AN: A huge thank you to everyone who is still reading! Now that I have help, things should speed up again with regular updates! Out of curiosity, what is better, once a week, or twice a week? I am not sure how frequently people like their fanfics updated!
Gejutel III – Lukedonia, 10th December, 02:00
The phone rang. It was unexpected, especially since it was in the middle of the night, but then Gejutel remembered that the world had different 'time zones'. He checked the display. Tao. Was there any news? A few moments passed before he accepted the call. Some cackles before the signal settled. "Here speaks Gejutel K. Landegre."
"This is Takeo. M-21 came back."
A few moments of silence. "... M-21?" So M-21 was alive? That was... a relief, and it raised many questions. But the most important thing was that he was alive and free now. Ser Raizel would find great joy in this.
"Yeah. We were surprised too. He brought some orders from Raskreia." They hadn't read over them just yet, unable to open the scroll.
"You have word from the Lord as well?!" That was phenomenal ! For a moment, his excitement was absolutely clear in his voice. "It's probably a sealed scroll. You will need a clan leader to open it."
"Yeah. Is it supposed to be shiny like that?" Nobles were weird.
"Yes. That means the seal is still intact. Can I speak to M-21?" He wanted to hear his voice for himself and hear how he was.
"Ah. Yeah, sure." Some muffled voices could be heard clearly by Gejutel's supernatural ears as it changed hands. "Yes?" M-21's voice sounded still rough, even if it was better now that he'd had some water.
"M-21. I'm glad you're alive." Relieved. He sounded just plain relieved. "How did you escape?"
"It's a bit unbelievable, but Ignes helped."
"Ignes Kravei? The one who abducted Seira, Regis and Rael?!" And she was allied with the werewolves, as far as he'd heard..
"Yeah. She has a plan. One that might let us win." According to her. He was still iffy about it. Crombel...
"A plan?" So Ignes tried to switch camps even though she was on the winning team, as humans would put it? Highly suspicious.
"Ally with the Union to take down the werewolves."
"..." Tao had this idea too, and Gejutel still thought it was dangerous. "We're revealing ourselves as prime targets."
"Takeo said the same. And I'm not fond of the idea of working with Crombel." He sighed. "But if the werewolves win completely..." The point would be moot anyway.
Gejutel sighed. "Either way, I'm not authorized to decide that. I'll ask Seira to come and get the scroll and inform the Noblesse that you're safe and sound."
"Yeah." He'd get to see Seira again too. Another who was safe. "Regis okay too? What's the situation for you guys?"
"Bleak. There was a row of suicides among civilians and Central knights. But the clan leaders who were on werewolf territory were allowed to retreat thanks to the Lord's surrender."
"I'm glad you all are safe." He wouldn't bother himself on the weakness of the civilians and Knights. They were irrelevant here.
Gejutel sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. This was really a difficult situation. "I really don't like the idea of revealing our weakness to the union. Why would they attack a strong enemy while we're right out on the open?"
"... Because taking down the bigger threat is more important? And we can be taken down after?" That was probably the logic there. "Their Lord is an Elder of the Union and apparently going to turn on them .They'd probably want to deal with that."
"Hm. I hope you're right about that." While Gejutel was aware that the werewolves were allies of the Union... he had not anticipated that their Lord would actually be all the way up in there. In either case, they had to do something and this was better than doing nothing. He'd have to take what he could get. "How is the situation in the werewolf lands?"
"Dark. They even held a fake trial where Lunark was sentenced as a traitor."
"..." Ah. The elder who turned on the werewolves by asking for the Noblesse's help. Gejutel still didn't know whether he blamed that woman or not. "I'm still wary. Ignes is willing to help us even though she's on the side that is on top right now."
"... Being on the winning side doesn't mean you're in a good position." That was delicate.
Gejutel took a few moments to process that. Even though he couldn't use his psychic powers over a call, he could still tell by M-21's tone that he probably shouldn't dig deeper.
"I won't ask for details but... Look into yourself. Is she acting out of ambition or something more reasonable?"
"Reasonable. Very reasonable."
"Thank you." From what he'd heard, M-21 had no reason to show particular compassion towards her without reason. It would be easier to trust this then. "I assume you're exhausted. "
"Yeah. Just got home. It's been a long journey."
"I'll end this call then. You'll need rest." M-21 was alive and for the moment, everything else was pretty secondary
"I'll get some."
Gejutel ended the call and Takeo watched M-21 attentively. "will you be alright?" Joining forces with the Union... At the hands of Crombel, M-21 had suffered so much more than he or Tao had.
He nodded. "I just want some food, a shower, and sleep." Everything else could come later. It was good to be home.
While M-21 would get his well deserved break, Gejutel hurried to task Regis with notifying Seira of M-21's return and her needing to go to Korea. His grandson was reliable, so he didn't have to worry about that. Next, he needed to check up on the Noblesse and let him know of the good news. The manor was quiet when Gejutel entered it, and he followed his fine senses to find him. As expected, he was in the usual tea room. "Ser Raizel. I've come with good news. M-21 is alive and free. He's in Korea with his brothers-in-arms now."
Raizel turned from his window, his expression unreadable. "M-21 lives?" How? And he was free, safe. The sheer level of relief that passed through him at that thought was immense beyond belief. "Thank you." This was good news indeed.
Gejutel approached and stopped five feet away from their interim Lord. "He also brings word from the Lord. I sent out Seira to go to Korea and retrieve the scroll."
"Raskreia managed to send word?" That was surprising. Even if he'd managed to escape, contacting what had to be a heavily guarded, high priority prisoner... He shook his head lightly. M-21 had long been capable of very impressive things.
"He did have some help." How was he supposed to address this? Well. Through honesty, probably. "Apparently Ignes Kravei switched camp."
His eyes narrowed. "Ignes Kravei?" While that did explain how he got the scroll and how he escaped, that was suspicious. What were her motives?
"M-21 said she has... very reasonable reasons. I didn't dig any deeper." He hoped that the modified human was a decent judge of character. "She hopes Lukedonia and the Union will turn against the werewolves together, from what I've gathered."
"..." She'd killed Frankenstein, if her words were any indication. And she was now their only chance against the werewolves. Raizel didn't like it. "M-21 has a history of trusting people he should not. I love him, but his judgement is not the best." He'd still do as M-21 wanted, of course. But facts were facts. After a deep sigh, he continued. "Not that there is any choice. Any plan is better than what we have."
Gejutel nodded. Of course it couldn't be easy. "I hope the Lord's message will give us some clarity." Maybe the Lord had a better idea, or more information. Anything that would help them. "... Apparently their Lord is an Elder of the union. I've heard they had a major history of infighting." Which meant that the remaining union might be interested in having an ally against their strongest member.
"Then we will try to take advantage of that." Raizel could strategize if he needed. He wasn't stupid, just because he didn't always think. With Frankenstein around, there was usually no reason to bother. His judgement was good enough. But without him... "It is a sound plan."
Did Ser Raizel really think so, or was he just saying that to calm him down and assure him? "I can return tomorrow so you can call and speak to M-21 yourself," Gejutel offered.
"Yes, thank you." He wanted to speak to him. Hear that M-21 was alive and safe from M-21 himself. News was good. Confirmation was better.
A few moments of silence passed. Everything was... So quiet. "I cannot sense Garda nearby." She usually was in the vicinity
"She has been avoiding me. I do not know why." It saddened him.
"... Did anything happen, if I may ask?" His question was careful - he didn't mean to pry after all.
Raizel blushed. Yes, something had happened. But what did meant there should be less reason to avoid him. They were each other's support now. It was lonely without her here.
"..." Gejutel did notice the way the Noblesse's cheeks took a rose tint and he chose not to interrogate him any further. "I hope whatever is wrong will be resolved soon."
He nodded. "I hope so as well." He missed her already.
"I should take my leave. Do I send a notice to Karias and Rael to let them know M-21 is alright, or do I await for word from seira?"
Hmm. "Go ahead and send notice. They will want to know that he is well."
"Alright. I will see to it." With a nod and half a bow, Gejutel took his leave. He was glad he'd had an opportunity to deliver some good news for a change. Karias and Rael would be relieved.
Mirai I – Werewolf Island, 11th December, 13:00
It had taken Mirai a bit of willpower to ask the Lord for permission to go and see Lunark. A last time. The woman she used to admire, the woman she used to love. Where did Lunark go astray? When did things turn so sour? She feared she wouldn't get answers. The laboratory dungeons were quiet. Apparently all test subjects now went straight to another facility. "Lunark." Mirai stopped in front of the cell where the Lord's former protégé was detained.
"Mirai." Smooth. Neither cold nor warm. Lunark would show neither hatred nor love for her. She was nothing now. And the situation wasn't Mirai's fault.
It was strange to see and hear Lunark like this . Mirai swallowed slightly. "I visited the moon mother. She wants me to tell you to stay strong and stay yourself. Yeah. I know. That advice isn't very helpful."
"Being myself is what got me into this." She sighed. "I'm going to die here. I don't know why she bothered." It was little more than a statement of fact. She stared steadily at a table behind Mirai, where her eyes had never left to begin with.
"Guess you can try dying with dignity." Mirai shrugged. Ah. She already regretted having come down here. "Would you do it again?"
"Yes." Without hesitation. "This is still better than continuing to fool myself into thinking everything's okay here. At least I tried to fix it." And no one here could say the same.
"Fix it?" Disbelief. "People died because of you. Because you decided treason is the right choice. Urne died. Gaura. Gorma. Almost everyone who was in the castle at that time."
"Treason? To take down a tyrant who can and will eventually kill us all?" He'd been slipping, more and more.
"The Lord protected us. And without the power we received, we would have lost!" Anger flared up. Was Lunark still insisting that she was right? Despite everything?
"The Lord used you and the rest as a shield. Don't pretend you somehow know him better than his own apprentice."
"You weren't there!" Her lower lip quivered slightly. Blinded in her righteousness, it seemed Lunark hadn't even noticed that she said Urne died. Her sister's death was nothing but a side comment.
"No. I was too busy trying to save someone who shouldn't have been taken by us to begin with. And we see how well that worked out." Lunark didn't know why she bothered. Mirai would never see her side. She never had.
She looked away. What had she even hoped to achieve by coming here? Everyone knew that Lunark was stubborn and full of herself. Always has been. Her attention wandered and for a second,she froze. "What's that?!" Was that... A head? In a jar of she didn't want to know what exactly?!
"Ah. You found Kentas." The line was delivered with absolutely no emotion.
... Mirai stared in quiet horror. Of course, she had heard already that Kentas has been killed, but... "..." Why?
"Why do you look so surprised, Mirai? This is all well within what the Lord would do." And she'd thrown herself at him, dedicated herself to him.
Even though both Lunark and Kentas were traitors... The desecration of a body was not the same thing as using it for science, for the betterment of their whole race. Mirai felt sickened by the mere sight. This served no purpose but cruelty
"Apparently it's to be used as a timer. Once he can't be recognised, then my punishment starts. Lord's words. Not mine."
And werewolves decomposed slowly. Especially if preserved in... Whatever that was. Mirai took a step back, away from the cell. "Farewell, Lunark. May the moon mother have mercy on your soul when the time comes."
Assuming they all lived that long, she supposed. "Have fun doing... whatever it is you're doing now, I guess." Since it certainly wasn't serving their people. Not anymore.
Mirai felt sick when she left the dungeon. Lunark... She couldn't believe she loved her, once. Was she always like that, or did Mirai only fail to see it sooner? She couldn't bear the thought of returning to an empty home and went to see Juraki instead. It wasn't like her to cope with grief with new lovers but he ... Was different. And also, overflooded with papers. His modest home was full of folders he rummaged through, sitting cross-legged on the floor. "Hello Mirai." He didn't look up from the file he was reading. "The Lord wants me to investigate Uzhir's murder."
"So it was murder?" Who would have done this here?
Juraki nodded. "Chest ripped open, no signs of battle." Which was as unusual as it would get. A spar ending lethal? Happened occasionally. But there was no spar.
"..." And that couldn't be Ignes's modus operandi. He'd have suspected her otherwise. But the strange outsider would have been such a convenient culprit. "So it has to have been one of ours then."
"Yes. The... Uhm... Autopsy report suggests it was two people. One held him down, trying to strangle him. Probably with some sort of rope. And the other delivered the killing blow."
"Who is on the suspect list for accomplice?"
"Strangling is something well within Ignes' abilities, but there's no motive and I doubt anyone here would help her murder someone. Gayare was brought up too."
"Gayare? Aren't they on the same squad?"
"Yes." He reached for another folder. "Apparently there was an incident where Uzhir stopped Gayare from picking a fight with Ignes. And she reported Gayare abandoned his post and left her alone for a while to fetch a folder from the castle... And he returned empty handed."
"Gayare always was a hot head." So there was a clear motive and a lack of an alibi.
Juraki nodded. This didn't look good for his comrade. "I can't believe he went that far."
"But who would have helped him?" Even if Gayare was the culprit, not being able to find the accomplice was a problem. "Whoever it was also tried to kill. They need to be found too."
"I agree. I assume finding the accomplice will be the difficult part." He set down the folder. "What have you been up to?"
"I... went to see Lunark, in the dungeons. I'd hoped that maybe..." But no. Lunark didn't care. About anything they were going through.
Juraki waited. It was pretty known that the women had been lovers for a while.
"She doesn't regret it. She's still just as stubborn and self righteous as ever. I can't-" believe she ever saw anything in her. "She still believes she was in the right!"
"Of course she does." Lunark always had a reputation of being particularly stubborn, with an overly high opinion of herself. Rumors said that she'd once even disrespected the Lord in her youth, when she'd just recently received the rank of a warrior
"I..." She knew. She should have always known that she was like this. Why didn't she see it sooner? She sighed. It was pointless anyway. "She doesn't care about any of us. She didn't even seem to care that Kentas's head was just there in a jar."
"... Kentas?" Head in a jar? That really was news.
"Yeah. And she just didn't care. Said it was about standard for the Lord."
"Bold words for someone who is probably more similar to him than any of us."
"Yeah." She frowned. Much as she'd have liked to believe her ex was better than that, the proof was right there before them.
"Are you okay?" Juraki got up and approached her, arms half outstretched to offer a hug in case she needed one.
A few tears streamed down her face. "I just. I wanted to believe better." Wanted her to at least show some remorse. Was an apology for the death she'd caused so much to ask for? Mirai buried her face in Juraki's chest, heaving heavy sobs.
He took her in his arms comfortingly. To lose comrades was one tragedy, to lose her sister was an even greater one, and to see your ex did not care at all just poured salt into the open wound. "I am sorry."
Mirai clung to him. If nothing else, she could take comfort in this. Nothing was right with the world anymore. But at least Juraki was there.