A/N: So here is the next installment. Please enjoy.
Disclaimer: Naida: "CrazyNinjaPenguin doesn't own Code Geass. he does own his own characters. Got that? Cool."
Ava li Britannia rest in her bed. Her body felt heavy and she lacked all energy. What good was waking up when it would just be to force memories into her veins? She was pathetic. She was hopeless. How had she fallen so far? She asked herself that question every day. She asked it but never answered it, and always made the same pathetic mistake.
It was disgusting. She was a wreck, spending days, weeks, months-- she didn't even know anymore-- shut away in this room. Visitors were rare. Richter came weekly to give her updates as she had once told him to. But they were very brief and she could tell he was sparing any details that mattered. Megami came infrequently as well and stayed and talked. Ava found herself very attached to this woman. She wished she came more often. It was only in those few moments they spent together that Ava forgot about her addiction.
Yes, Ava could admit she was addicted. It wasn't refrain her body required though. She always held that distinction in her mind. She didn't need refrain. She hated refrain. It disgusted her. The thing she couldn't live without was Astrid; her smile. The refrain was just a means to see this. It was unfortunate, but it was the only means Ava had. As such, she couldn't stop.
Ava rolled over and tried not to think. It was over if she thought. She needed to sleep more. Sleep was good. Sleep let her fulfill her addiction without resorting to refrain. It was unfortunate that she had always been a light sleeper and that it was physically impossible for her to sleep more than a set few hours daily. Once that was through, the bleak, despaired hours set in and she was left with no other options but to rely on what she despised but was the only thing that could satisfy her cravings.
Ava buried her head in her pillow. She already knew it would be futile. She didn't feel tired anymore. Sleep wouldn't come no matter how hard she tried. It never came when she wanted it to. Nothing went her way. Nothing. She had learned that over the years. She had lost everything she cared about. She lost Mother to shadows she didn't understand. She lost Father to the same substance she now found herself dependent on. Now, things finally poised to take a turn around, she was delivered what had been the most horrible loss of all, Astrid.
Ava shook. She had thought about her, pictured her face. She had pictured her face, in pain, burning up, melting off and falling cold. Her eyes clouded with tears as her body tensed up. She didn't want to imagine such things, but she couldn't help it. The images just occurred to her. Now they wouldn't leave her. She sat up. Her body felt cold. She shivered. She stared at the small vial at her desk. Her eyes narrowed. She hated it, but there was no other way.
She stood slowly. Her legs barely had the strength to support herself. She felt weak. She was weak. That was the problem. She grabbed the vial, and placed it in her applicator. Vials were always in her room. She wasn't sure why or how. Someone knew about her habit; likely Richter. As one who had always coveted power, he surely sought to keep Ava living in her head as long as possible. Ava understood this. She knew she was being used. She knew it, but she wasn't strong enough to fight it. So she fell further and further.
It was just as she was about to fill her veins with the familiar drug that a small knock sounded at her door. Her eyes widened. It was morning and Megami always came at night. It had only been a weeks since Richter's last visit if her sense of time was truly and completely warped, as it had seemed like just a day now. Hurriedly she hid the refrain below a pillow and grabbed a long, fancy coat from her closet and dressed herself in it. She then turned to the door.
"Yes, who is it?" she asked in a weak voice, hoping the one who had knocked hadn't left in the time it had taken her to ready herself.
"The Knight of One," the strong voice came. Ava's eyes widened. This was Astrid's father. She gulped. Facing him was more frightening than about any other. Still, in her solitude, any visitor was a welcome one. Gino Weinberg understood and shared in her suffering.
"Please come in, Lord Weinberg," Ava said in a more confident voice.
The door opened. The man entered. His face was cold and stern but his eyes surprisingly did not contain the hate they should have.
"It's a pleasure to see you after so long, Lord Weinberg. What business do you have to discuss with me?" asked the girl, looking up at the man. She actually smiled hopefully as she then added, "Have you decided finally to leave your station and become my enemy?"
"Heh, that notion sure is inviting at this point. Especially today," the knight spoke in a dark voice, though his eyes withheld hostility.
"What do you mean today? What's happened?" asked Ava, not following.
"That you don't know is your crime," said Gino in a low voice. "It's perhaps best that you remain oblivious to the deeds Richter Novak has been attributing to your name the past two months."
Ava closed her eyes and felt even more shame. She had lost herself and there was suffering. She had made so many critical mistakes. It left her heart in pain.
"Did you come just to reprimand me over such things?" Ava said looking down.
"I may not have any work these days, but do you honestly think I have the time or energy to come all this way for just that?" Gino spoke quietly.
"I suppose not…" Ava spoke, looking down.
"It's likely you don't even remember, but you gave some special, non-combat, tasks to me as, the leader of the knights, to hand to men I could trust to complete them," the Knight of One explained.
"So one of these tasks is completed then? Wouldn't going to Richter make more sense?" Ava started, uninterested.
"Perhaps, but your orders were specific that this particular task would be reported to you and you only," spoke the man, with a nod.
"What is it then?" asked Ava, now slightly curious.
"The most unusual and time-consuming of tasks you placed into my hands. Searching through records for evidence of a child that the old administration had wanted erased entirely from record. Using that evidence to track and locate her," Weinberg spoke, smirking quietly.
"Lady Blackwell's child? I had forgotten about that. Still, you could have gone to the woman herself," Ava said, her usual frown evening out.
"You told me to come to you and you only when the men I had assigned the task were through. You said telling her yourself would be something that would bring you joy," said the man, still smirking.
"I see. Well I'm sorry to say my opinion has now changed. I no longer know joy," said the Empress in a quiet voice. The man frowned.
"So bringing a smile to one's face won't be any solace for you at all?" Gino questioned, his eyes narrowing.
"I-I… I don't know." Ava shook. "I-I'm… I…"
"You're scared aren't you. You're afraid of going outside this room and being judged," the Knight of One said with piercing eyes.
"I…" Ava failed to deny this. She looked down in shame.
"Well. There's nothing to be done the. I'll leave these details here. It's up to you when you want to give that woman the news she waits every day for," Gino said, putting a folder on Ava's desk and turning to leave.
"B-but… Lord Weinberg… I think you--" Astrid started to speak as the man left. She cut herself off. He was already gone.
She sat down. She stared at the file that had been placed on her desk. She then stared at the pillow that concealed the vial of refrain. It took all of what little courage remained inside of her, but she stood again. She grabbed the file in her hand and walked outside hurriedly. Why shouldn't she? She had been given a chance to do something, one small thing, which wouldn't bring her shame. Shouldn't she do it then?
She moved quickly through the castle. The guards were shocked to see her pass. Everyone she passed was shocked. She didn't stop. She pressed ahead, everything around her hardly feeling real. Then amazing luck found her. On route to the room belonging to Callista Blackwell, her path crossed with that very woman. She approached her with a mix of excitement and apprehension.
"E-Empress?" the woman started, her eyes widened, clearly shocked. "It's been far too long."
Ava nodded. "Right. It has."
"So, how have you been of late? Word is you've been ill…" Callista spoke in a heavy, placed voice. Ava could tell the woman knew this was a lie.
"Yes… I'm not well… but I hope to recover soon…." Ava said in a distant voice. "More importantly, I have news for you."
"News for me…?" the woman started, looking at the girl with her head tilted. Her eyes then suddenly went wide. "It couldn't be--!"
"This… is for you…" Ava said deliberately, handing the other the folder in her hands. Callista took it and opened it.
"They found her…" she said, a soft, pleasant smile gracing her face.
"It took a while, but I kept my promise, even if I had little to do with the process personally," Ava said, her breath heavy.
"Thank you. It's only because of you that I may finally get to see her," the woman thanked her in a genuine voice.
"I'm glad I could help make such a thing possible," said Ava turning to leave, unsure where she'd go. "Seeing you has done a lot to restore my spirit, Lady Blackwell."
"I'm glad I could help you as well then," said the Knight of Ten in a pleasing voice.
Ava stepped away. She took several steps down the corridor, a smile actually on her face. She took several steps more. Then she heard a shout.
"You!" the voice came. "Explain yourself!"
Ava turned around. Her eyes were filled with the sight of Hildegarde Waldstein holding a sword to the chest of the very woman she had just spoken with.
"C-calm yourself, Knight of Four… I'm not sure what this is about… but…" Callista spoke, her voice filled with fear.
"Your actions last night! Why did you do such a thing?!" the fierce knight screamed, not lowering her blade.
"It was a simple order. You should realize that. Why would we hand over all our prisoners when we could just as efficiently kill them and damage the enemy base of operations at the same time?" the woman said with a snide laugh, backing away from the blade.
"Why did no one tell me this was a trap?! Why was that information withheld?!" the other demanded, clearly distraught.
"Surely, this sort of thing is best kept confidential. A secret maneuver like this is more sure the fewer who know of it," said Callista in a calm voice.
"Damn it!" Hildegarde cried, sheathing her sword. "This order has no logic! Won't the enemy now just kill their prisoners in retribution. Something like this only brings more and more death."
Ava listened, unsure what to think. She didn't want to hear this. She knew when she gave him power that Richter Nova would do things she never would have, but hearing it now, made her feel ill. She could hardly take it and yet she wanted to know. She wanted to understand her sins.
"Excuse me… what is this all about?" she asked tentatively as she approached. Callista shook her head as if Ava had made a mistake. Hildegarde's eyes narrowed in disgust as she stared upon her.
"You have a lot of nerve asking that question…" she spoke, her voice trembling with hostile intensity.
"I'm…sorr--" Ava began feebly.
"Don't you realize that your name is on every order?! Don't you understand that?!" the woman shouted at her. She was the Empress and yet a mere knight was shouting at her in rage.
"I know… still… I-I…" Ava couldn't come up with an adequate reply. She was scared. She should have run away.
"I respected you. I admired you. I swore my sword to your cause, to your vision. I was willing to give my life to you and your Britannia…" Hildegarde spat in a low, emotional voice. "Looking at what you've become now, I feel nothing but anger and betrayal!"
Hildegarde looked ready to slap her. She should have. She deserved it. She welcomed it. But it didn't come. Ava looked at her feet and mumbled. "I'm sorry."
"Pathetic. Absolutely pathetic. I thought you were strong but you're broken," Hildegarde spoke coldly. Ava continued to shake in fear.
"I know… I know…" Ava said, under her breath, unable to look at the other.
"You think you have an excuse because of your grief, because you lost your beloved one, do you?" the knight snarled at her. "Well you killed mine last night. Over the last two months thousands could probably say the same."
Ava's mind froze. Her muscles tightened. Tears entered her eyes. She didn't want to hear that. She didn't want to realize such things. She didn't want this. She didn't want any of this. She was shaking frantically. She felt faint. Her breathing became heavy.
"I'm sorry," she said one more time, in a stronger voice, looking the knight in the eyes, her own eyes full of tears. She then turned around and ran, not waiting for anything else, not wanting to hear anything else.
She ran all the way back to her room. It was a long distance, but it seemed to only take a second. The second she was back, she fell to her knees upon the floor. She cried. She cried hard. She couldn't stop the tears. She went to her pillow and pulled out the refrain. She wanted it to go away. She held the refrain to her arm. Then she screamed. She couldn't do this. She couldn't run away. She had to face this. She breathed hard several times and then threw the vial hard against her wall. The glass broke into thousands of pieces. Ava stood. She didn't know what to do. She was lost. She had let herself be trapped. She had led herself into a hole with no way out.
She continued to pant. She regretted everything. She regretted Richter. She regretted her negligence. She regretted smashing the refrain, her only reprieve from the ugly truth upon the wall. She didn't know what to do but cry there and hope it went away. She knew it wouldn't. Ava li Britannia was naïve maybe, but not stupid. She stood up. Her body felt heavy. She felt so weak. She turned around. She screamed. She wasn't alone.
"What are you doing here?!" she shouted as she looked at the woman who was watching her at her most vulnerable. It was the Knight of Eight. It was Regina Granville. She stared ahead with cold eyes.
"Richter Novak told me to visit you if ever you make such sounds," the woman spoke in a low voice.
"What are you--? What are you doing?" Ava started, angry. "Richter Novak is not the Empress, I am! His orders are meaningless to you!"
"He said that if I wanted to continue spreading the darkness I should listen to him ahead of you," the girl said unfeelingly.
"That's treason, knight!" Ava shouted.
"I do not care what it is," the knight said. She pulled something from her jacket. It was a vial of refrain.
"Stop! Get away from me with that!" Ava shouted, running back. The cyborg was behind her before she finished running. The refrain applicator was at her neck. Soon the substance was in her bloodstream. Soon she was at her knees. Soon she was watching Astrid smile.
---
Astrid Weinberg wore an expression of deep distress and confusion as she awoke the morning after her hopes were crushed. She was in a prison cell. A damp and cold prison cell. Everything seemed damp and cold. She understood none of it. She wanted to understand it. She wanted it to make sense to her. But she couldn't piece it together. She hadn't slept that night. She had just thought. Despite it all she couldn't arrive at a conclusion.
Then, that morning, Chiharu Ohgi appeared before her. She opened the cell and stepped inside. She took a seat in the one chair while Astrid sat on the bed. They looked at each other for a while before either spoke.
"What were the damages?" Astrid began in a low voice.
"They're still trying to place names to bodies. I wouldn't expect many survivors though. Estimates place the total dead at around 170 between the prisoners and the unfortunate civilians."
"How unforgivable…" Astrid spoke, looking down.
"You understand what this means, don't you?" asked Chiharu in a heavy voice.
"Ava…" Astrid murmured, tears entering her eyes.
"She's abandoned you. In the cruelest way imaginable, she has just made it obvious that she doesn't care if we kill you," said Chiharu, her voice dark and somber. "I hate saying it Astrid, but she lied to you."
Astrid shook. She hated this conclusion. She hated it. It couldn't be true. It couldn't. Ava loved her. She had said so with honest eyes. Astrid could feel the love in their all too brief kiss. But what else was there? Ava had thrown away what was to be exchanged for her. Ava had turned her back on her. Was there any other explanation?
"What's going to happen now?" she asked, shaking miserably.
"This action isn't forgivable. Simply put, you'll be executed if you remain loyal to her," Chiharu spoke, clearly hating her role.
"I don't want to lose faith in her. I can't. She saved me six years ago. I lost myself. I lost myself to darkness and she built me back up. She put so much time and love into caring for me… I can't believe that now she has forgotten all that," Astrid spoke in an all too solemn voice. "And yet there's nothing but evidence proving that is so. It's like you say. I have no option but to face reality."
"Does that mean we have your loyalty?" asked Chiharu in a low voice.
"For now. Until I find the truth to be different from what it appears to be, until I get a reason, until I get an explanation, until I get an apology I will fight against the Empire she represents," said Astrid in a sorrowful voice, not sure if this was even possible for her.
"Understood. You'll be given clearance to walk around freely soon then," said Chiharu, standing. "Even then you will likely still have to be watched."
"Very well," Astrid nodded begrudgingly.
"I'm sorry Astrid. Really, I am," the girl spoke in a soft voice as she turned.
"It's alright," said Astrid, looking down. Nothing was Chiharu's fault; that much was certain.
She gave a heavy sigh as the woman left her in the cell. Even if she had said otherwise, she knew her loyalty would always remain with Ava.
---
Chiharu Ohgi had a distinct heaviness to her heart as she entered the dark room at the center of the Absolution base. The man in the Orange mask appeared in front of her. He was alone. The others weren't present.
"I must apologize. I suggested this plan to you. What has happened is entirely my fault," Chiharu spoke somberly as she sat down and looked at the leader of Absolution.
"You know that is not true, Lieutenant Colonel Ohgi. What has happened is because we did not consider the situation deeply enough," Orange spoke in a deep voice.
"It should have been obvious to us that the Empress wouldn't trade all her prisoners for a single girl," said Chiharu, sighing.
"I wouldn't have approved the motion if I thought it was obvious. The testimony of you and Amelia presented a clear picture to me that the Empress cared enough for this girl for this to be a intelligent decision," Orange spoke in a grave voice.
"But it seems we were mistaken. Astrid Weinberg was lied to," Chiharu spoke, her heart uneasy.
"Not necessarily," the man in the mask spoke, looking at the other.
"What do you mean? That much should be obvious," said Chiharu, narrowing her eyes.
"Haven't you found it off, Lieutenant Colonel? Ava li Britannia hasn't made any sort of public appearance in over two months," the man started.
"Yes, now that you mentioned it, that is strange…" said Chiharu, tilting her head. "But even so, what could that mean?"
"Ava li Britannia could be seriously ill. She could have even been assassinated by an unconnected enemy. Either way, she may not be in direct control of her empire," Orange started. At first the idea sounded ludicrous, but Chiharu quickly began to accept it as possible.
"But, provided she's not dead, wouldn't she have heard about Astrid?" started the girl. "My mother went and conducted negotiations in person. The plan held the Empress' signature."
"It was a signature stamp. Your mother never talked to anyone but a single Imperial advisor," Orange said in a steady voice.
"But, the Empress wouldn't just give someone the authority to place her name to their decisions," started Chiharu in a low voice. "Wouldn't that limit the possibility to her being dead?"
"That is perhaps more likely," said the leader of Absolution.
"But why would they hide her death?" asked Chiharu. "it's rather obvious they can't hide it forever."
"It could be fear that her death would cause her Empire to split apart. Arienette mi Britannia was a fairly popular figure within the nobility and unknown out of it, but her daughters are both known to say inopportune things in public. With them as successors, Empress Nunnally might look more appealing even to her staunchest supporters," said Orange in a steady voice.
"I see," Chiharu said with a nod.
"But I doubt the woman would be dead without us knowing any of it. We would know of it if it were our assassin or one of our allies. A small group unconnected to us, would be quick to make claims," said the Orange masked man.
"But then, how could decisions like this be made without her approval?" asked Chiharu, not connecting anything.
"My thoughts are that she has willingly given away her power to someone else. She is oblivious to the decisions that have been made. Her behavior changed entirely after a certain point in the war. It became more precise but also more bloody," Orange spoke wisely.
Chiharu thought a moment. "You mean with the advent of the Bedivere Godhand and Dagonet Foresight?"
"No. It was before then. The invasion of Japan was bloody, but in the early fights against Absolution care was made to minimize civilian casualties. No such effort has been made in any battle following our conquest of this city," the man explained. Chiharu's eyes widened.
"But that's the battle where--!" she started.
"Where Astrid Weinberg fell from her side," the man finished. Chiharu's heart fell. She felt miserable.
"So her trusted decision maker kept the fact that Astrid is alive from her and did this then?" Chiharu spoke in a low voice.
"The man with whom your mother spoke was rather adamant about the condition that no details of the transaction be made public to anyone but the involved parties." Orange said in a steady voice. "We thought this a simple manner of protecting national pride. Thinking about it now, it's not impossible that they were withholding the information from people within their own administration."
"So, what do we do from here?" asked the girl.
"Astrid Weinberg, what did she say to you?" asked the masked man.
"I told her what I thought was the only truth. She said she'd help us so long as she could believe it was the truth," said the girl, looking down.
"Excellent. Then Astrid Weinberg shall be executed," the man said with what sounded like a quick laugh.
"Wait?! What?! Why!? She said she'd helped us?!" Chiharu demanded, furiously.
"Yes. But for this she must be executed," Orange spoke. Chiharu was about to protest again when the man added. "But do not worry. Astrid Weinberg will not die."
"What are you saying?" Chiharu asked, shaking her head.
"I think it's worth taking a gamble on this hypothesis to create chaos within our enemy's castle and hopefully force a naïve move from an empress without rational thought," the man spoke in a strong voice. Chiharu nodded.
"Understood," she said.
"Is that all you wanted to discuss with me, Lieutenant Colonel?" asked the man.
"Yes sir," the girl replied and stood. "Thanks for agreeing to meet with me like this,"
"Any time, Lieutenant Colonel Ohgi. You are a top value member of our enterprise," said the man in a steady voice.
Chiharu left, everything a lot less set in her mind than it had been before. She felt sorry for Astrid. If this was indeed the truth, the girl had not been betrayed but was rather loved so deeply that…. It was a sad thought, but perhaps it was better that way. Astrid was her friend. She deserved to be loved.
---
Richter Novak wore a slight smirk as he looked at the woman he was to marry. She was wearing a stern frown as she sat in the throne belonging to her cousin. She was unhappy. Despite the wondrous way the plan had turned out the previous night, something had occurred that left this girl distraught. Jackie was far more attached to her family than she let on.
"Weren't you expecting this?" asked Richter, looking at her.
"I was. Still, to have it actually happen… it comes as a shock," started Jackie, looking down.
That morning word had arrived that this girl's older sister, Adelaide, and her husband were killed by revolutionary assassins in Area 10, which was subsequently liberated by Chinese Federation forces.
"Should we relieve your brother of his duties then?" asked the young man, staring at the girl.
"It might be for the best. There's no reason for Aeolus to die as well," said the princess, sighing.
"You do realize that you are now the legitimate heir to the throne, Jackie?" Richter started in a low voice.
"Yes, and I am pleased with that fact," the girl nodded, still seeming down.
"Your sister's death won't go to waste. Though her public image wasn't as strong, and her killers were mostly of the local sort, like your mother, her loss will only help further rally our supporters," the man spoke in a cold matter of fact fashion.
"I realize that losing Ada is nothing but a plus for us on paper." Jackie grumbled. "But shouldn't there be direct retaliation at some point. It almost seems like your letting the Asian Areas be taken at this point and yet you've let to challenge them.'
"I'm just picking my opponents, Jackie. It's only natural we stomp out the enemy at home before looking over seas once more, lest we leave ourselves vulnerable," spoke Richter. "But you needn't worry. When Absolution is through, Granville and Cross will be deployed east."
"Yes, I understand. You're very right, dear," said Jackie giving a long sigh. "There is still one thing I'm curious about though."
"What me and the Knight of Eight discussed moments ago?" Richter surmised while looking at his future wife.
"Yes. I'm curious," the woman started.
"For some reason, your cousin left her room this morning," started Richter.
"You don't say? What happened?" Jackie asked, head titled.
"Guard reports indicate the Knight of Four delivered some harsh words to her that affected her deeply. She was left in a highly emotional state. Granville had to step in and administer some refrain to sedate her," Richter spoke, closing his eyes.
"That woman sure is loyal to you," Jackie spoke, a tinge of jealousy in her voice.
"Ava li Britannia wouldn't condone the massacres that bring her so much pleasure. She just realizes this and wishes to keep me in control," Richter said in a stern voice.
"But Waldstein? She is less quick to approve?" Jackie asked, her head titled.
"My impression of Hildegarde Waldstein has always been that of the most unquestionably dedicated knight. I never saw her as the type to bat an eye at cruelty, but rather the sort able to accept anything as necessary if she agrees with the overall goal," Richter spoke in a ready tone.
"Then why?" asked the other.
"Because reports indicate that, for whatever reason, Hildegarde Waldstein formed an emotional connection with one of the prisoners killed yesterday," Richter said in a low voice.
"An emotional connection with a prisoner?" Jackie looked at him in disbelief.
"It was the young girl being held in the castle tower. Reports indicate she visited her constantly, sometimes more than once on the same day," said the young man, nodding.
"That's nothing short of abnormal," said Jackie. "You don't think that woman is some sort of abnormal freak like my disgusting little cousin?"
"I don't honestly know or care to know, Jackie. The fact of the matter is that this girl's death has led the Knight of Four to lash out at the Empress, Callista Blackwell and me," spoke Richter.
"She confronted you?!" Jackie shouted, surprised.
"She did," said Richter solemnly. "She said quite forwardly that she wanted to kill me. She pulled her sword too."
"H-how… How did you get away from that?" asked the girl, her mouth hanging open.
"It occurred while Granville and I were speaking, so quite naturally I was protected," explained Richter.
"I see. But should she try something again...?" started Jackie, concerned.
"I had her detained for it," said Richter. "If she points a sword at me and presents words that shake your cousin from her current state, she is a threat. I don't plan to release her until I deem she is one no longer."
"That seems wise," said Jackie in a cool voice.
"That leaves the only problem we have as the Empress herself. I don't know how much power over her actions she currently has, but today proves that she is not entirely lost. She may start to show some resistance if we don't keep a more clear watch on her," Richter started in a matter-of-fact fashion.
"Right. Of course," Jackie nodded.
"But in my estimate, so long as she remains ignorant of that girl being alive, she should not change from her course," said Richter.
"But that issue will be resolved. As retribution for last night. That freak will surely be executed by the enemy. That was the plan, wasn't it?" started Jackie.
"Yes. Of course. Astrid Weinberg should be dead soon," said Richter. "But there are still variables."
"R-right," said Jackie with an unsteady voice.
---
Hiromi Tohdoh wore an angry expression as she left the investigators behind. Her head was spinning. It had been almost a full day now since that nightmare had occurred. She still didn't have a straight answer. All she did have was anger and disgust. Passing Chiharu Ohgi in the hall didn't help this.
"Certainly was a great plan you presented to the higher ups, Chiharu," she started in a caustically sarcastic tone, glaring hatefully at her former friend. These were the first words she had spoken to the girl in two months,
"Hiromi…" Chiharu said in a low, depressed voice, looking downward. "I--"
"You what?! What do you have that you can possibly say to me in this situation?!" Hiromi yelled, stepping toward the other, wanting very much to relieve some stress.
"I'm sorry this happened. It shouldn't have happened," said Chiharu in a somber voice.
"You're sorry?! It shouldn't have happened?! Do you honestly think that's good enough?! So many people are dead because of your stupid idea!" Hiromi continued to attack the silver-haired girl with words. Chiharu stared ahead without flinching.
"It was my proposal, but Amelia backed the plan and the Masks all approved it," said Chiharu averting her eyes. "And it was the enemy prisoner who came up with the original idea."
"You think you can hide behind others, Chiharu?! I don't care what part you had in this, I just know you had a part! You let these people die, Chiharu!" HIromi challenged.
"They shouldn't have died. They wouldn't have died, if things were as they should be…" Chiharu said in a quiet voice.
"Stop talking so vaguely! Don't you realize that Yasuko is probably dead?!" Hiromi screamed, seriously annoyed. Chiharu looked at her, finding something in the words peculiar.
"Probably?" she started in a tentative voice. "Isn't she… isn't Yasuko gone for sure this time…"
"The team investigating the crash site found no corpse within or anywhere outside the wreckage which could be positively identified as Yasuko," said Hiromi giving a long sigh.
"But that means--!" Chiharu started, her eyes wide.
"She was either in one of the high danger areas and got burnt to a form that could not be recognized or she stayed with that woman again," said Hiromi, scowling.
"Hiromi…" Chiharu smiled. Like an idiot who didn't understand anything, she smiled.
"Don't you understand?! Yasuko is either a pile of ash or a true traitor through and through! Neither is something to smile about. Either way I've lost her completely now," Hiromi said with a dark glare. Chiharu's smile imploded instantly.
"I'm sorry, Hiromi," said Chiharu in a low, honest voice. "It's difficult for me too, thinking she's gone because of this."
"Don't say things like that, Chiharu," said Hiromi in a tired voice. "Please, just leave me alone before I decide I want to hit you again."
"As you wish," said Chiharu with a short smirk as she walked past the other.
Hiromi continued ahead, unsure where she was going.
---
Lucrecia Harrison had ready smile on her face as her beloved mistress combed her hair and embraced her. She let out a little coo and smiled. She loved this. She loved it all. She loved her mistress. She loved her life. She loved everything about it.
"There. You look lovely, my precious child," said Mistress, stroking Lucrecia's cheek softly with her hand. Lucrecia blushed and smiled.
"Thank you, Mistress!" Lucrecia cheered in her high, girlish voice and turned around. Her mistress lovingly embraced her small, child's body and placed a short kiss on her lips. Lucrecia blushed and gave a short giggle.
Mistress was so beautiful. She was the most beautiful woman ever. She had long blonde hair, roughly as long as Lucrecia's silver hair, but it seemed shorter since the adult woman was so much taller. The two of them both had green eyes, but Lucrecia's were deep, sharp and dark and Mistress's were a soft, inviting color. And of course Mistress had a body exceeding any woman anywhere ever, while Lucrecia had a body more suitable her twelve years of age.
A knock sounded at the door. Mistress glared at it. She spoke. "Yes, what is it?"
"It's Naida, milady. The Sage has requested a word with you," the voice of agent Naida Fiametta sounded. Lucrecia began to glare at the door as well.
Mistress loosened her grip on Lucrecia and allowed the child to stand. She then said, "Very well, come in, Naida."
The door opened and a stranger entered. Lucrecia was used to this. Naida always took the form of a stranger.
"Hmmph, this had better be important, Ms. Fiametta!" Lucrecia demanded in a cold voice, making her angry face at the older woman who had interrupted her and Mistress' private time.
"Chill, Lucy. I said it was the Sage who sent me. You know how that old man gets," Naida said shaking her head.
"Whatever," Lucrecia huffed, crossing her arms and nodding her head. Mistress, who had stood, patted her on the head.
"I'm eager to hear what old Eldridge has for me today," said the beautiful woman walking forward. "What do you know of it, Naida?"
"I don't know. It has to do with something Phil, Laz and Signa recovered," said the woman in a warm voice. She began to walk as well. Lucrecia followed behind them.
"I see. And what of your task?" asked Mistress.
"I've just been back an hour now. Early this morning I successfully assassinated another Britannian princess, just as you ordered," the shape-changing woman spoke, tilting her head.
"Good work then," said Mistress, smiling and placing a soft kiss at Naida's cheek, causing her to blush. Lucrecia glared at the scene with impossible anger.
"Am I to kill the First Prince now?" asked Naida, laughing her blush off.
"Doing so would be pointless. The situation is right as it is now," said Mistress, giving a steady nod.
"Why is Naida killing princesses, Mistress? I thought we were on Britannia's side," started Lucrecia in a sugary voice as she picked up her step to walk beside her mistress.
"You should know that, Lucrecia. We're on our own side, independent from this war. Our current goal is to see Ava li Britannia defeat Absolution but it is far from our final goal," said Mistress. "Besides, the deaths of these useless princesses helps the Britannian cause more than it hurts it in the end."
"Oh, I see. That makes perfect sense now," Lucrecia lied with an enthusiastic smile and nod.
"Then why spare any extras, milady?" asked Naida.
"Because Jacquelyn mi Britannia is a character that spawns conflict. Aeolus mi Britannia is a meaningless existence. Neither of them is worth destroying at the moment," said Mistress simply. Naida didn't seem satisfied. Why'd she have to pester Mistress like this? It was annoying.
"I see…" Naida spoke. "The sage told me to bring you here." She motioned to a rather large room within the abandoned castle Mistress used as her hideout.
"Please, join us, Naida," Mistress said, shaking her head and entering the door. Naida showed hesitation.
"If it's okay…" she muttered. Naida was regarded as the lowest ranked member of their group. Mistress of course loved Lucrecia best and she had know the Sage for a very long time. Philip and Signa she regarded as special projects that she watched closely, though it was clear she favored the latter. And Lazarus she regarded as her strongest and most devout supporter. Naida she had easily the least attachment to and rarely treated with kindness, especially since her best friend Ashlynn went away.
"Of course, I insist," Mistress nodded. The woman smiled and followed her inside. Lucrecia followed too.
The large hall was mostly empty. At the center of it was a long table. On top of that table were three corpses. They were bloodied and burnt and looked really icky. Lucrecia tried not to look at them. Naida was averting her eyes too and looked ready to throw up.
"Hmm, now what do we have here, Eldridge?" Mistress asked as she approached the corpses with a smile on her face. "Where did all this death come from?"
"Mr. Cain retrieved these forms with the aid of the other two. Despite appearances, they still cling to life," said the old man hovering over the disturbing figures, peering a them.
"I don't understand. I gave no order for Lazarus to bring me bodies clinging to the ends of life. Those three were to keep a strict watch over Absolution's leaders in that city. Nothing more," Mistress said in a baffled voice, her eyes narrowing.
"Lazarus Cain is a misanthrope who labels everyone he meets a sinner. Despite this, he still calls himself a priest and he has a peculiar fascination with death. I'm not sure anyone but he understands his decision in this case, but those two did aid him in retrieving these souls from the center of hell," said the man most there called the Sage. Only Mistress used his given name, Eldridge Delaney, and only when she was in certain moods.
"Hmm, so these are from that scene then? These are victims of Ava li Britannia's negligence who fate has yet to abandon?" said Mistress smirking.
"As with anyone who has narrowly escaped certain death, I see incredible things in their eyes," said the Sage in a rough voice.
"Very well, let me have a look at them," said Mistress, taking several steps toward the figures lying atop the table. She didn't want to, but Lucrecia stepped up to look at them as well.
The first one was a young man, very strongly built. He was Britannian, meaning Absolution in this case. He wore what was barely discernible as prison garbs and seemed angry in his painful sleep. His frame had been bandaged, but you could tell that the burns were all over his body. The second thing which resembled a corpse was a smaller Britannian youth. He was half-conscious and gritting his teeth in intense pain, though he didn't make a sound. His eyes, which were open but didn't seem to see, looked somehow beast-like.
The third figure on the table was easily the worst off. It was a young girl. She was of Asian descent and had had soft, delicate features. The left side of her body was wounded severely, much of the flesh having been burnt deep. Her left hand was missing. Her left leg looked entirely too thin. Her face, had hardly been spared damage either; it was hard for Lucrecia to look at. Most peculiarly, the girl was wearing a rag that looked like it might have actually been something nice instead of a prison garb. Looking at her, it was almost impossible to believe that the girl was alive.
"Hmm, interesting things that have been laid in my lap. I trust you've already sent for Alfred," Mistress spoke, while staring at the girl struggling against death.
"Aye, of course, Ms. Amarantha," said Old Grandpa with a steady nod.
"Then saving these three should be hardly an issue," said Mistress with confidence in her smirk.
"Wait! I need an explanation of all this! How are these people alive?!" Naida started in a loud voice.
"Naida please, quiet. You'll distress them. Losing them now would be an unfortunate thing," cautioned Mistress.
"Eh, sorry…" Naida spoke in a low voice.
"Those three are the sharpest blades in my obsession, but saving a life or two is well within their capacity," said the beautiful woman, smiling.
"Well, I don't see it. I can't imagine any of them being able to do anything for anyone," Naida spoke in a resolute voice.
"Signa's ability isn't just for amplifying pain, you know. She can be made to nullify it as well," said Mistress, nodding.
"Ah, yeah, of course, but…" Naida continued to question Mistress. Lucrecia glared at her.
"And despite his dementia, Philip has an incredible ability to retain technical knowledge. He's read medical books and there is a full wealth of emergency medication and suplies onboard my planes," said Mistress.
"I see… I guess that's true. It's just a little hard to see him calming down long enough to treat anyone. And it's been almost a day since that incident…." Naida spoke, looking at the bodies in disbelief.
"For what it's worth, Lazarus has the light of God on his side. Perhaps that's the root of your miracle," Mistress said with an amused laugh.
"I'd doubt that…" spoke Naida with a sigh.
"I doubt they had perfect success anyway," said Mistress. She turned to the old man. "How many corpses were discarded, Eldridge?"
"Five," the old man replied with a solemn nod.
"So there were five more who survived hell only to die during treatment onboard the flight. A shame," Mistress gave a heavy sigh. "Oh well, three will be enough. These will make nice pets."
"But, milady, these… You can't honestly think that from this state… that these people will recover?" Naida added another challenge. Lucrecia snarled. This woman had too much doubt in Mistress. It was annoying.
"Lazarus calls me an agent of God, Belisario a full fledged Goddess. You've seen what I can do; do you honestly think this is impossible, even for 'divinity'?" asked Mistress, amused once more. "Besides, you have no reason to doubt the genius of Alfred Selwyn."
"I'm not sure I've ever heard that name," said Naida, after some thought.
"Alfred is a man, much like Belisario and Eldridge here, with whom I have deep ties. He is a Britannian expatriate living here in the EU. He is a brilliant mind, with a wealth of knowledge regarding the human mind and body," said Mistress. She smirked, "He's Lucrecia's father."
"Her father?" Naida was surprised. After a pause she added, "You don't mean her actual father, do you? You mean, he's the one who--!"
Mistress smiled. "You're quite right." She have a steady nod. "It will not be an easy task, but these three will be built back up better than they were soon enough. They will be my precious pets, especially this darling child."
Mistress confirmed what Lucrecia had suspected. The beautiful woman had taken a special interest in the lone female. Lucrecia was jealous of the girl even though she wasn't conscious of any of this and was hanging onto her life by a thread.
"You said your eyes could see strong fates for all of them?" asked Mistress, turning to the old man.
"Aye," the Sage replied. "The strength of their fate is actually ordered as they are laid out on the table. The female child is especially strong with it."
"I see. How wonderful," said Mistress in a soft voice.
"But.. .doesn't the Sage's power only work if they--" Naida started again, Mistress shook her head and that was enough to cut her off.
"It won't matter very soon, Naida. Our plan is nearing its next stage. The air is saturated with chaos. All it will take now is a strong enough spark and everything will explode. Then our dearest friend, Ashlynn will return to us," Mistress nodded, sure of herself.
"You really still think she's coming back?" asked Naida with a frown and sigh.
"I wouldn't hinge my entire plan on it if I was anything but sure, Naida," Mistress gave an amused laugh.
"She has no reason to come back here," said Naida, sure of it.
"You doubt what Eldridge has seen, Naida?" asked Mistress, smiling.
"I don't. No," said the woman with some hesitance. "I just don't see why that woman would ever return to us."
"A Goddess is sought in the darkest hours, Naida. Ashlynn Alvara knows only one Goddess," Mistress said in an easy, confident voice.
"I guess…" the other hardly seemed convinced.
"But this is not a matter needing discussion, not now at least," said Mistress. Her eyes returned to the table. "I'm more interested in what I have in front of me." She tilted her head and looked at the pale, bloodied girl. "Do we know their names?" she asked.
"Prisoner numbers were recovered for the two males. We could obtain names rather easily by investigating Britannian records. No identification was present on the girl. She is a complete unknown," said the old man in a rough voice.
"I see. Unfortunate. Surely this one had a pretty name. It's a shame me and Alfred will probably lose it," said Mistress in a regretful voice, sighing. After a pause, she spoke some more. "I do hope Alfred arrives soon. It would be a shame to lose these three now."
"He's on his way," the Sage assured.
"Right, well then. Nothing I can do now," said Mistress. "Those other three, Eldridge? After disobeying my orders and returning here, where have they headed now?"
"They're awaiting new orders in the main hall," the old man spoke.
"I see. But that can wait. I need to be with these three right now," said Mistress. "Naida, please play with Lucrecia for a while."
"What?! But Mistress, can't I stay with you?" asked Lucrecia pleadingly, tugging at the older woman's coat.
"Now, now child, when Dr. Selwyn comes, this room might become something scary for such a delicate girl," said Mistress stroking Lucrecia's cheek affectionately again, bringing out another blush. "It's best the two of you hurry along."
"Hmmph, fine!" Lucrecia pouted, curling her lip and stomping her foot. She stomped out of the room. "Come on, let's go!" she called to Naida coldly, without turning around.
"Eh, right…" said, Naida, hurrying to catch up as Lucrecia paced swiftly down the hall. "Please slow down, Lucy. There's no need to--"
And with that Lucrecia tripped on her own feet and fell forward. She had caught herself with her arms so it wasn't a particularly painful fall, especially compared to some of the many others, but her skirt had flipped up, giving Naida full view of her childish pink, strawberry pattern panties. Lucrecia collected herself immediately and stood. She blushed intently.
"Don't stare at me!" she demanded in an intense voice, with a little huff. She began walking again, this time at a more casual pace.
"Uh okay," Naida snickered and followed along.
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Lilia Weinberg gave a sigh as she sat down upon her plush leather couch. Her husband was cooking dinner in her stead. He did this a lot. He saw it as an obligation. He was home more often than she was these days. It was honestly vaguely frustrating having him home all the time.
She wasn't sure she understood that man, even if she had married him and birthed his child. After losing his daughter to terrorists, the man takes a reprieve from his duties, and not necessarily to grieve. Lilia was still rather shaken up about Astrid. Every day was still a little uncomfortable, even when she put the poor child out of mind, but her husband, he hardly seemed ay different from before these days. Not around her at least.
He seemed of a perfectly suitable mood, and yet he continued to neglect his duties and laze around the house. Lilia knew he had his differences of opinions with the Empress, even if she had been Astrid's dearest friend, and she respected that, but still, she felt he should at least be doing something. But, alas, he was still getting paid. She couldn't rightly complain.
Sighing again, Lilia turned on the television and stared at it blankly. Milly Ashford was reading the evening news with a professional smile as usual. It was more details about the recent mass execution and attack on the enemy that had been disguised as a prisoner exchange. It had been the biggest story anywhere since it happened two nights ago.
It was a rather gruesome thing. The Empress had really gotten violent ever since losing Astrid. Lilia supposed this was one way grief manifested. With the way her husband kept to himself with his own sorrow, maybe it was his incompatibility with such a thing that had driven him from the castle? It was a little unsettling even for Lilia. But when you considered the other top news story, "Princess Adelaide mi Britannia Killed at 21", Lilia was able to be a little more forgiving.
Things had certainly gotten a lot more complicated since the Empress made her big move. The first few months after that had been tense. Lilia's husband and her child had a serious difference of opinions, and she found herself caught between them more often than not. Things had eventually calmed down for Lilia by the time Astrid was lost, but the world was still a mess. But that made this news program a lot more interesting, she supposed.
She sighed yet again and turned her focus back to Milly Ashford. She found, to her surprise, that the woman wasn't there. Something had changed. The station had been hijacked. The strange, Orange masked-man was on the screen again, the camera focused squarely on his mask. He had done this before. He was the terrorist leader, or one of them at least. Lilia turned up the volume.
"Britannia! My message for you today is simple! Your Empress has offended us! The brutal manner in which the negotiations of two nights ago were handled is inexcusable! Absolution is not an organization that prides itself in violence and killing, but the massacres your Empress has allowed, this recent event being only one example, have left us with little choice!" the man spoke in a strong, bold voice, filled with brilliant intensity. The camera panned out, revealing than he was surrounded by many young men and women, most in chains. "Retribution is called for! For the sake of the lives thrown away in that gruesome disaster, Absolution shall see all of our Britannian prisoners executed!"
Lilia stared at the TV, transfixed. The camera began to cycle past the faces of the prisoners. It stopped when it reached the Orange-masked man again, but it was still panned out and a single prisoner was clearly displayed in the shot to his right. Lilia could feel her heart stop.
"G-Gino, d-dear, come here now!" she insisted in a wobbly voice, standing, blinking several times and staring endlessly at the screen.
"Coming," the man spoke as her meandered into the room. "What's happened?"
"Please, dear, tell me I'm not seeing things," said Lilia, staring ahead.
"Remember these faces, Britannia! These our your loyal countrymen who will face judgement three days from now as a result of your Empress' reign of murder!" the masked man further condemned the prisoners. No matter how the camera panned, one figure never left the shot. It wasn't the masked man either.
"Astrid--" Gino spoke, holding his breath, his eyes wide.
"B-but how?! She was pronounced dead… There was no other way about it. We had a service and everything… said Lilia, trembling, her brain barely rational.
"It seems, my dear, we were premature. Our daughter survived somehow," the man spoke, still staring at the screen, spellbound.
"My Astrid…" Lilia cried, emotion overtaking her. "But she'll still die soon anyway…"
"I'll go to the Empress. I'll offer my sword to save our child. I'll do everything I can," said Gino with a firm nod.
"Please do! I can't bear to lose her a second time!" Lilia stammered, shaking her head.
"I'll go at once. Please take care of the dinner I was preparing," said Gino.
"Yes, of course," said Lilia.
And then the man left. He returned an hour later with news that made her heart sink. Gino Weinberg, the Knight of One, had been revoked his clearance into the Imperial castle indefinitely.
A/N: End chapter 24. A very focused chapter. The last chapter had that one outlying Xuemei scene thrown in, but was pretty much focused on the buildup to the Prisoner exchange. I wanted this to be the flip-side of that one, focusing entirely on the aftermath of the incident (hence the rather simple chapter title).But don't worry, I know Kallen and kids, Cynthia and Miya, Megami and whoever else hasn't been focused in a while, but they should mostly all be worked into the next chapter.
Anyway, for being focused on the aftermath, a lot of little things happened. Callista's character arc is poised to finally progress, with her child having been located. Ava's beginning to piece herself back together, bit by bit, with some help from an emotional Hildegarde. Jeremiah's coming to understand the truth of what's happening in Britannia and Astrid's loyalties are made questionable. Jackie's older sister was killed off randomly with no character development, making her heir to the throne. And of course, Yasuko is really alive. Just barely. But she's in the hands of the dark mysterious evil villain character. I took a hint from the similar situation with Astrid and waited a chapter before the reveal. I bet a lot of you thought she was actually done. She certainly does have worse luck than Astrid though… That scene did provide some more insight into the world of Deifilia Amarantha and the characters within that world. As I said before, daiki-kasho designed Lucrecia Harrison; he deserves all the credit for her awesomeness.
And I have to apologize. I promised two, but only managed one extra again. Doing another would have postponed the whole thing by a day, and it just didn't seem worth it to me. Hopefully you don't mind. The extra this week is significantly longer than most anyway.
Items to be added to the info page with the next update:
Lucrecia Harrison
Eldridge Delaney
Lilia Weinberg