The Mantis War

by The Hellsent

Once, there existed on a great continent, three countries: the Grandall Empire, the Kingdom of Dalkia, and the Halteese Republic. An in depth fiction revolving around the Chronicles of the Sword of Soul Calibur III; though, this fiction begins between the events of Soul Calibur IV and V, beginning in 1605.

10. Act: I Chapter: X

I used quite a few different aspects in this chapter. However, if you dislike light sexually charged humor, you are advised not to read, also, as a pre-chapter warning, due to content, within the next few chapters, this fiction will be moved to the 'M' category.

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Act: I

Chapter: X

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Sept. 28th

The passing days were slow and nerve-racking. Raisa had completed her modifications to both Heartless and Vindicate while also maintaining her blade Sapphire. However, she had been working on a private piece which no one had yet to see. She disliked it herself but it was needed for the times to come. Timing those whom would normally frequent the Shoppe as well as when Ky normally woke up, Raisa placed her work under the counter and then rested her arms upon the counter-top.

In the fashion of clockwork, Ky's door opened and he walked out of his room barefoot. He wore long leather pants and wore a long-sleeved tunic. His hair was tied and he seemed as if he had just woken up.

"Less productive as usual…" He groaned as she said those words to him. Raisa had been awake as early as dawn working while Ky was accustomed to beginning much later in the day. "…is it not the charge of one to rise early in order to get work done?"

"I'm up; do you have to keep me up at the same time instead of shifts?" Raisa looked him over.

"You once said, we are in this together, so why can't you wake when I do?"

"That doesn't mean we have to be awake at the same time. It just means during the morning, you could work and then by the afternoon, I take over from there."

"…really, and this is coming from one with an inferior firearm; else, a weak arm?" Ky's face shriveled at her insult. "Well, I suppose, at least you missed your target by mere feet opposed to damn near killing an innocent animal like Meiga."

Ky and Raisa argue over Ky's current pistol design and modifications.

"A weapon is only as good as its smith."

"I know that." He responded.

"If you do, then you'd know your weapon is completely insufficient with combat."

"You can't say that it's insufficient!"

"I can and I have, you have one shot, then you need to reload. I have six per firearm, which gives me up to twelve if I want to go that route. My targets, anywhere from one to twelve will be long dead while yours is closing in on your for the kill, if not, has killed you already."

"It is no fault of mine that you believe that your own make is enough for several enemies. That is simply the logic of a child." Along with the uproar of voices outside, Raisa was able to discern Raiko's voice and even had the chance to spot her mixed within a different group of men than that she had been seen with a few days prior. Scoffing, Raisa added on to her earlier statement: "…or the logic of a whore…"

"…" Ky said nothing. He simply crossed his arms and looked away.

"…agh, poor child, mayhap you should have been taken from the breast at an earlier age opposed to fourteen." Ky's face flared in alarm and even more so, his hand unconsciously drifted towards his pistol. "Oh, now that would not be God-Like now would it?" She asked pointing towards his firearm. As he realized just what he was coming close to doing, Ky un-holstered his firearm and approached the counter.

With her blade underneath the counter-top, she would sever a hand before he could fire, yet what surprised her was that he slammed the weapon down upon the counter-top.

"Fine, just take it!" With that said he left his firearm on the counter and immediately left. With his leave, Raisa immediately got to work. After disassembling select parts of his firearm, Raisa began to operate with the integration of her work with his insufficient weapon.

"It pays to trigger the weaknesses of others…but…in the end, he will come to appreciate my efforts."

It took a few hours' time, but far less than she originally assumed, but Raisa was able to change the base firing mechanism, re-fit, and apply her experimental hybrid of lance and double-barrel in order to give him a better edge in battle. After she had finished, she looked and noticed that it had been drawing on into the mid-afternoon.

Knowing he stormed off roughly five hours ago, Raisa knew he would be back in only a matter of time. Hiding the weapon after it had completely cooled, she immediately set out with blade in hand. Of all things, Raisa had yet to eat and seeing that she had completed what she had been working on for near two months, Raisa was in a rare happy mood. Roaming about Eastborough, she passed by the markets which were somewhat crowded, but none too difficult to navigate and headed on down to the Svipul.

Upon entering, music filled her ears. Her nostrils were filled with rum and foreign liqueurs, while her belly clawed at her craving for food. Walking to a free table that was close, she sat herself down against the northern wall of the tavern.

As she sat herself down, she noticed that she was being watched. Not by any drunk but by Nikita. Raisa paid little mind to any other, however with Nikita's watchful eyes, it felt as if daggers were being held at her neck.

"Oi, what'dya fancy love?"

"…love…?" Looking at the woman who stood before her, Raisa ignored the word and asked for her usual choice: "Any Mutton on the fire?"

"Ugh, Mutton? Wouldn't you like something else? Oysters?"

"Oysters…are for the rich. I'll not break purse just to dine as some aristocrat…" Raisa placed her elbows on the table and then interlaced her fingers. "…Mutton and a proper flagon of Limoux..."

"Egh…sure thing…" Turning away, the woman muttered the word freak under her breath and due to the music, conversation, and laughter, Raisa did not hear it.

Listening to the music which had been played, Raisa leaned back in her chair and enjoyed what was playing. Watching the people about the tavern mind their own, some were dancing jigs. One woman had her hands upon her hips and was performing short steps towards a group and when she reached them, she span and then took the same form of steps in retreat.

Men cheered and drank as women danced. It was not a bad environment at all. Even with Nikita watching her from a distance, Raisa paid her little mind. One thing she had not expected had been company. As she sat watching people dancing their jigs, a voice beckoned her and as she heard her name, she looked in the direction of the speaker.

Seeing the red-haired giant, Raisa smirked as he looked down to her from his perch. He wore deep blue breeches which covered the entirety of his legs and steel toed boots. The clothing, which covered his torso, was a crimson brigadine.

"Gallagher…"

"Ah, you do remember me. Well, mind if I sit ma'am? It is only natural to sit and speak respectfully instead of as we are." His voice was deep but his Irish accent was moderately heavy. Yet, she could say nothing of his accent as her heavy Russian accent made it difficult for few to understand her.

After she cracked a small smirk, Raisa waiving her hand to the man who was taller than most in all of Parousia, sat himself down. Gallagher stood over six feet. Blue eyes and red hair marked him as an easy to spot individual since most in Parousia had blonde, black, or even brown colored hair. Red haired individuals were few amongst the sea of what was common. After situating himself, he looked at the sheathed weapon which was propped next to Raisa and studied it.

"What brings you here?"

"Here?" He repeated while not taking his eyes off the weapon. "Food and ale of course; isn't that why you yourself are here?" He asked with a smile upon his face. Raisa smirked once more, yet she chose not to play cat and mouse:

"Why sit here across from me? Are you…hoping to strike my fancy or whisk me to your home?" Gallagher sat upright after this was asked of him as well as focused eyes of blue on her green, but more importantly his smile had vanished.

"Absolutely not!" He simultaneously slammed his right hand upon the table as she spoke those words which drew little attention. "I only sat here to eat, drink, and talk to a sister in arms, naught more." The waitress brought a pint of ale and a Goderulffe for Gallagher and the Limoux, a flagon, and a cheap metal chalice for Raisa. Upon her departure, the waitress winked at Gallagher which made him clear his throat and Raisa furrow a brow.

"…as you were saying?" Raisa smirked as she said that. Yet, she hesitated none in pouring wine from flagon to chalice and drinking her Limoux.

"I've nothing to do with that." Lowering her chalice, Raisa gave him a flat look. "What?" Waiving her free hand, she said nothing.

"What did you want to talk about?"

"Er, well, it isn't an easy thing to ask but…" Raisa slowly swirled the wine about in her chalice whilst watching Gallagher stumble for words.

"…you are sure you are not trying to propose to me, right?" His eyes were agape as she spoke those words. She did her best not to laugh but in the end she laughed either way. This drew more shock from him since he had never saw the woman laugh. After she had settled herself, she stole another swig from her chalice before saying anything else. "If you hesitate in combat, you lose your life, in this case, if you hesitate here, I will keep saying whatever crosses my mind." Once again, she swirled the chalice about within her hand. If it were not for the patrons about the tavern and music, she would most likely be able to hear the wine swirling about.

"Well, it's about Ky." Raisa blinked at his answer. That said, she set her chalice down and once again, interlaced her fingers. This time, her arms were flat against the table as were her palms. "I don't mean to sound arrogant, but, he doesn't seem…er…"

"Seem…?" Raisa lightly shook her head wanting to glean more information as to what Gallagher was saying.

"He doesn't seem combat efficient…yet…" Her laugh was stifled, however that did not stop her from leaning back and laughing. "I do not see how you find this funny. This is serious Raisa. If we cannot account for our own, let alone teach them, then how will we survive?"

"First off," Raisa leaned in as she began. "…I know well enough he is not prepared. Secondly, you need not think for the moment that I have not considered life and death and you have idea what it is like to travel on your own and be without aid. As a knight, you always draw on your companion's strength and do you best to survive as a whole. I never had the chance to do so with aid and even if I had requested it years ago, I never would have gotten it. Mind you, this world belongs to men; and I need not remind you how men treat women or would you like to see just how rare a man you are by visiting China or another country where women are beneath your gender and viewed as mere objects or even the sexual object?"

The man sighed as Raisa narrowed her eyes. As Gallagher sat upright within his chair, Raisa discretely pointed at him before adding on to her words.

"I have my time to be serious and I have my rarities where I will laugh and be at ease; but never say I take life and death in stride."

"I understand, and I apologize, but the fact remains, he still needs to train or do something."

"Then what do you propose? To teach him? If that be the case then you can easily do that yourself."

"Er, yes, but no." Again, Raisa gave the man a flat look. "Rather, you teach him?" Once more, she leaned back in her chair.

"Really…?" Crossing her arms, she looked to her left and saw the waitress was bringing over what looked to be Mutton meat.

"Yes, really. After all, you…you've a way with teaching things that people require." Setting her arms upon the table, she balled her right fist and placed it into her left palm. Additionally, she rested her chin upon her left hand.

"…I do not teach children who will not learn."

"I understand that," He began as he lifted her arm, signaling for service. "…but if he doesn't learn, that will be a child who'll die out their come 'morrow."

"Morrow…as in tomorrow?" Her eyes were fixated on him at this point.

"According to Arrai, she gauges Dalkia's arrival just after dawn…"

"D-dawn?" The two of them looked to the waitress who stood before them, frozen in place. "D-d-dawn? Dalkia comes, at dawn?"

Seeing an immediate end to this occurrence, Raisa raised her arm and then shouted. "Oy, your tavern wench is having fits!" It took no time for another waitress to come back and lend her aid. After lowering the tray and assorted sauces for Gallagher and Raisa, she helped walk her friend away from their table.

"Ah…damn…should have chosen my words more carefully." Gallagher looked at the pair as they passed several people while Raisa shrugged and paid them no further mind. "Swift thinking by the way." With smugness written across her features, she took another drink of her wine before continuing.

"Now...you said awry? Spelled like the word?"

"No, her name is spelled A-R-R-A-I."

"Ah." The Russian nodded as Gallagher thumbed his chin. "I Arrai...who is she?"

"You don't know her?" Raisa made a small gesture by shrugging to show that she knew naught of her. "Heh, how do you fancy that; one rising star 'er legend knows nothing of the other…hah!" Raisa's facial expression resumed a flatness. "All right, all right; if you've ever seen a woman roaming about that's swarthy in skin and pallor atop the head, that's Arrai." Raisa furrowed a brow.

"That is it?"

"That's all you need to know. Well, she's about your height and has two er, slashes? I think they're slashes, else they be cuts, but they're running from her brows down each eye to each cheek."

"Hmm…"

"Eh...that's poor, more like...marking or tattoos. Y'know, like what pirates or some new worlders might have. If I also heard right, I think she's Egyptian."

"Egyptian…? Well, that is certainly interesting."

"You're preaching to the choir."

"Choir? You? In one of those little dresses?" She jeered.

"Ahh, really?" Raisa smirked as she prepared to bring her chalice to her lips once more, however, Gallagher had more to say. "Or is it your eyes that want to see just that or much less clothing to sate your curiosity?" Her smirk instantly vanished and once it did, Gallagher pointed at Raisa. "Hah!" From what she saw via her peripheral, Raisa then pointed to her left as was his right and as Gallagher looked, he grimaced at the waitress whom had been making gestures at him with her mouth.

The woman was staring at him as he looked at her and in this lock of eyes; she ran her finger down her bodice and purposely began to tug on the strings.

"…I think your tavern wench wants to gag on what she cannot swallow." Gallagher eyed Raisa and said absolutely nothing. Instead he turned to face her and rested an arm upon the table.

"All right, seriously, how are we going to fend them off without you, Meiga, and Ky?" Raisa nearly spit her food from her mouth due to her stifled laughter. After a second, she gave him an answer:

"Meiga? The one whom robbed a wee kitten o' its hind legs due to his failure to aim? That same man who can hardly run before giving in to fatigue? Hah!" The man closed his eyes and thought of his next words carefully.

"…if this isn't taken seriously Raisa, things may not bode well for the country as a whole. Do you understand just how important that is?" Despite his answer, she gently pushed the flagon of wine towards him and told him to 'drink'. As he took hold of his Goderulffe, he began to pour from the flagon so that he could avoid drinking from the flagon itself. Raisa said nothing as she realized that Gallagher had mixed his ale along with the Limoux. After all, the waitress brought him not only his preferred poison but also a tall glass which he normally drank from whenever he was here.

"I am very serious when I need to be but on occasion I prefer to enjoy myself every now and then." She hesitated in speech when she saw the man take his glass to mouth. "…but, as all things, when I need to cast my calm aside, I will do just that; but for now, let's not have me repeating myself hm? Besides, how do you like the wine?"

"It is…flavorful." Raisa smirked as she placed a piece of cooked Mutton in her mouth. "What is it?" He now asked as he took a second tasting of his mixed drink.

"Limoux." She responded.

"Limoux? The abbey wine?" Raisa nodded as she drank. "You know that the Mauzac is the kind of grape which goes into this wine right; or even better, that the monks of St. Hilaire are the ones who came about its make?"

"Oh? Well aren't we all learned of the world?" Resting the flagon upon the table, Raisa looked at Gallagher who now had his arm slightly outstretched.

"Learned? Ah, somewhat. I'm not sure on its year but that's why I say somewhat; I'll not say I know everything on it unless I do."

"…1531 Gallagher." The man blinked and stared at Raisa for a second.

"I didn't know that. Heh, and you say I'm learned? I may have the interest in being quite the connoisseur...for reasons..." Raisa stifled her laughter at that that but it was obvious enough to him that she found it funny. "...but hey, guess there's still always more to learn." Taking his drink to his lips once more, Raisa downed the last of her Mutton before taking her flagon in her hand once more. "Come to think on it," He began after he set his glass down. "…why Mutton?" After swallowing her food, she cleared her throat as she began to pour wine from the flagon.

"…because they do not have Pelmeni."

"Pelmeni?" Before she answered him, Raisa took her chalice to her lips once more. In doing such, she quickly looked across the tavern to see if the woman was staring at her. As she drank, she eyed the woman. She was still watching her but Raisa knew not why nor did she care. She could have mistaken her for Raiko and is placing a bet or something of the like yet, just as that thought entered her mind…

"How do you fancy your wine," Raisa instantly lost her earlier demeanor as the voice entered her ears. "…freshly uncorked, or…with a blend of the Orient?" Closing her eyes, Gallagher noticed her change in temperament almost immediately.

"Is something wrong?"

"Oh no, no, no, not here, place your hands here." Turning his head in the direction of the voice, Gallagher was able to identify Raiko without even trying to search for her. Raiko was sitting in the lap of none other than Aeneas. Both were dressed as civilians and Raiko was dressed in a foreign fashion.

"…what…is she wearing?" After he turned back around, he called to Raisa whom did her best to hide her agitation.

"Lily Feet and what looks to be a hybrid of Pareo and…a Bodice."

"Lily Feet…?" Raisa opened her eyes to that; Gallagher could see that she was slightly annoyed. Sliding her left foot from under the table, she leaned back a bit and told him to look at her left foot. In doing so, he saw that her foot was clean, not so much as a speck of filth upon them. Not even the nails of her toes bore dirt or any foreign material.

"In China, it is customary to bind one's feet for the sake of beauty. Now by looking at my foot, you can look at hers and tell who has actually bound their feet." Turning and looking over his shoulder once more, he was able to see Raiko's feet, but as he paid attention to the size of her feet, he then understood what Raisa had meant. "I found binding my feet to be painful, thus I chose not to do so ever again."

An eruption of laughter coming from behind Gallagher caused him to stammer with his speech. Shaking his head, he continued. "W—wait, you're from China?" Eyeing the man, she shook her head.

"No. My mother was Chinese. My father was Russian. I know of the custom from my mother."

"Oh…" It did not take much for him to piece together the words she spoke and how they were used. "I'm sorry for you loss…on both accounts." Raisa blinked as she slowly slid her foot back under the table to avoid tripping a waitress which had just passed her by.

"Mm…"

"Well, still, back to the subject at hand, how can you ensure Ky will be ready?" Raisa said nothing at first as she simply closed her eyes for a moment to think. "It is not where I cannot teach him but, seeing that you both wield weaponry which are nearly identical or else, similar…"

"I will handle it at my own pace since you word things such as that." Raising her hand, Raisa had caught the attention of the waitress which had been eyeing Gallagher and watched as the woman made her way over to the pair.

"Yes, how may I help you?" Gallagher did his best to hide his cringe, yet, Raisa noticed it right away. Leaving coin upon the table, she quickly counted the coin for the food and after seeing that it was right, she prepared to stand.

"That covers the food," Getting to her feet, she took hold of her beloved weapon before adding on to her words. "…he can cover the wine…and there's a little extra there so that you two can enjoy your own fine wine elsewhere." Gallagher immediately sat upright and stared at Raisa who in turn returned and innocently devilish smile to them both.

"Ugh, at least think of what we spoke of Raisa!" The waitress looked from Gallagher to Raisa. Turning her back to him, she raised her right hand in a lazy waive.

A second uproar of laughter had struck her ears and Raiko's laughter was at the pinnacle of it. Seeing that this uproar was louder than the last, that told Raisa that her younger sister had drawn a crowd and the crowd is nothing she needed to stick around for.

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Putting Westborough behind her and entering Eastborough, she had a thought of visiting the other smithy, however, she chose not to. As she was now heading back to the Shoppe, Raisa paid attention to the scent in the air. It smelled heavenly and it is also something which she loved but one thing which she partially disliked.

"…of all days for it to rain…"

Continuing on, she waded through the people of the Parousian Markets whom were packed tightly into every stall, from fruit to dried fish to rice. Seeing that trade was coming to a close with Dalkia, the people were getting all they could get and with this known, the stalls easily overpriced their merchandise.

This is why she chose to eat at the Svipul. It was cheaper, more filling, and it would not slash the organ of her purse.

Yet as for Gallagher, he was absolutely right. Gallagher could try to teach Ky himself, but he wields a vastly different weapon and even more so, they fight completely different and even their tools and additional weaponry were cultures apart. Essentially, Gallagher was suggesting for Ky to have a much faster if not unpredictable opponent rather than one whom he has grown accustomed to.

After listening to thunder roll overhead once more, Raisa knew what she would do.

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Sitting and looking out the window, Ky had been doing not much at all during the day. He merely ambled about the Shoppe doing little of anything. He had given Raisa his firearm out of frustration and he had also tried to find it but to no avail. Now after a time of looking, he simply sat down and watched people roam the city. That is until he saw Raisa pass the window on her way into the Shoppe. Hopping to his feet, he quickly made his way to his room only for Raisa to call him.

Much to his surprise, she asked him for his company. He hesitated for a second, however, he thought she may just want to walk and talk. Seeing that that could be the case, Ky slipped on his cloth socks and leather boots. He already had on a short-sleeved gambeson of a deep red. Leaving his room, he quickly caught up to Raisa outside.

After she locked the Shoppe door, she bade him to follow her. So he did.

They walked from the Shoppe to the very same hilltop which Ky had gone to think a few days past, the only difference is that they traveled a bit farther. From here, she could see land and nothing but lush trees slowly turning colors and as the wind lowered to the ground, the small torrent of reds, yellows, and sparse greens danced about the blades of grass as if in orchestra.

As she stopped near a singular tree, she looked over her shoulder and saw that Ky had nothing but a dagger with him. He was ill-prepared, a fool's safety to be honest. As she placed a hand above her blade, she waited for him to come closer so that he would be caught off guard.

"Let us see what you know…"

Closing in on Raisa, Ky noticed that she had stopped, but he knew not why. Thinking that she may have spotted something, he came up upon her right side and prepared to ask her what was wron but that proved to be a mistake.

"Is there something out there?" When she did not answer, he now her another question. "Why are we out here when it's about to rain soon and SHI—"

Falling to the ground, Ky immediately propelled himself away from Raisa and landed on his feet. Coming to a skidding halt, he looked at the Russian before him. Her arm extended with blade in hand was the cause of his hasty evasive maneuver as well as his near profanity.

"W-w-what are you doing?!"

Slowly returning to a neutral stance, Raisa sheathed her blade and ever-so-slowly, began to advance upon Kusanagi. "What do you think war holds Ky?"

"H—huh…?"

"Need I repeat myself?" Taking two more steps, he instinctively backed away from her. "You're already running when you've a dagger on you…or, had…" Running a hand down his left thigh, he felt nothing. Visibly looking to see if he is missing its grip, he paid no mind to Raisa.

"Never," Ky's eyes widened as she spoke. "Drop," Looking up to Raisa his eyes were agape as he realized that she had closed the distance between them in less than five seconds. "…Your guard!" Springing to his feet, Ky propelled himself towards his left and then repeated this in order to effectively switch sides with Raisa.

"Too slow…"

He knew not what it was, but something wrapped around his legs and with that feeling, its grip intensified. His scream was high-pitched; bordering that of a pubescent girl. Falling to the ground, his face slammed to the ground—effectively bursting his bottom lip—Raisa twirled the chain around her arm and began to reel her prey back to her.

Hands clawing at the dirt, legs immobilized by a hidden weapon, Ky struggled his best to break free yet, oft as not, any individual's best is rarely enough.

Dragging her quarry over to a nearby tree, Raisa took hold of Ky's jacket and then propped him upright against the tree's trunk. Without hesitation, he panicked and attempted to flee, however:

"…stay…"

In that instant, Raisa's foot slammed into his chest, effectively pinning him and stripping any breath from him he once had. To her ears, it sounded almost as if he had been choking, yet she of all people knew better. He had never faced true opposition, one whom would imprison him and cease none in their interrogation. Even if he truly knew nothing, it mattered none, he would be beaten and Raisa knew well enough from logic alone that if Ky were of her gender, the warmth his body would provide would be enough for any abuser…if only for a few moments.

Despite the request to educate him, she felt at odds with doing such. She knew he was not prepared for such a world that will show no mercy nor one which would bear no fruit so twisted that you could even deem any on either side human. His mind still believed in the "good" of every person when not in every person is any form of good. Yet, of all things, Raisa now stood out here with her bare foot to this youth's chest trying to teach him that an enemy will never hesitate; and to teach him this at the outset of a storm no less.

Lowering her leg, she studied him to see what he would do next. As his legs were bound, he was unable to run, evade, leap, or use any special maneuvers as she has heard others speak of. Ultimately, she had severed his main form of combat—his base strategy.

"…no one stratagem will suffice for all things…"

Despite him gasping for air, she knew he had heard her words; she also knew by his posture that he was slowly beginning to try and escape. That said; she loosened the bind of her Shéng Biāo and once the chain fallen out of coil, he attempted to flee by rushing to her right.

His movements were slow: placing his hands against the tree to propel himself. Bringing his feet to the tree's base and lastly rising into a hunched position. Raisa easily rammed his chest with the tsuka of her blade and this alone deterred him. As he staggered forward, she brought a swift knee to his stomach and with the resulting force and her strength; she held his spent body by her knee alone.

"…moving that slow is just as terrible as finishing too fast…and that will even piss Raiko off…"

Lowering her leg, Ky's trembling body fell to its knee only for her to kick him back to the trunk of the tree. As he raised his arm, she once again slammed her bare foot to his chest—immediately ceasing any attempt to retreat.

Looking down to this pitiable youth, she paid no heed to the leaves or twigs which fell around them nor did she care for the twigs which had hit her one their way down to the dirt ground. Raisa was only focused on breaking this infallible belief that everything will be okay. Yet once again, as she loosened her bind, he attempted to flee. This time she allowed her arm to cross her body and as such, the once silent chain, rattled with life and instantly seized the Japanese by his arms. To maximize on this, Raisa planted the same foot to his stomach and then after she reared back, she drove that same foot to his chest; effectively silencing any attempt at running as well as retaliation.

"…running is forbidden…" Yanking the chain, Ky released a weak yelp in pain as his upper body was being pulled towards Raisa while Raisa was firmly pinning him against the tree behind him. Despite the pain, he still struggled to free his arms, she jerked her arm—tightening the chain which bound his wrists—and as he was pulled forward, she lowered her foot only to re-plant it in his chest; not only pinning him once more but also re-establishing her dominance over the situation. "…Pay attention."

He ignored her words and continued to struggle yet that soon ended his struggle as Raisa pointed the muzzle of Heartless at his forehead. For a second, his face was that of a frightened child, but that facial expression quickly twisted into one of anger.

"..tch, s'that it? Just a shot to the head…?"

She stared at him for a moment. His pattern of speech had changed and in addition to that, by his words and his tone, he was masking his fear with false strength. A curious thing for one whom oft appeared to be meek, even docile at times, but looking at this from a different angle, he most likely viewed this as if he were backed into a corner. By all technicalities, this was somewhat true, yet even if they fought honestly, she has more combat experience than he does.

Raisa even doubts if he truly had to ever fight for his life. She did not count the situation for which they first met whatsoever since they were together; to be precise, Raisa doubts he has ever fought for his own life without the aid of another. As he oft explained his travels, Raisa noticed that he was only by himself for very short instances while he sought safety in numbers.

There was nothing wrong with that at all. Yet if he is unable to rely on another in the times to come, then what will he do? Who can or even will he turn to? This was what Raisa wanted him to realize: that no one within the real world will give you a helping hand simply because he is kind or generous. People will rob you if they can and if you are too powerful an individual or if you cross the wrong side of the road, you will be killed—whether it be for your gold or perhaps any other belongings.

Ky watched as the muzzle of the firearm drifted ever so slowly off target until Heartless was aimed at the ground. He thought she would release him yet, he was wrong. Without a second's delay, Raisa fired the firearm whilst it being only a few inches away from Ky's face. His reaction was an expected one; pulling away from the sound that is. Despite his efforts, he was unable to move far. With the second shot was fired and directly after was the third, it was at the time which the third was fired that he was able to gain a small amount of headway only for Raisa to once again drive her bare heel into his chest. The force was much greater than the earlier strikes and with him being pinned once more, the force of the blow caused his head to swing back and slam into the tree behind him.

From his head throbbing from the explosive sounds of the firearm at such a close range to his head striking this tree, a slight state of disorientation took hold of him. As a result, he heard the fourth and fifth shots but they sounded as if they were one; and as the sixth was fired, he tried to escape once more: forcibly rising unto one knee and was actually able to push Raisa back via a light shoulder bash, however, she struck him once more—this time, it was a second knee to his stomach yet unlike the first knee strike; with the angle that she had struck him from, his ribs took a portion of the impact.

Falling to the ground, bloodied hands and wrists ensnared by chain, Raisa changed order. Her right hand now held her blade, Sapphire, while her left gripped her second revolver, Vindicate.

After being struck by her latest blow, he lay on his left side gasping for air. Raisa knew well enough the pain he was feeling but she also knew that it had been much more intense for him. He was cradled and barely able to take a fist to the face—let alone a knee to the stomach. For the last leg of her lesson, Raisa closed her distance until she was standing directly over him. As he lay before her with his chest to the nails of her toe, Raisa slipped a foot from her sandal and balled her toes—this made them crack and pop as her bones weakly replied to the action.

With this same bare foot, Raisa raised her leg and just as Ky opened his eyes, she firmly planted it against the side of his face. Dirt puffed from the ground as a result while he simultaneously groaned from the pain.

Looking to his abuser, he could see not only the nails of her toes, but he could also see her face. He thought there to be a smile of some sort, however; there was no such thing. Only a frown was present; a frown which was almost based as if she were disappointed with something. Noticing his gaze, Raisa, ever-so-slowly, leaned in. By doing this, she was increasing the pressure which was forced upon him and effectively pressing more of her weight upon his skull. It was to the point that his cheek had formed a small bulge and his ability to speak clearly was fractured to that of what one could consider incoherent mutterings.

"It is out of folly you will learn…" In her silence, she aimed for him once more. "…your kind and gentle nature will earn you no allies while at war—they will only slash your neck until you've bled your last."

Again, she drifted slightly off target and fired. The ear-piercing sound was enough to make him scream. As he writhed about, trying to force some leverage in his favor, Raisa quickly raised her leg and slammed her heel into his ribs which cause an immediate flail to be followed by a cease in all else save for breathing. After seeing that he was once again, spent, she placed her foot back upon his face.

"Do you honestly think humanity will spare you? Your warm heart to lick their wounds and …pray to a deity which damns those for caring naught of him while going against its vow to love all human kind?"

Slowly sliding her bare foot down his face, a slick trail of dirt and sweat were left upon his face as she drug her foot across it. As her foot reached his ribs once more she stopped and instead of moving once more, she leaned down upon him; purposely wedging her heel 'tween his ribs.

"Aagh, s-sss-stop…!"

His pleas were futile.

"As a Dalkian soldier, why should I? You are my enemy and as my enemy I am to violate of you, torture you for information, break your will, and in the end, kill you if you are not wanted by any. Just as a man would do to a woman…"

Ky winced as she wedged her heel deeper into his ribcage. Gnashing his teeth, he looked at her once more. He was sure of her to be smiling yet, her face still held a dour expression; almost as if she had been finding no form of joy in what she had been doing.

"No one will show mercy to you in the real world, and the sooner you learn that, the closer you will be to surviving what is coming."

After this was said, Raisa lifted her foot and as such, she casually slipped her footwear back on whilst freeing Ky from his bonds with a mere flick of her wrist. It was after she sheathed the Shéng Biāo that he had been attempting to get to his feet.

Standing once more, she looked him over as he slowly got to his feet. His hands were bleeding and his eyes, those light brown eyes of his held confusion yet that confusion is masked by anger. Without a word, she turned away from him and began to leave. As she took her fifth step she came to an immediate half as she heard what could only be him collapsing behind her caught her ears.

"…fucking kidding me…"

Turning to where her right torso was facing his direction, she looked on as he struggle to get back on to his feet. His hands, freshly bloodstained, shook from the throbbing as well as the unnerving tingling chill due to numbness. His breathing was labored and with each attempt to push himself upwards, he merely slipped back down into the dirt face first.

Watching him play in the dirt, Raisa moved not an inch. Instead, she watched. Dour her expression was yet; a certain resignation was about her as she watched the youth struggle to simply stand. She slowly blinked as he fell to the dirt ground once more and not even a second after that, she looked to the sky as thunder danced above the clouds.

Raisa looked back down to Ky, whom had tried once more and was able to hold himself upright for a few seconds, alas, he fell yet again.

"Can you walk?"

A simple three-worded question it was. To digress, he could barely mutter a word. His ribs ached and his wrists stung while his hands were numbingly cold. These ailments combined had robbed him of the ability to speak but somehow:

"…y-yea…h…"

He was able to mutter that which was barely audible. Thunder rolled once more as Raisa turned to face him. Her arms were crossed and Sapphire within its tsuka which was firmly within the grip of her right hand.

"Then fucking walk…"

Pushing himself up once more, he grunted as his ribs disagreed with his current actions. As a result, he fell down once more. Turning away once more, Raisa advanced towards the archway while Ky continued to struggle.

"..c—c'mon…you…can get up…"

Again, he collapsed. Clouds of dirt puffed from his fall; looking up to see where Raisa had gone, he had spotted her. She was leaning against the wall of the archway with her arms crossed and her sheathed blade in her right hand. She watched him without saying a word and even as the rain had begun to fall, she simply stood in place without much a care to anything else.

"A—are you gonna help me…?"

His voice was light and his hair now hung loosely over her face. Blood poured from his bottom lip and with his constant falling, blood had smeared with dirt upon his jowl and nose. His lip was covered in a few specks of bloodied mud as well, yet as he had asked that question, Raisa merely shrugged.

"In a war like state, why should I lend aid to my enemy?" Lowering his head, Ky grimaced at her words, yet she made a small bargain with him. "If you can make it here, by any means, I will help you. After all, you crawling through the streets is sad enough… "

Insult to injury it was. Though, he would take that bargain if he could be aided in some fashion, however…

"H—how do I know…" Ky hesitated as he took another deep breath before speaking. "…how do I—I know you won't trick me?"

A smirk wrote itself upon her lips. "You don't nor won't."

That is as good as he could get. He was sure of it. With one hand, he slowly began to drag himself across the freshly turned mud. With one hand painstakingly ahead of the other, he continued on, trying to ignore the burning sensations from his chest, ribs, and the throbbing from his head. Dragging himself across the dampening dirt, Ky grunted with each movement he made. His fingers were weak from his wrists being bound and with him having to dig his hands into the earth in order to progress, it only made the pain worse.

"…I…knew Raisa was strong but a single hit felt like…" Ky stopped moving as he tried to regain his breath. "…it felt like being kicked in the chest by a horse…" Lying on his stomach, Ky turned his head to his left and stared at the distance castle. Last he looked at it, he thought of nothing but pain and now as he looks upon it, he literally feels pain which was far worse than being lashed at while being a prisoner.

Inhaling, he noticed that a light chill had begun to spread about him; from his back, to his arms and legs. Additionally, small silver streaks had begun to fall all around him. It was raining. Exhaling, he blinked as a drop of rain fell into his eye and from that point; he simply closed his eyes and ceased to move.

---

Sept. 29th

As night had fallen hours ago, Raisa had chosen to remain awake in the early hours of the morning. Not long ago, Raisa had brought Ky back to the Shoppe a complete and utter wreck and had to undress him down to his undergarments.

She was thankful that Ky simply passed out opposed to dying. Quite frankly that would be outright terrible and even worse if a guard had found him. After she laid his heavy blankets over him, she left his room and closed the door. Since then, she had re-entered to check on him every now and then yet after she looked in on him this time, Raisa had come back into the front of the Shoppe and instead of sitting in the stool as she normally does; she chose to stand in front of the counter.

Roughly two hours had passed since then and at this moment; she was more concerned about what was in her hand. Slightly tightening her grip around a flagon; she noticed that it was chilled to the touch but the contents were savory in taste once she drank from it.

"I'm surprised you are even drinking it."

With those words spoken at that precise moment, Raisa tilted the flagon upwards and drank deep. Savory and fruitful this wine was. The last time she had tasted wine such as this had been months ago when she was en route to Parousia. Of course, the bandits who had tried to imprison her did not survive, though she is happy to say that their wine did.

"…"

To her left, was Riese. She was out and about minding her own when she noticed Raisa was still awake and chose to stop by. She had been here for roughly an hour and 'tween them, she drank from the flagon. Handing the flagon back to Riese, Raisa licked the corner of her mouth before asking:

"As you were saying…?" Taking hold of the flagon which was handed to her, Riese shifted her eyes from the flagon to Raisa.

"I could have poisoned it." Raisa lifted her arm and scratched her belly before saying anything further.

"Why would you do such? Have you a grudge or are you the assassin that I think you are to be?" Riese smirked.

"I am no such thing…" As she drank from the flagon, Raisa eyed the woman beside her. She was unmistaken in her label; that much she knew, however, Riese's reflexes and knowledge as well as execution of stealth based combat tell her otherwise when placed against Riese's claim of innocence. Raisa can easily state this fact as Girardot has even complemented on her mastery of the art.

"So you say…" Taking the flagon from her lips, Riese slowly swirled the wine about the flagon as she watched her own hand spin in the small circle.

"Hmph, what of that little trinket of yours you've been slaving away over for the past month? Have you finished that so you could present your undying love and affection to the husband you abused last afternoon?"

"…"

Riese turned her head and looked at Raisa. With an innocent half-cocked smile about her, Riese was not surprised that Raisa had yet to give a response. "Raisa, did you forg—"

"It is already finished and by morn it will be delivered." Without another word, Raisa took the flagon from Riese's hand another swig of her Limoux. A fine treat it was and one which Riese had told her could be found at the Svipul. With a hand outstretched, Raisa placed the flagon back into Riese's hand. "Love and affection will only get you killed in the end. If not by one who wants your wife, it will be by the very one you have that self-same love and affection for."

"Oh, quit your bitching, a jape is a jape." With that said Riese turned the flagon's bottom skyward and downed the last of the fine wine.

"A terrible jape at that…else you parlay about the darkness with Hell knows how many men…" Riese froze in place as her eye fell upon Raisa via peripheral. All that met her eye in return had been a sly smirk and to that, Riese raised her hand with her knuckles facing Raisa and made a small fist whilst simultaneously straightening her middle finger to a point.

Standing the flagon upon the counter-top, Riese returned to a calmer stance and as she leaned against the counter, her arms loosely hung over its edge.

"…Surina thinks we'll crush Dalkia."

"You think we won't?"

"These people…this…" Riese hesitated in speech as she rotated her right hand, as she was thinking of a word to say. Once the word she had mentally searched for reached her, she stopped the movement of her hand and allowed it to simply hang. "…generation has known peace for too long. Knowing the price of battle and its other sacrifices by trials of fire and death are what make one or the masses victorious."

"Mm…" Raisa blinked as she thought of the words which were just spoken.

"She has a thirst for blood." Narrowing her eyes, she then added on to her initial statement. "An unusually thirst at that." Riese nodded once. "Think there's a connection?" Raisa leaned towards her left while looked at Riese as she asked this question.

"Couldn't say; I've only been here for a short few months, same as you."

"…where from?"

"Don't worry your overly affectionate little heart over it." Raisa loosed a breath due to silent laughter. "But, enough with the humor, last I heard, you and Gungnir are heading out the Eastern Gates…" Raisa furrowed a brow from this news.

"Really…?"

"I thought you should know since the newborn is napping and your commander lacks the spine to tell you herself." Standing upright, Raisa stepped in front of Riese and stared. Meeting her gaze, Riese could see the anger swelling from within her young friend. "As I said, this generation is numb to peace. Like as not, she cannot get over herself not telling you but wants to spare the hardship of the matter." Raisa scoffed at that excuse.

Turning away and taking a few steps away from Riese, Raisa crossed her arms.

"Chistaya fignya…" Riese could only assume Raisa was aggravated, yet as she did not speak or understand Russian, she asked what she meant:

"Translation…?"

"…pure bullshit…" A light and audible breath escaped Riese upon hearing this.

"…can you blame her?" Raisa said nothing. As she continued to look in the opposing direction, Riese chose to lay her carry case upon the counter. "Come look at this." Heaving an aggravated sigh, Raisa turned and approached the counter. As she reached the counter, she looked to what appeared to be papyrus; yet upon further study, she was able to make it out as a map.

"Look," Pointing to the map, Riese slowly ran her finger over the walls which were of unearthed stone. "Units can guard the top and rain arrows down upon any encroaching foes."

Looking at the area specified, Raisa nodded at the idea.

"Is there an escape route?"

"From up there; sure, but with the open local, it won't be easy leaving anyone's or anything's sight." Lifting her slender finger and then re-positioning it on the map, Riese tapped her finger upon a path. Her finger had been in between two strongholds which were built as look-outs. "Gungnir, as I heard is going to be guarding this sector and seeing that it is only four of you, that would mean two and two."

"What of Exalted?" Riese hesitated to say anything which caught Raisa's attention. Before Raisa could make a sarcastic comment, Riese answered her.

"We're reared as reinforcements." By her tone, Raisa could tell she was disappointed and upon additional thought, this map was probably drawn by Riese herself. Even more damning had been the thought that Riese desired to be on the front lines and in her stead, she was aiding her allies.

"You mind if I take this?" The elder woman said nothing. Instead, she pushed the map over to Raisa which was permission enough. After she re-attached her carry case to her trousers, Riese made her way to the door and upon opening it, Riese beckoned Raisa to follow her; seeing that nothing was wrong with a late night diversion, Raisa followed her.

---

Closing the door behind her, the elder woman began to walk after the Russian had caught up to her. They proceeded to the northwest. As they walked the stone streets, few were out and about. The City Watch was on patrol due to the hour and within a few of the shuttered homes voices could be heard. Odd enough had it been dark but what had been even stranger had been that the two of them were together in the darkness of night. Both of them were attuned to the darkness and despite torches giving off a decent amount of light, it mattered none for to the two of them, the darkness was as clear as daylight; to Riese doubly so when compared to Raisa.

"If we are to be as the claws of a beast, how do you think we will fare?"

Raisa took a moment to ponder an answer. Her thumbs were gripping separate belt loops as she walked and once an answer came to her, she smirked. "We, personally, can handle ourselves. Others, I cannot account for as I know nothing of how they will act under pressure."

"Then from what you've seen?"

"…Priya…can handle herself well-enough, but that kind heart can only take so much before stopping." Riese nodded yet, with a wave of her hand, she wanted to know more. "Surina is only as strong as she wants to be and even stronger if Priya is in danger. Rather…to harm Priya, would make Surina just as lethal as myself."

"That, I can agree with, but you know as well as I that if her life hangs in the balance, she can be manipulated by that."

"I know…and since you are in her unit, would you kill her or would you let her slay you to protect her sister?" Riese slowed her pace until she stopped. Raisa simply turned around and continued to walk backwards while looking at Riese. "What…? You think I would let her live?"

"As if you would..." Resuming her original pace, she said nothing more on the matter as she caught up with Raisa.

"…of course not, chances are, Priya would have been killed long before the ultimatum was given to Surina."

Silence had temporarily wedged itself in between them as they passed under torchlight. As they passed under it, Riese heard a low ting. It was some kind of metal and as she instinctively looked in the sound's direction, she saw that it had come from Raisa's boots. That said, there had been some form of metal within them, else, she accidentally struck something upon the street.

However, as she looked to Raisa, she paid attention to her clothing: Raisa wore a jacket of a sapphire color. The jacket's trimmings were silver as well as its intricate design. Upon the back was the design of a phoenix, the very same design which lay upon the slab of steel upon a band which she normally dons upon her head. Her legs were covered by trousers of the same color to match the jacket which she wore. Her boots came up to just under her knees and were black with silver décor.

Riese on the other hand had on silver boots and to accompany them had been deep gray trousers and to her waist had been daggers within tempered leather sheathes and a carry case upon her right thigh. Other than that, Riese wore a simple leather tunic while keeping her arms and hands bare.

"I never knew of you to dress fancy for a warrior." Raisa bothered not to even look in her direction, instead, she responded with her own words as if it had been instinct.

"I never knew you to study your gender so carefully as one would whom fancies a man."

Riese lightly scoffed at this; however a smirk had been about her face as she did. In all honesty, when this was set and done, she wanted Raisa to survive. It is a rare thing to find one whom knows nothing of you and you know nothing of them but are able to relate to one another with immense ease.

At times, women claim that their husbands or lovers are just like that, yet Riese does not mean anything along the line either.

"What's bothering you?" Riese looked over to Raisa who had been watching her from her peripheral.

"…tomorrow, or rather, later this day, is the day we set forth into the field. Our lives are in our hands and if we loose our clasps over our lives we die. What did you think would be upon my mind?" As the pair rounded a corner, they had turned into the main street which held the markets of Eastborough.

"Do you truly want to know the answer to that question?" Again, the elder woman scoffed; however she was unable say anything further.

"Oh? I never thought I'd see you two traipsing about at this hour…" The duo came to a halt at the exact same time. A man, still at his stall, had addressed them both yet each of them had met him in the past. His name was Daniel Rutherford and he worked here in this stall selling herbs and other homemade recipes from plants, mushrooms and other things of the like. One could call him an Apothecary; however, he disliked the title and oft preferred to be known as a simple businessman.

Yet, for all the times Raisa had done dealings with the man, she chose to say nothing while Riese took a step ahead of the Russian.

"Roaming about and speaking is nothing out of order Daniel, or do you think it's odd for on to actually speak to others outside of work for fear of your wife?"

The man placed his hands in front of him and lowered his head to show that he was not being offensive, he then spoke to match his bodily language of neutrality.

"I-I only meant that I didn't think of anyone to be out this late that's all! A-and that has nothing to do with this!"

"…then why are you out this late?"

"I…er…"

"Dallying about to avoid the wife?"

"N—"

"Daniel Rutherford!" Riese and Raisa both looked in the direction of the voice while Daniel himself cowered from the mere sound of it. "…If I have to leave this house…!"

"I think we should go…"

"Aye…"

Following Riese, Raisa paid little attention to the two whom were bickering over a distance. With the yelling, it attracted the attention of two guards whom quickly made their way over to Daniel. After progressing out of sight but not out of earshot of the market's stalls, Riese slowed her pace until she came to a halt. Noticing this, Raisa also stopped.

They had arrived at the Fountain Square. Water sprouted from the stone figure in a most beautiful fashion. The fountain held seven steps which were in the fashion of a circle on all sides. The centerpiece of the fountain was encircled by four lions which all stood proudly with their fangs bore to the world as if they were roaring. The actual centerpiece itself was a large and open spout which water flowed over its rim.

It took not long for the pair to sit upon the steps of the fountain and it was in silence for which they sat as they both watched the city as it slept. A slow wind crept through the streets and alleyways as if it were doing its best not to be noticed. Aside from a few guards passing them by and even fewer greeting them in some fashion, there was naught else. Calming waters were the only thing which the two of them heard.

"This you see will soon be a memory." Raisa eyed the woman whom sat to her right. By the sound of her tone, she sounded slightly saddened by her words. "I honestly am not sure Grandall will hold given the fact that it has been numbed by peace for so long. Above that, we're up against one of our allies."

Raisa said nothing; instead she nodded while she looked to the sky while Riese continued to speak.

"Have you ever wondered what it's like to be at war? The cost of men and blood? The sacrifice one must give in order to protect another?" She asked this due to Raisa's silence. Blinking, Raisa, again said nothing. She was more so focused on the lingering scent of rain in the air from earlier that day and partly lost in the tranquility of that scent.

"I suppose not. Yet, you're young…and you'll see."

"You are not much older."

"Hmph, perhaps not, but experience will age you farther than anything else; not years, or joy, but experience."

Leaning back against the stone of the fountain, Raisa cared none for the droplets of water which pattered against her skin. It was relaxing to her. Closing her eyes, a small smirk wrote itself upon her lips.

"…I must be an hag then…"

"Ha, you're not alone in that office."

Moments of silence dragged as Riese watched the leaves twirl about along with the wind. Raisa had remained in the same position ever since leaning herself back.

"I've thought much of the terms of war," Riese looked over her shoulder at Raisa as she randomly had chosen to speak. "…war is nothing but the disparity of two men who can't manage their wives abed that take their frustrations out on the world."

Riese's stifled laughter caught the Russian's ears. Yet, even she herself smirked at her own jest.

"On a seriousness, war is the base of human function; we fight, maim, kill, feed, and repeat a never-ending process in the name of justice and liberty in order to protect ourselves—even if we were never attacked to begin with."

"…what a depressing thought…"

"Depressing? How so?"

"You speak of baseness like that is all humanity knows. If that is all humanity knows then what will happen if there are no wars? Will humanity rot or achieve a utopia of bliss?" Raisa opened her eyes and stared at Riese. "Of course…I speak of the impossible."

"Yes…yes you do."

"Wishful thinking it is, nothing more."

"I noticed."

"Noticed? Then what say you of utopia itself? We both know it can never become a reality, yet a hollow echo as a hope is all it is."

"Utopia would mean all people are stupefied to think the exact same thing and perform the same actions while being stripped of their individuality." Riese said not a word as she stared at Raisa. That is until Raisa asked her of her thoughts on the matter.

"A utopia is nothing but a dream and dreams are as fragile as ill-tempered glass when it is exposed to heat, rather life and reality, far greater than it can handle. But without comparing it to an object, there will always be one who will hate the current of their life and with that current comes the choice to speak out of what they hate. Once others hear this, they too will view their own lives and if they are unsatisfied with the current of their lives, you've now public unrest. What works for the individual can rarely satisfy the whole."

"Mm."

"Public unrest will lead to the destruction of the false salvation known as utopia and just as the glass was once poured and filled, it shall easily shatter and return all to the dust from whence it came…"

Silence once again hung over them after Riese had spoken those words. A guard had stopped and listened to the words which she spoke yet after her speech of wine and utopia, the guard left. What Riese had not expected was for Raisa to stand; after she stood she dusted her trousers off and walked down the seven steps of the fountain.

"Something wrong?"

That said, Raisa stopped a few feet in front of Riese, whom was still sitting at the fountain. "…the glass will shatter and return us all to dust… and you say my word's depressing? Heh."

Riese stood and advanced towards Raisa whom waited until Riese came to her side. The two slowly made their way back to the markets only to find it to be completely abandoned. From there, the walk back to the Shoppe was silent. A few guards looked in their direction but upon seeing them, none chose to say anything for knowledge of who they were.

After a short time, the two reached their destination. With a waive, Raisa bid her ally the night while she simultaneously reached for the knob of the door.

"Just remember," Raisa looked over her shoulder as she twists the doorknob. "…the shadows are not always shrouded by darkness." Pushing open the door, Raisa did not even turn to look at her for Raisa already knew that Riese had vanished.

After setting foot back into her current dwelling and closing the door, she proceeded to lock it and after that, she turned her back and then leaned against the door itself. Her arms crossed and her right heel up against the door, she wondered... "…hell's that mean…?"

---

Sept. 30th

Dawn had come. With the morning rays slowly penetrating the glass windows, Raisa's eyes quickly found themselves upon Ky's door. Ky was late. It was like him to be tardy yet, at the same time, she could understand this tardiness. He was raised differently than she was and as he more than likely was not upon a strict regimen as she was; but with that said, what drew her attention to his door had been the fact that within these walls, it had been silent. The small sound of the floors creaking told her that he was awake.

"…it is a miracle…" Her voice was low and dry. With her jest falling to no ears save her own, she wondered if the group outside had been the cause of him to arise from bed so early. Yet, if that be the case it mattered none. There was very little if anything to do and seeing that the military had marched its soldiers around early in the morning, it told her that her foresight would soon be proven true; much sooner than she had anticipated.

Shrugging the idea off whilst making a throaty dismissive sound, Raisa continued reading the small book she held within her grasp. It was one which belonged to her and one she would literally kill over if it fell into anyone's hand other than her own.

Her hair was tied into a ponytail and all she wore had been a black long-sleeved brigadine of her own make along with jodhpurs, a belt, and loose straw sandals. She had been awake ever since she had returned from roaming about the city during the night and with that, she chose to stay awake. This is one reason why Raisa was being unusually silent; she was tired. Normally she would wake Ky to run errands or help her around the Shoppe but instead of that, she had been reading a book of some sort.

As he ever-so-slowly made his way out of his room, he walked hoping not to get her attention; yet, as he took his fourth step—

"A failure to avoid detection and attention will get you killed in combat."

Freezing with those words said to him, she bothered not to even look in his direction. It seemed whatever it was that she had been reading was far more important than he was at the moment; though, he knew that by some odd chance that he would unintentionally draw her ire later in the day. Of course, after her lesson the other day, he wanted nothing of the sort.

Holding his side, Ky advanced to the window so that he could look and see what was going on. A few people were out and about yet a small group of men and what appeared to be a single woman, were talking, laughing, and joking. They were loud enough to wake him up for one; secondly, he was annoyed he could do absolutely nothing against Raisa.

He understood what she was trying to tell him but he simply could not write everyone off as cruel. That would be inhuman in his mind.

As he looked out the window, he heard something be set upon the counter-top behind him however, he paid it no mind until Raisa called him.

"I took the liberty of completing it ahead of time." Pointing to the object, he slowly turned and approached the counter and once he was close enough, he instantly knew what it was.

"H—how did you…"

"I began work on it weeks afore the border and simply took few things from here and there…" With the way she worded it, he took it as she did not feel like explaining the details. Yet that said, she began work on the outer look and once she took possession of his original pistol, she further developed it.

As he looked at the firearm, he could only marvel at the craftsmanship. The white material which was smooth to the touch added on to the brilliance of this piece.

"It was not simple, but the muzzle was originally as bright in color as Sapphire, after trial and error, I learned to alter it to mirror your pistol. That said, I also disassembled your pistol and integrated most of what could be used into your revolver; that way it is mostly of your own make but revisited in fashions that are needed for improvement."

Despite loosely explaining her designs, he was nonetheless astonished. He now knew what she had been toiling away for days on end and even for the fact as to why she kept what she had been doing a secret.

"You will need this also…" Pointing to the leather belt before her, she continued. "…the belt has twelve small stores of powder. The Twelve Apostles most deem them. You can easily load your revolver by keeping them with you and filled."

Looking up from his gift, he recalled something which was obvious to any who have seen Raisa's firearms.

"It's different from yours…"

Closing the small book which she had been reading, she closed her eyes as she set it down upon the counter. "Be original; never an imitation." That said, he looked down to the firearm once more. It was heavier than before but that was to be expected but most importantly had been the fact that she preserved the initials upon the grip:

Translated, the symbols were of his father's and mother's initials. These were side by side while his own initials were just underneath theirs. He knew not if Raisa could read or even speak Japanese yet, for her to preserve something which they both had helped him make was beyond thoughtful.

"You do not have to worry of wet powder as often and you can fire five times before having to reload."

Seeing that he was merely looking at his firearm, she doubted that he had been paying much attention. Pushing herself up and away from the stool she was once sitting on, Ky heard her bones produce popping noises and with those noises, he guess that she had not moved from that seat in hours.

"…as I am in need of sleep, good morning and fuck the night…"

Raising a brow to what she had said, Raisa slowly made her way around the counter opposed to leaping over it, and then ascended the steps against the far wall. He wondered what she had meant by her words until it finally clicked.

Cursing the night, as she had used it suggests that she had not slept and that she slaved away upon the hybrid which he now held until possibly an hour or two ago as it was barely daylight itself. Yet, more importantly, as he has known her, since when does Raisa say 'good morning', lest it be some terrible jape such as 'good mourning'?

"Wait..d—did she stay up all night finishing this?" Looking at his firearm, he now felt slightly saddened. Despite the trouncing he had taken from her, she had a lesson behind it and that lesson held a base meaning. This meaning was to harden him against the coming war and as she had continuously stressed, he was ill-prepared for the conflict. His eyes were fixated on the steps which Raisa had ascended well over ten minutes ago only to linger there a while longer.

She was trying to educate him in something which was foreign to him and despite his rage and anger; she never once placed him in true danger. Pain yes; but true life-threatening danger? As far as Ky could comprehend, the answer was no.

Honestly, he was lost for words. A gift such as this and clearly taking note of every detail was something that no regular Parousian smith would have done. Most simply place this and that and call it a day and then demand their pay. Raisa on the other hand took time to craft it just right and possibly, quite possibly, she had studied the look and feel of the pistol before she had begun any form of work on it.

"…that'd explain why she hid those drawings…"

The works which she drew were of the make if the firearm he now held in his hand. Not of hers. He could not say that with full confidence as he has witnessed her working on her own weapons, but that would not explain why she would hide them from him; let alone from Priya.

Looking at his firearm one more and then back to the steps he tightened his hold on his firearm before muttering the words.

"…thank you…" After he had said that, Ky made his way back to his room. His side and chest were still in slight pain and he did not want to push anything. Thus for the rest of the day, he chose to rest, just as Raisa had stated she would do.

---

Oct. 1st

She dreamed of her father the night before this day. He was strong. Capable of killing twenty men alone and surviving the night in the harsh cold of the Halteese Republic. Of all things of him to succumb to, it was only infection. After his wounds were tended to, the infection is what killed him and soon after that, grief had taken her mother from the reality that she could not save him in his true time of need.

Strong-willed he was. One whom knew not defeat till that fateful day then too, her mother learned of such later that night albeit in a different form. Defeat of the heart it was. In her slumber, she slowly faded it was said. Though at her age, she knew naught as it was explained to her by a young and powerful Surina.

Despite the tears which Priya shed, Surina refused to cry. She held her stern being, that self-same being which their father mustered; yet it held compassion enough to console her so that she would at least find strength in something. Even to this day Surina exudes that innate strength and rarely does it ever falter in course. This attitude even spills over into her personality which makes her rough around the edges as some say she is—yet those same individuals retained both their parents and lived a relatively peaceful life knowing naught of death or that of one close to them being taken away—especially at a young age.

In Priya's case: The tender age of thirteen.

Her eyes opened to the darkness of her bedroom. Naught had been about and naught had stood out. Within the darkness, she reached to her right and slowly twined her lantern to ignite and as it did, the armor of this morning darkness was soon rent. Observing her surroundings, she looked first to the flowers which were arranged about her nightstand. These were handpicked by Priya herself and arranged by no other. They lay in a small rectangular bowl which held a small store of water and when the rays of the sun were to penetrate her quarters, these flowers were able to be fully drenched within those same rays of light.

She blinked as a light breeze caressed her upper body. Despite how welcomed this breeze was, she did not take her eyes from her quarry; however, as she stared at the flowers for a few seconds longer, her mind began to wander.

"Her sacrifice is as strength to what moves one through life but…"

Ignoring the chill this slow breeze brought, Priya had sat upright, she cared none as the sheets fell from her upper body and down to her waist. Her hair was undone and as what most would deem "unfit for the public eye" hung loose nearly covering her face from all sides save the front. The curls were natural and even more so, they were beautiful as most a man would deem them. Yet, Priya was seen mostly as a housewife opposed to a Commander. This she knew despite how she feigned ignorance to the fact.

In all honesty, she wanted to be respected, not for her fair looks or her feminine physique, but for her strength and for what she was capable of by her actions and her valor. Not her beauty or her body.

Placing a hand upon her left breast, she could feel a tensing about it. This day was one she would never forget as she knew well-enough what was to come. Priya, or rather Gungnir, her paradigm, was ordered to proceed to the border by 1100 hours. Despite knowing full-well that her paradigm was to be placed upon the front lines, she also knew that her paradigm knew naught of this order. For all intents and purposes, she wanted to spare the three of them of this news but in the end, there was no possible way around it.

Upon this, she was mentally exhausted from worry and self-doubt as she continually questioned her own capability to lead them once they were afield. Despite being goaded that she would do fine or it'll all work out, the tenseness about her breast, that utter disquiet has not ceased in its rampage of not only her heart, but also her mind. It would not calm. It would not cease. It only existed for its sole purpose and this purpose was to cloud her judgment as well as craft fear about her very being.

Drawing in a silent breath, she then slowly exhaled while slowly opening her eyes. She looked to the small wrinkles within her sheets and then to the shapes of her legs. From there, she looked to the small hills within the sheets which were her feet. Dainty in form they were just as her hands. As she looked to her hands, a brief memory crept into her mind from when she and Surina were younger: when she placed her hand up against Surina's hand, Priya's hand had always been much smaller—it was also a way Surina bested Priya for when they both wanted the same thing. 'Put ch'our hand up then' she would say and since her hands were larger, Surina had always won.

"How much longer shall I lose to such a thing before this Hell descends upon us?"

It was a beautiful if not a damning thought it was. If she were to continue to play this game and continually lose, she would lose and thus, be a loser. The bright side to this fact is that she would still have Surina; her elder sister, alongside her alive and well.

Lifting her head, Priya surveyed her room once more. Due to the darkness of the early morning, she could visually see little beyond the lantern light, however; her memory of how she kept things allowed her to see just as she needed to. Sliding her legs from under the sheets of her bed, her right before her left, she simultaneously brushed her loose hair from her face as her bare feet graced the wooden floor beneath her.

"War brings forth pain and suffering and acknowledgment and death…" She moved not an inch as Girardot's words flashed through her mind. "…knowing what you fight for is what will keep you alive, but knowing if what you fight for IS the right thing to fight for is another question you'll soon face…"

"We held a long standing peace with Dalkia." Priya lifted her head as she heard footsteps beneath her. By the sound, it appeared to be metal striking against the wood floor a level underneath her. Slowly rising from her bed, she made her way over to her window and as she reached it, she placed her right hand upon its frame whilst observing what lie below. "Why would Dalkia be so intent on waging war with their allies…?"

Seeing a lantern slowly moving through the darkness, she was able to discern Surina's face as she lifted the lantern and set it upon the hay bale. As Surina went about her business, Priya observed her despite knowing full-well what she was doing.

"How long will Parousia stand if we fail…?"

She asked this not out of arrogance but in honest truth. Girardot had hailed Priya and Surina as some of his best students, and if they perished, would moral crumble amongst them or would they fight harder to avenge their deaths?

Looking from her sister and on to the distant flames, she wondered just how valuable they were. Their father, Sergio Salgado, was a foreigner to Parousia yet he trained alongside Girardot to become who he was. Parousians have never taken too kindly to those of foreign origin and if they did, it would be by a special exception. If you fight their wars and win their battles, you could easily earn a place amongst them, but that never means you were truly one of them; even if you were born within their territory.

"A storm is approaching…yet…I find myself torn. A storm waged by man shall be only a storm which shall rain arrow and blade while beneath lie a raging sea of bloodied entrails. Is it a storm worth evading or one worth wading and enduring?"

"Soldiers lay their lives down for their kith, their kin, and their family…even to preserve their ways of life but…" Priya hesitated as her mind wandered. "If we do face Dalkia…just what will we be doing?"

"…Ah, yes, if they attack us, we will be defending ourselves—thus, preserving our way of life; however, with defense, there is always a counterattack. Yet if there is a counterattack then there will be a counterattack to retaliate against a counterattack which was originally meant to be out of self-defense but without self-defense, it is considered surrender. To surrender is to pledge one's life to the victor and acknowledge that you are bested and that, you know your place…and that is beneath the victor."

She halted in thought as she caught sight of slow moving rays of light. Dawn had come. With this known, she broke her idle thoughts and made her way towards the wall chest which lay opposite of her bed.

Upon opening this wall chest she simply stared at its contents…

It was her raiment and armor. Each piece had rested within its own location: her Greaves obviously stood upon the floor of the tall chest while her Vambraces and Gauntlets each rested on their own suspended small shelves; the Vambraces rested as one to a shelf on both sides and the Gauntlets followed this pattern as well. Her fauld and breastplate were both suspended above her Greaves while the Pauldrons rested above her Breastplate.

"A time of peace can never last forever…"

Using her thumbs, Priya pulled upon the straps of her gown and slowly pulled away from her body; by doing this, the gown itself easily fell to the floor. Even as she stood bare within her room, shame could not find her for worry and doubt still held her by her throat.

Reaching for her suit of mail, Priya proceeded to step from out of the small circle which her gown had made upon the floor and as her right foot touched the cold floor once more she had took hold of her suit.

"Fretting is for the idle…is it not?"

From this point on, she dressed. Her suit of mail offered protection for her entire body with the exceptions of her hands, head, and feet. After her suit was well placed, she took hold of her raiment: this raiment was a sleeveless dress which was that of a Brigandine make yet, opposed to a true dress, this was nothing more than a sleeveless silk shirt and Pareo woven together with leather and metal plates.

Priya now held her Breastplate within her hand and stared at it for a moment. This Breastplate was of the very same make that Girardot had worn himself. Yet for Priya, it was specially made for her petite, womanly frame. Opening it and lifting it over her head, she slowly lowered it until her head was through the neck-hole. After this was upon her, she fastened the breastplate at both sides.

"This could very well be the last day I draw breath…" With this thought she stopped moving. "…if they prove too powerful or…'get lucky' then…" Standing idle for a few minutes, Priya slowly began to digest just what war truly meant. It meant that she could die and if she was not killed, she would be hauled off as a prisoner of war and if that were to happen then…

Priya shook her head to rid herself of the thought.

Looking at her Greaves, she quickly seized them and after they were both put on, she then mounted her Fauld upon her person. It was a Fauld which Surina had bought a short while ago. It was scale-esque in design, but matching in color when compared to her Breastplate.

It took a few seconds for her to mount on her Vambraces and Gauntlets yet, immediately after she did, she left. She worried not of the lantern for before she took her leave, she noticed just how dim it had gotten within her room, thus telling her that her the lantern had just run out of oil.

---

Heading down the steps, she paid little attention to the home for which she lived. Her home was beautiful and it held a rooted appearance to their Spanish heritage. Paintings which depicted their father's home as well as distant relatives were what adorned the walls of this home. Curtains of a deep red hung proudly and even the Grandallian Insignia was placed here and there about the dwelling.

Rounding the stairway, Priya made her way to the entrance of their home and once she opened the door, she squinted due to the beams of light which pierced through the darkness with the might of an arrow in flight. This deterred her none however, progressing, she did not wish to stop for anything; however:

"Una mirada adusta tan temprano en la mañana? Algo debe de tener su mente retorcida hasta el punto de ruptura."

With this said, Priya halted. Surina had been speaking to her in their father's native tongue, which she too knew, yet, she did not wish to divulge what exactly had been upon her mind.

"No se preocupe de eso, hermana. Una mente que se pierde no puede nunca ser encontrado ni recuperarse. Simplemente estoy concentrado en la tarea por delante."

Surina stood with Priya's weapon in hand. It was taken the day before to be sharpened and Surina had been awake now for roughly six hours. Despite Priya not turning to view her elder sister, she knew that Surina could read her well-enough.

"Preocuparse? No, no estoy preocupado. Afectadas por la concentración de la palabra, especialmente cuando usted está inusualmente seria tan temprano en la mañana."

"Sin embargo estoy, preocupado por usted. No necesito decir esto, pero de todas las cosas, usted es familiar. Así que voy a hacer lo que pueda por ti ... pero, si yo no sé nada, ¿cómo puedo hacer nada para apoyarte?"

As she approached her younger sister, nothing was said. Even as Surina handed Priya her weapon, Priya said nothing as she took hold of the smooth leather covered shaft.

"...Por favor, si algo te molesta, no me digas Priya..."

Surina's voice had softened considerably as she had said that to Priya. Yet, Priya said nothing. The fears of being either bested or imprisoned to be tortured or raped was enough to silence any positive words she could conceive. Despite Surina not knowing what was going on, she had a rough outline.

"I—"

"Somos mujeres ... dos de los muy pocos que están dentro de los militares solos y están a punto de sumergirse en las profundidades de una guerra que probablemente fue puesta en escena por algún partido enfermo con un propósito oscuro y objetivo."

Surina had begun to speak but was cut off. With her words, Surina turned to face her sister, yet Priya kept her back to Surina as she spoke.

"Como una mujer que lucha en la guerra de algún hombre, si estamos superado por los hombres lo que iban a hacer con nosotros? El matrimonio tiene ningún une más de un hombre cuando la tentación les recuerda que la guerra esconde muchos secretos que es lo que cubre muchas verdades y mentiras."

Priya's grip upon her Bladed Lance increased as she continued to speak while Surina remained emotionless in facial expression.

"Así que para mí, simplemente, "discutir" lo que está en mi mente a sabiendas de lo que la guerra puede traer ... no es algo que se puede calmar con facilidad con las palabras ..."

After a few seconds of silence, Priya mounted Odin, and as she did, she spoke her mind once more:

"Si no tienes nada más que decir, me voy ..."

As Odin took his first few steps, Priya commanded him to halt. In this halt, she looked at her elder sister as in turn, she looked at her. Instead of words of an apology or words of tenderness, Priya said:

"...Puedes seguir si usted desea ..."

With that said, Priya was off; down the dirt road leading to their home and into the depths of Parousia. Surina on the other hand frowned and for a second, only a second, sadness was written upon her face, yet this sadness was quickly erased as she too mounted Lucifer, a stallion of a blackest dark. Despite her firm nature, Surina was practically docile in the face of her sister's ardent petition; yet, such a weakness would only be exploited by her younger sibling. However, opposed to Priya's orders, Surina had time to spare as her role as that of reinforcement; that said, she would not be at her sister's side this day until later on.

"She will be fine..." She told herself as she watched her sister ride down into the city. "...I just have to hope she stays whole..."

---

Adjusting the reigns upon Odin, she noticed that he was not entirely himself. Odin had been dressed in mail which was strong enough to withstand arrows and even weaker swords; though she knew that Odin was far more intelligent than any mere animal. Odin knew that he now was made into a War Horse. With his mail matching that of his owner, Priya, he struck his hoof against the ground twice. Priya had taught Odin how to say yes or no and yes was understood as one hoof strike. Two represented no. Caressing the plates of mail about his neck, Priya could sympathize with him to a degree, yet, she had not a choice for this was her life path.

As she entered even deeper into Eastborough, the third district of the Walled City, she noticed that several things were out of order—or at least, from what she was accustomed to seeing. Normally, the markets were bustling with life as well as tens to nearly hundreds of potential buyers of whatever wares were being sold. Now, the streets were practically bare. Crossing the stalls which were set in place by their owners, she saw few products and few people. Despite the ones bountiful stream of people, this was only a strangled river afeared of the drought which was to come. Of course, she also had to keep in mind that it was relatively early in the morning.

As she and Odin progress, they passed scraps of corn, pieces of fruit which had been smashed by one's weight as they trampled upon it and other forms of sustenance. All of which were most likely dropped in a hastened attempt to retreat indoors of perhaps retreat from Parousia altogether.

With each step Odin took, it echoed throughout the area as if no one had lived here. Surveying the dwellings, Priya was able to make out several eyes leering at her from not just one, or six, but nearly each dwelling she and Odin had passed, there had been at least two to three people watching her. Yet for all the silence, it was a bit welcomed as she could see that she was not the only one whom was afraid of the coming struggle—the horrors of war.

"They too fear the coming storm…"

With this thought known to her, she was able to calm herself but only slightly. What awaited her was more than likely enough to set her nerves afire. Her destination was Central Command and with the sun's rays slowly ascending into the sky, she thought it best to have an advantage of being up early, however, she was bested in arriving first. As she neared her destination, she caught sight of a man clad in armor of a silver shade and next to him was yet another man, he too was clad in armor but his was of the darkest black she had ever seen.

"…who are they…"

Coming closer upon her destination, she then saw a woman. She was shorter than both men which is why Priya could not see her at first, yet as she neared them, it appeared that with this group before her, the woman led them. It was also this same woman whom seemed to notice Priya long before she had even crossed the markets.

Dismounting Odin, Priya took holds of her weapon and firmly attached it to the lock upon the back of her breastplate. This was a customary touch which was added by a man which Girardot knew well. This man had oft sold his wares to the Parousian and Dalkian Armies in the past but now, she knew not where the man's loyalty lay.

Turning and progressing towards the entrance of the Central Command, Priya listened to the words which were exchanged between the woman and the two men:

"…our tact will see us through this storm. Point. Blank. Simple."

"Tact or not, we NEED to be on the front lines driving the lot of them back to Hell!"

"Back to Hell?" The man in silver questioned. "Why give them the compliment of coming from Hell?"

The man in silver and the man in black were arguing it seemed.

"Ha! I give no compliment, stating that is self-same to giving dagger to a cutthroat to kill your wife. Which might I add, she knows much of her mouth as of late—mayhap you've been replaced?"

Without a word, the man in silver eyed he who donned black armor. Yet before anything else could be said, the woman interjected.

"Enough…our tasks are simple and we need not dilute our efforts with childish banter…"

With her left hand, Priya pushed open the wooden door and entered. Before her lay a fine wooden floor with a dull reflection—dull from years of improper cleaning no doubt. Documents lay sparsely scattered about this same floor which was out of the norm for such a place. However, she thought this place to be silent if not a slowly awakening quarter—how wrong she was. Parchment was being tossed aside while people were screaming at each other for various reasons. Women at the desks seemed to be panicking as their superiors barked orders at them for whatever reason. One woman was crying due to having three of her superiors screaming in her face at once.

With her eyes agape, she tried to slowly shut the door behind her yet as she tried, it practically slammed shut—which seemed to get everyone's attention. In the midst of the newfound silence, Priya observed every face as they each stared at her. With the rustling of parchment upon the floor and one woman's hastened sniveling, Priya said not a word as she quietly made her way to the west side of the building via a corridor. Being careful not to step on any document, she continued on.

With each step, she could feel her heartbeat within her breast as if were attempting to claw out her breast itself. With each breath, she could smell the age of the masonry as well as the faint scent of meat and salts.

"Despite the years of knowing him…I-I still bear this pause in self…"

Rounding the corner and proceeding north down another corridor; she could very see the next room ahead of her. Yet, with all the nervousness which seemed to exude from her very flesh, she continued on. The floor was still wooden, yet this corridor held a deep red carpet which led to the room ahead of her. The walls were of stone and mortar. Draped across them were flags which held the design of a Black Dragon over a reddened background. This insignia is what represented Parousia and one she has come to know well enough over the years.

Closing in on the office ahead of her, she was taken aback by the sounds of footsteps ahead of her. Slowing her pace, she saw a person step before her yet she did not expect it to be her.

"Hail." Immediately as she spoke, she recognized who it was without any form of doubt, yet before she could shift her position, she waived off Priya's position of attention which immediately told her to relax.

It was none other than General Riga; the very same woman who has a love for art as well as a talent for procuring items oft neglected throughout the ages or even rumored to be extinct. Not to mention one who loves wine as well as swills it with ease just as a drunkard would his ale and rum. To judge her current facial expression, it seemed that whatever was being discussed bore a heavy onus for she has never found a truly serious expression upon her until this day. Yet, amidst the situation, E'lara easily smiled and greeted Priya once more:

"How do you fare Commander Salgado?"

Despite being young in years, she has earned her station through honesty, valor, and dedication to her country. Moreover, E'lara has fought side-by-side with Girardot when Grandall allied itself with Dalkia in the means of combat. However, it was not a publicly known thing. Parousia wanted not in conflict yet, Strife would not allow his ally, the former King of Dalkia, to enter combat alone; so in light of this, Parousian soldiers were sent under the guise as Dalkian soldiers to aid their ally.

Many a bond were forged through this effort as well as many a child was born to the lovers which this met their mate upon the field during this secret union. From peasant to soldier, the effect was vast and the bonds of amnesty as well as trust slowly built higher with Parousia and Dalkia as allies—so much that trade and commerce were oft common between the two…yet now…all seems to be in vain.

At word of her name, Priya heard a chair grind against the wooden floor, signifying that whoever was still within the room was preparing to leave as well.

"'Tis well thus far Gener—"

"Ah, be not as formal…I just told you that…" E'lara interjected as she waved her left hand about for the second time. "…E'lara will suffice. Though, I fear you've not the luxury to dawdle as I lack that same luxury myself…"

With a look of utter disappointment, E'lara sighed whilst simultaneously moving from the doorway over to the wall opposite of Priya.

E'lara held a certain fashion about her. Opposed to her hair loosely hung as their first meeting, it was tied into a bun. She wore a long coat which bore two tails; this long coat was also riveted with scale mail. Her Greaves and Cuisses were dark in color yet held an engraving of a rose upon each outer thigh. The greaves themselves lacked a pointed heel and functioned as well as resembled an actual boot—this was a slight shock to Priya. E'lara's arms however, were unprotected. Nothing but the sleeves of her long coat covered her arms as far as she was able to discern. Yet, what stood out the most to Priya is that E'lara wore no cosmetics. It was almost as if to say there was a God by how oft she had known as well as heard of E'lara and her facial works.

"What brings a problem you might ask…well, D—"

"Commander Priya!" With the sudden booming of his voice, she jumped, as did E'lara.

"Truly the man should not be the one shouting, but I suppose that too is a change in times is it not?"

"W-wait what?"

Priya's face had flustered considerably but she was able to shake it off given where she was as well as who had called for her. With Priya being summoned, E'lara made a head gesture for her to enter, and so she did. Crossing the doorway and stepping into the small room, she noticed a Lance which was mounted along the wall near a long desk. This desk in general had what Priya assumed to be reports—she assumed this due to the seal upon those same reports which was unmistakable to her eye. Behind the desk was not only a bookcase filled with history of weaponry, war, and combats tactics but also…

"In truth, I thought to be visited by Surina afore you, yet, my message is just the same…" His hands were interlaced behind his back and as he spoke those words. It took not much to realize just who had summoned her just now for as he turned around, it was obviously General Girardot who stood before her and in between the bookcase and the long desk. His breastplate was the same as hers, just a deep shade silver while hers was that of a pure white snow. Most of his armor was of that color with accents of red and gold here and there. "Priya, you are to rendezvous with the rest of your unit whom have already been dispatched to the Eastern Gate and await your arrival. Beyond that, you are to shadow the unit Poseidon, whom is under the command of a man named Heinrich…"

Girardot hesitated in speech as E'lara re-entered the room.

"As such, both Gungnir and Poseidon shall take point in defending the Eastern Gate…as for anything beyond that; Commander Annebella of Relic and other squadrons have already taken roost beyond the gate so we are well protected with numbers and ballistae—that I can assure you. Yet, beyond that, if you've any inquiries, you are to take make them known to Commander Annebella. As for now, I've no further orders for you…thus you are dismissed Commander Salgado."

It was with a smile that he addressed Priya by her rank as well as her surname. She could understand why as she was one of the daughters of a dear friend of his which passed away twelve years ago. With his warm smile, it was enough to ease her doubts back to what they were just after she had awakened a few hours ago.

"…h-he has faith in me…?"

Turning upon her heel, Priya slowly made her way pass E'lara, whom could see the disquiet upon her very face. Though, she said not a word, Priya knew E'lara would address the issue, but this was not the time nor place.

"…which also reminds me, E'lara…" At the call of her name, she twisted upon her heel and came to a still. "…upon Commander Surina Salgado's arrival, do notify me as I've a matter to discuss with you both."

Priya heard this as she entered the corridor once more. Like as not, Surina would be here momentarily for she was making the last of her preparations when Priya took her leave. As she continued to walk upon the red carpet, she blankly looked to the wall to her right. This wall was adorned with Parousian flags.

"Father once walked this corridor and with him, he carried the hopes of not only us, but the hopes of Parousia itself. He was afeared at times as well…for to battle without fear or acknowledgment of possible defeat or death, would then cast away one's bonds of humanity. Not just as one's self, but as one's whole unit." Her mind was astir with thoughts such as these. A combination of her father's very words and her own recollections and deciphering of those words they were. "If I am to lead Gungnir effectively, I-I am to know my boundaries as well as the boundaries of each member of Gungnir outright—"

As she prepared to round the corner back to reception, Priya was thrown off balance by what she thought was the very ground itself and as a result, she had fallen face first to the ground. As she opened her green eyes, all was but a blur. Soldiers were running in every which direction yet at the same time they were also shouting and screaming. Their voices she could not hear for a high pitched ring dulled her senses to nothing more than sight and touch. Closing her eyes and slowly opening them, she was now able to see more:

"…f-fire…?"

Before her, where Central Command was once covered by a roof, had been torn asunder and the doorway which she had used to enter was now reduced to a smoldering pit of oil and flame. Beginning to attempt to painfully push herself upwards with her arms, she made small progress before she fell back down to the heated floor. Muscle failure this was; due to the shock of the impact, her body needed time to recover—time she did not have.

As she blinked, she could see orange flames around her. They faded time and again only to re-spark their own being within her vision. Darkness and light; the constant shift between the two had left her partially blinded. However, despite this blindness...

She tried again.

This time, she pulled her body across the floor using only her hands and arms. A tactical thing really; this low crawl as it had come to be called could evade detection while moving but in this case, she pulled her body in hopes of pulling it into a ball so that she could come up to her knees.

"On your feet…"

Barely able to detect the one whom had aided her, she incoherently gave a response while her arm was draped across the person's shoulders. All she could here were murmurs and whispers. The red flames danced about the bodies of those whom were once yelling, and screaming—sucking the very life from their bodies. All the while, these same flames licked at her heels while she was forcibly pulled to Hell knows where.

"THEY'RE OPENING FIRE ON THE CITY!"

Priya could barely tell what was being said, yet the constant of erupting blasts and explosions were enough to tell her what was happening. Her eyes were wide as she acknowledged the sound. Loud they were, echoing across everything in an attempt to drown the world in its singular purpose. Instinct had driven her at this point. She thought not of what she had been doing though she could see what was doing and what was going on around her.

Some civilians immediately rushed into their dwellings, quickly shuttering their wharfs, covering their windows and even going as far as to set up barricades inside of their homes in case the unimaginable had happened. Others, they flooded the streets; running in any and every direction.

Belongings were dropped or simply thrown so that their original owner could save their own life. Vegetables, freshly threshed wheat, fruit, and even gold had littered the ground which she and Odin had crossed only moments earlier.

Progressing through the fleeing citizens, she kept her grip upon the Commander. It was almost as if her will, an inhumane strength, had possessed her. Priya blinked. Not once, but several times in succession—truly grasping what had been happening and once this realization set in, she began to slow her pace and in turn, bring Dawn to a slow as well.

"Hell's your problem?! Keep moving!"

Her voice was loud enough to temporarily drown out the screams of civilians and even that of the flames around them. Before long, Priya was propped up against a ruined dwelling. Charred and burning masonry blocked the alley which gave them only one entrance as well as one exit.

"Priya! Priya!"

The voice was now in her face and shouting directly at her. As she looked to the person before her, all she could see was a black mass overlapping a gleaming blot of silver and white. Her head rolled yet the woman held her head upright.

"…forgive me but…" Without a second's delay, Priya was backhanded with enough force to send her to the ground, yet Dawn was able to keep her from doing so by seizing her arm and pulling her back up against the wall. "FOCUS!" She now screamed.

Shaking her head, Priya blinked and once she did, her vision slowly cleared. The woman, she could see clearly now. A hood of the blackest dark had been about her head and she wore a Face Guard, a Gorget, and Breastplate hybrid; these pieces of armor were usually two separate pieces. The Gorget protected her neck and her spine most like while the Breastplate shielded her entire torso. The Face Guard conceal the lower half of her face to where Priya could not make out anything beyond her eyes and half the bridge of her nose.

It was no surprise when Priya pushed Dawn away from her and to follow this, Priya placed a hand to her right throbbing cheek.

"I had no choice," The woman began as she placed a hand upon her hilt. "…you were barely responsive, so hold that not in ill-thought." Priya's gaze was that of a beast; however, that gaze simmered and the dour expression concealed itself amongst one of worry. Looking to the engraved insignia upon her left breast, she knew of it to be Parousian, however; she had never bore witness to this insignia afore this day.

"W-what of G—"

"I'll stay within the area. You…" She now pointed at Priya. "Need to get to the Eastern Gate!" With that said she had recalled what Girardot had told her.

"…You are to rendezvous with the rest of your unit whom have already been dispatched to the Eastern Gate…"

It took not a second more for her to leer from the alley to survey her surroundings. From where she had been, it was a straight shot to the gate, however…

"…t-they're breaching the Gate!"

Grabbing Salgado by her shoulder armor, Dawn pushed Priya down the direction she needed to go while she parted and headed in the opposite direction.

"Your unit needs you, or are you going to let them die?!"

With those last words before her departure, Priya did not think. She simply ran. Her small body was incapable of taking larger steps, yet she was still fleet of foot. Leaping over burning debris, the young commander would not allow anyone of her unit to die and if they were to meet such a fate, she would be long dead.

Continuing down the street she paid not much attention to anything else until she noticed that a shadow had overtaken the immediate area around her. Skidding to a halt, she looked around and then looked skyward. Her eyes were agape as she stared down a ball of flame which had now begun to turn the shadow around her into a reddish-orange circle. In a panic, she looked to her right but saw nothing, yet to her left, she saw a small cubby she could hide herself away and upon seeing it, she bolted for it.

Firmly placing her back to the pillar and squatting down, the imminent impact was enough to send her from behind the pillar and into the dwelling wall in front of her. The blast itself was as loud as it was deep. A bellowing it had sounded like. Pushing herself away from the dwelling, she shook her head and ignored the small pieces of masonry which had been blown asunder and clattered against her armor while straw had been blown about the area.

Placing a hand against the pillar, she looked and could not help but allow her mouth to fall open. The homes which were once behind her were reduced to nothing but a raging inferno. She heard no screams. No pleas, no prayers; only collapsing stone and the roar of the fires themselves.

Pushing herself off the pulling to propel her run, she leapt over more debris and continued down a short ways before she reached the gate yet as she reached it, it had just been shut. Her breathing was labored and when she came to a halt, she hunched herself over to catch her breath. She was mentally capable of what was occurring around her, however, her body had yet to fully recover from its near death experience while within Central.

"Tch…" Her left shoulder was lightly tugged on. Feeling this, she looked up to see Raisa whom was right beside her. "…you showed up." Priya was offended. Pulling away from the Russian, Priya simultaneously sneered at her, however, Raisa merely furrowed a brow. "Last we heard, you were at Central when Dalkia first attacked…"

Her tone was unchanging and she sounded partly bored, if not indifferent. Standing fully erect, she inhaled deeply before exhaling. Surveying the area, she saw few Parousian soldiers amongst them corpses yet most of them were in golden armor. A deep red is what marked a soldier as Parousian and the city's emblem at that; yet this golden armor was that of Dalkia.

Judging by the wounds of the Dalkian soldiers, they had engaged other forces here, yet, most of them held ghastly injuries. Severed arms, hands, legs, feet, and a few whom were simply decapitated; all which held similar wounds aside from a select few which were shot in the head. The exit wounds were fairly obvious. Yet, aside from the wounds of a firearm, these wounds came from a curved blade and as she looked to Raisa, she could see that she was partly covered in blood.

Not only that, but most of the area, including parts of the gates themselves were colored a deep reddish purple.

Before Priya could ask anything of Raisa, a man called out to her.

"I-is that Surina? S-Surina Salgado?"

Looking upward, the two of them spotted a Parousian soldier whom had been pointing at Priya. "Salgado, yes bu—"

"Yes, reinforcements have arrived!" The man began to cheer. Priya looked on to Raisa while Raisa simply lowered her head and shook it.

"I feel you've me mistaken fo—"

His cheers were loud, and that said, he cut Priya off, whom then looked to the ground before clearing her throat. Yet, as he continued to cheer, he suddenly stopped. Raisa's head snapped upright while Priya stared at the ground in horror. As Priya was preparing to speak, a substance, wet and thick had slapped her face while pattering against her armor. Before she raised her head, Raisa pulled her out of the way and as she was pulled to the side, the corpse of the man whom was just cheering so merrily slammed against the stone street. His armor made a loud clanging sound while his arm loudly snapped under the weight of his body as his corpse struck the ground.

"…"

Raisa said not a word as she looked to the flowing pool of blood which oozed from the man. Spotting an arrow which was lodged into his skull, Raisa pointed to the corpse before saying: "That came from a longbow." After Raisa had pointed that out, she heard gunfire from beyond the gate. For it to be that clear meant it was close. Yet she paid it little attention.

"…DONOVAN!"

Looking up once more, Priya said nothing as another soldier was down upon his knees. He was leaning over the stone with his arm extended, perhaps calling out to his fallen friend.

At that point, Priya called at to him.

"…Open the gate."

"W-what…?!"

"That's an order private, open the damn gate!" Slowly nodding whilst whimpering, the man temporarily vanished from sight.

"You sure you are ready for this?"

By the sound of a clicking mechanism, the large doors slowly began to open. As they opened, dust fell from them as if they had yet to be opened for thousands of years. As the gates creaked open, thick black smoke from the field just beyond them seeped through the cracks and slowly entered the city. Priya and Raisa were unfazed by the new atrocious scent.

What they had smelled was the concoction of blood, steel, wood violated by flame, and death.

However, seeing that she had yet received a response, Raisa looked to her commanding officer whom sat atop her noble steed in silence. Raisa could see it plain as day.

"Bloodlust…"

It was clearly written upon her commander's face just as Donovan's blood was still fresh upon that very same face of hers. With her weapon at her back, Priya blinked when the doors slammed against the walls of the city.

Now the two of them were facing the steel gate before them. Priya tightened her grip upon the reigns as she looked to the portcullis as it began to shake. Dust had fallen from it as the soldier atop the lookout operated the mechanism to the Eastern Gate.

As the way before them, paved in blood, darkened by death, opened to them, Priya took a step forth before coming to a halt. Amongst the chaos ahead of her, she heard hooves. It was not dirt they were striking but stone. Looking to her right, she saw a shimmering of silver and with that silver brought her faithful companion; Odin.

Coming to a trot and eventually stopping, the stallion reared at the sight of Priya. Raising her leg and placing her foot within a holster, she mounted Odin and with the reigns, she ordered Odin to proceed to the gate. Shrugging a shoulder, Raisa proceeded along with her.

"We should secure Meiga and Ky first."

At words of this, Priya brought Odin to a halt. "Where are they…?" Her voice sounded empty, almost as if it were depraved of all emotion. This bothered Raisa none, yet, she noticed it immediately.

"Ky is to the tower to the northeast. Meiga should be with him. Though, Posiedon chose to press onward to the southeast."

"You didn't go with them?" Priya looked down to Raisa as she asked this question.

"Last I recall right, Riga's word overrides theirs."

She was absolutely correct. Just as Girardot had informed Priya that her unit would be waiting for her, it was likely that he passed word to E'lara whom then ordered this and carried it down Raisa.

"Then why are they out there?"

"…ask Posiedon."

The commander sneered as she snapped her reigns. Trotting to the gate and slowly passing through it just after Raisa. As she passed through the gate, Priya looked to what lay beyond the paths before them. She could see smoke and flame. The wind was low and gently blew fresh dirt and dust about the ground which made it seem a flowing river of dirt. Outside of this gate, the heat had risen. It was hot and in addition to that, it felt muggy. All in all, this was due to the battle here and the weaponry which was used.

Raisa on the other hand had been to Priya's left and as she passed through the gate the sound of steel grating against stone caught not only her ears, but also those of her commander. Taking a wary step to her right, away from the sound; she kept one hand hovering above the tsuka of her blade. Slowly inching further towards the descending portcullis, she caught sight of a Parousian soldier whom had collapsed to the bloodied ground beneath him. Apparently, he was the one whom had retreated back to the gates and gave word to signal for reinforcements.

His hand slowly moved and as it did, Raisa watched him, for she recalled the Border Incident and how outside factions used Parousian mail in order to kick start this war. Lifting his hand, he eventually looked to Raisa whom was joined by her Commanding Officer. Catching sight of the soldier, she wanted to lend her aid but seeing the darkening earth beneath his downed body told her that there was no chance at saving him—even if he had been taken back into the city.

"T—they're…inhuman…"

With those words alone, the soldier's hand fell to the dirt ground forcing a cloud of dirt to rise due to the impact. As he lie in silence and ceased to move, Raisa took him for dead and thought nothing more on the matter while Priya retained a serious expression in order to cover her worry and fear.

Narrowing her eyes, Raisa, turned her attention to the billowing smoke which lay to the east of the city gates. Nothing was said and in the midst of this silence, screams, shouts, curses as well as steel clashing against steel and distant explosions.

Coming to her front had been her Commanding Officer. Still atop her stallion, she called to Raisa who in turn acknowledge her by looking at her via her peripheral and then looking back to what lay before them.

"We must push onward…"

Raisa said nothing. She continued to stare off into the distance as if she were entranced with a dancer of flame. As she stared, her head slightly lowered and when it did, an explosion rang out from the distance as well as screams of pure agony. With the exception of Raisa, Odin and Priya both jumped at the shrill screams.

"…Raisa…"

"…they are in possession of a cannon still."

Priya's eyes widened as Raisa told her that bit of information upon being called. "H—how—"

"Listen to the impact. It is not a simple explosion. Even there, you can see the truth yourself." Pointing in the direction with the tsuka of her blade, Priya turned her head to her left and observed the area.

The earth was scarred with destruction. The ridges which lay to the north and south were both in possession of gaping holes which regurgitated thick, black smoke. That smoke alone was enough to darken the looming sun overhead.

"By the smoke, I believe the ammunition was wrapped in tarp and then drenched in other forms of fluids…"

It was a common thing to find at sea, but on land, it was not as common; at least, not as common to Priya. She knew that such a tactic had existed for years but to be used in a war was an entirely different thing to her.

Taking a step forward, Raisa looked to the south and then the north before taking a knee. As this was done, she then placed her finger to the dirt and began to create something.

"That is…?"

"A map of the current area. I took the liberty of drawing this out the last time we were here. Though, at that time, I actually slept." She was lying. This map was the very same one which Riese had given her, however, Raisa did not feel that Priya needed to know that information.

"…you've not slept?"

Without looking in her direction, the second highest ranking individual of Gungnir addressed her commander.

"How can I sleep knowing that I would be deployed to the front lines as one of the first waves of many before the enemy? Or rather, how can I sleep knowing that I could die the next day in battle?" Again, she lied. She had taken Riese's answer and molded it into her own.

Priya said nothing. All she could do was stare down at the map which Raisa had drawn herself. It was rather detailed. The outposts were labeled and even the current situation before them was added to her original drawing of the immediate area.

"Judging from the damage from the cannon, we will need to go here…" Raisa slowly slid her finger along the map as she continued to explain. "…following the path to the north and then proceeding northeast, we could possibly flank the operator where either I or Ky, if he is alive, can take shot and remove the threat."

Priya studied the map as that was said. What Raisa had suggested had guided them away from obvious sight of the cannon, however, Priya questioned Raisa:

"How else can they see us?"

"I've seen their aim…" Raisa cocked her head as she looked at Priya. "…not much has gone in the direction along this path." She now pointed to the northeast. "If we press on, we can get to the tower which they were directed to by Poseidon's commander."

Priya listened as she also watched Raisa as she pointed to the map and occasionally towards the land around them. She had been observing Raisa and for the short amount of time she had done such, she had noted several things: Raisa was independent, fiercely independent at that; oft going against orders to do what she believes is best for her or in this case, everyone. If she had not stayed behind, Priya would not know as much as she did now.

Priya also noted that underneath her clothing, was some sort of armor. Priya knew not what kind, but it was obvious that Raisa's entire upper body—save her face and hands—had been covered in armor. The same went for her legs—save her feet—which cause a deal of thought to flood the young commander.

"Has she crafted her own raiment along with her own armor?" As this thought flashed through Priya's mind, Raisa stood and placed the map along with other essentials in a caché case.

"We must move forward."

After that was said, Raisa advanced towards the lone tower before them, with Priya right at her side.

Walking beside her Commanding Officer and Odin, Raisa looked to the ridges which outlined the battlefield before them. She saw not threat from the left, yet when she looked to her right, she saw what appeared to be a Parousian Flag. Priya too, had noticed this and just as Girardot had informed her hours ago, she passed along to Raisa.

"Relic was sent as the initial force to patrol the area along with twelve additional units."

Raisa took it that Annebella had still been alive. That strengthened Gungnir's chances for survival even more and as she looked at it, there was only so much that she alone could do. If they were separated, then she honestly could not vouch for anyone else other than herself surviving. Then again, she thought not much of her allies' strengths and strategies as she should have. That would make them all the more powerful if they sparred together in order to overcome their weaknesses; but this was not the time for that.

As the two advanced, they both saw the looming Stronghold before them. Raisa knew well enough that if Dalkian Soldiers had made it into the Walled City itself, that this stronghold was already taken. Priya knew it as well; however, she had hoped that they simply passed it by due to being so close to the Eastern Gate.

A short few minutes had passed until they were in the shadow of the Parousian Stronghold; however, Raisa noticed that the bindings to the Stronghold were broken. This told her that her earlier thoughts had been proven correct. Seeing this, she raised her free arm and then balled her hand into a fist, signaling for Priya to wait. As the commander dismounted, she drew Odin closer while Raisa spoke softly:

"I'll enter first, as I can maneuver far easier than you while on the venison." Odin looked at Raisa with what she thought to be worry. Further proving this thought was when Odin slowly backed away from her and beginning to panic, which forced Priya to calm him.

"Watch yourself…" In response to Priya's words, Raisa nodded only once.

Placing her hand upon the gated door of the stronghold, Raisa effortlessly drew her blade, Sapphire and slashed through the outer lock. To follow this, Raisa then kicked the gated door in and began to advance. As she vanished from Priya's sight, Raisa looked to her immediate surroundings to see if there had been anything which stood out.

From what she could see, there was nothing. The Stronghold was dark with slivers of sunlight entering and with those same slivers of sunlight she was able to make out a small table and a few wooden chairs. One stood next to the table while the other was knocked to the ground. Closing the distance to the downed chair, Raisa searched about whilst keeping her hand hovering above the tsuka. As she searched around, her eyes had slowly begun to conform to the darkness of the Stronghold and with this conformity; Raisa noticed an odd discoloration upon the dirt ground.

"…what is this…" Kneeling down, she ran her free hand through the substance only to realize it to be blood. In that instance, Raisa leapt backwards and then swayed underneath a streak of silver. Watching the sun reflect off the blade, Raisa parried the blade with her sheath and stepped to her attacker's side whilst rotating her sheath. By doing so, her tsuka was aimed towards the dirt in a diagonal fashion. Capatalizing on this, she drew her blade with her left hand and took a step inward as her enemy tried to make distance between them.

With this step, she added force to her attack and with that added force she sliced through her attacker's breastplate and even into their belly.

"Gaaaurrhh…!"

She had only known her attacker was a man due to his pained cry, yet as he fell to the ground, scraping at it with his hands, she sheathed her blade as the man gasped for air. Yet, she then looked from him to an oncoming threat.

Partially drawing her blade, Raisa smirked as she watched a pallor blonde charge her. In her hands had been a lance; thick, sturdy, but also cumbersome. It was a large weapon which only those who have trained with such a weapon for years or simply those with impressive upper body strength could wield effectively. As she watched her posture, Raisa saw lapses within her approach—not only that, but she had nearly fallen twice.

"It is too heavy for her…"

This was true. As she drew closer, Raisa could see her posture all the more clearly. She was practically hunched over and it also appeared that her grip was rather weak while carrying the weapon. Yet, while in wait, Sapphire was now halfway outside of its respective sheath, Raisa had chosen a different tactic and sheathed her weapon completely just as the Dalkian drew within killing range.

Swaying underneath the Dalkian's horizontal swipe, Raisa gripped the tsuka of her weapon and as the Dalkian herself was left open, due to her wild attack, Raisa brought her blade into a skyward in a swift and violent arc. Blood kissed her ever so sweetly as it did warmly and ever so softly as she closed her eyes against such a warm and familiar show of affection.

"NOOO! MEREDITH!"

Hearing this, this told Raisa that at least two more soldiers were occupying the Grandallian stronghold. Yet for all the danger, for all the voices of the other Dalkian's hopeless cries, their swearing revenge, and even amongst the sound of pattering of blood; still falling to the ground as well as upon her, they were all muffled out as she took in the first seconds of being able to kill and not be arrested for committing murder. Opening her green eyes, a sadistic smirk lovingly licked her lips as her next victims began to approach her.

---

Chapter X End

End Notes:

Ky's pistol was improved upon despite the fact that he did not want it to be remodeled. This is due to the fact that this pistol was the joint effort of him, his mother, and his father. It also bears the name of Kusanagi and Kisaragi (his father and mother respectively) upon the grip.

Dalkia launched its First Offensive on October the 1st, 1505.

Additional Languages Used:

Spanish & Russian

*Note: If my translations are wrong or the original text is wrong, feel free to correct me*

Translations (in order of speaker and when spoken):

Priya: Worry not of it, sister. A mind which is lost cannot ever be found nor recover. I am merely focused on the task ahead.

Surina: Worry? No, I'm not worried. Concerned is more the word; especially when you are uncharacteristically serious so early in the morn.

Surina: I am however, concerned for you. I need not say this but of all things, you are family. So I will do what I can for you...but, if I know nothing, how can I do anything to support you?

Surina: ...Please, if something is bothering you, do tell me Priya.

Priya: We are women... two of the very few which are within the military alone and are about to be plunged into the depths a war that was likely staged by some ill party with an obscure purpose and goal.

Priya: As a woman fighting in some man's war, if we are bested by men what would they do with us? Marriage holds no binds over a man when temptation reminds them that war hides many a secret as does it cover many truths and lies.

Priya: So for me to simply "discuss" what is on my mind while knowing what war can bring...it's not something you can easily quell with words...

Priya: If you've nothing else to say, I am off…

Priya: You can follow if you wish…

Raisa: Pure bullshit…

Vocab

Jig: A rapid, lively, or irregular dance which involves one or more person.

Portcullis: Strong iron grating. It is usually composed of iron and made to slide along vertical grooves at the sides of gateways of any heavily fortified area and is able to be closed to prevent passage.

Cartographer: A cartographer is on whom specializes in drawing maps, drafting, design, projections, and construction.

Pelmeni (ear bread): Russian cuisine which consists of meat wrapped in dumplings. The filling is oft pork, lamb, beef, fish, or mushrooms. This is also rumored to have been a simplified version of the Chinese Jiaozi.

Flagon: A large wooden, metal, or ceramic pitcher (in this case of it being used "pitcher") which is used for drinking. whether it be water or ale or something else of the like.

Historical Notes

Wōdāo: is a Chinese sword of the Mind Dynasty which was as long as it is heavy; bearing a curved back and a sharp blade. As Ky had noticed, Despite its Damascus base, it heavily resembled his own sword—a Tachi—he also recalled a Odachi's design and noted its similarities as well.

Shéng Biāo: A Shéng Biāo is one of the flexible weapons in Chinese Martial Arts. This weapon (current use) is 10 meters long and is also made of Damascus Steel. Instead of rope, this weapon is made of steel in the shape of a thin but strong chain. This weapon holds a steel dart at the end and is used to catch opponents at a distance as well as ensnare foes as well as disarm them. Raisa is capable of using this weapon to twine, bind, circle, strike, pierce, as well as strangle. What makes this weapon even more deadly is that after years of training, she can use nearly any joint of her body to propel this weapon towards a target, whether it be her elbows, feet, or even her neck.

Limoux: is a Livy traded non-sparkling white wine from Limoux which dates back to Roman occupation of the region. Blanquette (the small white) de Limoux is considered to be the first white wine to be produced in France. This wine first appeared in 1531 in writ by Benedictine Monks from the abbey of Saint-Hilaire.

These monks detail cork-stoppered flasks and conveniently, the region is north of the Cork Oak Forest of Cataluña (Spanish) (also known as Catalunya (Catalan) or Catalonia.) This gave producers a much greater ease when it came to secondary fermentation in the flask. This of course produces the bubbles needed for sparkling wine.

Twelve Apostles: Referred to by many names but it is not as widely popular in history at this point. Mostly, balls and powder flasks were most common. (Raisa utilizes this method)

Raisa has memorized the amount of powder she needs while wanting Ky to avoid having to deal with that trouble, she insisted on him using a different method.

The measuring stage for the barrel charge of gunpowder could be avoided by carrying a number of pre-measured charges in small containers of wood, metal, or even cloth. These containers were often carried on a bandoleer and were known by various names, including "chargers", "charges", or even the religious "apostles" due to twelve normally being carried.