Full-bloomed fireworks went up, illuminating the night sky in a myriad of colors. From under the many tents placed in Saxe-Gotha's main plaza, people shouted with joy. Because the Allied Forces were stationed here, the city was filled up with almost twice as many people as normal. There were only a limited number of lodging houses that soldiers could rent, so only those with rank or privilege were able to enjoy the pleasures of such. Merchants came from various places to sell the soldiers a variety of things. The city of Saxe-Gotha was wrapped in an unprecedented vigor as the new year approached.
The biggest festival in Halkeginia, the Advent Festival, started. For ten days starting today, one could drink, sing, and cause a fuss every day. Zero spent the days walking among the people of the city with Louise and those that had accompanied him from the academy, but something didn't sit right with him. Something felt off and he couldn't tell what. Each day he felt more and more on edge... He couldn't tell if he was being paranoid or what... But things shouldn't be this easy. There should have been some movements by the Albion forces... He just hoped he was wrong, and not missing something important.
***Break***
It was the tenth day of the Advent Festival, and everything looked like usual.
Thanks to the continuous snow, the town turned into a world of silver.
A group of two Tristain soldiers was patrolling in town. As they made their rounds, one of the soldiers pointed toward a group of men near one of the inns in the area. "Hey, aren't they from Rossa's patrolling unit?"
"Indeed. But what are they doing here?" the other soldier replied curiously.
One of the group of men was standing in front of the Inn, appearing to keep watch while the others worked. This seemed to set off some suspicion in the first guard who called out,"Hey! What are you doing there?" However, there was no answer. They just kept on working silently.
"Isn't that a bag of gunpowder?" The second guard asked, as he pointed at what was indeed a number of sacks of gunpowder that had been placed near the front of the Inn.
The other soldiers were carrying the bags in to the inn.
"Hey! It's a hotel not a warehouse. Navarre's unit soldiers are staying in there. It's too dangerous to bring such easily explosive things inside." He approached and tapped the soldier's shoulder. But the face that turned around shocked him. It was an expressionless and soulless face. Sensing something evil in that face, the guard raised his spear.
"Hey! Put the bag down! Put..."
At that moment, another soldier pulled out a pistol from his belt and shot the guard down.
The second guard tried to run away, screaming. But a dagger, thrown by the first soldier, sank into his back. The guard fell down with a thump. With the deed done, the remaining soldiers silently returned back to placing bags into the hotel.
Then a match cord was inserted and ignited with a flint.
After a few seconds, with a huge, exploding sound, the inn and all resident soldiers were blown away.
***Break***
Located in the city's prime block, on the second floor of the inn coalition, the Allied Force's leaders were discussing the future strategy of the invasion.
"The truce will end tomorrow. Carrying the replenishment goods must be finished by tonight." Chief of the General Staff Wimpffen reported while looking at the parchment on the table.
"It will be on time. But I thought that during the truce Albion would try a surprise attack," General De Poitiers replied, his tone neutral.
"You think the other side does not have the same problems? They needed to buy time because their own preparations were not complete. That's why they settled for the truce so easily. Had we pushed on against them, we could have pressed them harder,"Marquis Handenburg said gloomily. Wimpffen gave him a piercing glare. De Poitiers stepped between the two. As the main commander he understood the necessity to buffer subordinate generals' conflicts.
But then someone knocked against the door.
"Who? We are in a military council," said Wimpffen.
"A delivery from the royal family. It came this morning."
The delivered goods were a gorgeous punnet where the royal arms had been carved. A letter with the Finance Minister's stamp was attached to it. The moment he saw it, the complexion of De Poitiers changed. He started to read the letter voraciously. After finishing reading, De Poitiers muttered cheerfully. "The Finances Minister congratulates with premonition!"
De Poitiers with his digit opened the box top. Wimpffen and Handenburg looked into it as well. Upon seeing what was lying in the box, both of their eyes popped wide."Oh my, I can't believe it! A field marshal's cane!" Indeed, it was a splendid field marshal cane that was carved from ebony with a golden royal family's crest on it.
Staring at his own reflection on it, De Poiters gave a joyful cry. "Normally, there should be official regulations to pass. 'This cane is reminder of the successful victories under your command.' With a congratulation note from the Finance Minister. Though the war has not ended yet, the Allied Forces had a successive string of victories now. The enemy army shut itself up in the capital and will not come out. Encircling and winning a final victory was only a matter of time. The last decisive battle and it is said, and confirmed by finance minister's signature, that I will command with the field marshal cane."
"Congratulations, Your Excellency." Handenburg and Wimpffen shook hands with him.
"Well with all what has been said and done it is all in my grip. We cannot get too careless now, no carelessness! We can not disappoint our princess!" De Poitiers said, but could not hide a wide grin on his face.
At that moment sounds of loud explosions resounded behind the window.
"What's happening?"
With a suspicious expression on his face, De Poitiers approached the window, still gripping the field marshal cane.
The window was facing the plaza. There soldiers ran around pointing fingers at something. He noticed emblems on their capes.
"Huh, what's going on? An attack? All I see are soldiers on our side...Although, aren't those the patrols that are supposed to be on the eastern roads?" De Pointers looked down, wondering why the patrol was here. Did they have news about enemy movement? Moreover, why were they fully armed...
Marquis Handenburg stepped next to De Poitiers as well."They mustn't be soldiers from my army either. I did not gave an order to march"
Then they both looked at each other, eyes wide with panic.
Soldiers turned their guns aiming towards the two people standing at the window. And then a sudden volley came. The last thing that De Poitiers saw was the sight of the field marshal cane riddled by bullets, shattering it into small pieces.
Frozen from shock, Wimpffen saw De Poitiers and marquis Handenburg, who stood by the window, fall. He could not understand what was happening.
The next moment officers jumped into the room."Revolt! Revolt has started!"
"Revolt?"
"Rossa's unit and part of Germania's army stationed in the town's second district caused the revolt! Their clashes with our army are happening in various places! It's too dangerous to stay here!"
Then the officers saw shattered pieces of window and the bodies of De Poitiers and Marquis Handenburg lying on the floor, and stood upright in front of Wimpffen.
"Y-your orders, Supreme Commander?"
The breakdown of the Allied Forces stationed in Saxe-Gotha happened fast. Commanders were surprised by the sudden revolt. Or maybe one should say that the cause of the revolt was what made them confused. Moreso, because there were no reports about discontent rumblings from soldiers, nor disorder. It was as if revolt really had started from nothing.
Soldiers were at a loss as well. Comrades-in-arms, with whom they fought and celebrated victories together until the other day now attacked them with lifeless expressions and weapons in hands.
"Shoot!"
Even if the commanders shouted so, musketeers could not pull a trigger, bowmen could not shoot the arrows, spearmen could not throw spears.
"We c-cannot shoot, sir!"
"No! You idiots! Revolts are part of the enemy king's army!"
Though the commander tried to cast a spell at the slowly approaching expressionless soldiers he saw a commander in their front lines and shook his head.
"Marco! It's me! Maurice! What are you doing? Why are you turning your wand at us?"
The only answer was a bullet. It hit the ground at his feet, and the commander ordered the retreat. "Damn! Retreat! Retreat now!"
"W-where do we retreat to?" One of the sergeants demanded.
"As if I know! Retreat anyway!" the nobleman responded hotly.
In the morning, the defensive lines were broken by the King's army.
And finally, a report from the Redoutable was brought by the dragon knight scout.
It said that Albion's main army of Londinium had begun to move, aiming straight for the city of Saxe-Gotha. But even more troubling was that the force the enemy commanded had somehow grown to over two-hundred thousand, with humanoid golems organized and moving with them. Hundreds of other large constructs seemed to be spread through the vanguard as well...
On the outskirts of the city's temporary headquarters, Wimpffen made a decision. Obviously, as he was now the main commander of all operations.
"We'll retreat to Rosais. It's no use staying here."
And the order to retreat was given to the whole army under his command.
The army excited over the victory that marched forward now returned as a defeated army, reduced to 30,000 people due to the revolt. All faces looked exhausted and the mood of despair floated around. General De Poitiers was a betrayer and organized the revolt, no, the general was killed, they all were manipulated by an unknown magic and were made to kill - within the defeated army, the truth mixed with various rumors. However for commanding officers and soldiers such rumors helped to survive. Only animal-like survival instinct whirled in the heads of men who ran away. The confusion became even bigger once it became clear that Albion's main army joined the revolts in pursuit.
Troops of Allied Forces positioned in thin and long groups retreated down the highway that lead to Rosais.
Among them, there were Louise and Zero too.
With his sword slung over his shoulder, Zero called out to Louise who was trudging next to him. "Are you alright?'
Louise looked down."Look around."She replied.
A group of officers rode pass them on horses at a full speed shouting, "Out of the way! Out of the way!" Infantry units, surprised, stood by the side of the road. Musketeer and spearman showed no reaction though. Everyone discarded their heavy weapons as they were escaping.
"Now they don't think they can survive. Yesterday they all were shouting 'Long live the king's military victory! We have to win for the absolute justice to honor the fallen soldiers!', and now they're enraged at their own colleagues? This is too much like a maverick revolt..."Zero said as his hand gripped Derflinger tightly.
"Hey! Watch it partner! You'll break me!" Derflinger complained.
"Sorry. I just don't like the feeling of this. something feel so damned wrong about how it is happening."
"I hope Guiche was able to make it out alright,"Louise said, sounding near on tears.
Zero had been sitting in their room, and had left the building when the shouts "Revolt! Revolt!" were raised. He went to a temporary command headquarters it was already gone. All the members had run away. After the messenger with an order to retreat came, they immediately left their weapons.
"This is war Louise... This is its true face. No honor, no glory. Just death, destruction, and betrayal." Zero said to his silent summoner.
The Allied Forces, including Wimpffen who arrived first at Rosais, asked for permission to return to their home country. The answer from the monarchic government prefecture that could not swallow the circumstances was short: "Withdrawal permission not given. Explain the circumstances in greater detail."
Half the number of Allied Forces were killed or turned to the other side, De Poitiers was killed? The facts did not sound sane. They seemed to doubt if it was a real report. Was it not a fake report? Wimpffen could not blame the home government for that. Perhaps, even I, after hearing such a report would not believe it spontaneously and be able to grant permission to withdraw.
The defeated army was concentrating in Rosais.
Wimpffen began negotiation with his own country.
He insisted repeatedly that considering the way things were going, they were heading towards annihilation.
With great effort he gained the permission to retreat after a half day; a very valuable half day. A half day that could be fatal for the Allied Forces.
As the defeated army began arriving they received further bad news from a dragon knight scout. Albion's main army from Londinium was moving faster than expected.
The way things were going "At dawn tomorrow, the enemy's main army will burst into Rosais." He looked at the map and asked his subordinate, "How long it would take for an army to fully embark?"
The logistics staff answered. "Until the morning of the day after tomorrow. Though Rosais has giant port facilities for ships, on land, there can be only a limited number of soldiers at the same time."
Wimpffen was worried. When you think about it – he needed to start withdrawal preparations before they were permitted. However, Wimpffen was scared for his own neck and did not want to be hung by a war tribunal. "It is necessary to stop the enemy army's pace first."
"The final accounts have the army at almost four-hundred thousand and somehow growing Where can we find an army to withstand it?"One officer asked in desperation.
In addition, the bombardment from the air would pull the withdrawal line to the fleet. Besides, ship guns would not help to adjourn the army marching.
Moreover, in order to gain more time, soldiers, who ran away at full speed, had discarded all their heavy armor. He doubted that even a third of his troops were fully provisioned to fight. He thought for a few moments, and suddenly had an idea. "That's right. Let's use 'it'."
"It?"
"The trump card! The trump card of my army! Now it's the time to use it! Messenger!"
The messenger came to Louise when she waited for the withdrawal embarkation in the tent.
***Break***
It was that evening. That the messenger finally tracked Louise down. When she heard that she had been summoned by the general staff specifically for a mission, she gasped,"Me?"
The older soldier seemed to be in a very great hurry. He was like a living embodiment of the whole Allied Forces – always in a hurry. The man nodded and replied, "That's correct Miss Vallière! Commander Wimpffen calls!"
Only now Louise understood that General De Poitiers and Marquis Handenburg had been killed. The confusion within the Allied Forces was considerable.
Louise went to face the commander, with Zero following close the door he was told that the meeting was for Louise's ear only.
"Its fine Zero. I'll let you know what the meeting is about when I get out... Just be patient, alright?"
After taking the instructions, Louise came out of the commander's tent, ghostly white.
"What's wrong? What were the orders?"Zero demanded.
Even though he asked, she did not answer. She looked straight ahead… and began walking towards the other end of Rosais. But not towards the embarkation tent. She came to the temple on the side of the town… and received a horse from a horse keeper. Then the horse keeper bowed to Louise who tried to ride away.
Zero grabbed the Louise's hand. "Hey! Where are you going? It's not safe to leave the city!"
"Let go." Louise muttered in a lifeless voice.
Zero laughed at her,then said in a flat voice"Talk! What were the orders given to you? Even if you got the reins away from me I can still outrun your horse."
Louise did not answer. She just kept on biting her lips.
With the other hand Zero took the order parchment from Louise. She didn't mind, since he could not read the letters the only thing he understood was a map.
"I can't read. What is written here?"
Louise bit her lip again.
"Talk! What is written here?" Zero demanded angrily.
Derflinger, on his shoulder, read it instead of Louise. "Aaah, a backup. Not very honorable."
"Backup?" Zero asked, his voice suddenly very calm.
Derflinger chuckled darkly,"Buying time for the main force to escape. Alone against enemy army of four-hundred thousand. Wonderful, isn't it? Heck, this note has a lot of information on it. Apparently the numbers have been growing excessively since they left the capital. Who knows how big the force she'll have to deal with will be. And unidentified metallic golems. That sounds like good news too! Such wonderful army leadership!" the sword finished its sarcastic report on that orders.
Zero nodded,"As I expected."
"Quite detailed instructions actually. Hoho, wait on the hill 50 leagues on the left from here. Wait with 'Void' spells ready. Face towards the land route to see the enemy first and keep casting spells until you run out of magic. Neither withdrawal nor surrender are permitted. Soooo, in other words, its an order 'defend till the end'. To put it briefly – fight against enemy until you die. That's what is this order about."
Louise nodded as the sword continued to explain the situation again.
"...Hey, what is that - a joke?"Zero said grabbing Louise's shoulders.
"No one is joking. It's the truth." Louise said, her voice hard and determined, despite the fact that she was shaking.
"Really, are you an idiot? You would die just because our general told you to? They are treating you like a tool. No, a backup tool. Don't do that! You're more than that!" Zero told her, as he tightened his grip on her shoulders.
"Stop being hasty."She said in a cold voice, pulling on the rein in his hand.
Zero was amazed. Something about this look in her eyes, I remember who had that look so often before...She isn't going to back down. She's going to defend until the end...Louise still wanted to be recognized, and this was the way she planned on doing it. She entered into this war against her parents' will because she wanted to be recognized. She was nicknamed "Louise the Zero", idiot Louise. Since those days Louise dreamed to be recognized by her parents and her classmates. That's why she applied for the Fouquet search. However once the legendary Void elements power awoke in her it changed. She wanted to be recognized for more than just that. She had listened to me, she took my lectures to heart. She feels that this is the only way to protect everyone...
Zero tried to persuade her, but knew it was probably a lost cause."Be reasonable. For your pride's sake? Look, it is not safe, and you probably can't delay them for that long. You are going to die here understand? Stop it, all right? You are great. I know that. But you can leave. You don't need to die, Ok? Disregard such orders and flee. If you do not leave now, you will never achieve the greatness you're supposed to. I can distract them then run away."
"Where would you run? Besides it's an enemy's territory, I'd have no way home, and since I've received an order from the general..."
"Axl can get you out of here. Its not that hard really."Zero replied honestly.
Louise looked straight at Zero and said clearly, "It's not because of pride. What would happen if I were to run away? Our allies will be annihilated. You, Guiche, Roll, Axl, Kirche, everyone! They might be killed! They might be shamed! I can prevent that! I can shield you for once!"
Zero frowned, realizing that she really was like his old partner...The reason why Louise is so determined was not just because of her pride. She had an honest need to protect...
"I do not want to die. But I do not want my friends to die either. That is the true meaning of the word 'honor'. Hey Zero..." Louise sadly watched Zero for a while and shook her head."You run away. Don't stay with me."
"What?"
"Return back to the Varsenda and take your flying machine. It hasn't been used, so it should be ready for whatever is needed..." Louise's eyes began to moisten. Louise's voice sounded like she was about to cry.
"Yeah like I'd do that," Zero replied heatedly.
"Don't regret this. You've fought long and hard already. I love you... So please, let me protect you this one time, alright? Just... Make sure you remember me how I am now, always," Louise begged.
"Louise" Zero looked away and said in a determined voice."I understand. I will not try to stop you anymore. However, I have one request before you leave."
"What?" Louise asked
"In the hunters we had a tradition... Whenever we were to go on a mission that was was considered to be suicidal...Myself and X would drink a toast before our separation. You still have some time left, right?" Zero said in a suddenly reasonable, and somehow warm tone.
"Yeah, a little,"Louise said cautiously. A tradition shared with X? She was happy about it, but somehow it felt wrong...
Zero looked around and next to the temple and noticed a box of supplies. It must have been one of the supplies that was meant to be sent to the city of Saxe-Gotha, but ended up being left behind. It was a box of wine. Zero took one bottle out. "It will be stolen by the enemy anyway. So, better we get it than those mavericks."He reasoned aloud.
Meanwhile Louise stared at the temple nearby. Then, she turned to Zero. Her cheeks suddenly turned crimson."Hey, Zero"
"Yeah?"
"Since we are making toasts anyway, I have one request as well." Louise said in a small, hesitant voice.
"Sure, If I can do it, I will." Zero replied with a sad smile.
But Louise's request surpassed all Zero's expectations."Marry me."
Zero's eyes widened at that"Wait, what? How does that even work?"
Louise, now red from head to toes, shouted."Dying before being able to marry is unpleasant. I just want to marry! I told you I love you! So please..."
Zero sighed and shook his head then replied,"Sure. If that's what you really want."
***Break***
It was an empty temple - there was no one inside. When the Allied Forces occupied it, all the priests who were in there had run away.
Leaving the horse tied to the gate, two people entered the temple. The silence and the dim light that filtered through the stained glass gave it a sort of solemn atmosphere..It was clean and well swept. Surrounded by this serene silence, Louise stood in front of the puckered up her brows.
"You don't wish to marry in Albion?"Zero asked suddenly.
"It just brings unpleasant memories." Louise admitted.
"You did this before, right?"
Louise nodded."Yes. However, at that time, I did not give my oath."
"I see." Zero replied, never mentioning just how much he knew...
Louise looked up at the Founder's image. Surrounded by the somewhat solemn atmosphere, she knelt before it and offered a silent prayer.
Louise thought while praying. Why did I think about a wedding at a time like this? Do I want it? Just between me and Zero, without anyone else That will be enough for me. For now, he'll be mine. Even though it will all be over soon...Just for now..."As this is the end, I am not afraid to show my feelings anymore. I will be completely honest before you... And the man I love." When she finished her prayer and opened her eyes, Zero stood there with a glass of wine.
"Where is this glass from?" She asked curiously, noticing how it seemed to be made of fine crystal.
"It was decoration on the altar. And I thought God would not mind me borrowing it for such an occasion."Zero replied flippantly.
Louise smiled, taking the glass. Trust Zero to make light of a life and death situation. But then, wasn't that one of the most charming things about him?
"That's the second time." Zero said.
"What?"
"You smiled at me. Really smiled. Now and the time we went shopping, it makes it two times, right?" Zero asked as he smiled back at her.
Louise felt happy. Zero had been counting her smiles. She wanted to say,"That's right."...However, she could not say it directly. Straightforward words didn't come easily to someone like her. It was frustrating. But the Louise of today was different. She resolved herself and nodded. Louise matched Zero's cup. "I'm sorry that we won't be able to search for the way to return to your world together."Louise apologized, tears in her eyes.
"Don't worry about it."Zero said with a confident smile on. The two drank their wine.
From the alcohol and embarrassment, Louise's cheeks turned crimson.
"So how do we get married?"Zero asked as he looked around.
"I don't really know myself."
"Is it all right? It won't be done properly."Zero asked curiously.
"It's all right. It's just with you anyway. As long as its with you... Even this would be fine. I know its not perfect but its the only chance..."Not really knowing what to do, Louise clasped Zero's hands.
"Now, give an oath."
"But, there is no priest."Zero responded.
"Stop complaining. Or do I have to do it for you?"
Zero looked straight at Louise and after a few minutes of silence said in a resolute tone, "I'll protect you, Louise. Always."
"Wha-W-What S-Stupid. It's no good if you do not swear."Louise blushed furiously. Her body trembled with happiness at the way he said that. As the words registered, she realized what he had actually said. "You are not going into battle! Swear to me your oath!" Suddenly, Louise gasped as she remembered something fundamentally flawed with this 'tradition'! "Wait, why would you share a drink like this if reploids can't get drunk!" she all but yelled at Zero.
Zero shook his head and sighed. "Sorry, I can't let you go out there. I'll catch up with you if I can but..." Zero trailed off as his fist slammed into Louise's midsection. A soft gasp escaped from the girl before she lost consciousness. "I am not lying when I say this. I am glad I was able to meet you. Really." He muttered, stepping outside with Louise in his arms. The evening sun almost finished setting and the surroundings became dim.
"Cold out... I wonder when they'll come out," muttered a voice nearby."Aah, Zero. I was wondering when you were going to come out."
Next to the gates of the temple Axl stood with his arms crossed. "You were spying on us. What a bad hobby you have."Zero admonished playfully.
"No, I just came here to pray. I am a the familiar of a priest after all."Axl answered, not dropping his smile.
"Anyway, take care of Louise."Zero said with a smile. As he walked over to his friend transferred her into his arms. "Please go. And return safely to the ship... And take Derflinger as well. If I don't return... You will use that sword as I would. You will protect those people. Do you understand?" After saying his piece he turned and started walking towards the gate.
Axl called Zero to stop."Where are you going?"
Zero answered in a nonchalant voice, "I'm running away."
Axl looked at Zero, his eyebrow cocked. After a few moments he said,"You are going in the wrong direction. Zero, somehow, they've got an army even greater than the one you faced from Neo Arcadia. I've already seen it from my dragon. Even you..."
"I know. You're acting like I've ever really cared about what happens to me." Zero replied, a hint of coldness in his voice.
Zero turned and started walking down the road once again, but Axl called him to stop. "There's only one thing I want to know."
Zero answered. "What?"
"Why are you going out there? Surely you aren't that foolish to die for honor, right? These nobles haven't infected you with anything that useless have they?"
Zero laughed, shaking his head. "Because..."
"Well?" Axl pressed.
"Because of love."Zero answered with a smile.
Axl began laughing loudly."Aahaha, you sound like X! He'd make some comment about you finally understanding!"
With a scowl, Zero crossed his arms as he turned to face Axl again."No, it's not because of love for a woman, but because my inner feeling tells me so."
"Please teach me that meaning if you can."Axl replied flippantly.
Zero looked straight up ahead and said."I cannot, putting it to words is already a lie. Words can always lie. Only my feelings cannot let me lie about it. I"ll tell you something I've only ever told X... Axl, there are things that can not be analyzed correctly as data. We have to feel, there are things we can only correctly feel. And right, now that is what I feel."
Axl laughed,"You are not a noble right? No matter what, you're just like me."
Zero nodded then chuckled. In a dry voice, he replied,"That's right. I'm just a maverick hunter..."
"The greatest." Axl agreed with a smile.
"Are you trying to get under my skin?" Zero asked testily as he continued walking towards the gate.
"Would I do that?"Axl called out to the retreating form. As he watched his back, Axl smiled and muttered softly in a slightly warped voice,"You are very clumsy, Zero. But then you always have been... Be careful...please..."
***Break***
On a little hill drawn on a map… The dawn brought forth light to the darkness.
The view slowly expanded, and the grassland below grew larger and larger.
It was as shown on the map, a rural area approximately a hundred and fifty leagues southwest of the city of Saxe-Gotha. Zero had finally arrived. A light excitement embraced him. Through the morning fog, slowly; slowly and accompanied with the shaking of the earth, a great army appeared. It covered the horizon, and the majority of it shimmered an all too deadly blue.
"Are you watching X?" Zero asked as he looked at the army on the horizon. It was massive. Damn...Four-hundred thousand was not even close to the correct number. He took the charging mechanism out of his buster and placed it into his saber. That's right, this is who he was, a maverick hunter. This was his only place. Standing between the people who deserved better, and those who wished to bring destruction upon them. These people, who chose to be mavericks. They had no excuse, and without any excuse they'd get absolutely no mercy. "I'll definitely trash these mavericks... Zero style."
Soldiers wielding weapons, Mages armed with spells, cannons, demi-humans like orcs and trolls, dragon knights… Knights riding phantom beasts, as well as whole armies of pseudo pantheons. And intermixed with the Pantheons, golems. Ah those wonderful laser spitting assholes. Zero smirked as he surveyed the force that was set against him. "Wow whoever the hell is from my world is pulling out all the stops... I wonder if they fear me that much? I mean, I doubt they'd go this overkill for an army of humans, mages or not." The runes on his left hand began to glow as he watched the army run forward. The rune repeatedly pulsed as he felt the familiar beat of combat, that he had not felt since he come here. Four hundred meters in front of him, he could see Albion's forward assault force. Suddenly his body began to move by itself;Zero charged toward the army that was at least a million strong.
***Break***
The first of Albion soldiers who found the charging hero was not frontal cavalry, but the owl familiar belonging to an artillery commander. Because he didn't believe the infantry, he decided to personally investigative the matter. He lost his familiar as a result. After he verified the situation through his owl, he immediately ordered the firearm squadrons to prepare to fire. The odd ice golems lifted their arms and trained them on the charging young man, who's hair flared out behind him as he ran. Suddenly a glowing saber appeared in his hand. He had been surprised when he found out there was only one person, but he became shocked once more as he saw the boy's speed.
It was not a speed that could be achieved by a human and appeared at times that he was in multiple places at once. The front golems, both large and small were thrown about, and blades of energy cut clean through those who weren't at the center of the melee. Because of a mistake with the estimation of speed, the opposition charged right past them just as they were stopping. Before the cavalry could even draw their weapons, they were knocked off their steeds. The screams of men and the smell of blood in the air startled the commander.
The only thing the fallen cavalry men could do was hear the sound of the enemy's footsteps, the speed was so great that they could not even see their foe's image, all that they saw was a series of hazy afterimages.
Before the human soldiers finished loading their weapons, the enemy was already in front of their leader. The commander, in reflex, tried to pull out his wand, but was far too slow. His last sight was that of a blade of green.
The next moment, mage knights approached from the sky. They used magic and familiars to track Zero's movement and then released with a barrage of the buster fire from the Pseudo pantheons. Wind blades, ice spears, fireballs, blasts of plasma and beams of light flew in waves toward Zero, but were deftly dodged, often times plowing into rows of the magical golems and pantheons or badly placed soldiers. Though the knights were taken by surprise, they did not stop their magical assault. Zero had to commend them on that at least.
The knight commander ordered his men to scatter; in the instant he made that order, a gust of wind blew next to him, where the wind struck, his wand was snapped in half and a foot slammed into his stomach. Ribs shattered, the pain was so strong the officer could not cry out as he fell.
Zero rushed forward danced, dodged, and struck left and right, which caused massive chaos within the enemy as he released arcs of energy from his saber. Smirking, he decided it was time to show his trump card. He promptly started to charge his saber, then released it in a slash, cutting through five pseudo pantheons and creating an horizontal arc of energy that continued until it angled into the ground a few hundred feet away, creating a massive blast. In the wake of the blast, Zero used the debris as cover to jump into the air, releasing several arcs of energy from his saber as he spun rapidly, each creating a path of death and destruction. Jumping at a Golem who's mouth was open he slammed his saber into into the charging mechanism, causing the charging electricity to be released uncontrollably. Zero was thrown back by the detonation, but spun with it in mid air, his saber finding multiple marks before he finally landed. He continued to search for mages surrounded by the golems. Moving swiftly and with a purpose he made his way around, destroying the golems and pantheons when he could not dodge them, opting to take the controlling mages as he could. At times the enemy was confused when two separate Zero's would appear and continue slashing, only to have one disappear suddenly upon taking damage. Zero felt like they were trying to herd him, but that was fine, if they were herding him, they had to stay close. And staying close was just what Zero wanted in this case. Zero couldn't help but think that fighting alone turned out to be extremely advantageous for him. To prevent friendly fire, the enemy could not use firearms or projectiles to their full advantage, and with Gandálfr's speed mixed with that of a legendary reploid, nothing in this world could catch up to him.
But… the mage opponents were still very difficult to deal with. Although Derflinger could absorb the endless barrage of spells, he had left him in Axl's care. Zero was slammed into the ground by an invisible wind hammer. He quickly recovered and slammed his fist into the ground, causing a massive explosion of light destroying the projectiles that followed the first spell as well as immolating many of the closer enemies.
"Damn… They're learning."Zero said as he dodged the spells and buster fire. "Axl wasn't kidding. They're damned endless!" Zero growled as he dove into the fray again. Released charged saber slashes he tore up the landscape, destroying all that dared get close to him. Although the situation was grave, Zero still charged forward, bravely standing tall while surrounded on all sides. He dodged, and weaved around the various attacks, but gradually he realized something felt wrong. He kept moving and slashing, but then he realized, he felt wrong. Truly wrong. Something was happening. As he jumped back from an attack he sensed more than he saw he caught sight of his hair. It had turned a pure snowy white, matching the incandescent light that his rune was giving off. Well this was probably bad. He sent a cautious thought out 'Hey, old man, are you there?'... But there was no answer. "Well, isn't that lovely. I never thought I'd be so unhappy that the crazy old man living in my head isn't answering me..." Zero said with a laugh as he continued his assault. Even to the end he'd get the last crack in he supposed. To his left, the motion of a flag caught his attention. He ran toward it, his resolve carrying him further than any of these people could believe.
Riding on his phantom manticore was the unit's commanding officer. He kicked his beast and prepared to charge, but a fist to the gut knocked him off his mount and he saw his manticore struck down. In that instant, his own legs were severed and he collapsed on the ground screaming.
The commander of the firearm division ordered his men to prepare for a maneuver, thinking about surrounding this wind-like enemy in an instant, but the enemy lept over the formation, and struck the commander's head with his sword ending the man's life instantly.
The young commander in charge of the archers hastily ordered his men to fire, but the arrows could not reach their foe, striking down their own allies instead. In the chaos one had even managed to hit his own foot.
The chaos among the forward guard became progressively worse. General Hawkins received reports that completely boggled him. The communications he received were a complete mess.
Some said, the enemy was a single rider.
Some said, the enemy was a magician.
Some said, it was a part of the enemy army.
Some said, it was elvish mage knights.
Some said, it was an elvish division… etc.
But the General, a veteran who survived a hundred battles, felt it was a single foe.
An enemy with the speed of wind.
An enemy with strength like fire.
An enemy unshakable like the stones of the earth.
An enemy elusive like the waves of the sea.
"I don't like it," General Hawkins muttered.
Just as Zero removed the arm of a middle rank officer, he spotted a group of mages with a large pennant in the center of them. Since so many mages were protecting a single individual, that meant... Jackpot. Marshal. He struggled to move as the wrongness in his body intensified. He still hadn't taken any physical damage but Zero knew that something was wrong inside of him and he could feel system failure coming on. He could only compare it to the time he had 'died' when Sigma had shot him through the chest... But he had to keep moving. Just to take down one more officer…Just to cause more havoc. Just like this to extend the time, just even one minute, one second, must be taken. This was Louise's task. A task that she had been given. A task that would end her life. He'd sworn an oath. He'd protect her! Zero rushed towards the enemy general surrounded by a horde of mages.
General Hawkins stared at the wind blasting toward him. Truly amazing speed. He pulled out his wand, chanted his spell, and in one breath summoned a wind blade. But… the enemy swiftly dodged it. He could only see the foe's blade as it left a trail of death and destruction in the mages surrounding him. As each mage fell, he knew that their force of golems was shrinking... His riders fired spells endlessly at the warrior but none were able to land. Suddenly, a glowing sword appeared less than an inch from Hawkins' face. Not averting his gaze, he stared straight at the tip. But it did not strike Hawkins. It was as if time suddenly stopped, the swordsman's movement froze. Looking at the young man in red and black armor holding the blade, Hawkins couldn't help but think that the boy appeared anything but human with his glowing hair and unearthly weapon... As he looked closer, he noticed what appeared to be fine lines of white running through the armor, pulsing in time to the rune on his hand and the glow from his hair. He shook his head as he noticed that the form fitted armor on the young man's chest wasn't showing any movement at all... He wasn't breathing. Hawkins tried to use his wand to knock the sword away, but moved back hurriedly as the metal combat wand melted on contact.
"Your Eminence! Are you alright?" General Hawkins!" one of the knights called as he rode by.
"No bones broken," He answered. "Combat is over, give me the report." he said tiredly, after a moment's pause.
Reports came in quick succession.
It was absolutely unimaginable that a single warrior was able to cause so much damage. Lower command, upper command echelon had four wounded, the enlisted infantry estimated injured were around two thousand and dead were far, far higher. Almost all of the injured had been mutilated in some way, which would slow down the advancing army terribly. Between the loss of the golems and people, the force had been reduced in power to a mere fifty-thousand. The loss, from the entire army's point of view, was apparently within the acceptable limit, as insane as that sounded before the mission had started... But its effects were significant. The golems were all but destroyed, and the strong forward guards were now in complete chaos. Many were injured by their own friendly fire in the fog of war, and the story that "Everything was caused by a single swordsman" had spread among soldiers like wildfire, greatly damaging the morale of the troops.
The forward commander reported with a bitter face: "I am afraid it will take a while to reform the forward command, at least several hours."
Stories continued to spread among the frightened troops, which greatly decreased the army's marching speed. The enlisted soldiers were afraid the enemy might hide another swordsman like the one before.
The adjutant slowly murmured to General Hawkins, "I am afraid we cannot meet today's marching objectives. If the situation continues, we will have to waste half a day… no, an entire day of time just getting organization and discipline under control."
Hawkins lowered his head. He got off his horse, walked near the still frozen swordsman, placing his finger on the young man's throat. "Dead..." He looked at the young man and sighed. "He is just a boy..." The body standing with glowing sword in hand was a white-haired, very unusual looking boy. He couldn't be older than even his youngest recruits. "And they call us monsters...What age do you think he had to be when they started training him..." he shook his head wondering what monsters had done this to such a child. To deprive a person of their life like this and truly turn them into a weapon...Hawkins wanted to summon a water mage, but he knew from looking into the black lifeless eyes of the young man that he was gone... No amount of water magic could bring the dead back to life... After standing and looking at the young man, Hawkins looked down on the boy and whispered,"I am really jealous."
"Huh?" His sub-commander asked, wondering what the older man meant.
"A single warrior stopped an entire army... The largest in the history of man... Because of this, in the words of history long gone, he is a 'Hero'; I wish I was not merely a general, but a hero." Hawkins' voice trailed off.
His sub-commander nodded as well. "What you say is right, but situations like these are the results of war, a pity he was an enemy of ours."
"Even though he's an enemy... not even a noble... I believe he should receive the highest honor and respect. And that those who would do this to someone... Be treated to the harshest punishment..."
"I understand your point."
General Hawkins and the sub-commander both saluted the boy.
"Let us bury him with honor. Someone with the determination to fight till the very end like this deserves no less..." He gave his order to his troops.
In that second, Zero's body flared and emitted a bright light, causing all near him to shield their eyes from the glare.
"What the hell?" General Hawkins demanded as the light cleared, and the body of the young man was gone...
***Break***
Louise awoke and found herself on the deck of the Redoubtable.
Because of the wind brushing her face, as well as the sound of the fluttering sail, she finally woke up. Malicorne and Guiche were staring back at her face.
"Ah, Louise is awake!" Malicorne said cheerfully.
"Good! Good!" Guiche agreed,"We were afraid you had over exerted yourself. We couldn't wake you."
Seeing friends nodding their heads constantly, Louise asked in a surprised voice,"I… why…?"
"We don't know. When the ship departed I found you sleeping here." Guiche commented.
"…Here, this is a ship?" Louise asked, her eyes unfocused and confused. As she watched the moving scenery for a few minutes, Louise suddenly remembered a very important thing, abruptly springing to her feet. "I, I must go stop the enemy army. I have to prevent the Albion army from catching up!"
Malicorne and Guiche both stared at her with surprise.
"Stop the enemy?"
"Yes! I have to delay the enemy to buy us time to retreat." Louise said as she turned to look around her, to find the gang-plank to disembark.
"We already retreated." Guiche replied in a deadpan.
"This is the last ship from the port of Rosais." Malicorne added.
"…Oh?" Louise looked confused as she stared from the forecastle, as the continent of Albion became smaller and smaller. "How can it be? What happened to the Albion army that was chasing us?"
"They said they couldn't catch up with us," Guiche replied easily.
"Good, Good, this means we can get home safely." Louise said, her voice full of relief. "But when we get back, there will still be a lot of trouble."
Malicorne and Guiche stared at each other, then the two start laughing. What really happened? Why did the Albion Army slow their march? In that moment… she suddenly remembered something more important. She could not see Zero anywhere.
Louise ran around the ship in a circle, and found Axl, Roll and Kirche looking over the rail.
"Hey, you're up." Axl replied in an amused tone.
"Where is Zero?" Louise demanded.
"Wow, right to the point." Axl replied with a smile.
"Where is Zero?" Louise growled, drawing her wand.
"He went to do your mission. I figured you woulda put two and two together by now. I never knew Zero to tolerate stupid people, after all. Well, except for me." Axl replied flippantly.
"What was her mission?" Roll asked curiously.
"Fight the enemy army one on one until she died. Got to love the stupid nobles of this world huh? Send a little girl in on a suicide mission rather than go against orders when the entire army is at stake." Axl said simply, as he sat down on the deck with his back to the railing.
"He... he wouldn't do that, would he?" Roll asked, her voice full of doubt.
"How can you act so casually? Your friend could be dead!" Louise screamed at Axl
"You don't know Zero then. This is his typical stunt. Go against an undefeatable army or danger. He's supposed to be dead, then just comes back in the nick of time. Or he just shows up at work the next day. Believe it or not, this is actually quite routine. I believe X even called it the 'Zero Protocol' at one point." Axl said with a laugh.
"What proof do you have? Why didn't you stop him?" Louise cried out.
"Because, you were more important to him than that. For the first time in over a hundred years, he was fighting for someone in his heart, not to get rid of guilt or duty. How could I take that from him?" Axl replied sadly,"Not that they weren't voting for me to go with him. As a matter of fact she hasn't shut up since he left..." Axl tapped the side of his head in irritation as he said this.
"What happened to that happy mischievous young man you were? Why would you let someone you idolized just go and sacrifice themselves?" Kirche demanded.
Axl shook his head. "That's a part of me I suppose, but while Zero slept I kept using my powers and saw the horrors of war the way he did. Fortunately, I never faced the terrible things he did. I just played the part that I needed for him to see. Anyhow, you honestly think he's dead? I doubt it." He closed his eyes. "He's survived being blown apart, being stabbed, being hit with buster shots. He's died... Um. I don't even know how many times. He's survived the literal end of the world. Twice. Until I see a body, I won't believe the Zero I know is dead. Although knowing Zero, and his god damned stunts... I'm not sure a body could convince me, considering I've seen two Zeros fighting each other that one time...Or the fact that I've heard about the whole nightmare incident."
"That's why you pushed him so hard when you first met him, isn't it?" Derflinger asked from Axl's shoulder.
"Yeah, I had to make sure he came to terms with everything before this whole spectacle happened. Dragging it on would have only made it worse." Axl replied with a sigh."Just don't tell him that Derf, he'll kill me if he finds out. Then he'll repair me just enough so I can feel pain and then kill me again!"
"How can you not worry about him?" Louise cried, aghast that Axl could joke about Zero killing him, when he was likely dead, "He was fighting for everyone!"
"Because. I know him. He'll be back when he can." Axl said with a smile. "Probably when someone's in danger and needs him to be there, he'll make a flashy entrance and some stupid sarcastic line. He's always been really good at those."
"I wish I could believe that, but I can't help but think he threw away his life for us. For a world that isn't his, for people that aren't his countrymen." Louise said as her tears flowed down her cheeks, her anger forgotten.
"Home is where the heart is." Axl said with a smile. "His heart is with you all, therefore this is his home. There are worse things to die for than for love. If you must believe he's dead, then just realize why. You were being sent as a decoy. He knocked you out, then went to face that army of pantheons and golems in your place. Why would he do that if he didn't love you guys in at least some way."
"Shut up!" Louise screamed at Axl. This was the same reasoning Zero had given so long ago when Wales had died,"You have no right to talk like that! None! You aren't allowed to talk like Zero!"
As silenced descended, Kirche spoke up, her lips trembling."Love us?"
"Yeah. He has a soft spot in his heart no matter how cold he can act. While most see him somewhere between cold, infuriated, cocky or sarcastic, there is a softer part he lets out sometimes. Just because he doesn't say it doesn't mean he doesn't feel it. And just because he feels it doesn't mean he thinks he deserves the return of those feelings. That's why he'll fight to the death for those that are important to him. Its why he's a true hero. And why he'll never believe he's a real hero."
"He'll come back?" Louise asked hesitantly.
"Of course. Zero's fought big armies before. It just takes some time even with his strength. I'm sure he wouldn't want to crash Albion into the main continent, so he's being just a bit more cautious than he was back home.."
"You're kidding right? That was just a bluff when Zero said that, right?" Louise asked nervously.
"Nope. Zero has more than enough power to crash Albion, but he's refrained from using his giga attacks at their full power since he's arrived. I've sensed the unique way they tend to warp... Well, space it self really, and he's capable of far more. But as long as he has someone to defend he wouldn't put his full power into it while he's up here. Its just the type of person that he is. Have faith in him."
***Break***
The Albion army that arrived at Rosais, looked up into the sky and ground their teeth.
They were just a hair away, but now they could not do anything but watch the allied army escape.
They would have continued the chase, but there were no ships left.
After occupying Rosais, Cromwell entered the red-brick base… then bit his fingernails in anger.
He already had General Hawkins, who failed to accomplish the mission, confined and sent back to Londinium.
"Why didn't Gallia send their soldiers? If they had been attacked from both sides by both countries, the Allied Forces would not have been able to leave Saxe-Gotha…"He demanded. Leviathan had not been seen since that fateful day that he had let her borrow the ring..Cromwell was nervous after losing this fight. He was afraid to carry this war any further. He was at the breaking point. He was at the point where he was shaking uncontrollably…
Suddenly shouts of joy sounded from the other side of the window. When he stepped up to it… He saw a large fleet piercing the sky. On fluttering flags one could see two wands crossed… Gallia's fleet.
Cromwell was elated at the sight."Ooh! Finally you came! As expected from the large country of Gallia! How many ships are there? But… why did it come now… after the enemy ran away?" And once he bit his fingernail again, it hit him. "That's right! They are going to chase the enemy fleet! That's good! Messenger come here, immediately!"
As he was calling for the messenger… the messenger jumped into the room far faster than he should have. The messenger said hurriedly,"Gallia's fleet! It arrived!".
"I know! I saw it myself! Now! Tell Gallia's fleet commander that- …" Cromwell said with a serene smile on his face, but was interrupted by the messenger.
"There's a message from Gallia's fleet, Your Excellency!" The messenger interrupted the older man.
"Message? Oh! I see!"
"They wanted to know your whereabouts in order to greet you!"
"Greeting? Is that so? They are really very cordial! They have a cordial king and agent, so the fleet commander must be too! Now, rise up an assembly flag in front of the door."
"Understood." The messenger left.
After a few moments, in the courtyard, the Holy Assembly flag of the Republic of Albion was raised. After that, dozens of ships lined up around the building one next to another. It was a spectacular naval scene.
What kind of greeting would it be? He waited excitedly…Then, before his eyes, the building's door opened and people ran out in panic. Why were they running away? Just like rats from a sinking ship, he thought. But why would they? Gallia was here! Their allies had come through as he had promised. He looked up at the fleet again. Hundreds of cannons from the gangway shone at the same time. Cromwell hadn't seen anything more beautiful during all 30 years of his life.
Thousands of cannonballs, after an order to fire, hit the red brick building where Cromwell was, and in an instant, the official base turned into a pile of rubble.
***Author's notes***
I'm happy with how this chapter turned out. I've been looking forward to getting this chapter to a point I wanted to post it. Thank you all for reading so far, and I hope it wasn't a disappointment. Now, the only question is... what's next, and just what was happening to Zero? I'd like to say, that this chapter was heavily influenced by the Mythos Alteration remix "Falling Down", as well as Oddly enough, the Violin version of Lilium. I had some trouble getting the moods to fit, and these really helped. Gotta love how music really can help you set your mind into just the right mindset.
As for the previous rant, the things that Zero did to flaunt how he wasn't a 'commoner' such as jumping out of the window and such. People started walking more softly around him, even within a few chapters, but people keep asking me how they reacted to a robot so easily, or if they were that stupid that they couldn't notice it was a robot. Zero is the last and greatest Robot master from Wily. He and X, and Roll's newest body are pretty much indistinguishable from a human until you crack them open so to speak. And even then, if you look at just what type of mess the reploids that Zero tore apart in that flashback that is still put to a lie(looked honest to god like he had actual BLOOD on his hands, not oil or hydraulic fluid which is also a red color in many cases. Like 83282 looks like cherry coolaid. Don't drink that stuff though). Because of this, I honestly can't help but feel that people would not KNOW or understand he's not human. Knowledge and intelligence are entirely separate things. Colbert, a brilliant man who did literally centuries of innovation in less than a year to get a functioning flying mechanism didn't understand any of the things from our world, and all of that looked non human and was very low tech compared to our favorite reploid. I'm sorry if people think that I was too abrasive in my last post and would like to apologize for that.
And if I feel that way about that last rant, why don't I remove it? The main reason is, Its just how it is. I wear my thoughts on my sleeve, and feel it is dishonest to go back and change what I have to say or anything like that. And I'm nothing if not brutally honest.
Anyhow, thanks for reading everyone, and hopefully things are starting to make a little bit more sense. And as always, I do appreciate the constructive criticism both positive and negative. To the stupid trolls, and you know who you are, I'm sorry you have nothing better to do. Oh, and due to a suggestion, once this is all over I will be writing a small bit at the end pointing out clues that have helped some of our more knowledgeable readers figure some things ahead of time.