M
Marco sat at a large wooden table, listening to a strong old man recap fifteen years of events. He and Star had spent over a day getting to this point, but now that he was finally here, it was almost as dull as the debriefing after Machinor. Grenor informed them that shortly after they left, he went all around the country, informing royals of what had happened. Word got around that god-level beings had stopped an unspeakable evil, and promptly left. The two were famous for years, but slowly, doubt crept into the minds of men. People gradually moved to the idea that maybe it was more myth than legend. And the country of Dewjah saw their chance.
"We went to war with them about eight years ago, though its really been a stalemate," Grenor stated. "Once word got around about what you had done, and that you had left, the country of Dewjah found it opportune to make an advance. What with our weakened military force." Marco felt a touch of guilt in the last bit, given that so many men had died that day. But Star patted his hand under the table to reassure him.
He smiled at her before turning to Grenor. "So, and not to sound presumptuous here but, is there still mercenary work to be done?" Grenor squinted at him and took a swig of ale his wife had prepared. "Yes. But the work you're used to has dwindled some. Nowadays, most jobs are in relation to the war I'm afraid." Marco nodded at this and held his hands together. "We might partake in some light work for Vintal, but we can't meddle in your planets-" "Oh come on, Marco. They need our help. We can do a little more than just clean up a bit."
He looked nervously at Star before eying the countryside just outside. "Are you sure? It's not really our fight, Star." She smiled at him with determination and nodded. "Im sure. We can do a little to help out here and there." Grenor shook his head and set his drink down hard. "I would prefer that you two stayed out of it. I've seen what you can do and...I dont want a slaughter. They're men, just like us, following orders. They dont deserve to die like that. So promise me you won't fight."
John sighed indignantly from across the table before standing up and storming across the room towards the door. "You really can't help yourself, can you dad." Groner let his head droop some as he closed his eyes and sighed. "Youre too headstrong, boy. You're much more valuable keeping things under control in the heartlands."
Marco leaned forward and tried to meet his gaze. "Maybe you should give him a chance. You cant make every decision for him and hope he turns out safe." Star looked uncomfortably at Marco as Grenor lifted his head and eyed them both. "I only make the hard choices for him. I trust him enough to hold his own, but I won't send him to die while I sit here and pray he isnt in danger." Marco softened his gaze and spoke with cool words. "Trusting the people you look after is the hardest choice. Believe me. But you're only doing more harm than good. He deserves a chance to be as great a man as you
Star slammed both hands on the table and beamed a smile at Marco. "What if we could end the war?" she asked. "You said they only started fighting because they got cocky. What if we scare them back to their own country?" Grenor held up a hand and tried to argue, but no words formed. He simply sat back slowly and stroked his beard. "That's, actually not a bad idea," Marco stated bluntly. "We could flex a bit on the battlefield, show them we mean business and they'll run back now that they know we're here again."
Grenor nodded but kept a somber expression on his face. "They may try to attack you, despite what they've heard. Young men, sensible they may be, are braver than any general behind the lines." Marco nodded and turned to face Star. "We have to make sure we get the job done. No holding back, but no killing anyone. We can meet up with the royal family after, get some payment for ending a war, and then start our career as the best contractors around."
This excited Star, who promptly began tapping on the table, a wide smile on her face. "No hurting anyone. Got it. But, what could we do that won't hurt people?" Marco smiled at her and tapped harmless tufts of fire onto the table. "The best way we know. We can put on a show." This got Grenors attention, but Star seemed extremely puzzled.
"No offense, Marco, but I dont think dancing is gonna stop a war." He dropped his arms and groaned, clearly frustrated with her occasional clueless nature. "No, Star. If we want to go all out and scare the daylights out of them, we have to fight." Grenor held up a hand to speak but Marco interjected. "Not the soldiers. We'll fight each other."
This made the entire room go quiet. Star seemed at a loss of words as Grenor stroked his beard. "One of us will 'side' with Dewjah, and the other will back up Vintal. We appear out of thin air and proclaim that we want our specific country to win, and fight it out. They see how powerful we are, and then we make peace with each other. They'll follow suit and we can get to work again."
As he finished, Grenor nodded his head slowly. "This could work. But if they dont agree to peace?" Star broke her momentary silence by crunching her knuckles. "Then we join forces and destroy the enemy." Marco shook off his worried expression before pushing her hands down. "No, no, Star we're not fighting them. If we can't make them see reason, then we have to just step back and let things happen."
"Agreed," Grenor began. "Im all for your plan, but if it doesn't work, please sit it out. You needn't concern yourselves with the trivial engagements of our lands. It's simply not your fight, I'm afraid." Marco nodded and looked at Star. "So, you should side with Vintal. I'll side with Dewjah, and we can go at it on the battlefield." Star wore a puzzled look as she pawed that over. "Are you sure? What if they attack you?"
"They won't. We'll explain to the armies we're with that we intend to fight for them. That way, all eyes on us." He explained. "I have a favor to ask," Grenor muttered. He seemed largely uncomfortable but raised his gaze to meet them. "Take my son with you." Both Star and Marco stared at him, shocked, as he continued. "He is eager to see battle, for whatever reason, and you will need someone to guide you. I dont want him to fight, but...perhaps I should let him be his own man. After all. If you think i should trust him, then I'll allow it. "
Marco looked nervously to Star, who shrugged, before turning back to Grenor. "Okay," he said. "But maybe he should just go with Star. It wouldn't look good if I'm seen following a Vintal soldier around." Grenor nodded and took a swig of ale.
"Thank you both. And good luck. Please see to it that my son returns. Now if you'll excuse me, I suppose I should see him off." Grenor stood slowly and made his way to the door and stepped outside in the bright morning sun. Star took a deep breath and let it out slowly, eying the window as Marco spoke. "Well, that went pretty well. What do you think hes gonna say?"
She turned to face him a smiled before donning a sad decrepit face. "Ohhhh, my deeaarr sweet John, my boy. Please be safe for meee. Im going to miss how you scowl at the ground all the time." The two roared with laughter as a toddler walked into the room and stared at them. Marco stopped and eyed the boy with a smile. "Well, how's it going little man?"
The young boy continue to stare and pointed at them. "My gwandpa talks about yew a lot." Star beamed a smile as she tried to suck in air in a silent shriek. "Ahhhhhhhh!! He's so cute! Your grandpa is super cool, by the way!" The boy smiled and ran around the table before jumping onto Marcos lap.
"He used to fight bad guys all the time!" The little boy shouted. Star picked him up and threw him into the air several times as she kissed his nose. "Me too! We fight bad guys for a living and we once fought a guy as big as a mountain!" The boy laughed and wowed at her short story of the fight, obviously censored, as Marco quietly made his way outside.
He found Grenor hugging his son in a tight embrace, His beard damp and his words hoarse. "And you make sure you come back. Okay? Your old man...he needs you to come back. So...please. Promise me that." John patted Grenors back and squeezed him tighter. "I promise, dad. I'll be back here before you know it. And I'll tell you all about it like you used to do for me."
Marco stepped forward and smiled warmly at them. "I'll make sure your son comes home. You have my word." Grenor smiled and wiped his eyes. "Thank you, Marco. You two are always welcome here." Marco shook Grenors hand and turned around to see Star approaching them.
"I want one," she whispered to him quietly. "One day I'm gonna need a lil cutie like that." Marco coughed nervously before gesturing to Grenor and John. "I think we have time to discuss that later. We're about ready to head out if that's okay." Grenor nodded and gave his son one last hug. "I'll see you when you come home son. And this time you can bore me with all the details."
The four laughed for a moment before Grenor said his goodbyes and made his way back inside. John turned to Marco and held out an orange sash. "This is the royal color of Dewjah. Were this and they should give you some grace to speak. I'll take Star to the head command center behind the front lines and. 'Introduce her', to the commanders."
"You just sell yourself as a loyal Dewjah supporter, and obviously as THE Marco Diaz. Give 'em some evidence if you need to. Afterward, the two of you will meet on the battlefield and engage one another before admitting that the fight is pointless and that both armies should back down, or be subjected to your personal judgment as one." The two nodded in agreement before Preparing their gear. Leaving behind the nonessentials, they had their usual weapons, and some provisions if needed.
"Alright, Marco, whenever youre ready, you can send us to the Vixen Hills, southern side." Marco nodded but turned to Star. "John, can you give us a moment? I want to talk to Star." John held up his hands and stepped back inside for a moment to say goodbye to the rest of his family. Something he had just remembered to do.
"Star, are you sure you're okay with this?" Marco asked timidly. There was her cute Safe Kid. "Of course, Marco. Dont hold back on me. Give me everything you got and we can finish together." Marco blushed silently as Star bit her tongue realizing what she just said. "I mean, like-" "I know, Star. I love you. And I'll see you on the other side. Remember last time we fought?"
Star thought for a moment before her face lit up. "Yeah! I think it was a tie, personally, but I get it. And I love you too, Marco." He leaned in and kissed her with fervor, holding her cheeks as they silently glowed with love. She cupped his jaw and deepened their kiss when a voice interrupted their sentimental moment. "You two do know there are kids here, right?"
The two peeled off of each other before staring grumpily at John. "Like father like son," Star muttered. He walked up to them and handed Marco a map. "Meet us here, on the battlefield. You should go here first. That's where we believe they have a command post set up." Marco took the map and studied it for a moment before handing it back. "Alright, I'll see you both on the battlefield. Good luck."
He cut a deep blue portal into the air and allowed them to step through, disappearing into thin air. Marco took a shaky breath and cut open another portal, this one deep green. Stepping through it was like walking onto another planet. No irony intended. He could hear a war going on in the distance over the rolling brown hills. The grass seemed long dead, and clouds covered the sky. Robbing the day of any sentiment or warmth.
"So dramatic here," Marco muttered. He looked around and saw wooden buildings in the distance, guarded by men in rustic suits of armor capped with orange emblems. As he approached, a small group of them drew their weapons and stood readily blocking his path. He really couldn't help but smile.
"State your business here! You wear our colors but you're clearly not one of us!" One of them shouted. Marco casually continued walking as he called out to them. "Guys, look. I'm kind of in a hurry, so I sorta need to talk to the guy in charge." One of the guards chuckled as he pointed his sword at Marco. "You don't just walk up and talk to who's in charge. Turn around, and you may live."
Marco drew his scissor blades, which grew at his command. He kept the blue fire at bay, for now. "Does it help if I say that I, Marco Diaz, would like to volunteer?" The guards all turned pale and lowered their weapons. "Y-your...M-Marco Diaz?" He smiled and cut a portal to right behind them, stepping out and tapping on the lead guard's shoulder. "Does THIS answer your question?" All of the soldiers immediately spun around and dropped their weapons, holding their hands high. "Now that I have your attention, where can I find the guy in charge? I need just a minute of his time."
The lead guard pointed to a log house at the center of a group of buildings. It had a large flap for a door with what Marco assumed was the Dewjan emblem. A simple bear paw with a sword running through it. "Thanks. You may return to your duties, gentlemen."
He walked up to the command building, looking as official as he could, and pushed the flap aside as he stepped into the dim interior. It largely resembled the command center at the camp, but with a few more, homey, touches. Marco approached the center room, which had a large meeting table filled with what he could assume were commanders of sorts.
He tapped his sword on the stone floor, drawing everyones shocked gaze, and spoke with intent. "Goodmorning. I am the one and only, Marco Diaz. Defeater of Machinor, ground shaker, wind cutter, and soul stealer," he added for effect. "I have returned to your world, and I am here to fight on behalf of Dewjah, to defeat Vintal. Who is the man in charge, so that I may vow my allegiance to them, and fight in their name?"
He waited for a moment, but none of the men at the table spoke up. They all looked, quite honestly, petrified. I didn't even bust out the fire yet, what's the big idea? He silently wondered. "Well? Where is he?" Marco demanded. One of the officers at the table slowly pointed at him. Marco eyed the finger aimed at his chest but slowly came to a realization. "I'm right here." Said a soft but determined female voice.
He turned around slowly, to see a woman about his height, dressed in dark armor etched with gold markings. She had dark brown hair cut short to the shoulder, and piercing green eyes that seemed to burn a hole into Marcos' forehead. She frowned at him and placed her helmet on a nearby end table. "Who are you, to claim to be Marco Diaz? And why would you fight for my country? SPEAK!"
Marco let his shocked expression cool into one of steadfast resolve. He grinned at her, wickedly, before igniting his armor and eyes in a blaze of blue flames. Fire licked around his eyes and washed over his blades, causing everyone in the room to gasp before bowing down to him. Finally, some reaction here.
Marco stabbed his sword into the stone, inches in front of the woman's head, before bowing as well. "My lady, I AM Marco Diaz. And I WILL fight for you. For your country. to defeat those on the other side. What name are you known by?" he asked, trying to sound as cordial as humanly possible. Prince practice was really paying off lately.
"Sir, I am known by my people as Reselda Petrov. I am general to this army, and its leader." Marco stood slowly, before helping her to her feet. "Good. I am honored to be in your presence, Petrov. But I have news that I must share with you, and you alone."
She gestured to her men and without a word, the room was cleared in seconds. She paced over to the head of the table and took a seat. "Sit, please," she motioned. "Tell me what you must." Marco took a seat after quieting his flames. "Surely you know of my other half, Star Butterfly?" Petrov nodded. "She intends to fight for Vintal, and lay waste to your people. I cannot allow that to happen. So I will fight for you, and we will hold this country's borders from the onslaught that will come.
Petrov thought for a moment and stared at him, clearly formulating her next move. " Why have you two parted in your intentions? It was told that you two fought as one in battle. Why side with Dewjah?" She had asked him a loaded question, but he was naturally prepared. "Though we fight as one, our hearts hold true to their own. Where she sees mercy, I see weakness. Where she seeks vengeance, I find justice. We have, and always will be, two sides of the same coin. We differ in many ways, and in turn, we seek our own paths. And I have sought to fight for justice of Dewjah."
This answer seemed to satisfy Petrov, who brought out a map and began marking formation lines. "Sir, we have men here, here, here, here, and here," she said, gesturing to large squares of orange on the battlefield. "Where should we focus our troops as a defense?"
"Here," Marco said with icy determination. He pointed behind the front lines, just outside of the battlefield. Petrov looked at him, puzzled for a moment on why he would suggest such a thing. "That would leave the entire battlefield open for the enemy to advance upon. We cannot." She spoke with such resolve, Marco almost agreed. It frankly reminded him of Stars driven attitude to make things happen. But he held true to the plan.
"You dont really have a choice," he muttered. "You've no idea the power we wield. To place your men close to a battle worthy of the gods? It would mean certain death." Petrov leaned over the map again as Marco drew a blue star and an orange moon. She pointed to a small hill just west of the star and smiled.
"We can set up archers here. You keep her busy, and we fire a barrage that takes her by-" Marco interrupted her by slamming his fist so hard into the table, it nearly split in two. "If anyone hurts her. There will be a price to pay. I will deal with her myself. Get in my way, and I cannot guarantee your lives will continue."
Petrov nodded and stared at him. "Do not misunderstand our fight, Marco Diaz. We fight for equality amongst the masses. Our intent is not initial bloodshed, but to right the wrongs we've been dealt." Marco nodded in agreement and collected his scissor blades. He hated acting like this, but he had to make sure that he got the job done. They had to firmly believe that he and Star meant business. "Today, you will have peace. Mark my words, Petrov."
AUTHORS NOTE
So, SURPRISE!! Next chapter is gonna be a doosey. And happy Saturday night everyone! I've kinda been on a writing tirade lately, as I really cannot stop when it comes to Vintal. I love these breaks. Enjoy the chapter and leave your thoughts or suggested for me! BUH BYYYEEE!!!
~Mr. Ronald Reagan