Chapter 28 :: Reconciliation

"I see, so Eberus has passed through the gate to Derris-Kharlan," Kepler said to Solstice. Yuan and Martel evacuated most of the citizens of the city with only seconds to spare using the Zephyr and Trident. Still, only a fraction were alive to begin with for Dusk had hurled flaming debris into the housing district. The refugees set up a small camp along with what soldiers survived.

"I must return to Exire. If we are to stop Eberus, we will need all the help we can get," Solstice answered. Kepler, confined to a wheelchair since his bout with Dusk, became the acting Supreme Cardinal. With Asgard and Meltokio both in ruins, no government remained to control the lands. Anarchy broke out in many regions as half-elves and humans alike slaughtered each other in retribution for their losses in the Eternal War. "I pray for your success in negotiations."

Even in the refugee camp, the half-elves and the pureblood kept away from each other. Save for the Knights of Thor, they never made contact with the other side because each held the other responsible for what had happened. Kepler's knights remained on guard around the camp and became the only half-elves to be grudgingly accepted by the pureblood.

"Mithos, you're back with us," Martel greeted. She found Mithos reading an old book under a large oak tree near the camp, which was situated beside a forest.

"Kepler wants me to help him with diplomacy, whatever that is," Mithos said.

"Do you want me to help, Mithos?" Martel offered.

"It's all right. I think I can handle it if I've been through all this. Besides, it should be a matter of making the two sides get along, right?" Mithos said.

"Mithos remains as idealistic as ever," Kratos said to Yuan. The two joined the siblings on the forest hill near the camp. Yuan and Martel embraced upon seeing each other. During the few weeks they spent at the camp, the two had very little time for each other. Martel was always tending to the sick while Yuan needed to reorganize the remnants of Enigma's Ghosts.

"Martel, you want to join me for dinner tonight?" Yuan said.

"Sure, I'd be happy to," Martel answered.

"Well... time for me to get back to 'diplomacy.' Coming, master?" Mithos said.

"Of course, since you know little about diplomacy yourself," Kratos answered. They returned to a large tent in the center of camp in which Darius set up a long table. Lord Darius sat at the left end with Mithos, Kratos, and Kepler as the representatives of the half-elves. On the opposite side were King Antares, his chancellor Harold Arcturus, the elf elder from Heimdall village, and finally an elven sorceress from the northern coast.

"Let us begin then by deciding the terms of peace," Kratos said.

"First, the withdrawal of all humans and elves from Delthis," Kepler said.

"We are willing to pull out our soldiers, but there is no way we would uproot our citizens," Harold said. "In exchange we would like you to relinquish your foothold in the Flanoir region. I am talking, of course, about the base of Enigma's Ghosts."

"There is valuable scientific research being conducted there and it would take time for us to move everything," Darius replied.

"We will give you as much time as you need, given that you will do the same for our soldiers," Antares said.

"Finally, both sides must join in the fight against Eberus," Kepler said. "Only by working together can we overcome his power."

"You suggest that we fight alongside our enemies and trust you," the elven elder said. He turned to the woman beside him and whispered something in Elvish.

"The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Have you not heard that saying?" Kratos interrupted.

"It may be true that Eberus presents us with a common enemy right now, but what will prevent you from starting another Eternal War," said sorceress said.

"Start? If I recall, it was your army that marched into Triet and triggered the war," Kepler said, raising his voice.

"And Enigma's Ghosts were infiltrating our ranks. What could we do, let you inferior half-elves take over our government?" Harold shot back. The room exploded into a fury of argument. Both sides were yelling curses and accusing the other of starting the war and various atrocities.

"And who was responsible for the scouring of Heimdall? The deaths from Cornelius' Rheairds will never be forgotten," the elder said.

"Just shut up, all of you!" Mithos yelled, slamming his fist onto the table. A silence fell on the diplomats.

"Mithos, to think that I am negotiating with someone exiled from Heimdall," the elder said.

"Don't you see what's going on here? Eberus knows that the hate between both sides runs deep. Even if we defeat him but don't get over our differences, another Eberus is just going to take his place- someone who's angered that their people are suffering," Mithos said.

"Mithos..." Kratos started.

"Maybe even a human or an elf," added Mithos.

"We will never accept your kind," Harold replied.

"Silence, Harold. I am still the king of Macerdon, regardless of the beliefs of Black Phoenix," Antares said. "Hold your tongue or I will have it cut off."

"Lord Arcturus is from Black Phoenix?" Kratos asked.

"Secretly. Conspiring with Procyon, he authorized the attack to capture Sirius, something I fervently fought even when confronted by evidence that Enigma's Ghosts were there," Antares answered.

"Let's call it a day, everyone. We've decided on the military cease fire, and that alone is a great accomplishment," Darius suggested. "Mithos is only a child, but he speaks more wisdom than many of us adults. I will order all our Ghosts to begin leaving Arctic Base."

"And we will withdraw from your lands," Antares said.

"What about the Knights of Thor and the other Desian soldiers?" asked Mithos.

"They may stay. The gods know that we need them to protect this place," Antares said. "Now, we shall see each other tomorrow."

The representatives got up and dispersed from the tent to attend to their own duties. Mithos, however, went with Kratos back to their shelter.

"Diplomacy is a lot tougher than I thought," Mithos said.

"What you must realize is that not everyone is as quick to trust someone that they have been enemies with immediately. You befriended Alice when she joined you, and, as your mentor, I could only accept it too," Kratos said.

"You never trusted Alice?" Mithos asked.

"Not at first. Eventually, she had my full faith, but someone who just tried to kill my student is not a person I would easily make friends with," Kratos replied.

"Oh yeah! Martel and Yuan said they were having dinner tonight. Can we go, Kratos?" Mithos said excitedly.

"No, I think they want to spend it alone. The two of them have not had much time to themselves," Kratos replied.