Winx Club Rewrite 4: War of the Circles

by ArachCobra

With the Coven broken and Domino restored, it seems nothing in the worlds of magic can stop the fairies from enjoying their fourth school year in Alfea. But a slumbering threat from Earth is coming into play, as a mysterious magi upsets an ancient balance, forcing the girls to take action.

25. Tir Nan Og Burns

Chapter 25: Tir Nan Og Burns

The silence that hung in the air was heavy and dreadful. Bloom intently stared at her feet, focusing on the gentle hum of the engine. She chanced a glance at the others, sitting in the spacious hold of the vessel.

Aisha had been inconsolable for a while. Now she sat silently, absorbed in thoughts.

Riven had been cleaning and sharpening his blade for half an hour now. There was no longer any purpose to it, it had just become a ritualistic behaviour to focus.

Musa seemed to subtly switch between sorrow and rage, her fists clenching and unclenching as she did.

Flora and Techna were talking with each other, keeping their tones respectfully low.

Roxy looked agitated, constantly catching herself biting her own nails.

Bloom was shaken out of her thoughts as Brandon coughed and got up with a: "Alright everyone, I'll need your attention for a moment." The squad leader paused as all eyes fell on him. For some, it was almost like they suddenly woke up. "I know, that what happened hurt. And most likely, it still does," he continued. "And most of you probably don't feel like talking about it. Or hearing about it. But I want you all to remember that Nabu choose to give it all to save us. It's not ideal. I too would rather have him on my side now. But I won't allow myself to wither away. And neither should any of you. It's easy, far too easy, to be consumed by hate, sadness, rage or guilt. But that is not what he would have wanted. And you all know it."

"Why shouldn't we feel guilty?" Bloom asked. The brunette turned to look at the redhead, who was busy observing her feet. "After all, we decided to release the White Circle. We..."
"No," came a steely voice. Everyone turned to look at the speaker. Aisha slowly looked up, a cold hardness in her eyes. "It's not our fault," she said, her voice now slightly shaky. "Neither is it the Black Circle's fault. From moment the White Circle got out, everything they've done has been on them. They choose to do these things. They had every chance to start anew. They didn't." She lowered her head again. "That's on them. Not us."
"She makes a good point," Brandon said. "Look, here's what I've learned as a leader, from my own actions and those of others. Sometimes, even when you have the best of intentions, your words or actions get people hurt when you didn't mean to. That is the ultimate burden of leadership. But all people have a responsibility for their actions. The White Circle is not a natural disaster or a series of automatons. They made their own choices, to hurt others to enforce their reign. Indeed, that is on them, not us."

The group fell silent. In the distance they heard an explosion, soon followed by another one. The intercom scratched to life. "We are preparing to land. Get ready to exit the vessel."
"Here we go," Timmy nervously said, checking his rifle one more time.

"Alright, any last things we need to go over?" Brandon asked. "Or is everybody ready?"
"As ready as we can be," Roxy mumbled.

The squad leader glanced at them all. "Alright then, you all have your communicators. I'll be turning them on now." The connection was established. "Squad leader Brandon Hauser from squad six here. We're ready."
"Good," came a man's voice from the other side. "And I see thirteen lights. Does that account for your entire squad?"
"It does."
"Then you are all online."
"Can I get an update on the situation?"
"Initial strikes took down a number of watchtowers and guard posts. First wave has touched down and are making rapid progress towards the castle. We're receiving reports of enemy resistance, but they are rapidly falling back. Enemy HQ is protected by magic, so skycrafts have so far stuck to hitting enemy outposts and formations."
"Understood." Brandon grabbed a handhold above, as the vessel they were in landed. The hatch opened and sunlight streamed in. Without a word, the group stepped out on Tir Nan Og. In the distance, they could hear the sounds of spells and bullets being unleashed. A pair of missiles streaked by above, hitting a distant target with a resounding explosion.

"Alright people," Brandon said, drawing his blade. "Eyes and ears open. Follow me to the rendezvous point."

...

The group swiftly moved through the forest of the isle. Bloom glanced around, taking in the shattered scenery. Many of the apple-trees were marked by the ongoing conflict. Some had bullet holes punctured through the bark. Others had been knocked over by explosions. Fire engulfed the crowns of many trees, blackened apples dropping to the ground.

The redhead looked away. In a way, it was saddening to see. Tir Nan Og was a beautiful island.

Messages kept rolling in over the radios.

"This is squad eight. We're pushing them back. Who's at out flanks?"
"Squad eighth this is squad two. We've got you covered. You're clear to advance."
"Firefly one, we have heavy resistance at our twelve. Think you can soften them up?"

"This is Firefly one. We're coming in hot."

"This is squad three. We need a healer here."

"Squad nine, watch your six. Retreating enemies coming right at you."
"Roger that. We're ready to take them if they try anything."

Sky looked around. "Kinda though it would be harder than this."
"I'm not surprised," Timmy responded. "The White Circle is outdated in many ways. It's clear that their fighting style is based on how things were hundreds of years ago. Their greatest advantage was their magic, which took the forces of Earth by surprise. We, however, are prepared to counter that."

"And even with us being surprised, I hear they still had trouble once the actual military rolled in," Roxy remarked. "I hear our country did pretty good cleaning up in those cities that had been taken over on the east coast."

"Just don't expect it to stay a cakewalk," Brandon informed the group. "Especially not when we press them up in a corner."

The group continued forward, making their way out of the forest. They paused. In front of them lay the magnificent fortress that both the Black and White Circle had called home. But now, its facade was scarred with scorch marks and crumbling brickwork. Several squads of vanguard soldiers had set up basic fortifications outside the castle and were firing at the building. Most attacks smashed against an invisible forcefield, but some slipped through, shattering elements of the building. One of the aircrafts zoomed by, unleashing a trio of missiles. Two exploded fruitlessly against the barrier, but the third slipped by, detonating with resounding force. In a shower of ancient stonework, one of the towers crumbled and tumbled into the moat.

Occasionally, the White Circle defenders responded by unleashing volleys of arrows and spells, but entrenched magis were ever ready to absorb and divert their blows with a variety of tricks.

The group made their way to the command tent, where Jonas was keeping an eye on a map while barking orders into his radio.

"Commander," Brandon said, as he walked up. "Squad six, reporting for duty."

"Excellent. Here's our current situation." The paladin pointed on the map. "Most of the island has been swept clean. We have a few holdouts putting up a fight, but they are rapidly losing manpower and ground. Most of them have holed up here in the castle, which so far has withstood our attacks, although not without us doing some damage." He paused. "Here's our plan. By now, our attacks have created several possible entry points, all of which are guarded by the forcefield. That will not be a problem. I have a couple of magis specialising in barrier breaking ready to provide temporary access. You'll all be handed map data provided to us by the Black Circle to assist you in navigating the structure's interior. We'll storm the castle from several points at once. Expect heavy resistance. We're talking urban warfare, so expect that this will be room to room battles."

"Squad three here, they're sending out another counter attack," came a voice over the radio.

"Seriously, again with the mutated animals," came another voice. "What is it this time, lizards?"

There was a short pause.

"Squad three here. Enemy counter attack has been neutralized."

"Sounds like they aren't having any luck kicking us out," Techna remarked.

"Not only is the use of magically twisted animals outlawed under the protection of animals act, agreed upon by the realms, it is also remarkably inefficient against automatic firearms," Jonas remarked. "To get back to the plan, you will be sent in through an aqueduct here." He pointed at the map. "Get to position here and get ready to move on my signal."

"Understood, sir," Brandon replied.

"I have a question," Riven asked. "Do we have any specific goals once we enter the castle?"
"The overall goal is taking the building. But the remaining generals and the queen herself are of course priority targets," the paladin replied.

The magenta-haired warrior drew his sabre and studied it for a moment. "Good," he quietly commented.

...

Roxy took a deep breath, eyes fixed on the castle. They had moved into position, a fortified little camp not far from the slope that would lead them down to the moat. Any moment now, the signal would be given and they would storm in. The defenders still occasionally fired at the surrounding army, but for the most part, they seemed to have retreated deeper into the fortress The Earth fairy blinked and then shook her head. "How did I get here?"
"What do you mean?" Helia, who stood beside her, inquired.

"I mean, a year ago, all I had to worry about were tests and cute boys. Now I'm in the middle of a war zone, about to storm a castle, to protect the entire planet from a group of lunatic Irish fairies. It seems... It seems unreal." She shook her head. "Like this is all one big crazy coma dream or something."
"I can relate," Helia remarked. "I'm not a soldier either. Got some basic training, but my true calling is my art. And yet... I've been dragged into so many things these last three years. Darkar, Valtor, now this. It's crazy." He paused. "But I wouldn't have wanted it different. I've helped so many people. I met Flora and Mirta. Yes, I think I've done a lot of good, even if I'd prefer to just get back to my painting." He paused. "Maybe I'll give poetry another shot."
The magenta-haired girl paused. "Thanks," she softly said. "I think... I think I feel a bit better about this now."

"No problem. I'm all ears if you need someone to talk with." He stared ahead. "Well, most of the time. Think we're going to be too busy for a heart to heart in a few moments."

"All units, get ready to move," came Jonas' voice over the communicators. Everybody tensed. The world seemed to take a deep breath. "Move out!"

Roxy hesitated for a moment as everybody charged out of their fortified positions, then ran ahead alongside them. They moved down the slope, clumps of dirt and grass loosening as they rapidly descended. They entered the moat, cold water reaching to their knees. In front of them was an opening in the stone that supported the structure above, covered by an iron portcullis. The barrier breaker they had been assigned, a muscular black woman, stepped forth and seemed to touch the air itself. She closed her eyes and concentrated. Her hands seemed to spark, as her fingers sunk into the invisible barrier, before she ripped it apart. A flickering hole, barely perceptible, had formed between her hands. "Alright, in you go," she instructed the group.

Quickly, the team moved through the magical shield, which the breaker let close behind them.

"Obstacle one down," Sky remarked and looked up at the imposing structure. "Dragon knows how many to go."
"Alright, Bloom, Stella. Make us an entrance," Brandon instructed.

Bloom and Stella stepped forward, and called upon their respective powers. Ten seconds later, part of the portcullis tipped over into the waters with a splash and a loud metallic clang. The group moved in without hesitation.

"According to the Black Circle's schematics, there should be a stairway up soon. That will lead us to the royal crypts," Timmy informed them.

"I see some stairs ahead. I believe those are the ones you just informed us about," Flora remarked.

The group rushed up the damp steps, soon after coming upon a locked stone door.

"I'll handle this," Timmy said, placing a barrier buster on it. "And here we go." With a dull thud, the blocking object disintegrated into dust.

Behind was a grand room, with four stone caskets, each paired with a three-story tall statue.

"Previous royals of the White Circle I guess," Stella remarked. "Tots similar to our catacombs back home."
"Yes. Except the dead people are not on display," Bloom commented quietly.

"Does anyone else have the urge to smash the faces of those smug statues in?" Musa asked, an undertone of barely restrained anger in her voice.

"Let's not stoop to desecrating the graves of the deceased," Brandon said, as he investigated the door on the other side of the room. "They're not responsible for our current situation." He tested the handle. "Unlocked. Let's move, people."

As they moved out into the grand corridor beyond and started advancing, messages started coming in over the communicators.

"Squad three here, we have secured the kitchen."
"Squad nine here, we're facing heavy resistance at the barracks. Requesting back up."
"Squad one here, we have several wounded. Falling back towards main entrance."
"Squad four. Gallery secured. We're hunkering down here until a healer has time to come by."
"Squad eight here. Main stairs are heavily occupied by enemy forces. Be careful if you're going that way."
"Squad five here, we have set up a sniper nest on the upper balconies. We're ready to assist."

The sounds of violence and battle echoed throughout the ancient halls.

Musa suddenly paused, as she heard a strange cracking noise. "LOOK OUT!" she yelled.

Brandon and Sky, who were in the front, leapt to the sides as a massive demonic-looking stone statue crashed down. It flexed its wings and roared, lifting up a stony spear. Further along the hallway, more of the gargoyles descended from their perches.

The first one lifted its weapon and got ready to nail Brandon to a wall, but Flora hurled a handful of seeds at it that quickly bound it in a straitjacket of vines. The squad leader leapt forward, his massive sword cleaving into his opponent's stony head, smashing it and rendering it inanimate.

Another gargoyle leapt for the group, but a shot from Timmy splintered its chest and caused it to fall to pieces.

One came in from behind, and Riven charged it. It swung its massive halberd, but the magenta-haired soldier rolled underneath the construct, placing an explosive at the base of its tail as he did so. The resulting detonation send a spiderweb of cracks up along its body, causing it to rip itself apart the moment it tried to turn around.

The last gargoyle tried to advance on the group, but Musa pulled out her flute and blew a sharp note into it, which pulverised its upper body into dust.

The group took a moment to breathe, as the hallway fell silent.

Brandon tapped his communicator. "Squad six here. Be advised that the enemy are using constructs. We were just ambushed, but we managed to fend them off." He looked at the others. "Alright, let's move."

...

The group kept pushing onwards. Occasionally, a series of constructs or similar would try to ambush them, but the group had little issue defeating them.

"According to the maps I've been provided, the tree of life should be just up ahead," Timmy remarked. "It should be the centrepiece of not only the barrier, but also the forbiddance effect. If we can take it down, it should be easier for any reinforcement to reach us."
"Alright, you heard the man. Let's move in," Brandon said, before activating his communicator. "Squad six here, closing in on the tree of life. Will attempt to disable shield."
The group rushed down the fine carpet that covered the floor of a hallway, closing in on a massive set of double doors. Riven and Sky hammered into in shoulder first, knocking the massive entryway open. And then they paused.

Dozens upon dozens of White Circle fairies, clad in black, green, red and white, stood between them and the tree, their magic already charging.

The group drew their weaponry and prepared their own magic. A tense stand-off ensued as the two armies sized each other up.

"So, you have returned to us." The group looked up to see Morgana sitting in a massive throne behind the fairies. "But not in the way I had hoped you would. I am quite disappointed, Roxy."
"You're disappointed?" Roxy asked, feeling anger seething in her. "How do you think I feel? I reach out to give you a helping hand and what do you do? You try to enslave my entire planet. A good friend I just made this year is dead and that's your fault."
"Roxy, our stewardship of this planet is of the utmost importance. It is our duty to protect the planet and its people. I wish you could see the good we could do together." She paused. "But perhaps that isn't too late."
"Oh, believe me, it is far too late for you to get into my good graces," Roxy growled.

"That you dare speak to our queen in such a tone just goes to show how much your father has failed to teach you," Sibylla said, as she walked up besides the queen. "Throwing your lot in with traitors, criminals and worse. This world has corrupted you to your core."

"The portal is almost ready," Aurora said, as she also walked up to them. "I suggest we conserve our strength for the road ahead."
"Portal?" Riven suddenly said. "Wait, what? After everything you've done... You're just going to run off?" He drew his blade, barring his teeth like an angry dog. "No way. No way am I gonna let you bastards get away with what you've done. YOU HEAR ME!?"

Timmy jerked his head a bit, as he suddenly heard Musa's voice in his ear. "Timmy, can you subtly take aim at Morgana?"
"You're planning something?" he whispered, knowing she would hear it.

"Yes. I'm talking with the others. If we strike quickly and take down Morgana and her two henchmen, that should throw their minions into disarray. Then we can fall back if necessary."

"Alright, I can do that," the sharpshooter replied.

Meanwhile, Sibylla had continued ranting, not that many paid it any heed. "...will return and claim what is ours by right. You snivelling worms wallowing in your own corruptions, feasting on the rotted fruit of your twisted labours, you will be purified with..."

"Does she expect us to keep listening to that drivel?" Sky quietly questioned.

"Well, we won't. Get ready. On three. One," Brandon began. The group tensed up. "Two." Magic and weaponry was subtly aimed. "THREE!"

The group had intended to spring to action. But to their dawning and horrified comprehension, they found that their bodies had ceased to obey their commands.

"A bold move," Morgana commented, as she rose from her chair.

Sibylla paused her tirade for a moment and blinked. "My queen, what...?"
"You are brave, I'll give you that much. Unfortunately, it is wasted on your current cause." She nodded. "Yes, I think it is about time you see the light of reason."

"What the fuck? I can't move," Musa grimaced.

"It's like... There's some sort of blockade in my head," Stella remarked.
"My queen, you're already spending considerable effort on holding them like that," Aurora warned Morgana. "I would not advise doing anything more. The portal is ready and we do not know how long the path ahead is."
"These people have been as responsible for our tragedies as the Black Circle," Sibylla argued. "I say they aren't worthy of joining us. But neither should we leave them alive to stand in our way again."
"No. They will be more useful to us live than dead," Morgana said certainly. She reached a hand out. "Roxy, now you will finally see that you were always meant to stand by my side."

The Earth fairy winched as she felt ice cold fingers plunge into her mind, testily tapping her thoughts like strings on a violin, getting a feel for it. "No," she whispered, as she felt the intrusion strengthening. "Stop. Get out of... Get out..."

An explosion suddenly rocked the room, breaking Morgana's concentration. Roxy immediately felt the intrusion receding.

"It's the Black Circle!" a fairy called, as an entire wall came down.

"Defensive formations," another yelled.

"My queen, the portal is ready. We should go to Omega, now," Aurora insisted.

Morgana cast one more glance at Roxy. "Very well then. Do it."
The white-clad fairy general concentrated and a bright flare of multicoloured light exploded from the tree. And then they were all gone.

"Helvete," Gantlos cursed as he stormed into the room. "Too late."
"No. NO!" Riven yelled, as he ran up to the tree. "COME BACK HERE YOU FUCKING COWARDS! You... You... I'M NOT DONE WITH YOU YET! YOU HEAR ME!" He fruitlessly swung his blade through the air a couple of times, before collapsing against the tree.

"Squad six here," Brandon said into his communicator. "Enemy leader and a fair portion of their soldiers have retreated off world." He paused. "But we know where they are going."

...

After the battle, the castle was secured and the remaining White Circle fairies on the island where mopped up, one way or the other. Inside the throne room, members of the Black Circle were busy unravelling the magic of the White Circle's escape.

"I wouldn't call it shoddy, but it's definitely a rush job," Anagan commented, as he sensed the mystic weave. "Guess we had them harder pressed that we anticipated."
"Indeed. We will have no problem finding the point of their arrival," Ogron agreed.

Not far from them, the guys and girls were busy discussing the recent development.

"Why Omega?" Bloom asked. "Of all places."
"Well, the environment definitely favours Aurora. And she is the only general we haven't sent packing so far," Brandon offered. "They might be betting on her being their strongest card."
"Plus, like, not a lot of other places they'd be welcome," Stella added. "Not with the stunt they pulled."
"On that note, consider the fact that Omega has little in the way of civilization, but its dangers are less omnipresent that on Limphea for example," Flora explained. "In light of these facts, it makes sense they would seek refuge there."
"Seems they left a trail though," Sky mentioned. He cast a look around the room. Riven was sitting on a chair, glumly inspecting his sabre. Musa was patrolling around, occasionally making moves with her hands that made it look like she was imagining herself strangling somebody. Aisha stood not far from the tree, observing the proceedings with cold distant eyes. The blond soldier turned to the others and asked: "Are those three starting to worry you guys too, or is it just me?"
"No. They're ticking time bombs," Brandon remarked. "I just hope they can keep themselves in check. Truth is, I would have preferred to leave them behind. But even with the vanguard, we need all the help we can."
"It is not like I cannot sympathise," Flora remarked. "I too feel a great amount of anger at the thought of the loss this conflict has inflicted on us."
"Well, at least you keep calm," Bloom tried.

The Limphean noble observed her own shoes for a moment. "I mean no ill will when I say this, but as dear as he was to me, Nabu was only a good acquaintance. If someone was to hurt someone I loved..." She paused, her glance falling on Mirta who was sitting some distance away, having a quiet chat with Techna and Timmy. Her gaze returned to Bloom as she informed her: "Do not think me incapable of hate, Bloom. I may be formal and controlled, even a bit stiff at times, but I am not made of stone."

"Duly noted," the redhead said, feeling a slight chill.

"Honestly, anyone can be pushed too far. And nobody wanted Nabu gone," Brandon sighed. "I'm gonna miss him."

"Hey. What are you talking about?" Roxy curiously asked, as she walked over.

The four fell silent, before Sky said: "I guess... Mostly about this whole thing. There's so much going on and... Well, we're worried."
"The loss of Nabu has affected some of our friends harder than others," Flora mused.

"I know. Didn't know him for long but... He was a fun guy to hang around," the Earth fairy agreed. "Anyway I... Dad?"
"Wait, what?" Brandon asked and looked around.

True enough, Klaus was hurrying over to them.

"Dad, what are you doing here?" Roxy asked confused. "Are you okay? You look exhausted."
"Been... Been running... All..." The man took a couple of deep breaths. "I've been running up here from... From the beach. They said... That you might leave."

"Dad, if this is about stopping me, it's kinda too late," Roxy said sympathetically.

"No, it's... That's not it." Klaus looked at his daughter, and to the magenta-haired girl he suddenly looked old. Ancient even. As if a great burden has suddenly fallen upon him. "Of course I wish you wouldn't endanger yourself," he continued. "But it is your choice. It's just... Before you go... You have to know the truth. You... All of you..." He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath. "You must all know what I have done. What I intended to do. And why."
"Okay," Sky slowly said. "This suddenly got ominous."
"Dad, what are you talking about?" the Earth fairy nervously asked.

"Roxy, the truth is I am... No, I was an agent of the White Circle," Klaus said in an incredible pained voice.

"What?" Flora flatly asked.

"That is why I pushed for you guys to free them," he continued. "It was all a part of the plan."
Roxy glanced from person to person, hoping somebody would say it was a joke.

"I heard that," came a cold voice behind them. They turned, suddenly facing a rather livid looking Musa. "Is there any reason," she started, her voice laced with an almost murderous hate. "Any one reason at all, that I shouldn't just crush your skull with a high-pitched note right now?"

"I'd like to at least tell the entire story," Klaus replied earnestly. "If you all honestly feel like offing me afterwards, then... Well, I can't say I blame you." He took a deep breath. "Truth is, I'm about half a millennium old. When the White Circle crumpled, I was entrusted with a magic pendant that held Roxy within it. It was imagined that once she grew up, she would free the White Circle. Life was hard and I met many misfortunes, so when I freed Roxy, I did so with nothing but hate and scorn for this world in my heart. But recently, I realised, thanks to my daughter, how much this world had to offer. And how much I had let be destroyed by helping the White Circle get free."
Brandon blinked a couple of times, before rubbing his temples. "Okay, so, what, does the Black Circle know this?"
"Yes. I told Gantlos not long ago. I can only imagine he informed the others," the bar owner stated. "They must have believed my change of heart to be genuine."
"I'd be surprised to learn you had one," Musa darkly commented.

"So, wait," Roxy said, sounding like she was still in shock. "Does that mean you adopted me?"
"What? Oh, no, I am your real father. It was just considered impractical to try to restrain your age for that long, plus it would be too easy to track you down, so you were put in stasis. You were but a baby at the time," Klaus explained.

"Wait, then who is the mother?" Sky asked confused.

The bar-owner took a deep breath. "I was Queen Morgana's favoured consort."
"Don't tell me..." Bloom began.

"She is your mother," Klaus finished.

Roxy blinked several times, at a loss for word.

"Well, that explains her attitude," Flora remarked. "She is disappointed that her daughter is not following in her footsteps."
"So, that's the truth. Summarised, of course, but we're not getting any younger," Klaus said. "You deserved to know. I had originally wanted to wait until this conflict was over, but it... It just seemed like time was running out."
There was a deep pause.

"You realise that you directly contributed to the death of one of my best friends, right?" Musa asked, her voice almost a hateful whisper.

"If you wish for retribution, I won't stop you," Klaus said, his voice sounding a bit hollow. "I have already accepted the magnitude of my crime."
The black-haired musician stared at him for the longest time, with such intensity that it was almost enough to bore a hole in the man. Scratchy, static noises popped off around her, causing the eardrums of the listeners to itch uncomfortably. "No," she finally said, eyeing Roxy. "I won't do that to a friend. But you better stay far, far away from me, or I will hurt you." Then she turned around and stomped off.

"For a moment there, I really thought she was going to kill you," Bloom said, letting a breath go she hadn't realised she was holding.

"I'm..." Roxy tried. "I'm not even angry, Dad. I mean, I guess I should be, but... I'm just really disappointed."
"Understandably," Klaus replied.

"But it's just... How did you get to the point of thinking this... Any of this, was a good idea?" Roxy asked, earnest confusion in her voice.

"ALRIGHT, PORTAL'S GETTING READY!" Dumon yelled. "COME ON, PEOPLE, LET'S GET READY!"

"I'll tell you when you come back," Klaus said. "And Roxy... All of you... I am truly sorry. I have hurt you all so much, because I was too blind to see what I was doing."
"Indeed," Brandon mumbled. "Anyway, let's go."
The group left the blond behind, as they hurried to the charging portal.

...

There was a flash and a large group of people manifested deep in the frozen caverns of Omega. Dozens of clicks rang out, as flashlights were turned on, their light reflecting in the many layers of ice.

"So," Stella dryly began, rubbing her arms. "Back here again. Great."
"Lots of tracks here, boss," Dumon said, as he investigated the snow. "Seems like they split up into two groups."

"How odd. Any indication who went where?" Ogron inquired.

"Nope."

"Very well." The redhead turned to Jonas and asked: "Do we divide our forces or stay together?"

"An interesting question. It's possible that that is exactly what they are hoping we will do." The paladin rubbed his chin. "Then again, it is not impossible that they hope we will send our entire group after the wrong target. Morgana is our priority after all."

"Then I suggest we split up and carefully try to sniff them out," Ogron stated.

"Agreed."

The Black Circle leader turned around and quickly divided the forces they had brought along into two groups. The guys and girls found themselves hanging out with one half of the soldiers, as the Black Circle members and Jonas went with the others.

Quickly, they began following one set of tracks, heading deeper into the cold, icy tunnel.

"You know, I'm kinda glad they stopped using this place as a prison," Bloom remarked.

"Don't get your hopes up just yet, Firetop," Techna said. "I hear those old-fashioned mummies that favoured it are looking for an alternative."
"Looking for? They're, like, already petitioning for a trial run using the Abyss as a prison," Stella added. "And it looks like it's going through. They've marketed the idea as a more humane Omega."
"Is it?" Bloom asked.

"Arguably. No risk of natural predators. Relatively more stable," Flora listed. "It might up prisoner survival rate to four out of five people."
The redhead blinked. "Aren't... Aren't prisoners normally supposed to get out again?" she asked.

"That really depends on who you're asking," Brandon replied.

Musa suddenly paused.

"You hearing something?" Riven quietly asked, eyes focused ahead.

"Yes," the black-clad musician replied. "Yes, I am."
The group exchanged glances and slowly they advanced forward, Musa taking point to help navigate and use her magic to dampen the sound of the snow creaking under their feet.

As they arrived at a bend in the tunnel, the black-haired magi signalled them to halt. "Right around the corner," she whispered.

"Alright. And you are certain it's the White Circle and not the others?" Brandon replied.

"Yes,"
The brunette nodded and turned to the rest of the group, saying: "We jump out and blast them on three. No letting them get the drop on us this time." He held up his fingers. "One." Muscles tensed. "Two." Magic was charged and weapons were drawn. "THREE!"

Time seemed to slow, as Bloom leapt around the corner, her friends at her sides. Dozens of white-clad fairies were stationed in the cave and immediately noticed the ambush. They drew their weapons and prepared their own magic in the split-second they had to react. Bloom fought the temptation to close her eyes to shield herself from the violence that was about to ensue any second now.

"I wish to parley!"
The words rang out loud and clear.

The redhead paused, suddenly uncertain. To her surprise, the White Circle fairies had done the same, looking equally uncertain but unwilling to open fire. She glanced at her friends, weapon and magic ready. A strange tension gripped the air.

Then, marching to the forefront of the crowd, was Aurora.

"You... What?" Brandon asked in disbelief.

"I wish to parley," Aurora stated. "I have no interest in fighting you."
"Are you... ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS?!" Riven yelled, pointing his blade at her. "After everything, EVERYTHING... GWARGH!" In an expression of pure rage, the magenta-haired soldier let his blade fly, slicing a nearby ice stalagmite apart.

"He's right," Musa said, stepping forward. "Give me a reason why we shouldn't blow you apart right now."
"Because I too have realized the dangers of Morgana's nature and no longer wish to serve her," Aurora continued. "The same goes for the people under my command. I have already talked this through with them."
"Oh, how convenient," the musician fairy snarled, pointing a finger at her. "Shit's hitting the fan and suddenly you're all enlightened. Well, I don't buy it."
"Yeah, this smells like another trap," Riven agreed. "Let's take her down before she springs it on us."

"Wait," Bloom said. "There is... There is something." She took a step forward, eyes focused on the white-clad general. "When we were trapped on Ireland's Eye, you took a moment to taunt me. Except, you had no reason to do so. If the trap had fully worked, I should have been dead to the world, making taunting rather pointless. But you knew, didn't you? And you told me how the trap worked."
"That is true," Aurora confirmed.

"Then it wasn't just a blunder that you specifically mentioned where the portal was taking you," Brandon said. "You wanted us to follow."
"Also true."

"If you are so against Morgana, like, why not just quit?" Stella asked.

"It is not that simple. Allow me to explain the problem with my position," Aurora stated. "In our effort to remove the Black Circle's influence from our domain, I managed to find a store of texts and documents they had collected from us. Among those were my diary." She stared at the frozen ceiling for a moment. "I had no recollection of ever using one of those, let alone having one to begin with."

"Oh, good for you," Musa grumbled.

"The diary was dated back to what I suppose was the beginning of my career as a general. It detailed many thoughts and ideas I couldn't recognise as my own," the white-clad fairy continued. "It ended on a peculiar note. That I was dissatisfied with how the White Circle had handled a case, one that resulted in an entire village being wiped out, and that I would first thing the next day take my complaints to the queen."

"No offence, you don't seem the type to complain," Techna remarked.

"Indeed. But why is that?" Aurora pondered. "Why are we generals so loyal that we feel no need for friends and family? Why is the White Circle everything to us? I started asking these questions of myself and realization hit me. Tell me, have you realised what Morgana's talent is?"
"Her knack, I take it you mean," Flora said thoughtfully.

"Guys. Remember when we couldn't attack in her presence?" Mirta asked.

"Yeah. It was creepy," Roxy said and shuddered. "It felt like she was reaching into my mind."
"And that is her talent. The very mind itself," Aurora confirmed. "I strongly suspect that over the centuries, she has designed the four of us to be perfect generals, loyal to the Circle, cutting off problematic or even non-essential personality traits."
"I dunno. No offence, I think you all have plenty of problematic traits," Sky commented.

"True. But they are all in support of the White Circle," the white-clad general replied. "Memories, ideas, opinions. Anything that did not fit has been taken away. It is even possible that Morgana has exercised this power on herself to transform herself into a better queen. It is hard to say. The changes are permanent. Whomever I was before, I cannot go back." She looked up. "It was a clear betrayal of my trust and support. That is why I decided to turn on her. But I couldn't do it openly."
"No," Musa slowly said. "I guess you'd just have gotten yourself reprogrammed into loyalty."
"Indeed. I intentionally let the spell be weaker on Bloom, hoping her control of fire and her dragonflame would see her through." Her eyes faltered. "Unfortunately, it still cost you a friend. For that, I am sorry. Next, I convinced Morgana that a full retreat was necessary. This allowed me to pull men loyal to me and some of the queen's own away from the front, weakening our defences. I left a trail for you to follow. And I split away from Morgana and Sibylla, leaving them with a less dangerous token force. And now, as my last act as a general of the White Circle, I wish to negotiate my surrender."

"I take it that means you want something?" Brandon inquired.

"Only the promise that neither me nor my men will have our magic removed," Aurora explained. "Suppressed, if you find it necessary. But not removed."
"Let me get in contact with Ogron and see what he says," the squad leader said and activated his communicator. "Hello, this is Brandon Hauser. We have a development here."
"You okay, Cacophony?" Techna asked, moving a bit closer to Musa.
"I still want to blow her head off," the black-haired girl said. "But... If what she says is true... And it does add up... Then I... I guess we can't really blame her."
"In her own way, she is a victim too," Aisha quietly said, having walked up to them.

"Oh. And how are you feeling?" the scarred girl gently asked.

"I'm just wondering... Maybe even Morgana is a victim in her own way. Warped by the responsibility put on her and her own desire to be a perfect ruler." The dark-skinned princess was quiet for a moment. "We still have to stop her. We must end this now." A cold conviction burned in her eyes. "No more suffering after today. This war must end."
Musa nodded her head. "Agreed."
"Geeze, things have gotten so super fucking cereal nowadays," Techna sighed. "I wanna go back to hanging out at school and making stupid jokes. Those were the days."

"Alright, Ogron has agreed to your terms," Brandon said. "Lay down your arms and we will have you secured."
"Very well," Aurora replied, signalling her men to drop their weaponry. "As a final peace offering, while I cannot say where they are exactly at this moment, I can give you a general idea of where Morgana and Sibylla went."

"Excellent," Brandon said.