As Estinien expected, the city has fallen to the brink of chaos since the announcement.
The towers appeared out of nowhere, just like the Ruby Weapon a few weeks prior, and this evoked many unpleasant memories within the horrified people. Many of them tried not to tremble and face this adversity with their chins high, but how could they be so confident in the face of a foe they didn't know how to resist? Many others would gather around the conference hall and attempt to ask their questions, no matter how urgent or meaningful. The news has not exactly been favorable, especially since the first scouts sent in by Raubahn have returned tempered and shouting glory for Garlemald.
Of course, their leadership had to figure a lot out and thus couldn't take all of those questions. Those of them who have not actively partook in planning have been tasked with guarding the entrance and trying their best to calm down the citizens. Estinien has found himself with Milisandia and Nero, standing against a rather perplexed crowd.
"Where did those towers come from? Does anyone know at all?" - A woman asked with a fearful voice. Milisandia looked at her and shook her head.
"We have theories; it has something to with the Empire…But that's about it." - She responded gently. It was clear that Milisandia wished there was happier news to tell.
"How can the Empire even do such a thing? They never had such power before!" - The woman's anger was getting out of hand; her desperation for answers barely allowed her to maintain sanity.
"General Aldynn is already working on a plan, just wait for a little longer and don't distract him. I promise you won't regret it!" - Milisandia spoke up, but people did not wish to heed any advice, especially not from her.
"How did they appear so quickly? Is it true that they are made of pure aether? Garleans couldn't use magic!" - An aghast man exclaimed, trying to understand how such could even happen. Nero looked at him and sighed, forced to give out some kind of response.
"I know you probably haven't heard of technological progress, but in the Empire, it's somewhat key. Who knows what they have developed while I was away…" - The engineer shrugged.
"And is it true that the men that returned shouted, "Glory be to Garlemald"? They say these towers can temper, is it true?" - The citizen continued, slowly descending into panic.
"Well, let's not jump to conclusions…Maybe they just decided to praise Garlemald for once. It has certainly earned some recognition, you know."
"This isn't helping!" - Milisandia interjected.
"Do you have anything better, miss "we-know-nothing-but-are-definitely-working on it?" - Nero parred.
"Just be honest, that's the best we can give them." - As they continued to argue, Estinied stood aside, consumed by his musings.
Fandaniel's words have been circling the dragoon's mind in constant repetition, pushing the wildest reaches of his imagination. He thought of Alphinaud battling the threats unknown, resisting the darkness at any cost. Estinien knew how determined the boy was and how his care for his friends and allies had been an unstoppable force driving this determination.
"Hey…" - Milisandia approached him cautiously; Estinien saw glimpses of sympathy in the au ra's eyes. "I know this isn't the best time, but about what the ascian said…" - She must have remembered the care and consideration Estinien offered in her dark hour and wished to repay similarly.
"Gaius was right when he said not to trust anything a paragon says." - Estinien replied distantly, continuing to gaze at the sky,
"You think he lied, then?"
Did he? Estinien would have easily written Fandaniel's ravings as lies and manipulations if it wasn't for Krile. If his words were true, then her reactions would make sense…Too much sense.
"It's certainly in his interest to throw us unto disarray and chaos. Just look at his end goal to see proof." - Estinien responded, not addressing Milisandia as much as his inner subconscious.
"Yeah, you're right…The end of the world, how is that even possible?" - Milisandia looked at the people and the city. "Do you think he might be trying to drive the people mad with all of this? Maybe make us…" - She didn't finish. Estinien saw a shocked expression on Milisandia's face, almost as if something clicked. "Alfonse mentioned he saw a robed stranger at our old base and that he just disappeared after getting out of sight…"
"And Fandaniel also mentioned working with Valens."
"It must have been him." - Milisandia seemed sure. "Laboring so close to us, and no one even noticed! I wonder if our "dear Legatus" knew this was coming." - She said with disdain towards her old tormentor.
"From the one brief time I've seen Valens, I place my bet on no." - Estinien shook his head and turned towards Milisandia. "He is both a maniac and an idiot."
"Oh, I see he didn't back down on the wonderful first impression." - Milisandia smiled, she must have felt awkward considering the situation they were in, but when each day brought more hardships, those smiles remained priceless.
"Discussing my wayward protege without me?" - Nero approached them and imitated offense in his tone. "I heard your assessment of him, Estinien. You're a very quick learner."
"We were actually talking about Fandaniel." - Milisandia said. "That and these towers."
"Don't you worry about that." - Nero smiled proudly. "I might have not been able to blast that cheeky bastard in the city, but it doesn't mean that the Ruby Weapon can't be used to shatter that ugly piece of "architecture" to pieces." - The garlean said with anticipation. He pondered for a moment before continuing with his theorizing. "This tower appeared instantly, created out of magic. Unless teleportation was involved, how likely it is that Fandaniel created it out of aether? And if Ruby Weapon is anything like the original…" - Nero looked at Milisandia before continuing. "In fact, why do I bother? You're the trained pilot here, so you must know."
"If you are wondering, yes, it can absorb aether and eikons, but I have my doubts whether such massive amounts won't be too much." - Milisandia explained.
"That's a problem we can solve later when the tower is out of the picture."
"None of it is useful until we find a way to reach a tower without getting tempered." - Estinien noted. Edwin would have been the first to take up such a challenge, but as he was…Away, they had to find other volunteers. "That is unless there is something in the weapon that can protect you from that."
"Of course, there must be!" - Nero claimed immediately. "Wouldn't be much of anti-eikon machine if there was as much as the slightest risk of tempering."
"He's right." - Milisandia supported the engineer. "Valens hasn't described those functions in detail to me, but I know that along with the oversoul crystals, there is also another type used there. It's the one garleans use in their radios, primarily for communication, but our scientists claim they can shield from tempering at a very close range."
"Eureka!" - Nero seemed jubilant after hearing this news. "That's the answer I needed. Now just for a couple more proposals and…"
Nero didn't finish as he saw a familiar face. Fordola walked out of the conference hall, dressed in her field armor and carrying the weapons behind her back. Estinien noticed determination in her eyes, and Milisandia waved to the lone woman.
"You seem cheery today…Never mind, you're just a little happier than usual, that's already too much contrast." - Nero shrugged, but Fordola didn't react to his jokes, instead of glancing at Estinien.
"The task of keeping civilians at bay hasn't kept you very entertained, has it?" - She noticed Estinien's tiredness and unease. Of course, this wasn't the reason, but the dragoon would rather play along.
"How did you even guess…"
"Get used to it-the Ala Mhigan way." - Fordola smiled lightly. "I've been discussing our plans with Raubahn and Gaius. Since I have resonant, that means tempering won't work on me, so I decided to go for some proper scouting."
"Did you decide, or did they send you? "- Milisandia said with doubt, still occasionally looking at Fordola's collar.
"Who do you take me for? Never shied away from a challenge, never will." - She replied confidently. "I'll see what that hellish pit holds, and we'll go from there…No reason to wait."
Fordola walked off towards the city breach, ready to get on with her task.
"Good luck. You'll need it." - Estinien said, causing Fordola to turn around one more time. After the moment their eyes met, she continued on her path.
…
Fordola knew that Arenvald's loss would toil on her, but she did not expect the pain to follow so soon.
She has only begun her path of redemption, and while she might not have shown it, she was grateful that the Alliance gave her a chance, that her own people gave her a chance. Were the Skulls to succeed in making Ala Mhigo absolutely loyal to garlean rule, mistakes like hers would be enough to warrant execution. Same for Nero, Gaius, Estinien, Milisandia…Yes, this was the reason Fordola enjoyed their company; there was much common ground between them. They would not look at her with arrogance or hatred because they understood the aching burned this granted.
They understood, but with Arenvald, it was different. He was always a hero, someone who aspired to do good for his people and friends and who maintained a strong moral code despite any temptations to abandon the hero's path. His forgiveness came from genuine empathy and belief that she could do good. He didn't have to waste his time on Fordola but did it nonetheless. In the short time they have spent together, the woman believed that her life could change for the better. The day he died marked her spur into chaos, which only seemed to grow with each fleeting hour. Weapons, maniacal legates, broken families…Nothing like an insane wizard bringing about the end of an entire world.
"Are you inside?" - She heard Raubahn's voice in her linkpearl. The general has remained in touch so she could relay to him any of her findings.
"Aye." - Fordola replied as she looked around the tower's halls. She felt the tension rising as she walked deeper into this place. It felt alien, unlike anything Fordola had seen before. Even the floor seemed to pulse with powerful energy that had been forcing Fordola into tiredness. She could only imagine how horrific the effects would be for someone without an echo.
"What can you see? It didn't exactly seem garlean to me from a distance; what's inside?"
"It is garlean…Vaguely." - Fordola tried to pick out the correct words. "As if their technology has been twisted by dark magic, merging it together. Ain't seen such a thing before." - She said while looking at the hall. She seemed to have approached the central chamber, and someone was ahead. Two men in garlean armor have wandered aimlessly before the entrance.
"Anyone in sight?"
"Hold on." - Fordola said and approached the garleans. They were clearly tempered, but how did they get here in the first place? Must have been spies that have found themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time. As she approached, they looked at her with their empty, soulless eyes.
"Glory be to Garlemald!" - One of them screamed and attempted to pierce Fordola with his blade. The resonant powers allowed the woman to swiftly avoid any incoming danger, especially when her opponent was a brainless thrall. She pushed one of the garleans aside and swiftly cut the throat of another.
Before Fordola could turn around to finish her remaining opponent off, he lashed at her and attempted to bite, clawing his way through to Fordola's skin. She felt the surge of pain, but it did not last for long. Soon this man fell to her blade as his blood colored it crimson.
"What's going on there?" - Raubahn said with concern.
"Met some bloody tempered, apparently garlean…Shouted, "Glory be to Garlemald" as if that's all they know."
"Just like our scouts…"
Fordola walked through the door and finally reached the main chamber. What she saw inside was shocking. The woman was immediately swayed by the scope of this place; the spire was ascending high above her with its structure creating a pathway all over the tower to its top. It would be a long walk, but she could even take a look at the core of this structure or whatever the thing that unleashed the aether if beam into the sky was…But this was not the end of it.
"Seven hells…" - Fordola was amidst a grotesque scene, surrounded by Ananta, people of one of the beast tribes residing in Ala Mhigo. All of them were immobile and locked inside the wall. Each has merged with her own slot, becoming hardly distinguishable from the tower's architecture. Some of their faces portrayed terror, but most remained completely expressionless. What happened here? How did so many of them end up in a single spot? And at the heart of this room was a lone garlean terminal with its screen in a constant blur.
"What can you see?"
"Ananta, dozens of them…"
"The ones from the tribe? What in the world are they doing there?"
"As if I know. I can only say that those poor sods aren't here by choice… They're entrapped within the tower's walls, they don't even seem alive, but I know they are." - Fordola recounted the scene. She allowed herself a slight moment of relief due to her being alone here. If Arenvald was with her, he would have rushed off to help them, probably garnering the attention of some defense systems.
"Is there a further pathway? Where can you go from there?"
"Only upwards. There's a bloody labyrinth here that seems to lead to the top, and I…" - Fordola was eager to check it out, no matter how dangerous it was. It would have been reckless, no doubt, but she did not hold her own life in particularly high regard. If she dies, she dies, no big deal. Maybe it was fear of responsibility speaking inside of her…So much for walking a long path.
But her plans would never get a chance to succeed. Fordola heard a ravenous roar from above as purple flame covered the tower's top. It was the creature that rose above Ala Mhigo when the paragon arrived, the "Lunar Bahamut," as she was told.
"Is that a roar I heard?" - Even Raubahn could catch some of the echoes through linkpearl.
"The dragon is here…" - Fordola was prepared to face it. This could even be the blaze of glory she needed to leave this world with honor…But she knew that she would meet Arenvald on the other side. And when he asks "why," she will have no answer to give.
"Get out of there, now!" - Raubahn commanded, but it was clear enough for her.
A massive pillar of magic has risen in front of Fordola, pushing her aside. As this pillar waned, another one appeared near her. She had to constantly run to avoid getting caught in Bahamut's destructive powers. As Fordola was distracted, the dragon descended before her. It was preparing the flame imbued with dark energy, and there was no way to resist it, only to escape. Fordola rushed to the corridor she entered, hoping this would be the quickest passage out of the tower.
Bahamut followed, unleashing the first fiery wave. Fordola knew it was coming and sped up, though she still felt the heat raging beneath her feet. She let out a pained grunt, pushing herself to carry on. The light was within her sight; it wouldn't take long. Dark spheres began to emerge beside Fordola, exploding one after the other to throw her off track. One of them went off so close that Fordola was pushed to the edge of the bridge she walked on. A little more power, and she would have collapsed, consumed by the boundless abyss, but this wasn't her time just yet.
Desperately maintaining her balance, Fordola managed to hold by the nearby wall and pull herself up before it was too late. From there on, she charged as quickly as possible and, in an instant, found herself under the sun once again. The tower remained behind, and for some reason, Bahamut did not follow her. Fordola breathed in relief, looking towards the city.
"Are you out?"
"Yes." - Fordola replied. "I suppose we have something."
This venture resulted in her having more questions than answers, but perhaps they could still be discerned.
It was time to report.
…
"Where…Is my prey?"
Those were the words spoken by one of the many test subjects Valens sacrificed to the Diamond Weapon. All in a feeble attempt to achieve one result and always ending in failure. So many lives has it already taken…And it will take more, much more. As Valens looked upon his magnum opus, his thoughts of how to use it practically have been utterly overshadowed by imagination. The Legatus thought of this weapon annihilating Eorzean cities, of how it will bring the savages to their heel. Some will beg, others will fight, and all will burn.
And when the time comes, Valens would bring it to Garlemald…This thought was enough to make him gleam with anticipation. In the war-torn capital, those mindless fools were degrading themselves to the likes of the beasts. They would meet him as a savior and as a new Emperor. Bow before his might and pray before his glory. This will be a tale rivaling that of Solus, a single engineer ascending to the throne is only a few years. But Valens knew he was getting ahead of himself.
For his last weapon to become a power to hold the whole world in fear, it must have been imbued with godly might. That's exactly why he used the data of Zenos yae Galvus, a ruthless hunter, to the end. Valens heard enough about his contests with the Warrior of Light; only this Nero could match Zenos in his prowess and strength. This dead hero.
But the project took an unexpected turn. Every single time Valens would throw another savage into the core, the result would be…Lacking. He has only used a fraction of the oversoul's potential, yet even so, the results have shown themselves as wild and uncontrollable. The pilot has become a mindless beast, a slave to their instincts of hunting powerful prey. If such being was to be given control of the weapon, it would not obey…And Valens needed obedience. The thought of the Ultima Weapon going beyond his control was horrifying, just as losing it while Alliance still had a functional one.
"My lord." - A concerned voice rang out from behind as one of the VIIth's soldiers approached Valens in the lab. "Apologies if I am disturbing you, but I bring news about the towers."
"Report, then." - Valens said negligently. Those damn towers have been spoiling the moment…Appearing out of nowhere and causing some of his agents to drop out of contact. Inexplicable, magical structures serve a mysterious purpose. Fandaniel was behind that; Valens had no doubt…That damn trickster. Ever since he told Valens about the demise of Eorzean heroes, the Legatus believed himself to be unstoppable. The last thing he expected was those complications and a knife in the back way too soon. Fandaniel promised a distraction, but this was too much.
"We have found another tower in northern Werlyt…" - The soldier began. "It is identical to the ones we saw before."
"I assume you've sent some scouts in?"
"Of course, milord, but they've returned tempered. They were acting like typical savage thralls and saying, "Glory be to Garlemald.""
"And?"
"We've decided to call off the expedition until your further orders."
"Well, my orders remain the same." - Valens said harshly.
"Are you proposing to send in more men? It's dangerous and…"
"I don't care! Do whatever you want, but find a way into that tower, or the tempering won't be the worst of your problems!" - The Legatus commanded with fury, immediately putting the soldier back into his place.
"As…As you command, milord." - He bowed and left, preparing for his task. Valens hated when his minions hesitated. All of them knew that he would never take their safety over the mission's success, and still, they would whine from time to time. It didn't matter how many men he would lose; when the Diamond Weapon is perfected, none of that will matter.
And soon, Valens finally could meet his most esteemed guest. As a few other soldiers entered this room, they led a beaten and bruised au ra man. He followed them slowly and obediently, eyes looking down to the floor. He had only one horn, and the scar left in the place of the second has been bandaged. Valens had a plethora of ideas of what to do with Rex, of how to provide him with a fitting enough discipline. He could have thrown him into the Diamond Weapon, or perhaps his brother? Another idea Valens entertained is forcing potential test subjects to torture Rex so they could be spared the pain themselves.
But in the end, the Legatus has got another idea. One that will serve to utterly decimate Rex's will and bring Valens his most desired trophy. The Legatus took his time watching recordings of the Emerald weapon and its battle with Gaius and his allies. It eventually got destroyed by the weapon's might raging after oversoul activation, but what he saw was enough. Gaius desperately wanted to save those children. He cared for them like they were their own, ready to risk his life and safety only to save them. The mighty Black Wolf, getting desperate over pathetic savage scum. Valens would enjoy making use of this weakness.
"Is the terminal ready? "- Valens asked, looking at one of his scientists overseeing the Diamond Weapon.
"Yes, should I send the signal, milord?" - She asked.
"Right on time. Let's give them some time to respond…" - Valens smiled in anticipation. The display terminal has been connected to the Diamond Weapon, which in turn was able to communicate with the other three, and if there was anything good that came out of Ala Mhigans taking the Ruby Weapon was the possibility of opening such a channel.
It would take some time for Gaius to notice, of course, but Valens was ready to wait for an occasion like this. Meanwhile, he had another toy to play with.
"How are you feeling?" - He walked towards knelt Rex and said with a mocking tone. "I hope it still hurts a little."
Rex didn't respond or even look up. The au ra gazed on the floor, maintaining absolute immobility and negligent gaze. Someone else might have assumed that he was broken, but Valens knew better than to celebrate victory too early.
"Now listen here; the only reason I didn't cut off the second horn was that I still need you to hear. Don't disappoint me on that one, will you?"
"Cut it if you want. At least I won't have to listen to your voice anymore." - Rex responded. His tone did not contain any anger or emotions at all, it was plain and machine-like, but even so, Valens could feel the immeasurable hatred. The Legatus punched Rex only for the au ra let out a brief flinch and no sound at all.
"And what did I say about watching your clever mouth?"
"Hitting, huh? The best you can do?" - Rex mocked him in return. "I don't care anymore. You will make me suffer, and Ricon, maybe throw us into Diamond Weapon. You won't have a reason or logic behind this… You'll just do it because you like seeing us suffer and hearing us scream." - The au ra spoke with a faint and tired voice. "But I won't give you this kind of satisfaction. Don't even try."
"That was a good guess, but you're wrong." - Valens shook his head in glee. "I have a much more practical use for you this time. Remember when you said how much you admire your "father," Gaius? How his ideals have inspired you, and how they are a league above mine? Now you will see how those same ideals will lead him to his downfall."
…
Gaius has not felt so overwhelmed since his last invasion of Eorzea, but this time he faced stakes far higher.
His plans on how to rescue Rex and Ricon have been immediately overshadowed by the agent of chaos summoning those cursed towers into their lands. And according to Fordola's report, those structures were full of tempered imperials and pacified beastmen. Raubahn had no choice but to focus on a more pressing issue, and while Gaius understood, he still didn't wish to wait and prolong his sons' suffering.
To both his horror and intrigue, the Shadowhunter was visited by Nero and Valdeaulin, who brought urgent news. Gaius had to listen to Nero's complaints about Valdeaulin telling him not to answer before notifying someone else, but apparently, the Ruby Weapon had released a signal wave, asking for connection. Nero was certain of this being the same communication technique Alfonse used when they closed before Terncliff; someone must have been sending a message from the Diamond Weapon.
Of course, Gaius and Milisandia immediately rushed to answer, even if maintaining a semblance of caution. This signal could only come from VIIth's headquarters in Werlyt, which would mean that either Rex or Ricon have been trying to establish contact, or it was someone else…The lesson of Allie's fate has been cruel enough for Gaius. He would not presume anything this time before learning for certain. Nero followed them, eager to see the development of their conflict. Gaius thought it right to notify Estinien, considering how much help he has offered in the last weeks, and the Azure Dragoon obliged.
The four found themselves near the breach looking at the Ruby Weapon. The signal has still been pulsing with regular mechanical sounds spreading from it. How much time must have passed while they were preparing? Someone has been acting very patiently.
"I don't think it's them…" - Milisandia said as Nero was installing the display terminal and connecting it to the weapon. "Valens wouldn't leave the weapon unattended for so long; it can only be him."
She was right, and Gaius braced himself for seeing his opponent for the first time in years. The last time he saw Valens was when he was still a lowly assistant to Nero, subservient and barely notable. His actions, however, showed how much of a monster Valens truly was. He just needed some power to exercise his sadism.
"I take it he has changed and not at all for the better." - Gaius said grimly.
"I saw him when Nero called in; Valens is a madman." - Estinien noted. "He has a very fragile ego, however… It's not hard to expose his jealousy and cowardice."
"He might be a coward, but he has power." - Gaius shook his head. "And cowards in power can be far more dangerous than brave men. We need to remain cautious."
"And…Done!" - Nero exclaimed, calling the other three to the terminal. The call has been accepted, and the waves have gradually formed an image on the monitor. A familiar face, but this time void of any restraint he had. The second Gaius saw Varro, he witnessed pure glee in his eyes. Others remained silent. The Shadowhunter felt Milisandia tensing up the moment she saw her former master.
"Splendid, everyone is here!" - Valens exclaimed in a thrilling voice. He took some time to look over those on the other side, making sure to investigate each one thoroughly. In the end, he focused on Gaius. "Finally…" - Valens clenched his teeth and fist when he witnessed the Shadowhunter. Gaius couldn't be quite sure, but it almost looked like Valens trembled at his sight. "So many in the Empire believed you, and now they see your true face. A pathetic, degenerate traitor."
"You've had about half an hour to wait for us, and that's the best insult you came up with?" - Nero asked. "Try to be at least a little impressive…"
"Ah, Nero. How is your glorious conquest and destruction of all my operations going along? You seemed to have lost of your daringness ever since destroying the Sapphire Weapon." - Valens mocked him before moving his gaze towards Milisandia. "And you…How good did it feel? To burn that city to the ground and then cry and hide behind your daddy's back? You must be happy that it's your brothers that suffer under me now and not you." - He tried to make her fume, but Milisandia was better than this. She remained silent and confidently maintained eye contact with Valens, showing how meaningless his attempts were.
"Is that why you came here? To exchange petty insults?" - Gaius spoke for the first time since answering the call. "If that is so, I have no desire to waste our time on it."
"Finally, you show some voice! And to answer your question…Yes, though that is far from the only reason." - Valens smirked; Estinien spoke next.
"If you haven't yet noticed, the whole world is in danger from your "friend's" schemes. You would still prioritize this conflict over the threat?" - The dragoon moted with disbelief, though he seemed to know that this was exactly what he should have expected.
"Shut up, degenerate. I'm not talking to you! "- Valens snapped in return.
"If only you would have listened to advice coming from "degenerates" instead of shutting it down…You might have not ended up being such a failure." - Estinien retorted, after which Gaius noticed some fury in Valens's eyes. He had it under control, however, and soon continued to talk.
"Fandaniel is…An inconvenience. When the Diamond Weapon is ready, all of his towers will crumble before it."
"You fool…" - Gaius clenched his fist and gazed deep into Valens's eyes. "I was once convinced that the Ultima Weapon would the all-powerful device no one would resist, man or ascian. You know this and still, walk the exact same path."
"Because you have not fought hard enough, Gaius, and I will…Everyone will see. The whole Garlemald will see."
"Most of Garlemald has not the faintest idea about even your name, so don't flatter yourself on this." - Nero snarked.
"None of you believe…Idiots!" - Valens shouted. "There is nothing I would like more than to parade all of you in the capital with shock collars around your necks. It would serve for both justice and making an example…"
"Very loud words for someone running out of weapons." - Nero noted.
"Heh…" - Valens looked to his side. "Well, perhaps this will change your outlook." - He turned his magitek terminal only for a horrifying image to appear before Gaius. It was Rex, bruised and kneeling before the screen. His son had only one horn remaining, with a gruesome scar covering the other side. He was almost the most energetic and vibrant of them all; to see Rex in such a broken state has swiftly become a true nightmare.
"Rex! "- Milisandia shouted in horror as she saw her wounded brother. "What have you done to him? Why?!" - Her agonized voice echoed through the terminal, only making Valens's grin wider. Rex recognized the voice and looked up at the terminal. His yellow eyes were brimming with both disbelief and newfound hope.
"Mili…Father…" - He smiled at them as if they were so close he could feel their presence.
"Rex…" - Gaius answered with a guilt-ridden voice. "I'm sorry." - There was not much else to say, even though no apology can undo what happened to him. No talk will save him, only action.
"You monster!" - Milisandia screamed, and Gaius couldn't agree more. Nero and Estinien have remained in complete silence, looking grimly at the terminal.
"Like the work I've done with him? Believe me when I say I can do much more." - Valens grabbed Rex by the neck and began to gradually choke him for a few seconds. When it became harder for him to breathe, he let go. "But you know, I've realized that those broken children serve little purpose without their connection to you. So I decided to release them…" - Valens began. "With a simple demand. I request your surrender into my custody, Gaius, right at the Werlyt headquarters."
"Do you expect us to believe you'll release them? And we're not trading one family member for others, that's not…" - Milisandia was resilient; the sheer arrogance of Valens to make such a proposal had enraged the usually-calm girl. Gaius felt similarly, though there was something else.
"Are you that much of a fool? Gaius wouldn't give up just because someone made an empty promise." - Nero declared. "And that is the only promise you can make."
Gaius had no doubt that Valens would not release Rex and Ricon, but if he truly believed that the Shadowhunter would fall for such a trick, his way of thinking would have been flawed and made him vulnerable. Gaius knew for a fact that Valens was easy to manipulate, and so it presented an opportunity. The one toiling on the border between profound calculations and sheer insanity, but that wouldn't be the first time. Gaius gazed at Estinien, and his stark eyes were enough for the dragoon to understand. Estinien nodded moments before Gaius looked back at the screen.
"I accept." - He said to the shock of those around him.
"What? Are you out of your damn mind? It's obviously a trap!" - Nero spoke loudly, but Gaius ignored him and instead looked at his daughter. She was shaking her head in disbelief, but Gaius knew she understood. She knew him too well. Gaius looked at her with warmth and kindness, the emotions he rarely displayed in his early years.
"This is the only way."
"Magnificent! See, Rex, just as I told you. Your father cares so much about you that he will throw his life on the block along with all his beliefs just to give scum like you another chance!" - Valens took pleasure in each moment of this mockery.
"Why…" - Rex looked at Gaius in shock.
"I will see you freed, Rex. Whatever the cost." - He declared and looked at Valens. "I have one condition."
"And that is?"
"Your Legion is a disgrace to the garlean Empire…All the practices you perform, the torture, enslavement, and oversoul-those are the symptoms of the rot that has overtaken our homeland. You and your servants embody it, and it disgusts me to no end…Judgment day will come for you and all the traitors that followed you. And I want to see their faces as I arrive…I want to look those bastards in the eyes and let them know how low they have fallen." - Gaius spewed this with disdain and fury as his lips quivered, feeding Valens's ego.
"Ha-ha, you still have some of that arrogance in you, old wolf? There will be no judgment day for me since it has all been decided already…But my soldiers having a chance to mock you like the animal you are is a fascinating prospect. Very well, I shall oblige. What a show will this be…" - Valens has fallen for his bait without a second thought. Gaius desperately tried not to let out a smile and ruin his impression.
"Then it's agreed? Shall I come to your fortress in Werlyt?"
"Not yet. Your life may win you Rex, but there is still Ricon, and I have always been an avid supporter of fair deals. I need another of you, another degenerate, to throw themselves at my feet!" - He commanded, causing Gaius to fall uncertain for a moment. This pondering, however, was soon dispelled by Milisandia's voice.
"I will go."
"What?" - This was the time for Gaius to be shocked.
"Please, father, let me come with you. It's a family matter, and you're right, Valens. I was free while my siblings suffered and died under your command; it's time to make things fair. I will bow to you if you release my brothers." - Milisandia said loudly and with confidence. It wasn't easy for her to stand tall and maintain her voice, but she remained courageous. "And, father, whatever comes afterward, whatever challenges and pain… I'm not afraid of them because I know that this time, we will meet them together." - She smiled and declared her proposition. Valens seemed to ponder for a moment.
"Very well, this will do. I expect you at my door in a day, and if there is as much as the slightest sight of Ruby Weapon on the radar… I'll kill Ricon and make Rex wish he'd died too. Is that clear?"
"Yes, it is." - Gaius nodded.
"Then see you soon, old wolf…And prepare to be punished before the whole of the Empire. A slave's life is your only future." - Valens smirked before turning the terminal off. The communication has ended, leaving the four in silence before the Ruby Weapon. Gaius looked at valiant Milisandia and smiled. She knew exactly what was coming and was ready for it nonetheless. As much as Gaius was worried, it was her choice, and he respected it.
"I'm proud of you. You truly are the best daughter I could hope for." - After those words, Milisandia rushed into her father's warm embrace.
"I love you, father!" - As she said it, Allie's words echoed in Gaius's mind, causing tears to fall like a smooth rain. This trauma would not, however, overshadow his love for Milisandia and the hope they still shared. He hugged the au ra, even making Estinien look at them with joy. Nero was the only one still dumbfounded.
"Proud, seriously? You're both going to die for nothing along with those two and…"
"Easy now, genius." - Estinien paused him. "They are not going to simply give in. This will be a distraction for someone else to get inside and disable the weapon, preparing for a strike from within. At least that's what I assumed…"
"You are right." - Milisandia said, looking up at her father with her watery eyes of purest affection and love. "The moment he said that he agrees, I knew father has been thinking of a plan, and I support him…Because it is a family matter. And we won't let Rex and Ricon die!"
"Oh…" - Nero must have felt rather awkward.
"I asked him to bring as many soldiers as possible for a reason." - Gaius went straight to the point, looking over his companions. "He won't bring everyone, but this will make infiltration way easier. While he is distracted by us, the others will disable the weapon and prepare for a strike. From there…We will see."
"That breaks a record in my list of suicidal plans." - Nero said with doubt.
"This is our only chance. Either we win, or we die fighting… That's the creed scions have followed, and they never ran away from danger." - The Shadowhunter looked at Estinien. "I know this isn't the first time…"
"You can count on my lance." - The dragoon responded with eagerness.
Tomorrow, they will end Valens's tyranny.