be escorted to your guest room." The other one added. "Food and refreshments will be provided for you there."

We then left and we're taken to the guest room where several other rooms were.

There was no other action for us to take except to call it a night and then think over it.


Dateline, December 13th, 1204.

The next day came on by and Rean and I were in our guest room. I could only look out the window with concern whilst Rean was thinking too much.

'Emma...I hope you're alright out there.' I thought. 'Please continue to believe in me wherever you are.'

We then heard our door being opened. "Keep rackin' your brains like that and smoke'll start coming out of your ears."

We turned to see Crow and he was holding a small basket.

"Oh...it's you, Crow." I said.

"What do you want?" Rean asked firmly.

"Hey, now. No need to give me that look." Crow replied. "I figured I was gonna find you busy thinking everything over like your life depended on it. And what do you know? I was right."

"How about you mind your own damn business?! I figured the glorious Azure Chevalier would be far too busy with the war to be hanging out around here."

"Rean, you should probably calm down." I advised. "Trust me, I'm a little pissed off about the situation we're in, but getting aggressive now isn't going to solve anything."

He sighed angrily.

"Sounds like you're keeping it cool, Alex." Crow said. "I'm a little envious of you on that one. And come on, you should stop freaking out about it so much and make a choice."

"This isn't something I can just decide by flipping a coin, Crow!" Rean exclaimed.

"Rean, I just said to control yourself!" I cut him off. "We have to keep our heads cool if we want to...huh, what's with the basket, by the way?"

"Grub of course." Crow answered. "It's a little early, but I brought you two your lunch, mind if I join in?"

Rean sighed. "Fine..."

Crow closed the door, placed the basket on the table and unpacked it to reveal three cups of drinks, three burgers and a plate of fries and sauces. Rean and I sat on one sofa and Crow sat on the other side.

"I've seen those burgers before." I said. "They're fish burgers mostly sold in Crossbell."

"Yep, that's the one." Crow replied. "Figured you might like them. Guess it was worth putting my cooking skills to the test after all."

"Wait, you made this?" Rean asked.

"Was my first time cooking in a while, too. Sharon could probably do better, though. But I wanted to give it a shot anyway. This stuff was like soul food back in Jurai where I grew up."

"Yeah, a valid point." I nodded. "Wait, Jurai? That was one of the locations during the field studies, right?"

"Yep, well remembered."

I then tucked in to the food whilst listening to Rean and Crow. After we were finished with lunch, Crow got up and stood near the window before he explained his entire back story and how it all began back in his hometown of Jurai before the Chancellor came along and things changed. At least I now know why he became the way he is and where the Imperial Liberation Front first formed before he became an awakener. The way I see it, it doesn't excuse his betrayal to Class VII, but I did understand why those events affected him.

"I don't know what to say, Crow." Rean said as he was standing close by.

"Come on, now. What's with the face?" Crow asked.

"I think it's because now we know, the reality of what we're facing in the world today has sunk in really hard." I answered. "Hard to think that the person who helped set up that whole concert was someone who had such a troubled past, just like me."

"Hehe, I swear...I'm not trying to tell you both the chancellor was evil or anything. Still, there's no denying that he managed to outwit my grandfather. And he may have lost, but Pops always loved a good gamble. It's thanks to him that I'm pretty good at chess, card games...that kinda stuff."

Crow then looked at us. "Listen, Rean, Alex. I don't want whatever your decisions are to be influenced by my past, okay? Like Rufus said, you need to think long and hard what it is you're fighting for."

Crow then went to the table and packed up the empty dishes and cups inside the basket.

"Well, I think I've stood here long enough. You two are gonna be treated like visitors, well sort of." He said. "It's about time for the high ups to head back to Heimdallr, so go ahead and pass the time however you want."

"Uhhh, what could we do here?" I asked. "I know this ain't a prison, but still..."

I paused myself when I heard a small airship flew by. Rean and I looked through the window to see Cayenne, Rufus and Vita on the airship before it flew away.

"There'll be no guards outside your room, so if you two wanna escape, be my guest." Crow said. "Just keep in mind that some members of Ouroboros and Zephyr are on board, too. Not to mention me, Scarlet and Vulcan. So if you're up for a gamble of your own, get ready to take all of us on."

"Sounds fun." Rean replied.

I chose to say nothing.

Crow then began to leave before he stopped near the door. "Oh yeah, one more thing. There's this real cute visitor in the guest of honor's room on the second floor. I think she'd perk right up if she saw you, so why not go pay her a visit?" He winked. "Just don't go making your girlfriends jealous, 'kay?" He then left.

"Well...shall we make a start on getting some info?" I asked.

"Yeah, we can make our choices after that." Rean answered. "Then we'll go to the second floor and see who Crow means."

We left the guest room, there were two doors on the opposite side. We went to the one on the right and Rean knocked before we went in. When we were inside, we were met with a familiar woman.

"Hello there, you two." She greeted.

"Oh, Scarlet." I responded. "I was wondering if I would meet you again. Vulcan's here too, isn't he?"

She nodded. "Would you two care from some tea?"

"Well, I guess there's no harm in that." Rean answered.

Scarlet prepared tea and we sat by the sofas and Rean and I wanted to get to the point.

"What kind of family did you come from, Scarlet?" Rean asked.

"Oh, they weren't nobles if that's what you're wondering." Scarlet answered. "They were just relativity wealthy farmers. We were almost local celebrities in a way."

"Life as a farmer, I've always wondered about that." I pondered. "But it leaves me wondering why? Why did you join the Imperial Liberation Front?"

"He's not the only one." Rean added. "I'd heard that you lost your hometown because Osborne built a railway through it."

"Oh, did C tell you?" Scarlet asked. "No, I suppose it must have been V. He never was one to keep quiet about things."

"So, I mean, what happened?"

"Some things are best left unsaid, I think. It's like you with your secret power, Alex."

I sighed. "Yeah, can't deny that. But I did get over the hurdle of telling my friends all about it, so they understand me better."

"Good to know."

Rean was unsure of himself and Scarlet noticed. "You both are so adorable. Now I know why C took a liking to you two." She said. "What do you say? How about you come and fight with me and the other big girls and boys? It'll be fun, I promise."

"Please stop teasing me." Rean sighed.

"We have a difficult decision to make." I added. "We can't decide it just yet."

"Of course, there's no need to rush." Scarlet replied.

"Oh, but there is one thing I want to know...do you, Vulcan and Crow hold a grudge against me, for when my father killed Gideon?"

Scarlet shook her head. "Not exactly. The blame of who killed our comrade lies at the feet of your father, not you."

I nodded. "Alright, that's fair enough."

"Anyway, that's all I'm telling you for now. I'll give either you or both the full story if you decide to join us, sound fair?"

"We'll think about it, we should go."

Rean and I got up and we thanked her for the tea before leaving her room.

"She was a lot friendlier than before." I said.

"Yeah, but I wonder what she plans to do now that the chancellor is gone." Rean added.

We went to the door next to Scarlet's and knocked before entering to see Vulcan sitting on the sofa.

"Oh, it's you two. You finished talkin' with C?" He asked.

"Yeah, and we're just having a little tour to pass the time." I answered.

We took a seat and we had a few questions for him.

"Just out of curiosity, how many members does the Imperial Liberation Front have left?" Rean asked.

"Hmm...ten, give or take?" Vulcan responded. "We lost most of our members as soon as the war started kickin' into gear. We all came from different backgrounds, but the one thing we had in common was that we hated that bastard's guts. So after he'd kicked it, most of the guys didn't really have any reason for stickin' around. Can't say I blame 'em for callin' it quits."

"I see, I guess the feeling of the aftermath can be taken in many ways." I said. "Where do you stand on the issue of this civil war?"

Vulcan hummed. "Me? I don't really care how this war goes. I mean, I'm a former jaeger who can hold his own in a fight. I've always lived for war. And teachin' those dumbasses in the provincial armies how to pilot Soldats is a job worth doin', even if it's a pain."

"I see." Rean replied. "But still, the crimes you alliance people have committed will never vanish, but no one wants this war to go on longer than it has to."

"Heh, here's some advice for you both. If you've got time to worry about us, use it to worry about yourselves. Whether you choose to side with the alliance or go against 'em, you've got a tough road ahead, whether you like it or not."

We felt that we couldn't get more out of him, so we left his room.

"That advice he gave hit a little close to home, considering what we have right now." I said.

We then walked across the hall area before we noticed Bleublanc without his mask.

"Good day to you, Rean and Alex." He greeted.

"Ah, its Phantom Thief B." I replied before taking a seat. "Actually no, you're Bleublanc without the mask, right?"

"Haha, well remembered. Care for a drink you two?"

"Okay, but nothing alcoholic though." Rean answered.

I couldn't help but feel a little feel irked to be in the same presence as him, but maybe that's why he is who he is. He talked about a few things and we couldn't get much out of him, a part of me had a feeling that Bleublanc doesn't believe Rean or I will join.

After our discussion was over, we went over to the four rooms, we went to the bottom right and Rean knocked the door before we were told to come in. In the room were the two jaeger men we battled before, Xeno and Leo.

"Haha. Figured it was you two, 'sup?" Xeno asked.

"Have a seat." Leo added. "Bourbon?...I suppose not."

"I'm afraid we're not old enough to drink yet..." I replied. "...although I wouldn't mind getting wasted and wake up inside a barrel at Ymir village the next day."

"I seriously hope you're joking, Alex." Rean sighed.

We took a seat on the chairs. Our questions would no doubt be related to Fie which was how this discussion began.

"Heh. Oh yeah?" Xeno asked after hearing about Fie's progress. "Brings a tear to my eye to see our little Fie putting her heart into her education."

"And don't forget, she was the youngest of her classmates, too." Leo added. "The boss was right when he said that she can do anything she puts her mind to."

"You got that right. Maybe joining the Gardening Club'll make her a bit more ladylike, too...ah who am I kidding?"

"She's still young. She has plenty of time to develop on that front if she so pleases."

"If you don't mind me asking, why did you leave Fie behind?" Rean asked. "After your boss was killed in a battle with his sworn enemy, I mean."

"Oh, Fie told you about that?" Xeno responded. "Sounds like you're closer to her than I thought you were."

"I trust this is simply me being paranoid." Leo glared at us. "But you two haven't tried making any moves on her, have you?"

That took us by surprise.

"No, of course not!" Rean exclaimed. "I wouldn't dream of it!"

"Same here, I'm already taken by another girl!" I added. "Fie is more like a little sister to me who stops me from doing stupid things and that's that."

"A sister, huh?" Xeno asked. "Well, I guess that's fine."

Leo nodded. "As long as you know your place when Fie is around, we will be on good terms."

"Y-yes..."

"We just want to know why you'd abandon her when she obviously means so much to the two of you!" Rean said. "She thought of you like family. Why did you leave her all alone?"

"Well...we had our reasons let's leave it at that." Xeno answered. "I know you wanna know, but we're not the ones you should be telling that to."

"We'll be sure to tell Fie our reasons in due time." Leo said. "Until then, leave the issue be."

"All right, I can accept that." Rean replied.

"Returning to the matter at hand, Rean. You're sure you haven't tried to make any moves on her?"

"C'mon, spit it out." Xeno added.

'They sure act like fathers, good thing I'm with Emma.' I thought before Rean and I left.

We didn't get much out of them, but we resumed and went to the room on the other side, Rean went inside right away whilst I stayed outside. When I heard a lady yell, I knocked on the door. "Is everything okay in there, Rean?" I called.

"Oh, isn't that your friend, Rean?" A voice asked. "Please come in!"

I opened the door and went in, closing the door behind me and seeing Duvalie and Rean.

"Well, at least you have the proper manners to enter a lady's room." She said. "Now then, what do you two want? Have you both come to tell me that you'll be fighting on our side after all?"

"Not yet, Rean and I still need more time to choose." I answered. "This is a very difficult decision after all."

Duvalie nodded. "Well of course, this isn't a moment where you can decide and be done with it."

"So why are you working with the Noble Alliance?"

"Well, I'm simply cooperating because I was told doing so was necessary to the plan."

"Plan?" Rean responded. "Just so we're clear, that lord you keep mentioning isn't Vita, is it?"

"No. She may be an Anguis like her, but my lord is the Seventh, not the Second. She is the leader of the Stahlritter, the great light which guides us. Gallant yet beautiful, proud yet merciful. She's the strongest knight of all! And oh, she's simply divine!"

'Ohhhh kaaaaay. Yeah, that one's a stalker for sure.' I thought.

"And with that, I believe that's enough idle chatter. If you haven't made the decision to fight on our side yet, then we remain neutral. That is, until you decide not to fight with us, in which case we remain enemies."

"Sounds fair enough to me." I replied. "Let's go, Rean."

"Umm, right." Rean added before we left Duvalie's room.

She sure has her own reasons, but I got the impression that she would tell more if we joined. We went to the door next to hers and knocked but there was no reply. Rean then opened the door and went in, I had a bad feeling, so I waited outside.

I then heard a commotion and knocked on the door. "Rean, are you okay in there?" I asked.

"Hm?"

"Oh...it's Altina...may I come in?"

"Yes...you may."

I entered the room to find Rean on one knee and the Black Doll present.

"See, this is what happens when you enter a room without permission." I sighed. "We're not at your family home, after all."

"Ha ha." Rean frowned before standing up. "Oh, whatever. I suppose it's my own fault for coming in without permission."

"Anyways, I wanna assure you that I will not commit any action that treads the line of perverted desires or temptation. Unlike Rean here, I have a lot of respect for the opposite gender."

Rean sighed.

"Hmm, very well, I accept your belief." Altina replied.

"Anyways...what are your reasons for helping the alliance?" Rean asked. "Why do you have a puppet just like Millium's? Just who are you?"

"The answer to your first question is that I was ordered to do so. As all information regarding Claiomh Solais is confidential, I am unable to answer your second question. And as for the last one, I am unable to fully comprehend the depth of your question."

Rean sighed. "Oh, forget it..."

"Why don't I take a stab at it." I told him. "Altina, I think what he meant to say was where did you originally live before you were recruited to join?" I asked.

"The Black Workshop." She answered. "It was the place I belonged to. It was they who loaned me to the Noble Alliance."

"I see...and did Millium come from The Black Workshop?"

Altina hummed. "Unless you choose to join the alliance, that is the most I'm able to discuss with you."

"Fair enough. Then let me change the topic. Are Princess Alfin and Elise showing no problems?"

"Her highness and Elise are in normal condition. Their locations however were not made aware to me."

Rean sighed. "Well, that's good to know. You're a lifesaver, Alex."

"Just doing what I do best." I shrugged.

Rean smiled at her a little. "Thanks for telling us. I'll be sure to remember that name."

"Okay, let's leave this room before you make a second mistake."

"Alright...see you around, Altina."

"Yes, we shall meet again whether as allies or enemies." Altina replied.

We left the room and I sighed, to think that a girl like her was loaned...we should ask Millium about it some time. We went to the last door and Rean suddenly clutched his chest before he refocused and we knocked before entereing the room.

"Huh?" A voice asked.

Yep, it had to be McBurn and for some reason, I got a slight headache just by seeing him.

"Oh it's you two." He said. "Forgot you both were staying here."

"Yeah, there's something we wanna ask something important." I replied.

He sighed. "What a pain in the ass..."

We each sat on a chair and McBurn sat on the sofa.

"So, what do you wanna ask?" McBurn asked.

"It's about what you said back at Aurochs Canyon." I answered. "What did you mean by us being mixed? Could it be something to do with the powers we have?"

"Hmmm, don't know if I can even explain that one. It's just something you feel. What we've got mixed into us is obviously different in strength and nature. It's kinda hard to put into words."

"Yeah, seems that way." Rean replied. "I know you're not trying to confuse us on purpose, but I really can't wrap my head around what you're saying."

McBurn held up his hand with two fingers up and a flick of flame appeared.

"There's no trick to it." McBurn said. "I'm not using an orbment, it's not magic and I'm not using an artifact, either. I just will fire to appear and it does."

"So it's just a totally unnatural ability?" Rean asked.

The fire from his fingers disappeared and he put his arm down. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. Something that just gives you results without the processes you'd actually have to go through to obtain them. You've got one each, right?"

"Well..." Rean rested his hand on his chest.

"There, huh? And what about you?"

"His is a little different to mine." I answered before tapping my head "But it happens up here...and if it goes out of control, then I turn into a demon lord."

"A demon lord, huh? Now there's something different. Anyway, I may not know how, where or why they got mixed into you both. Sure you two have got more questions, but sorry, I can't answer them."

"No it's okay, you've told us enough already." Rean replied.

"Just one more thing, how much of you is unnatural?" I asked.

McBurn smirked at us. "All of me."

I blinked and we left his room. He had a point, maybe in time I'll learn to overcome this unnatural fact of wielding demon powers without fear.

"Well, that should be all of the members we can speak to." I said. "Shall we go to the second floor?"

"Yeah, let's go and see who it is." Rean replied.

We went to the main hall and up the stairs before crossing the floor way. We saw a door at the end, Rean knocked it and we entered to see a massive guest room and a familiar person.

"Huh? Princess Alfin!" I blinked.

"Alex? Rean?!" She responded.

"I had a feeling it was you, but I didn't dare to hope." Rean said.

Alfin rushed over and hugged Rean.

"What are...I mean, how did you both get here? This all feels like a dream..."

"It's not a dream." I replied. "We're here in the flesh and relieved to see you're okay."

"I'm so sorry that you had to go through all of this." Rean apologized. "If I hadn't been so weak and careless, none of this would've happened."

"You mustn't apologize." Alfin responded. "Simply being able to see you and Alex again is more than I could've hoped for."

After Alfin hugged me, we took a few minutes to calm down and we explained to her what we had done for a few days before we got on here because we were invited by Cayenne. As they continued talking, I began to have this decision in my head. If I join the Noble Alliance, then I would have time to learn in overcoming my fear and put this issue to rest and be able to use my true powers at will.

After several minutes of Rean realizing what he had been ignoring all this time, Alfin then looked at me. "What about you, Alex?"

"Me?" I responded.

"Yes, you don't plan to follow Duke Cayenne's orders, are you?"

I hummed. "Well, I can't exactly be pleased about the Noble Alliance and siding with the Imperial Army would earn a lot of trouble and more enemies than what we have to face right now. There's also the fact that I'm still fighting against my own power."

"I see..."

"However, after telling the story to my friends and learning more about the alliance members, I feel that I'm close to making a choice."

"Oh, you have?" Rean asked.

I then stood away and looked down, before looking ahead with a stern face...this was going to hurt.

"I'm staying with the Noble Alliance."

Rean and Alfin's eyes were open wide.

"WHAT?!" Rean exclaimed. "You can't be serious!"

"I'm sorry, Rean. But this is the only chance I'm gonna get." I replied. "If I wanna help stop this war, then I have to end it by using everything I have, I can't do that if I still have this fear of my true powers."

"But why?" Alfin cried. "Must you side with Duke Cayenne in order to do that?"

"If that's what it takes to help get rid of my power issue for good, then that's what I'll do."

Rean shook his head. "This can't be happening!"

"Look, I have my own battles to fight, I don't need a babysitter. Learning to overcome the fear of demon power is something I alone must do. Just like you said back at the meeting, you have your reasons to stop the war and that is to save Elise."

"Y-yeah, I still do, but still..."

"Then trust me on this one. Besides, I'm not going to be officially joining them, I just need some time alone to overcome this burden. If you're able to do that Rean, then I should be able to do this as well."

Alfin sniffed.

"I know, it sounds like I'm betraying you all, but I am not! Unlike Crow, I appreciate everything that we have done together as one and proud to have waved the Class VII banner. I am happy to know you and everyone else that have become friends with me, I'm also happy to have fallen in love with Emma. So please trust in me and believe in me. I'm only going to stay here with a condition of my own and plus, I'll be able to get you the information we couldn't get earlier. That should be a win-win situation."

Rean sighed before shaking my hand.

"Alright, Alex...I will trust you...and believe in you." He replied. "If you have to face this on your own and find a way to bury that fear for good, I won't stop you."

"It's hard to accept your decision...but, I understand, Alex." Alfin added. "Do what you must...and always remember that we'll be waiting for you to return with open arms."

I smiled. "Thank you. Also...this is gonna sound obvious, but you must swear to NEVER tell any of our friends about this. If any of them ask why I'm not with you, just say that the Noble Alliance still has me captured and they gotta believe in me that I will return, okay?"

Rean nodded. "Okay...I swear on my life that I will keep this a secret."

"I will do my best to keep it to myself as well." Alfin said. "But I will keep you in my heart and pray to Aidios everyday until the day you return to us."

"Yeah, that's more than enough for me...thanks again."

I shared a handshake and a hug with Rean and then a close hug with Alfin and then pulled away.

"So then, how are you two planing to escape?" I asked.

"By using the Ashen Knight." He answered. "But first, Alfin and I need to find a way to get onto the deck without being seen by the guards."

"Well, maybe you could use the vents, maybe there's one in one of the rooms somewhere."

"Okay, then let's go, Your Highness."

"Alright, I never imagined I'd be running with you like this." Alfin replied. "Elise is going to be so envious."

"Hehe, anyways, do take great care of your self Alex and come back alive." Rean said to me.

"I will, you can count on me." I nodded.

Rean and Alfin left the room whilst I stood near the window and looked ahead. I had full confidence that Rean and Alfin will eventually find a way out. As for me, I had my own battles to prepare for...it's time to come face to face with my dark self and start accepting all of my troubles.


There's your big twist, Alex has chosen to "side" with the Noble Alliance...for the time being.

Next time! Alex is assigned a few tasks whilst under the watch of his new partners.